Travel Luggage Anti-Theft Countermeasures

[marshallkarp]

As some of you may know, on my recent trip to Grand Cayman, someone accidentally walked off with my checked luggage. Horrible and sick feeling when the conveyor belt stops, everyone is gone, and you are left with no luggage. I went to the luggage desk to report this and just then, an honest young man came to the luggage desk with my bag. He apologized up and down that our bags looked similar and he just took the wrong one. I was so relieved. However, some thief could have had a really great cache of dive and video equipment.

Once nearly burned, twice shy. This is what I did to limit the chances that no one walks off with my bag again:

I stenciled my name all over it using the stencils that I got at Staples for my tank and a Sharpie Oil Marker. I was thinking we can all learn from this.

 

[Paco II]

I've done something similar, but not using my name, just an image. I think anything ultra-noticeable/distinguishable will definitely help.

 

[mike_s]

Good idea....

I put bright colored ribbon on my suitcase handles so 1.) they can be easily identified and 2.) to hopefully let other people know they aren't theirs.

They came in handy on a recent trip. The porter/skycap helping us with our bags asked what they looked like and I told him to look for the purple ribbon with white poka-dots on the handles. He had no trouble quickly getting all our bags....



As for other anti-theft countermeasures, I thought those new TSA locks would be great for keeping people out of your bags... but I guess not. Check out this video

 

[D_B]

I put a bright pink 3' wide velcro band on the handle

I can see that sucker from a mile away

 

[Steve_Dives]

I use a 20 year old bag that is tattered, torn, and green. Never seen one like it, and I added colored electrical tape to the handles so if someone grabs it, that should notice it isn't there's.

If I had had stencils and oil markers, I'd have done that too.

 

[drbill]

I leave my old duffel bag unlocked when I fly. No one has ever taken it or stolen anything from it. If they did all they'd get are some old clothes that resemble my "holy" wetsuit. Anything of value (like my video gear) I carry on.

 

[Cacia]

I like to buy luggage at Marshall's in funky offbeat colors. They have really great prices on bags and you get some very unique ones that no one else would be caught dead with. (according to my daughter)

I always have stickers (address computer label) with the address of where we are staying, as well as our home address and our cell numbers with the country codes, etc) That way, if they need to bring your bag to you, it is easier. I slap them on all bags at the sky cap.

 

[scubamax]

Don't use a bag that says "Mares" or "Scubapro" (or insert name here, not picking on any one brand here) on it...it just advertises your expensive gear.

 

[Abidon]

I put a bright pink 3' wide velcro band on the handle

I can see that sucker from a mile away

Same here, except mine's florescent orange. Easy to spot as it's coming down the ramp.

 

[Hockeynut]

I stenciled, "CAUTION; BIOHAZARD"


No one go's near it.