Patent ID: 7096089

Claim:
A method for arranging for the secure transportation of baggage for an airline passenger from an origin location to a destination location via a flight taken from an origin airport and a destination airport, the origin location and destination location being distinct from the origin airport and destination airport, respectively, the method comprising: (a) obtaining origin location, flight information, and baggage information; (b) generating a baggage manifest for the baggage and transmitting the baggage manifest to a ground delivery operator; (c) collecting the baggage at the origin location from the passenger, the step of collecting being performed by the ground delivery operator; (d) verifying the identity of the passenger; (e) tagging the baggage; (f) transmitting baggage information via a communications network and associating said baggage information with flight information of the flight; (g) the ground delivery operator transporting the baggage from the origin location to a screening facility; (h) performing pre-flight screening security checks of the baggage; (i) delivering the baggage to an airport's baggage sortation system; and (j) maintaining updated information concerning baggage location and delivery status in a database.