My travel purse sounds like AlesssandraZoe's & I do similar to her... Wear it thru the airport, even on the flight (especiially on the outbound journey when I'm carrying a larger amount of cash). I don't leave stuff at my seat when I go into the bathroom on the flight, it's easy to keep with you.

Mine is this one
http://www.zappos.com/fossil-small-top-zip-medium-green

I've used it for years and MUCH better than those dorky plastic ticket holder things some people wear around their neck. Plus works very well as a city bag once you've arrived.

I know I said it before but PLEASE don't put valuables in the pocket of a backpack.

i agree with kerouac. I think going thru airport security is about the LAST place you need to worry about something being stolen.

Sure you need to keep you wits about you in airports so as not to misplace anything (people are always leaving stuff at the ticket counter or in a bathroom). My boss recently had his brand new fancy camera 'stolen' when he left it sitting beside him in a busy international airport, for example. Turned around and it was gone.

Besides airports I think people being careless is the time I hear the most stories of 'theft'. A purse set on a pile of luggage in a busy train station unattended, then surprise it's gone. Or looping the strap of your pocketbook over the back of a restaurant chair in a sidewalk cafe.

suze - that is a very cool bag- not quite my style but very functional.
Also, agree with you about vigilance in public areas. No need for going overboard, or letting paranoia get in the way of enjoying the trip, but a few simple practices are just common sense.

A backpack is the worst place to carry anything - esp anything valuable. In fact, I would encourage her not to carry a backpack at all - but a day pack that she can wear bandolier style across her chest - so you know where everything is.

As for holding passport and boarding pass in my hand - I have never had this be a problem - but there are a whole lot of airports I haven;t been in. If she can see they don;t allow this the documents should go in a very specific zipper pocket of whatever purse she is using.

And really, do try to discourage the backpack - it;s an invitation to theft.

(For business trips I just use my regular purse - that has a lot of zipper compartments inside. For vacation travel I use a Sportsac - IMHO the best thing ever made for vacation travel - study, weighs nothing, expands to carry a whole lot and has a lot of zipper compartments to keep things sorted out.)

kerouac, good post but remember:

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

Good sense is always good sense.

Allowing people "in power" to keep one from exercising good judgment is complete stupidity. Making oneself an obvious "rob me, I'm totally clueless" mark for thieves is equally stupid. And on the other hand, allowing fear of possibilities to inhabit travel is even more stupid.

I have been told in all seriousness--and this is by people who know we traveled to Paris frequently--NEVER to ride the Paris Metro. In the meantime, my kids were zipping up and down the Paris Metro by themselves at that point. I just kept my mouth shut in these conversations because nothing I could say would convince paranoids otherwise (I'm also sure all foreign toilet seats are dangerous in their minds; ergo, just hold until one makes it back to the US)

But it's equally stupid to be an open invitation to thieves who are looking for the stupid, the weak, and the immature.

My husband refuses to wear a money belt. Fine. But he never puts a wallet in his back pocket.

I always carry a day pack. It contains maps, an umbrella, an extra sweater, guide books, and a water bottle. If a thief wants that stuff, OK. My arthritic shoulders have a problem with the weight of a handbag and having this inconsequential and easily replaceable stuff stolen by a deft hand is a price I'm more than willing to pay. At the same time, I'm not going to be stupid and put my wallet in the zippered pocket outside the daypack.

It more often than not takes less than 30 seconds to watch your luggage go into the screening tunnel. The security guard can deal.

http://www.kevincoffey.com/airlines/...t_screeing.htm

I always carry my passport and boarding pass through security. More often than not, the security agents want to see one or both before letting people though anyway.

Theft at airport security is a lot less prevalent since only ticketed passengers can go through now, but it used to be a problem.

About 20 years ago, I was coming home from Europe thru Amsterdam Airport. After security, I went to bathroom and noticed my purse was not with me. I had my plane ticket in pocket, but passport and money were in purse. Needless to say, I had a mild heart attack right there. Went back to security, and there was the purse just sitting at the end of conveyor thing. I have never felt more relieved or like an IDIOT at the same time!

I think you're smart to prepare and advise your daughter. Cherrybomb might have been the type of teenager (no, they are not adults!) who never listened to anyone, and of course knew everything. I wonder why she(or he) even bothers to come on this Forum.

(Seamus) it's not really my every day style either. But it functions so perfectly for travel. basically I use it instead of a money belt, not instead of a purse. I also take a larger regular pocketbook/purse or fabric tote of some kind.

I'm not against daypacks to use as your day bag/carry-on, I think they function very well. just don't put valuables towards the top or in exterior pockets where someone could get at them.