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Why You Should Always Print Your Boarding Pass Before a Flight—and How to Store It Properly
Why You Should Always Print Your Boarding Pass Before a Flight—and How to Store It Properly

Travel + Leisure

timean hour ago

  • Travel + Leisure

Why You Should Always Print Your Boarding Pass Before a Flight—and How to Store It Properly

The key to smooth, easy travel days is preparedness, and while society has undoubtedly come to rely heavily on technology over the last several years, there are some remnants of the past that are still integral to your travels. Exhibit A: printed boarding passes. While mobile boarding passes are a convenient and accessible way to have one of your most important travel documents at the ready, technology isn't infallible. Without a printed boarding pass, you run the risk of holding up the line if your phone dies or malfunctions before you make it to the gate. Adam Scott, founder of BermudAir previously told Travel + Leisure , 'In some international airports, mobile service or Wi-Fi access may be limited,' adding, 'Having a physical copy on hand helps avoid unnecessary stress and ensures a smooth check-in and boarding experience from start to finish. " However, if a rogue piece of paper is just about the last thing you want to be burdened with when juggling your luggage and other in-flight essentials, a handy storage solution can pave the way to a smooth travel day while keeping all your documents organized and accessible. Below, we've rounded up the 10 best pouches for boarding passes and passports to streamline your experience from check-in to the gate, starting at just $8 at Amazon. From belt bags to leather wallets, these are the accessories your packing list has been missing. With slots to hold your boarding pass, passport, and even your driver's license, this slim travel wallet covers all the bases for keeping your documents protected yet accessible. The exterior is made from a luxurious nappa leather that feels buttery soft and smooth to the touch, and it's fitted with RFID-blocking technology to ward off would-be thieves. It's compact enough to fit into your go-to purse or belt bag so you can use it as your wallet throughout the duration of your trip. Plus, the bifold design firmly holds your boarding pass inside so it's readily available when it comes time to head to the gate. Right now, grab it on sale for nearly 30 percent off. Designed with maximalist travelers in mind, this zippered document holder is the perfect place to store your physical boarding pass and other travel essentials, and the slim design will easily slide into your personal item with ample room to spare. The interior of the pouch is fitted with a number of slots for your passport, cards, and cash—and it even has enough space to safely hold your phone. Meanwhile, the exterior is fitted with a snug, easy access pocket that's the best place to keep your boarding pass, and it comes with detachable neck and wrist straps for carrying convenience. For longer vacations or international travel, this organizer is your best choice. Keeping your boarding pass safe doesn't necessarily require a large storage case, so instead, this slim booklet-style protector is a great alternative at just $10. It's still fitted with handy pockets for other travel documents and cash, but the lack of zippers makes it easier to flip open in a hurry to locate exactly what you need. It's lined with RFID-blocking technology to ward off potential theft, and it's so slim that it'll take up even less space than a wallet in your purse. Plus, it's adored by shoppers, with one traveler sharing that it's the 'perfect place for boarding passes.' This shockingly compact passport holder is small enough to fit into a coat pocket, purse, or personal item, making it an obvious selection for safely holding your boarding pass while heading through the airport. The sturdy nylon exterior is water-resistant and RFID-protected, and its secure zippers can safely holdan AirTag inside to keep track of your belongings during the chaos of a travel day. It's designed for long-term use thanks to ripstop material and durable zippers, and it's so valued by other travelers that more than 1,000 customers have snagged one from Amazon in the last month. If you're on the hunt for a more general travel pouch that can also store essential documents, the Vorolo fanny pack should be at the top of your shopping list while it's on sale for just $8. The adjustable strap means it can be worn across your body or slung around your waist, and it comes in so many fun and neutral colors that will add personality to your travel wardrobe. The main compartment is large enough to hold your wallet, a portable fan, and other in-flight essentials (along with your boarding pass, of course), and it even comes with a subtle back pocket for easy access. A best-seller at Amazon, this well-crafted, vibrant passport holder can easily store your boarding pass—and at $10 it's a drop in the bucket of your travel funds. Secured with a simple snap mechanism, the sleek design of this travel booklet will keep everything from your passport to spare SIM cards safe, and you can even slot an AirTag into one of the many pockets if you're especially prone to losing things during your travels. Tuck it into your fanny pack or favorite purse and your documents will always be easy to access, plus its bright red hue will make it a cinch to find in a packed personal item. Bypass rummaging through your bag altogether and instead opt for this slim money belt that ensures you know where your boarding pass is at all times. Its waterproof exterior is a must-have in the summer heat, plus it's made with RFID-blocking technology to keep your cards and other personal information protected. The adjustable waist strap can be extended up to 56 inches for a comfortable fit that doesn't squeeze or pinch, and the primary pocket is large enough to tuck your boarding pass into without folding it. Did we mention it's on sale for just $20? If you're looking for maximum storage space for not only your boarding pass but also the rest of your in-flight essentials, this four-pocket fanny pack is a must-have—and it's so popular that more than 20,000 shoppers have scored one in the last month. The hidden back pocket sits directly against your body, so it's the safest place to keep either your phone or passport, while the primary pocket is surprisingly roomy yet maintains a slim profile. Since you're limited to one carry-on and one personal item while flying, this fanny pack will easily slot into one of your other bags when preparing to board your flight, all while making it a breeze to locate your boarding pass. At just $10, the Topbag Passport Holder is a bargain considering how much space it provides for holding your travel essentials from the airport and beyond. Not only is the front pocket the ideal location to tuck your boarding pass for easy access at the gate, but the interior is stacked with so many pockets for your cards, IDs, and even cash. The exterior is waterproof, so you can rest assured that everything is protected from inclement weather, plus it boasts RFID-blocking technology for an extra layer of security. Uninspired by its gray hue? This passport holder also comes in 10 other pastel colors that will easily add personality to your gear selection. Paper-thin and thoughtfully designed, the Spigen Life Passport Card Cover Holder is an elevated document protection system that's currently on sale for $30 at Amazon. A locking mechanism keeps the case firmly shut when not in use, and it's fitted with so many thoughtful features like a SIM card slot, a SIM ejector pin, a pen holder, and a ticket pocket. A D-ring at the top of the pouch allows you to connect it to the inside of a large bag with a carabiner or clip, and you can affix an AirTag to the exterior for added peace of mind. Either way, you can trust that you have a convenient place to store your physical boarding pass and any other documents you may need throughout the duration of your trip. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Expert: What you should do if an active shooter storms your building
Expert: What you should do if an active shooter storms your building

Daily Mail​

timea day ago

  • Daily Mail​

Expert: What you should do if an active shooter storms your building

But tragically, it does, as the world was reminded this week when a gunman stormed the Blackstone building reportedly hunting NFL staff. Active shooters have taken aim at unsuspecting victims everywhere from offices and salons to schools and nightclubs. And the key to survival, experts say, is preparedness and awareness. Law enforcement officials across the US train civilians how to react in active shooter situations, which occur about once every three weeks, according to the FBI. Speaking in 2017 after the horrific Las Vegas massacre, instructor Louis Rapoli - who spent 25 years with the NYPD - said: 'We're trying to program that hard drive in the brain, so when something does happen, people will have a response planned and have something to do should a critical incident happen. While he was assigned to the School Counter-terrorism unit, he conducted threat assessments and investigations and trained law enforcement and civilians in active shooter response. 'Avoid, Deny, Defend' may sound like common sense, but in a panic, people often aren't thinking clearly; it helps, instructors insist, to have the strategy firmly embedded in their memories beforehand. First, civilians stuck in an active shooter situation should try to get as far away from the attacker as possible: that's the 'avoid' instruction. If that's not an option, however, they need to 'deny' access to their location, ideally locking a door, creating a barricade and turning off the lights. Even a belt can be used to jam a doorway, for example. Most active shooters want to kill as many people as possible in the shortest space of time, Mr Rapoli said. 'People that are in locked locations don't tend to get killed in active shooter events,' he said, describing such attackers as looking for the 'path of least resistance … they're like water.' Finally, if there's no way to avoid or deny the shooter, potential victims need to defend themselves – using whatever means necessary and looking around for anything that could be used as a weapon. Retired Sgt Rapoli used an example of how most police officers, when in a restaurant, will sit near the kitchen; not only does that offer access to a secondary exit, but the kitchen also offers 'weapons' in the form of knives, pots, pans and other items. He teaches the CRASE course around the country, which focuses heavily on one thing: action. ALERRT never advises playing dead as a strategy and uses the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting as a case study to show that rooms that played dead had higher fatalities. But tragedies such as the Las Vegas massacre offer their own unique challenges - particularly if victims can't locate the origin of the gunfire. The 'Avoid, Deny, Defend' strategy still applies, Mr Adcock said, but it's all about 'finding yourself in a position where you can… look for something that would provide a hard cover ballistic protection to deny them access to you.' Referring to the Las Vegas shooting, he said: 'Where they were at, you could see quite a few of the barricades are just lattice-type bar steelwork that really did not provide a solid barrier. 'So avoiding, trying to move out of the affected area, getting out of range of the affected area is going to be the biggest thing. 'So yes, Avoid, Deny Defend still applies, but how do you defend yourself against something like that?' he said of the Vegas gunman's high location. He added: 'Being that it's a very flat area out there and the overview of the concert venue from Mandalay Bay is unobstructed, there's really nothing … so moving further away, outside the venue, putting vehicles or other barriers between you and the affected area, is going to be your only option on that one.' If a gunman opens fire from the ground at such a crowded event, he said: 'If you're in very close proximity – we're talking, you know, arm's distance, even small room distance – or avoiding is not going to be an option, you may have to go, 'Avoiding or denying is not an option.' 'You may have to go immediately to the defend mode and try to somewhat take the fight to the attacker, get your hands on the weapon. 'If it's a firearm, try to get the weapon pointed to a direction where it can't cause you or anyone else harm.' If one person begins to act in self-defense, he said, other potential victims also often step up in an effort overpower the attacker. 'Once you have started the defense process, normally you're going to see that other people will pile on and help you out – so it's an immediate trying to enlist others to save themselves,' he said. Civilians also need to learn what gunshots sound like, instructors said, even if that just means playing an audio file to groups being taught by law enforcement officials. Instructors urge vigilance and warn against the complacency that comes with routine. 'Don't think that nothing can happen,' Mr Rapoli said. 'I think people need to go into this with an open mind and realize that anything can happen … to be prepared, rather than to not be prepared. 'If you're not prepared, you're going to default to your training, which is nothing – and then bad things are going to happen. 'So I would say everybody should open their minds and say, 'Hey, this can happen' – and be prepared.'

What I Pack in My Go Bag to Stay Ready for Any Natural Disaster
What I Pack in My Go Bag to Stay Ready for Any Natural Disaster

CNET

time16-07-2025

  • CNET

What I Pack in My Go Bag to Stay Ready for Any Natural Disaster

Floodwaters are rising. A fire has broken out next door. A tornado siren blares overhead. In a crisis, every second counts and every decision matters. Having a fully stocked emergency go bag means you won't be scrambling to find critical supplies, medications or documents when it's time to evacuate quickly. I live on the Gulf Coast in Florida in a town that's been hit hard by hurricanes in the past. With a new hurricane season underway as of June 1, I'm more on guard than ever. Hurricanes are nothing new to me -- I grew up near the water in North Carolina, where my parents still live -- but even still, news of a developing storm gets me anxious. That's why I'm always prepared with a bag of essentials. I've built my trusty emergency go bag from hard-won experience, including during last year's hurricanes Helene and Milton. (And this bag isn't just for hurricane preparation -- my sister lives in Oklahoma and has assembled her own go bag based on my recommendations for tornadoes.) Trust me: Having a bag ready can make a chaotic, terrifying moment a little more manageable. Read also: Tornadoes, Floods, Wildfires, Intruders: 4 Ways Your Phone Can Help in an Emergency What is a go bag, and why you definitely need one A go bag (also called a bugout bag) is a backpack or small duffel packed with essentials that you, your family and your pets might need in the hours or days after a natural disaster forces you to leave home. Emergency officials, especially in hurricane- or fire-prone areas, urge every household to have at least one on standby. Ideally, each family member has their own. That way, you're not lugging one massive bag or making heartbreaking choices about what stays behind. Why you should pack a go bag now Many disasters give us some forewarning, while others strike without mercy or notice. Even with a forecast, evacuation orders can come suddenly. You'll want to be ready to leave at a moment's notice if you live in areas that regularly face: CNET Hurricanes or tropical storms Flash floods Mudslides Tornadoes Earthquakes Wildfires Ice storms Tsunamis What to pack in your emergency go bag Here's a checklist of items to include in your go bag: Go bag essentials: Water filter bottle Flashlight (solar or crank-powered) Nonperishable food (MREs or calorie-dense freeze-dried meals) Personal hygiene items (soap, toilet paper, toothbrush, etc., in waterproof bags) First aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, meds) Phone charger and portable power bank (for either iPhones or Androids) Spare batteries Work gloves Medications and copies of prescriptions Important documents (IDs, insurance, passports, birth certificates in a waterproof bag) House and car keys Map and compass (don't rely on GPS) Cash (small bills and coins) Go bag extras: Paracord (strong, compact and versatile) Carabiners (for attaching gear) Whistle (to signal for help) Fire-starting tools (lighter, waterproof matches) Dust mask Blanket (vacuum-sealed to save space) Change of clothes and a poncho Sunscreen Family photo (for ID purposes, in waterproof bag) USB drive with digital copies of family photos Paper, pens and tape (for leaving messages) Other key considerations in case of an emergency Now that you know the vital items you should pack in an emergency, here are a few additional things to consider. Skip the gallons of water and pack a water filter instead Most emergency kits recommend storing three days' worth of water at home. But carrying that much water during an evacuation may not be realistic, especially if you're on foot. Instead, pack a water purification bottle like the LifeStraw Go Bottle or the Grayl GeoPress. These filter bacteria and contaminants from ponds, ditches or even puddles, turning sketchy water into a drinkable backup source. Both bottles can clip to the outside of your bag to save room. Just be sure to read the instructions since many filters must be primed with clean water before use. Opt for a solar flashlight A power outage is almost guaranteed during a major storm. Instead of packing batteries that may run out or get soaked, opt for a solar or crank-powered flashlight, such as the ThorFire LED Flashlight. Bonus points if it doubles as an AM/FM radio for weather updates. Don't forget your pets In the chaos of an evacuation, it's easy to overlook your pets' needs, but they rely on you just as much as children do. Whether you're evacuating for a few hours or a few days, packing an emergency kit for your animals is essential for their health, comfort and safety. Here's what to include in your pet's go bag: At least three days of pet food (stored in airtight containers or zip bags) Collapsible food and water bowls Treats (they'll need comfort, too) Pet ID tags with current phone numbers Microchip info, in case your pet gets separated from you Vaccination records and proof of ownership (these may be required at hotels) A secure leash and harness Crate or carrier labeled with your name and contact info A blanket or small bed with a familiar scent Toys or chews to ease anxiety during travel Waste bags for dogs Litter box and litter for cats (a small, disposable tray works well, too) Medications and dosage instructions Pet-safe wipes or a towel for quick cleanups How to choose the right go bag The best go bag is the one you can actually carry. Don't grab a giant duffel unless you're confident you can haul it long distances. A sturdy hiking backpack made from water-resistant canvas with padded shoulder straps and a chest strap is ideal. Look for one with lots of compartments and, if possible, a built-in water reservoir, also known as a hydration pack or CamelBak. One great option we recommend is the Sandpiper of California bugout backpack, which is durable, roomy and designed for quick evacuation. Additional resources Climate change is making hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters stronger and more frequent. Preparation is no longer optional -- it's essential. Taking a few hours to assemble and safely store a go bag could save lives, reduce stress and make evacuation just a little bit easier. While the devastation of these events can be harrowing, there are many steps you can take to protect yourself, your home and your loved ones from a natural disaster. Here are some additional resources: Hopefully, your go bag is something you'll never need. But if the day comes when you do, may it be ready, reliable and right where you need it.

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