Air Travel

from Clayton's Personal Security Handbook

• Before leaving, give your office and spouse a complete itinerary of your flights and hotels.  Inform them of any changes in your itinerary.
• Luggage should not call attention to your status, company or affiliations.  Baggage tags should bear only your name and phone number.  Do not use company logos on luggage tags, shirts, jackets, bags or any other item that can be recognized.
• Pack and lock your own bags and know all of the contents.  Once packed, keep them locked and do not let them out of your custody until you check them at the airport.
• Do not take or carry any baggage or parcels from another person.
• Call the airline one hour before flight time to confirm departure schedule.
• Whenever possible, check your luggage at curbside rather than at the airline ticket counter.
• Await boarding in a secured area and do not leave your personal items alone.
• Avoid people receiving special attention from the airline.
• Select a seat on the aircraft near a wing and/or emergency exit.  Do not occupy seats on the aisle or near boarding entrances.
• Upon arrival, watch for anyone who appears to be surveilling the area or paying close attention to baggage tags in order to identify a target.  Stand back and survey the area.
• If being met at the airport, know the name(s) of the person(s) meeting you and get a rough physical description.  Do not accompany anyone who does not fit the description or claims to have been sent in place of the person you expected.
• If meeting another traveler at the airport, do not stand near waste containers, a typical location for an explosive device.  Also steer clear of unattended luggage or boxes.  If possible, tell your party to meet you in an access-controlled section like an airline club and wait there.
• If you notice an influx of uniformed security officers or policemen, quickly find and take shelter in a protected area, such as behind a support column, vending machine or upholstered furniture.  Locate the nearest emergency exits.  If evacuated in a group, take a position in the center of the group with as many people around you as possible.  Do not take the lead or straggle behind.