anyone travel with protective plastic zipper cover on suitcase

Have never seen anything like what I THINK you are saying. The Europeans have shrink wrap system for luggage. Never used it so don't know how it works.

In all of the years I have traveled, I have never even seen such a thing, much less used one. Luggage is designed to withstand some rough handling while being loaded/unloaded on a plane. It shouldn't need a cover. I could understand using a cover for something like a backpack, which has loops and straps and things that could get caught, but not for a suitcase. Why raise an issue with TSA if you don't need to?

I've only seen it for Hartmann Luggage. My friends have had no problem with TSA and the covers, and the covers are good for rainy days on the luggage carts and preventing banged up corners. I have three carryon hartmanns,good warranty, but I use my anonymous ( !wheeled!) black softside for Europe.

I have only seen the plastic wrapped around luggage that has some things that wouldn't stay in the luggage, because the luggage didn't close. Or for security reasons after they have gone through security. But have never seen a zippered plastic cover on a piece of luggage.

I cheated and googled the darn things -- they exist. Worst idea I've ever heard of. You need dirty, dinged, battered luggage so's you don't look like a neophyte. It's like the way we spot the tourists down here - - shiny new clothes that still have the factory creases. Of course the Hawaii-style flowered shirts give a bit of a clue before you get close.

for the unaware they are mostly being sold as protection from bedbugs .. so that you do not bring any "wildlife" home with you... and make no mistake bedbugs are out there even in 5 star hotels on both sides of the pond

I don't see how it's protection from bedbugs, unless you never open the suitcase.

If its intended use is for prevention of bedbugs, why would you need to place it over your suitcase for the flight over and back in the cargo hold? Wouldn't you perform this procedure after you land but before arriving at your hotel? I suppose it's possible for bedbugs to leave one suitcase for another, but the chances of this happening in a cargo hold have to be remote at best. Let's assume your protected luggage arrives at your hotel sans bedbugs because of the arachnid-repelling qualities of the plastic bag, what will you do to prevent bedbugs from infesting you or your belongings while you're there? You can't really zip yourself in a plastic bag. And how will you prevent carrying these unintended guests into your home upon return? And what about plane seats, train seats, and the plush fabric booths in the breakfast room at the hotel? What about terrorists, nuclear holocaust, or the guy driving around your neighborhood in a creeper van? There are lots of things to worry about. :) Use tripadvisor and leave it at that.

'zip yourself in a plastic bag' This whole thread reminds me of an old cop comedy movie (Leslie Nelson, maybe). One scene had the couple agreeing to safe sex; the next had them hopping around the room in giant body condoms.

The places I stay at, I like to put a protective plastic cover OVER my protective plastic cover.

Doubling up isn't such a bad idea...you don't want one of those things tearing on you right in the thick of your Amsterdam holiday.

We got in last night from our trip to France, and at CDG airport, I saw lots of people paying to have this plastic wrapper cover their suitcases. The people who used it most while we were there "waiting" were travelling to African countries, but there were others as well like Italians, Indians and other EU countries. I don't see how this has anything to do with bedbugs. We still could not believe how many suitcases people take and the sizes still boggles the mind. But I guess whatever they're hauling back cost a lot less in Paris, or the quality is way superior to what they find at home, or they're going to sell some to pay for their trip! I was told the latter by a woman from Nigeria a couple years ago.

If you had one, could you put a stick in the middle and use it for an umbrella when it rains?

The zippered plastic covers are not for bedbugs, it's for protection of expensive luggage corners from the conveyer belts and carrousels.
The wrapping at the airport helps avoid theft, melting snow, and keeping your bag free of someone else's drugs. Carry on only prevents all that!

Reminds me of the covers they used to make for sofas.

Protection of expensive luggage corners? Whatever happened to the Samsonite Gorilla? Never had a problem with corners. Locks, yes, not corners. I have suitcases my parents had when I was little. They're still going strong.

Apart from all else, the plastic luggage cover or wrap, whichever, looks really dorkey. And Michael is right (I had to laugh) it does remind me of neighbours of my parents whose living room sofa & chairs were firmly encased in fitted clear plastic coverings. Keeping them nice for future generations, I guess.

After Ed and LL's replies, I didn't know we were still talking about covers for luggage...my bad!

Greetings Karen, I hope this message reaches you before your departure. I believe the zippered plastic suitcase covers are designed to use anywhere except public transit ( ie. flying). These are good safeguards while inside lodging and disposed of thereafter. Some use them in their car, transporting luggage or items home. Each bag is meant for one time use only and not advisable to use in more than one area ( ie. use in your hotel room to shield your luggage but discard once you leave. The manufacturers suggest this because of cross contamination. I'm quite sure these bags do not hold up to the rigours of TSA or baggage handling devices. These Bedbug Prevention Industry Folks are no doubt making money off of our worst fears, but better safe than sorry. I would first review guidelines and hotel alerts at bedbugregistry.com, mix a little common sense, add a good book and enjoy your vacation.
The outdoors awaits you!

This topic has been pretty well covered at this point. Might be time to put a wrap on it.

Aw, 'zip it', Michael.

I've been trying to decide if I should bring a plastic bag for my carry-on. If you didn't know already, British Airways has had to take 2 long haul planes out of service to be exterminated of bedbugs. There's a woman who set up a web page showing all the bites on her body from when she sat in a bedbug infested seat. Of course, she got no pity or renumeration from BA. I have a large plastic bag from some shipped merchandise. I'm going to put it on my carry-on before going into the overhead. The problem with fabric carry-ons is that the bugs can crawl into any little knooks and even the little space left at the end of the zipper.

Ziplock sells some really big storage bags that are basically larger versions of the Ziplock bags used in the kitchen. If someone can figure a way to add straps or wheels to one of those, perhaps that can be used as a travel alternative to luggage. Because they are clear, maybe the TSA won't even feel the need to X-ray them.