I agree with you in regard to later making a claim. But not as theft prevention.
Yes, you’re absolutely right. That advice was meant as something you do
before you even go to the airport. Best to take checked-luggage inventory best you can, and then put that inventory into your carry-on bag. This is really only for making claims later.
The only real effective means of loss prevention is to:
- Don’t check any luggage, as Martin has pointed out.
- Make sure the tag that’s put on your luggage has the correct three-letter code for your destination (i.e., if you’re supposed to end up in Los Angeles, make sure your bag-tags say “LAX”).
- Your idea of sticking things in tamper seal bags (great idea!).