There are a lot of odd airport jobs. The “bird guys” keep birds at bay, lavatory crews empty the loos, and finally, there are people who get paid to wrap luggage in plastic. The first two jobs make sense—it’s important to keep the runways clear and the planes clean— but most travelers aren’t sure about the third. That said, luggage-wrapping stations have been a mainstay at major U.S. international airports since the early 90s. They’re even more common abroad; one Miami-based company, Secure Wrap, has more than 500 employees wrapping luggage at airports across 17 different countries. 

Why do passengers wrap their luggage? 

Passengers wrap their luggage for an array of reasons. Some travelers get their luggage wrapped to protect the exterior of the luggage from scratches and marks, while others get it wrapped to protect the contents inside the luggage. Some travelers may think that if a suitcase is wrapped in plastic, it’s less likely to be inspected by TSA or interfered with by nefarious characters who may be inclined to steal or perhaps worse, plant something incriminating inside.

And some travelers, especially those going to the Maldives, Australia, and other countries that spray insecticide and disinfectant on arriving flights, wrap their luggage in plastic to protect their contents from the chemicals. “A lot of people did this on my flight arriving in China because of how much they spray and ‘disinfect’ your bag upon arrival,” wrote one traveler on Reddit who said they regretted not wrapping their bag in advance because their clothes got saturated. Finally, there are always travelers who have to get their luggage wrapped because their suitcase is falling apart or they’ve been cursed with a rogue zipper. Paying $15—what Secure Wrap charges at Miami International Airport—to wrap a broken bag is a lot cheaper than buying a new suitcase at the airport. 

What does the TSA do with wrapped luggage? 

TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers tells Travel + Leisure that luggage wrapped in plastic is treated the same as luggage that is not wrapped in plastic. All checked bags are subject to screening before they’re passed on to airline baggage handlers who load them onto the plane. In the U.S., that’s approximately 1.3 million checked bags per day. TSA and its counterparts abroad use X-ray machines that use a 3D scanner to look for objects that resemble explosives or other hazardous materials. Some airports also rely on K-9s that can detect everything from bullets to bombs. Wrapping your luggage in plastic doesn’t affect how the X-Ray machines scan the bag, nor does it deter the dogs. 

Most bags, approximately 95 percent, pass this screening and don’t need to be physically inspected by a TSA officer. Bags that are flagged, get opened—this means plastic wrapping will be cut, and locks will be broken if they’re not TSA-approved. In the U.S. at least, the TSA examines luggage in a controlled environment monitored by CCTV. This ensures that no one is tempted to tamper (in an unnecessary way) with a passenger’s property. While the TSA agent who examines the bag will repack it and include a paper slip indicating that the bag was inspected so the passenger knows why someone rifled through their luggage, they will not rewrap the bag in plastic. 

However, some luggage-wrapping companies, including Secure Wrap, offer complimentary rewrapping if the plastic wrapping is cut by TSA. They also include a guarantee that matches the airlines’ compensation for lost baggage or damage. Note: These types of guarantees are subject to many terms and conditions. 

What else can you do to keep luggage secure? 

While some luggage-wrapping companies claim they only use 100 percent recyclable plastic, many airports are starting to consider banning plastic luggage wrapping due to environmental concerns. Fortunately, if you want to keep your luggage secure, you have other options. For starters, you can use TSA-approved locks or luggage straps. You can also invest in a reusable luggage cover if you’re concerned with aesthetics. 

I started solo traveling just after college when I put over 10,000 miles on a rental car driving around South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia to update a Lonely Planet guidebook. The start of my first trip was intimidating. I worried about getting tired of talking to myself and feeling awkward about dining alone. But once on the road, I realized how much I loved traveling solo. Doing so offers the freedom to read a book at dinner, skip must-see attractions I care little about, spend a day drinking poolside, and listen to the same song on repeat for hours on end if I feel like it. It’s an empowering experience.  

But as a female solo traveler, I know that being alone comes with a few inherent risks. This is why I always pack some essential safety items before I hit the road–and right now, many of my favorites are discounted.

Apple AirTag 4-pack

What I pack depends on where I’m going and how I’m getting there. I love digital trackers like Apple AirTags and use them for everything I want to keep an eye on while traveling. I throw one in my checked luggage to be able to locate it if it gets lost. And I place one on my Poppy’s collar just to be safe. I’ll even throw one in my vehicle when I park at the airport so that I can at least know where it is located if it gets stolen. If you have an iPhone, AirTags are the way to go–and a four-pack is currently $80 at Amazon. Every tagged device’s location will appear in your Find My app. 

Aikelida RFID-blocking Travel Money Belt

Although I’ve worn money belts as theft security in really dodgy places before, I mostly use mine as a hands-free way to carry my phone, ID, and credit cards when going on a hike or heading to the resort pool. I like Aikelida’s travel wallet for this purpose. I like that it has RFID-blocking capabilities.

It has two main zipper pockets and two stash pockets inside the larger main pockets. A concealed stretchy mesh pocket on the back makes it very easy to separate and locate items. Amazon shoppers who bought this money belt to wear under clothing also praised it, with one reviewer saying: “This was so lightweight and comfortable to wear I forgot I had it on.” 

Huynl Hidden Camera Detector

If you’ve heard horror stories about shady Airbnb hosts installing hidden cameras in the intimate parts of their homes, traveling with a hidden camera detector can put your mind at ease. This anti-spy camera detector by Huynl is lightweight, portable, and can detect RF signals in frequencies of 100MHz to 8GHz. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that can work continuously for 25 hours and only takes two hours to charge fully. It is also on sale for $47 thanks to an amazing double discount deal.

Travelon Small Anti-theft Crossbody Bag

An anti-theft crossbody bag is another must-pack for me, and this one by Travelon is on sale in four different colors. Lightweight but durable, this small messenger bag has RFID-blocking technology to protect thieves from accessing your credit card numbers and personal details through a quick skim (i.e., scan) of your bag on a busy street or bus. It is also slash-proof and cut-proof to help keep you safe from pickpockets. It even has locking hardware that lets you strap it to something at a restaurant or bar. 

She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

You can’t fly with pepper spray or mace, but the TSA has no issues with personal safety alarms, which I find comforting as a solo female traveler. The She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm lives permanently in my travel suitcase. I like how easy it is to use. If you feel like you are in a dangerous situation, you simply pull the pin on the alarm, and a loud, flashing siren quickly draws attention to the problem. Just slide the pin back into the alarm’s body to turn the alarm off. 

Luckily, I have never had to pull the alarm, which I carry clipped onto my purse or pocket depending on where I’m walking. However, Amazon customers who have purchased it say it works, giving it more than 12,000 five-star ratings. “I feel much safer in a crowd; all I have to do is pull on this alarm, which starts shrieking,” one reviewer wrote. “I keep it pinned to the strap on my purse for easy access.”

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Staying healthy when traveling solo is paramount, and I always consider where my drinking water will come from when packing for a trip. If I’m headed somewhere like Thailand, where most tap water is unsafe to drink, I always carry a water purification device. I like LifeStraw Filter Straw for its portability, ease of use, and ability to filter out more than 99.99 percent of waterborne bacteria and parasites, including E. coli and Giardia.

Remove the caps at both ends, submerge the bottom into whatever you are drinking out of, and sip like you usually do. It is hard to believe something so simple can be such a lifesaver, but it really is. The LifeStraw has garnered over 10,000 perfect five-star ratings on Amazon.

Anker 622 Magnetic Portable Charger

I rely heavily on Google Maps to navigate unknown cities when traveling solo, and having my phone die en route is a scary thought. So, I always stash a portable battery charger like this one from Anker in my purse. Just knowing it is there gives me peace of mind. Slim and easy to carry, this charger still packs a powerful punch.

It can charge my Google Pixel Pro 8 about four times before I need to recharge the charger, and it can also charge two devices at once with USB-C and USB-A ports. It charges my devices quickly, taking about two hours to charge my phone fully. And right now, you can score a few dollars off thanks to an on-page coupon.

Search Alert TSA-approved Travel Combination Luggage Cable Lock

You really can’t go wrong with throwing a luggage cable lock like this one from Search Alert onto your packing list. It is TSA-approved, so you can use it to lock your luggage on your flights to protect against theft during transfers. I’ve had friends get items stolen from their checked luggage before, so this lock helps prevent that. The lock is also great if you are taking public transport or staying in hostels, as it allows you to keep your suitcase locked whenever you’re away from it.

Everlit Survival Car Emergency Roadside Safety Tool Kit

I never leave for a road trip without an emergency roadside safety tool kit, and this one from Everlit includes most of what you need to get out of a roadside emergency, including a compact air compressor that can inflate your tire in seconds should you have a slow leak. It also comes with 12-foot-long jumper cables that are longer than standard ones, making it easier to get your vehicle started no matter where it is parked. The 108-piece first aid kit is another perk; so whether it’s on sale or not, it’s a smart idea to grab it.

Sabre Frontiersman Maximum Strength Bear Spray

I carry bear spray on road trips, even if I’m not expecting to run into a bear or a mountain. It can also be used for self-defense against humans when traveling solo, especially when hiking alone or camping. However, if you are going to carry bear spray to protect yourself if attacked by a bear, you will want to know how to use it before setting out.

Before spraying a bear, you’ll want to diffuse the situation less aggressively by turning your face away from the bear, staying silent or speaking in soothing tones, and slowly backing out of the problem. If this doesn’t work and the bear charges, you can use the spray when the bear is within 15 feet. Don’t pack your bear spray for a flight, though. It is illegal to carry in carry-on and checked luggage, and TSA will confiscate it. 

Casetify Rope Phone Strap With Card

I think phone straps are a brilliant idea for numerous reasons. From a safety perspective, they help keep your phone attached to you and out of your pocket, where pickpockets can nab it. But I also love them for active adventures where I want to take pictures but don’t want to drop my phone while scampering up rocks to see a waterfall. The Casetify Rope Phone Strap is compatible with most phone cases and has a two-layer adjustable rope strap to make carrying it anywhere a breeze. 

Portapow 3rd Gen USB Data Blocker Set

Charging your phone via a USB outlet in a public place seems innocent. But what many people don’t know is that most USB cables can transmit data, making it easy for someone to hack into your phone and steal stored info like credit cards on file and passwords. It’s called “juice jacking.” Luckily, there is a cheap and easy fix with a data-blocking device like this one from PortaPow. Simply plug your USB cord into the device and then plug the device into the outlet the next time you are charging at an airport or train station. 

Yoyi Yoyi RFID Undercover Bra Wallet

I’m not a big fan of wearing money belts, but I’m all about the bra wallet when I need to stash cash or credit cards in areas where pickpockets operate–it also works great if I don’t feel like carrying a purse to a concert and am not wearing clothes with pockets. This comfy, discreet undercover wallet comes in two sizes to fit multiple bra sizes. To use, you just snap the adjustable elastic straps over your bra strap and tuck the pouch inside. It is big enough to hold numerous credit cards, IDs, and even a car key. It also blocks RFID, and the lining of the wallet’s interior pocket is moisture resistant. 

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A woman’s Moroccan trip turned nightmarish after she found what she says was a hidden camera inside her Airbnb. Pauline (@himynamespaul_) shares how her magical stay in Marrakesh was cut short when she realized she was being secretly recorded. 

Pauline’s first clip in a series of TikToks was uploaded on June 30. In it, she shares how she went on a group trip to Morocco with some friends. Her first TikTok shows how a seemingly innocent picture frame randomly appeared inside her Airbnb’s bathroom. Pauline shows a photo frame that holds a stock photo of a Yorkie puppy. It sat on the ledge by the bathtub. The frame, she explains, was not there the day before. It is also angled to directly face her shower.

The video cuts to Pauline holding up the frame to the camera with a flashlight shining on it. “Y’all see the camera right?” she writes in the text overlay. While it is difficult to discern whether there’s a camera inside the frame, one can see that something circular is beneath the plastic. The back of the frame also has an on/off button, an illustration of an SD card, and an option to connect with a USB cable.

Pauline says this wasn’t the only odd thing they noticed about the Airbnb. 

In a storytime, the creator says how during the host’s welcome tour, a piece of feces was found inside the fridge in the kitchen. According to Pauline, the host tried to brush it off and grabbed the filth and put it into his pocket. She says that should’ve been her first major red flag. However, at the time, they felt embarrassed for the host, so they didn’t bring it up. 

A moving picture frame?

Several viewers thought Pauline was making up the story for clout, so she was forced to bring out the “receipts.” In a follow-up TikTok, Pauline–who filmed the Airbnb house tour when she and her friends first arrived–reveals how the picture frame was in her friend’s bathroom the days before. In the video, the photo frame is conspicuously absent from her bathroom. However, it appears in her friend’s. This means that within the two days they were there, someone moved the frame into her bathroom while she and her friends were out, Pauline says. 

The TikToker wasn’t taking any chances. As soon as she noticed the frame, Pauline says she cut her shower short and wrapped herself in a towel. She and her friends ended up calling the police. In her latest clip, she reveals how, after reporting the incident to the Moroccan authorities, the host has been placed in custody, the listing has been removed, and she will seek legal counsel. Pauline says she will not be able to share more until after the court hearing. 

‘That’s terrifying’ 

Pauline’s Airbnb saga earned about 10 million views collectively, leading to thousands of folks sharing in her horror. 

“I guarantee you that’s not the only one, that’s just the one you found. Call the cops!” one top comment read. Another asked why hidden cameras “are even sold publicly.” This led Pauline to reply, “Literally on Amazon it’s called a spy frame.” A quick search on the platform indeed shows results for spy frames that appear almost identical to the one Pauline found. The prices range from $30 to $60. 

Airbnb and its surveillance problem

The home-sharing platform has often come under fire for hosts’ tendency to use surveillance on unsuspecting guests. In 2024, CNN published a report on the issue Airbnb was facing with indoor surveillance. For its investigation, the news site combed over “2,000 pages of lawsuits and police records” over the hidden camera problem. 

One of the major takeaways from the investigation was how “Airbnb has generated tens of thousands of customer support tickets related to surveillance devices over the last decade.” CNN also found out that Airbnb does not have a policy for employees to call law enforcement when a hidden camera has been discovered.

@himynamespaul_ This could happen to anyone. I was secretly recorded in the shower. Check your mirrors, check your outlets. #airbnb ♬ Spooky, quiet, scary atmosphere piano songs – Skittlegirl Sound

The company may strictly prohibit indoor cameras, but it seems hosts still find a way to break that rule. The Mary Sue has reached out to Airbnb for comment. We have also reached out to Pauline via TikTok message.

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Gisselle Hernandez

Gisselle Hernandez-Gomez is a contributing reporter to the Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and more. You can follow her on X at @GisselleHern. You can email her at [email protected].

Alright, alright, this one may seem like a no-brainer (pun intended), but I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen travelers cruise past me on a moped with no helmet on!

Concussions can disrupt a trip, and your “how’d you get that scar?” story won’t exactly sound epic when you tell them you fell off a bike without a helmet on your head. Unfortunately, common sense is not always a common virtue.

Besides, while your insurance company may cover emergency medical evacuation or repatriation, it may not cover dumb decisions like not wearing your helmet. Do you really want to test it?

And this goes for any kind of personal protective equipment, especially if you opt to participate in extreme sports. You wouldn’t skydive without a parachute, so please don’t scooter without a helmet!

I hope these travel safety tips help you feel secure while getting the most out of your travels (and if you want more, check out my 65 Best Travel Tips). Whether you’re backpacking or traveling first class for a vacation, this universal list of advice is tried and true. Travel safe!