January 26th show with Evan Wert of PacSafe, and Luke Dudley of luggagelimits.com
There is nothing that ruins a trip more completely than losing your valuables to a thief. Australian Rob Schlipper, one of the founders of PacSafe, experienced this first hand in 1989 as he watched the drama at Tiananmen Square from the roof of his hotel. Forced to evacuate from China, Rob discovered all too late his belongings had been stolen from his backpack. This, and other experiences gleaned from many years of globe trotting, inspired Rob and his business/travel partner Magnus McGlashan to develop eXomesh® technology, the foundation for PacSafe products.
Since its founding in 1997, PacSafe has produced high quality travel gear that prevents theft and protects travelers’ possessions and valuables. PacSafe is a company that makes an outstanding effort to stay close to customers and their needs. They produce a regular newsletter and encourage customer feedback. PacSafe’s anti-theft product categories include women’s, adventure, urban and leisure, computer bags, motorcycle gear and travel accessories such as straps, cables and locks.
Luggagelimits.com founder Luke Dudley noticed the increasingly puzzling system of baggage fees in 2008 while working as an Algebra teacher at a boarding school. “Seeing the students travel to and from school on a regular basis with numerous items of baggage, and at a time when jet fuel and airline hidden fees were rapidly increasing, gave me the idea for an online resource that can help travelers avoid, or at least prepare for, these extra costs.” He developed an easy-to-use interface that allows travelers to know ahead of time their airlines’ baggage policies and fees. Luke will talk about the development process that went into his application, and will explain how luggagelimits.com can help you navigate the increasingly complex web of airline baggage policies and fees.
Have you been the victim of theft while traveling? Have you been shocked by a surprise luggage fee? Do you have a story, question or comment to share? POST YOUR STORY IN COMMENTS BELOW. OR, Call in to the show live on Tuesday: (917) 889-3203.
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I considered myself impervious to theft. After all, I thought I did all the right things. I kept my money and valuables in a security belt — the one you wear under your clothes. I made sure not to leave my stuff unattended. I avoided getting jostled in crowds. Or so I thought. All it takes is one mistake.
I was in Copenhagen. My mobile phone was having a problem so I went to a phone store to get help. In public it was difficult to dig into the belt so I took the belt off in a restroom before entering the shop. After paying for the transaction I carefully replaced the credit card and my picture ID back in the belt, and “temporarily” put the belt into my daypack. I put it into the main compartment. That was safe, just for a bit, right? Returning to the restroom to put the belt back on meant a walk in the opposite direction, and we were headed to a museum just a few blocks from the store. What could happen?
Sometime during that short walk someone unzipped my daypack, reached in and grabbed the belt. For the life of me I cannot remember being in “a crowd” At a street crossing we waited for the light to turn green, and only a couple people were behind us. Well, as the police officer said, “The people who work the streets here are good, the best.” And looking around at the dozen or so other glum tourists in the police station filling out their theft reports proved his point.
Luckily I had my passport in another location. Nonetheless, the thief got my drivers license, my work picture ID, my ATM card, my credit card, paper airline tickets (what a nightmare and expense they were to replace, that is another story!) and about $150 in US dollars. I was fortunate that my sister was traveling with me and she was able to provide me with cash.
That experience taught me that no matter how savvy I think I am, I am stupid to think thieves are not way ahead of me. I always lock my daypack now — no one can reach in and grab items. And having the slash-proof daypacks and purses like PacSafe makes is even better.
Stay alert. Stay safe. Don’t let a thief ruin your travel.