Stolen from checked luggage...
 

I posted this on the Africa and Europe boards, but wanted as many people to see it as possible. I just returned yesterday from Africa and my checked luggage didn't arrive and was delivered to me today. A small wooden carving of a woman's head was stolen from the bag. Anyone ever had this happen and if so, do you think it would be worth it for me to report it? Is there any chance at all that I might get it back? (It wasn't terribly expensive - about $20 - but was really gorgeous and quite unique.)

I would absolutely report it. I don't know that you'll get the carving back, but I think it's worth reporting anyway. Despite the fact that I always pack my bags full of crafts I've purchased, I've never had anything stolen. Where did you check in the bag, where did it have to transfer, and what airlines did you use? I'd report it to as many of them as seems practical.

Not that it helps now, but if i really really like something, I don't put it in my checked baggage, I carry it on...But I have never had anything stolen out of my checked luggage either..I hope you get it back though..Depends who took it...

And in Australia, most people believe in the innocence of a young woman awaiting the outcome of a trial for importing drugs into Bali in her unlocked body-board bag, with a life sentence (could also have been death) as a possible outcome if she is found guilty next week. She claims baggage handlers must have put it there.
This is a worse possibility than losing luggage, don't you think?

I think it is a good idea to carry special items in one's hand luggage.

On his last trip to the US my partner had a buunch of Oil of Olay stuff he had picked up for his mom (they do not get the latest generation stuff where they live) and it was stolen from the bag. His bags were opened as they had a slip inside and we could only assume it was the baggage handlers. I was disgusted. The stuff had a total value of US$50 so not the money but was very upsetting not to mention we felt bad we could not give his mom the one thing she had asked for. Happens everywhere I'm afraid...

I sympathise with you, not only the loss of an item but the fact that people have had access to your baggage, and as Carabella has clearly pointed out this whole issue of baggage needs to be addressed and it is up to the airlines and the airports concerned to 'sort it out'.
I find that having to open bags, close bags, some airports want it locked, others say it can't be locked etc etc very frustrating, and the chances of lossing items even from cabin baggage when it is being so often checked can also be a problem. Some airlines put sealed tape around baggage. Do tell us which airport and airline.

I would deffinately claim from the airline and make issue, the simple fact that people other than yourself have 'access' to your baggage is an 'issue' the airlines and aiport authorities need to address from a security standpoint.

Did you have it secured with a TSA lock?

I checked the bag in Cape Town. We then had a connection in Johannesburg. It was a very tight connection - we had to run to catch the flight (escorted by airline personnel!) and I think that's where the luggage missed the flight. Then we flew to Amsterdam. For those two flights, we were on South African Air. From Amsterdam to Washington (Dulles), we were on KLM. And when we arrived, the luggage was not there (none of the luggage in our group of 11 people made it). We arrived on Thursday afternoon and the luggage was delivered to me Friday evening. So there were numerous opportunities for someone to have stolen it. And no, unfortunately I hadn't locked it. I almost bought some of those special locks before the trip, but figured I wouldn't have anything terribly valuable and it wasn't worth it - now I regret that very much. Yeah, I guess I will report it. Thanks for sharing your stories.
Karen

On recent flights I have been using cable ties on my checked luggage & so far I don't think they have been removed. That way, I will know when my bag has been opened. The screeners do not object to the use of these ties.

Marsh: What are cable ties and where do I get them?? Jane

Those cable ties are a good idea, I can't describe them that well, I will try, they are long thin pices of plastic that you 'thread' through itself and 'pull', once done the only way to remove is to cut it off, so if you manage to get say colored ones very very unlikely anyone tampering would have one handy so you can see. Again I emphasise agreement with the poster who said this issue is also a great concern in so much as if people can take things 'out' of your baggage then they can put things 'in' also!

I just did a quick search on Yahoo and found this site, look at the long red and blue narrow 'ties' in the center, once you thread it needs to be 'cut' to be romoved.
http://www.cabletiesplus.com/
Sure these guys won't mind the link as they may get some business! But you will probably find in your local hardware store.

Just to add they only work on types of baggage where you have 2 'loops' to string together, if you get what I mean, so good for suitcases.

Can I ask what TSA locks are?

Typo: mean so say 'NO Good for suitcases'

James, TSA locks are small combination locks used on zipped suitcases. They have an open by key option, and TSA (the US airport secuity) have keys to open them. The locks have a small red dot that will appear if they have been opened by key, so you know if you luggage has been opened. In the US, you are not allowed to lock your luggage (except by TSA lock). If you luggage is otherwise locked, they will break your locks to open it.

Now for my luggage story. I ALWAYS lock my luggageand have been locking it for 3-plus decades.For years I've been using my regular Eagle Creek combination locks...even after the changes after 911. I've never had a lock cut off of my suitcase by security. But, before going on vacation in Dec 2004, I decided I'd give the TSA locks a try since there had been a lot of talk about them,in this forum, right before I was to leave. A friend of mine owns a huge travel store so I went in and asked for Eagle Creek's TSA locks and paid the $8.00 a lock and replaced all the old ones. I was about to leave for a L.A.-N.Y-Milan-Ghana trip. I put the new locks on all of my luggage...and one on my carry-on bag,too since I had my expensive camera inside.Upon arrival in N.Y., I took the carry-on bag out of the overhead compartment in order to take something out and then relocked it. Well,suddenly it hit me that I should have taken out my umbrella so I went to reopen the carry-on bag when I noticed that the lock had jammed. I thought...ok...it's a TSA lock so I'll just get off the plane in N.Y. and go directly to the TSA security office where I'm sure they'll have the keys to unlock it from the bottom of the lock.I needed to do this before getting on my connecting flights to Italy and on to Ghana where there would definitely be no keys...and 99% of the survival items and clothes that I needed for 2 weeks in Ghana were in the carry-on bag. Well, the TSA office didn't have the keys and didn't know where they were. Meanwhile my flight to Italy was boarding and I hadn't even gone through security in N.Y. So, I was told to go through security and ask the TSA people on the other side if they knew where the keys were. Well,finally, after QUITE a while later, someone finally found the keys which ended up on a huge ring of keys that looked like something a prison warden would carry. THEN the TSA guy asked ME what key was needed to open my lock! I had no idea. I had just switched to the TSA locks. So, then someone told him to look on the bottom of the lock for a number and then find the matching key on the huge ring of keys. He finally found it and then opened my carry-on bag and I took off the defective lock and took out my old...non-TSA lock and put it on my carry-on bag. I ALWAYS carry extra locks. So, I wonder how many TSA-lock locked bags are actually inspected if there's such a problem with finding the keys and finding which key to use.Happy Travels!

There was just a report on the TV news last week...here in L.A....about the high level of luggage theft...both things being stolen out of luggage and luggage stolen which shocked me since L.A. is one of the few airports that will usually not let you out of baggage claim until the door person has matched your baggage tags on your luggage to your baggage claim tags attached to your ticket. But, I did notice on a March flight home to L.A., from Europe, that there wasn't a door person checking which I was really surprised to not see. It must be due to a lot of budget cuts. Happy Travels!

As for cable ties go on magellans.com or travelsmith.com or distantlands.com. You should find them on one of those websites. They are all big, California travel stores/companies that sell everything and have nice catelogues. Happy Travels!

Guenmai, I also had a problem with a TSA lock jamming. Fortunately, it wasn't on a suitcase yet, I was just trying it out. We have had luggage with TSA locks opened. It sounds like you've been very lucky not to have any locks cut off your cases. I know of several people who have had locks cut off.

I thought I read an article of large scale thefts by the TSA itself in either in starbulletin.com or honoluluadvertiser.com

In Australia just recently there have been some travel ties advertised that are similar to the cable ties mentioned here. The new ones are numbered in consecutive order and can only be removed once. They come in a bag of 20. Therefore if you need to remove them for customs you then put on a new one for the next part of your journey. I haven't used them yet but friends are using them now and will report back.
http://www.tampertell.com/
Marsh - for the cable ties-how do you remove them either for inspection or at your destination seeing as we cannot carry scissors or pen knives any more in hand luggage?

Cable ties are sold in most hardware stores. Home Depot has a large selection of them, in many sizes. Be sure to get ties that are thin enough to fit through your luggage lock openings.

To cut off the cable ties, I carry a small nail clipper in my purse. Don't pull the cable tie to tightly when you attach it, so that you have room to use the clippers. Zippers on luggage usually have holes in the ends that allow for using the cable ties. You can find the ties at Walmart in white or bright colors, which I prefer to use.

Maudie...The same thing has crossed my mind that's why I haven't bought any ties especially since now I have to pack my Swiss Army knife in my checked bag. That's why I just use combination locks. Happy Travels!

Yes, I've heard that TSA theft is a problem. And then we are told not to pack any valuables or take the valuables on the plane with us. Well, as far as I'm concerned all of my things are valuable(to me) even my beat up hard-core decade old, Ex-Officio, travel clothes(that can't be replaced) Some things just can't be replaced if stolen or lost and everything can't be carried on board and especially with the new strict rules about how much that can be carried on board. Some things you just HAVE TO check. When I came home from Ghana, in Jan 2005,...Delta had lost my suitcase for 12 days!!!They lost it between Atlanta and L.A. I picked the suitcase up in Atlanta and cleared customs and rechecked it. I was an absolute wreck for 12 days as there were items acquired in Ghana that had to be checked...no room to carry them on the plane. Finally after A LOT of stress and a 4-page two-sided letter to Delta...the airline that also left me stranded in Italy on the way to Ghana since they booked me on a non-existant Ailitalia flight between Italy and Ghana...I received 15,000 frequent flyer miles for all my stress and inconvenience. My luggage arrived 12 days later and thank goodness nothing had been taken. What I do is... before leaving home and before leaving my travel destination for home, I write down EVERYTHING that I have packed in my suitcase. It sounds tedious, but it's necessary. When Delta had lost my luggage, the insurance company assumed that it was lost for good and sent me claim forms to fill out and said they needed a list of EVERYTHING in the suitcase...no problem. I had left a list,at home, of the things I had packed before having left home and then had the list of things acquired while abroad...added to a copy of the original list... so I filled out the claim form in about 15 minutes. I ended up not filing the claim, but if I had needed to file it,I would have had all my ducks in a row...so to speak.Plus by knowing everything that I had packed, I would have been able to recognize anything that had been stolen!Happy Travels!

Guenmai, thanks for that great idea about using nail clippers-I never would have thought of that one! I was going to send away for the Tampertell ones but now I will try the cable ties. Sorry to hear about your troubles, really takes the fun out of travelling but glad you got your precious things back. Excellent idea about listing your belongings. There are some really smart people on this board with lots of great ideas. Thanks again.

But nowadays nail clippers are not allowed in hand baggage...

Oh to be back in the days of relaxed travel! A couple of years back we took a train in Australia as opposed to flying, wow, talk about stress free, after so much flying it was amazing, putting aside the fact that it took a long time it made up for it being totally stress free, we loved it! Although air travel is reasonably stress free in Thailand even for long journeys just loading everything into the wagon and heading straight to destination, even if it means an overnight stop we really so much prefer.

Nail clippers are allowed in hand luggage, but they may not have a pointed nail file as part of the clipper.

I didn't recommend nailclippers.Happy Travels!

Oops sorry Guenmai, I must give the accolades to Marsh for that suggestion on nail clippers. It's still a great idea!
JamesA glad you enjoyed your train trip, I live in Perth and it takes us a long time to get anywhere (thats why we love it!). We took a train from Bangkok to Hua Hin a few years back and that trip is one of the highlights of our 2 weeks in Thailand. It was late late late leaving the city, had an accident at a crossing, even further delay and while the people were sorting that out a guy from the cafeteria car caught and killed a big lizard and then threw it into the kitchen area. What he did with it we have no idea ..... but later they were serving soup! We got into Hua Hin about 4 hours behind schedule and the bus from the Anantara was still there waiting for us. We had such a great day, ah the memories!

Back to the original topic...

When flying with Malaysian Airlines to Penang 2 years ago, my husband and I discovered in our hotel room that our locked suitcase had been opened and rifled through. One of the metal zipper ends which the lock went through had been sawn through. Luckily nothing had been taken as we keep everything of value with us. The airline certainly received our complaint!

No matter how your case is locked nothing will deter someone with the opportunity and means to break in.

Thank goodness airlines are becoming more aware of these breaches in client service and security, or at least in Australia they are. Did you hear about the groundstaff parading around in a camel suit from inside a passenger's checked luggage? He was spotted by the son of the passenger.

Airlines definately need to know when theft and attempted has occurred.

Although there are some less than clever people out there I believe overall the majority of travellers do 'their bit', I think the airports and the airlines should realise that they have a serious responsibility. The passenger does their share. The simple fact that baggage once out of the passengers hands is beyond their control has to without question lay the responsibily squarly on the airport handling authorities and the airlines. We are paying all these extra insurance charges and very often paying 'additional' sectiry charges, they are over and above what the airlines pay from a part of the ticket costs, also a lot of airports charge high departure taxes which go to the airports ( many of which make substantial profits ).

I was just listening to the guy at Bribane Airport that has set up his business shrink wrapping baggage at $8 per article. There was a plane leaving for Bali and he has 50 people waiting in line. Smart business move! Yes we did hear about the camel suit business - just goes to show, as you said, if they want to get in and they have time & means nothing will deter them. Thats terrible that you had your zip sawn through - glad you reported it.

Hi Maudie

Just got back from a trip to India, the UK and Singapore the other day and saw a bag that had been shrinkwrapped as you describe. It is a good idea to reduce the risk of tampering.

Another thing I liked on my travels was at Mumbai airport a few weeks ago. After my bag had been xrayed it was bound with a tie like the ones used on packing cases. This was before checkin. I thought this was good not only for security but for the passenger as there was less likelihood of the bag being tampered with. As it was compulsory to have this tie put on the bag it came free.

Good idea for all airports I would have thought.

Cheers

Steve

Hi Steve,
We had a similar tie put round our bags about 8 years ago in Singapore, the customs officers pushed down on our bags to expel air and held some kind of meter near the zip. We could only guess they were looking for drugs. They then "banded" our cases with the ties. Last time we travelled to Singapore, about 2 years ago, it wasn't done.

....

Maudie, the sniffers they use when they are pushing the air out of your bags looks for explosives. Both Singapore and Bangkok have used that system at various times. I do appreciate them sealing my bags with the plastic tie.