2. Packing for Luggage Search. Don't Lock Your Bags!!

Hi!

This time I used a lot of the largest available plastic Ziplok bags for mypacking. This is so that those who search luggage in case of terrorist

weapons don't need to paw through all of my things. They can see them in the

bags and feel whether there is anything extra inside that shouldn't be there.

Last time we travelled via the USA, when we were homeward bount the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security broke the lock on Ben's big black hard-sided bag (a clamshell type. We each have one large one and one small one. Inside they left a card saying they had opened it for inspection.

Now no bags are to be locked. Who wants to leave their bags unlocked through all the handling that is required for a trip! To overcome that problem a kind of

lock has been devised to which the authorities have a master key. Since Our luggage is closed by combination lock codes, so we can't use such a lock. Therefore, we had to leave our two big bags and two small ones unlocked. We just strapped each tightly with a strong and colourful strap. So far we haven't noticed anything has been pilfered.

One of our friends experience a loss the last time she travelled by ship and plane. Margaret bought a gold necklace. It is often sold for $10.00 per inch. There are various weights and designs. You buy the length you want and the clasp

is attached. Presto! A custom chain. I wasn't interested so didn't find out the quality of the gold, so I can't tell you that. Her chain was stolen from her

unlocked luggage while it was in transit. I would have worn, or carried in my

hand baggage with me anything valuable but she didn't, and that was the result.

Packing was much more efficient because I used the plastic bags, and I intend to

do so every time now. It was very easy to find things, to pack and unpack, and

everything stayed clean and unmussed.

It was those four bags we retrieved from the plane's hold and carried with us in

the back of the VW Rabbit.