AvGeek Philippines wants to know: with the ongoing cases of theft on board as a traveler (whether novice or seasoned), how do you secure your personal belongings in your cabin baggage?
- Invest in good cabin baggage with a smart biometrics lock (applicable only to non-US routes due to the TSA locks mandate).
- Separate all the valuables like cards, cash, and mobile in another handbag and keep it with you at all times; store the remaining items in another bag to be kept in the overhead locker bin.
- Staying awake and alert at all times.
- Hire a personal bodyguard to be your travel buddy at all times.
As travel goes back to the pre-pandemic era, airlines are making the most out of it by offering promotions to selected destinations, and visa applications have skyrocketed to the point where you have to plan accordingly if you want to visit that country (Japan is waving), travel expos are abundant so you can secure the best possible deals.
Despite the recent events in the aviation sector, people still want to travel.
However, aside from air rage clips courtesy of Karens and Kens making a ruckus on board, airline theft is also on the rise.
I haven’t heard nor seen any instances happening over here locally (due mostly to short-haul routes as well), as it mostly occurs on international flights. Here’s another fact: when you think flying first or business class is an exception, that’s where you’re dead wrong. I remember reading a post by a famous local celebrity wherein she was traveling in Business class, and a stranger seated in the same compartment approached her and was trying to steal her handbag.
So, the major question is, what can we do to make sure we won’t get robbed on board?
Most of the perpetrators/thieves operate in gangs. It’s especially hard to be alert, especially if you are traveling on red-eye and long-haul flights.
I’m not yet a seasoned traveler as compared to airline vloggers such as Josh Cahill, Noel Philips, Nonstop Dan, and Sam Chui. The only rule I go by is to keep your handbag close. Wallet with credit cards and IDs, passport, mobile phones, medication, power bank (not applicable on Air Busan though), and maybe a few other travel essentials, then store other stuff in another bag to be placed on the overhead bin which is letter B.
I know what you’ll ask next: What if you’re the light traveler type? The same principle applies. Valuables are in your handbag while the rest are in your carry-on. Word of advice, though: make sure that your handbag is light enough to be placed inside your cabin baggage as most airline carriers are strict when it comes to the 7 kilos cabin baggage allowance since it includes your handbag.
Obviously, my travel tip does not apply to all travelers. What about families with small kids, seniors, VIPs and etc? That’s another story altogether.
Just a friendly reminder not to let your guard down so it won’t dampen your holiday.