How to protect your luggage at the airport from thieves

It is no secret that luggage at the airport is sometimes broken into. The culprits may be dishonest employees of the baggage transportation service. And it also happens that luggage is stolen by other passengers. In January of this year, a man was detained in Bangkok who stole suitcases at airports around the world. A native of Belgium, Patrick Coulier, stole more than 27 other people's bags in Thailand alone. How can you protect yourself and your belongings?

Tip 1 from luggage storage singapore: Don't draw attention to yourself with a padlock A bright suitcase can really scare off a thief. As a rule, they prefer to choose dark, gray and inconspicuous suitcases. Patrick Coulier mentioned this. He chose the simplest bags that would not draw attention to his person. However, there is one nuance. If the suitcase has a padlock, then the thief will be interested in it. The logic is simple: "The more something is guarded, the more valuable the catch."

Tip 2: Don't put your home address on the tag It's not just suitcase locks that attract attention. A simple luggage tag with your home address is meant to make traveling easier. It would seem that if you lose your suitcase, what could be simpler than indicating the delivery location on it? That's true, but burglars and criminals may be interested in your suitcase. Developing 3D technologies make it possible to recreate any key - not just for a suitcase. So why bring criminals to your home?

What to do? Write your work address or mobile phone number on the tag. Airport services or other passengers will be able to contact the owner or bring the suitcase to work. The attackers will not know your home address.

Tip 3: Fragile Items Tag The "Fragile Items" tag can be very useful. Firstly, suitcases with such a tag are lowered onto the baggage belt before anyone else. This increases the chances of getting your luggage before a fraudster takes an interest in it.

What to do? You can tell the receptionist that you are carrying a fragile item and they will give you the necessary sticker.

Tip 4: Don't Skip Baggage Insurance At first glance, it seems that baggage insurance is unnecessary. What could happen to it? And if something does happen, the airline will pay for everything. “It’s better to save a thousand rubles and go to the airport,” thinks an ordinary passenger.

Remember, a miser pays twice. If a passenger has valuables in his suitcase, it’s better to insure them against breakage or theft. For example, photographers’ and videographers’ equipment is expensive and it’s not always possible to take all the lenses on board. 

What to do? Evaluate your luggage. If your suitcase contains expensive equipment, it makes sense to take out insurance "just in case."

Tip 5: Don't put all your things in one suitcase Some airlines allow you to add up your free baggage allowance. This is convenient - you won't have to carry several bags. But if your suitcase gets lost or is ransacked by robbers, there's a good chance you'll be left without your "last pants".

What to do? If you are flying in a group, put some of your things in your friend's suitcase, and his - in your bag. This will prevent you from being left in a foreign country without clothes if suddenly one of the bags gets lost. If the luggage is lost or stolen by criminals, the passenger can demand compensation.