Theft from Domestic Carousels in Australia

[here2go]

Hi
Following up from SeatBackForward's post on the thread re the possibility of theft from Domestic carousels in Australia (http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../theft-risk-in-australian-airports-41263.html), I agree the fact that there is nothing between the carousel and the outside world somewhat disturbing.
I have noticed on travels in Japan there is a staff member that cross references your ticket with your bags, and I was wondering what people's thoughts were on doing something similar in Australia?

If NextGen checkin becomes a standard used by DJ too (hopefully with generic RFID tags), I could see checkout being done quite easily (tap boarding pass or FF at an exit gate, and walk through with the bags)

Thoughts?

 

[harvyk]

A couple of years ago a woman was arrested in PER, she had managed to steal over 1,000 bags (not sure over what time period)...

 

[juddles]

A couple of years ago a woman was arrested in PER, she had managed to steal over 1,000 bags (not sure over what time period)...

¨link or it didnt happen¨

 

[harvyk]

¨link or it didnt happen¨

Woman fined for stealing 1,000 pieces airport luggage - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[juddles]

Äccording to link by harvyk¨, police found 1000 items of stolen luggage in a woman´s home. Not quite sure how someone could fit all those bags into a house. I struggle getting family´s baggage allowance into a rental car. Link by heretogo says it was 30 bags. 30 vs 1000 is a slight differnce.

 

[here2go]

Äccording to link by harvyk¨, police found 1000 items of stolen luggage in a woman´s home. Not quite sure how someone could fit all those bags into a house. I struggle getting family´s baggage allowance into a rental car. Link by heretogo says it was 30 bags. 30 vs 1000 is a slight differnce.

I deleted my post as the ABC is more reputable than Perth Now, and Harvyk's post is after the trial, not initial reports like Perth Now. I'll go with 1000 bags.

 

[777]

Äccording to link by harvyk¨, police found 1000 items of stolen luggage in a woman´s home. Not quite sure how someone could fit all those bags into a house. I struggle getting family´s baggage allowance into a rental car. Link by heretogo says it was 30 bags. 30 vs 1000 is a slight differnce.

Items of stolen luggage v. bags are different categories.

 

[juddles]

I deleted my post as the ABC is more reputable than Perth Now. I'll go with 1000 bags.

Shame as I suspect the ABC story was sheer b/s. The Perth Now story says the items were stolen from cars, not the caarousel, which is far more beleivable.

Here2go, could you repost your link so readers can decide? Cheers!

 

[harvyk]

I think it was a case of they found that she had stolen 1,000 bags, and she actually had 30 of them in her possession at the time of her arrest.

 

[harvyk]

Items of stolen luggage v. bags are different categories.

True,

either way it proves that airports are not always the safe places we tend to think they are.

 

[here2go]

I think it was a case of they found that she had stolen 1,000 bags, and she actually had 30 of them in her possession at the time of her arrest.

The ABC Article was at the trial too. Why steal from cars, when the bags are just "there" at the carousel? Pick the flights landing at the furthest away gates, and off you go!

 

[juddles]

I think it was a case of they found that she had stolen 1,000 bags, and she actually had 30 of them in her possession at the time of her arrest.

That is an incredible story. Did she just confess that she had stolen another 970 bags? How could she even have remembered such quantities? The other story (33 bags stolen from vehicles) has the ¨ring of truth¨ as it is known in legal circles.

 

[here2go]

That is an incredible story. Did she just confess that she had stolen another 970 bags? How could she even have remembered such quantities? The other story (33 bags stolen from vehicles) has the ¨ring of truth¨ as it is known in legal circles.

It's amazing what low level thieves will confess to once sprung. I have spoken to police who say they go on neighbourhood tours with thieves once they catch them, and they willingly divulge the extent of their activities.

 

[docjames]

Who would want to steal my smelling washing on the way home?

And mrsdoc packs an empty suitcase outbound.....

I'm not sure it's worth the risk.... for the thief!

 

[juddles]

It'..... I have spoken to police who say they go on neighbourhood tours with thieves once they catch them, and they willingly divulge the extent of their activities.

True, but remembering 1000 bags? No chance. The various web stories all appear to be sourced from the same no-detail source. It also seems incredible to me that someone who has stolen 1000 suitcases of personal belongings (minimum about 300 victims?) only copped a $600 fine. The story just sounds like bollocks. I am sure that if such an amazingly productive offender had been identified it would have made it into the various legal journals/case law. But I cant find any reference.

 

[harvyk]

That is an incredible story. Did she just confess that she had stolen another 970 bags? How could she even have remembered such quantities? The other story (33 bags stolen from vehicles) has the ¨ring of truth¨ as it is known in legal circles.

No idea, I simply gave the link which I read the story on from a couple of years ago as requested (the whole "link or it didn't happen). I never said it was original research, it was simply a link from the ABC which is usually somewhat reliable. If you think the article is inaccurate you are by all means welcome to give the ABC a call and ask them for details directly \ tear shreds off the journalist.

 

[here2go]

So, with Perth Airport as evidence, and not much else, should there be baggage checks on domestic carousels?

 

[Justchecking]

and I was wondering what people's thoughts were on doing something similar in Australia?

Thoughts?

My thoughts are thus....

Don't travel with gold bullion in your checked luggage
I don't want the hassle of having to be 'checked out' of an airport.
If someone wants to steal my dirty laundry, feminine products and really expensive can of hairspray...go for gold.
Use the most beat-up and cheapest set of luggage money can buy then your bag will be overlooked
Australia is already enough of a police state for my liking. I'll run the risk of having my knickers pinched in preference to yet more intrusive and ridiculous security measures.
There's always a chance that....I could get run over by a bus, followed home from a train station, have my wallet knicked and all sorts of other minor mishaps. Doesn't mean I want to live in a Nanny-state where I am overshadowed by security goons on every street corner.
I'm a grown up, I can look after my own belongings. I never put anything in checked luggage of value.

 

[harvyk]

My thoughts are thus....

Don't travel with gold bullion in your checked luggage
I don't want the hassle of having to be 'checked out' of an airport.
If someone wants to steal my dirty laundry, feminine products and really expensive can of hairspray...go for gold.
Use the most beat-up and cheapest set of luggage money can buy then your bag will be overlooked
Australia is already enough of a police state for my liking. I'll run the risk of having my knickers pinched in preference to yet more intrusive and ridiculous security measures.
There's always a chance that....I could get run over by a bus, followed home from a train station, have my wallet knicked and all sorts of other minor mishaps. Doesn't mean I want to live in a Nanny-state where I am overshadowed by security goons on every street corner.

Actually, you're a frequent traveler who knows how to look after your own belongings because you're used to flying, a very infrequent traveler on the other hand does not necessarily know the rules that you've listed above, and may even feel a sense of security that the airline is looking after their bags without realising that it's actually a pretty insecure process.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I do think that baggage carousels at domestic airports are a weak link in airport security. Yes, they don't effect flights per se, however given the strict control at gates, why are carousels deemed publicly accessible areas?

On the occasions where I have check bags on domestic hops, the scurry to get pole position at the carousel is probably the most tense and anxious part of the journey.

Like about 99% of travellers at the times I fly, black is the new black and it comes with a collapsing handle and wheels. I've yet to pick up anyone else's bag, but I've certainly had to look twice a few times. So I'm certain others not so cautious could easily "accidentally' pick up someone else's bags.

Even if someone accidentally doesn't want my poor excuse for clothes and tweezers, what could they do? Hopefully realise at the carousel and look out for the lost soul in pole position and return the tweezers to rightful owner (which still begs the question, where is their bag? Or rather, did their number of bags multiply?)

If they've left the terminal and don't realise until they unpack, what a painful process that would be for all concerned. I'd be certain the airline and airport will wash their hands of all responsibility.

To be honest I'm surprised the travel insurance industry hasn't come down harder on this.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using AustFreqFly