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BE AN AIRPORT SURVIVOR

An airport can be a distracting place. Announcements stream constantly over the PA system, people are coming and going in different states of excitement, exhaustion, confusion, and urgency. In this environment, it’s easy to let down your guard and become a victim of theft.

Airports are a hive of activity and criminals like a crowd. Petty criminals, for the most part, are opportunists. If you give them an opening, they’ll take it - along with whatever personal item is on offer. The trick is to be one step ahead of them, or at least be aware of some their own tricks.

Never leave your luggage unattended, or ask strangers to “keep an eye on it.” For one thing, the stranger could be a thief posing as a traveler, or the kind stranger you asked to do double luggage-watching duty might him/herself become a victim. Take your bags with you or stow them in a locker.

If you have two bags or more, do not put them on either side of your body - a classic set-up for diversionary tactics. Keep them in front. Make sure you have identification inside your bags in case outer ID tags are lost or the bag is stolen.

Keep anything of value in your immediate possession, not in your checked luggage. And never, ever accept a package or luggage from a stranger who gives you a hard-luck story or bribes you to take it onboard the plane, no matter how convincing. They’re not called con-artists for nothing. If you can’t get rid of the person, summon security or offer to go with them to a help desk and see how fast they disappear!

If you make a phone call before boarding, be on the lookout for lurkers with video cameras. Criminals, posing as tourists, can videotape the pay phones, capturing on film your calling card number as you key it in. If possible, use a calling card itself or a pre-paid phone card (or just call collect). If you must punch in your card code, screen the keypad with your hand.

The same goes for ATMs. Choose one that has a surveillance camera. Report any loiterers or suspicious looking people to airport security. Shield the keypad as you enter your PIN number and keep your transaction record. Avoid withdrawing huge amounts of cash—do that beforehand at your local bank.

If you purchase something in the duty free or gift shop, don’t flash your bills when paying. Pay in smaller denominations, if possible.

When opportunities are not present, thieves resort to diversionary tactics. These include “accidental” bumping and food spilling, dropping things, and phony sob stories. Diversion theft is usually done by teamwork. One distracts you or causes a commotion while the other lifts your bags or wallet.

Travelers need to be especially vigilant at security stations. Criminals working in teams can, either through diversion tactics, or if you are delayed by the metal detector, snap up your bag which has gone ahead of you on the conveyor belt. Before you get to the metal detector, remove any items that will set it off. That way, you can breeze through and keep an eye on your luggage or equipment too.

Be sure you understand your insurance coverage before you leave, especially if you intend to take along equipment such as a video camera, cellular phone or laptop computer. Record the serial numbers and keep them in a safe, retrievable place. It’s also a good idea to identify your equipment in some way, either by attaching a card or by engraving.

By the way, laptop computers have become a major target for airport theft. Laptops are small (therefore easy to run off with), their hard-drives can be erased to destroy all evidence of ownership, and they have tremendous resale value. Be advised that bags specially designed for carrying laptops, although spiffy, are an advertisement to thieves. Instead, carry your laptop in a briefcase or small piece of luggage.

When you arrive at your destination, head straight to the baggage claim area. The fewer times your luggage makes the carousel-rounds, the better.

Once you get in the habit of carrying out these simple precautions, they will become second nature each time you travel. Also, if you have any concerns about suspicious activity, don’t hesitate to call airport security or summon an airport official.

Duluth Travel consultants help travelers get to their destination and home again with minimum disruption. Contact us today to plan your next trip!