Just returned from northern Namibia. Great trip as far as the hunting goes. ON the way home we flew WDH-JNB-ATL. As i was throwing my "stuff" in the duffle to check at the airport i put a nice ostrich skin belt i had bought into a side pocket on the bag. I did not lock that pocket. When I got back to Ga. guess what?? No belt! That pocket along with the other 2 side pockets had been ransacked. I dont know if it happened in WDH or JNB but it happened. My practice from this point forward will be to lock every side pocket and the main compartment in every bag i check on the way home. You just cant take anything for granted when traveling through these areas. this is the second time something similar has happened to a member of our party in the last few years. This time it happened to me! I get it NOW! The first item on the new packing list is a handful of luggage locks.

quote:

The first item on the new packing list is a handful of luggage locks.

Sad but absolutely essential.

Most likely in Joburg. Even with locks on zippered bags, the devils can still get into them by slipping a pen between the zipper and splitting it open and then moving the locked zipper back and forth to seal the zipper again. They do all of this within a few seconds and are very skilled and efficient at doing so. I have moved on to hardside luggage by Samsonite(with no zippers), after losing some expensive items (cameras) in 2008 in a carry on that SAA required, at the very last moment, to be placed in the cargo area, for a short trip back to Joburg from Vic Falls. I should have refused their directive, but like a dumb sheep, followed the stewardess' polite request.

Too bad Pelican cases are so heavy, I have travelled quite a bit with mine, but it really cuts into your weight limits.

I have gone to using a Tuff Pack for my things. I place the most desirable things in the very bottom. They may get them but they are going to have to work for it.

I had an irreplaceable hunting knife taken from my locked, hard sided bow case somewhere between PBI and ANC in October. Unfortunately, all the thieves are not in Africa.