A FLIGHT attendant has warned fliers about thieves who set out to steal luggage before flights even take off.
The scheme leaves clueless travelers unknowingly boarding planes without their bags.
However, the flight attendant shared helpful tips and tricks with travelers about how they can protect themselves against theft in a viral social media video.
Barbara Bacilieri, an Argentinian flight attendant, revealed how thieves are trying to steal from passengers.
Bacilieri’s TikTok (@barbiebac.ok) has nearly 5 million followers and over 132 million likes.
The video series explaining how travelers can protect their luggage has garnered over 2 million views on the social media platform.
“Airports operate like small cities, and just like in any city, crime happens every single day — only here, it’s harder to see, and even harder to stop,” Bacilieri said.
The flight attendant said thieves were buying flight tickets to steal from passengers and airport stores without ever getting on an aircraft.
“[Criminals’] only goal is to pass through security, access the boarding gates and rob passengers or duty-free stores, then disappear before the flight departs,” she cautioned.
Although this is a serious crime, the thieves seem to be getting off with barely any consequences.
“Some of these thieves are repeat offenders, caught on camera, exposed on Instagram or TikTok, and yet they’re still there, walking through terminals like regular travelers,” the air hostess explained.
“Nobody stops them. No one follows up.”
The TikToker noted that the scammers aren’t stealing physical items.
Some cybercriminals are accessing the airport’s charging ports to hack into travelers’ bank accounts and retrieve personal information.
Travelers should be aware of their belongings even after they’ve boarded a flight.
“The [thieves] wait for the lights to dim, for passengers to fall asleep, and then quietly open overhead bins, unzip bags and take what they want. Jewelry, cash, electronics,” the flight attended said.
“I’ve seen it happen. I’ve reported it. And the truth is, without cameras on board, there’s often nothing we can do.”
What to do if you luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged
IT is an awful experience when your baggage does not appear on the carousel.
However, travelers can take steps to get their bags back.
What if baggage is delayed?
If your bag doesn’t show up at your destination, make sure to speak to the nearest airline representative.
Airlines have a system that tracks where bags are and can see whether luggage has ever left an airport.
After getting as much information as possible from the representative, passengers can file a claim.
Once the bag is located, airlines will either deliver it straight to a flier’s door or send it to the nearest airport.
What if baggage is lost?
Fliers should stay in close contact with airlines throughout the search for their bags.
Sometimes, airlines will tell lucky passengers their bags are gone for good.
Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can vary.
Airlines are responsible for compensating travelers for lost bags’ contents as long as it doesn’t surpass maximum liability limits.
Airlines must also reimburse any fees that fliers paid out for a bag to be transported if it was found.
What if a bag is damaged?
Airlines are also required to pay back customers for bags’ contents that were damaged during flight.
However, the airline won’t take responsibility for items that were destroyed because the luggage was improperly packed.
Most airlines also won’t reimburse cash, electronics, fragile items, and perishables.
Anyone who has a bag damaged during flight should file a claim and discuss whether they can get a refund.
The flight attendant noted that passengers aren’t the only ones at risk — crew members are also a target.
“And yes, they steal from the crew too,” Bacilieri said.
She advised travelers never to leave their bags, expensive devices, or any other high-ticket items unattended at the airport.
Passengers who want to avoid cybercrimes should bring their own charging ports and purchase Radio Frequency Identification-blocking wallets so that hackers aren’t able to access their credit card chips.
Bacilieri also mentioned that travelers who are really concerned can lock their carry-ons to prevent thieves from taking personal items.
“If something feels off, report it to the crew immediately,” she urged.