THE “worst mistake” passengers make with their passports during a flight has been revealed.
Unlucky travellers end up missing out on holidays when they unknowingly make this major blunder when flying.
One holidaymaker was left in a panic after his young son misplaced his passport on an Air France flight.
He had entrusted his kid with the responsibility of the document but was filled with regret when the family disembarked the aircraft.
They realised he had left the precious passport in his seat-back pocket on their flight from Orlando to Paris.
When they tried to get back on the aircraft to retrieve the 11-year-old’s document, they were denied entry.
Stress ensued as the family questioned how they would be able to make it through customs.
However, after consulting a gate agent, they were eventually allowed back on the aircraft and found the passport behind the seat, as reported in Forbes.
Around 400,000 UK passports are reported lost or stolen each year, according to data from 2018.
Another bad place for the documents are in our own back pockets, according to Jeremy Murchland, president of Seven Corners Travel Insurance.
He said while back pockets may seem convenient, your risk of being pick-pocketed is far higher.
While calling our back pockets one of the “worst places” for passports, he recommended a hotel safe as the most secure location.
Experts have also recommended hiding your passport when you carry it on your person.
Adam St. John, CEO of Sitata, said he stores valuables like his passport and spare cash in a hidden zipper pocket built into his luggage lining.
Others often use a money belt or inner pockets of a backpack to keep their passport safe.
An alternate way to ensure your documents safety is by taking a photo of the main page.
Julie Ann Hargett, a luxury travel adviser, said by taking a photo, you can leave your passport safely in the hotel while you’re away.
This is likely to work for when you’re shopping and want to get a VAT refund.
However, even if they require a physical passport, she recommended taking it in a money belt but also to make a copy of the passport to keep in your hotel safe.
That way, if your passport is lost or stolen, it’ll be easier to get a replacement if you have a picture of it.
Everything you need to know about passports
