Traveling with fine jewelry and handbags post pandemic

[dove221]

Taking my first trip on a plane post pandemic from California to Chicago and a bit stressed. Will I have issues going through security with my Love? Is it safe to take fine jewelry in travel cases in your purse (LV Tote)? I usually put my nice handbags and high end shoes in a carry on. I feel like I have forgotten how to travel. I am traveling with my tween and teens so I won’t completely be alone but am panicked

 

[880]

I take branded fine jewelry and premier handbags as per my usual pre covid custom. I started traveling early 2021 with PCR before during and after (have been to NYC to Canuan, British grenadines; Jackson hole; Santa Barbara; and Maine. We’re global entry TSA approved so it goes a bit faster, but airports and airline lounges are surprisingly crowded. I don’t wear a love, but I have seen other travelers being wanded individually by security upon request. Happy and safe travels!

 

[QuelleFromage]

Travel is pretty much the same as it was pre-pandemic, except with masks, of course. We also traveled quite a few times the past year and nothing has changed as regards how you'd handle jewelry, bags, etc.
The metal detectors are the same, so if your Love didn't set them off before (it shouldn't have) it won't again. A good estimate of what will set off metal detectors: a Love won't but the full size Hermès metal CDC (in gold or silver) often will.

 

[truffpuff]

Taking my first trip on a plane post pandemic from California to Chicago and a bit stressed. Will I have issues going through security with my Love? Is it safe to take fine jewelry in travel cases in your purse (LV Tote)? I usually put my nice handbags and high end shoes in a carry on. I feel like I have forgotten how to travel. I am traveling with my tween and teens so I won’t completely be alone but am panicked

I've flown twice (both times out of NYC) in the past few months and my regular love set off the metal detector once. Seems like it sets off the smaller detector (where you just walk through / is often used for TSA precheck) but not the bigger one where you raise your arms and the detector spins around you. When it did set off the metal detector, security just had me walk through it slowly again to make sure it was the bracelet and not anything else. I think you are fine to travel with your bracelet!

 

[dove221]

I take branded fine jewelry and premier handbags as per my usual pre covid custom. I started traveling early 2021 with PCR before during and after (have been to NYC to Canuan, British grenadines; Jackson hole; Santa Barbara; and Maine. We’re global entry TSA approved so it goes a bit faster, but airports and airline lounges are surprisingly crowded. I don’t wear a love, but I have seen other travelers being wanded individually by security upon request. Happy and safe travels!

Thanks! Good to know! I will asked to be wanded! I had a bad experience at O'Hare a few years ago so just want to be prepared!

 

[dove221]

Travel is pretty much the same as it was pre-pandemic, except with masks, of course. We also traveled quite a few times the past year and nothing has changed as regards how you'd handle jewelry, bags, etc.
The metal detectors are the same, so if your Love didn't set them off before (it shouldn't have) it won't again. A good estimate of what will set off metal detectors: a Love won't but the full size Hermès metal CDC (in gold or silver) often will.

I did not have a Love the last time I traveled in 2019. I gained it during the time when I was not traveling so just want to be prepared on what to expect as a first timer. I don't have the CDC- so I am good there thankfully.

 

[dove221]

I've flown twice (both times out of NYC) in the past few months and my regular love set off the metal detector once. Seems like it sets off the smaller detector (where you just walk through / is often used for TSA precheck) but not the bigger one where you raise your arms and the detector spins around you. When it did set off the metal detector, security just had me walk through it slowly again to make sure it was the bracelet and not anything else. I think you are fine to travel with your bracelet!

Thanks so much for letting me know! This is what I was concerned about and wanted to make sure of.

Curious how you pack up your fine jewelry for travel? I usually put mine in smaller travel cases but this time I am planning to take more than the usual. Also, I read posts here where people don't take their wedding rings or anything fine? I always take that stuff but reading those posts started concerning me. Again I usually carry those pieces in my tote which is one me and bags/shoes in a carry on.

 

[Gimmethebag]

Thanks so much for letting me know! This is what I was concerned about and wanted to make sure of.

Curious how you pack up your fine jewelry for travel? I usually put mine in smaller travel cases but this time I am planning to take more than the usual. Also, I read posts here where people don't take their wedding rings or anything fine? I always take that stuff but reading those posts started concerning me. Again I usually carry those pieces in my tote which is one me and bags/shoes in a carry on.

Depending on where you will be in Chicago, I recommend wearing luxury goods that aren't too flashy. Our State Attorney's office is rarely prosecuting and there's a bit of catch and release. Criminals are not seeing consequences so certain crimes, like muggings and carjacking, are up.

Oak Street has a police presence at all times. Where I live we have a lot of restaurants and we'll hear reports here and there, but things have been quiet for a while. You can't act stupid or attract unwanted attention to yourself.

You'll be fine wearing a Love bangle for instance, but I wouldn't wear large diamond jewelry. I wouldn't wear a diamond JUC. For bags, if you have luxury all-leather bags like the Gucci Jackie, I recommend wearing those.

 

[dove221]

Depending on where you will be in Chicago, I recommend wearing luxury goods that aren't too flashy. Our State Attorney's office is rarely prosecuting and there's a bit of catch and release. Criminals are not seeing consequences so certain crimes, like muggings and carjacking, are up.

Oak Street has a police presence at all times. Where I live we have a lot of restaurants and we'll hear reports here and there, but things have been quiet for a while. You can't act stupid or attract unwanted attention to yourself.

You'll be fine wearing a Love bangle for instance, but I wouldn't wear large diamond jewelry. I wouldn't wear a diamond JUC. For bags, if you have luxury all-leather bags like the Gucci Jackie, I recommend wearing those.

I will be in the nw suburbs but when I go downtown I will not wear much. A few years ago my sister and I took the kids to the Sears Tower and long story short we almost got robbed by a bunch of teens. I think we were seen as easy targets being two women distracted by kids. Sounds like nothing has changed so I will continue to not wear much. Appreciate the insight!

 

[rose60610]

@Gimmethebag is 100% right. Criminal catch and release is 100% accurate.

Chicago crime is a problem. I'm sorry you had a bad experience at the Sears Tower, and crime is a lot worse now. The nw suburbs are pretty nice and you shouldn't have any problems. I used to love to go on Michigan Ave, Oak Street, Rush Street all dressed up etc, but now I dress down when I go there (which is much less frequent than before). If I had a car waiting for me on the curb I'd dress up to go to dinner on Rush Street, but not if I had to walk to my car in a parking garage.

In the nw suburbs, though, you're fine dressing up to go out. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but still keep your wits about you.

 

[Gimmethebag]

@Gimmethebag is 100% right. Criminal catch and release is 100% accurate.

Chicago crime is a problem. I'm sorry you had a bad experience at the Sears Tower, and crime is a lot worse now. The nw suburbs are pretty nice and you shouldn't have any problems. I used to love to go on Michigan Ave, Oak Street, Rush Street all dressed up etc, but now I dress down when I go there (which is much less frequent than before). If I had a car waiting for me on the curb I'd dress up to go to dinner on Rush Street, but not if I had to walk to my car in a parking garage.

In the nw suburbs, though, you're fine dressing up to go out. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but still keep your wits about you.

Literally this past Saturday, my MIL saw a group of teens dragging out an entire rack of handbags at the Neiman Marcus at Northbrook Court before getting out of her car.

My husband was happy she was still in her car when that happened because she was still carrying a $$$$ bag and wearing nice jewelry with her workout outfit that day.

Crime travels to opportunity. I don’t see the point in being flashy here. If you wear something understated, but luxe, people who know luxury know what it is. Teenage idiots know labels and sparkles. Everything else flies under the radar.

 

[dove221]

Literally this past Saturday, my MIL saw a group of teens dragging out an entire rack of handbags at the Neiman Marcus at Northbrook Court before getting out of her car.

My husband was happy she was still in her car when that happened because she was still carrying a $$$$ bag and wearing nice jewelry with her workout outfit that day.

Crime travels to opportunity. I don’t see the point in being flashy here. If you wear something understated, but luxe, people who know luxury know what it is. Teenage idiots know labels and sparkles. Everything else flies under the radar.

This is crazy, Northbrook Court? I grew up in the suburbs and I went to school and worked in the city and lived in Lincoln Park. Chicago having so much crime is so upsetting but the fact that its made its way to areas such as Northbrook which is a bedroom community is blowing my mind. It doesn’t sound like anything is getting better either and I just don’t get why. Like why they don’t have more security everywhere, such as mall security near the doors of Neimans in this case. Maybe just the presence would help deter some of this. California has had its issues too

I know a few people who have gotten mugged as well. Thanks for sharing!

 

[dove221]

@Gimmethebag is 100% right. Criminal catch and release is 100% accurate.

Chicago crime is a problem. I'm sorry you had a bad experience at the Sears Tower, and crime is a lot worse now. The nw suburbs are pretty nice and you shouldn't have any problems. I used to love to go on Michigan Ave, Oak Street, Rush Street all dressed up etc, but now I dress down when I go there (which is much less frequent than before). If I had a car waiting for me on the curb I'd dress up to go to dinner on Rush Street, but not if I had to walk to my car in a parking garage.

In the nw suburbs, though, you're fine dressing up to go out. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but still keep your wits about you.

Thank you for sharing! When we had the incident- we were parked in an open outdoor parking lot. My car got surrounded- I will never forget that day. You aren’t being a downer- you just are letting me know like gimmethebag what the situation is. I appreciate it very much. Rethinking some of my packing

 

[Lookelou]

I did not have a Love the last time I traveled in 2019. I gained it during the time when I was not traveling so just want to be prepared on what to expect as a first timer. I don't have the CDC- so I am good there thankfully.

i have been wearing my Love and then Loves for the last 13 years- you will ring like Xmas bells in the walk through metal detector about 95% of the time in the US- and only occasionally in Europe! its fine- little more than a 30 sec inconvenience to go stand for the full body scan. I would NEVER start taking off my Loves in the airport- that is where you will loose/ drop them!

 

[rose60610]

This is crazy, Northbrook Court? I grew up in the suburbs and I went to school and worked in the city and lived in Lincoln Park. Chicago having so much crime is so upsetting but the fact that its made its way to areas such as Northbrook which is a bedroom community is blowing my mind. It doesn’t sound like anything is getting better either and I just don’t get why. Like why they don’t have more security everywhere, such as mall security near the doors of Neimans in this case. Maybe just the presence would help deter some of this. California has had its issues too

I know a few people who have gotten mugged as well. Thanks for sharing!

Northbrook Court has been hit a few times. This past January a Neiman Marcus employee was walking to her car after her shift at 6:30 PM, here's part of the newspaper article:

"Authorities responded Monday just before 6:30 p.m. to a call of a reported armed robbery that took place in the parking lot of Northbrook Court mall, 1515 Lake Cook Road. A woman was walking to her car when three or four people in an SUV-type vehicle pulled up and two got out. One of the people pointed a pistol at her and ordered her to give them all of her belongings, police said. The woman said she was then knocked to the ground and hit, and her purse was taken. The individuals, described by the victim as wearing surgical masks, left in the SUV."

I went to Northbrook Court the day after and asked about it at Neiman Marcus, the SA said the victim was a NM employee. Crime is everywhere these days. The times I've been to NB Ct the last couple of years there was a security officer by one of the doors. I can't remember if he was armed or not. @Gimmethebag's account of her MIL is frightening. If there's only one security officer it's easy to overwhelm one officer with a group of criminals. Even if the security guy was armed, I can see him not shooting just to rescue merch. And guess what--I didn't see any account of this robbery reported anywhere, just heard it now. Wow. So you know lots of other crimes don't get reported either. A friend's son was mugged in Streeterville (wealthy area in Chicago) 7 years ago, approached by three people who ordered him to an ATM to withdraw the max cash. He woke up in the ER with black eyes and a busted eye socket after they knocked him out on the concrete. Needless to say the thugs were never caught, I have doubts the police investigated it because even then they were overwhelmed with more serious crimes. As @Gimmethebag said, it's catch and release for criminals in Illinois especially after a new bill got passed so we're going to see these things more and more.