Overhead bin thefts......are there methods to prevent?

[BonnieLass]

Over the last few months there have been multiple reports of things going missing from overhead bins, specifically overnight Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong.......everything from cash and credit cards to jewelry. Arrests have been made but not in all cases and its not just aboard Etihad but other airlines too on overnight flights.

https://www.aviationanalysis.net/eti...theft-reports/

Obviously the overnight flights would be the easiest to commit such thefts given that lights are off in the cabin and most pax are sleeping or resting their eyes.

So what can pax do to prevent this happening to them and what measures can the airlines take to stop it....can the bins be locked on overnight flights, maybe possible I spose, but then if a pax needs something out of the bin it would cause issues.....

How can lightfingers (whether it be pax or a rogue CC) be prevented from stealing your belongings from within the overhead bin on a night flight?

[Less Hair]

Keep carry on in bins in line of sight or keep valuables next to you or under your front seat/ bed footrest?

[MechEngr]

That place beneath the seat with your feet on the bag can help. Also, where is the cabin crew when someone is working down the line of baggage, standing in the middle of the aisle? Also, use lockable luggage, hard sided and no zippers.

What also may be happening is someone in security is keeping track of valuables that are going on specific flights and alerting the thieves about their presence.

[Squawk 6042]

Originally Posted by Less Hair

Keep carry on in bins in line of sight or keep valuables next to you or under your front seat/ bed footrest?

Yes indeed, put your bag in the overhead locker opposite where you are sitting rather than in the one above you - that way you can see if anyone is messing with it.

[Asturias56]

TBH I'm surprsied it doesn't happen more often - people are (rightly) unwilling to trust valuables the checked luggage (it wasn't called Theifrow for nothing) so you can pretty much bet anyone in First or Business is carrying something worth having

[as993]

I don't fly much, just Kirkwall to Aberdeen, but always keep my "Valuables" - mobile phone, documents etc in my pockets so I have them in the event of an evacuation. if I am taking my small laptop I keep it in a bag under the seat in front and have it fully backed up before leaving the house.

[Less Hair]

To carry valuables like money and credit cards neck wallets can be handy. You can wear them under a shirt without anybody noticing it. Especially the ones made of silk are comfortable. Just don't overfill it. Perfect to sit and sleep in tight places like onboard.

[PAXboy]

I have not heard of this before but am not surprised. Long haul overnight flights when most are asleep will be prey to this. Certainly as, now, many pax put their bags in a locker away from where they are sitting. As we know this has come about because folks bring more on board and, particularly in Y, by the time you board - the lockers adjacent to your row are often crammed. I have seen folks put a bag in a locker and then walk another couple of rows and put a second bag in the locker above their seat.

All essentials are in a small flat man-bag that is with me at all times. Passport, phone, charger, wallet, medications. If we have to evacuate, it is smaller enough to sling round my neck and be held to my chest so as not to get in the way of others. Yes, I have practised this! In my cabin bag, if they get my laptop, all my data is still safe.

[simoncorbett]

I flew this week with Thai and there was an announcement at start of flight saying to keep any valuables on you or in touching distance… I had never heard this announcement previously on flights- but really it’s common sense etc