Is it possible to steal on an airplane?

Actually,Airplanes are a “No Steal Zone” : P
As long as it is something small,I doubt that you could steal someone’s Laptop and then claim it’s yours and it’s a coincidence that you just happened to have pictures of the guy’s family in the hard drive !

I was lucky enough to travel quite a bit in my teens and early 20’s… I logged a lot of flight hours.

Throughout that period I ammased quite a collection of knick-knacks including airplane life-vests, airline blankets, assorted “wing” clips… And in one particularly memorable occasion in London (I believe the only one that doesn’t count a theft) a very absent minded young stewardess left part of her uniform in my hotel room.

So yeah… It’s pretty easy to steal from an airline. As far as stealing from passengers the thought never really occured to me… But then again taking things from planes was more of a “prank” in my mind, and stealing from passengers Is far far past any line I’m willing to cross.

I am sure it is possible. I take measures to keep track of my things on long flights, but have never had any problems yet.

@Dr_C Lucky you!

Airline employees steal from checked baggage all the time. In fact, one is cautioned not to leave a camera, a phone, or a laptop checked.

@dpworkin I mean more stealing between passengers on flight.
@Dr_C this is why I adore you

I’ve traveled extensively and never had anything stolen nor have I stolen from anyone.

I think you could. Watch and see when someone goes to the bathroom, then take their whole carry on. Someone leave their laptop unoccupied on a trip to the restroom? Nice. Is their neighbor sleeping? Even better.
It might take more scouting and watching. I’ll bet those who even try to take things board the plane early so that can watch people.
Anyway, I’m sure it’s possible.

Having said that, I’ve never stolen anything on a flight or had anything stolen from me. Actually, I still suspect that woman of taking my honey roasted peanuts.

I know that lots of people steal things from airplanes but I am not sure how many people steal from each other. I would imagine that the higher the cost of the tickets on the flight the less people on that flight would be prone to theft. No one with a $4000 first class ticket wants to steal your $100 item. When I travel in 3rd world countries I always travel with black zip-ties and every single time I open my bag I have to cut one off and every single time I close it I have to put a new one on. This has worked remarkably well to prevent theft-in-travel for carry-on luggage. No one can steal from me without my knowledge because before leaving the vehicle I would notice the lack of zip-tie. It also requires some sort of tool to remove a zip-tie. When I do check luggage (only happens when I travel with a woman who somehow forces it) I always take the most valuable items with me in my carry-on or mail them back insured and then use the checked luggage for lower-cost low-theft items. I also use hard luggage with TSA approved locks from Pelican.

http://www.pelican-case.com/ (in the past I always used Tumi but I would never go back)

I thought this question said: Is it possible to steal an airplane?

@Allie Wouldn’t someone else on the plane notice?!?

@tragiclikebowie haha Looking at the question I can see how you could have seen that.

@tragiclikebowie: Yes. Governments and hijackers steal aircraft routinely. I am sure there have also been cases single engine planes being stolen but I don’t know of any.

@tragiclikebowie So much Grand Theft Auto…

I think it’s absolutely possible to steal on an airplane and I would never leave my iPod, camera, or wallet by my seat when getting up to go to the bathroom. Small items are easy to pocket and even though the close quarters make it more difficult due to self-policing, an accomplished thief knows how to do it nonchalantly and without attracting attention.

Not only that, but on longer flights, such as when I fly to Italy and back, for a significant portion of the flight, almost everyone on the plane is sleeping or zoning out watching a movie with headphones on.. basically, not paying attention at all to what other people are doing. I could see it being very easy at this point to pocket some goodies. However, I guess the tricky part is whether the victim notices or not.. because if they do, where can you run and/or hide the item?

Yes, which is why I keep TSA locks on the carry-on (stowed in overhead compartment) and my wallet and iPhone in a zippered sports belt around my waist – because I am a sound sleeper and often fall asleep on long flights.

@IBERnineD Maybe, maybe not. Isn’t that the case with all theft though? What if someone sees?

@MissAnthrope See that’s where I think it would get particularly tricky. I mean if I left my ipod on my my seat while going to bathroom and saw it was gone, I would notice immediately.

This is why airplanes have those knockout doors on each side of the aircraft. you steal something from someone at 35,000 feet and they just toss you out one of the knockout doors. judge, jury and executioner all at one location and administered by the pilot.

NOT a good idea.