pickpockets on airplanes
 

I have read several posts about the dangers of pickpockets on subways and trains. It seems from all the posts that they have a tendency to hang out or ply their trade around transportation systems so I wondered if I needed to be concerned about pickpockets while I am on an airplane. Should I and my travel pardner take turns staying awake ( assuming we can sleep on the airplane) to guard aginst possible theives, and what about our carry on luggage, will it be safe in the overhead bins if we are unable to keep our eyes on it? I relly want to know, what have your experences been in regards to these issues?

Keep a close eye on any shady looking characters you see wearing a parachute. That's usually a tip-off that they might be up to no good.

Be especially watchful once you make landfall in Europe. However, a few airplane bandits have been known to do a quick grab and jump as the plane flew over Iceland. So you really always have to be on guard.

I have never heard of a pick pocket on a plane. That's a lot of security and an expensive ticket for someone to go though to ply their trade.

Uh, mcv, let's say I stole your wallet on the plane. What then? Let's see... You discover it's missing when you go to pay for a cocktail. You tell the flight attendant. And the thief is, presumably, still aboard the plane, sitting there waiting to be caught red-handed with your wallet. This has got to be a troll posting.

In my opinion, this is a legitimate question,
and I actually know of several instances
where valuables were taken inflight. One
involved my aunt, some years ago, who
regrettably carried a lot of cash on a trip with
her. She was seated next to what she thought was a very nice young man, who
on retrospect kept dropping things and
scrounging around under their seats. She
unfortunately left her purse under her seat
when she went to the restroom. After she
deplaned, she noticed that all the cash in her wallet was missing. Also, about 2-3
years ago, my husband and I were flying to
Europe business class to London (can't remember which airline, but it was BA or AA) and another passenger in our section, a businessman) told us that his passport had been taken recently on another business class flight. He had put his blazer (with passport in pocket) in the overhead bin, and later discovered it was gone. I also heard this story from another businessman on a flight from Australia to the U.S. Now I never
leave my purse at my seat when visiting the
rest room, unless a family member is seated
next to me and can watch. As to whether
the poster and his/her travel partner should take turns staying awake, I don't know. Perhaps wear a money belt or some other security wallet. But for all you naysayers, thefts on flights (especially international flights) do happen. FYI, I also had my wallet taken by a pickpocket in the international terminal at LAX at night while in the line to go through security before boarding a SQ flight. This was a few years ago. I discovered the theft when I got to the gate (fortunately my passport was not taken so I could board the plane), and even though I ran back to the main terminal to report it, I was told it happens all the time and there was little hope of recovery.

I guess if someone can steal something out of your purse in a movie theater or a restaurant, they can do it on a plane. I would think it takes a lot of B***s for a person to take the risk though.
I never leave my bag if I leave my seat. If there is turbulence and the bag falls, things can fall out so I make sure things are zipped shut. All it takes it a bit of common sense.
What would happen now? A woman would scream, I've been robbed and an Air Marshall would come to the rescue?

OK, I'll concede it's possible if the victim doesn't notice the missing items until everyone has deplaned. But if I thought my passport had been taken on the plane (and on an international flight I always get it out and handy before we land) I would insist on something being done before everyone left. I'd probably end up being the one arrested. :-D

Hah, mcy, very funny.

Oh sure. D.B. Cooper gets away with and before long everyone is grabbing your wallet (and maybe even the bag of pretzels you were saving) before making a jump for it.

Next thing you know people will be going over Niagara <i>without</i> the barrel. Nahhh... that couldn't happen.

If you tip the pilot, they'll make sure the pickpockets won't bother you.

Hah, surfergirl, I just reread that thread tonight and saved it in Word. Made me wonder where all those incredibly clever, funny people have gone (not that we don't have our share now), or do they just have new names under registration?

Hi mcv,

An airplane is quite secure. You have the flight attendants watching the luggage bins.

However, as noted someone can get into a purse if it is left on or under a seat. My wife and I put our valuables in a travel wallet which we carry with us.

I think Surfergirl had the best suggestion. You could also ask the steward/ess to place your valubles in the airplane safe. They will give you a receipt.

I know this works in supermarkets in the US. If you tip the store manager you can just leave your purse/wallet in the shopping cart as you walk away from the cart to select items. I am certain that it would never be stolen.

People need to get a grip and take some responsibility for themselves. If you have valubles then take care of them because NO ONE else will.

You only have to use the joint safe if you're in economy. In first class, each person gets their own, located under the seat, next to the parachutes. The key is in the complimentary travel kit next to the wooly socks. You get what you pay for.

My reply is gone. What happened?

carnie ((D))

I dunno. I just read it 10 minutes ago!

Think it thru ... on a subway or train the thief can simply jump off at the next stop. This is not possible from a plane.

If someone goes up into the overhead bins sorting thru other people's luggage mid-flight I *think* someone would notice!

Now if you leave a wad of cash in your seat when you go to the bathroom, well I guess someone could possibly take it without the other passengers around noticing. But mostly I think security comes from your fellow passengers, who would see a young man going thru an old woman's purse (in the situation mentioned above).

If this is a sincere post and you are truly nervous, use a money belt for cash and passport &amp; don't carry anything small and valuable like expensive cameras or jewelry on the flight, and sleep like a baby.

The real challenge is the staying awake or pretending to sleep issue. If you pretend to sleep, you can avoid taking the meal tray, avoid speaking to the person beside you however you could loose sight of the valubles. If you really do stay awake you may feel compelled to take the food tray AND speak to your seatmate. Difficult decision all around.

I have heard that on some of those lower budget carriers every key will open all of the safes AND the steward/ess (s) also have the master. Employee theft is always an issue.

Whatever it is, they're going to have to pocket it.

Put it in your bag and lock the bag after you get on the plane. Since slitting a bag isn't an easy feat without sharp instruments, you should be ok.

I was on a flight to Paris two years ago. I was sleeping and left my seat to go the the WC. I could not believe that my underpants were missing! I'm sure it was the guy next to me who stole my underpants while I was sleeping. When I got back to my seat he acted as if nothing happened. Later he bent over to pick up a magazine from the floor and I saw My underpants on him. It had my last name on the elastic band. I was too embarrased to report it. Because of this I no longer wear underpants on airline flights and find it hard to sleep.

jor, I have a better idea.. Just travel Au Naturel....

Jor,
And I'm sure others find it hard to sleep knowing this fact.

there was a woman picked up in san diego sometime after 9/11 who must have thought it was worth a southwest tix to pick up other people's luggage and fly away with it so i wouldn't assume on a short hop from city to city on the continent isn't &quot;pickpocket-free.&quot; (the lady in sd had done it more than once...it was no error) i am sure lifting purses, wallets, etc. can be quite lucrative! i have enjoyed the humor on the responses, however. nonetheless, it seems a plausible question to me.

Come on, folks, it is completely plausible that one might have a wallet, a passport, or a piece of jewelry lifted on an overnight flight. I don't buy drinks on airplanes; why would I have reason to check my wallet in the course of a flight? Passport? Same thing. I put my passport and tickets in the outer pocket of my carryon when I board, so that they are handy for immigration, but I generally had not thought to open that velcro flap to check for them before I get off the plane. I think that I will from now on, at least when I travel alone.

Yeah, I know that we tgravelers do feel insecure about theft. No substitute for money belt and vigilance. Can't believe someone would put passport or purse under a seat or overhead unattended.

Our pickpocket experience came on a crowded Athens bus when our guard was down from traveling in the country. Any big city or airport or train station has potentional for theft.
Bill in Missouri

Ira, I don't know what airline YOU fly on or what you've been flying on but I've yet to see any flight attendants &quot;watching&quot; the luggage bins with any sort of regularity..sometimes they don't even seem to be watching the passengers (and what they might need).
I think the original post must have been generated on a VERY slow day at the office.

I forgot to tell you about the time my hair piece got ripped off my head on my way to a business meeting. I also had cash hidden under it. I was a victim of pickheading.

Jor, what a hair-raising experience for you!

Why my hair stands on end at the thought!

I guess you never got the thief to-pay you back.

(Groan)

Marilyn #-o

Just goes to show you that you shouldn't trust people with anything that's not nailed down. Still, I wouldn't get too wigged over it.

Watch out on Alitalia planes, they are full of gypsies.

you guys/gals crack me up! *but* now i have started to wonder... has anyone here, first-hand, your-own-self ever had anything stolen from them on an airplane???

Not me
;-)

Never....((@))

How about many hours of my life (in delays) that I will never get back?

Never ((&amp;))

My husband repeatedly steals my peanuts. And some clown in front of me is always stealing my legroom.

suze, looks like the answer to your question is No. But I still have not got my underpants and hair piece back.

Trolling topper