Taking holiday cash through airport security and other newbie traveller questions

jellymid

Where do you keep it? In a money belt, under clothes? In your pocket and take it out and put it in the tray? Where do you keep your passport and documents? In a belt, pocket or hand luggage?

I ask because my Mum's elderly friend put his money belt in the tray, but found the cash had been removed only after he arrived at his hotel. But would they make you remove it anyway? Do the zips on a money belt make the scanners go off? Going from Manchester, so would the body scanner pick be a problem?

Any other advice re flying tips and safety advice gratefully received.

interstellaflyer

jellymid wrote: »

Where do you keep it? In a money belt, under clothes? In your pocket and take it out and put it in the tray? Where do you keep your passport and documents? In a belt, pocket or hand luggage?

I ask because my Mum's elderly friend put his money belt in the tray, but found the cash had been removed only after he arrived at his hotel. But would they make you remove it anyway? Do the zips on a money belt make the scanners go off? Going from Manchester, so would the body scanner pick be a problem?

Any other advice re flying tips and safety advice gratefully received.

I don't normally take large amounts of cash, usually Travelers Cheques or more recently pre pay cards however, I keep stuff like that in my cabin bag, I've never been asked to empty this bag, it just goes through the scanner, you will need you passport and bording card in your hand as they will ask to see it.

agrinnall

jellymid wrote: »

I ask because my Mum's elderly friend put his money belt in the tray, but found the cash had been removed only after he arrived at his hotel.

I seriously doubt whether the money was stolen at airport security, generally the security staff never touch any of your belongings, there are usually two or more doing the check (therefore theft implies conspiracy) and I would imagine the whole area is swamped with CCTV. If the friend really believes it was stolen there then I'm sure a complaint will be taken seriously by the airport management.

ncsmummy

We recently took our first holiday abroda and I kep all our documents/ money in my cabin bag in zip up bags and just put it through the scanner. It was fine as they didnt even look in my bag.
We all set the alarms off!! lol Mine was my shoes (no idea why as there is no metal on them!!), my ds had left a coin in his pocket but we have no idea why my hubby and dd set it off!

peachyprice

jellymid wrote: »

I ask because my Mum's elderly friend put his money belt in the tray, but found the cash had been removed only after he arrived at his hotel.

I doubt very much that this happened while the money belt was being scanned, there is no physical contact by the security people operating the scanner. You put your own belongings into the tray, they go through the enclosed scanner and you remove them yourself as they come out of the scanner. The only time anyone else would touch your belongings is if you require an additonal physical check due to something suspicous on the scanner.

But, yes, you would need to take a money belt off and have it scanned, the zips would set the alarm off and you'd be searched, once they found the belt it would have to go through.

headpin

ncsmummy wrote: »

...
We all set the alarms off!! lol Mine was my shoes (no idea why as there is no metal on them!!), ........!

You'd be surprised. That's why in many countries (including the US) the security screening process requires that you remove your shoes and put them through the scanner. Not only are they looking for concealed items (as per the infamous shoe bomber caught on the plane before being able to do anything) but because many shoes have a small metal plate beteen the sole and heel units that will set off the alarm if you walk through with them on.

jolfc

headpin wrote: »

You'd be surprised. That's why in many countries (including the US) the security screening process requires that you remove your shoes and put them through the scanner. Not only are they looking for concealed items (as per the infamous shoe bomber caught on the plane before being able to do anything) but because many shoes have a small metal plate beteen the sole and heel units that will set off the alarm if you walk through with them on.

going from leeds 3 weeks ago, we had to take belts, shoes off, put coins, watches and keys in the tray and send my laptop through in a tray out of the bag. it was us that put everything in the trays, security did not touch any of it.

tanith

I agree with the others , your belongings that go in the tray are only out of view for 2 or 3 seconds out of your sight in the scanner no person has contact with it .

thegirlintheattic

OP your friend's money was not stolen in security. As others have said, you put your stuff in the tray, carry your tray to the X-Ray where it is only out of sight for a few seconds in which time no one has access to it, then you grab it as it comes out the other side of the machine. If you are particularly paranoid don't put your tray through the machine until you are ready to go through the metal detector (if there is a que).

The only time security will touch your stuff is if they select you for extra screening, in that case it's done by someone right in front of you.

Money belts in these situations advertise themselves to thief anyway. Keep the money (and passports) in a separate, non-de-script bag inside your hand lugagge.

Bronnie

I can see there is a small window of opportunity should your tray go ahead of you and you are delayed walking through the scanner.

I did feel slight anxiety about this, last time, my tray went through as the the woman in front of me was being searched, then I was searched . Travellers were still gathered at the end of the conveyer belt, putting on jewellery, belts etc, but that end of the belt wasn't specifically being closely monitored by staff. It's that womanly "never let your handbag out of your sight" feeling"!

thegirlintheattic's advice about holding back your tray is sensible.

Very chancy, but theoretically, someone could dip their hand into your tray, especially if they've sussed an elderly person behind , who may take a bit slower, but more likely to be a fellow traveller than Security and risky. On the other hand this sort of person does take risks.

interstellaflyer

Bronnie wrote: »

Very chancy, but theoretically, someone could dip their hand into your tray, especially if they've sussed an elderly person behind , who may take a bit slower, but more likely to be a fellow traveller than Security and risky. On the other hand this sort of person does take risks.

I could see it if the belt just went missing, someone could grab the belt and dissapear, but to unzip, take money and (presumably) zip it back up takes time, surely this would not go unoticed and would raise susspision, there are usually security people at both ends of the scanner.

I think the best advice would be, don't take holiday money in cash, use Travelers Cheques or a Pre Pay card, if you must take cash, only take the bare minimum, ie enough to get you by between the departure airport and your transfer coach/taxi.