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.

Palm Springs, CA