Travelers' Intercom

Luggage wrap not free

I recently encountered an airport scam that other ITN readers might watch out for.

On a return flight to the U.S. from Carrasco Airport in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Jan. 28, 2007, immediately upon entering the terminal we were approached by a young American woman touting plastic covering for all of our baggage “for security and cleanliness.”

This was made to appear as a gratis security measure, but when the process was completed on our four bags, we were presented with a bill of $56.

Arriving at our destination, the blue plastic covering on many travelers’ bags made identifying our own luggage difficult. This is a scam perpetrated by an American company to be avoided by unsuspecting tourists at any airport where it’s encountered.

JOHN WAGNER
Palm Springs, CA

Related Articles

• Chilean guide ‘excellent’ — On a visit to Santiago, Chile, Jan. 20-22, 2007, I used the services of an excellent local guide, Alejandro Molina (Vicente Perez Rosales 1654-C, La Reina, Santiago, Chile; home phone 56-2-2730241, cell phone 56 9 2983434 or e-mail amolina@ecoventura.cl or alejandromolinamarin@yahoo.com). He is a personable, thoughtful person, and he can take individuals or groups anywhere in
• Checkpoint security — Placing valuables into the open plastic container at airport x-ray checkpoints certainly is a concern (Nov. ’04, pg. 18 & Feb. ’05, pg. 83). However, there is a solution, if security would only go along with it. I was returning some time ago from Mexico and noticed that instead of using the open plastic containers, they
• Cameras in Antarctica — The January ’06 article by Janet Denninger on photography in Antarctica made me recall a trip my wife and I made there several years ago (pre-digital cameras). We had spent several hours on South Georgia Island with thousands of penguins and seals. Photo opportunities were wonderful! During the time we were there, however, the weather became

Navigate