Why do many airports offer bag wrapping services?
I've heard some countries and/or airlines may try to examine checked baggage between checking in a bag at the origin airport and picking up the luggage at the final destination airport. I've seen airports in Toronto, San Francisco and elsewhere offer services to wrap baggage in plastic wrap, which is often an approach used to prevent such searches of checked bags.
Why do airports have this service though? People brining wrapped luggage to the airport makes sense to me as a personal choice, but why do some airports offer this service onsite?
Best Answer
They offer this service because people are willing to pay for it. Whether or not it accomplished their goals is a different story.
It can be used to protect the bag from external things like rain, the belts, etc. It can be use to protect the appearance of the bag, to make it last longer. I also get the feeling that it's a cultural thing in some regions.
Keep in mind, if the airline, airport security, Customs, etc. wants to examine the bag, the plastic wrap will not stop them in the slightest.
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Why do people wrap luggage at the airport?
Bag Wrap, just one company that will sheath your luggage in cling film, with locations in airports all around Europe, states five: that it protects your luggage from damage, deters thieves, weather-proofs it, makes it easily identifiable, and reduces the risk of someone slipping illicit goods into your bag.What is baggage wrapping for?
A layer of sealed wrap protects suitcases and backpacks from general wear and tear and the natural elements such as rain. Prevent Damage. Expensive items, such as wheelchairs, pushchairs golf clubs, and bicycles don\xb4t usually come in a case or packaging to protect again damage. For some smuggling is also a concern.Is it worth wrapping your luggage?
There's a reason for plastic-wrapping your luggage, and it's extra protection. It's a great deterrent against baggage theft, especially when you realize that bag thieves don't steal bags as much as they take individual items of value from bags. A fully-wrapped bag is often too much trouble for them.Can you wrap your luggage at the airport?
And will they rewrap it? "The short answer is no, TSA does not re-wrap luggage," says a spokesperson.Bag Wrapping Services for Airport Operators
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Answer 2
No airport I've ever seen offers this as a (free) service.
However many airports have 3rd party companies located on airport property that offer is as a paid service.
Why? For exactly the same reason that most airports have a shop that sells coffee - because customers are willing to pay for it! If customers were not willing to pay for these services (be it either luggage wrapping or coffee!) then these shops would not make money and would close - but the fact they exist shows that's not the case!
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