Theft on board

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Melburnian1

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I was idly reading airline reviews on TripAdvisor and came across an American complaining he'd left US$8000 in his carry on bag and stowed it in an overhead bin.

He says the male next to him 'got up a few times during the night' on what by the looks of things was QF44 from DPS to SYD and in the morning, surprise, surprise, his cash was missing.

US$8000 is above A$10000 so it would need to be declared.

While we can take such reports with a grain of salt - after all, it could be part of leaving a credible trail for an insurer to pay out some lesser sum given they've mostly got a small limit on cash thefts - has anyone else seen or been a victim of thieves onboard or is it so rare as to be hardly worth mentioning?

There was some TV feature about this some time ago from overseas (not QF) but I've never experienced it, or seen it.
 
I was idly reading airline reviews on TripAdvisor and came across an American complaining he'd left US$8000 in his carry on bag and stowed it in an overhead bin.

He says the male next to him 'got up a few times during the night' on what by the looks of things was QF44 from DPS to SYD and in the morning, surprise, surprise, his cash was missing.

US$8000 is above A$10000 so it would need to be declared.

While we can take such reports with a grain of salt - after all, it could be part of leaving a credible trail for an insurer to pay out some lesser sum given they've mostly got a small limit on cash thefts - has anyone else seen or been a victim of thieves onboard or is it so rare as to be hardly worth mentioning?

There was some TV feature about this some time ago from overseas (not QF) but I've never experienced it, or seen it.
Was on a Malaysia Airlines 737 KUL/HKG October last year. Police met the aircraft, one bloke escorted off. Pax kept on board whilst the crew were interviewed. Prior to take off, cabin crew came around and suggested to keep any valuables nearby, not in the overhead lockers.
 
Was on a Malaysia Airlines 737 KUL/HKG October last year. Police met the aircraft, one bloke escorted off. Pax kept on board whilst the crew were interviewed. Prior to take off, cabin crew came around and suggested to keep any valuables nearby, not in the overhead lockers.

My memory has kicked in and it may have been an article on Internet, not TV, and yes, it featured either KHG or mainland China.
 
Airport Dubai has theft in an episode. Because the victim had to catch transit flight, she didn't stay to lodge complaint so thief was deported.
 
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I assume this is the Tripadvisor review you're referring to - Thieves Fly Business Class - Review of Qantas - TripAdvisor

I don't see anything in the review to say it was a DPS-SYD flight.

Mattg, yes, apologies. You may wish to change the heading slightly: I can't. The reviewer says he originated at BPN, so he could have flown CGK - SYD on QF42, as BPN has multiple flights per day to CGK and one a day (Citilink) to DPS, or perhaps indirectly ex SIN.

And correct, that indeed was the TA report that I read. Posted very recently as QF receives at least 10 TA reviews every day, rain, shine or hail.
 
I was on a Swissair long haul flight years ago when a passenger stole a watch from the duty free cart.

The flight attendants came back an hour or so later when they realised it was missing and they pulled out torches (night sector) and searched the seat of the guy they suspected. Sure enough it was in the seat back pocket.
 
Thankfully i have not seen this. But a wise reminder to - if possible - put your handl uggage in the overhead locker on the other side of the aisle from where you are sitting, not directly over your seat. This way you can easily keep an eye on things (unless you have a guaranteed overhead locker bove your seat for your exclusie use). .
 
I was on a PA flight long long time ago and the guy next to me got his sunglasses stolen from the seat pocket. It happens everywhere even in heaven Australia......Be careful and keep nothing in your seat packet. Get up if someone opens your overhead compartment.
 
We were on a QF flight in J to Singapore a few years back and the young person in front of us had his carry on rifled during the flight, He caught the culprit (the person in the seat next to him) and security were waiting at the end.
The description was in my trip report here.
 
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Plane fares are so cheap that its sure to happen.
Wasn't there a MEL lady that took other peoples bags off carousel in MEL airport too?
Article on (onemileatatime).
We leave it for granted too that our (phones etc left charging) items in the QP or J Lounges will stay there while we get food or go to loo.
 
Plane fares are so cheap that its sure to happen.
Wasn't there a MEL lady that took other peoples bags off carousel in MEL airport too?
Article on (onemileatatime).
...

Yes, she's faced court and is the sister of a well known 'crime family figure' in Melbourne. Case has not concluded.
 
I would like lockable overhead compartments...

But how do passengers then get access, legitimately, to their belongings during the flight if they want toiletries but have put them in carry on stored overhead not by one's seat?
 
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Why do people persevere with valuables in carry on?

It's not that difficult to wear a jacket with enough pockets for wallet, phones, passport etc.
 
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