Was I robbed on board?
Nov 25, 2014 | 3:42 pm
#46
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 6
HKg flights notorious
On a serious note, it is unfortunately probably a good idea to have a lock on our bags if we plan to store important things like wallet, cash, or passport in them and put them in the overhead.
Sorry to hear of your loss, OP, hopefully you still have your passport and credit cards
Also unfortunately, since you didn't notice till an hour later, it could have been a sneak thief/pickpocket anywhere along your path leaving the airport.
Sorry to hear of your loss, OP, hopefully you still have your passport and credit cards
Also unfortunately, since you didn't notice till an hour later, it could have been a sneak thief/pickpocket anywhere along your path leaving the airport.
sorry to hear this...doubt it was pick pocketed alas ....
Nov 25, 2014 | 7:46 pm
#48
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriot Am, MU Pt
Posts: 3,092
This thread has pushed me over the fence whether or not to get a business suitcase with a lock.
Originally I had most of my valuables in my backpack with a carry on. I carry a couple electronics, cash, IDs, etc. I tend to dose off during the flight. Although I don't think I've lost anything yet (if I did, I haven't noticed), I had been debating if I should get a locked suitcase (with convenient top access), but I'm happy I made the change. I can put my stuff in the overhead without really worrying much now (unless someone steals my overhead suitcase I guess [!!!]).
Originally I had most of my valuables in my backpack with a carry on. I carry a couple electronics, cash, IDs, etc. I tend to dose off during the flight. Although I don't think I've lost anything yet (if I did, I haven't noticed), I had been debating if I should get a locked suitcase (with convenient top access), but I'm happy I made the change. I can put my stuff in the overhead without really worrying much now (unless someone steals my overhead suitcase I guess [!!!]).
Nov 26, 2014 | 1:51 am
#50
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
It happened years ago to a passenger in F on a SA flight. Unfortunately for the culprit she was spotted by another passenger. Discretely reported to the Purser who told the pilot and police notified. Culprit caught with cash and travellers cheques.
The thief had seen the passenger stow the currency. She was a flight attendant!
The thief had seen the passenger stow the currency. She was a flight attendant!
Nov 26, 2014 | 7:26 am
#51
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Upstate N.Y.
Posts: 87
With the bank I use it is $500 if outside of the U.S. (The bank whose ATM you are going to use might have even tighter limits. )So it would take OP 5 days to withdraw that much money.
Nov 26, 2014 | 7:33 am
#52
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Upstate N.Y.
Posts: 87
I took a flight between DXB and HKG recently. I had exchanged around USD2,500 which when I got on board I put into the zip on my wheelie bag and loaded it into the overhead locker.
The flight load was really light. I would guess on 10-15 people in the whole of J on a 333.
Flight was uneventful and I slept for the most part. When we landed I headed of to the Wing and checked for my cash....to my horror it had gone!
I can only assume I was robbed whilst I slept
Has this ever happened to anyone else? Do you think I would have had any recourse?
The flight load was really light. I would guess on 10-15 people in the whole of J on a 333.
Flight was uneventful and I slept for the most part. When we landed I headed of to the Wing and checked for my cash....to my horror it had gone!
I can only assume I was robbed whilst I slept
Has this ever happened to anyone else? Do you think I would have had any recourse?
But, I would never put that much cash anywhere but on my body...
I just came back from Europe with over $5K in cash. I had the money in an envelope and that was in one of the pockets of one of those little passport carriers that hangs in the front of you, suspended with a small strap around your neck (sorry, I do not know what the proper term is for that contraption).
I had it hanging inside of my shirt. For going thru security I put it on the bottom of my small backpack.
Nov 26, 2014 | 9:04 am
#53
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 781
I had about US$8,000 in USD banknotes (can't remember exactly how much) shoved down my pants in a money belt going through HCMC airport once.
You are supposed to declare cash to Vietnam customs over a certain amount and I was about $500 over.
The eagle eyed customs officer spotted the bulge in my pants (chortle, chortle). I normally don't pay bribes to anyone but on this occasion it would have been a major ball ache to do things properly, so I gave him VND150,000 tea money (about US$10).
You are supposed to declare cash to Vietnam customs over a certain amount and I was about $500 over.
The eagle eyed customs officer spotted the bulge in my pants (chortle, chortle). I normally don't pay bribes to anyone but on this occasion it would have been a major ball ache to do things properly, so I gave him VND150,000 tea money (about US$10).
Nov 26, 2014 | 9:28 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 7,149
I always carry lots of cash on board and it stays on my person the entire time, as do my passport / ID / bank cards. The only things that go in the overhead locker are things which are easily bought again in a shop.
For one thing, in the unlikely chance of an accident, I would prefer to have these things on me.
For one thing, in the unlikely chance of an accident, I would prefer to have these things on me.
Nov 26, 2014 | 4:30 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 10,033
I had about US$8,000 in USD banknotes (can't remember exactly how much) shoved down my pants in a money belt going through HCMC airport once.
You are supposed to declare cash to Vietnam customs over a certain amount and I was about $500 over.
The eagle eyed customs officer spotted the bulge in my pants (chortle, chortle). I normally don't pay bribes to anyone but on this occasion it would have been a major ball ache to do things properly, so I gave him VND150,000 tea money (about US$10).
You are supposed to declare cash to Vietnam customs over a certain amount and I was about $500 over.
The eagle eyed customs officer spotted the bulge in my pants (chortle, chortle). I normally don't pay bribes to anyone but on this occasion it would have been a major ball ache to do things properly, so I gave him VND150,000 tea money (about US$10).
Dec 2, 2014 | 7:43 pm
#57
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: HKG
Programs: AA 3MM EXP, SQ Solitaire, LH SEN, CX DM, Hyatt CC, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,418
Get travel insurance.. some policies reimburse cash up to a certain amount... I had some money stolen from my hotel room in Paris a few years ago.. was able to claim back around 70% of it after filing a police report, even after I got back home to Hong Kong.... I know the police in HK or even the management in the Paris hotel wouldn't be able to do anything, but at least they have it on record as a statistic, and was necessary before I can claim it back through the insurance....
Dec 6, 2014 | 10:02 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 8,179
Dec 6, 2014 | 10:49 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: HA, UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,813
Money Belt
I've been using money belts for years. Last time, I got it from:
http://www.bullhidebelts.com/Money-Belt_ep_59-1.html
OP: Technically speaking, you were not "robbed," but were a theft victim.
http://www.bullhidebelts.com/Money-Belt_ep_59-1.html
OP: Technically speaking, you were not "robbed," but were a theft victim.
Jan 12, 2015 | 3:01 am
#60
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Philippines
Posts: 218
It happened years ago to a passenger in F on a SA flight. Unfortunately for the culprit she was spotted by another passenger. Discretely reported to the Purser who told the pilot and police notified. Culprit caught with cash and travellers cheques.
The thief had seen the passenger stow the currency. She was a flight attendant!
The thief had seen the passenger stow the currency. She was a flight attendant!
1. Put the cash in the middle of the carry-on bag preferably wrapped in something not obvious like an envelope.
2. Don't let anyone see you do it so go to an airport toilet stall.