Thursday, October 30, 2008

Air Travel, Personal Security and You

By L Servage

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 more time travelers spend at the airport, the more travelers' personal security is an issue. These tips will help minimize the risk of losing your valuable belongings while traveling.

Travelers' Personal Security ? Packing

As the old saying goes security begins at home. When packing your belongings, place the most important items and documents in your carry on bag that you will keep closest to you. That way you will always know where it is and be aware of anyone trying to steal 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

It is important to remember that even when travelling through an airport, you will still need some cash be it for tips, meals, or departure fees. However, this doesn't mean that you should carry more cash than absolutely necessary. Usually about $20 to $30 in fives, tens will meet your needs for cash. And if the need arises all modern airports have ATM's. 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 can mark you out as a target for thieves.

Travelers' Personal Security ? Shopping

The key to safety when travelling is to if possible travel with a companion, this will allow you to have someone who can watch your belongings for you while you shop, eat, and use the restroom. If you are travelling alone, it is good advice to try to rent a locker to store your belongings in if you have a long wait for your flight. Even if you need to rent two or more lockers to stow all your belongings, you will find that it is easier to carry a small key around instead of lugging bags filled with your valuable belongings around the airport while waiting for your flight.

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. - 15275

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