How do you keep cabin bags safe
Apr 25, 2015, 7:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
How do you keep cabin bags safe
Looking in the news about Indonesia's & Singapore's tough law (death) on drugs, as well as avoiding general petty theft. What do you do to ensure cabin luggage/bags are kept safe from both theft or being a unwitting drug mule?
I always put a small lock on my carry-on, and if flying into said countries, will always check my bags before proceeding though immigration & customs.
I always put a small lock on my carry-on, and if flying into said countries, will always check my bags before proceeding though immigration & customs.
Apr 25, 2015, 7:40 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Looking in the news about Indonesia's & Singapore's tough law (death) on drugs, as well as avoiding general petty theft. What do you do to ensure cabin luggage/bags are kept safe from both theft or being a unwitting drug mule?
I always put a small lock on my carry-on, and if flying into said countries, will always check my bags before proceeding though immigration & customs.
I always put a small lock on my carry-on, and if flying into said countries, will always check my bags before proceeding though immigration & customs.
Apr 25, 2015, 8:13 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
I always think it's better to be safe then sorry. Noose around the neck, or a bullet would sure ruin the day.
Apr 25, 2015, 8:13 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 436
So, it happens. Not as many times as mules claim, but enough to make a useful defense, and to illustrate that the idiotic unlocked bag policy has made us less, not more safe.
Apr 25, 2015, 8:26 am
#5
Join Date: May 2009
Location: South Park, CO
Programs: Tegridy Elite
Posts: 5,678
Apr 25, 2015, 9:28 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
I don't bother with locks, since anybody who wants to get into my bag could just use a utility knife. But I do generally put either a wire key chain or zip ties on my bag if I'm going to be sleeping/not paying attention for a long flight or train ride. It isn't going to stop anybody who really wants to get into my bag, but it makes it take a little bit of effort, so hopefully they go for the bag next to it instead.
Apr 25, 2015, 9:47 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Small lock goes on after I pass security. The real valuables (camera gear, etc) are in the small backpack and under the seat in front of me where I control it completely.
Apr 25, 2015, 12:19 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
I assume, then, that you never fly. While flying is the safest form of transportation, the odds of getting killed in a plane are far, far higher than the odds of getting executed in Singapore because someone planted drugs in your bag.
Apr 25, 2015, 3:00 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
I was simply pointing out that individuals should take precautions to ensure they are not wrongly accused. After all it only takes a few mins to check your bags.
With respect to theft, a simple lock or zip-tie always help IMO.
Apr 25, 2015, 4:18 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,886
Any particular reason for the troll like comment?
I was simply pointing out that individuals should take precautions to ensure they are not wrongly accused. After all it only takes a few mins to check your bags.
With respect to theft, a simple lock or zip-tie always help IMO.
I was simply pointing out that individuals should take precautions to ensure they are not wrongly accused. After all it only takes a few mins to check your bags.
With respect to theft, a simple lock or zip-tie always help IMO.
I live about half the time in SE Asia. I have seen or read of many incidents where people are caught with drugs and try to claim someone else hid them in their bags. Never turns out to be true.
You're worried about something you simply don't need to worry about. Not trolling, just trying to be logical.
Apr 25, 2015, 4:19 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,400
Apr 25, 2015, 4:49 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2004
Programs: BA blue, LH Senator, KQ (FB) gold
Posts: 8,215
Securing your carry-ons from theft on planes makes sense. This does happen with some regularity.
May 5, 2015, 6:41 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Nashua, NH USA
Programs: Seashore Trolley Museum "flight attendant"
Posts: 1,991
A lock will prevent someone from surreptitiously adding contraband to your bag without being detected (a slash in the side is very visible).
Not foolproof against getting arrested but you could also stop and inspect the bag contents as soon as you get off the plane (or grab the bag from the carousel) rather than blithely continue on to the airport exit.
Not foolproof against getting arrested but you could also stop and inspect the bag contents as soon as you get off the plane (or grab the bag from the carousel) rather than blithely continue on to the airport exit.
May 5, 2015, 9:06 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: TK*G
Posts: 267
A lock will prevent someone from surreptitiously adding contraband to your bag without being detected (a slash in the side is very visible).
Not foolproof against getting arrested but you could also stop and inspect the bag contents as soon as you get off the plane (or grab the bag from the carousel) rather than blithely continue on to the airport exit.
Not foolproof against getting arrested but you could also stop and inspect the bag contents as soon as you get off the plane (or grab the bag from the carousel) rather than blithely continue on to the airport exit.