Airport Security Information You Need To Know

Airport security is a problem at most airports because travelers are constantly in a rush, not paying attention, or tired because of jetlag.

This is prefect for thieves because travelers’ awareness levels are down and it makes it easier to steal from them.

Airport theft and baggage theft are common security problems in airports throughout the world.

Many thieves will wait for travelers to leave their bags unattended while getting coffee, food, or magazines and quickly steal the bags while travelers are focused on paying the attendant.

Also, robbers like to steal bags and luggage while travelers are using the restroom.

Lastly, many travelers are jetlag after long trips and choose to take a quick nap. However, many awake to find their belongings missing.

Make sure to keep a close watch on your luggage while traveling because airport crime is a problem in alomost every airport.

Avoid listing personal information like your home address and telephone numbers on baggage tags. Instead only list your name and email address. This prevents thieves from locating you in the future; however, helps airline personnel find you in the event that your bags are lost.

Here's a couple of security related travel packing tips.

When traveling abroad make sure to use luggage locks.

Many times baggage handlers or corrupt airport security officials will rifle through unlocked luggage and steal items inside.

If traveling in the United States be sure to purchase Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks. These are locks that can be opened by TSA officials in the event they need to search the inside of your luggage.

If they do search your bags you will find a receipt from the TSA advising you of the time, date, location, and TSA official who searched your bag.

This way if anything is missing you can immediately report the incident and an investigation will follow.

Be sure to keep an eye on your passport and travel documents.

Many times I’ve seen people walking around airports with their airline ticket and passport sticking out of their back pockets.

Many of these same people later become the victims of pickpockets.

Can you imagine walking up to the ticket agent, ready to board the plane, and discover that both your passport and ticket are missing?

To prevent this I recommend using a passport pouch or passport holders.

Once you arrive at your destination and are at the baggage carousel waiting on your luggage, be aware of your surroundings. I've often watched travelers in airports who are so fixated on the carousel, with a bag over their shoulder, that they would never see a thief behind them stealing items from the bag.

Also, refrain from putting flashy baggage tags which list your name on your luggage. This provides criminals around you with personal information which they can use against you. For example, if "Tom" has one of these tags on his bag and criminal sees this, he try a common scam used abroad. A criminal outside the airport will call his name (because the criminal saw it on his tag). "Hey Tom!" As soon as Tom focuses on the person calling his name another an accomplice of the criminal will steal his personal items, while Tom's attention is focused elsewhere.

Many travelers like to put stickers of their nation's flag on their luggage to distinguish it from others. Again this is providing criminals with more personal information about them. Would be kidnappers of Westerns would be attracted to the American or British flag sticker on the luggage of a traveler.

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