Losing items while traveling is common, even for seasoned
travelers. It is so common, in fact, that travelers lose millions of personal
items each year, ranging from cell phones and laptops, to priceless jewelry and
beloved stuffed animals.
Some of these millions of items are returned, but their
return depends both on what item was left and where. For example, if you forget
expensive jewelry in a hotel safe, it’s much easier for the staff to track down
and return than if you leave your iPhone on the seat of a taxi in Manhattan.
Given our similarity to those busy taxi cabs – we move over eight
million passengers each year! – and the shared ride nature of our service, we
are not able to keep track of the personal possessions of individual passengers.
As a result, we are not responsible for items left behind. It is extremely
important that travelers keep a close eye on their personal items when using our
vans and at every point during travel.
The following tips are offered to help prevent even the most
experienced travelers from losing items while on the go.
Leave Valuables at Home
In some cases, this is easier said than done. For example, when
traveling on business, laptops and audio-video equipment are often essential
tools. For the rest of travelers, if you don’t need an item, it’s better not to
bring it.
It’s especially important to think twice about bringing anything
you’d considered irreplaceable. Costume jewelry makes a good substitute for
pearls and precious gems, and relying on the clock on your cell phone, instead
of Grandpa’s antique watch, means one less thing to worry about on your trip.
If you have a hard time leaving something behind, thinking
about how you would feel if it were lost or stolen might help.
Keep Valuables You
Must Carry Close By
It’s important to keep items such as money, credit cards and
IDs close to you at all times. Some expert travelers recommend distributing
money and credit cards throughout your luggage. In the event one is lost or
stolen, you’ll have another source of payment on which to rely.
While traveling abroad, carry a copy of your passport as ID and
keepthe actual passport locked in the hotel safe. A hidden money belt is ideal to
prevent pick pocketing while walking around, napping on a train, on a plane, or
during a layover.
Make Your Baggage
Stand Out
Since the majority of luggage is black, brown, or navy, and
of a standard size, adding bright patches, stickers, and luggage tags, can help
prevent others from grabbing your bag by mistake and help you spot your bag at
the luggage carousel, after your flight. In a pinch, a bright piece of ribbon
knotted to your handle also works.
Quick tip:
Chartreuse – the color of tennis balls – is the most visible color to the human
eye.
Keep Checking
The most important thing to do when traveling is to stay
alert. This is one case when it’s definitely okay to be a little obsessed; these
are your belongings, after all!
Constantly check for purses, briefcases, wallets, or other
valuables while taking airport transportation, walking around the airport, and
leaving the airplane.
If You DO Lose
Something
… Don’t just assume it’s lost forever; report it! Most major
airlines and hotels have large rooms or warehouses full of unclaimed
belongings. If you do lose an item, report it immediately. The quicker you
report it, the more likely it is that the item will be tracked down.
Additionally, some places auction off or sell unclaimed items after a certain
length of time. You probably don’t want to spot your missing items on the next
episode of Baggage
Battles, so be as proactive as possible.
How do you keep your
items (and yourself) safe while traveling?
We’d love to hear your tips and tricks! Post a comment below
and, one lucky traveler will win a SuperShuttle a one-way travel voucher.
-
Voucher Disclaimer: Voucher
can be redeemed for up to $35 in SuperShuttle Shared Ride van service. Voucher
will be made out in winner’s name and mailed via United States Postal Service,
so please use a valid name and email address on the comment form below.Vouchers
are good for up to one year from date of creation.
A winner will be selected using Random.org.
One entry per person. Winner will be contacted privately and announced in a
blog post, following the close of the contest.
Contest ends: Friday, February 1st, 2013, 5:00 PM (CST)
Posted
113 days ago by
Shauna 
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