Airtag for Checked Bags

[arqtiq]

I understand, that Apple has reduced the alert time for AirTags separated from their owners to 8-24 hours. I was planning to use my AirTags for tracking my checked baggage on multi-leg long distance flights. I could well be separated from my bags for more than 8 hours. Therefore, I assume the AirTags would start beeping at some time during the flight or in transit.

Does anyone have experience with this situation? Will the AirTags really start beeping? How loud? How often? Will this be a problem at the airport? I wouldn‘t want my bags to alert airport security.

 

[Wando64]

I don't think you are meant to have batteries of any type in your checked baggage.

 

[fischersd]

I don't think you are meant to have batteries of any type in your checked baggage.

Sorry, you really couldn't be more wrong. I mean. Wow!
Cordless toothbrushes, shavers. Laptops. Tablets. People travel with all kinds of batteries all the time.

The only ban we ever saw on batteries was back when Samsung was having its issues and their phones were banned from flights.

 

[fischersd]

I understand, that Apple has reduced the alert time for AirTags separated from their owners to 8-24 hours. I was planning to use my AirTags for tracking my checked baggage on multi-leg long distance flights. I could well be separated from my bags for more than 8 hours. Therefore, I assume the AirTags would start beeping at some time during the flight or in transit.

Does anyone have experience with this situation? Will the AirTags really start beeping? How loud? How often? Will this be a problem at the airport? I wouldn‘t want my bags to alert airport security.

There was another thread where someone's airtag was stolen by someone in luggage processing. Me, I'd have the airtag inside the bag, not outside. If you do, any "chirps" by the airtag will not alert anyone.

One of the travellers did see that they still had bluetooth connectivity to their AirTags while on the flight - so that may shorten your "separation window".

 

[BoxsterRS]

I don't think you are meant to have batteries of any type in your checked baggage.

Totally not true! https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=23054 and https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2013/06/11/travel-tips-tuesday-safely-packing-batteries-your-trip

 

[Wando64]

Sorry, you really couldn't be more wrong. I mean. Wow!
Cordless toothbrushes, shavers. Laptops. Tablets. People travel with all kinds of batteries all the time.

The only ban we ever saw on batteries was back when Samsung was having its issues and their phones were banned from flights.

I've just checked on the UK Civil Aviation Authority website and you are absolutely correct.
I must have been the only person not packing any battery in my checked in baggage.

However, sorry but you couldn't be more emphatic. I mean. Wow!

 

[iLoveDeveloping]

I understand, that Apple has reduced the alert time for AirTags separated from their owners to 8-24 hours. I was planning to use my AirTags for tracking my checked baggage on multi-leg long distance flights. I could well be separated from my bags for more than 8 hours. Therefore, I assume the AirTags would start beeping at some time during the flight or in transit.

Does anyone have experience with this situation? Will the AirTags really start beeping? How loud? How often? Will this be a problem at the airport? I wouldn‘t want my bags to alert airport security.

You will be fine, just flown last week with an AirTag in every bag I had (4 - two check in and two carry on). Works perfectly, could check on my bags as they went around the airport and could see them on the plane! They are well within distance of you when they are under the plane. I could see the whole flight the AirTag was “connected”. It won’t beep (unless faulty as a few people have had issues with) unless you are away from it for 8 hours (your phone can’t connect with it), and it is moving. So from what you described there is no issue whatsoever. And if security have an issue with an AirTag, when people start flying more again, they are in for a big shock! ?

 

[jav6454]

I don't think you are meant to have batteries of any type in your checked baggage.

There is a limit of WHrs for batteries to be disallowed on checked-in bags. Airtags definitely do not qualify for such restrictions.

 

[Geepaw]

Sorry, you really couldn't be more wrong. I mean. Wow!
Cordless toothbrushes, shavers. Laptops. Tablets. People travel with all kinds of batteries all the time.

The only ban we ever saw on batteries was back when Samsung was having its issues and their phones were banned from flights.

Lithium batteries are not allowed on flights but otherwise you are correct.

 

[fischersd]

Lithium batteries are not allowed on flights but otherwise you are correct.

Correction: Answered my own question:

Lithium Batteries in Baggage | Federal Aviation Administration

Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch fire if damaged or if battery terminals are short-circuited. Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium ion batteries, including – but not limited to – smartphones, tablets, cameras and laptops, should be kept in carry-on

www.faa.gov

I'm guessing this goes back to the Samsung fiasco? (it only takes one malfunctioning battery to cause an emergency) - I presume their take on it is that the fire can be fought in the passenger compartment, before it becomes signficant.

 

[contacos]

what would be the point? What are the chances of any iOS device being nearby and having service to track it successfully? Wouldn't the plane shield any bluetooth (in cargo) connection whatsoever? It is not like the AirTag has GPS (even those would be limited)

 

[arqtiq]

what would be the point? What are the chances of any iOS device being nearby and having service to track it successfully? Wouldn't the plane shield any bluetooth (in cargo) connection whatsoever? It is not like the AirTag has GPS (even those would be limited)

Well, I agree that during the flight, there will not be any coverage. But for example, when changing to a connecting flight, it would be kind of reassuring to know, if the bags have made it. The same would be true for the final destination, to know they‘ve made it before they are finally delivered.

 

[fischersd]

what would be the point? What are the chances of any iOS device being nearby and having service to track it successfully? Wouldn't the plane shield any bluetooth (in cargo) connection whatsoever? It is not like the AirTag has GPS (even those would be limited)

Heh. People are bored. . You obviously haven't read any of the threads of people doing this on here. Surprisingly the bluetooth signal is pretty strong on these - people have had connections to their AirTags in the cargo compartment under their feet somewhere. One guy even had one of the baggage handlers steal their airtag (obviously the handler didn't know that their activation locked) *shrug*.

 

[Marli]

I have been doing this internationally and domestically for years with tiles.. they worked well.. I will do the same with airtags once travel hots up again.

I have left airtags at home and gone on trips for weeks, the tags have never beeped.. why would they, they aren’t lost..

edit: It only chirps if away from the phone for an extended period and moved.. not left stationary.. still cant see how this helps anyone if not marked as lost..

 

[chabig]

I presume their take on it is that the fire can be fought in the passenger compartment, before it becomes significant.

That is correct.

 

[cschmelz]

Lithium batteries are not allowed on flights but otherwise you are correct.

This is absolutely incorrect. SPARE lithium batteries must be in the passenger compartment but NOT SPARE aka installed lithium batteries may be part of baggage (aka my iPad can be in passenger compartment OR my checked bags as they are not SPARE batteries. Pays to read the fine print.