In airports why do travellers wrap their case in clingfilm?

[S0CKS]

I have recently travelled home from my trip and every time I go abroad I always see people wrapping their cases in clingfilm? To the point they have a company doing it? And this has been in various parts of the world.

Its interested me as to why people do this? (Dh and I sadly have had many a airport conversation about it)

Im wondering if certain countries require it for safety or something? Or why it happens?

Heron how would you be found liable though if they then steal your suitcase? It wouldn't be found on your person?

I never quite understand how you’re supposed to take it off once you arrive to a hotel late at night. By definition, you don’t have a knife or scissors in your hand luggage...

Why would smugglers be planting drugs inside bags they dont know who they belong to? Do they just give it away for free nowadays?

I'm intrigued too...

it is very poor in a environmental context
And?

pileofironing that’s right. I may have misread a previous post. When the defence is plant of this sort (obviously when the suitcase has been intercepted when in the possession of the purported innocent traveller) the prosecution question for jury is very often - who would do this / how would the ‘planter’ retrieve the drugs. In order to wipe out any doubt jury may have.
The defence then also starts to look at how it happens/could happen.

Read about Schapelle Corby, jailed in Bali after drugs were found in her luggage, and it will start to make a bit more sense:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schapelle_Corby#Alleged_involvement_of_baggage_handlers

The theory is the smuggler travels on the same flight as you. He/she plants the drugs while you are queuing for check in, or while baggage is being processed, if there is an “insider” at the airport. And then attempts to steal the bag back or retrieve the drugs from it after you have cleared customs at your destination. So the drugs are technically in the possession of the innocent traveler at the key moments of presenting the bag for check-in and then later clearing customs. If the drugs are found, the smuggler simply walks off unscathed and you’re the one under arrest.

I’ve no idea how prevalent it is but it seems theoretically plausible, I guess. The cling film would dissuade them from choosing your bag as the one to use.

If everyone's cases are wrapped is it a bit of a nightmare for identification at the luggage carousel?

I've had this conversation with my OH too, we don't do this, but we can see why others do. Especially since we've seen someone's case burst open over the baggage reclaim carrousel when picked up! The lady was mortified bless her, although was hard not to laugh!

I quite like these.

www.giftageek.co.uk/product/head-case-personalised-suitcase-covers/