I am aware of how imprudent it would be to carry a backpack throughout Paris (pickpockets & thieves), however because it's my bag of choice for air travel and airports throughout N. America, I was wondering if there is any such danger in using it only to get from CDG to our apt in the city.

My guess is that thieves don't frequent the airport like they do other places, but I'm not entirely sure.

Thanks,
Boots

I had no issues at all this summer.

Are you planning on checking or using as a carry-on? Does it meet the size requirements for a carry-on?

I go to Paris every week and use only a backpack.
I pay attention, remove it from my shoulders when in metro or RER, nothing ever happened.
Maybe I'm lucky.
And I even keep my passport in an internal pocket.
No money though.

If you are talking about a big size backpack, you should not wear it on your back in the metro, where curious fingers can examine all of the little pockets. Otherwise, no problem.

Just don't have valuables in the exterior pockets where someone could get at them without you noticing.

I'm not sure there are any more or less "thieves" at an international airport than around a European city.

It's a medium-sized one that I take on the plane with me (in place of a large purse) to hold my smaller cross body bag, my travel pillow, book, tablet, etc.

Seems that it'll be fine to use for my Paris flight as well.

Thanks,
Boots

If you're worried about people fiddling with it while it's behind your back, why not wear it on your front? (Seriously).

If you are using public transport, take your backpack off so that you do not inconvenience other passengers. There is nothing worse than getting a smack in the face with a backpack!

Faces will be safe - I'll be taking a taxi.

And yes, anytime I've felt that there's a security issue, I've swung it around and carried it on my arm.

If you are travelling with a backpack, should you really be taking a taxi with carbon emissions of 300g compared to the RER with carbon emissions of 6.4g and the metro with 3.8g ?

In a taxi, faces will not be safe -- you will be polluting all of us.

why not wear it on your front

I call these guys the kangaroos.
but it is efficient !

I don't understand the question as it focuses on the airport, not the train which is the biggest theft risk. A backpack is just a carryall, you don't have to have it on your back and I sure hope you don't intend to on the RER, and can't imagine why you would. I really really do not like people wearing backpacks on public transportation, it is obnoxious.

If you mean are there thieves right in the airport while you wear it on your back walking from getting off the plane to the exit? no, not so much, if that's the only concern.

What gets stolen at the airport are briefcases when Middle Easterners put them at their feet while checking in.

I carry a small knapsack every day to work but don't keep anything valuable inside it anymore because I learned the hard way. The main thing is to keep a hand on your property at all times. Most thieves won't take the time to root around in backpacks but statistically they are much easier to steal than purses because they are big and you usually have to put them on the floor or a chair or on a shelf somewhere away from you where it only takes a minute for them to disappear. My wife carries an enormous purse but never lets go of it and has never had a problem.

And please take it off when entering the plane and walking down the aisle. I was smacked in the face and my glasses broken at the start of a trip! Fortunatly I had another pair with me.

"I call these guys the kangaroos"

I used to travel with a medium sized convertible back pack (straps zipped away for flights) and a smaller day pack. On travel days I wore the backpack on my back and the day pack in front. I called it the double turtle.

Rolling cases can be a problem too when people don't keep straight.