Air travelers today wind up spending hour upon hour at the airport, often carrying their baggage around with them from gate to gate. They shuffle bags while they use the restrooms, stand in line to purchase and then eat their fast food, or they just sit around and wait.
Unfortunately, the more time travelers spend at the airport, the more their personal is an issue. These tips can help minimize the risk of losing your valuable belongings during travel.
Tip #1: Packing
Security always begins at home. When you pack your belongings, place your most valuable items in the carry-on bag that will remain closest to you throughout your journey. By doing so, you will always be aware of anyone trying to steal them.
For people who feel they must travel with expensive jewelry, this could mean wearing your most valuable jewelry on your journey and in flight. Large diamond ear studs are fine to wear with everyday travel clothing. Other travelers will likely assume they are fake cubic zirconium earrings or rhinestones. Large necklaces and bracelets can be worn under a sweater or other clothing that masks the neck and/or wrists. Just make sure your clasps and hooks are in good working order so you do not accidentally lose your jewelry while walking through the terminal.
What jewelry cannot be worn should be placed in a handbag or fanny pack. Beware of packing your valuables in backpacks. Potential thieves can open a bulging backpack and remove valuable items without the traveler ever knowing their personal has been compromised.
Tip #2: Cash
Travelers need at least some cash at the airport for tips, newspapers, meals, and sundries. However, no traveler should carry more cash than is absolutely necessary. In most cases, around $20 to $30 comprised of fives, tens, and ones will meet the traveler's need for ready cash at the airport. Every modern airport has an ATM. If you need additional cash at your destination, use the airport ATM after you arrive at your final stop, but again, take only what is needed. You can obtain additional cash for expenditures such as meals, souvenirs, etc., when your reach your final destination, such as your hotel. Flashing around or carrying a large amount of cash only creates an unnecessary temptation for thieves. Your will be in danger.
Tip #3: Your Companion
One of the best bits of advice is to travel with a companion who can watch your belongings for you while you shop, eat, or use the restroom. If you are traveling alone, rent a locker to store your belongings while you wait for your flight to board, especially if your flight has been delayed and there will be a longer wait than you anticipated. Even if you need to rent two or more lockers to stow all your belongings, you will feel more relieved to carry a small key around with you instead of toting and jostling bags and baggage filled with your belongings and valuables.
As a side note, since the 9/11 tragedy, many airports have been fearful of having lockers available and have eliminated their use. They obviously do not want terrorists planting explosives in these compartments. If you think you will need a locker temporarily and are not familiar with your airport, call ahead to check on availability, or check with someone you know who has been through the airport recently. Calling ahead will at least allow you to plan accordingly.
Tip #4: Check
Ironically, one of the most common places most travelers lose things is when they go through the check. Many are running late or have been held up due to long lines during a busy part of the travelling day. This tends to cause people to be ‘forgetful’. As you pass through lines, be aware of how many bins or trays you have used for your belongings, and be sure you have checked that same number of bins or trays before you leave the area. Trust me, nothing is worse than to be running late for a flight and hearing a page for you to return to the to retrieve your belongings!
