Airline Luggage Restrictions, Shipping Clothes

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Tina Tawdre
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> Shipping clothing:
> Glamour Boutique has invited DLV people to ship items to their shop in
> Las Vegas rather than carry them on the airlines. If you're a bit shy
> of having your baggage searched, this may be an option for you.

After the airline cutbacks on the number of allowed checked bags last
Fall, I started cramming everything into 2 bags. Since January 1, I've
flown on 2 trips, and the TSA has opened all my bags both ways on both
trips. They leave these lovely paper slips in them to let you know
they've been there. Being a patriotic girl, I wouldn't mind that so
much, since I'm not embarassed about my stuff. But I don't like the
part about having to leave your luggage unlocked for them. Ultra-full
bags can open more easily en-route when unlocked, in spite of luggage
straps around the suitcase. Sometimes, the TSA people have spun the
locks after searching to lock the luggage, but usually not.

Also, cramming everything into 2 bags has put me over the bag weight
limit and American Airlines has dinged me sometimes for $25 per bag, in
spite of my Platinum status (both hair and AAdvantage).

I've often shipped boxes (bulky items like winter coats, lots of extra
shoes, etc) to myself on long trips, usually having them sent ahead to
my destination hotel. Usually not a problem, though sometimes late by a
day or two. Having the ability to ship early to someplace like GB could
be a real advantage, since you could ship several days in advance to be
sure your box gets to LV before you do.

But don't ship all your girl stuff that way. Split it between your
suitcases and your box. Never put all your eggs in one basket.
Replacing everything if either the airlines or the shipper loses it can
be very tiresome and expensive, even if you do get some eventual
reimbursement.

And carry your makeup in your carry-on (just leave out anything sharp).
Lipstick and cream-based foundations really can melt in your luggage in
the heat of the hot sun or cargo compartments. For instance, if you
ever change planes in Dallas (like I do freequently), it can happen
anytinme between April and October. Personally, I have never had the
screeners ever even open my makeup bags when they're in carry-on.

They're too busy confiscating my nail scissors (scary how they only see
them every 3rd or 4th time) and looking at my music CDs. I have read
that it helps to put your cosmetics in plastic Zip-locs so that they can
see them without touching them. Haven't tried that yet.

Hugs,

-- Tina

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(This posting was entered by Tina Tawdre, an external user of MyDLV.)