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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.

>>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. <<

Urk, I meant carry-on

2. Put all valuables, like Camera, GPS, and the batteries in your checked bag.

See MineralMan's post above. It's like everything else in life -- a crap shoot. Your odds of having something taken from checked baggage may be about the same as winning on a one-armed bandit in Vegas. But your odds of getting scrutinized at the gate increase enormously if you engage in any banter or make jokes with the inspectors. Too bad driving such long distances for my travel (Idaho to Texas) is impractical.