Will they search my luggage?

I can understand why you worry about the spacebags -- they really do make a miraculous job of shrinking down to size something that would in no way fit in the suitcase along with the other packed items.

But I would hope that, having seen more and more spacebags starting to come through, the staff at airports might even now have a vacuum handy to "re-suck" a spacebag if they've felt the need to open and search it, hopefully.

I brought my down feather full-size comforter quilt, two bed pillows, and two decorative pillows, in a suitcase, also packed with other belongings, all thanks to the miracle of some spacebags, lol. Talk about Mary Poppin's bag with all the items inside. Mercifully nobody seemed to have opened or searched the bag or tried to release the spacebags -- that stuff would never have repacked without the spacebags.

I thought fleetingly about the potential problems if those things had to be deflated/reflated again, but llike I say, hopefully that won't even happen, or if it does they've got to have a vacuum handy I would think. Spacebags must be so frequently seen now.

I hope so! My poor space bags are clinging to life right now. I jammed as much as I could into them before the vacuum then shoved as much as possible in each suitcase while sitting on top of it to get it zipped!

I hope so! My poor space bags are clinging to life right now. I jammed as much as I could into them before the vacuum then shoved as much as possible in each suitcase while sitting on top of it to get it zipped!

Don't forget to be careful about your weight limit with each suitcase -- there are some nasty little fines to have to cough up for if you're over size or weight at check-in, so try to do your own weighing before leaving home. 

Don't forget to be careful about your weight limit with each suitcase -- there are some nasty little fines to have to cough up for if you're over size or weight at check-in, so try to do your own weighing before leaving home. 

Yeah I've already accounted for that. I have to pay $132 for each bag I have over 2 bags and then another $45 for any of them that are over 75 lbs. It's gonna be more then I paid for my ticket there. 

Yeah I've already accounted for that. I have to pay $132 for each bag I have over 2 bags and then another $45 for any of them that are over 75 lbs. It's gonna be more then I paid for my ticket there. 

Yikes! But at least that's all already in your equations so no surprises at check-in, that's good. It sounds like you're all set; best wishes in everything.

Yikes! But at least that's all already in your equations so no surprises at check-in, that's good. It sounds like you're all set; best wishes in everything.

Thank You!

They shouldn't open the space bags. They are clear and they can see into them so that's all they need. In fact, I travel using Eagle Creek folders and cubes and have never had a problem. They aren't even see through. When I've had to have the little "come with me over here" search, the inspector generally just rifles through to make sure there's nothing suspicious (I guess) but doesn't generally open things.

Good luck!! How exciting that it's just a few days away and then you can relax (at least for a bit!)

I think I've been flagged or something by the tsa or something, because for the past 3-4 years I've gotten search every  time I fly. Sometimes they nicely have everything back like I had it, still in the bags.

I put all my liquids (hair stuff, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc) in plastic ziplock bags.

A couple times I've been searched and they dumped out the liquid bags into the suitcase.  Which resulted in sunscreen exploding all over everything on one trip, and another time my expensive anti-frizz hair stuff spilling out on my brand new tennis shoes. 

I had to take everything out of my backpack when going through security when coming back from Mexico. I had everything packed in there so tight the x-ray machine couldn't see through it. That was a nightmare - I had tons of breakables and they were all wrapped in layers  bubble wrapped.

But I've never had anything go missing.

And searches are random, so you have a fairly good chance of not getting searched!

Yeah I already have 5 suitcases, 1 box, my laptop and purse. If you can imagine this, I'm 5 feet tall and not the strongest of girls. It's gonna be a regular laugh fest for everyone watching me try to get that all from baggage claim, through customs, the last duty free and to arrivals. Maybe someone will film it all for youtube.  

Ow. I'm 4'10" and I had enough issues with 2 rolling suitcases, a backpack, a laptop case, and a purse! Good Luck!

Good luck with your upcoming trip!

The luggage carts are free at Heathrow so make sure you pull one or 2 up with you to the luggage carousel.

When I got here, one of my suitcases had busted open from being overstuffed, and they had just stuffed it into a giant plastic bag and taped that closed. I had trouble recognizing my bag at the luggage pick-up, then it dawned on me that the crazy looking bag must be mine.    Everything was completely intact, too, btw, nothing missing. If they do search it and have trouble getting it closed, they will probably just do the same as they did for mine. Don't worry too much! (I know that's tough, but it will all be fine. There are, like, a million things to worry about when you move, but mostly you don't need to worry about any of them!)

The only real problem I had was pulling my iMac and speakers out of the iLugger bag for every security check, and since I had these Harmon Kardon speakers that look all space-age stuffed in there, they had no idea what they were and were questioning the hell out of me, lol, but finally one guy realized they really were speakers and let me go through. That part was a serious PITA but it was worth it because I love my Mac and couldn't have left it behind! 

When I got here, one of my suitcases had busted open from being overstuffed, and they had just stuffed it into a giant plastic bag and taped that closed. I had trouble recognizing my bag at the luggage pick-up, then it dawned on me that the crazy looking bag must be mine.    Everything was completely intact, too, btw, nothing missing. If they do search it and have trouble getting it closed, they will probably just do the same as they did for mine. Don't worry too much! (I know that's tough, but it will all be fine. There are, like, a million things to worry about when you move, but mostly you don't need to worry about any of them!)

The only real problem I had was pulling my iMac and speakers out of the iLugger bag for every security check, and since I had these Harmon Kardon speakers that look all space-age stuffed in there, they had no idea what they were and were questioning the hell out of me, lol, but finally one guy realized they really were speakers and let me go through. That part was a serious PITA but it was worth it because I love my Mac and couldn't have left it behind! 

MAC FOR LIFE! haha Df and I have a total of 3 macs. I only have a laptop so that is coming with me on the plane. 

I only have a laptop

Pah. Amateur.

Pah. Amateur.

HAHA Df has a desktop so I figure I don't need one too. Plus you know there's this stuff called money and I can't seem to find it these days.

Plus you know there's this stuff called money and I can't seem to find it these days.

I've been looking for that, too. If you find it, could you let me know?

I've been looking for that, too. If you find it, could you let me know?

I'm in line for that one too!