For the most part, it's passport control first..then you retrieve luggage (luggage claim)..then customs! Wouldn't worry much about someone grabbing your luggage..as mentioned, by the time you go through passport control, chances are you'll still be waiting for your luggage once you get to baggage claim!
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Since customs is involved with checking the items being imported into a country, it has to be after baggage claim. Otherwise, the customs people would not be able to examine your checked bags. On the other hand, passport control is usually before baggage claim.
When you purchase a connecting flight, checked baggage is usually forwarded to your final destination, and will change planes when you do. The agent at check-in will usually ask if you want your luggage checked through to your last stop.
Usually, you go through customs when you exit the airport at your final destination. However, if you have a layover in a different city in your destination country, you may need to go through customs before your connecting flight.
Pay for prioritySome airlines will offer priority luggage service to business class passengers, or travellers with a certain loyalty status. These bags are tagged to arrive on the carousel first and, depending on the airport, sometimes have their own collection area.
Baggage Claim Wait TimesIt can sometimes take up to 20 minutes to unload a plane, depending on how many bags are being unloaded. Remember, you do not have to claim your bags in your connecting city when you have a domestic flight. Read more about how to deal with international connecting bags here.
The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.
While new scanners have gotten very advanced, they are still not necessarily capable of determining the substances contained in baggage. They can identify whether an item is organic or metallic. They can also identify its shape, structure, and density. But they cannot specifically identify an item's substance.
TSA screens approximately 1.4 million checked bags for explosives and other dangerous items daily. Upon check in, your checked baggage will be provided to TSA for security screening.
Unclaimed baggage left at the airport is ultimately auctioned or sold at a lost luggage store like the mega-center in Scottsboro, Alabama. Only there's one catch, sometimes it isn't abandoned or unclaimed luggage that ends up there – it may be your lost luggage.
Overall, passengers usually have to re-clear security for connecting flights, though there may be some exceptions depending on the airport and flight itinerary. To make this process easier, checking with the airline or airport ahead of time is recommended.
The BasicsGood news first: in principle, it is possible to have your luggage checked through to your final destination, even if you have two separate tickets. But all airlines that are involved in your trip must have some kind of cooperation. There are various forms of agreements between airlines.