Security is way up. What to do with my moneybelt?

Brad,
I'm a bit confused by your question.
There's no need to show your money belt when going through security at any museum or monument.

The only time I take off my money belt is when I go through airport security.

I'd suggest you pack your daypack. You may change your mind & take it along with you, or you may need it for your souvenirs :-)

My daughter carried a small daypack most days on our recent trip to France ( in June during the Euro Cup tournament). She didn't have to check it in at any of the museums we visited in Paris (Louvre, Orsay, Rodin, Cluny & Orangerie)
Having said this, she was asked to carry it on the front of her body, rather than on her back, when we visited the Cluny & Orsay museums.

We didn't take it to the Eiffel Tower because security was very strict there & we didn't want to give up our water bottles.

If you're talking about airport security, it depends on the type of scanner they use. Metal detectors should not be bothered by a money belt. But if you're then selected for a pat-down, you'll have to show it. If it's the x-ray type of scanner (hands above your head), then you cannot hide anything from the start and must even take Kleenex out of your pockets. See these recent threads:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/what-did-you-do-money-belts-or-neck-pouch-through-security

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/rs-money-belt

So no magnetometers or pat downs with someone getting excited about something under your clothes? That's good. I've seen (fortunately never did it myself) someone at airport security who forgot tp remove their moneybelt, or something metal in their pocket, and it's like they've been caught trying to rob a bank. I guess that's the mental picture I get from "increased security".

I have been reading about places that used to, but no longer, store a bag - because of security concerns.

It's always good to hear what people who have just returned are experiencing.

I take off the neck wallet for airport security, unless I forget, then they "gently" remind me.

But your question confuses me also. One decision is whether to bring along that daypack for the sweater, bottle, etc. I don't see how that affects whether you bring a moneybelt or neck wallet for your mondy, cards, passport and such. You will need secure storage for those things, and I'm of the pro-moneybelt (or neck wallet or whatever) school. I keep that with me whenever I'm outside the hotel.

The Civita is so light and compact that I don't see harm in bringing an empty one and deciding as the trip unfolds whether and when to use it, or not.

Regarding the daypack, it means if I need it I'm carrying it in a pocket but I'll carry less stuff (never a bad idea). I picture myself walking through security with very little to screen. It may still be useful other times. The reason I've used a Civita is I can't find anything that shrinks smaller when not in use.

For entering museums or boarding a certain few trains, a metal detector would be the maximum personal inspection, so you can keep your money belt on. Yes, not carrying a day bag may occasionally help you avoid the type of security line where they only glance into everyone's bag (like here at the baseball stadium), but that wouldn't be very often. If a museum is restricting size or type bags that enter, then they usually hold them for you, though they don't have such facilities at the Colosseum in Rome.

Brad,

The reason I've used a Civita is I can't find anything that shrinks smaller when not in use.

My daughter's small backpack is similar to this one (but smaller) & it was never stuffed like the one in the photo.

She only carried a water bottle,a small snack, a light waterproof jacket & some TP.
Yes, there are many public bathrooms in Paris & some are without TP!

If the question is about airport security screening, and if the question is what one is required to do vs what one can get away with; then the answer is that unless specifically directed by the TSA agent to the contrary or without one of the PreCheck clearances you are required to remove your belt, shoes and everything from your pockets. I have no doubt that this would infer neck pouches and money belts. If you don't, and you do get caught, and you end up holding up the entire line like about 1 in 10 passengers do, then there is a good chance that the rather pissed off gentleman behind you is someone I can relate to.

The only "Security" that really matters here is airport. I don't wear a money belt at the airport because I don't wear one on a plane. In the history of this forum does anyone recall a poster saying they were pickpocketed at an airport? I prefer a messenger bag ( yes, my "man purse") when I travel and I'll wear a money belt on public transportation in Rome but most of the time I keep my stuff in the messenger bag and I'll turn it backwards and wear it in front of me.

What I consider vital, important are the following: Passport, rail pass, cell phone, cash, Calif Dr Lic. the plastic (Kaiser med card, Medicare, credit cards, etc). They leave my person only when going through TSA and security when all that "stuff" is in my jacket goes into the bin. Otherwise, when I am out and about in Europe, these items stay on my person, in a zipped jacket pocket or "the hidden pocket" or in the front pants pocket. .

I don't carry a day pack/bag, don't need it, and rather do without one.

I carry a messenger bag for daily travel but my Civita bag gets packed for departure and return. Makes a great laundry bag, too.

For airport security, I put everything but my passport and boarding pass in my carryon, and retrieve the neck pouch (containing money, credit cards) once I am through security and out it in my personal item, which stays at my feet on the plane.

Why not buy one of those fabric bags that costs about 1 EU and rolls up into the size of your fist? Easy to stuff in a pocket if not needed, handy to use because stores are charging for bags or not even giving them out, anymore. They are really very sturdy and can hold cameras, guidebooks - even two days' worth of groceries.
An added advantage is that since everyone is carrying them, these days, you won't be as likely to be targeted by pickpockets.
You can buy one where you live, or pick one up at Monoprix at the checkout counter.
Absolutely no need to remove your moneybelt or neck wallet when you go through security checks in museums, etc.

My normal routine is to arrive at the airport, find a restroom, use a stall to completely remove everything from watch, change in pocket, money belt, etc. Everything goes into a small shoulder bag that also holds the ipad. Go through airport security, find another restroom and reassemble myself. That way I am not fumbling with anything in the security line and I have no problem keeping tracking of my little black bag in addition to the carryon bag. Never had problem with wearing a money belt through typical museum, train, etc., security. That was last year. Headed to England and France in two weeks so I could have a different experience to report. But that is my approach until it doesn't work.

Frank, way to go! That's the way to do it.

Yes, I think that's a good way to go. I currently work for Treasury and have to go through security every morning. I keep everything that could set off an alarm in a messenger/laptop bag so I can put that on the conveyor belt and walk straight through. I never get why people spend time each morning taking things out of their pockets? They know it's coming.

I'll only have a carry on, but I like the idea of "cleaning" yourself up before security and reassembling yourself afterward.

Frank has the best answer for airport security.

As for the day pack, I don't see the secuity issue. At museums and churches there are often secuity lines, but the line is the same whether you have a pack or not. You take it off and open it. Whether you have it or not you will stand in line behind people with purses and packs. The only pack issue is must you leave it in a locker or at a desk and is there a long line tof the baggage desk.

I do what Frank does in airports.

Another strategy, which I experiment with but am still not quite comfortable with, is to wear one of those multi-pocket vests with the map, guide, water bottle, etc. Take it off and run it through the machine. If it's an airport, put the neck wallet and pants pocket contents into the vest and run it through the machine. In effect the vest is the backpack, purse, whatever, except that the money belt or neck wallet stays on you except for those airport-type situations. And you wear it around while sightseeing with whatever you need, hands free, back free, looking of course like the gaping tourist that everyone knows you are.

Now there's a whole other discussion about vests, also somewhat beaten to death on this forum, for perhaps another thread! ;-)