Charlez

When traveling to Central America I've experienced this. There are various ways they can rob you.

One of the more serious ways is that they actually chase you from the airport until you pull over and then they'll take your items. However, that's not that common unless you happen to be exhibiting great wealth and one of those thieves is around.

And the most common one which I experienced was that my items were stolen from my luggage once they got into the foreign airport. I'm not sure in what section this theft was committed but it was definitely in the airport. They usually cut open the luggage with a knife or just zip it open if it's not locked and swipe any items that they think may be of value. They usually don't take everything, just a few items. But these items can add up..

I also know other people who experienced this as well. Does this happen in the airports in Panama?

PanamaPat

I never heard of this happening in Panama. The highway between the airport and Panama City seems pretty safe to me.

This could probably happen anywhere. Luggage handlers even in North America and Europe are usually underpaid immigrants. There's probably less supervision in third world airports but Tocumen does seem like a first class airport to me. You could shrink wrap your bags or simply take all valuables on the plane with you.

sunman6

We came into Tocumen on COPA from New York on Nov 29, 07 and had checked several bags and plastic crates. One plastic crate was somewhat transparent and had vitamins, pills, etc. inside along with some household items. This one was smashed at the corner and then taped up, and missing were several bottles of vitamins, herbs and unfortunately my Oxycodone. Now I'm in Panama for 5 months w/o the pain pills I may need and some baggage handler was busy this weekend selling these 60 pills on the street.
I think we are always at risk when we travel as baggage handlers have a huge temptation handling all the 'riches' of travelers. In the past I've lost jewelry (Boston's Logan airport) on an American Airlines flight when they grabbed my carry-on at the last minute upon boarding as the plane was full. On half dozen occasions in various locations I've retrieved my luggage to find it had been searched, zippers left open, items hanging out, etc.
My suggestions for travel anywhere in the world:
1. Never use a 'see-thru' container for transporting your goods.
2. Keep ALL important meds, jewelry, valuables in your carry-on.
3. Be in the first half of passengers boarding the plane if you can to be assured there is space for your carry-on to be stowed.
4. Considering labeling a box with what's in it (leaving out mention of attractive items) such as: SHEETS, TOWELS, TOASTER, COOKWARE. Could help - can't hurt!
5. If your luggage locks, use the locks, but understand that if it's easy to cut it's still vulnerable. Consider the hard-sided bags, even though they're way too heavy for some people to cope with.
6. Check your credit card rules for baggage insurance; perhaps what the airline refuses to cover will be covered by your card.
Safe travels!
Sunman6

Charlez

Those are some good tips.

And the most important one that you mentioned is carrying all valuable goods WITH YOU at all times and most importantly make sure they ARE NOT visible. Since if they are visible you will attract unwanted attention..

sunman6

Yes, that was quite dumb of me but with 7 pieces to pack of checked luggage and 4 carryons between us plus a big dog crate and of course the dog we were pretty frazzled at the last minute. We live and we learn. Does anyone have an impenetrable but not too heavy suitcase that they travel with? I'd love to replace all of ours with more sensible stuff.

zhinghur

I was too once robbed off while sleeping in the airport. After a hectic journey i was just sitting(waiting to catch my next flight to australia), and in no time fall asleep. When i woke up, i was devasted, one of my bag was missing, which contained my business document.....But here it was due to my complacency.......

nuaeman

so what happen after that?
did you don't make a police report?

ankuranks

well there is a saying which goes like "you can't clap without using both of your hands" means when someone robs you,you also commit some mistake in getting robbed,if you are vigilant enough and have all the required information before you go to a new place there is a possibility of theft,well many countries in the world have this problem just the difference in ways in some they chase u while in some other they might take your stuff while you are going through a street corner,a friend of mine got robbed off his stuff in NY 2 years back.vigilance is the key.

nuaeman

That's really unpleasant to hear being robbed or items stolen at such places, I guess we have to be more alert and don't dress or carry anything that attracts people's attention...

Stefan1980

Hiya, I was reading many pages already re moving to and living in Panama. Now I've registered and need to say something.

Don't dress or carry anything that attracts people's attention?

I don't want to be very posh now, but when I'm moving to Panama in the next couple of month, I shouldn't wear my Sunglasses or I shouldn't wear a Hugo Boss shirt when I go to work, only because someone thinks, hm.. I might rob this guy? That's weird!

For Explanation, I'm male, 27 years young, moved from Austria (my home country) already to Dublin, Ireland and consider now a move to Panama within the next 6 month.

nuaeman

I find it ok but what I should mean is unwanted attention, just as mentioned by sunman6 above.

Stefan1980

Hi Nuaeman,

I want to apologise, this wasn't meant personality.

It's just, that I don't want to live always in fear and scare.

When I'm walking during the streets, then I'd like to be able to wear that what I want and that what I'm wearing here in Dublin right now. (ok, not exactly the same, at the moment I have two pullovers and a Coat - this might be changed slightly :-) )

Thanks for the post mate,

cheers

nuaeman

It's ok and you don't have to apologize or anything . I do not like living in fear too as my place where I'm staying has a high crime rate among other states.