Safe Travels for the Modern PT or Business Traveler: Part 1

Posted on April 20, 2009

a Guest Post by Grandpa, Editor in chief of The Second Passport Report

“I used to ask my students whether it is better to be held up by a street thug or by your own government. That’s irrelevant now. You get both.”    Dr. Mark Skousen

PTs tend to spend a great deal of time travelling using all forms of conveyances. Travel is fun and usually safe, but seasoned travellers still have some tips. It is better you do not learn these tips by not following them!

IN TRANSIT

As an anonymous tourist, you are very unlikely to be threatened with serious crime such as kidnapping. Kidnappers usually know their victims before they do the deed. They want politicians or prominent businessmen, people with money and influence. Regular tourists are almost never kidnapped.

But in some lawless areas like Africa or parts of South East Asia, where a white skin is rare, whites can be victims. The same applies to wilder parts of Russia like Chechnya and Ingoushetnia.

You do need to be very aware of burglary, muggings and also armed robberies. In Mexico, all of Central and South America and the more extreme parts of Eastern Europe, hold-ups or pickpocketing can occur when in crowds, when stopped in your car at a traffic light or when using public transport, such as buses.

While in transit, you should have ready sacrificial items that the bandits would be satisfied with, such as a fake brand name watch, small amounts of cash and a give-away decoy wallet with fake or expired driving license and expired credit cards.

Keep the real items well concealed in a thigh money belt or bra-money-belt for the girls. Have the sacrificial wallet in your usual pocket and the give-away watch on your wrist. Bandits are always in a hurry. Normally they won’t do strip or pat down search of their victims – especially those who readily give up their wallets.

Never leave valuables in parked cars. Avoid leaving anything that could even look like valuables, such as empty briefcases, backpacks, CDs or attractive sunglasses. People will break in for them causing a lot of inconvenience and necessitating repairs more expensive than the items stolen. This problem is particularly prevalent in European cities. Car radios and cameras left in the glove box are typical targets.

THEFT FROM MOVING CARS AND HIJACKING

Having an old car does not mean it won’t be stolen. Some crooks steal cheap cars, ‘chopping’ them for parts. Some crooks will try to rob even poor looking people. But it’s a question of lowering your visibility, increasing the bother and raising the risk for the thief — thereby lowering your odds of being targeted. It’s the same process as dealing with governments! Rich looking people are juicier targets than poor slobs.

Generally, only very high value cars are hijacked while being driven. However popular smaller models, for example the high-end VW Golfs, are also popular targets. There’s not a lot you can do to prevent carjacking except installation of various electronic equipment that will, for example, immobilize the car, lock the doors and sound the alarm after a certain distance if a pocket transmitter is not in the driver’s pocket. But that does not prevent the crime – it merely helps you recover the car, which is secondary.

Bottom Line?  Any anti theft device can be overcome by experienced professionals. Yet since most thefts are by amateurs who see a fortuitous opportunity, by being careful and using anti-theft devices you can avoid most thefts.

You should always keep your windows closed and doors locked when driving in crowded cities. Avoid keeping valuables such as purses on the passenger seat next to you. Don’t put valuables in easy reach for somebody on a motorcycle to drive by and smash the passenger window. Pay particular attention at traffic lights and where vendors, window-washers, etc., congregate. Never open or unlock the doors or windows even if someone starts banging on the glass. At that stage you have a good chance of just driving off unless, of course, they are armed with a gun. In such a case, you should not resist.

Some people keep a realistic looking toy gun in their cars. I would not, as some thieves will want to steal the gun! Not to mention the problems it could cause with police.

A common type of theft in Brazil and much of Latin America is the intersection trick. When a car is stopped at a light, thieves run up to the car, smash the window and rob the driver/passengers at gunpoint or knifepoint. Since Sao Paolo has major traffic problems, cars are often stuck in jams. The same could be said of the French Riviera or Miami. Tourist cars are the usual target – thieves will follow victims from the airport.

Sometimes, however, a high profile can be of help. One day in Sao Paolo, thieves decided to rob a stretch limo. The limo stopped at a light, the robber smashed the window, stuck his head and gun in the car only to discover that the passenger in the car was Pele! Pele is the closest thing to God in Brazil other than God himself. The thief apologised profusely and ran away, not wanting to rob Pele – knowing that in Brazil, if he were caught, there would certainly be a lynch mob waiting for him.

Keep a mobile phone with you in your car so you can summon help or report trouble. After looking for bugs and explosives, check tires, lights, the horn and be sure your petrol tank is full and not leaking. A flat tire or a slow leak can place you in a critical and vulnerable position.

Always keep your car (or boat or plane) in optimum running condition. Getting stuck in a bad neighborhood or being ‘rescued’ by pirates is not a scenario you should thrust yourself into.

The above warnings apply equally when travelling in taxis. Be sure to keep doors and windows firmly locked.

IF YOU ARE BEING FOLLOWED

It is imperative to shake or avoid anyone who may be following you. Your tail may have a number of techniques. If it is Big Brother, they may use several vehicles or even aircraft to keep track of you. Often doubling back on yourself can throw pursuers off your tail. If you are in your car, or are a passenger in a taxi, and feel threatened by followers, lead them into a congested traffic area. Stop the car, get out and walk away quickly. Rush into a crowded subway and get on a train if possible.

In a big city, waiting until the doors of your subway train start to close before exiting can help you spot a stalker or tail. Get on a train going in the opposite direction. Keep changing trains until your tail has dropped off.

NEVER, EVER LEAVE YOUR POSSESSIONS IN A PARKED CAR – FOR ANY REASON

This news item was recently heard by one of our readers on Monaco’s English language radio station,  Riviera Radio.

The radio broadcast many an appeal that night to return the car and possessions, but they were never seen again. Locals helped out the family with a free place to stay and old clothes. As the result of the radio appeal, other locals chipped in with enough dough for them to get back to the UK. But their vacation was spoiled!

How could this (relatively rare) event have been avoided? By using the techniques previously mentioned, to make it more difficult for potential robbers. My guess is that the camper wasn’t even locked! It certainly didn’t have a ten euro steering wheel anti-theft ‘Mamouth’ device that discourages most car thieves.

The moral of the story is that you don’t have to go to Afghanistan, the Peshawar Pass or even to Mexico to be robbed. And you don’t have to be ostentatiously displaying wealth.  It can happen anywhere. It can usually be avoided by simply being aware of the possibilities and taking simple precautions to avoid it.

ON THE STREET

In unfamiliar cities or countries, there are two golden rules:

1. Be prepared
2. Blend in

Being prepared means reading up on a country before you get there.  Escape Artist and Offshore World both have lots of articles on countries. There are also of course good guide books to most places which you can read through in an hour or two. They will give you good information on local customs and what to expect on arrival.

Remember, collaboration with the enemy is one of the worst offences. When you advertise your target potential, that is exactly what you are doing. By following the usual ‘low profile’ PT rule you will avoid most trouble.

At all times, try to present an outward appearance of being a typical, respectable, middle class person. Avoid overt signs of wealth such as expensive watches and jewellery. Also avoid weird costumes or get up that may attract negative attention. Many people will pick a fight with a skinhead or ‘flaming’ gay who would be left alone if he looked and acted more conventional.

Less obvious is that you should avoid standing out as a tourist. For example if you are in a hot country but all the locals are wearing long pants, you should avoid plaid Bermuda shorts. At best it makes you stand out from the crowd. At worst, in some countries, dressing strangely might be taken as a serious religious affront. This would be especially true of women who show too much skin or dress too sexy for the fundamentalist locals. Be aware of local sensitivities!

Strangers about whom you know little should be assumed to be dangerous until proven otherwise. That may sound like overkill until examined under the light of effective security. But many swindlers gain the confidence of tourists and even invite them out for drinks. Sometimes the trusting soul gets a ‘micky’ in his drink. They wake up robbed and raped – if they wake up at all.

Avoid overly friendly people who seem to be cultivating you. Don’t compromise your privacy and security. Don’t go off to just any stranger’s home. Keep everyone at arm’s length until their background and character are known. There is no harm in asking to see a new friend’s passport or identification, and then emailing or texting that information to a friend. If you casually mention what you have done (in a nice friendly way) to your new ‘friend’ if he has evil intentions, you will be dropped like a hot potato.

The same approach is required in strange places. If you find yourself in a sleazy dive with dangerous looking characters at the bar, get out fast. Avoid neighborhoods with graffiti on the walls or young punks idling on the sidewalks. When there is even the slightest doubt about a place, avoid it. There is never a good reason for putting yourself in jeopardy.

Observation is the best way to learn. Look at what the local people are wearing from head to toe. Try to follow their examples. When they eat, where they go, what they drive, how they pay for things, etc. Every little detail counts when you are trying to blend in.

Key items to avoid in most parts of the world are big obvious cameras, baseball hats, shorts, sneakers or tennis shoes, American t-shirts, backpacks and loud English. On the other hand, if you are trying to blend in on a Florida beach, those things are exactly the camouflage you need! Adapt everything to circumstances and above all use common sense.

We have all developed habits that call unnecessary attention to ourselves. Eliminate them in your own conduct. Loud, rude and boisterous conduct is to be avoided.

In part 2, next week, Grandpa covers ATM  machine safety, Carrying Important Documents Internationallyand What to Do If you Have to Fight Back. Also, learn about Carrying Guns for Self Defence. If you would like to learn more about Grandpa and his material, visit http://www.byebyebigbrother.com

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