Items lost

Items lost

I write this note in order to warn anyone flying into Jakarta.
On collecting my luggage at the Jakarta airport not only had each
item been searched through, but a mobile phone from one bag is
missing and a collection of magazines stolen from another. This
is the fine welcome one receives when arriving in Jakarta.

Thai Airlines offers no consolation by reminding me to read
the ticket which states that they are not liable for any missing
valuables. I suspect this disclaimer is one of incredible
convenience when it comes to flights arriving in Indonesia. The
ticket also states that one must be careful to lock bags to
prevent items from falling out. It should in fact read, "install
an industrial strength padlock on all bags, leave no valuables
whatsoever inside them as thieving workers at the Jakarta airport
will pilfer everything; in fact, to be fully protected travel
with hand luggage only."

Along with the general increase in petty crime one wonders why
the Indonesian tourist industry is suffering. I guess along with
all the other problems in the country, this one will never be
looked at. It took more than a decade for airport officials to
decide to restrain the assortment of taxi drivers who practically
assault you when you enter the arrival hall.

PATRICK SCHULT

Jakarta