IP: Re: we can all rest easy now, airports are safe

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Mary Shaw <mary.shaw () cs cmu edu>
> To: farber () cis upenn edu
>
> Dave,
>
> There are a number of interactions between new airline security policies and
> old good practices that I haven't heard reasonable explanations for.  Does
> anyone know the resolutions of these quandries, for example?
>
> It would be nice to think that "baggage matching" eliminates the problem of
> lost luggage.  However, if the criterion for the originating flight is "for
> every piece of checked luggeage, its owner is on the plane" (omitting the
> "for every passenger on the plane, all that passenger's checked bags are on
> the plane" part), there's no guarantee against lost luggage.  What happens
> if the airline separates my bag from me?
>
> Also, I've heard very little about what happens if they hand-inspect luggage
> and can't get everything back into the suitcase -- or if they damage
> something while cramming it back in.  What little I've heard is bad -- "Yes,
> we destroyed your equipment.  Too bad."
>
> Finally, I got into the habit of using hard side luggage and locks when I
> must check bags because of experience with things being stolen in transit
> from zip-up soft-side bags. What's the best guidance about packing to allow
> inspectors to inspect but prevent sticky-fingered personnel from lifting
> things?
>
> Mary

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