I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere.

So far, despite flying an average of once per week this year, I've always been able to avoid any NoS problems by simply choosing lines with WTMDs.

However, tomorrow I'm going to intentionally choose a NoS line so I can say, "I opt out."

So my question is, has anyone come up with "best practices" for ensuring you keep visual contact with your stuff so no one steals it? Specific things you should say or do, etc.?

Typically I travel with my laptop computer, which is quite valuable to me, and I don't want it to get stolen either by a smurf or by another passenger.

Thanks in advance.