No, definately not your fault. But what I was gently trying to say was there is some onus on the traveler to guard their valuables. As a TA, I've been passing on packing tips to clients for a decade, which goes back pre-TSA to a time long, long ago when your checked suitcases could actually be locked. And even in those days, I still advised not putting anything of value in those bags because of the risk of theft/pilfering somewhere along the way. While I'm guessing this is the first theft in your 2.1 million miles flown, I would think it's reasonable to assume you've probably read/seen/heard airline/airport advice not to place valuables in your checked luggage. Something like this:

"Customers should NOT pack medications, car keys, tickets, passports and other legal documentation, or valuable items such as jewelry or cameras in checked luggage."

http://www.nwa.com/services/shipping...gage/faq.shtml

I known I've probably come across it dozens of time within the pages of in-flight magazines, had it mentioned by GA's, etc.

So, it's not that anyone is jumping on the newbie or anything like that as we were all newbies once. Just trying to offer some feedback on the subject or help, where possible. Enjoy FT!