Venice bus from airport to Piazzale Roma

I didn't have any pickpocket problems. I think my bags stayed with me on the bus. It made just a couple of stops before Piazzale Roma. Not prime territory for pickpockets because a relatively closed system and it cost some money to get on (unlike big Metro-type systems where you pay once and can ride anywhere all day). Certainly it's the cheapest way to get to your hotel, and probably easier than a water taxi.

We took the bus #5 from the airport to Pl. Roma last Saturday. You board the bus with your luggage and likely you'll be on the bus with other jet lagged tourists and not too many locals.

There are two bus services doing Marco P to Piazzale Roma.
ACTV, which is a commuter bus, makes several stops en route. Your luggage goes with you inside the bus.
ATVO which is like a tour coach, luggage underneath, no stops en route, more comfortable.
Costs are the same for both bus lines.
We prefer ATVO.

I echo what has been said above. We took the #5 bus to Piazzale Roma and, because our hotel was near the Rialto Mercato stop, continued on via the #1 vaporetto last October (we bought the combination bus-vaporetto ticket). No problems at any point on the journey.

If you're really worried you can always take a taxi at greater cost, but as everyone has indicated there is little to worry about.

Have a great trip,
=Tod