8 PROVEN Ways to Prevent Theft at the Airport

How to keep your stuff safe from theft and damage at the airport in 2024. From keeping an eye on your belongings to securing your laptop, this video has all the information TSA won't tell you! Learn how to prevent theft at the airport security checkpoint with these 8 proven tips. From protecting your laptop to keeping an eye on your belongings, you'll be prepared for your next trip through TSA. Don't miss out on these must-know airport security tips!

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Welcome to Portable Professional, where I, Megan, use my experience from over 300 flights to offer you simple, practical and game-changing travel tips and hacks. Our mission is to help you reduce stress and make the most of every trip.

🐶 Chapters
00:00 Prevent Theft at Airport
00:12 Theft at TSA airport security 2024
01:00 Tip 1: Laptop must-have
02:10 Add this to bottom of device
02:30 Tip 2: Activate tracking
03:25 Tip 3: Beware of SCAM!
04:03 Tip 4: TSA Rules 2024
05:03 Tip 5: Packing electronics for airport security
05:47 Tip 6: Going through checkpoint
07:24 Tip 7: Do THIS Immediately!
08:41 TSA Secret EXPOSED!
09:09 Tip 8: Ultimate TSA hack
10:05 TSA Pre-Check info

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[Anonom]

My mom had all her jewelry stolen as she went through TSA security--she had it wrapped up in her hand luggage as gifts. She filed claims and called the SFPD and one day a box arrived in the mail--no return address--with all her property.

[mitchcalmes]

Put everything in your backpack like, belt, phone, wallet etc instead of putting it on the tray. The only thing you will be tracking is laptop and backpack. It also makes the process easier.

[StacyLawlerThomas]

Wait a few seconds before pushing your stuff through the X-ray machine, so there is a slight separation btwn a previous passenger's bins. Put your shoes, belt and/or personal item, maybe a jacket or hoodie, etc. in the first bin, your electronics in the second bin, then your carry-on as the last item to go through. This way, your valuable laptop, Kindle or any other electronic is "cushioned" by the first bin and the last bin or piece of luggage. It makes it a bit more difficult and obvious for an individual to just "pick up" your stuff. You will be able to identify your belongings quicker and notice any shady activity going on around the bins.

[wil]

Doesn't hurt to take pictures of your items as well. I usually take pictures at home so there's no confusion as to it being mine or not.

[msmargiek]

We have TSA precheck but my husband and I always split up by a couple of people. International flights don't have precheck so we split up all the time just to keep it consistent. I go first with my stuff and always go through the screening without issue while my husbands watches my stuff from the other side. Then I get my stuff and watch for his laptop and items to come through from his side. He seems like he always forgets to take out his change or something and gets stopped and wanded lol

[ellengill]

I realize this sounds naive or old fashioned, but I take only my phone, no laptop, and no tablet. With less to keep track of, it's easier to keep track of it.

[callalily_]

If you’re Canadian and have the Nexus membership card (to travel to the US), it comes with the TSA pre-check.

[bangalorebobbel]

Never let your laptop stay alone in a tray, always add something else like a charger or at least your belt or your shoes etc. - that way it can be easily identified and there is no chance that somebody takes it by mistake or puts another tray on it.
And never let small things like wallet, notes, passport, boarding pass, watches or so laying openly in a tray - put everything in your rucksack or bring a separate little shopping bag etc with you where such things can be stored. This helps also to avoid that these heavy rubber thingies which are sometimes hanging in front and behind the x-ray wipe such things accidentially out of a tray.
Finally, remember two important things: security check areas are always under CCTV surveillance and any purposeful theft can usually be made out by checking the recorded scene. And secondly, leftover items are usually kept for some while at the checking point before they are put to the airport's lost and found office. So if you remember only when sitting in the airplane that you left your costly headphones at the security, just relax - most probably, they were found and you can get them back.
But be aware: you should be able to prove that you are the owner e.g. by giving a clear and detailed description, like e.g. giving the brand and model name of your headphones or showing a foto with you wearing it, showing a bill etc. - so be sure that you made fotos from your belongings, including things you wear usually at your body like jewellery, watch, headphones etc., before you go on a travel. (Says somebody who's wife forgot her headphones at the security check and got them three weeks later back when returning to the same airport ... luckily we could easily identify the object and proof the ownership by showing them the Amazon order in the app ...)

[happycruiser]

Anytime travelling I go with the counting method. As I put things in bins, I count, 1, 2, 3...and then on the other end as I take things off, 1, 2, 3. Do the same method when several of us with luggage get out of taxis, leaving cruise ship etc. Then instead of remembering each individual item, you just remember the final count number. Has saved us on multiple occasions.

[lauriet]

Taping your information on the back of a laptop is good but it can easily be removed. Take a picture of the label with the serial number and keep it wherever you store your passwords or in your address book. This is the best way to identify your laptop in a stack of similar units.

[briangc]

I bought a large pack of gallon freezer zip lock bags. I put everything in those bags, so when I go through security I simply pull out the bags and I only need to keep track of 3 or 4 bags of my stuff. No worries about my passport or wallet or jewelry being taken during the screening process. Then grabbing those zip lock bags and throwing them into my backpack makes for a quick exit from the screening line.

[madchatteress]

Pre-check is definitely recommended for anyone traveling often. I love the shorter wait times, not having to remove laptops and liquids from my bag and being able to keep my shoes on makes the process go smoother. I get pre-check with my Global Entry membership which also helps me when entering back into the US.

[StacyLawlerThomas]

It's amazing how we have sent people to the moon and have built an international spaceship station yet we still use PLASTIC BINS to send our belongings through an x-ray machine. Wth the advances in IT and AI, you would think we would be able to streamline the screening process at TSA security lines in airports.

[HariSeldon]

If you can be compelled to log in to your laptop, I'd advise making a guest user login that has no access to anything worthwhile. Make sure that's the last one you log in to before going to the airport so you won't be seen switching users. Then they would be welcome to the password.

[georgemohr]

to make going through security easier, other than having TSA precheck, I always place my phone, wallet, jewelry and passport into a closed zippered closed compartment in the personal item (back pack) that I am going to carry onto the plane as my one personal item. It is much easier to have to collect as few items as possible when you are at the other end of the x-ray machines conveyor belt. Since my next planned trip is with a connection in Amsterdam, I am going to place a tracking device in my checked bag inside the inner zippered liner of the suitcase I never lock my checked bag. Why would I lock my checked bag if there was nothing of value in it?

[mikeylodeon.]

No, even you have TSA PreCheck, you still have to remove your belt and jackets. Only shoes are allowed. TSA agents do not follow their mandates and policies. They follow their ego.

[roger]

10:05 If you are a US or Canadian citizen, a better way to get TSA Pre✅ is to get NEXUS for $50USD for 5 years (free for children). Not only do you get all the benefits of TSA Pre✅, but it also expiates your travel through customs and Imigration into Canada and the USA.

[janiebratt]

So sweet. Your puppy knows where he wants to lay his head. Oh, how I miss the devotion of a pet. Thank you.

[annw-fitz]

Every time you buy a ticket, you need to let the airline know that you have a KIT number, this is TSA pre-check. Do not assume airlines know you have it even if you use the same airline before. Always be sure to mention it When purchasing a ticket

[andreaelizabeth]

As a side note, never let anyone take your passport from you. Never put it in a tray. Little books can go missing from the tray’s