Waterproofing your checked bags?

Eli,

I see impossible for a luggage to be soaked while checked in. Maybe you can explain to us why you believe that would happen..
IMO people wrap their bags is for anti-teft reasons and for keeping them closed in case the zipper breaks.

Hi Eli. When I put liquids in a checked bag I do take precautions to prevent leakage. On toiletries when ever possible, I squeeze as much air out of the bottle as possible and then tighten the cap. This helps a great deal. If I check a bottle of wine, I vacuum seal it and then stick the bottle in a sock and pack it in the middle of the suitcase surrounded by clothes.

I haven't done anything for waterproofing, just checked my bags as normal. I thought the plastic thing was more for security purposes than waterproofing anyway. How many times do you expect your bags to sit in the rain for an extended time period? I've traveled in all kinds of weather and have never had a bag soaked anywhere.

I'm not sure if you are worried about the liquids you are carrying leaking out or rain leaking in. ; ) In so far as packing liquids go, the best thing is to use plastic container and put them in a plastic bag of some sort. I I traveled for years with just using a toiletries bag, but lately have taken to putting them in a baggie and then in the toiletries bag. You can't wrap your bag in plastic, or at least you can only do it if it can be opened for inspection. Some bags are definitely more water proof then others. I wonder if it's worth treating them with the waterproof spray that you can use on shoes. On the other hand, do remember that bags were designed to withstand some wet. Pam

The plastic wrapping is done as a security measure. Many airports provide the service.

I ALWAYS check my luggage through, so you are not alone. Put any liquids in a clip lock bag as an added precaution.

The only time I ever had a serious problem with soaked luggage was at Dulles Airport once, when in the middle of unloading my plane, a torrential thunderstorm occurred. They shut down the airport for about an hour because of a tornado alert, and apparently my bag sat out in the downpour during that time. One thing I learned was that bright red silk scarves can turn light colored things into pink tie-dyed items in a jiffy. Grrr...

I'm trying to do too many things at once, LOL

I remember reading here earlier in the year that a couple people mentioned their suitcases getting soaked at the airport while waiting to be loaded.

Was thinking about packing clothes in plastic zipper bags just in case.

Yes as the others said the plastic is for security and not water proofing. I saw the service in the Prague airport and thought it was a funny concept and dismissed it. When we arrived in Venice I had noticed that the locks on my pack had been cut and someone had stolen the only thing of value in the pack, my razor. Not sure WHY anyone would want a used razor, but it was gone and I didn't get to shave for a week. Glad I don't ever check anything of value.

So I guess there is a reason they have that wrapping service!

I've had checked luggage get soaked, at Marco Polo airport in Venice and at Atlanta, during heavy dowmpours. The luggage carriers (trailers) were not enclosed.

Eli- Yes, things happen and suitcases can get really wet, but I don't believe this to be the "norm". I would not go to a lot of effort for something that probably will not happen. Do pack your liquids in bags. (I generally double bag for safety and that gives me an extra bag to use on the trip) Anything that could be ruined by water could be put in a bag. After that, I would just throw in my clothes, etc. If something happened, I would find a laundromat and wash and dry my clothes. But chances are you will be fine. I can't remember exactly how Rick Steves put it, but I once heard him say something along the lines of "don't pack for everything that could possibly happen but pack for what you need and than handle the unusual as it happens". (Something like that) Anyway, my husband and I average 4-6 flights a year and have never had our bags get wet. My daughter was coming home from Central America last year and apparently her bag was out in a rain storm and got soaked. However, she just washed up the clothes and it was fine.

Easiest thing to do is put your entire suitcase contents in a big black trash bag inside your suitcase if you think you might have bad weather. A big plastic bag can even come in handy if you have a non-rolling bag if you use it like a backpack cover for walking in the rain. The onebag website is a big believer in this. Not much weight or bulk and can be a lifesaver in very wet situations. Also, this protects your stuff from someone else's suitcase that is leaking red wine or perfumes next to yours in the cargo hold.

Thanks to those who did report having a bad experience with wet luggage. I knew that I hadn't imagined this happening.

Thanks also for the tip about using a big trash bag. When we were in Rome, I so wished I had packed a couple trash bags!

Our checked luggage was soaked through when apparently left outside in an Atlanta downpour enroute to Madrid. I had no idea that everything would be carelessly left outside by Delta during a rainstorm, but our checked bags (we were bringing all kinds of things with us that our former foreign exchange student had left behind) were completely soaked. Many of our gifts for the Spanish family were ruined because of the tissue paper wrapping dye that had run all over the place. If I had to ever check another bag, I'd wrap my valuables in plastic! Oh, and I always use Glad Press and Seal on shampoo, etc., to prevent any liquids from leaking, also. When it comes to checked luggage nothing would surprise me anymore. Years ago, we got no explanation as to how a big HOLE was BURNED into a brand new duffle bag!