Originally Posted by
fleef
something about always travel with an old, decrepit trunk & thieves won't give it a second look. Can't find that poem, darnit! Basically states that the uglier and plainer your luggage, the least likely it would be pilfered. Not sure how truthful that is, but I am one of those who uses the bargain type luggage. Yes they don't last very long, but I haven't had anything taken yet. I keep valuables on carry-on, but we passengers can't be blamed for the dishonesty of airline staff or TSA stealing from us.
I always wondered what the shrink wrap was about! I thought it was some kind of cultural or customs thing, I had no idea it was a Latin American thing to prevent theft. Hm.. wonder if I can gather up the courage to try it myself sometime. Who'd wanna grope an ugly, cheap rollaway wrapped in Saran Wrap???
I've been told it's a pain to remove, ie, there's no fast way to do it. Slowing access down is always something of a deterrent.
Secondly, it makes it very obvious indeed that someone's been in your bag. If they have, you want to check it before you leave the airport and report anything missing before you leave. Of course, if you had nothing worth stealing...it's all relevant, I guess. I'd be darned upset if someone took my favorite old pair of hiking boots, even though there's no $ value to them.