Is everyone watching the new glamorous and enticing Pan Am show on ABC? It certainly has stirred our fantasies about flying and travel… And more than that, I find that people are very curious about how it really is flying around the world as a crew member.

I’m asked all sorts of questions: What are my best insider tips and tricks? How do I stay safe when traveling and especially in hotels? What are my do’s and don’ts? What’s interesting is that when I give them my “hotel room to-do check list,” people act a bit surprised. That’s when I decided to ask a few of my frequent flyer friends and see what they do when they first get to their room.

My favorite response came from a worldly and savvy business woman. In a very matter of fact way, she said ”I go straight to my window and see what my view is like!” I bet most of you would agree that that’s as important as the quality of your room (I’m right there with you… I took this photo last month, an intoxicating view of Venice from my hotel room). So I let her in on what I was taught from day 1 as a crew member, and it is my routine to this day. I assured her that ”if you do these things (and it takes just a few minutes) you will have peace of mind that your room is clean, safe, and properly stocked”. [Read more →]

I’ve addressed these tips to women because we females, at times, feel more vulnerable when we’re on our own, but I must say that (possibly excepting the handbag) most of them apply equally to men.

In fact, men may be less concerned about their own safety, which could ironically put them at even greater risk. If I am traveling alone, here are 9 things I do so that I can relax and enjoy my adventure!

1.    The more you stand out, the smarter you need to be. If you’re a blue-eyed blonde in Turkey, for example, you’re clearly a tourist, so be alert about not putting yourself in a bad spot. It’s really just a matter of using your common sense and not doing things when you’re abroad that you’d never dream of doing at home. When you are out and about, if single consider wearing a ring that looks like a wedding band. Women often travel with their spouses, so it sends a message that you may not be traveling alone.

2.    If you’re carrying a map, don’t be obvious about it and “wave” it around, effectively announcing that you’re a tourist who isn’t familiar with the city. Keep your map folded and try to be discrete when you consult it. If you ask for directions, be aware of what the person you ask is doing with his or her hands. I remember one time in Amsterdam, looking at a map to figure out where I was going and suddenly, out of nowhere, and completely unsolicited, a woman came up on my left and started pointing to the map with her left hand while her right hand was trying to dig into my purse. Luckily I was alert enough to stop her  in time, but the incident just made me all the more aware that not every so-called good Samaritans really has your best interests at heart.

3.     Always walk with an air of confidence and a sense of purpose—as if you know exactly where you’re going even if you don’t. Looking lost, out of your element, or confused will give the signal that you are an easy target. [Read more →]

Young adults by the thousands are setting off to all corners of the world. Some of them will be venturing forth on their own for the first time, and safety may be the last thing on their mind.

It’s great to be footloose and carefree, but In-Flight Insider also wants to keep everyone safe so that you can enjoy the journey. Following a few simple rules and taking some common-sense precautions can actually allow young travelers the freedom to be adventurous while also respecting the customs of their host country and protecting themselves without cramping their style.

1. Be aware of local customs. There are now numerous websites that provide useful information about the customs of virtually every country in the world. Something as innocent as chewing gum has been outlawed in Singapore. Being aware of these different customs in advance not only shows respect but also allows for a more positive and satisfying travel experience because you’ll be better able to meet and interact with the local population.

2. Know the dress code. It is only polite in countries where women are dressed modestly, to dress in kind which means no short shorts or midriff-baring tee shirts. And in most European countries, if you’re visiting a church, even as a tourist, you’ll be expected to cover your arms. Again, it’s a question of showing respect for your host, or in this case the host country where you are a guest. [Read more →]

The years that I was a crew member, I was a member of the “family,” and we all took care of one another. These are the precautions I learned to take and have now adapted to traveling on my own.

I don’t want anyone to feel paranoid, but I also believe that taking these precautions will go a long way toward relieving any anxiety about being alone in a strange location.

1.     When you check in, ask a hotel staff member to accompany you to your room, especially if it’s late or if your room is in a remote location, and ask him or her to remain with you while you check the room for safety and locate the emergency exits.

2.     Check to be sure that the peep hole has not been reversed, which means that someone on the outside could be looking in at you rather than vice versa.

3.     Whenever you return to your room, look around to be sure no one is lurking nearby before you open the door. And if you do see someone, get back on the elevator, return to the lobby, and report it to the front desk. One of the biggest, brawniest, and most experienced flight attendants I know was attacked from behind while opening his door, robbed of his cash, passport, valuables and left in his room with a concussion. He felt invincible. Truth is, it can happen to anyone who isn’t paying attention. [Read more →]

These safety precautions are useful for everyone, but I think they’re particularly important to have in place if you’re going to be traveling alone.

I’ve traveled to all sorts of places by myself, so I’ve learned what to do/not to do and how to take care of myself. When I was in Dubai (even though it is considered very “Western”), for example, where some women are covered from head to toe, I found that I was uncomfortable, even inside my hotel, just wearing a short-sleeved dress. So I quickly learned to cover my arms—for my own comfort as well as that of the people whose country I was visiting. Here are 7 ways I’ve found to make myself feel safer—and therefore better able to enjoy myself—wherever I am in the world.

1. Be mindful of how open you are about your plans—particular departure and return dates. Especially if you use a social networking site such as Facebook, you can’t be sure of exactly who has access to your site or the information on it. You simply don’t want to advertise exactly when you’ll be away and your home will be vacant.
2. Make sure you’re aware of the travel benefits or Concierge Services on the credit card you use to book your flight and hotels. What kind of travel insurance do you get? Can you change your flight plans without incurring penalties? Can you change hotels easily? You don’t want to get stuck in a place you’re not happy just because it’s going to cost you more to leave.
3. Always carry a few hundred dollars in cash (the currency of your destination) so that you don’t have to hunt for an ATM in a strange city at the last minute if you need to take a taxi or discover that a restaurant doesn’t take credit cards. Particularly in Europe, ATMs are not always readily available or well stocked, and you could wind up in an unsavory or unsafe neighborhood trying to locate one that works. [Read more →]

All travelers need to think about safety—that’s just common sense. When you’re traveling with children, however, it’s particularly important for you to plan ahead. I certainly don’t want to make you uneasy about taking your kids on vacation—just the opposite.

If you have safety plans in place you’ll be able to relax and enjoy your vacation. So here are 5 tips for basic safety I believe everyone should have in place.

1.   Have a designated meeting place outside your hotel. If you’re separated for any reason—you might be in the restaurant having dinner while the kids are in your room—and there’s a fire drill or some other emergency that causes guests to be evacuated, having a spot to meet that’s close enough for the children to get to safely will avoid a great deal of potential confusion and unnecessary panic. [Read more →]

Sometimes those of us who travel the most are the people most likely to get careless. We’re pros, after all. We do this all the time. And if we haven’t yet had a bad experience or an emergency, we begin to think we never will. So the following 5 tips are just a reminder that whenever you’re traveling, it’s better to play it safe so that you don’t wind up being sorry.

1. Be smart about guarding your personal information. Being friendly is nice but sharing too much with strangers is foolish.

2. Plan for emergencies. Whether you’re traveling with business colleagues, family, or friends, decide on a spot where you’ll meet should you be separated or have to evacuate your hotel.

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Most of us assume that while we’re in the air our belongings are safe—after all, a thief would have no way to escape the scene of the crime. But most in-flight theft isn’t discovered until the plane has landed, passengers have disembarked, and it’s virtually impossible to identify and track down the thief. So the best thing you can do is to safeguard your valuables at all times.

1. Don’t put your passport, money, credit cards, or jewelry in your carry-on or stow your purse in an overhead bin. If possible keep your valuables on your person—in a pocket, a money belt, or even in your shoe. If you do have a purse, keep it close to you so that you’d be aware if someone were trying to open it. And take your purse and/or your valuables with you whenever you leave your seat.

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It used to be that all you had to worry about losing when you traveled was your luggage, your wallet, and your passport. With all the new technology, however, you actually have much more to lose. The problem is that when you log onto the Internet you may inadvertently be connecting with a cyber thief.

If you’re using a shared computer in a hotel, you could be leaving a cyber trail. Both Apple and Microsoft include tools for covering your tracks. (On Apple’s Safari browser menu, toggle “Private Browsing.” When you log off Microsoft Explorer go to Tools and click on Delete Browsing History to remove your passwords and the websites you’ve visited.) But that may not be enough because there may already be malware (malicious software) someone else has put in place to grab your passwords and other information.

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