This topic has come up a number of times in various JNB-Wrapping-Theft-Related Threads.

Since 2000, I've been through JNB on international inbound-outbound and domestic inbound and outbound flights - different international and domestic carriers - at least a 200 times though JNB. SAA, BA/Comair, Delta, Singapore, Air France (I think), Kulula (and all the other low-costs). Business/first and coach. Lots of luggage, not a lot of luggage. Early to the airport (e.g. long time luggage down in the bowels of the JNB) and last minute to the airport. "Nice" luggage and junky luggage, big bags and small bags. Luggage unlocked, luggage locked, luggage "locked" with a simple zip tie. I've had scores of friends and family go through JNB as well.

Never wrapped.

Never had anything taken from my bags - nor have friends and family. Touch. Wood.

My theory with wrapping is that someone will think there's something valuable in the bag that you're trying to protect, so it'll attract more attention. That said, I completely understand the theory that by wrapping you're making it difficult for the person to quickly dip into a bag to grab something - if that's the prevailing means of theft from a bag rather than just walking off with the whole bag.

As an aside on wrapping. I fly into the US frequently from SA. Granted I have no first or even second-hand knowledge of this. But, I always think that having a wrapped bag attracts US Customs attention. E.g. "Hey. He thought we wouldn't go through the trouble of ripping apart all this cling film to search his bag. He's wrong." Remember, these are the guys and gals who pry open petrol tanks at the border looking for drugs. What makes you think a little cling film is going to stop them.

The way to prevent people taking valuable stuff from your checked luggage is to not put valuable stuff in your checked luggage. Granted everything is "valuable" in some way. But slipping your iPod (remember those) into the front pocket of your checked bag just before handing it over to JNB check-in staff is not wise. Heck, that wouldn't be wise to do in front of a bellhop at a hotel. You're just asking for it.


Sounds like you're on SA 204 JFK-JNB. You will have to reclaim your bags at JNB, go through SA Customs, and recheck your bags for your JNB-CPT Flight. After exiting from international bag claim, it's not worth it to go upstairs to luggage wrapping and then re-check your bags in the domestic terminal. Just leave international bag claim, recheck your bags and be done with it.

Why would you cut out the labels?