Usually my wallet is on me.. and I take special precaution to ensure that my carryon is not stored far away from my eyes. I'll store the carryons above where we are seated at all times if possible. I don't understand those who store carryons at the front of the plane and get seated in the back. Sure its convenient to take and carryout when deplaning, but who's going to look after the bags during the flight?

As for checked bags, I ensure that I bring only what I'm willing to lose without a second thought. Stuff has been taken out of checked baggage before.. so we ensure that all new clothing tags are clipped off. Whoever sorts through luggage must love to keep brand new clothes when possible. Reporting the theft through TSA doesn't work.. TSA seems to reject the claim as soon as it comes in.

+1

+1 I sleep with them in my pants, not always comfortable but always secure.

I don't feel too exposed leaving stuff zipped in my bag in the overhead in the international C cabin. I suppose I could put all the electronics (iphone, ipad, kindle) in a Scottvest and wear it or use that as a pillow, but that would not be too comfortable plus the cabin tends to be overheated on night flights. So I think I will take my chances.

The floor level drawers in C are yet another thing to appreciate in the BA cabins.

I found these comments (my bolding) rather ironic in the light of an incident that took place on an SAA overnight flight some years ago. Not only did it take place in the F cabin, the culprit had not paid a cent for her seat. In fact she was paid to be there - it was a flight attendant!

After pax went to sleep the FA opened an overhead stowage and helped herself to cash and travellers cheques from a passenger's bag. Another passenger happened to see this and reported it to the senior FA on board - who duly arranged for the guilty FA to be met by police on arrival.


As an aside, I doubt this was someone randomly rifling through a bag. Almost certainly the passenger must have had that bag open where the FA could see its contents. So although I am probably not careful enough about securing my belongings I take care not to flash valuables around or do things like transfer currency from/to my wallet in public view.

While theft on airplanes is not a rampant problem it does exist and a growing concern in this article is theft at the airport including security areas as well.

Shak

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/04/travel...eft-from-plane

My carryon has a unique color/design so that the chance of someone mistaking it as theirs in the overhead bins becomes remote, especially if I have no choice but stow my bag far from my seat. All zippers locked and fixed so they can't be punched open and zipped closed again. The most essential items in a small crossbody bag and is always on me.

If I put my bag into to overhead I always use the one on the opposite side, so that I have it always in view.

For my personal things I have a brief case which is always under my knees in eco or between the seats in business and as close as possible to the window side.

Some interesting way to lock your bag during the flight is this:
http://www.abus.com/Sicherheit-Unter...biflex-Pro-202