Theft on board

[Beano]

Had a colleague whose bag was taken from a carousel but one was left behind. It belonged to an extremely high ranking member of parliament with their name on it. His bag was returned to him in a government limo.

 

[Beano]

I usually leav my passport and a little foreigh cash in my overhead bag but will no longer be doing that after these posts. I was also thinking if the undeseat storage is safer, but what happens if you have to use the facilities. It seems the message here is to keep valuables with you at all times or in a secure locked bag.

 

[Berlin]

Thankfully i have not seen this. But a wise reminder to - if possible - put your handl uggage in the overhead locker on the other side of the aisle from where you are sitting, not directly over your seat. This way you can easily keep an eye on things (unless you have a guaranteed overhead locker bove your seat for your exclusie use). .

I've tried doing this for a while but then felt extremely uncomfortable if I wanted to get something out of my bag during flight because it felt like intruding on the innocent co-flyer sitting underneath that overhead locker opposite of my seat. So I'm usually putting it above my own seat again where it's completely out of sight which is definitely also not ideal.

 

[tdimdad]

Ideally, in the overhead bin I attempt to place my bag above the backrest of the previous row (i.e. half a row in front of my seat). It catches my eye if someone visits that section and it gives an easy reference point to which bag they are checking. Works well until it's time to doze off...

 

[Beano]

Heres an idea, what is someone wanted to put something in your bag?

 

[dajop]

People are probably overthinking this. OK, you might lose a few hundred dollars (perhaps claimable on TI, with police report), but generally most people I know don't travel overseas with thousands of currency or even more. I'm also guessing the thieves generally will be on specific routes and probably racially profile travellers for those more likely to be taking cash out of certain jurisdictions without traceability. And it would seem, from the reports, more likely to target J travellers as less people in the cabin, and more people asleep.

Like anything, there are risks in travelling, but don't let this risks ruin it. Better off staying at home otherwise.

 

[suze2000]

Pockets are a rarity in women's clothing - but last year I bought something marketed as travel pants from Eddie Bauer (ugh, but beggars, choosers in my size range) and they have a rear zip pocket and two front pockets and a zip change pocket. This allows me to pocket the essentials now (passport, credit cards, some cash, phone, lip balm and headphones). If anything else gets stolen, it's a hassle but not the end of the world. But I would die if I lost my phone or my passport while traveling.

 

[Beano]

How about the good old money belt. Seems to be recommended whentravelling to foreign climes.

 

[Flying mermaid]

How about the good old money belt. Seems to be recommended whentravelling to foreign climes.

i was thinking about that - we still have some rather ancient ones from our back packing days! Put the essentials in there and don’t care about the rest.

 

[Jo145]

Was on an ANZ flight last year AUK-SFO sitting in PE and had my BOSE noise cancelling headset with me. I was packing up at the end of the flight and realised someone had stolen the case from my seat back pocket. Unluckily for the thief, the headset was tucked behind me while I slept. Never found the case despite the crew helping to look for it. At least they didn't get away with the contents.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Onboard theft is very common.

I ONLY use carry on baggage which can be locked.
And always remember to put your bags on the opposite locker to where you're seated so that you can see your bag.

 

[dajop]

Onboard theft is very common.

I find in modern day business class, better than putting valuables into overhead locker opposite you, put it somewhere hidden under the bed when it is in fully flat position. Whilst it doesn't necessarily look that suspicious foraging in an overhead locker, to get on your hands and knees and go scrounging around underneath someone whilst they are sleeping, certainly does.

In economy class, it's a bigger risk for the thief, as too many people awake.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Makes window seats and using the bin storage under the windows in some aircraft look like a good idea. Not that it would be foolproof. Cheers skip

 

[walchilds]

I read in a security blog sometime ago that its best that when you put you bag in the overhead locker to put it in upside down. It makes it harder to rifle through a case that way. Also I put mine in back to front as well.

 

[jch]

How about lounges, domestic or international? I always dump my bag with passport with electronics etc, on the table while I go get food/drink/bathroom break etc... without really thinking about it. I just assume it is full of people with a good moral compass but I'm sure this isn't the case every time.

 

[Denali]

How about lounges, domestic or international? I always dump my bag with passport with electronics etc, on the table while I go get food/drink/bathroom break etc... without really thinking about it. I just assume it is full of people with a good moral compass but I'm sure this isn't the case every time.

You're trusting, we never leave our stuff alone. Lounges are full of bank execs

 

[Hvr]

You're trusting, we never leave our stuff alone. Lounges are full of bank execs

Well your stuff should be safe because they don't have any interest.

 

[Berlin]

You're trusting, we never leave our stuff alone. Lounges are full of bank execs

The problem is really when you’re travelling by yourself which I do often for work. Then you have to carry a big backpack, a heavy laptop bag and your passport into the loo just for a quick number 1? And then, worse, you come back with all your stuff and some a...hole has taken your seat by the window

 

[RooFlyer]

I read in a security blog sometime ago that its best that when you put you bag in the overhead locker to put it in upside down. It makes it harder to rifle through a case that way. Also I put mine in back to front as well.

Welcome to posting on AFF @walchilds

 

[Buzzard]

When in a lounge anything of great value comes with me to the loo but I always manage to leave something to mark my spot.