Not sure this the correct location - if not would some one move it to the correct forum.
Two years ago I had the opportunity to go through the underground baggage transportation system at a major US air port.
Baggage moves along conveyor belts at a speed slightly faster than most of us can run. All belts that I could see ran at the same speed. Optical scanners would read the baggage destinations and would automatically transfer the bag to various belts until it reached the correct loading loccation. To move a bag from one belt to another, a large arm is activated to catapult the bag to the new belt. Now visualize this: bags are moving along a belt in single fils, a mechanical arm get a signal from the scanner to transfer your case, but not the one in front or behind! The arm is activated with a loud noise of an air actuated cylinder and your 70 lb.bag is catapulted approximatelt 6-8 feet to the next belt. A large rebound board is positioned behind the target area to keep bags from flying off the conveyor. This is done fast enough that neither the leading or trailing bag is disturbed.
Questionable bags would be routed off line for additional security.
If you think the third world baggage handler who throws your bag off an 6 foot high cart is hard on baggage be relieved your not at LA, Chi, Dev or NY!!!
Bottom line here is to use solid shipping cases for anything that would not repell a base ball bat hit and pack your cases full and tight. On dive bags, I pack the fins and wet suits on the out side.
Allan
