Luggage Security in Bus and Train Stations and Airports

This is a simple travel tip that can probably prevent a good percentage of bag theft.

It is as simple as this: buckle your backpack to a solid object.

Nearly all travel backpacks have straps, and they can be used for more than just strapping yourself in. They can be used to more fully secure you bag when traveling.

Simply put, when sitting in airport terminals, on buses, trains, bus stations, on park benches . . . just buckle your bag up to a chair or another solid object. This will greatly inhibit someone from running off with the bulk of your travel gear.

On the premise that a thief is going to look for the softest target that they can find, a simple buckling of your backpack to a solid object makes you a much more difficult score.

I have heard of the “distract and steal” two person theft scam as being successful all over the world. In point, if your bag is buckled you can more confidently talk to someone who approaches you without fear that one of their buddies is going to run up and grab your back when you are distracted. If a thief was to do so, the buckles will catch on the object that it is buckled to, and you could grab the bag and have more of a chance at securing it.

Do not think that this will not happen to you! The “distract and steal” tactic has separated many cocky travelers from their swag. Whenever I sit anywhere in public with my backpack off of my back, I buckle it up. Doing so does not prevent theft, but it definitely makes it more difficult.

This is a simple standard operating procedure: take your backpack off, strap it to something.

Backpack strapped to seat in airport for security.

Backpack buckled to an airport chair to protect against theft.

As always, take this travel tips and use it . . . or don’t.

Walk Slow,

Wade