CDG Pickpockets

Situational awareness...way to go Anita.

If this is so, then this is much more serious than any standard run-of-the-mill pick-pocketing attempt. Isn't this an area of CDG that you can only have access to by having been cleared through security with a proper boarding pass? Why and how was she there? Why did you not get security immediately?

That CDGVAL shuttle unmanned train that stops at the parking lot and to terminals is landside not a secure area.

So when using this you have to re-enter though security? (If so, no wonder everyone hates CDG!)

We have the same kind of shuttle at O'Hare. You park your car and get on a shuttle and then check-in counter to get boarding pass and then through security. If Your flight lands at terminal 1 at CDG and you have a connection in terminal 2 you would need to take the CDGVAL which is airside.

No one needs a ticket or security clearance of any kind to ride this shuttle. We rode it for the first time this summer from the parking garage near our hotel. This is another place that CDG travelers need to know about in order to avoid being a pickpocker’s victim.

Yes...this is just a shuttle that runs outside of the ticketed area. Anyone can hop on and off without a ticket.
Unfortunately, these are unmanned trams that are on an automatic timer to run between the terminals and parking garages.
In the many times I have been on them I have never seen any security personnel in the carriages or on the platforms - even if I wanted to there is no one to report it to without getting off the train and going upstairs or down a ramp to find someone. They would be long gone by the time I would be able to find anyone.
If you know anything about pickpockets then you know that they have ways of getting out of being caught even if the police are called. They drop the goods on the ground, pass them off to someone else, etc. It really is a losing battle so you just have to be vigilant.
I'm sure all of the reasons above are why these women felt comfortable hopping on and off to see what they can pilfer.

As usual, Randy Newman was right.

They got grubby little fingers
And dirty little minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
Don't want no short people
'Round here...

It's a jungle out there.

"Be sure to put your most valuable stuff in your pockets--passport, cash, credits cards. Back pocket is best, but front can work too."

Yes...best place for the pickpockets to find your stuff IS in your pockets!!
NEVER place your passport, cards and cash in pockets while traveling; unless they are really secure inner zipped ones.
Crossbody bag, money belt or under clothing stash is best.
Always be vigilant in airports, especially if you are just off a long tiring flight; that's when you are most vulnerable.
Anita: I'm sorry you were almost a victim!

She was staring straight ahead while unzipping my cross body bag with
her free hand. There is nothing of value in this pocket of my purse
since it is not secure but, nonetheless, I grabbed her bony little
finger, removed it from my zipper, and told her in French basically
"Nice try (insert French expletive)".

Applause!!!!!

Be sure to put your most valuable stuff in your pockets--passport, cash, credits cards. Back pocket is best, but front can work too. Just look around like Bambi at the wonders of nature. Should be no problem.

This is the absolute worst advice.

Barbra, whose advise it was, sometimes specializes in being sardonic.

Norma's right.
"Just look around like Bambi..."
Yeah, that's the ticket.

Just follow Rick Steves' advice, everyone! Put valuables in your money belt and keep it covered by your clothes. Keep your "back" pack turned to the front if you're in a large crowd so you can see it at all times, and stash anything else you don't want to lose deep inside those internal pockets.
Anita - St. Louis