The “worst mistake” passengers can make with their passports during a flight has been revealed. Unfortunate travellers often miss out on holidays due to this significant oversight.
One holidaymaker experienced a moment of panic when his young son lost his passport on an Air France flight. The father had entrusted his child with the document, only to regret it when they left the plane.
They discovered that the crucial passport was left in the seat-back pocket on their flight from Orlando to Paris. When they attempted to re-board the aircraft to retrieve the 11 year old’s passport, they were denied entry, the Sun reported.
Stress followed as the family wondered how they would navigate customs. However, after speaking with a gate agent, they were eventually allowed back on the plane and found the passport behind the seat, as reported by Forbes.
Approximately 400,000 UK passports are reported lost or stolen each year, according to 2018 data. Another risky place for passports is our own back pockets, says Jeremy Murchland, president of Seven Corners Travel Insurance.
He warned that while back pockets may seem convenient, the risk of being pick-pocketed is significantly higher. Describing our back pockets as one of the “worst places” for passports, he suggested a hotel safe as the safest location.
Experts also advise keeping your passport hidden when carrying it on your person. Adam St.John, CEO of Sitata, revealed that he stores valuable. Items such as passports and spare cash can be stashed away in a hidden zipper pocket built into the lining of your luggage. Some travellers prefer to use a money belt or the inner pockets of a backpack for safekeeping their passport.
Another method to safeguard your documents is by snapping a photo of the main page. Luxury travel adviser, Julie Ann Hargett, suggests that by doing so, you can leave your passport securely at the hotel while you’re out and about.
This method is particularly useful when shopping and seeking a VAT refund. However, if a physical passport is required, she advises carrying it in a money belt and also making a copy to store in your hotel safe.
In case of loss or theft, having a picture of your passport will make obtaining a replacement much easier. UK Passport holders have been warned that they should be checking their passports now to make sure there is enough time left on them – with three months necessary in some places.
EasyJet said on its website: “Please check your passport’s expiry and issue date before you travel. If you’re a UK passport holder travelling to the EU (except Ireland), or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, the Vatican City or Switzerland, your passport will need to meet the following criteria:
“It must be no more than 10 years’ old on the date of travel to the EU or above countries. It must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to depart from the EU or above countries*
“Many countries have rules around the required amount of time remaining on them before expiration, with some requiring three months, others six.”