SOME travelers see this airport hack as protection, while others believe it’s throwing money away.
The cling film craze has become a familiar sight at departure halls as travelers shell out up to $20 to see their suitcases spun into shiny cocoons before takeoff.
Plastic wrapped with protective film has become all the craze, but it has caused more security delays (stock image)[/caption]
Wrapping stations, such as Miami-based company Secure Wrap, can charge up to $20 a bag, as reported by Travel + Leisure.
Secure Wrap describes itself as a “Baggage Protection Service,” with Secure Wrap stations located in several international airports at the “departure level,” per the company’s website.
However, some travelers believe your suitcases are no safer for it.
The plastic guards against scratches and scuffs, and might also help keep leaky bottles from spilling inside your suitcase.
Secure Wrap even calls the plastic wrapping “tamper resistant.”
But when it comes to theft or tampering, it offers no protection at all; the plastic is purely cosmetic.
Agents also confirmed wrapped luggage gets the same checks as every other case, and if they need to look inside, they will slice it open, a TSA spokesperson told the outlet.
“If the technology flags the bag, the 3D X-ray image is sent to a TSA officer to review,” Dankers told Travel + Leisure in 2024.
“TSA officers look at hundreds of X-ray images, so they know what common items look like on the X-ray screen.”
That means your pricey wrap job could be ruined in seconds, and TSA won’t rewrap it after they’re done.
However, Secure Wrap’s US-based services offer complimentary re-wrapping for travelers who have had their luggage wraps removed for “additional screening.”
TSA, however, has repeatedly reminded flyers that wrapping is not the same as security, noting that the cling film does not affect screening or inspections.
Plastic wrap doesn’t change how X-ray machines scan luggage, and it won’t stop dogs or officers from inspecting a flagged bag.
If a wrapped bag is pulled for inspection, TSA officers will cut through the plastic without hesitation and break non-TSA-approved locks to get inside your bag.
How to protect your luggage when flying
- Use TSA-approved locks – These can be opened by security officers without breaking them, keeping your bag sealed while still compliant.
- Keep valuables in your carry-on – Electronics, jewelry, medication, and important documents are safer with you, not in checked bags.
- Invest in a luggage tracker – Devices like AirTags or Tile help you locate lost or delayed luggage quickly.
- Choose hard-sided luggage – It’s tougher to cut open or tamper with than soft-sided bags.
- Avoid flashy bags – Neutral, plain bags draw less attention from potential thieves.
- Photograph your luggage – Having pictures of your bag and its contents can speed up claims if it’s lost or damaged.
- Label inside and out – Make sure your name and contact details are visible in case tags fall off.
Once they’re done, they will not rewrap it, leaving the bag exposed.
Airports across South America and Europe still push the wrapping service, but U.S. airports leave it up to private vendors.
COMMON AIRPORT SECURITY MISTAKES
TSA employees have pointed out other common mistakes travelers make in security lines.
Agents often flag checked and carry-on bags with padlocks or extra security locks, since they can signal attempts to hide prohibited items.
Travelers using them may face additional inspections and delays.
Agents also emphasize the importance of following the “3-1-1” liquids rule to avoid delays, as many passengers still forget or ignore it, slowing down the entire process.
With the federal REAL ID rollout, some cards have failed to scan correctly at TSA checkpoints.
The issue has caused headaches for both travelers and security staff, particularly in states like Maine where errors have been more common.
Major airlines have also voiced criticism of recent TSA policy changes.
Delta, United, and American Airlines raised alarms that limiting facial recognition technology and requiring manual ID checks could lead to chaotic scenes and longer wait times at security checkpoints.
One woman even tried to smuggle turtles inside her bra.
Another man in Pennsylvania also concealed a turtle in his underwear, which was found in his groin area during a pat-down at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
“We have seen travelers try to conceal knives and other weapons on their person, in their shoes and in their luggage, however, I believe this is the first time we have come across someone who was concealing a live animal down the front of his pants,” Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey, said of this incident.
