Security in what seems to be an insecure world, is uppermost in the minds of many travellers. It’s even more so in the thoughts of the single woman with a penchant for going places. It’s a subject too seldom discussed between friends, in travel seminars, even within the travel industry, yet it remains an often unnecessary barrier to travel for many.
Current travel fears were raised, the reader will recall, when the terrorist bombings reoccurred in London in January and February of this year, notwithstanding the odds against experiencing a bombing as a casual traveller in the United Kingdom.
One sure way to avoid a confrontation of the sort, perhaps, is to avoid the city experiencing the threat, in this instance London, by enjoying the communities around it. One can land, the reader will perhaps realize, both at Heathrow and Gatwick, outside of London, taking the train from there to other cities in England, Wales, and to a land held near and dear to many Americans, Scotland. W
hile this writer always recommends the use of a travel agent for planning, reservations and information, it does seem most agents are reluctant to speak of security, partly out of fear of turning the prospective traveller off perhaps, and partly because of an assumption that the client has already working through the subject in hers or his own mind. Contrary to propular practice, it most assuredly is a subject for clear and comprehensive discussion. “Security” as a subject, has replaced “sex, religion, and politics” as the no-no of polite conversation, the latter having long since been exposed to considerable debate, polite or not. Now security needs its airing.
Moving on, there were a couple of incidents recently observed which in each little way became a matter of security carelessly addressed. One was told to me by a fellow who had been visiting in a city of substantial size. His date was a resident of the city. She had chosen the restaurant in which they and another couple would dine. It was in a restored section of the city’s downtown, which remains encircled by neglected storefronts, hotels and apartment buildings. The “native” knew about where the restaurant was located, but had no address, which, to begin with, meant cruising the downtown several times to find it. When its approximate location was pinned down, the driver had to find appropriate parking, which under the circumstances is as essential as locating the restaurant.
The parking lot was several blocks from the restaurant, requiring a reasonable distance to walk, but with a somewhat questionable course to take necessary to get there and return. All went well on the walk to the restaurant.
For the return walk the gentleman, who was the driver, took the return course to the car with which he felt most comfortable. The women, on the other hand, decided they wanted to go another direction. The difference was, the man was thinking of security and chose a route appropriate to his comfort level. The women, having dropped the matter of security into the hands of their escorts, chose the hour for window shopping. The men condescended, joining the women in taking what the men perceived as the less secure route.
What happened? Nothing! Nothing except that later the couple took a moment to look at the situation and conclude that security planning is very much a part of the process in this day and time and should be included in the discussion of plans for the evening, or whenever venturing out.
Another instance well recalled occurred at the hotel check-in counter of a very fine New Orleans hotel. Two single women were checking in. A gentleman attracted to the pair created an opportunity to interrupt the clerk in the check in process, at which time the gentleman observed the names of the ladies. The clerk put the gentleman off until he finished the transaction with the women, during which he mentioned both their names and room number.
It turned out quite well for all parties oncerned, in this case. The gentleman did call the women shortly after they were in their room, and following an appropriate introduction which was sufficiently convincing that he women could let their guard down, they all enjoyed the wekend together. But! Well one can imagine the worst case scenario. The thought is that one must depend on her own skills in providing for her own security. In this instance it was obvious that the hotel clerk was not alert, and neither, for that matter, were the women.
A couple of pointers appropriate here would include the proper information on one’s bag tag, airport I.D., and business card information. When possible, a bag tag better serves you with a business address and phone number rather than a home address and phone. the first one or two initials and the last name suffice, followed by a business address as opposed to a home address, and a business phone number. This precludes revealing one’s home address. Further, it is more the likely that there would be someone at the office to call rather than at the home one’s left, should a bag need reclamation.
These days the traveller must show a picture identification at the airport, either when checking bags at curbside or when checking in at the ticket counter. Again, like at hotel check in, keep the I.D. to oneself and don’t let anyone make notes from it without darn good reason and a supervisor’s explanation.
Business cards are best limited to business addresses and phone number. Some aggressive sales people want 24-hour access and have their home phone number imprinted on their business card. Do the 24-hour thing with only those from whom one could accept a call by writing the home number on that specific card when presenting it. Too many business cards get left where they might fall into the wrong hands.
Finally, if one is among those women who carry a gun in their purse or on their body, for Pete sake don’t take it to the airport. Many a woman has had their trip seriously interrupted and experienced detention at length when she “forgot” she was carrying that little Derringer kept stuffed down at the bottom of her purse.
There is no instant forgiveness for having a gun while passing through the airport security gate. It’s just about as risky to hide it in a bag that’s checked in. Without an interstate license to carry a concealed weapon, it needs to be left at home. The reasons for leaving it grows even more acute when travelling internationally.
Travel with care and enjoy your travels. Those quaint little out of the way places are great, provided you are safe. Safety addressed is the foundation of trouble free travel.
Ed: Dana Borders is the pen name of a travel writer based in the Bahamas.