Syndicate stealing baggage
 

A sophisticated crime ring, aided by airport security personnel, is behind the rising incidence of baggage theft and pilferage at the country's airports, says SAA.


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http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?fseti...2312205C713672

SV ((@))

It would be appreciated if posters replying on this thread contribute positive and constructive input, rather than fueling the paranoia and "doom and gloom" that topics of this nature spark.

There have have so many stories have proved inaccurate or hear-say or unverifiable, that it boggles the mind.

Just recently, a poster on another forum claimed to have been scammed at Johannesburg's airport. I supplied him with contact details of highly-placed managers in the company for him to contact. He never did. I offered to investigate the matter personally on his behalf, if he gave me the details. He never did! So, how serious was his "complaint" ...?

I deal with many hundreds (possibly thousands) of guests flying through South African airports every year, and have done for years. Not one of my guests' baggage has been stolen or tampered with (except by legitimate customs inspections at their own airports of origin). On some occasions, luggage has been lost, and on virtually every occasion, has found it's way back to the owner.

One piece of unaccompanied baggage I handled travelled on 6 different flights on 6 different airlines, and visited 8 different countries (4 in Africa, some by road) over a period of two months, before being returned to its owner. It was never tampered with in any way. Sure, a unique situation ...

Yes, occasionally, baggage gets tampered with. It's part of the risks of leaving your front door. Live with it!

But don't believe ALL the bad-news spread on forums such as this. You'll never have the courage to leave home.

Thank you Debbie Downer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debbie_Downer

SV,

Just an FYI - My Tripod that was checked-in from Mumbai via JNB to Maun went missing. Air Bots traced it and got it to me on the third day ........... If I was to have believed your link, I would have had no hope that I was to see it again.

Fortunately, it got to me soon.

Sorry, meant to say - "If I was to have believed the author of your link .............."

Don't mean criticism of you in any way. So, pl don't mis-understand the above post ;)

SV- When I saw the title of your post, I thought you were referring to the "syndicate" of baboons in suburban Cape Town that have figured out how to open car doors and steal the stuff from inside.

JNB has a baggage wrap service that prevents stealing from the bag, but not from stealing the entire bag. I think because of stories like this travelers got paranoid so they started this service. Many years ago we had the same problem at JFK. It took a while, but the theft stopped with some basic security changes. Theft at airports, airlines losing bags - I prefer to carry on. I just don't need the incovenience no matter how or where the bag disappeared. Always put your contact info inside the bag, too so they can get your luggage back to you if they find it (they usually do).

BK0 - I had a camera taken from bag on trip from LAX (home), to JFK, to JNB. So not sure which one it actually happened at. But I've heard first hand accounts from travelers that have arrived at JNB missing camera or electronic things. While you have never had a client with a problem at JNB, myself, JNB is the only airport I have had problems with and heard first hand accounts of problems. While I'm at it, the security at JNB is crazy. They would not let me pass with nail clippers one time and last time took a tiny 4 inch screw driver. Even USA security will let you have small tools. While on the plane LH served me meals with steel knives.

regards -tom

Sorry if someone or all feel embarrassed - but pls remember: Don't shoot the messenger!

Pleasant WE to all!

SV ((@))

I had theft occur from bags left for the afternoon at JNB in the luggage storage area downstairs.

Now VS wrap my bags for free.

It boggles the mind that bags can be stolen anywhere at an airport - aren't these supposed to be among the most security conscious buildings around?

It happens in a lot of places all over the world, we unfortunately live in a "what's yours is mine" society.
We basically only take what we're happy to loose, if you know what I mean.
To digress, I hate that I go through "security" get pulled over for the scan, meanwhile all my things are sitting at the end of the conveyor belt, and I'm not allowed to rescue them. I've heard of lots of people loosing stuff that way.

<i>"It boggles the mind that bags can be stolen anywhere at an airport - aren't these supposed to be among the most security conscious buildings around?"</i>

Because it winds up being an "inside-job" - the actual baggage handlers. These have been found at airports most everywhere. It's a shame, no doubt, but there are, for whatever reason, peeps who just do this kind of thing.

I get pulled over regularly for a scan, but my belongings are always identified beforehand and held securely in my sight! If traveling solo this can be annoying, especially in countries where they do the scans behind a curtain. Otherwise, if traveling with two or more, the first one thru has the responsibility to keep an eye on everyone's items as they come thru regardless that someone is held aside for a scan.

And, where the service is available, have your checked bags shrinkwrapped... it's worth the $5/bag.

Shrink wrap. It's not exactly chain maille. What good does it do if the inside baggage handlers pull it aside and cut it open? So you get it, probably a day late, and it no longer has shrink wrap on it. Now what do you do? Open bag and check its contents in front of airline personnel, like I did. And if the camera is missing SAA will show you their paper that says they are not responsible for stolen cameras.

Or, security when they x-ray it wants to open it. They do open bags and will destroy your lock if necessary. Will security re-shrink wrap it for you? Now what do you do when you get it at destination and no shrink wrap? Again open it and look for missing items?

Somebody help me understand what shrink warp does other than give you a false sense of (a little) security. That shrink warp is just not a big tag that tells thieves there is something of value inside.

regards - tom

They only open locks to check bags in the USA, right?

Nothing of value, i.e., cameras, jewelry, meds, money, electronics - should be in checked baggage, whether shrink wrapped or not. If you have shrink wrapped your bag/s and it's been opened when you receive it off the carousel, then it's obviously an inside-job and you make a fuss with ground personnel and your insurer. And, NO, shrink wrapping doesn't necessarily mean anything of value (as noted above) is inside, rather you're simply protecting your bag (outside/inside).

In the US if you've used TSA approved locks, the TSA has keys to open. They're supposed to leave a note inside that they've done so and, either, relock with your lock or a cable-tie. Outside the US, Security does not have keys and will open anyway they choose.

Theft can happen anywhere (certainly not exclusive to SA) one more thing to be aware of when traveling, so don't pack anything you can't afford to loose. Your homeowners/rental insurance should cover your clothing when traveling; otherwise, airlines cover up to the limits allowed (domestic or international) or your private insurance for the difference up to limits they've established.

It is what it is!

My TSA approved locks have been cut off several times within the US, particularly between Dulles and Philadelphia. They don't necessarily use the keys to open them.

Mine, too, Safarilover - it would have taken them less time to use the TSA key, if they had so chosen, then to saw thru the zippers and render the zippers useless and sharp-edged. I haven't had them cut off on international flights, just within the US. But now I am going to use the ties instead of locks whenever I travel(to help keep the bag from opening in transit)and hope that they don't destroy my luggage next time. As was already said, don't carry expensive items in your checked luggage... I've also had a checked bag stolen so in that case, it didn't matter if it was locked, tied, or just zipped.

It doesn't matter whether what is in you bag is expensive or not. If it -looks like it could be-, you are risking loosing the luggage or having it arrive late. The camera that was stolen out of my bag was worth maybe $50. Anything that looks like a camera or electronic gizmo on x-ray I would not check. Whether it is worth $5 or $500.

regards - tom

I am amazed that anyone would put any electronic goods they don't want stolen (or possibly damaged by rough handling) in any checked baggage.

Just don't it.

Keep the valuables on your person (or carry-ons) if at all possible.

];')

The main reason our handluggage weighs so much, and takes a lot more planning than our main bags, is because we put everything of value in there. That means cameras, chargers, spare batteries, all the other paraphernalia, emergency medical kit...
The only items of value that go into the main bag are tripods as we simply can't manage them in hand luggage.

Yes, but now the problem with South African Airways is that they are becoming very strict with the weight (8 kg) of the carry-on. Makes it almost impossible to carry a modest amount of camera equipment including batteries, chargers, etc., plus binoculars, spare eyeglasses, meds, and other valuables. On my most recent trip my carry-on was not weighed in the US, but was weighed in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. In spite of that, however, I still saw people walking on the plane with absolutely huge carry-ons, and I wonder how they were able to do it.

safarilover
I agree with you regarding SAA!
We have flown all over the continent but only (yes nowhere else!) Johannesburg makes a fuss (experiences: Emirates and SAA - JNB staff is the worst). It's really becoming a NO GO for us more and more.
That's not for safety reasons.............;-)

SV ((@))

Spassvogel

It is definitely a problem for a solo traveler to carry everything in one carry-on. And, yes, I agree that, in my opinion, the JNB staff is the worst.

While I do agree with Bushkid about people spreading doom and gloom and maybe putting other travellers off from visiting splendid South Africa, I feel that people should be able to share their experiences so that others can avoid making the same mistake.

My advice - always shrinkwrap. Yes, people can cut through it, but, firstly, this will take extra time, and secondly, be more conspicuous. Thus, shrinkwrap is, at the least, a good deterrent.

I've had two bad experiences at OR Thambo the past two years. In the first incident, my bag was manhandled and damaged quite badly when I got it at baggage claim.

In the second incident - I noticed at baggage claim that it looked like one of my zips stripped, but I didn't pay it any attention, because I thought that was exactly what happened. WHen I got home, and started to unpack, I realized my whole bag was opened - it was a mess, with everything in different places than I packed it in. There was also a pair of socks and underwear which did not belong to me and two empty alcohol boxes (very expensive port) which also did not belong to me. Luckily, and by some kind of miracle, nothing of mine was stolen.

What the deal was, apparently is that the baggage handlers know that a lot of people don't want to declare alcohol etc. Thus if it gets stolen the traveller can't all of a sudden complain, because he was supposed to declare it in the first place. This might have been what happened to me. If I merely paid the few extra Euros at Barajas to have wrapped my bags - I would not have to go buy a new bag now (the zip cannot be replaced!!!)

Just a warning, though. Safe travels!!!

For my wife and I, I don't think the idea that there is the potential for crime would ever stop us from going somewhere. It just makes us more vigilant to be on the lookout for a potential situation and to be more aware of exactly where are belongings are at all times.

We will soon be taveling with a 9-month-old and realize that we need to be extra aware as there will be the potential for lots of distractions.

];')