Personal Security and Air Travel

Air travellers today can spend hours at the airport, wandering around aimlessly often carrying their bags and chattels around with them from gate to gate, shuffling bags while in the bathroom, buying and eating food, and just sitting around and waiting.

The longer travellers spend waiting at the airport, the more there personal security is an issue. Here are some helpful tips that will help minimize the risk of losing your valuables while travelling.

Travelers’ Personal Security – Packing

Never forget security begins at home. When time comes to pack your belongings, try to place your most valuable items in your carry-on luggage so that it will always be close to you. This way you can always keep an eye on it and be aware of anyone trying to steal or tamper with it.

For individuals traveling with jewelry, this means wearing your most valuable jewelry in flight. Large diamond ear studs are fine to wear with everyday travel clothing; other travelers will assume they are fake cubic zirconium earrings, or rhinestones. Large necklaces and bracelets can be worn under a turtleneck sweater or other clothing that masks the neck. Make sure your clasps and hooks are in good repair so you do not accidentally lose your jewelry while walking through the terminal.

Whatever you decide not wear should be placed in a handbag or fanny pack that is warn in a secure location. As backpacks don’t offer as great a level of security as would-be thieves have been known to open a backpack and remove valuable items without the traveller ever knowing that personal security was breached.

Travelers’ Personal Security – Cash

Every traveler needs some cash at the airport for tips, newspapers, meals, and sundries. However, no traveler should carry more cash than absolutely necessary. Usually about $20 to $30 in fives, tens, and ones will meet the traveler’s need for cash at the airport. Every modern airport has an ATM. If you need cash at your destination, use the airport ATM after you arrive at your final stop. Carrying, and flashing, large amounts of cash create an irresistible temptation for thieves.

Travelers’ Personal Security – Shopping

When travelling the best security advice is to travel with a companion, this means that there is who can watch your belongings for you while you shop, eat, and use the restroom and visa versa. If you find yourself travelling alone, rent a locker to keep your belongings while waiting for your flight to board. Even if you need to rent two or more lockers, you will find that it is a lot easier to carry a small key around instead of lugging all your belongings around the airport.

Travelers’ Personal Security – Security Check

One of the places most travelers commonly lose things is, ironically, when they go through security. As you pass through security lies, be cognizant of how many bins or trays you have left your belongings in, and be sure you have checked that same number of bins or trays before you leave the security area.