Yes!!! I have heard of them.
Just how many baggage handlers are keeping them in their pockets?
Sounds like circumcision
The psycology of many criminals (or wannage criminals) is that they are naturally lazy so it is better to find an unlocked baggage than to pick open or bolt cut a lock of a baggage arousing suspicion.
The top post certainly was sarcastically silly and I have answered that question before.
Most criminals or wannabes are lazy and will choose baggage that is unlocked or the lock is easy to pick.
The lock I have for my baggage are the security ring-key locks (those vending machine style but smaller) and are to military specification. There are also services that wrap baggage.
Most people have mobile phones with cameras and can quickly take a photograph of the baggage when they are being weighed and you now have sustaibable evidence that if there is a change in baggage status while they were out of your hands, you either talk to one of the officials at the destination or contact your lawyer back in Australia to quickly obtain evidence from the source airport.
Criminals will NOT usually touch baggage that is securely wrapped and labelled.
Then be extremely prepared when entering countries that has extreme warnings about drug trafficking.
I can speak from experience but in the many travels in and out of Asia, not once has my baggage been opened with the exception (only once) when I was asked to open it in front of security office at the border of Singapore and Malaysia. At that time, I had a wok in the baggage and they thought it could be a satellite dish.
The security guard laughed in embarrbuttment and sent me off quickly.
