Do airlines inspect checked baggage?

Do airlines inspect checked baggage?

Well, it’s funny, you know? You’d think the airline folks would be the ones rifling through your suitcase, but nope. It’s actually the TSA. Which, honestly, is still kind of weird to think about, right? Like, strangers poking around in my underwear drawer… okay, maybe not quite that personal, but you get the idea. I remember this one time, I was bringing back this super fragile ceramic bird from Portugal. I wrapped it in like, ten layers of bubble wrap, convinced it would be smithereens by the time I got home. But it was fine! So, someone was in there, I guess, but at least they were careful. Anyway, the airlines themselves don’t do the inspecting. The TSA screens every. single. bag. I heard somewhere that they scan something like millions of bags a day! Crazy. It’s all for security, of course. And while it can be a pain – who hasn’t had their bag delayed because of a “random security check”? – I’d much rather have a slightly delayed flight than, you know, something bad happening. So, yeah, a little invasion of privacy? Maybe. But worth it, I suppose. Now, if only they could figure out how to stop losing my luggage altogether… (Just kidding… mostly.)