[CedarDave]

Also, don't be the first to board the plane. Don't jump to the front of the boarding line. They seem to choose folks at the front for gate screening, almost exclusively.

At Southwest, at least, they have stopped this practice. Maybe they don't need them now that the "professional" TSA screeners are on the job. (BTW, there have been 6,000+ complaints about missing items in checked baggage that has been searched. And several TSA inspectors have already been arrested. The lack of locked baggage now gives the ramp baggage handlers another chance to pilfer items from your bag if your transfer to another flight involves a lengthy wait.)

[MineralMan]

"(BTW, there have been 6,000+ complaints about missing items in checked baggage that has been searched. And several TSA inspectors have already been arrested. The lack of locked baggage now gives the ramp baggage handlers another chance to pilfer items from your bag if your transfer to another flight involves a lengthy wait."

And before that, airline baggage handlers stole stuff...they may still be doing it. You know what the solution is? Don't pack valuable stuff in your checked luggage. If you must carry it, carry it on.

Ship your valuables to your destination via FedEx, insured. Ship em to your hotel or wherever you're staying. Sheesh! Why tempt fate.

I would never check anything I wasn't prepared to lose. I've had too many bags go missing for a couple of days to do that.

[Malsua]

A vendor I deal with closely had his digital camera and a tool pouch lifted from his CHECKED luggage.

My wife and I had a 10 pack of batteries stolen from our checked bag (Duracell Ultras are costly) and upon arrival in Vegas, all of our clothes had been dumped and hastily stuffed back into the bag in wads. Thankfully the room had an Iron and Ironing board.

My rules as I travel frequently.

1. Wear no belt.
2. Put all valuables, like Camera, GPS, and the batteries in your checked bag.
3. Put keys, watch, spare change, smokes/lighter and cellphone in checked bag before entering security area.
4. Wear sneakers, pack your workshoes or boots. Every time I wear my New Balance sneakers, I don't have to take them off.
5. Have ticket and passport in hand thru the screening process.
6. Do no put locks on bags, they will be cut off.
7. Make sure any battery operated item has good batteries in it. I've had to demonstrate every electronic item I've had at one point or another.
8. Be kind, be courteous and follow direction. Do not mention bombs, explosives, weapons, terrorists or any such thing. Keep your yap shut.
9. Oh and they break the file off of nail clippers. They made me open my carry-on for a rifling thru and without a beat, he opened the clippers, and snapped it off. I had a zillion things I wanted to say to this douchebag, but I just acted like I didn't care. He even looked at me while he did it. I suspect to get a rise out of me.

I'm going to Mainland China at the end of July. I'm curious as to how the Chinese will treat me this trip. Should be interesting.

[FrogMom]

I had a new DVD disappear out of my checked luggage last week. Whomever helped themselves left the damned thing unzipped, too.

I would rather accompany it through its inspection and then be able to lock it.