20 Ways to Prevent Baggage Handlers from Stealing from Your Luggage | Serial luggage thief caught

I am calling BS on hard case luggage being less prone to theft. The nicer / more expensive your suitcase is, the more prone to theft. I almost had my Rimowa aluminum hard side suitcase taken “by mistake” yeah, right! from luggage claim in La Guardia when I flew in to board Cunard TA cruise. I saw a woman pick it up and start walking off with it, so I immediately went up to her and told her that’s my luggage. She claimed it was hers, but I had my name on the ID, so she claimed it looked like hers. She then immediately walked out away after that.

I travel with a backpack in a duffle I always wrap my backpack in a blanket so a simple pop the zipper exploit will be Much harder. I also put a picture of myself with verifiable information (passport number) Inside my bag. I once had to deal with someone who tried to walk off with my bag in Chicago. When baddy tried very hard to say it was his. The cop was leaning toward the baddy. I managed to draw the attention of the cops supervisor, and told them I could prove it was mine. The bet was that if I could prove it was mine, the baddy would go to jail. The baddy described the contents in the usual "pants and shirts" kind of way. Then we opened the bag and there was ME staring back at them. Baddy went off to jail and the cop got a stern talking to by his boss.

I traveled with a millionaire couple to Europe once. They had ugliest old luggage i had ever seen. Even had duct tape on it. Reason: raggedy luggage is less likely to be stolen or tampered with. Stuck with me to not use flashy or obviously expensive luggage.

I have had countless items stolen from my luggage by TSA. One time they took everything of value leaving behind 8 TSA inspection notices. However of the 79 countries I have traveled in the past 11 year it has only happened in the US.

I am MORE concerned about TSA officers than I am about regular luggage handlers.

In regards to 1. TSA locks are the most unsecure security things ever. There are only 2 masterkeys need & you are able to unlock every bag or case that comes your way. Far better off to shrink wrap the thing. The best thing airports could do is to implement the security check before check-in. That way, the checked luggage can go through the scanners & if required, be inspected in front of you. Then, the case gets a security seal sticker slapped on it & there is no need for any further inspections of that case/bag. From a security standpoint, it's also safer to have bags scanner straight away instead of allowing people to roam through multiple stages with bags.

Problem TSA opens the case and does not relock the case. This has happened 3 times .

TSA locks? When the thieves are TSA employees... Yeah

Not only theft, but also Drugs being put in luggage by baggage handlers, from Bali to Australia.

Please publish a "List of 20 Airports withe Highest Number of Baggage Thefts." Thanks.

There are cameras in every corner inside/outside the Airports why not put cameras inside where the security staffs are located so the head manager could see his/her employees doings while at work!? What for to call them security if they are the thieves??

Hard shell, no zip, clamp style luggage's, use a bright or patterned luggage sock or cover, keeping it safe from opening as well as easily spotting it in baggage claims. A GPS tracker for international flights if you are that anxious.

For some one who has worked at an extremely busy airport over 20 years, i can tell you 100% that THERE IS NO PADLOCK that prevent anyone going into your bag!

#21 learn to become a minimal packer and pack carry on only. Nobody can go through your stuff and take anything if you don’t let your bag out of your sight. You can fit a surprisingly amount of stuff into an underseat carry on with proper planning and packing methods.

Baggage alarm is worthless at airport baggage claim, as they just steal the entire bag. They won’t bother trying to open it at airport. I now use an AirTag in all my checked baggage. I have an annual travel insurance policy which covers lost / delayed luggage since I have a high end suitcase.

As for personal items ie: expensive Jewellery etc., For years now I've left my expensive items of Jewellery at home, only taking cheap jewellery which is easily purchased. So, If I lose an earring, rings anything I'm not bothered....then the thief will be disappointed.

All those security measures and when you get to your destination, your luggage gets stolen right out of the carrousel. In the US, there's no longer airport personnel who would ensure that the carrier of the luggage was the passenger. Anyone can now steal your luggage and take it away without someone making sure to check the passenger's name against the luggage tag. 😔😠

I have witnessed theft from overhead compartments.....keep you eyes open.

I am a world traveler and have never had any problems. I don’t buy expensive flashy luggage and never lock my bag but do use a strong luggage strap. Also electronics and other valuables are always in my carry on never in a checked bag.I also prefer soft sided luggage over hard case suitcases.

When a case looks like it costs £500 or more a thief knows its worth looking into.