Theft risk in Australian airports

[markis10]

That makes far more sense. But did they have footage of the theft then??

No, the camera was turned off (not dissimilar to the footage issues that arose in Sydney after the murder), which I found odd given the lounge manager mentioned that they had lost some PCs the week before in the same area.

 

[Berlin]

and someone walked out of QP with an iMac so, I need to be more careful I think, I just leave my stuff lying around when going to get food and drinks

I'm with you here and this thread is now freaking me out BIG TIME. I very often travel by myself as I tend to do anything I can to avoid those work colleagues: Different flight altogether (let them fly via Dallas while I enjoy my A380 First upgrade via LA is one of my favorites ), last minute changes, even asking at check in to change seats just to get away from them... Anyway, I always leave my stuff around while getting some booze/food or go to the bathroom in the lounge.

Flounge is not a problem as you can give them all the stuff to hold for you but domestic or at a coughpy lounge like the "F" lounge at LAX, I always am not really sure what to do: Carry all the hand luggage into the tiny toilet or, worse, plunder the bar and buffet with a backpack on the back? Really also not an option :shock:

 

[serfty]

My notebook was stolen before segregation was put in place, the spot is now ironically the notebook working bench in the J lounge.

ahh yes ... the old PC/workstation corrals - now phycally the 'back tail' the the J lounge near the entrance to the male loo's.

 

[docjames]

No, the camera was turned off (not dissimilar to the footage issues that arose in Sydney after the murder), which I found odd given the lounge manager mentioned that they had lost some PCs the week before in the same area.

THis is often otherwise known as an inside job.

 

[seanpodge]

Haven't done it in an Australian airport, but I've done it at Calgary and will probably be doing it at Dublin, Prague and Budapest in the next few weeks. One advantage for me I guess is that I find it rather easy to stay up if I need to, so I will probably just wait it out until check in and then I can hit the lounge. I'll just make sure there's enough battery on my iPad really. I'm led to believe that some European airports allow check in the night before an early flight so I might be able to get rid of my check in luggage before settling in for the night, which would be quite handy.

When I did it in Calgary, there wasn't any major issues. The airport was open, but I'm pretty sure all the shops and restaurants/cafés were closed. There were a few vending machines selling the usual stuff though. The lights were on and the cleaners were working away, but didn't make a fuss about the temporary residents. There were a few others doing the same thing as myself, maybe 5-10 people. Not sure how one can guarantee that nothing will be stolen but I'm sure there are ways to reduce the risk, even if there is no luggage storage facilities.

 

[elbarto]

No, the camera was turned off (not dissimilar to the footage issues that arose in Sydney after the murder), which I found odd given the lounge manager mentioned that they had lost some PCs the week before in the same area.

Don't understand why they have it if they're not going to use it. Unless it's as docjames suggests, an inside job.

The problem is that all the flea's of society need to do is part with the entry costs of a QP membership (or just purchase a one time visit from ebay) and they have instant access. The QP \ J Lounge (and even the F Lounge although getting access is much harder) is not some secret society where by members have to be vetted. All you need is a small amount of cash your willing to part with.

Maybe theft was the real reason anytime access was enhanced

 

[KLN]

was coming home from Singapore a couple of weeks ago, and when going thru security to board, the plane, there was a gentleman in front of me who was pulled aside and made to have the extra going over. whilst he was there, i overheard him complaining that last time he got pulled aside his onboard luggage bag with laptop etc was stolen after it had gone thru the x-ray, and he said it had happened at Sydney International while they were re-doing him. i thought that was amazing really. everything just goes thru, and you just pick it up at the other end. in Singapore, i think that they give you a silly stick or something to say that your stuff is yours, and it is checked when you pick it up thru the x-ray machine.

 

[k_sheep]

Slept in >10 airports in my time, nothing stolen so far (knock on wood!). I don't however have anything particularly expensive on me (no iThings), 7yo laptop, fairly cheap camera. Plus I use a little combo lock on the section of my bag with my wallet and hook it to my belt loops or something else on my person. I also often have my travel blanket with me, which I put over myself and my bag (so I imagine it's a bit harder to get at my bag without disturbing me, or looking really dodgy to passerbys).

 

[mella2007]

Nothing ever happened with me. But I'm going to think again after leaving anything in lounges while I get a drink/something to eat. Left my entire carry on in the lounge at LAX, but did keep looking over my shoulder every few seconds to make sure all ok