Airport Safety and Security for the Traveler: How to avoid becoming a victim.
Jul 06 '00
Whether flying to a vacation destination or on business travel, the most important element of flying is to get there safely with all of your belongings. How can a person increase their odds of getting where they are going despite the potential of crime or accidents?
As a security professional, I understand and deal with risk analysis and vulnerability analysis. I’d like to share a few insights I have gained on how a traveler can overcome some of the hazards associated with airport crime and airline safety. I have gained these insights through observations and studying risks and vulnerabilities.
In order to keep these editorials to a manageable size, they have been divided into two parts. The first deals with the criminal element and the second deals with personal safety in the event of accidents.
First let’s deal with the criminal element. It is sad to say that a high number of travelers are the victim of crime in or around airports every year. A few of these criminal actions include:
1. Pickpockets
2. Purse snatching
3. Luggage theft
4. Laptop computer theft
5. Robbery
6. Mugging
How can a traveler keep from becoming a target and a victim of these crimes?
Pickpockets: Men, this crime is committed most often against you, but may include women who keep a wallet in a pocket. A few ways to keep from becoming an easy target include:
1. Carry your wallet in a front pocket of your pants. Rear hip pockets or inner pockets on blazers or suit coats are open invitations for a pickpocket.
2. DO NOT carry a large amount of cash, and DO NOT flash your cash around. Disperse the cash you are carrying between your front pockets.
3. Carrying large denominations (i.e. $50.00 or $100.00 bills) will be noticed by other people and may mark you as a potential target. Carry smaller denominations supplemented by travelers checks.
Purse Snatching: Women, this crime is usually committed against you, but may include men who carry purses or small tote bags. A few ways to keep from becoming an easy target include:
1. A purse carried by handles and not a strap is a very difficult purse to steal. A purse carried over the shoulder on a strap is a ripe opportunity. A purse strap can be cut, broken or yanked off the shoulder by a purse snatcher.
2. A purse should have a means to close and secure the top. This prevents wandering hands from reaching in and taking whatever happens to be in reach.
3. DO NOT lay your purse down on counters while shopping or leave it unattended. I have seen women do this very frequently. Keep control of your purse at all times.
Luggage Theft: Although there does not seem to be much a traveler can do to prevent luggage theft, there are a few ideas that decrease the likely hood of luggage being stolen.
1. Luggage that is unusual in appearance stands out and is easy to identify. Some thieves may attempt to steal such luggage, but the risk to them is much greater. Luggage that is common in appearance is easier to walk away with.
2. Ensure your suitcases are locked prior to turning them over to anyone at the airport or hotel. It is also a good idea to place an additional locking strap around a suitcase. These straps can be cut, but it is one more thing a thief has to work through.
3. Do not keep travelers checks, cash, jewelry or important documents in a suitcase. A small overnight bag with a change of clothes has plenty of room for these other items. Additionally, you can keep positive control of a small overnight bag where a suitcase will be in many other people’s hands.
4. Ensure you have a nametag on your luggage. Unmarked luggage is up for grabs.
Laptop Computer Theft: Stealing laptop computers has become big business. A thief can profit not only from selling the computer, but also from any information potentially on the laptop that is unguarded. A few ways to keep from becoming an easy target include:
1. Similar to a purse, carry the laptop computer case by handles and not a strap.
2. When entering the security zone in an airport, ensure you have removed all metal from your person before placing your laptop computer on the x-ray machine belt. If you have no metal to cause the metal detector to alarm, you will be waiting on your computer when it exits the x-ay machine.
3. If you are stopped for a search and are having difficulty clearing the metal detector, ask one of the security officers to get your lap top computer for you.
4. Do not leave your laptop computer unattended.
Robbery, Muggings and other violent crimes: Airports can be the site of violent crimes, but you can increase your odds against those who may have targeted you for such a crime:
1. Although typically safe, airport-parking structures can be a crime scene waiting to happen. If you have to park at the airport try to travel with friends or with groups. A lone man or woman can be an easy target for one or more criminals, while groups of increasing size become exponentially harder for a criminal to deal with.
2. Be aware of your surroundings.
3. Do not park or walk in dark areas.
4. If you are alone and it seems like someone is approaching you. Increase the strength of your stride, and look for a group of people of any size to walk with. If you are afraid of the person who is approaching you, don’t be afraid to yell or call for help. It is better to explain a mistake than to become a victim.
5. Within the airport, mingling with or near groups of people increases your safety.
All of the pointers as indicated above can aid you in becoming less of a target to a criminal, but nothing is fool proof. A few last comments on staying safe and keeping what belongs to you with you.
1. Don’t accept luggage or packages from anyone you do not personally know.
2. Be cautious about letting a stranger watch your personal items while you make a trip to the bathroom or for a snack.
3. Don’t leave your belongings sitting around unattended.
4. Sit in locations where you have a good view around you, and you are easily visible you are easily visible to others.
5. Paranoia is not the order of the day; however, be aware of your surroundings.
I hope you will enjoy your travels and will remain safe and secure wherever you go.
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Epinions.com ID:
Dailey2001
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Member: David Dailey
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Reviews written: 26
Trusted by: 5 members
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