Surprised no reaction from BYD owners on this forum

[wintermute]

I flew in from Beijing a couple days ago and after passing through immigration, as usual there was a long wait before our luggage started showing up on the carousel. I have posted about this before but I use a hardcase 'american tourister' brand case that has two side locks as well as a combo lock. I travel regularly with computer hardware and this case was no exception..I had about 50,000 baht worth of expensive high definition equipment in my luggage.

I usually don't lock the two sidelocks because it's a lot of hassle if I have to open it again. When I saw my luggage case come off the carousel the two sidelocks were clearly open and upon closer examination of my case I saw clear screwdriver (or some other tool) pry marks on the combo lock. It appears that there was a breakin attempt on my luggage. Now, it's possible that the airport personnel at Beijing Capital airport tried to open it but I find that highly unlikely because Chinese officials crackdown hard (hard prison labor or bullet in the back of the head is typical) on government institution/public facility theft. Because of the delay in getting my luggage at Suavarnabhumi I find it highly likely that personnel at Suavarnabhumi were the culprits.

This is just a warning to all of you that have to travel with expensive equipment. Lock your luggage down tight. Next time I have to fly to or from the airport i'm locking both sidelocks as well and I might consider using luggage rope.

[PadThaiGuy]

I flew in from Beijing a couple days ago and after passing through immigration, as usual there was a long wait before our luggage started showing up on the carousel. I have posted about this before but I use a hardcase 'american tourister' brand case that has two side locks as well as a combo lock. I travel regularly with computer hardware and this case was no exception..I had about 50,000 baht worth of expensive high definition equipment in my luggage.

I usually don't lock the two sidelocks because it's a lot of hassle if I have to open it again. When I saw my luggage case come off the carousel the two sidelocks were clearly open and upon closer examination of my case I saw clear screwdriver (or some other tool) pry marks on the combo lock. It appears that there was a breakin attempt on my luggage. Now, it's possible that the airport personnel at Beijing Capital airport tried to open it but I find that highly unlikely because Chinese officials crackdown hard (hard prison labor or bullet in the back of the head is typical) on government institution/public facility theft. Because of the delay in getting my luggage at Suavarnabhumi I find it highly likely that personnel at Suavarnabhumi were the culprits.

This is just a warning to all of you that have to travel with expensive equipment. Lock your luggage down tight. Next time I have to fly to or from the airport i'm locking both sidelocks as well and I might consider using luggage rope.

An organized gang of luggage thieves work at the Airport.

They got busted a few months ago but most likely the ripoffs are continuing.

The airport is split up between 3 different mafia groups and the security/cops/managers are able to do nothing.

[backflip]

"the two sidelocks were clearly open and upon closer examination of my case I saw clear screwdriver (or some other tool) pry marks on the combo lock. It appears that there was a breakin attempt on my luggage."

If the locks were unlocked, why would they need a scredriver? If the locks were open, why do you assume there was only an "attempt"?

[wintermute]

"the two sidelocks were clearly open and upon closer examination of my case I saw clear screwdriver (or some other tool) pry marks on the combo lock. It appears that there was a breakin attempt on my luggage."

If the locks were unlocked, why would they need a scredriver? If the locks were open, why do you assume there was only an "attempt"?

There are a total of 3 locks. The combo lock was locked but the two sidelocks (which use a key) were not. The pry marks were on the combo lock and the two sidelocks were both left unlatched as if they tried to open it and didn't bother latching it again.

[londonthai]

take the most expensive and the most compact equipment with you as a hand luggage. I few weeks ago I was flying from beijing to bangkok and they let me in with 25kg of hand luggage (rucksuck and trolly 10kg and 15kg each). Because they were too large for the overhead compartment I did fasten them with the belt to the empty chair next to me.

[kiakaha]

I flew in from Beijing a couple days ago and after passing through immigration, as usual there was a long wait before our luggage started showing up on the carousel. I have posted about this before but I use a hardcase 'american tourister' brand case that has two side locks as well as a combo lock. I travel regularly with computer hardware and this case was no exception..I had about 50,000 baht worth of expensive high definition equipment in my luggage.

I usually don't lock the two sidelocks because it's a lot of hassle if I have to open it again. When I saw my luggage case come off the carousel the two sidelocks were clearly open and upon closer examination of my case I saw clear screwdriver (or some other tool) pry marks on the combo lock. It appears that there was a breakin attempt on my luggage. Now, it's possible that the airport personnel at Beijing Capital airport tried to open it but I find that highly unlikely because Chinese officials crackdown hard (hard prison labor or bullet in the back of the head is typical) on government institution/public facility theft. Because of the delay in getting my luggage at Suavarnabhumi I find it highly likely that personnel at Suavarnabhumi were the culprits.

This is just a warning to all of you that have to travel with expensive equipment. Lock your luggage down tight. Next time I have to fly to or from the airport i'm locking both sidelocks as well and I might consider using luggage rope.

I'd trust a chimpanzee with a banana more than I'd trust Thai luggage handlers with any expensive contents.

[easyride]

"the two sidelocks were clearly open and upon closer examination of my case I saw clear screwdriver (or some other tool) pry marks on the combo lock. It appears that there was a breakin attempt on my luggage."

If the locks were unlocked, why would they need a scredriver? If the locks were open, why do you assume there was only an "attempt"?

There are a total of 3 locks. The combo lock was locked but the two sidelocks (which use a key) were not. The pry marks were on the combo lock and the two sidelocks were both left unlatched as if they tried to open it and didn't bother latching it again.

I don't condone theft.

But I'd like to be the insurance company assessor who found out you were too idle to lock the side locks that are there for added security.

[britmaveric]

Always a risk when putting valuables in checked luggage.

[NanLaew]

I flew in from Beijing a couple days ago and after passing through immigration, as usual there was a long wait before our luggage started showing up on the carousel. I have posted about this before but I use a hardcase 'american tourister' brand case that has two side locks as well as a combo lock. I travel regularly with computer hardware and this case was no exception..I had about 50,000 baht worth of expensive high definition equipment in my luggage.

Because of the delay in getting my luggage at Suavarnabhumi I find it highly likely that personnel at Suavarnabhumi were the culprits.

By saying 'long wait before our luggage' in your opening sentence, it seems that everyone's bag was slow appearing. Later you say 'delay in getting my luggage' inferring that only your bag was delayed.

Several countries scan checked baggage after check-in these days so despite your bag originating in a country with severe penalties for capital crimes, it is a socialist country and in my experience after working there for over 8 years, if you don't lock it, it will get lifted. I contend that it is just as likely that a gang operates in Beijing airport. Therefore you cannot rule out PEK and categorically claim it happened in BKK.

Also, you say you are a regular traveler and assume you use the same suitcase on the same routes to pack your techie gear. Then it's possible a gang with access to scanners at either airport may be aware that this particular bag always has gadgets inside so they tried their hand.

You say you posted about this before. Does this mean you have posted about this incident before or you have posted about a similar incident before? If it's a frequent occurrence, have you ever filed a baggage damage complaint with the carrier? Did you do it in this instance?

Apart from using ALL the locks in the future, I would suggest getting another suitcase as well, maybe something less 'American Tourister' and more 'Asian Back-packer'.