Think Your Valuable Are Safe In Your Luggage? Think Again
Posted by Michelle Moquin on September 7th, 2010
I don’t know about you, but I never put anything valuable in my luggage even if I am checking it in at the airport. I never trusted those silly little luggage locks and I never invested in better stronger locks, which I didn’t think would ever prevent anyone from stealing from me if they really wanted to. To me any lock would be too easy to break in to and I didn’t want to chance it. I always felt that my valuables were best with me, in my possession, on the plane.
However many people think that if they have invested in sturdy luggage and a set of good locks, their valuables in their luggage are safe. Sorry, those things will not prevent someone from getting in and stealing your goods. In fact, many people have had things missing from their baggage, even when they received them at the arrival port UNOPENED and UNTOUCHED. How could that happen?
This video shows how locked luggage is opened at the airport without your knowledge. This is why you should never put anything of value in your checked baggage!
Readers: Now think of this in your hotel room! How many of us lock things in our suitcases when we leave the room? Don’t do it.
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Beau: My pleasure. It has certainly inspired insightful comments. And thanks for the compliment. Authenticity you will certainly get here. I HOPE you’ll stick around. :)
Robert: I pride myself on being a pretty logical person. I so enjoy learning and seeing from a different viewpoint. As always you bring something different to the table, and you inspire one to think, so thank you.
As I read your comments, you articulate yourself so clearly that it makes what you say seem very obvious as you spell it out with your fine and logical examples. And actually when one thinks about it, it is pretty obvious. And your assessment of the word “Integrity” is right on.
The definition is too broad and vague when it speaks of morals, where morals are not defined in the definition of the word. The meaning is subjective, because morals are subjective. Am I being clear here?
Perhaps the word integrity needs to be defined according to the culture it is used in. Not sure if I agree with my previous statement…just talking out loud. But what I do agree with is that the word is really not definable as it is presently defined. Does that make sense?
On another note, I have been guilty of deciding whether a person has integrity based on my own principles and morals of what I feel is “right” and “good” for all. And I base my morals on the behaviors of people (including myself) that allow all people to “live and let live”.
So I don’t care whether in some cultures a person who beats a woman in public for violation of his religious dress code could be considered as having integrity. In my opinion, his so-called integrity is interfering in the well-being and livelihood of a woman. So yes, the word, in how it is defined today, the man beating the woman could have integrity, in his country, according to his rules. But does that make his actions “right” and “good”? Perhaps in his country, yes. But in my eyes, no, never. But I totally get your point as it is valid one, and one that Gereshk have pointed out, men use to justify their actions.
As I write this morning my mind is whirling…I believe I lacked the true understanding of the word integrity when I have used it in the past. And I now understand that it is difficult to use the word integrity because it is so subjective. I feel as if I am going around and around with a meaningless word. How enlightening!
Perhaps, it is not the lack of integrity that is being revealed in our society but the influx of “hypocrisy” revealed: The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform.
Whew…that subject was challenging to articulate so I HOPE I am understood, and it was more than just ramble. I am just trying to say it in my own words, inspired by yours, by writing it out, as I think it out. I am a visual person, so seeing the words as I write them here and as I say them to myself, helps me understand. I feel I am doing it for my benefit more than anyone else’s. :) I think I’ll end it there.
Peter: I Know you have a busy life but how about going just to check it out, so you can report your findings to us. Hafa Adai.
Gloria: It’s all about the varying definitions of morals because an individual’s morals are defined based on what an individual feels is “right” or “wrong”, “good” or “bad”, etc. Morals are subjective. Therefore the meaning of “integrity” is not defined. Oh…dont get me going again. Please Robert, you say it best.
Anonymous: I am a different person on my blog than I am in my daily life. Who can keep this up 24/7? But I have had friends say that my writing is very different than my chat. I also used to be a person who couldn’t articulate very well what I was feeling and thinking. That has changed. You would know that if you decided to have a chat with me. And if you feel that you can’t bring whatever up in a mixed crowd, pull me aside or give me a call. I’d be happy to chat with you about anything.
As far as me going through a mid-life crisis – that’s funny. No, no mid-life crisis here. I won’t say that these past few years haven’t been the most challenging in my life, but they have also been the most eye opening. PS: I have no idea who you are, but I wish I did. Call me.
Seriously, I adore my friends and family, and it would bring me no greater pleasure to converse with you about anything. And when I take that leap into the sky (A Friend: Hint: This is the time for you to laugh) aboard my ship the Meisjes, I would love to see some familiar faces. Lucy, if you want to join me and be a girlz, it is noted. :)
Hi Ruth: Your comment makes me smile (and laugh) Thanks for the support. “Envy”? Hmm…is that what you think it is? If so that saddens me because my friends and family mean the world to me. And my family here…my blog family means the world to me too. Although I have not had the pleasure (yet) to meet you or any of my other faithful readers, I HOPE that someday I will be blessed. It is something I think about often.
And, knowing that your girls will someday be reading my blog is a huge compliment, which I don’t take lightly or with a big head. As I know that what is posted here is so much bigger than me and my daily. I am grateful that you trust my blog to want the information at hand to teach your girls.
Thanks Ned: I just met a wonderful man who is living and studying in London. We had a nice little chat. I would love to visit there again. Love back to you.
To my friends and family: I just have to say that I love you all. Whatever is preventing you from conversing with me about my blog, my writing, my readers…let it go. Be open. If you know me, you know I am not one to judge you for your thoughts or feelings. I am the same girl who has just grown up a bit, expanded her mind. Growth is good. I’m not limiting myself; don’t limit yourself. Plus, I am still tons of fun. :)
Peace & Love: “Live it, Give it”
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my ‘loyal’(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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September 7th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Hi Mischa, you said it all so I’m just writing in today to say ‘open sesame’ (just in case I’m the ‘key’ to getting in today) and to say I think it’s funny that bc someone hadn’t met me that they think I’m not real hahaha….! Luv, Zen Lill
September 7th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
Oh, I know you’re real baby. I just want to meet you. That “Go West Young Man” has never sounded better.
Larry
September 7th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Clean up Corporate Corruption: Rally in San Francisco on Wednesday!
Host: Joy N.
Where: In front of Sen. Boxer’s office (in San Francisco)
When: Wednesday, Sep. 8, 2010, at 1:00 PM
What: Over 150 members of Congress and candidates have signed the Fight Washington Corruption pledge to stop the corporate influence in our government. We’re organizing this rally to give our undecided politicians one last chance: Stand with Big Corporations or with the Other 98% of us without corporate lobbyists.
Can you make it to this rally?
Click here for more details and to RSVP:
September 7th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Car Gadgets That Can Save Your Life
Eric Peters
Automakers have developed some spiffy new technologies for their newest cars that promote safe driving and help to prevent accidents.
Caution: These state-of-the-art devices can help you avoid accidents, but they aren’t a substitute for good driving.
Here are several new accident-avoidance gadgets and systems that are standard or optional in many cars (at this time, these technologies are not sold separately)…
LIMITS FOR TEEN DRIVING
MyKey, developed by Ford, allows concerned parents to limit the speed of the vehicle that their teen is driving to 80 miles per hour (mph).
Although the speed limit throughout much of the US is 70 mph, Ford decided to set the limit at 80 mph in case a driver needs to accelerate to avoid a crash.
Nothing limits the MyKey system to teen drivers — it can be used by any driver who does not want to top 80 mph. MyKey can be set up to sound a chime if the driver exceeds 45, 55 or 65 mph.
Bonus: Driving at lower speeds can help fuel economy.
The MyKey system also enables parents to control other in-car functions, including the maximum volume of the sound system, and the car can be programmed to emit warning chimes if occupants aren’t wearing their seat belts. An owner-programmable ignition key is the heart of the system.
Available in: 2010 Focus compact and Escape SUV. Ford plans to offer MyKey on many other models in the future.
AROUND VIEW MONITOR
Infiniti (Nissan’s luxury car division) has developed an unusual “panorama view” backup camera that now is available on certain models and may be available on others in the future.
It gives the driver a bird’s-eye view (as seen from above) of the perimeter around the car — not just what’s behind the rear bumper.
Mini-cameras with wide-angle lenses are built into the sides, front and rear of the car.
Around View works with the vehicle in drive and reverse (at low speeds up to about 5 mph) and can be helpful when maneuvering in confined spaces.
Available in: Infiniti EX and FX SUVs.
Caveat: The image on the LCD monitor is slightly distorted, which can make it difficult to accurately judge exactly how much room you’ve got to work with.
Always check twice before backing up — and proceed slowly.
AUTOMATIC BRAKING/”ACTIVE” COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Pioneered by Mercedes-Benz, this technology uses radar to detect vehicles and slow-moving objects in the vehicle’s path (or excessive closing speed between your vehicle and another car).
The system can apply the brakes automatically without the driver’s input. In Mercedes-Benz vehicles, such as the 2010 E-Class and S-Class sedans, the system works with the cruise control to decelerate and accelerate the vehicle with the ebb and flow of traffic.
It can bring the car to a complete stop and resume the vehicle’s speed without the driver touching the brake or gas pedal.
The system is designed both as an emergency safety measure — applying the brakes in the event that the driver fails to notice a dangerous situation, such as suddenly stopped traffic ahead — and as a convenience, because it allows “set and forget” cruise control operation.
Available in: Mercedes-Benz 2010 E- and S-Class sedans, E-Class coupes and Volvo S80 sedan.
Caveat: This technology may cause the vehicle to brake even when you don’t want it to. The system can be turned off by the driver.
LANE-DEPARTURE WARNING
Infiniti pioneered this system, which emits a warning beep whenever the vehicle begins to stray over a double yellow line (and potentially into oncoming traffic) or other painted lines.
The system can be turned off by the driver in situations where it would give false alarms, such as when driving across parking lots with painted lines.
Available in: Infiniti EX and FX SUVs and M sedans.
DRIVER ALERTNESS MONITOR
Developed by Mercedes-Benz, this system detects when a driver is falling asleep at the wheel. When sensors note decreased or inappropriate steering, the system emits an audible warning signal to try to wake up the driver. The system can be turned off by the driver.
Available in: Mercedes-Benz 2010 E- and S-Class, except the S400 Hybrid.
Caveat: It’s possible that the sudden audible warning could startle an already half-asleep driver and cause him/her to jerk the wheel or jam on the brakes. Because the system is new, there is no data yet on its effectiveness.
Important: Always get plenty of rest before you drive. Take a leg-stretch/bathroom break every three to four hours — and make an overnight stop after spending eight to 10 hours behind the wheel.
Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Eric Peters is a Washington, DC–based automotive columnist and author of Automotive Atrocities! The Cars We Love to Hate (MBI). http://www.ericpetersautos.com.
September 7th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
I witnessed the dropping of dead mice from above. My boyfriend was piloting on of the planes.
Let’s hope it works. I hate snakes.
September 8th, 2010 at 6:21 am
Michelle
I couldn’t believe it was that easy to gain entry to luggage. Thanks for the information. As Usual you are letting us know how to protect ourselves by telling us where the crime is lurking.
Sharon
September 8th, 2010 at 6:23 am
I got up early to write this because my husband and I talked about it late last night. Sure I would like to talk to you about your blog, but I wouldn’t know where to start. It is almost embarrassing to start now.
But I will.
September 8th, 2010 at 6:37 am
Hafa adai
I’ve been getting so much email about the all the military hardware in our island area. Some claiming its due to the alien presence others to the fact that we are so close to North Korea.
Whatever – Here’s the public stance:
The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force is visiting Guam this weekend and will hold a meeting in Saipan next week.
The meeting will focus on Micronesia and the military buildup. Representatives from federal agencies, including the Department of Interior, Department of Defense, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NASA and others will attend. Regional representatives also will attend the meeting.
“This meeting is an important step in bringing high-level officials from many departments together and talking about the future of our coral reefs,” Evangeline Lujan, administrator of GCMP and the Governor’s point of contact for coral issues, stated. “Our goal is to ensure that all members of the Task Force understand the pressing issues facing the reefs in Guam and surrounding Micronesia.
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Now you can decide for yourself.
Peter