Extra security for bags
 

If you have to transfer at JNB or another place with baggage theft, should you ask the airline workers to tape up your suitcase? I have had problems before at JNB with the luggage handlers and things missing. I have seen luggage with wrap all around it at some cities and I didn't know if it was something the airline did or the airport did.

If you lock or wrap your luggage, I think it just makes the thieves pay attention to it.

I had cameras pilfered out of checked bags at both JNB and CPT. SAA managers made me get a police report -- helpfully, there's that police office there in the terminal who seems to write a lot of these particular reports. Then SAA treated me like a fool for trusting my property to them.

If pilferage doesn't even embarrass an airline or an airport, you shouldn't ever check anything you care about.

It doesn't matter if you're in South Africa or Yuma, AZ. With all due respect, having electronics in your checked bag is one of the dumbest things you can do.