Las Vegas Airport RFID Tags

[[Syntax]]

I was just watching TV, Fox News and they were talking about new equipment being used or coming to airports. One of the items mentioned was the use of RFID tags to track luggage throughout the airport. So that they can pull luggage when someone sets off the metal detector or the explosives detector ect..

At the very end of the part on RFID tags, they say "and the only airport currently using these is a pilot program being done at Las Vegas"

So I went to check my luggage. I had already thrown away my luggage sticker & tags. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed or found an RFID device attached to thier luggage. According to the article below it affects 5 airlines & started over a year ago which means last years luggage might have had RFID's.


Las Vegas airport to implement RFID baggage-tag system (http://www.computerworld.com/mobiletopics/mobile/technology/story/0,10801,86909,00.html)

Another interesting article involving RFID Tags & Liquor in Vegas. (http://www.rfidjournal.com/article/articleview/2447/1/1/) (Tracking Pourage of Liqour Using RFID Tags)

Harrahs Waitresses wearing RFID Name Tags (http://www.silicon.com/software/security/0,39024655,39129583,00.htm) (Tracking how well waitresses cover the casino floor)

Hard Rock & Wynn Tracking Casino Chips Using RFID (http://www.rfidgazette.org/2005/03/rfid_in_las_veg.html)

[renderman]

I suggest you read Melanie's paper on the possible problems that could arise with such a system (she was a speaker at con BTW)

http://www.rfidvirus.org/index.html

[latras]

I'll check when I get back to my bag....interesting

[DJ Jackalope]

what the heck do they look like?

[astcell]

The RFID tags are being used in a PILOT program?

They can fly planes?

[Deviant Ollam]

i went over my checked back tag with a fine toothed comb this afternoon... nary an RFID chip to be found.

[Thorn]

McCarran was supposed to start this about two years ago, there was an article in Gov't Computing News around Dec 2003. They're using Symbol brand UHF tags. The tages are reportedly integrated into the standard barcoded luggage tag that is printed at the ticket counter.

http://www.symbol.com/category.php?fileName=AB-41_Airport_IB_final.xml

[latras]

No RFID that I could see on my tag...

[Deviant Ollam]

No RFID that I could see on my tag...not just on the tags... but in them, too. i took mine completely apart, flexed and bent every little bit of it... didn't feel anything out of order. maybe i'll toss mine onto an x-ray sometime.

[latras]

yeah...I held mine up to the light....nothing

I don't have any of dem dere fancy-schmancy detection doo-dads...

[astcell]

Maybe they put it in the luggage since we can't lock it any more.

[Deviant Ollam]

Maybe they put it in the luggage since we can't lock it any more.an interesting point there... one is still allowed (indeed, even required) to lock luggage containing firearms. i participated in an informal a survey the other day about air travel. it primarily concerned the fact that in some instances, electronics and other valuables are being forced to go via checked luggage. one question was something along the lines of "would the risk of theft deter you from flying?"

i had already mentioned in one of my earlier responses that i don't plan to fly anytime soon because of this whole huge clusterfuck which, in my opinion, makes the industry undeserving of my money for quite a while. however, when pressed for a straight answer i simply responded "well, if it came down to it, i'd likely just start travelling with my guns -- or at least one gun -- all the time, even when i don't particularly need a firearm at my destination. i'll use the largest gun case i have and make certain that it has extra room for a laptop, cel phone, etc."

[dYn4mic]

Apon return to Oakland airport, I was looking at the baggage tag and pulled apart the piece stuck together (that makes the loop).

Inside was a very very thin piece of metal in what would seem to be an antenna like shape. In the middle was a very small black thing. This is accturally stuck onto the baggage label so, I peeled it off and stuck it on a piece of paper.
The sticker contains a pat. number and other name on it...

Its still sitting on my desk at home, so I can't provide the pat. number or name on it.. but later this week I can, and also upload a picture if anyone wants...

Could this be RFID? I've never really seen it in use yet.

[[Syntax]]

Id like to see it, take a photo and post it online..

What airline did you use out of Vegas? because apparently only certain ones
are using the tags.

[dYn4mic]

']Id like to see it, take a photo and post it online..

What airline did you use out of Vegas? because apparently only certain ones
are using the tags.

Used southwest. I'll get a photo(s) up late tomorrow.

[Thorn]

Apon return to Oakland airport, I was looking at the baggage tag and pulled apart the piece stuck together (that makes the loop).

Inside was a very very thin piece of metal in what would seem to be an antenna like shape. In the middle was a very small black thing. This is accturally stuck onto the baggage label so, I peeled it off and stuck it on a piece of paper.
The sticker contains a pat. number and other name on it...

Its still sitting on my desk at home, so I can't provide the pat. number or name on it.. but later this week I can, and also upload a picture if anyone wants...

Could this be RFID? I've never really seen it in use yet.That sure sounds like it. The "small black thing" should be about 2mmx3mm.

The picture should confirm it.

[renderman]

Skywest luggage tags did not have any RFID in them. It would be interesting to see which airlines are using them.

[shannon]

Couldnt Find any in ours.. we flew US Air/ America West.

[dYn4mic]

So... I think this is too small to be RFID but... I'm not sure.

From this: http://www.primidi.com/2003/11/08.html
" McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is implementing a baggage-tracking system that will use radio frequency identification (RFID) bag tags from Matrics Inc. to improve customer safety. The decision to implement the tracking system makes McCarran one of the first airports to use the RFID technology airportwide."

You can see on the RFID sticker it says "Matrics". Along with a few other numbers.
I havn't poked around their site too much.

Pictures:
http://dyn.neg9.org/rfid

[Abby_Normal]

an interesting point there... one is still allowed (indeed, even required) to lock luggage containing firearms. i participated in an informal a survey the other day about air travel. it primarily concerned the fact that in some instances, electronics and other valuables are being forced to go via checked luggage. one question was something along the lines of "would the risk of theft deter you from flying?"

I would say the fear of theft would keep me from flying. Not counting DJ gear I would estimate was carrying around $4k worth of gear, and that's a lot to risk. Maybe it's time to buy a gun!

[Mother]

Google Matrics and the first hit is Symbol's RFID section...so I think we have a winner!

Time to get a portable microwave oven.

Cheers,

Mother

Edit: BTW with the thing going on with the UK terrorist plots, I'd hate to lose my laptop to some crooked baggage handler (oh, yeah, I heard they run criminal background checks on them...). IMHO airlines should be force-fed a huge insurance to cover your gear, if they force you to check it in hold.

[renderman]

So... I think this is too small to be RFID but... I'm not sure.

From this: http://www.primidi.com/2003/11/08.html
" McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is implementing a baggage-tracking system that will use radio frequency identification (RFID) bag tags from Matrics Inc. to improve customer safety. The decision to implement the tracking system makes McCarran one of the first airports to use the RFID technology airportwide."

You can see on the RFID sticker it says "Matrics". Along with a few other numbers.
I havn't poked around their site too much.

Pictures:
http://dyn.neg9.org/rfid

Is it possible to get a photo of the other side of the baggage tag for orientation purposes (scratch out any incriminating info if any).

Yup, definatly looks like an RFID tag. Pretty basic one, but that's definatly one. I'm also curious if there was anything anyone remembers being publically displayed about thier usage of RFID?

[dYn4mic]

No sorry, my baggage sticker/tag was thrown away.
It was stuck between the flat part of the 'loop' which went through a handle on my large backpack. I didn't see anything about RFID in baggage and this thing seemed pretty well hidden. I think it was under where the barcode was.

Like near the flat part in this picture:
http://www.alstec.com/Portals/0/Airports%20Images/BAGGAGE%20TAG.gif

[[Syntax]]

I managed to get one of these RFID's from a Las Vegas luggage tag.
Someone else I know traveled recently to Vegas..

The large black square is a hard drive jumper which I put next to the chip
for size comparison.

As you can see these chips are tiny.. I actually said "nope, no chip" while holding
the tag up to a light. Then I saw the outline of the antenna and split the tag open.

RFID Luggage Tag Chip (http://www.dc210.org/scripts/gallery/displayimage.php?album=4&pos=97)