Should I use this plastic protector on my suitcase

[orlandoN21]

Packed and ready to make my way to Premier Inn Gatwick later today for twilight check-in. Lol...there is also a suitcase within this one.

Has anyone used a plastic protector on their case... and if yes, has it been damaged by Homeland Security at MCO and so I shouldn't use it? Thanks

[NewtoOrlando]

Personally have never bothered, we have hard shell cases and as such are waterproof, if they get damaged in transit then I would claim back from the airline

[Mr Tom Morrow]

My concern with these plastic covers is how do the TSA etc get into the case?

I lay odds they would use a knife and slash through it thus ruining the case itself.

However if it's a custom fit zipped up type I think they are a good idea as the TSA will just unzip them - hopefully!

[ELLENUT]

If you are concerned about your items getting wet when landing in rain etc.. Then personally I would be inclined to pack clothes in bags or packing cubes. I would be concerned that TSA would cut into that, also maybe they would be more likely to pull this case to one side for checks.

[scoobydooby]

I wouldn’t bother. Your case is going to get treated badly whatever you do. There are very few things I pay top dollar for but with suitcases I’ve gone expensive hard shell. Has served me well. When I was less flush I went very cheap so if they got ruined it wasn’t the end of the world. I agree with Mr TOM. Unless it’s got a zip TSA May slash it which runs the risk of them also slashing your case.

[chmurf]

you stand less chances of it being damaged if you fly direct, from LGW to MCO, as TSA will not inspect your suitcase (UK security will, and I won't try to guess if they're mre zealous than their US counterparts) ... if flying inderect through a US airport, TSA will rip that protector open

having a suitcase within the first suitcase will probably trigger a check, at least it's always been the case for me when packing a suitcase inside a suitcase (probably the metal frame and the retractable handle mecanism and stuff showing on x-ray, IDK)

from MCO to LGW then your suitcase is more likely to be inspected, and the protection removed.
as Mr Tom said, let's just hope they don't cut through with a knife

you're supposed to not make inspection more difficult than it should, that's the reason you're supposed to use TSA locks if you use locks at all (I don't) and if you use any other kind of locks, they'll break it and not be liable for that.

I've had many suitcases damaged over the years, and to be honest, most of the times, the damage would not have been prevented by a mere plastic sheet covering

what these kind of covers do is to prevent the case from opening, (and avoid your running across the conveyor belt at MCO to gather your socks and undies when your case burst open (don't laugh it happened to someone who used to come on here )

but there a good luggage belt with a 3 prong clasp acheives the same

the other thing it does is make it more difficult for would be thieves to go through your luggage in the bowels of an airport (happens more than you know)

but there you could also consider that, for a malevolent person, the more protected a suitcase is, the more likely the owner wanted to protect something of value inside ...


Sorry I didn't help you decide. I'm just giving my POV : money down the drain, I'd just keep for spends during my trip

if the case gets ruined, or otherwise damaged, your airline will most likely refund, especially so if the case is rather new and you have a receipt for it

I've had a case that was pierced through (yup, an half inch round hole one one side ... and that was a hardshell) Lufthansa refunded ( retail value on receipt) and credited me with a fair number of miles I've used on amazon gift card to replace the suitcase while I kept the cash ...

[orlandoN21]

Thanks for the replies... both are hard shell cases anyway...first time of using as I only used to use soft cases. But protector now taken off and two TSA locks now fitted.

I've travelled with a suitcase within a suitcase on several occasions with no problems before.

[chelynnah]

Originally Posted by chmurf

you stand less chances of it being damaged if you fly direct, from LGW to MCO, as TSA will not inspect your suitcase (UK security will, and I won't try to guess if they're mre zealous than their US counterparts) ... if flying inderect through a US airport, TSA will rip that protector open

having a suitcase within the first suitcase will probably trigger a check, at least it's always been the case for me when packing a suitcase inside a suitcase (probably the metal frame and the retractable handle mecanism and stuff showing on x-ray, IDK)

from MCO to LGW then your suitcase is more likely to be inspected, and the protection removed.
as Mr Tom said, let's just hope they don't cut through with a knife

you're supposed to not make inspection more difficult than it should, that's the reason you're supposed to use TSA locks if you use locks at all (I don't) and if you use any other kind of locks, they'll break it and not be liable for that.

I've had many suitcases damaged over the years, and to be honest, most of the times, the damage would not have been prevented by a mere plastic sheet covering

what these kind of covers do is to prevent the case from opening, (and avoid your running across the conveyor belt at MCO to gather your socks and undies when your case burst open (don't laugh it happened to someone who used to come on here )

but there a good luggage belt with a 3 prong clasp acheives the same

the other thing it does is make it more difficult for would be thieves to go through your luggage in the bowels of an airport (happens more than you know)

but there you could also consider that, for a malevolent person, the more protected a suitcase is, the more likely the owner wanted to protect something of value inside ...


Sorry I didn't help you decide. I'm just giving my POV : money down the drain, I'd just keep for spends during my trip

if the case gets ruined, or otherwise damaged, your airline will most likely refund, especially so if the case is rather new and you have a receipt for it

I've had a case that was pierced through (yup, an half inch round hole one one side ... and that was a hardshell) Lufthansa refunded ( retail value on receipt) and credited me with a fair number of miles I've used on amazon gift card to replace the suitcase while I kept the cash ...

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Interesting. I always travel over to Canada or US with a case inside a case and those have never been checked. But I’ve had a few single cases opened on return.

[Goldcoast]

Originally Posted by scoobydooby

I wouldn’t bother. Your case is going to get treated badly whatever you do. There are very few things I pay top dollar for but with suitcases I’ve gone expensive hard shell. Has served me well. When I was less flush I went very cheap so if they got ruined it wasn’t the end of the world. I agree with Mr TOM. Unless it’s got a zip TSA May slash it which runs the risk of them also slashing your case.

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It's always amazed me how we all accept the way the treat our luggage.