quote:

Originally posted by NZ Nurse:
Here to in NZ only people holding boarding passes can go through the security area. We can walk down to the numbered gate area with friends and/or family but then we must say our goodbyes and pass through the security area into the waiting part to be called to board.

quote:

Originally posted by BrendaC:
Good ideas both of you. We had an upsetting experience a couple of years ago. The SECURITY people at the airport in Puerto Plata, D.R. (I kid you not) were taking money from wallets while people were in the scanners. Someone caught on when it appeared almost everyone's wallet was "stuck." Bad stuff that. Who you gonna call?

Hi Brend

I can certainly believe internal stealing but was a little surprised by the stealing of fellow passengers.

Brenda

quote:

Originally posted by Tootsiebelle:
May I add another word of caution? I know that we are savvy travelers, but do be attentive to your possessions while in airport waiting areas, restaurants and shops. There are some who frequent these areas just waiting for the right opportunity to help themselves, and they do.

Hi Tootsiebelle

Thanks for the advice. Hope others out there also take the advice.

Recently, a friend was catching a flight and bent to get a drink from a water fountain. When she stood up, her wallet was gone from her over-the-shoulder tote bag.

Of course, this was before she went through security, so the chances are less of something like this happening after passing through the scanners.

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Mike:
Yes, yes, another story ...

I was in a juke joint down south, buying a burger to quell my moaning stomach. I always carry my wallet in a side pocket - not back - and have a habit of "patting" the pocket to ensure all is well. Well, I got the wallet out to pay the bill and for some reason 'patted' the pocket.

WOW ! NO WALLET ! PANIC !

I looked around - on the floor - at everyone in the line behind me ...

You've got to picture this - I was really worried - all my cards etc - GONE. The girl could see my worry - my face must have been going ballistic - and she asked the trouble. I told her I may have lost my wallet. I was VERY worried by now.

She then smiled (like they do) and said - "Is that it in your hand" ...

I paid for my burger and humbly scuttled away to a far corner. Hoping no-one I knew had seen or heard what had just transpired ...

I still "pat" my pocket, but always check my hands now, ... before panicking ...

quote:

Originally posted by NZ Nurse:
Here to in NZ only people holding boarding passes can go through the security area. We can walk down to the numbered gate area with friends and/or family but then we must say our goodbyes and pass through the security area into the waiting part to be called to board.

quote:

Originally posted by biotrav:

quote:

Originally posted by spooky walnut:

quote:

Originally posted by biotrav:
Hello Everyone

Just saw an interesting item on the TV. This may be happening elsewhere but this just mentions North America.
It seems that when people are putting their valuables in the trays,that go through the airport X Ray machines, other travellers are stealing things from them. They showed passengers actually stealing from the trays as the trays came out of the X Ray machine.
You must be right there when your tray comes out and watch it extremely carefully.
When we go on our Wales and Ireland Tour(09) one of us will go through and wait at the other end before the other one goes through.
Passengers are stealing cell phones, laptops etc. The video actually showed people stealing!!!
They showed one guy having the metal detector passed over him. In the background someone was seen stealing from the guy's tray.

Biotrav

This has been happening for years, sorry to tell you. When I go with my husband I go through first & waiting for our goods to come through before he lets them go. If I am on my own I make sure I don't wear anything that will trip the sensers, boots are a good example. They have a metal piece holding the heel to the shoe, so rubber/leather soled shoes, no belts etc. This is so I can place my goods on the conveyor belt & I am through to the other side so smoothly to grab my things. I keep my eye on my tray as I go through the scanner gate. I used to have a laptop & projector with me for some business trips & didn't want the hassle of loosing them.

I know how this could be stopped (almost) if they allow only those with boarding pass's through first then their friends relations next. Just the other week i sat & watched my fellow flying companions coming through the scanners while enjoying a coffee.I can see why thieves take this oppurtunity to steal things, no one was on the ball & off with the pixies amazing.

Hi Spooky Walnut

We are the same way. I am extremely careful at all times while travelling.
I just thought that it would be a good idea to point it out. It is amazing how careless people can be. As someone once said we are very carefull every day but get very careless when we travel.

quote:

Originally posted by biotrav:

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Mike:
Yes, yes, another story ...

I was in a juke joint down south, buying a burger to quell my moaning stomach. I always carry my wallet in a side pocket - not back - and have a habit of "patting" the pocket to ensure all is well. Well, I got the wallet out to pay the bill and for some reason 'patted' the pocket.

WOW ! NO WALLET ! PANIC !

I looked around - on the floor - at everyone in the line behind me ...

You've got to picture this - I was really worried - all my cards etc - GONE. The girl could see my worry - my face must have been going ballistic - and she asked the trouble. I told her I may have lost my wallet. I was VERY worried by now.

She then smiled (like they do) and said - "Is that it in your hand" ...

I paid for my burger and humbly scuttled away to a far corner. Hoping no-one I knew had seen or heard what had just transpired ...

I still "pat" my pocket, but always check my hands now, ... before panicking ...

Hi Saint Mike

Without being too paranoid patting your wallet is a dead give away as to where it is. I usually,in large crowds,keep my hand on my wallet which is in my side pocket. Of course when we travel we use money belts which solve the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Mike:
..Agree BT - I don't actually walk down the street tapping my pocket like some sort of demented busker. I surreptitiously (good word that ...) tap it in a nonchalant way. But you're right - constantly checking your money is not an advisable thing - you never count your money when you're sitting at the table ...

I don't use a money belt. I find they are annoying and I've never really had a need. I have my wallet and often some spare cash in my breast pocket.

Then my wife always has her bag ...

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Mike:

quote:

Originally posted by biotrav:

quote:

Originally posted by Saint Mike:
Yes, yes, another story ...

I was in a juke joint down south, buying a burger to quell my moaning stomach. I always carry my wallet in a side pocket - not back - and have a habit of "patting" the pocket to ensure all is well. Well, I got the wallet out to pay the bill and for some reason 'patted' the pocket.

WOW ! NO WALLET ! PANIC !

I looked around - on the floor - at everyone in the line behind me ...

You've got to picture this - I was really worried - all my cards etc - GONE. The girl could see my worry - my face must have been going ballistic - and she asked the trouble. I told her I may have lost my wallet. I was VERY worried by now.

She then smiled (like they do) and said - "Is that it in your hand" ...

I paid for my burger and humbly scuttled away to a far corner. Hoping no-one I knew had seen or heard what had just transpired ...

I still "pat" my pocket, but always check my hands now, ... before panicking ...

Hi Saint Mike

Without being too paranoid patting your wallet is a dead give away as to where it is. I usually,in large crowds,keep my hand on my wallet which is in my side pocket. Of course when we travel we use money belts which solve the problem.

Agree BT - I don't actually walk down the street tapping my pocket like some sort of demented busker. I surreptitiously (good word that ...) tap it in a nonchalant way. But you're right - constantly checking your money is not an advisable thing - you never count your money when you're sitting at the table ...

I don't use a money belt. I find they are annoying and I've never really had a need. I have my wallet and often some spare cash in my breast pocket.

Then my wife always has her bag ...