Travelling by plane
When travelling by air, similar to ground, never leave your merchandise unattended. It is crucial not to check your jewellery as baggage, even if it means you have to reduce the amount of samples you bring so you can carry your line with you in a special attaché case. Jewellery checked as baggage may not be covered by insurance. There are very good reasons airlines warn travellers not to check their valuables.
At busy airports, contact security and request a private screening. If that isn’t possible, approach the airport security checkpoint with caution. Do not place your line on the X-ray conveyor belt until the area is clear and no one can block you from walking through the metal detector to receive your merchandise when it clears scanning on the other side. A common ploy involves one thief deliberately blocking you while his or her accomplice grabs your line as it comes off the belt.
When making your travel reservations, request an aisle seat on the plane so you can remain as close to your line as possible if you must place it in the overhead bin. If possible, ask to board early with guests who need special handling and store your line under the seat in front of you. If your line does not fit under the seat, place it in the overhead bin and ensure you can clearly see everything that is taken out of that bin. Stay alert throughout the flight and retrieve your merchandise as soon as the plane has landed and the flight attendant permits it.
The bottom line
Professional criminals are waiting for you to make a mistake while travelling. Wherever you’re headed and however you’re getting there, these four tips are essential to increase your safety on the road:
- plan ahead;
- carry a manageable line;
- never leave your merchandise unattended; and
- assume you are a target.
If you are confronted by a criminal, do as you are told and focus on your personal safety. Your line is not worth your life.
David J. Sexton, CPCU, is vice-president of loss prevention consulting at Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group in the United States. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Sexton serves on the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Security Systems Council, where he is a corporate member of the insurance category. He also sits on the board of directors for Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC) and worked on the Central Station Alarm Association’s (CSAA’s) Insurance Liaison Committee, which assisted in the development of the UL burglar alarm modular certificate program and revised UL standard. Comments and questions can be sent to lossprevention@jminsure.com.
For resources regarding safety and security when carrying or working with jewellery, visit JewelersMutual.com. Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group is the only company specializing exclusively in jewellery insurance in Canada and the United States. It is licensed in Canada and all 50 states.
