Most of us prefer plane travel these days. Traveling by air is easy and safe, but not for your luggage. Your luggage is always at risk of theft. Luggage theft is a serious issue to discuss because many cases of luggage theft are reported at airports. Let’s imagine what happens when after reaching your destination you find out that your luggage is missing that’s why you need to learn “How To Prevent Theft From Checked Luggage”.
Luggage at luggage Carousels is at more risk of being misplaced. This is because no one asks whether the bag you are taking is actually yours. So, first of all, don’t be late at the carousels and actively notice your surroundings too. If you see your luggage on someone’s other hand immediately take action.
It is also not significant that your luggage or some of its items are missing at the airport. Your belongings are at risk during traveling and even during your hotel stay. So you have to keep the risk of losing your luggage in your mind all the time when you step out of your home till you return.
How To Prevent Theft From Checked Luggage
How To Prevent Luggage Theft
Preventing bag theft is possible. You just need to take precautions to keep your luggage safe. After doing so, it is obvious that the risk of losing items is greatly reduced. Keep the following points in mind to prevent your luggage from theft:
- Luggage Color
- Pack Wisely
- TSA Luggage Lock
- Luggage Tags
- Take a Picture
- Wrap Your Luggage Properly
- Be Attentive all the Time
- Less luggage use
You don’t need to take your luggage everywhere with you. If you are traveling domestically or for short trips, then you should skip the luggage. It is better to take a carry-on with you. It is only necessary to carry luggage when you really need it a lot. Using carry-on luggage instead of checked luggage has three benefits.
- You’ll only pack your essential items because carry-on doesn’t have much space compared to checked luggage, and it’s also easier to carry limited and essential items rather than having a lot of products with you.
- The carry-on will remain with you at all times, so theft is not a concern. It does not matter what happens, your belongings will stay with you.
- Using a carry-on also eliminates the need for a piece of checked luggage. Due to the high cost of checked luggage these days, I recommend you carry a backpack along with a carry-on so that you can easily pack all your necessities without breaking the bank.
Don’t be late at the conveyor belt:
After landing, get off the plane quickly. Your next priority is collecting your luggage. Skip the bathroom break. Take your luggage directly to the baggage counter. If you arrive earlier, then you will pick up your luggage quickly and no one else can take your luggage and your items will remain safe.
Luggage Color
It is the color of the luggage that is the first thing noticed by theft. They are usually attracted by luggage colors like black and blue. They try to target the bag that looks like other bags, so if someone is caught they can simply say that they mistakenly took the luggage because of the color resemblance. So you have to buy luggage in a bright color that is easily noticeable. The thieves usually don’t target colorful luggage because it can easily be recognized from a distance. You can also decorate your bag with stickers to make it more noticeable.
Pack Wisely
Make a strategy for packing rather than putting everything in a bag quickly. Firstly don’t take unnecessary items just carry the things you really need. Pack your expensive and fragile items in carry-on and cross-body bags. You should only put your clothes and accessories in your luggage. Pack an extra pair of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on. In this way, your luggage doesn’t look bulky, and in case of theft, your necessary items remain safe.
I recommend you not to carry your money and passport in your carry-on bag. Use cross-body bags and always bring them in front of you, especially when you’re in crowded places. You can also use a money belt or bra stash to keep your money secure. Keep your passport in locked luggage.
TSA Luggage Lock
It is very important to use TSA locks to keep your luggage safe. There are many suitcases available with an inbuilt TSA lock system. Never leave your luggage open without locks. TSA locks differ from ordinary locks in that they can only be opened by you and a TSA agent, which is why I prefer them.
Luggage Tags
Must use luggage tags. Make sure the luggage tag is durable and difficult to detach. Always attach two luggage tags, one on the outside and one on the inside. Your tag should also be eye-catching. You will be able to claim your identity with this tag, and no one can take it away.
Also Read: How To Identify Luggage At Airport
Take a Picture
Always take a picture of your things after packing because it will help you when you reach your destination and open your luggage check the items carefully whether anything is missing or not by comparing the items with the picture you took before departure.
Another benefit of taking pictures is that if someone mistakenly took your bag and you find it after some time, you can check the items. You can also make a list of things you want to bring with you before packing. This list will help you while packing and after unpacking the luggage to check them.
Wrap Your Luggage Properly
To reduce the risk of misplacing the items from the luggage or opening it up in the middle of the traveling, pack your luggage finely. Lock the luggage first, then wrap the luggage with plastic rope or scotch tape. However, usually, when the tape is removed it leaves sticky and odd marks so it is better to take a wrapping service. Your luggage will be finely wrapped, it is not expensive, and it provides greater protection as well.
Read More: How To Protect Luggage From Damage
Be Attentive all the Time
You should always keep an eye on your luggage while traveling. It is important to keep your luggage next to you and avoid giving it away to strangers even for a short time. If you really need to go, but your luggage must be left at the airport, then submit it to the airport reception staff. If you find any suspicious activity or odd activity in the surrounding area, you should be cautious and leave that place.
Less Luggage use
You don’t need to take your luggage everywhere with you. If you are traveling domestically or for short trips, then you should skip the luggage. It is better to take a carry-on with you. It is only necessary to carry luggage when you really need it a lot. Using carry-on luggage instead of checked luggage has three benefits.
- You’ll only pack your essential items because carry-on doesn’t have much space compared to checked luggage, and it’s also easier to carry limited and essential items rather than having a lot of products with you.
- The carry-on will remain with you at all times, so theft is not a concern. It does not matter what happens, your belongings will stay with you.
- Using a carry-on also eliminates the need for a piece of checked luggage. Due to the high cost of checked luggage these days, I recommend you carry a backpack along with a carry-on so that you can easily pack all your necessities without breaking the bank.
Don’t be Late at The conveyer Belt
After landing, get off the plane quickly. Your next priority is collecting your luggage. Skip the bathroom break. Take your luggage directly to the baggage counter. If you arrive earlier, then you will pick up your luggage quickly and no one else can take your luggage and your items will remain safe.
FAQ
Q1: Which color of luggage is more likely to be stolen?
Ans: The most common theft victims are luggage in basic colors because they are difficult to distinguish from each other. Along with luggage color, appearance also matters. Luggage that looks expensive is more attractive to thieves than cheap luggage. Read More
Q2: Can I protect my luggage from theft?
Ans: You can avoid it being misplaced and stolen by keeping an eye on your luggage while traveling and following different techniques and methods to keep it secure.
Q3: If I lost my luggage, what should I do?
Ans: If you are standing in front of the conveyor belt and waiting for your luggage. After waiting for your luggage, sometimes you don’t get it. Firstly, don’t panic, it’s a normal thing. The staff may have placed some cases in the vicinity of the conveyor belt, so if you cannot find your luggage there, you need to speak to the airport staff.
Sometimes the staff mistakenly loads cases on another flight, so if you report your complaint, you’ll get your luggage. Cooperate with the staff if your luggage is lost at the airport and you will receive it within 1,2 weeks. Read More
Q4: Do smart luggage trackers work to keep luggage safe?
Ans: Yes, using luggage trackers is a smart idea. According to research, airport staff believes luggage is easier to find and retrieve when it has trackers in it. To prevent luggage theft, you should use trackers.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that your luggage is susceptible to theft throughout the journey. I have listed the best ways to protect luggage from theft. Read them and make your journey flawless and stress-free by taking care of your luggage.
