Moving across the country

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Bunnybunny88

Member
Jul 22, 2015
135
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#1
Has anyone moved across the country? How did you manage to move your belongings and specifically, did you get your carry on bag inspected by TSA? I have read so many horror stories about valuables getting lost , and I'd be very uncomfortable getting my items touched and searched unnecessarily by TSA agents with the gloves that might have been contaminated with something unpleasant like drug.

I'm thinking of just shipping part of my items overnight and carry fews to avoid those unplsanat situations and worst case scenario, losing them at the airport.

For those who put all your valuables in one carry on bag, did it all go through without issues or second inspection? Do they touch my items, or can I volunteerily open up for them? (In that case, I have 0 problem)
 
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#2
Do you have a moving company?
Are you trying to use a carry on for all your bags? Or are you asking about packing and checking them?

Trying to understand, sorry!

TSA can open any bag at anytime.

I couldn’t carry on or pack all mine into a couple of checked suitcases.
 
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#3
Swanky said:
Do you have a moving company?
Are you trying to use a carry on for all your bags? Or are you asking about packing and checking them?

Trying to understand, sorry!

TSA can open any bag at anytime.

I couldn’t carry on or pack all mine into a couple of checked suitcases.
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I don't have lots of bags, as i sold most of them over the course of years except very few that I care, but mostly high value jewelries so they arent big in size. With husbands carry on, all my high value belongings could technically fit in both bags as carry on if stuffed, but then none of other item would fit in carry on. I understand TSA can open any bags, I'm only strictly talking whether carry on would be better (stuffed) or carry on + mail in using overnight shipping would be better. I'm not checking any. I'm also not using moving company to carry any of my high valued item as an option.
 
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#4
TSA has the right to physically inspect your items without your involvement or interference. They also don’t tend to go from drug seizure to purse search with the same gloves as they have continuity and contamination training.

Given that you have no control over what is done with your items if you ship, I would think that TSA inspection would be much less of a risk than sending them via a courier. At least they generally remain within your eye sight. Anything could happen with a courier.
 
#6
I've moved overseas with moving company but no way risked shipping my chanel handbags in the moving boxes. I carefully packed all my handbags in my check-in luggage only. I didn't want them in my carry-on for risk of TSA agents digging through with gross gloves. If you're moving domestically, I'd just do the same and place them in my check-in luggage.
 
#7
We moved in 2021 and I honestly can't remember how I sent my bags. I think I did send them with the moving company because we flew. It was nerve racking during the time they were on the truck but I figured the moving company wouldn't know what was in them anyway. No doubt had they gotten lost or something, I would have been screwed. I can't remember if my homeowner's insurance would have covered them or not. At the end of the day, there is no perfect way, I think. I only take my high send stuff in carry on bags if I am flying. But I couldn't move that way.
 
#8
Declared value (with fed ex etc) is not insurance (that you would need to arrange via a broker ). I would not overnight items this way without insurance. I do make an exception for services like luggage free, but I’m usually only sending ski equipment or special occasion stuff, like guest outfits for a wedding or travel wardrobe.

If you are not traveling internationally, the likelihood of TSA opening is unlikely. I would pack jewelry separately bc the unique shapes do sometimes trigger extra security screening
 
#9
Organize all your receipts. put them in the separate envelopes and label the outsides so they’re easy to find. I keep all mine in a Louis Vuitton box. You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re not a criminal. Use a code on the outside of the box like I did. I called mine “mom and dad stuff”. Who cares if TSA looks at your things as long as you have a receipt it doesn’t matter…
 
#10
I moved cross country 2023. We had to make two trips to close on a house and then the final move. I packed two carry ons both times with my bags and got them all moved between the 2 trips. Don’t check them bc they can easily be stolen. The first trip I left them with my family and then was able to fit the remainder on the second trip.
If someone in your household would be accompanying the moving truck it would be ok to do that but otherwise also too risky imo and you have to be careful if you park the truck anywhere. Also home insurance doesn’t cover loss or damage that occurs on the moving truck. If you can’t fit them on carry ons your other option is fully insured shipping which will get pricey .
 
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