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Travel Advisory:  Be Alert at the Airport

    If you plan to travel by air for business or pleasure this summer, forget everything your mother taught you about being courteous. Airport thieves count on travelers being helpful, easily distracted, and in a hurry.

     Many airport swindlers work in teams. One may drop change or spill the contents of her purse or briefcase with the expectation that someone will stop to help. While the courteous traveler offers assistance, a partner will steal his luggage or laptop computer.

     You may believe the airport screening station is one of the most secure areas of the airport. After all, there are armed security personnel wielding metal detectors at every corridor. However, the person holding up the line in front of you who apparently has a metal plate in his head, may actually be working with a partner who preceeded him in line.

     This team is counting on you to send your carry-on items through the x-ray machine in advance. The first one through will pick-up your luggage and fade into the crowd before you reach the other side.

     To protect yourself, wait until the last possible minute to set your valuables on the conveyor belt and keep an eye on the other side if possible.

    Air Security International (ASI), a Houston security firm, warns travelers to maintain a high state of alertness at all times. Even eye contact shows the criminal that you are aware of his presence, according to ASI.  Travelers should also be watchful of additions to their luggage. Smugglers will sometimes add a bag to your stack of luggage and retrieve it after the plane has landed.

    The heightened precautions taken by airport security have made it more difficult for theives and smugglers, but there remains a constant threat to travelers.