Security of your possessions at airports?

I keep looking at my containers at all times when I am behind the security gate. I usually use 2 or 3, because I carry a laptop, then I put my phone and jacket in another one, shoes and backpack in another one. I have never had a problem and don't be worry.There are cameras everywhere in the airports.
If you forget something the airport will page you.

If there are two of you it is pretty easy. Hold back her(his) trays and let her go first and once she is cleared of the body screen, send everything through. We have never had a problem but I do read that things sometimes go missing.

I read at CDG (de Gaulle Airport in Paris)that they have a huge collection of men's neckties and belts that have been forgotten, ditto other items, also wallets, even lap tops. The latter items usually get picked up by their owners but the former almost never. They are donated to charity once a month. The lost and found at the airport keeps candy for those people who come all upset to ask about their stuff.

Put your name and address in everything, from cameras to lap tops etc., just in case.

A few tips:

1. I always make sure I am facing my luggage at all times.

2. Stick your wallet and other metal objects in the front pocket of your carry on (assuming you can close it). That way you have less things to worry about picking up and you get the additional benefit of not setting off the metal detector (I haven't set one off in a LONG time).

3. All you have to take off is your coat and shoes (Belt are usually okay unless they have large metal belt buckles) and remove any computer from its case (although not in Italy strangely).

Do some of you wear your money belt through security?
Would they notice if you do have it on?

They might notice but wouldn't care unless it sets off the metal detector.

If I have two bags, say a carry-on and a daybag, I use a cable lock to lock the two bags together. They slide through separately but if someone were to grab them, they'd have to take both.

The only thing that goes in a bin are shoes, coats, 3-1-1 bag, laptop if taking one, and belt if too much metal in buckle.

Keys, wallet, watch, coins, etc are in a ziploc in my carry-on.

The one thing I do to ensure I don't have any problems is to take my time.

I wait patiently until I am waved through. I allow a gap between me and the previous guy. I carefully and deliberately put my posessions into the container. I take my time and check everything once I have been cleared.

Most stuff goes missing not because of dishonesty or anything underhand but because people are in too much of a hurry.

Take your time, leave a gap between you and the others, check your container. I've never lost anything.

I've heard of people being distracted and someone taking their valuables from the tray. Keep some space between you and the person in front, keep your eyes on your stuff but don't be overly paranoid.

I agree with what Al says, more stuff is lost at security than stolen.

I can't see thieves making a living in security because there is law enforcement everywhere, you must be boarding a flight and they would draw attention if they did anything other than go straight through.

That said, there is always crime of opportunity when things aren't kept track of.

Reduce your load to one bag and one bin, don't go through the metal detector until you have personally sent your belongings through the x-ray machine and take your time putting yourself back together. Check carefully for anything laying around or missing before continuing to your gate.

With two you can have one send the bags through the x-ray machine while the other goes through the metal detector first and "catches" them at the other end. That may be more than is necessary but better safe than sorry.

If you keep your money belt out of sight (under your clothes) they probably won't make you put it in the bin.

One thing I always do is to use a luggage strap that is in some unusual/obnoxious color. This makes my things stand out in the airport (same goes for checked baggage) which makes it easy for me to find and to keep an eye on. Also, it makes it much, much less likely that someone will accidentally grab your bag. Though bags are certainly stolen, I've been told that people often simply grab the "next" black bag that comes out of the scanner, assuming it must be theirs.

In a sea of black wheelie bags, my red bag with the neon green luggage strap is a cinch to spot.

(please note: the red bag/neon green strap combination is mine! Get your own combo! ;-)

I wore my neckpouch money belt through security, making sure there was nothing metal in there that could set off the alarms. I doubt they even noticed I was wearing it.

It may vary from airport to airport, but I always have beaten my luggage through the scanner. As long as you don't set off the detectors or require extra screening, chances are you will be on the other side, waiting for your bags well before they show up.

Thank you for the replies about the money belt question. I thought it would be ok to ask on Ernest's thread since it's on the topic.
I'm glad it looks like it's alright to wear the money belt through security. With cash, passport, cc, etc, I hate the thought of putting these things in the bin.
Happy Travels!
Lisa

Randall,

My mom checks bags and uses a similar technique. Not only will she put an unattractive strap around the luggage. She adds duct tape and blue masking tape around the corners of her new luggage. She says not only does it make her bag easy to spot but thieves would never target her shabby looking bag.

All of these posts have made me wonder why the insistence to have carry-on luggage only. What's wrong with waiting half an hour for your checked luggage anyway? Use the bathroom, stretch your legs, chat with other passengers, dekink after the flight...

Pat....if you've ever been caught in an airport when the luggage carousel breaks down, or when there are umpteen dozen aircraft arriving at the same time, then you'll know why it's nice to pull your carryon off the overhead rack, and walk out first!