marthaa
Unregistered User
(4/17/03 11:39 am)
 
Space Savers and the TSA

---

While planning my packing for our trip next month I had a funny/maybe not so funny thought. We're using the space saver bags, not the vacuum ones, just the roll-up kind but you can still really squeeze stuff down. What if the TSA folks decide to search our bags? If they open the space savers...poof...they would never get everything back in the bag! The more I think about it, it may definitely fall into the not so funny category.

Allison
Unregistered User
(4/17/03 12:06 pm)
 
Space savers

---

I had the same thought but used the bags anyway on the way home. (They can really compact an Irish sweater!) But luckily, our bags did not appear to have been searched at all, nor were we subjected to any searches other than my husband having to remove his shoes and belt because he set off the alarm.

Surprisingly, none of the items I had squished into the bags seemed to suffer from any wrinkles.

Allison

Debbie
Unregistered User
(4/17/03 12:46 pm)

I used them too.

---

I just returned as well, and used the space bags for all my clothes.
My bag was not opened here in the States, but I was one of the lucky random searches in Shannon.

The very nice security man even commented, that the space bags made it very easy for him to check the bag.

I think the hand checks are more for obvious contraband, and they are not going through the space bags.

I did make sure though, not to stuff them too full. so that you could see what all was in each one.

Debbie

Michele Erdvig
ezOP
Posts: 1416
(4/18/03 10:47 pm)

Sounds Good

---

Thanks Everyone,

After all these comments, I will just have to break down and try the bags!

Michele

Twanda
Registered User
Posts: 2
(11/17/03 12:49 am)

Re: Space Savers and the TSA

---

Ok, I'm sold! Where do you get these space savers?

MarthaA
Unregistered User
(11/17/03 8:46 am)

Space Savers

---

Twanda,
You can find them at Wal-Mart and similar retailers. But I ordered mine online through ebags.com. They had a good price and offered multi-packs with the sizes I needed. The ones I got are Samsonite Space Saver Bags. One note of caution...the bags are not impenetrable...if you've got nails, be careful when rolling them!
Martha

j2spring
Unregistered User
(11/17/03 10:42 am)
 
security check in US

---

Hi Martha, Sounds like most everyone had no trouble with security going through their bags. We, too, were lucky, but on the way home out of Shannon only -- the lone security agent who appeared not to be pulling anyone over, pulled us aside and whispered that he had to look like he was doing something for his salary that day. He then proceeded to ask to see the small bag on top, opened it and made a very cursory check of it. Very nice fellow, but the security procedure there made me a little nervous. On the other hand, when leaving the States, security thoroughly went through everyone's luggage. My husband and I had 2 bags each and the security check for those 4 bags alone took about 1/2 hour. They used those little cloths on almost everything we had (the cloths detect explosive residue -- don't know what they're called, but they look like those little wipey's you carry when you don't think you'll be near soap and water to wash your hands). The wipes were used on the exterior of our bags and on almost everything inside -- hair dryer, each and every shoe, flash light (which they broke), etc, etc, etc. Everything I so neatly packed was torn apart and needless to say, just thrown back in the bag any old way. Use those space saver bags if you wish, but if your clothes only fit into your luggage by using those bags and security goes through your things like they went through ours, I don't know how the suitcase will ever close up again. I just wanted to share our experience with you. Good luck and have a wonderful trip. (By the way, we don't look like terrorists -- just like normal suburbanites.)J2Spring

MarthaA
Unregistered User
(11/17/03 5:55 pm)

No Problems

---

J2Spring,
Our trip was in May and luckily we had no problems going through security. My carry-on bag was searched because of a flashlight. It was a disposable and the battery configuration concerned the x-ray operator. But when the person searching saw that it was a flashlight, he didn't even take it apart.
Martha

Anita
Unregistered User
(11/18/03 1:56 am)

Cameras

---

I used one space-saver bag in my backpack for socks and underwear, everything else I just rolled up and packed in around everything else. It save me a lot of space. The most recent flight I took was a local one that was less than an hour long, and I had three cameras in my carry-on when I went through security. They made me take out all of the cameras and they waved this thing with a wand on it over each one. It sort of looked like some pagan ritual that might have been meant to chase away evil spirits. Then I hear stories about people with knives in their carry-on that don't get checked at all, then my cousin's young son who had his water pistal confiscated. It must have been the lime green colour. Probably made them think it was some bio hazard. Something tells me the real bad guys are still getting through.