Bags mysteriously disappearing is common enough that you probably know someone who’s been impacted by it.

It’s true: never attribute to malice that which can be sufficiently explained by incompetence. Except that we have proof of malice in many cases now that gps trackers have been commoditized.

If you don’t lock your bags, as many don’t, you might attribute a missing item to forgetfulness, but it’s just as likely that it’s simply been stolen.

The simple fact is that you should take care with what you check in, especially in countries of higher corruption, less security or less caring security.

In the states where you baggage likely has cameras on it from beginning to end is different, and probably just incompetence. It’s not like we send our best to manage bags (albeit I’m sure you can come up with some fine examples otherwise).