6 Safety Tips for Solo Travel by Captain Jenn

I began flying 15 years ago “just for fun” but I now find myself in command of an Embraer 145 full time! In that time I went from a cubicle to the cockpit, and I’ve never looked back. Over the course of these articles, I hope to educate and share my love and passion for flying; to peel back the curtain to the general public of otherwise unseen components of aviation. There is a lot of misinformation, confusion, and regulations that can make for an unnecessarily frustrating travel experience. Travel should be fun! Let’s bring that back!

No travel is fun travel without safety and security. Yawn, boring, I know. But being able to move about in the world free from fear should be the norm, but unfortunately, that is not the case. If one tip reaches someone and assists them in not becoming a victim, that is a huge win! The following tips are for educational purposes and make no guarantees. You alone are ultimately responsible for your safety and security. Below are a few tips and tricks I have picked up along the way:

1. AIRTAGS

Air tags are cool, right? They help you find your lost bag. Well, that’s only if you put the air tag in/on your bag. If you get an alert on your iPhone that an air tag wants to connect with you, and it’s an unknown air tag, do not accept! It is an attempt by someone else to track YOU, quite literally!

2. LUGGAGE TAGS

Do NOT put your home address on a luggage tag where the information is visible from the outside. Flip it around so the blank side is out. Even doing this, I only put my email address on it. I know people who have been followed and received texts from strangers that obtained their info from their suitcase while sitting at a gate, in a people mover, or on a shuttle bus.

3. ROOM NUMBER

When checking in, the front desk should never say your room number out loud; they should only point to what they have written on the key envelope. If they do say your room number, and there are other travelers within earshot, don’t be afraid to ask for another room and request they not say the number out loud. They generally are trained not to do that, but people are human so politely ask for another room. Even if you feel the people around you appear “normal,” don’t judge a book by its cover or assume that just because you’re staying in a nice place you can let your guard down.

4. DOOR ALARM

There are many different ways you can create a door alarm to notify you if the door is opened. Some people even place a chair or their suitcase in front of the door.

5. TRUST YOUR GUT

If something doesn’t feel right, say something! If you feel like you are being followed, you probably are. If you’re alone in a hallway on your way to your room and get that feeling from someone else in that hallway, don’t go to your room. Instead, pretend you forgot something and go directly to the front desk.

6. SELF-DEFENSE

Even having the tools to get you out of a bad situation can be enough for you to walk with confidence and make you less of a target and less likely to need to call upon those tools. Think of it like insurance: it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!

Captain Jenn (pre-captain days)

@skyhighjenn

Captain Jenn is an Embraer 145 captain for a Part 135 operator. She is an Air Force vet with a life-long love of aviation. Jenn recently earned her ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certification. She has the privilege to do what she loves for a living.