Grrr...camera stolen from overhead locker!

[Skyring]

Spending money! I know it may not be smart but some people still prefer to carry cash with them on trips and cash advances from credit cards are only a last resort.

On reflection, I suppose it makes sense. If you swapped them all over at home, you might get a better exchange rate than what you might find in a distant land when you are in a hurry, but you might be going to several different countries, and changing all your money each time is going to make the moneysellers very happy.

I have a basket at home where I keep all the forren currency. I travel enough nowadays that there's not much point in changing it back when I return home. So I go through it before a trip and select the money for the countries I'll be visiting. And I have a little ritual before each international flight. As soon as I get on the plane, i'll adjust my watch to the destination, to get me into the right mindset as much as possible, and I swap over my currency notes, from the little ziploc pocket at the back of my Day-Timer to the main pocket at the front.

Coins are a problem, and I see that New Zealand has effectively banished 5c pieces. I wish the Yanks would get rid of those bloody pennies. I don't like to carry them around, weighing down my pockets, and if I drop them into the bowls of the homeless I'm likely to get them flung back at me!

 

[simongr]

I am such a sad case that in a recent trip to Singapore I noticed that the toiletries were in neat little plastic pouches - about the size of a folded note.... so I dumped the toiletries and now have four little pouches with various currencies on my desk ready to be grabbed at the shortest notice....I really need to get a life....

I however dont carry much currency at all anyway - mostly through the ATM when I travel or Amex for purchases (yes I know the fees are scary)

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

That's what I need. I have a few coin bags but not nearly enough to have each of the main currencies separate. A bit of a pain to sift through - I suppose I really should change back some of the oddball currencies though. Don't think I'll be using Litas again, and while I probably will find a use for french polynesian francs in the meantime the coins are taking up too much space (they're huge).

 

[simongr]

Try staying at the PanPacific in singapore the toiletries bags are great The upgrade to a suite was good too

 

[JohnK]

I suppose I really should change back some of the oddball currencies though. Don't think I'll be using Litas again, and while I probably will find a use for french polynesian francs in the meantime the coins are taking up too much space (they're huge).

As we discussed previously don't forget to keep some of the oddball currencies in your possession from the places I have not visited and not likely to visit. SWP islands, South America, Africa or Middle East.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I cant change the coins, its leftover notes I should do something about (only for places I dont expect to return to soon of course).

 

[coco50]

Man I feel like such an idiot now. I never lock my bag and on int'l if I use my laptop for work or to watch some shows on it - I leave it lieing at my feet when I start to doze.... wallet is generally in my bag in the locker above - no lock at all...

Don't take a laptop with me on OS trips but like you, have my wallet and passport in my bag in the locker above. Thanks to the rotten experience of Febs, that will change now.

 

[vt01]

This is where upper deck window J on QF and BA are really good.. My bag stays in the lockers beside the seat.. I'd like to see someone trying to get my bag out of there while I sleep!

But other than that, my backpack is never locked.. It carries my laptop and passport and occasionally a small digital camera... I've never thought of anything being nicked while I sleep - apart from the fact I generally sleep quite light on flights. I think I might use one of my small padlocks now.

What is the world coming to if bags in an overhead locker, mere feet from you aren't safe!

 

[dajop]

What happens if the theft is discovered whilst still in the air? Not like the thief can go anywhere. I usually retrieve my wallet and passport from the O/H locker prior to landing, to have them on my person.

 

[Febs]

Guys - believe it or not, this story actually has a happy (albeit weird) ending!

I got a call from Qantas Baggage Services last night..."Did you lose a digital camera and small stuffed toy? If so, it's sitting here waiting for you." (I asked them to keep me on file just in case something did turn up).

Apparently they were found on the plane, but up the back (my seat was in the first few rows of Y!) They weren't found when they did the sweep on Sunday/Monday...but now it's shown up!

Very odd indeed, but my dad picked them up today (he works near the Airport) and said they're definitely mine.

:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Sorry if I scared anyone, I have no idea what happened and how they got to the back of the plane (they were definitely in my bag, zipped up, the last time I saw them)...but there you go.

FWIW, since Sunday I've spoken to a few people who HAVE had items stolen from the overhead storage locker on long-haul flights, including someone who lost their laptop during a trip back from HK! Even though I was lucky this time, I'll definitely be locking my whole bag next time, and keeping it under my legs for shorter flights.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[simongr]

Thats great news Seems like someone had a crisis of concience....

 

[NM]

sounds like the little critter needed to toilet break during the flight and took your camera with it down to the rear lavs .

Great to hear that Qantas actually took the effort to track you down and get them back to you. As you say, very strange indeed how they found their way to the back.

 

[SeatBackForward]

A little trick I've learnt through my photography hobby (but not one that I practise myself).

The first photo on any roll of film, well nowadays its a memory card, is one of a white card with your name, and contact details written clearly in black ink. That way if any miserable person does steal the camera but has a conscience of any sort, they can either return the camera or at least the the photos to you somehow... Just one more means of protection I suppose.

 

[Febs]

The first photo on any roll of film, well nowadays its a memory card, is one of a white card with your name, and contact details written clearly in black ink. That way if any miserable person does steal the camera but has a conscience of any sort, they can either return the camera or at least the the photos to you somehow... Just one more means of protection I suppose.

That's an excellent idea. I was kicking myself that my digital camera was about the only expensive portable device I own that wasn't named in any way (it's plastic so engraving is out).

I'll do that tonight. With most cameras you can lock an image as well (so it doesn't get deleted when you delete all images, only when you format the card). Too easy.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[SeatBackForward]

That's an excellent idea. I was kicking myself that my digital camera was about the only expensive portable device I own that wasn't named in any way (it's plastic so engraving is out).

I'll do that tonight. With most cameras you can lock an image as well (so it doesn't get deleted when you delete all images, only when you format the card). Too easy.

Cheers,
- Febs.

No worries.

Another lesson on always backing up memory cards I suppose. I mean doing such a thing doesn't imply any more luck of having the stolen good returned, but I guess its just oen more thing you can hope for.

As an aside to this thread, I regularly travel to India, and not just to you major capital cities or the popular tourist areas, but real backwater towns and villages to visit family. And one of the things thats a must if you're on an overnight bus, or an overnight train, is to have a metal chain and a padlock, to hold down your luggage to something solid.

I've seen backpackers on trains put the chains through their straps (but hello! you can just unclick the buckle!) ..silly backpackers..maybe it should be mentioned in the Lonely Planet guides, then they'd do it..

But yeah hopefully airplanes don't end up down the same path, of requiring all on board luggage secured down.