General Chat

Liz


it isn't a casual thief though ............ it is Customs and Security agents who have the right to open and all cases after you have handed them over.


If they cannot open the lock, they cut it off, and they then search your case. They can even snip off the zipper tag to force open a zipper............... my sis-in-law had that happen. She ended up having to buy a new case.


As OH found out, items can be left out accidentally ......


............... or much as they hate to admit it, there are bad apples, as there are bad apples in any job.

The onus is then on YOU to prove that you packed that item(s) in your case.

I now try to pack nothing that is of real value in a case that is going to go through Security. The problem comes if we are taking gifts to people (eg, at Christmas).

Any jewellery is either on me or in my handbag. All prescription drugs are in my carry-on, in prescription vials and plastic bags, ready to show to security. I try to take expensive gifts, without gift wrap, on the plane.



If they do decide to search your case, it makes no difference as to how well you have packed it, or with a towel. You will get it back as they re-packed it!



Believe me ....... been there, seen that!




sylvia

Okay I've had a PM from Bob...and I'm glad to say his knowledge is all above board =0)

As for people taking things from your bags I have never put anything of any value in my bag just in case...why tempt fate. That said I have heard rumours in the past that some airports are known to have a problem with baggage handlers helping themselves to items from bags.....can I prove it...no....does it happen......well there will always been someone who gets tempted if it's offerred up to them on a plate.

Yep, I'm another who has had things go missing from a suitcase, with zipper tags cut off. I never put anything of great value in my case - jewellery, camera, etc all goes in my hand luggage.

During that time a few years ago when we couldn't have ANY hand luggage, my hubby had all the electrical items stolen from his locked suitcase - spare mobile phone, i-pod, camera, external hard drive. I bet the security/luggage handlers had a field day during that period.

I am sure it happens all over the world - but no wonder Heathrow is famously known as Thiefrow!!!

LOL. I haven't heard it called thiefrow before. I'm about to look at other types of luggage now. :-D

I didnt mean to start a panic buy of alternative luggage

Bob

I know you didn't Bob don't worry, I've just looked and there isn't any non zip luggage :-) nor any really safe locks, it seems it is the zips that are the problem. :-(

Why do you think anyone is going to steal your stuff, when thousands upon thousands travel each day with no problem.

As I said before I have not locked a case for over 20 years and never had anything stolen...maybe I was just lucky? but if you buy your duty free in the resorts you have to pack them in your case as the restrictions on hand luggage has changed

jax, to me it is the same as locking my house or car, I wouldn't dream of leaving them open also when traveling we are more vulnerable to theft and I don't want to make things easy for the thieves. :-)

Securoseal looks like it may be a good deterant, I'm going to buy some just to feed my paranoia :-D

Just looked at that Securoseal, ZZzzz, hopefully it would work!
By the way, it's not just the zipper type luggage which is at risk. The suitcase my husband was using, when all his electrical items were nicked, was a (locked) hard-shell Samsonite.