First Trip planning

[Anotherkiwi]

This is what the Ukrainian girl said also, but I always (and most of my friends) usually put a laptop in checked luggage. because it is inconvenient to carry.  It is never an issue within the USA, and I would think you would have to physically damage the luggage until it collapses in order to damage a laptop.

I don't think that "damage" is anyone's prime concern - rather, that valuable items have been stolen from checked luggage since time immemorial.  If more people are going to put laptops (and other valuable electronic equipment) into suitcases, more will go missing - despite whatever security measures against theft by baggage handlers are in place.  It may not be much of an issue in developed countries, but I really wouldn't want to risk it in the Third World!

[msmob]

I don't think that "damage" is anyone's prime concern - rather, that valuable items have been stolen from checked luggage since time immemorial.  If more people are going to put laptops (and other valuable electronic equipment) into suitcases, more will go missing - despite whatever security measures against theft by baggage handlers are in place.  It may not be much of an issue in developed countries, but I really wouldn't want to risk it in the Third World!

AK, there are dishonest people everywhere and you must surely 'get' that if an airport got a reputation for items going missing - it would lose traffic.

I haven't read of reports of laptops / ipads regularly going missing in those airports where they are taken just before boarding... 

[Anotherkiwi]

AK, there are dishonest people everywhere and you must surely 'get' that if an airport got a reputation for items going missing - it would lose traffic.

Why?  There are very few places in the world with more than one airport so, if you're planning a visit to most, you don't have a choice.  Likewise with the airlines - they're not going to stop services JUST because of light-fingered ground crew, although I'm sure they would like the local authorities to catch the crooked staff PDQ!

I haven't read of reports of laptops / ipads regularly going missing in those airports where they are taken just before boarding...

Nor have I, and I would hope not to... BUT ...this regimen has not been in place for very long at all.