10 Tips to Protect Valuables While You Snooze in the Sky
Minimize your chance of having items stolen in-flight, follow the tips below:
1. Hang it up carefully If you are in the habit of hanging your jacket or coat in the closet, take all your valuables — especially your wallet — out of the pockets. That’s the first place a thief will look. Both flight attendants and passengers can access the closet.
2. Mark your bags With more and more carry-on bags these days, so put something on your luggage that makes it stand out from the rest: a sticker or ribbon – anything that makes a mix-up less likely. This will prevent the intentional — and unintentional — handling and opening of your property.
3. Place carry-on bags upside down When you place your carry-on bag in the overhead compartment, turn it upside down, so the bag rests on the outer pocket (which often contains valuables) This makes it nearly impossible to un-zip that pocket.
4. Lock your carry-on bag While it’s an inconvenience, lock your carry on bag so it cannot be accessed while you are sleeping, or go back to the airplane lavatory. Most carry-on bags can be locked – some cases have built-in locks and anti-slashing material for security.
5. Walk it through If there is a long security line, your bhttp://www.corporatetravelsafety.com/catalog/pacsafe-toursafe-at21-active-wheeled-luggage.htmlags may clear the X-ray scanner before you make it through the metal detector. Wait until you are ready to walk through the machine before releasing your purse, wallet or laptop to the conveyor belt. Fact: More items go missing in the security line than from any other place at the airport.
6. Stow it nearby Once you’re on the airplane, keep your carry-on bag nearby. Some back-of-the-plane passengers think it’s smart to stow their bag in an overhead bin up front, for an easy grab during de-planing. Additionally, when you get to your seat, place your carry-on in the overhead compartment across from your seat – not over your seat. That way you can see anyone who might try to get your valuables.
7. Bury your wallet and cash in your carry-on If you put your billfold or any other valuables in your bag, don’t put them in the outermost compartments. That’s pretty much telling a thief, “Help yourself.” Once you board the plane, unless you plan on buying food, drinks, or other in-flight items, you will have no need for your wallet and cash, as few airlines still accept cash payment for food or drink. Other than one credit card to buy items on the plane, bury your wallet and cash deeply in your carry-on bag. You can even put your valuables in a smaller bag inside your carry-on that you can remove and keep with you if needed. If you wanted an even higher level of security for your valuables inside your carry-on luggage, you could place them in a portable travel safety such as this one, which features a built-in anti-slashing material and locking steel cable. Some travelers have used items like these, then used the built-in anti-theft cable – by routing it thru the frame of the bag which can usually be accessed by unzipping the carry-on bags inside liner.
8. Watch your seat Be careful when storing your bag under the seat in front of you; don’t face any pockets forward, or the passenger in front of you may walk off with your goods. Also, never leave anything of value on your seat when you leave it to go to the lavatory or to take a stroll.
9. Exercise common sense Carry your purse in front of you and keep your wallet out of your back pocket. I know this sounds obvious, but when people go flying, common sense often gets checked with the baggage.
10. Speak up Don’t overreact if you catch someone handling your bag (innocent mistakes do happen), but be firm none the less. Similarly, if you witness a theft, tell someone immediately — a flight attendant, gate agent, security guard — anyone. I‘m sure you would want their help if you were the victim. If you board late, chances are your surrounding overhead compartments will be full, but the flight attendant will probably find space someplace else, or worst case, they take it from you and place it in the belly of the aircraft at the last-minute. Make sure you take what you need.
