A TRAVEL expert has revealed an extremely useful tip for frequent flyers to avoid in-flight thefts.
Chances are that while flying, you have more valuables on you than you ever would on any normal day – and this tip will help you secure them.
Travel experts advise not to keep your luggage in the locker above your head[/caption]
Cabin thefts are more common than people think – and stealers usually go for the bags filled with valuables such as wallets, laptops and cameras, cash and important documents including passports.
However, travel expert Jonathan Frankham, General Manager UK at World Nomads Travel Insurance, has shared an extremely useful tip to avoid such scenarios.
“It’s a calculated gamble on the part [of the thieves], exploiting travellers’ sense of security once snugly seated on board,” he said.
“Yet, it’s during these moments – the buzz of mealtimes, the dimming of lights, or those quick dashes to the loo – that thieves might try their luck.”
Jonathan advised flyers not to keep cabin luggage in the locker just above their heads during long flights.
He suggests that doing so prevents flyers from keeping an eye on their luggage, giving thieves a chance to nose into the luggage.
He said: “Store larger bags in overhead lockers to keep them safe.
“If the space is available, it can be useful to place them across the aisle so you can easily see if anyone is foraging through them who shouldn’t be.”
The expert also advised to keep mobiles, wallets, passports and cash in your pockets always in sight – and avoid leaving them unattended in any case.
“The best practice is to use a secure waist pouch or carry them in your pocket.
“Avoid leaving them unattended altogether and always keep them in sight. This not only minimises the risk of theft but also ensures that insurance claims are not negatively impacted due to negligence.”
It comes after a flight attendant revealed the reason passengers should always book the 5am flight.
With Brits already booking their summer holidays, many might find picking the earliest flight off-putting.
But an experienced flight attendant is urging Brits to do exactly that.
Caroline took to social media to explain why you should always drag yourself out of bed early for a holiday.
The Fort Lauderdale worker said people often opt for evening flights hoping to dodge delays.
However, she advised travellers to book their flights as early as possible to get the stressful travel part out of the way.
In an Instagram video, she said: “I know you don’t want to wake up at three in the morning to catch a 5 am flight.
“But I promise you the earlier your flight is, the smoother everything is going to go.”
Passengers can also get cheaper and improved chances of getting a better seat.
This is because of the increased demand for seats on flights at more convenient times.
Elsewhere, an expert has shared some useful tips to cure sickness while flying.
Feeling sick on a plane is never an ideal situation – but with limited resources and tight space, it becomes even harder to remediate.
Dr Danielle Qing, an internal medicine specialist at Mount Sinai, said passengers should never walk around a plane or stand up if they’re feeling sick.
Dr Qing advised travellers to stay seated instead, as it helps to keep their centre of gravity low.
“Keep your head down and eyes closed. Having your centre of gravity a little lower can help you feel less dizzy,” she explained.
It is also recommended to avoid looking at screens – try to fall asleep instead.
If you struggle to sleep, then opt for audiobooks or podcast to replace visual entertainment.
Doctors also recommend eating a little bit of food to stop queasiness.
When feeling sick, food might be the last thing that you’d want – but in some cases, it can actually help.
A small amount of bland food could take away some of the nausea, experts say.
If you experience vomiting or diarrhoea, then go for the BRAT diet – banana, rice, applesauce and toast.
But even a little bit of crackers or bread could go a long way in curing the nausea.