All air travelers go through the tight security procedures in airports. They also need to submit their luggage or suitcases for inspection to prove that they are not carrying any prohibited and illegal items.

Prohibited items such as water bottles or gels will either be confiscated or the bearer will be asked to discard it himself. Being caught with an illegal item (such as drugs and weapons) is another matter as it has serious consequences such as questioning, detention, being blacklisted and being denied to travel.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should particularly be conscious of the items that are not allowed as they would often fill their luggage with so much stuff since their work contracts require lengthy stay.

Be aware that your luggage will be out of your sight once it is checked in and it can be tampered. Luggage tampering make innocent people suffer and surprisingly it is very easy to do. Often, a victim will only be aware that his luggage has been tampered when he is approach by the security personnel.

So how can a traveler avoid being a victim? Check out these tips from WorkAbroad.ph Facebook Fan Page:

•  Huwag ipagkatiwala ang inyong bagahe sa ibang tao lalo na sa mga di authorized personnel ng airport.
• Maging alerto sa iyong paligid.
• Ingatan ang gamit. Huwag itong ilagay o ipatong sa kung saan-saan.
• Ang mga importanteng dokumento, pera at ilang gadgets ay ilagay sa inyong hand-carry bags.
• Sakaling may lumapit na indibidwal at nakikiusap na makisabay ng padala, huwag itong tanggapin (ito po ay para maiwasan ang drug trafficking).
• Huwag gumamit ng mga sub-standard na mga maleta/bags.
• Sakaling iche-check ang iyong bagahe, huwag pumayag na hindi mo ito makikita habang chine-check.
• Magdala lang ng mga mahahalagang gamit upang maiwasan ang napakaraming bitbitin.
• Focus. Huwag ilayo ang focus sa iyong mga dala-dalahin lalo na kung nandon lahat ng mga importante mong kagamitan.

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