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.
If you or part of your travelling party plans on taking jewellery, this might mean wearing your most valuable pieces on the flight. Large diamond ear studs are fine to wear with everyday travel clothing; others will assume they are cubic zirconium, or rhinestones. Necklaces and bracelets can be worn under clothing that masks the neck and wrists. Make sure that the clasps and hooks are in good repair, you do not want to accidentally lose your jewellery while walking through the t! erminal.
What you don’t wear should be packed in a handbag or fanny pack. Caution should be taken when using backpacks – as would-be thieves can open a backpack and remove valuable items without you 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
The best security advice is to travel with a companion who can watch your belongings for you while you shop, eat, and use the restroom. If you are traveling alone, rent a locker to store your belongings while you wait for your flight to board. Even if you need to rent two or more lockers to stow all your belongings, you will be relieved to carry a small key around with you instead of rolling and toting bags and baggage filled with your valuable belongings.
Travelers’ Personal Security – Security Check
One of the most common places for travellers to lose things is, ironically, while they go through security. As you pass through security, be vigilant of how many trays have your belongings in them, and be sure to check that you have collected the same number trays before you leave security.

Posted November 3, 2008
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