How to avoid baggage handler stealing?

L

Lurp

Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Messages
493
I have aquired quite a few knives while i was here in Austion for college and am planning to transfer them back to my home in NY by ptting them in my checking lugagge. I have heard some stories of people getting things stolen from their bag by baggage handlers and if i recall correctly a couple of people mentioned getting knives stolen on this forum. I was wondering if you guys could maybe suggest anything i could do or pre-cautions i could take to further ensure my knives are safe. Thank You.
 
Whenever I travel, I really hide my knives. I bury them in my socks, I really get them hidden. I have put them in my jeans pocket......All kinds of hidding places, it has served me well over the years. I hope this helps.
 
Can't you buy locks that are approved by the security agency responsible for searches (i.e. ones they have keys for as well)?

Other than that I'd suggest brightly coloured zip ties, at least you'll know as soon as your luggage comes off the conveyor if anyone's been in it.
 
There have been a few threads on this. Yes, you can buy TSA approved locks. Another method that some unsung bight person proposed was to loop cable ties thru (or around) each knife, cable tie them all together, and even if possible to some internal loop in your luggage.

Nothing will completely prevent theft, but this way, no knife can "accidentally" fall into some baggage handler's hands......
 
If they're worth enough, why don't you ship them home by UPS or USPS. They don't even have to be identified as knives to either, so there would be little chance for theft.
 
What HDCharlie said.

Best way to keep the TSA thieves out of your knives is to not let them touch 'em in the first place. Ship your hardware instead!!
 
What i do is use "shrink wrap"!:) buy two roles of shrink rap put one in the baggage and wrap the whole baggabe with shrink wrap with about 10 to 15 layers.

The shrink wrap will make it impossible to open your luggage without physically removing the shrink wrap and you can immediately see if someone tampered with your luggage. Also most airport thieves don't walk around with a role of shrink wrap so they can't hide their crime.

The second role of shrink wrap is for your trip back, put it in the suitcase before you start wrapping :D

i have done international flights with this method from the North Africa to Europe and within Europe. Customs never asked me to open the luggage.

It's also a good way to make shure the luggage can't open and spill it's contents when loaded in and out of the airplane.
:thumbup:
 
I know several knife makers who attend shows all over the country and they always send there knives to there hotel buy Federal Express. It may cost a little but it is very safe
 
1. Ship 'em.

2. I've heard several people say the put a written list in the luggage that is visible to anyone who would open it so they can see that you've taken the time to inventory them.

Personally I would just ship 'em.
 
As I have said many times on this forum, TSA rules permit you to witness the inspection of your bag and then lock it in any way you want with whatever lock you like.

The procedure varies from airport to airport depending on how each has implimented the new inspection procedures.

Just ask when you check in. If you are told no, then insist and ask for a supervisor. I've had to insist a couple of times. But I have always got to watch and lock since that is what TSA rules permit.
 
None of the knives are worth THAT much...were talking most of them around $70. I just picked up 2 of those TSA locks and I think im going to hide them in different places in my luggage and then put the TSA locks on. Shipping them for me is a little hard because the places around here to ship them are on campus and im not supposed to have knives as it is...would be the last thing i would want to do is get caught with all of them. i think i should be fine
 
If you have a sleeping bag, roll it tightly- with your knives in the middle- and put it in your checked luggage. Its always worked for me.
 
I don't really see what the TSA locks will do for you here, since the concern is the TSA people themselves (who will open the locks) taking your stuff. Unless you have the time and patience to do what Gollnick says (I'm sure it works, but I don't have the time, and I want to deal with those folks less rather than more), just ship them.
 
I HATE to leave my knives at home when I fly... last time I was in NewOrleans I couldn't find a knife but had an offer on a gat...go figure
When I go through JFK I was told that even though my bag (and me) was searched by security, it can't be locked closed after it's checked because it can be checked again. Locks will be cut off... and scum-bag low-life perp bag handlers will once again have free reign to grab whatever they can. I leave my blades at home because of this... forget trying to travel with a firearm. I perfer to travel by bike whenever possible anyway
 
TheKnifeCollector said:
Whenever I travel, I really hide my knives. I bury them in my socks, I really get them hidden. I have put them in my jeans pocket......All kinds of hidding places, it has served me well over the years. I hope this helps.
Click to expand...


lol I just came from Las Vegas and I didn't want to leave my Emerson folder behind so I hid mine in jeans and folded them up. seems like a pretty good spot.

I don't recommend locking your luggage [in addition to the TSA stuff mentioned above]. Over the years I hear over and over about locked luggage getting stolen or busted open because people assume you have something in there. Nice Samsonite luggage [hard shelled] gets stolen before some crappy looking stuff.
 
omaha-beenglockin said:
Take the bus.
Click to expand...
Texas to New York. Groannn ...

We drove from San Angelo to Westchester ... once. That was the last of that old Chevy, but it got us home. :)
 
Richter said:
I hid mine in jeans and folded them up. seems like a pretty good spot.
Click to expand...
Lol, that's where they look to steal any money you might have left in your pants. It's like tying your knife to a wallet or camera.

I think the best solution is to put a few twenties in an envelope with a note: "Dear TSA thief, please accept this bribe as a token of my gratitude for not stealing the rest of my stuff. You low-down, dirty, bottom-feeding scum of the Earth."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top