Originally Posted by aristoph
Well all I can say is I have flown to/from SA 7-8 times over the past five years and probably double that for internal flights and no check-in staff, BA, SA or CE

(never again) have ever mentioned these security checks. And I have never had my locked bags opened. I still think it was a thief who, for whatever reason, decided not to clean you out!
You're probably right but why would the LHR BA luggage staff tell me otherwise???