Whip-Whop: Wrapping luggage at Heathrow?

January 17, 2008 8:12 AM

Can I get a piece of luggage wrapped in plastic at Heathrow terminal 3?

At many airport terminals you can pay someone to enshroud a suitcase or bag in tough, cling film-y material. Will I have luck finding this service at Heathrow terminal 3? I've never noticed it there, but then, I've never looked.

posted by louigi to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

I've never seen it at a British airport.
posted by randomination at 9:01 AM on January 17, 2008

I fly in and out of T3 a few times a month and I know there *was* one right by check in zone C or D but last time I was there I don't remember seeing it. In fact, I have a vague recollection of saying to myself "Huh, the wrap machine thingy is gone." There's a lot of construction going on there though so it might just be temporary. When do you leave? I'm flying out of T3 in a week and a half and can look for you. If you need the answer sooner, you might try the true flying nerds over at Flyertalk.
posted by lazywhinerkid at 9:25 AM on January 17, 2008

The only airport I've ever seen this at is Johannesburg's. I've never bothered using it though, as it doesn't offer that much extra protection, other than being a deterrent to the odd pilfering baggage handler.
posted by macdara at 9:45 AM on January 17, 2008

In many countries, this kind of wrapping is prohibited as it makes it impossible for people to search your luggage.
posted by GuyZero at 9:53 AM on January 17, 2008

I leave tomorrow, but thanks for the offer, LWkid. I was going to use it not as protection but to provide reinforcement for a sort of tattered bag. I'll probably just use a better bag.
posted by louigi at 10:14 AM on January 17, 2008

Terminal 4 has one in arrivals, fifty feet to your left if you're standing at the Starbucks counter.

It's a stand located just outside the lost-baggage desk, next to the hallway that leads to the BA Executive Club arrivals lounge. It seems to be part of a concession that sells bag accessories, straps, tags, etc. to those waiting to find their luggage.

I'd bet that there's one in T3 in a similar place.
posted by Phred182 at 1:02 PM on January 17, 2008