Comments on: Dude, Is That A Passport In Your Pants, Or Are You Just Happy To See Me? (Citation: CLB)

By: Omar Pradhan

Omar Pradhan — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:59:25 +0000

I like Dan Harris’ suggestion to upload a copy to the web (attachment to Hotmail, etc.). Also, I will plan on bringing a copy of our class itinerary, airline info, important phone numbers (credit card cancelation numbers, embassy numbers, Carr text / mobile number, etc.). I have a neck pouch and will utilize it to keep my actual passport & visa with me at all times. Also, given my state department / DOD training, I should add that traveling in a group is a helpful way to NOT be seen as an “easy” target, whenever possible. Good stuff.

By: Anthony Kallioinen

Anthony Kallioinen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:22:25 +0000

This is an important issues for foreigners (especially when they ‘look’ like foreigners) studying or traveling abroad. I’ve heard many horror stories of people having their wallets/money/passports stolen. (From gypsies throwing fake babies to grab someone’s attention while someone else robs them, to a robber dashing on and off of a train at a station and stealing someone’s money while they are stuck guarding the rest of their belongings) Basically, there are many ways for us to be hoodwinked abroad. I have even heard about the not-so-subtle pickpockets who simply use a knife to open backpacking bags in public in broad daylight. The point being, I have developed a system to minimize the damage if something like this happens to me. I keep two sources of cash/cards/identity on me while traveling and copies at my base camp. I generally keep my actual passport and a credit card in my breast pocket and my wallet in my back pocket with my side-bag covering that pocket. (I’ve actually had my wallet taken out of that pocket by a pick-pocket but since I felt it I was able to grab it back from him!)

To the argument of not keeping one’s real passport on them while traveling (and keeping it in the hotel room instead) I’ve had friends who have had their hotel rooms/apartments abroad robbed. The reason your real passport is good to have on you, is that I have been told by many hotels that they do not accept copies, only the real thing. The best way not to get taken advantage of is to be vigilant and proactively do not make yourself a target for pick-pockets. The police are another matter.

By: J Vail

J Vail — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:26:15 +0000

I have taken a few trips internationally, but I didn’t put enough of an emphasis on protecting my personal information and carried my passport on me. I think the other posters sold me on a neck pouch – that seems to be the best balance of convenience and safety. I am going to try to avoid carrying a backpack and travel light, as I have heard similar tales of them being cut open or picked through.

By: JP Salazar

JP Salazar — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 07:32:44 +0000

There are two questions that come to mind on this topic:
1. Has the climate surrounding random checks and visa crack downs eased up now that the Olympics have passed?
2. Are we really at that much risk in this particular instance?
I can understand the desire of the Chinese government to crack down on such issues with events on the horizon that will be played out on the world stage. There were legitimate security threats leading up to the Olympic Games and part of mitigating those issues is cracking down on visa enforcement. But now that the event has passed, will a group of American students, traveling together, sporting Cal Poly polos really be seen as threats and necessitate random stops? I just don’t see that happening, although I could be dead wrong.
While I do not have much experience traveling abroad, I have picked up some good habits for protecting my belongings. The first rule (for guys) is to never keep your belongings in your back pocket. This is hard for me as I usually carry my wallet in my back pocket, but I know how easy it is to lift something from that position. The second rule I follow is to keep anything important directly next to my body. Jackets, backpacks, and handbags can be gotten into quicker than you would believe without your knowledge. It is very common for a thief to carry a razor blade and simply slice any fabric to get to your valuables. In a crowded area, this can be done without you noticing in just a couple of seconds. I am still not sure what I will be doing with my passport on this trip. When I have traveled with it before, I kept a copy on my person and left the originals in the safe in my hotel room. I am interested to know if the rooms we will be staying in China will be equipped with a safe.

By: Dan N

Dan N — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:39:09 +0000

While it’s important to be responsible about documentation, this isn’t something that anyone should feel anxiety about. In fact, there is nothing about this trip that anyone should feel anxiety about. Actually, let me restate, as long as you don’t do anything stupid then you have nothing to fear, ie just use common sense. Take risks at home, not when you are in China and under the care of the university. Passports? The neck pouch, money belt is probably the way to go when we are likely to be in crowded areas. When touring factories/businesses, I think it’s probably a bit excessive.

The thing for the anxious ones to remember is, if you lose your passport, you go to the US Embassy and get a new one. It’s as simple as that. Sure it’ll be an inconvenience, and Vickie will probably give you the look of death for being so careless. But you aren’t going to end up in a Chinese prison indefinitely for such a crime. Think of it as an adventure, a story you can tell your grandiose someday.

By: j hurley

j hurley — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 19:10:18 +0000

When I travel I always pack my passport with me at all times…right in my front pocket. However, just to make sure I take pictures of it with my cell phone and email myself a copy.
I have heard too many stories about leaving the real deal in your room and having it stolen…
As long as simple precautions are taken, I have never had a problem. However, I am constantly feeling my pockets to make sure my belongings are still where they should be.

By: Ashley Ogden

Ashley Ogden — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:25:52 +0000

Wow, random checks for foreigners. Before this blog I hadn’t realized that this occurred. I guess it makes sense for them to be so strict, especially when this post came out, before the Olympics. When I studied abroad in Australia, I made three copies of my passport. I took two copies with me to Australia and the original and I left one copy with my Mom in the US in case something happened. It wasn’t necessary to carry your original with you there, but I usually carried a copy in my wallet. I will probably do the same in China. My question is whether the original will be safe if I leave it somewhere? Couldn’t just as easily get stolen if it is not on your person? Either way I will be extra cautious with such an important document.

By: Robbin Forsyth

Robbin Forsyth — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 06:32:41 +0000

Original documents on my person at all times during actual travel.
Original documents locked in hotel safe during stay at a given hotel.
Color copies of passport, visa and plane tickets on person while originals are locked up. Adding the FAQ documents for the class to this list is a good addition well.
I will also have color scans of all of the same documents on Dropbox just in case…
With that said, I’ve never had a problem with documents or robbery while traveling and I going to assume this trip will not be any different.
The enforcement of visas is new to me. You simply cannot get into the country without a legitimate visa and if you stay in country on a tourist visa to work, you most live with the consequences if caught.
I’ve been looking around the web and I have not been able to find any info on visa crackdowns on tourists in China since the olympics in 2008. Having a multiple entry tourist visa, confirmed itinerary and return plane ticket should be more than enough to eliminate any problems with the Chinese authorities.

By: Tyler Sereno

Tyler Sereno — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:16:50 +0000

This blog post made me realize that I really need to start making a plan on how to manage my passport and other important documents. I plan to make copies of everything and have electronic copies as well. I have always heard how careful you must be with your passport when traveling out of the country. A friend of mine lost her passport while on a train in Italy and she had to go through a long process. My dad carried a fanny pack with a lock on it that held all of his valuables when he went to Italy, so I will probably ask him to borrow it. This is definitely a serious issue and it is good that it is addressed.

By: Kristine Spencer

Kristine Spencer — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 04:56:00 +0000

I don’t think that taking crazy precautions is paranoid at all, because from my travels I have seen multiple tourists get mugged, robbed by groups of people working together, and their passport stolen. I have carried a scanned copy of my passport on me before, but an emailed pdf is something I will definitely do for China. I will also be utilizing the safe in the hotel if there is one. I will definitely use one of those dorky under-the-shirt protectors because I don’t like carrying things in my pockets. I always travel with either a backpack or a cross-shoulder purse so I can have a good hold of my other things. Another thing to consider is how much cash to have on hand. I feel uncomfortable carrying too much cash, but I have also heard that using credit/debit cards is not very safe in China.