Travel Safely In A Dangerous World

When it comes to travel of any kind, you are and always have been responsible for your own safety. Learn some simple rules of the road to stay safe.
Travel changed on September 11, 2001. Terrorist attacks in the USA proved the failings of a system designed to make airlines money, rather then keep passengers safe. Many European and some Middle Eastern based airlines have taken sensible measures against the threat of hijackers and bombs. These measures were not born of some superior sense of passenger well-being. It took many hijackings and the death of passengers and crew members alike to bring these foreign nations to the point of demanding air safety. While many countries have backed away from the government control they once exercised over airline safety procedures, the laws they have passed remain in place. Airlines flying into and out of those nations have a legal obligation to maintain safety procedures set in place.

Fearing they would slide down the slippery slope of too much government control of private enterprise, U.S. Lawmakers have been hesitant to legislate airline safety beyond laws that would punish those who threaten it. Now that America has paid a huge price for ignoring threats and dangers so obvious to many experienced travelers, the U.S. Government now seems willing to act. Following the example set by other security conscious nations, Federal Troops now occupy airport terminals and patrol perimeter areas vulnerable to terrorist intrusion. Plans to reinforce cockpit doors and provide more air marshals for domestic flights seem to be on the fast track. Despite all this, the same flawed system of security checks remains in place. For example, as of September 12, 2001 (one day after the terrorist attacks) baggage checkers with no background checks were hired by companies who submitted the lowest bid and there were a total of thirty-six air marshals available for duty on all flights!

In addition to years of experience in public speaking, I have a strong background in security. Besides lessons learned while in the U.S. Marines, I spent years working with people who take security very seriously. By the early 1980s, I was part of a special detail that guarded Mayor Koch of New York City. Later, a was in charge of security for a large area which included over 3000 living units and a major shopping center. My first month on the job I cut car thefts down by over 80% and personally apprehended an escaped mental patient and a homeless man who destroyed a restaurant. But I don't look like Hulk Hogan. It was and always will be about taking security very seriously and deciding in advance what needs to be done.

For over ten years I have railed against putting five dollar an hour store guards in charge of airport security in areas most vulnerable to intrusion. Just after the 1993 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, several TV News Reporters in major U.S. Cities proved the failings of the system by sneaking on board airplanes with guns, knives and even ticking packages! Even worse, some were easily able to breach airport security areas and climb into planes while they were being serviced or readied for boarding. The primary reason for this was not the failure of electronic detection devices, but the failure of poorly trained people placed in jobs without sufficient training. Prior to September 11th, training for many airport guards and security personnel consisted of watching a ninety minute video. As far as the Air Marshals situation goes, even those with prior law enforcement or military training require an additional two to four months of training before they can be ready for work. That leaves a dangerously long window of opportunity for those who desire to create mayhem on passenger flights.

There is one thing that has not changed since September 11, 2001. When it comes to travel of any kind, you are and always have been responsible for your own safety. A quick examination of previous events can provide a starting point that you can use to take charge of your travel plans. Most plane crashes, hijackings and other events take place during peak travel hours or on longer, non-stop flights. Air travelers can vastly improve their chances of a safe, uninterrupted journey by flying between nine o'clock at night and two in the morning on most any day of the week. Those who must travel during daytime hours should avoid traditional travel plans. Try to split your trip up into short hops. Avoid small carriers and alternative airports where security might not be up to par. Whenever possible, throw some ground transport into the mix by renting a car and driving it yourself. Make sure your rental car has been well cleaned before you get in. Do not enter a vehicle that hasn't been thoroughly cleaned and checked after a prior rental. Use shuttle buses and trains as a last resort and only for short trips.

If you see someone acting odd before boarding, the chances are that things will get worse during the flight. Notify ticket agents or security before you board. Explain the situation and tell them you don't feel comfortable flying with that situation. Avoid flying with drunks, mentally challenged people or those who seem very stressed out before a flight. People who are acting overly serious, have no carry on luggage or are constantly adjusting their clothing might also present a problem. Forget niceties. If someone is making you nervous, don't fly with them! Your safe travel goal should always be to have as much control as possible over any situation you find yourself in. That means making non-traditional vacation, casual or business travel plans, spending as little time in the air as possible and flying when statistics show it is most safe. Forget airport parking lots in favor of a ride or taxi. This will cost you more and be far less convenient then everything you did before, but it might also save your life.

You might want to consider taking a few extra steps to ensure your safety if you are a corporate executive, work for a company with government contracts, work for a news gathering and reporting entity or serve in the military. Start by visiting your local spy shop in person or online. Purchase a bomb checking mirror attached to a telescoping tube (even if you already employ a security consultant). Ask a mechanic to help you become familiar with what is normally under the hood, in the trunk and under the body of your vehicle or vehicles you tend to rent or lease on a regular basis. Check your vehicle thoroughly any time it has been out of your sight for more then an hour or two. If you see anything that looks odd, find any envelopes or packages (especially any with your name on it) in or on your vehicle or find wires hanging lose inside or out, notify police. Better safe then sorry.

While your first instinct might be to run out and buy a gun, be aware that if you have it you will probably use it and might be sorry later. Guns are usually a good idea for home protection, but a bad idea when traveling. Laws do not favor gun owners and most forms of transport prohibit carrying weapons unless you are law enforcement of some sort. The same can be said of stun guns, tear gas and pepper sprays. Your best defense is to plan what you will do in advance of almost any situation. Some people who tend to fly together anyway are forming buddy groups of two, four or more people. They arrange to sit close to one another and have a plan of action to deal with hijackers or disruptive passengers. Part of any buddy plan should be the golden rule of intervention - think fast and act faster! Most terrorists are willing to die for their cause so merely punching them out or trying to subdue them may not work. The idea is a one on one intervention. Each person takes on one hijacker (hoping others will join in and help). Attempt to quickly gain control of the person's head. Get behind them, force them down while pulling their neck up. Put your knee into the upper part of their back and apply as much weight and pressure as possible. Do not stop until the person is completely incapacitated. One of your group should place themselves between the cockpit and the hijackers as a last resort. You can worry about the morality of it all later. The life you save may be your own!

Instead of carrying every credit card you have, carry the one you use most and perhaps one spare. Try and have two forms of photo identification with you, but leave things like social security and HMO cards at home or with someone you can call to access numbers most anytime. Bring what you need with you. Avoid impulse purchases and travel very light. If conversing with a stranger, avoid revealing any personal information like children's names, where you live, what kind of car you drive or travel plans. Do not carry scissors, nail clippers or any sharp objects. Keep personal items like car keys, forms of identification and day planners close to you. Watch your stuff! Seal and lock your luggage and look around frequently. If you see anyone who might be following or stalking you, head into a crowd of people and notify authorities immediately.

If you're in the car a lot, avoid deserted rest areas in favor of busy gas stops. Eat during off hours, do not stop to offer help (call 911 by cell or at the next safe stop), never pick up hitchhikers and stay out of traffic jams at all costs. Change jobs, move or leave extra early. Traffic jams can be an easy target for terrorists these days. Lock up your vehicle each and every time you stop. Never leave children or pets in vehicles and always close your windows. If you have children give them a plan of action for home, school and anywhere else they might go. Make sure they have a way to contact you at all times and do not allow them to fly unaccompanied.

Now would be a good time to write your local, state and federal representatives regarding travel safety. Most passenger flights still carry mail and packages (this puts you at risk with no control over those circumstances). Many interstate highways and railroad routes include bridges and tunnels that are not properly protected or monitored. Unlicensed motorists operate too freely in many states and need to be apprehended faster. Things have changed. If you want to travel safely you must think ahead, decide all your actions in advance, plan with safety in mind and be prepared to keep your head in the worst of situations.

About the Author

A native New Yorker now living in Arizona, Bill Knell is a forty-something guy with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He's written hundreds of articles on a wide variety of subjects. A popular Speaker, Bill Knell presents seminars on a number of topics that entertain, train and teach. A popular radio and television show Guest, you've heard Bill on thousands of top-rated shows in all formats and seen him on local, national and international television programs.

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