Passports get lost very easily. Scores of them every day. Usually, in the tension of checking in or at Immigration and almost inevitably (for those who lose them) at duty free when you are sloshing in affection for waiting loved ones and buying all the stuff. Also, in the instant friendships that people make at airports, forged because they are going on the same plane. It defies logic but people tend to be trusting to the point of absurdity. They leave their hand bags with perfect strangers and trot off to shop or visit the toilet and often leave their boarding pass and passport on the chair. That must rank as the most ridiculous conduct possible, to go off while leaving the most important travel papers with a stranger because you shared a cold drink together or are going to the same destination.
Wise up. The headaches of losing a passport demand a little attention.
Learn the habit of checking at various points. Make that check list.
If you are traveling as a family remember that five passports can look like six and children can easily distract you. Then again, never place passports in the pocket in front of your aircraft seat. In fact, never place anything there because you will forget to take it. Also, if you put it into a zipped pocket of the bag ensure the zip is zipped and when you lift it out of a bin run your hand on the floor of the bin to ensure you haven’t left anything that has dropped out. Several times, that pouch spills documents and other things that slide to the back of the bin. And in our frenetic hurry to get out of the plane where manners are consigned to the winds and we push women and children to rush we would not think of something so sensible as checking out the end space.
So fine, you have done your best, but with two kids, a baby, a pram and a wife you are going a bit crazy and now you cannot locate the third kid’s passport and it was here a minute ago, of course you saw it, don’t think you are stupid but where is it now?
There are some obvious steps to take.
In case you realize after takeoff that it is missing inform the inflight purser at once.
The crew knows what to do. Don’t start flinging things about. If it isn’t where it should be, it has gone.
Trace your steps carefully, inform the crew where you could have possibly left it. Think back to the stops, especially the money changer, the pharmacy, the bookshop, when the baby needed a change,even the toilet.
If you discover the passport missing after check in but before takeoff inform the airline ground crew and they will move the authorities. If you leave it on the plane and get off immediately inform the receiving ground staff and do not try to return to the plane. The odds are you will get it back once the passengers have disembarked.
Finally, don’t feel foolish about checking and rechecking your documents. They’re yours. Remember that. So do it. Better to look stupid than sorry.
Also, always carry a copy of your passport with relevant visas.
Nothing is more embarrassing than fetching up without a passport and not even recalling its number. Ask yourself: do I know my passport number, date of issue and date of expiry?
If it is any comfort nine out ten passengers do not remember the details. That is why in airports where they have to fill in disembarkation and embarkation forms they have to refer to the passport. It is only common sense to have that copy of all the important pages because it will help a great deal if you are in a foreign country and you are reporting a loss to your embassy. It expedites things rather than wait about while the system tracks your passport because you cannot remember the number.
Most countries offer similar advisories. “To avoid being a target of crime, don't be too conspicuous with your documents. Not only do you risk having the passport stolen, but your other identification, credit cards and money as well. Take it out only when you need to provide it to officials. At all other times keep it on your person.
There are several travel accessories that can help keep your personal items safe. Companies offer money belts that can be worn around your waist, slipped around your neck or stashed away in a pants leg. For the extremely conscientious, there are even hydro-safe wallets so you can take your passport swimming with you!
Do not leave your passport in checked luggage (but do leave a photocopy of it in your luggage), a handbag or an exposed pocket. If possible, leave your passport in a hotel safe, not in an empty hotel room. And don’t fling it on the bed and then go into a jet lag sleep, it could get caught in the covers and be taken for a wash…talk about being cleaned out. One person should never carry all the passports for an entire group. Never lend your passport to anyone, use it as collateral or ask someone to hold it for you.”
