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Security is a broad topic in the PF world: how to guard against scams and fraud, financial security in retirement years, and being secure in our data storage and passwords. One area that gets only sometimes talked about see is security in our persons and home.
Situational or situation awareness could be strictly defined as knowing where you are, where you’re going and who is around you.
I tend to be fairly aware of my surroundings, especially in public places where there’s a potential for a snatch-and-grab or a light-fingered pickpocket to ply his skills, or worse. Perhaps that comes from having lived in some not-so-benign urban environments.
Apple Smuggling
Coming back from Korea last month, I had the numskull-edness to bring back a hotel courtesy apple in my backpack. Whenever there’s free food offered, especially fruit, I stick in my bags for an in-flight snack. This time, I forgot about it until I was in the passport line at immigration. Oh well, I thought, I didn’t check the box marked fruits and vegetables, I’ll just let it slide.
When the passport-stamping customs officer asked me a direct question though, did I bring back any food items, I reflexively answered “Why, yes I did, I forgot about the apple”. As he scrawled “1 Apple” across my customs form, his expression went from bored to guardedly peeved, and he asked why didn’t I just mark it on the form. Well, I forgot about it (true enough). I asked why were apples on the list, and he mouthed something in return about aphids and having to incinerate the apple. I bit back a snappy rejoinder about having some Korean ladybugs as a deterrent to Korean aphids, and went to get my bag.
Once diverted to the customs holding area reserved for troublemakers, I had to wait as my bag was scanned again, the offending fruit removed and my passport taken from and probably flagged in some government database as a subversive produce smuggler who talked too much. Some five minutes later when I walked to the flight connection area, I met up with my traveling companion, who knowing of my delay, had decided pause and wait for me just on the other side of the swinging doors leading out the customs area. He told me with some amusement that he had been told to move on along by a couple of agents, and when he told them he was waiting on me, had been politely escorted to the flight connection area. Ah, never mind.
LAX Sucks
By the way, for anyone traveling back to North America out of Asia, avoid Los Angeles airport like the plague. After sending our checked baggage through, we went out expecting to take some kind of internal train to the domestic terminal. We had to go from terminal 5 to terminal 7. No train, no trolley. There was a mythical transfer bus that allegedly ran from terminal to terminal. While the location of the bus stop might have not been secret and classified, it was certainly unencumbered by helpful signage. Never mind, it was a nice day, we had plenty of time to kill, so we decided to hang a right outside the door and walk on over to Terminal 7.
Some minutes into our walk, I noticed out the corner of my eye a tall young man pacing us, about 20 feet back and to my left, curbside. Athletic black male, casual clothes, cool shades, no luggage. I looked back again after a couple minutes, Shades is still back of us. I told my friend to hold up a sec, I need to check my Blackberry. We stopped for a bit, and Shades walked on ahead. A few hundred yards ahead, there he was, standing by a smoking bench having a cigarette.
As we walked on to Terminal 7, Shades followed, this time about 100 feet back. When we got the lower level of the terminal, my friend lets-call-him-Bob went into the restroom for a pit stop. In walks Shades, and also goes into the men’s room. By this time, I’m vaguely suspicious, and decide to go in to wash my hands. Could be a coincidence. But there he is, taking a leak two urinals down from Bob. I wash and dry, go on out and wait for Bob. Bob comes out, we wait around while I answer an email on the Blackberry, and a few seconds later Shades comes out and heads down the corridor towards the baggage claims. When we get down there ourselves, he’s leaning up against a post, watching a carousel spit out bags.
Well, we’re inside the terminal now, I’m a little more relaxed. I guess if the guy wants to follow us upstairs to ticket check and through security, up to him. But he didn’t. The funny thing was, when I asked Bob if he’d noticed the guy, he said, what guy? The guy with the sunglasses, blue t-shirt, blue shorts, and yellow wristband that was taking a leak right next to you, and that had been following us since at least Terminal 6. That guy. Nope, didn’t notice him.
Was I Paranoid?
Now, I could have just imagined the whole thing. Nothing happened. “Shades” could have been just some guy going about his day. He didn’t look like a criminal type, clean-cut and well-groomed as he was. On the other hand, I told this story to a law enforcement friend, and his opinion was that it sure sounded like basic surveillance and tailing techniques. This seems excessive but I suppose plausible, considering my attempted apple smuggling and Bob’s mild insistence on waiting in an alleged restricted and unposted area.
The point is that in busy public places, I think it’s important to be aware of people and surroundings and situations, what’s behind you and what’s ahead.
My friend Bob had not the slightest notion that the guy standing next to him in the restroom could have made him out for an easy mark. Muggings in bathrooms are not that frequent but they do happen. After all, we men make an inviting target standing there with our back to others, not paying attention to our bags, and in a decidedly vulnerable situation with our willies hanging out.
There’s a lot of things we can do to act more secure in potentially unfriendly surroundings. Just google “situational awareness security” and all kinds of helpful links pop out. The prescriptions are as common-sense as they are plentiful: don’t walk by dark hallways, plan your route, know where you’re going, act like you belong, and avoid groups of loiterers. All sensible advice, but difficult to internalize if you’ve never had a reason to. Although Bob is a professional engineer, he’s also a country boy, born and raised. Never had a reason to develop these skills.
What do you think, readers, was I being paranoid overly careful, or just situationally aware? After reading this, do you think that “Shades” was just a guy, a potential criminal, or some some type of airport security engaging in surveillance?
Did you enjoy the story? I have a few more stories of near-misses and reflections on personal security, enough to make a series out of it, if readers are interested.
Thanks for reading and dropping in. I would be terminally grateful to anyone that subscribed to this blog via RSS Feed, Email or follow on Twitter.
I think you were just being aware. I think an airport would be a really easy way to get something stolen. People are so distracted and confused.
I love your security posts, keep them coming.
I love that the apple had to be incinerated. Good thing you didn’t smuggle a puppy…
Kris @ Everyday Tips recently posted..Questioning the Panic Over Under-Water Mortgages
Interesting you say that. Puppy Chow in Korea has a whole different meaning…
As a former probation officer, I am usually hyperaware of my surroundings. I notice everything and sometimes will be paranoid for no reason. However, I think that your alertness in this situation was absolutely warranted.
Jana @ Daily Money Shot recently posted..Ignoring the red flags is a bad idea
Makes sense, as a probation office you’re probably formally trained to spot people and situations, yes?
Seems to me like you were just paying attention – and the bad part about this was that your friend wasnt! then it makes you feel like a total wierdo.
Jeff @ Sustainable life blog recently posted..Weekly Links: Snow Edition
Correct! After I mentioned the guy, Bob looked at me a little funny – no doubt matching my own look.
I am naurally more aware when I am in a public place, but you sound paranoid. One of the reasons they do not want you to bring in food is it could affect our huge agricultural business in California and the U.S.
krantcents recently posted..How to Ace Lunch Interviews?
Hi KrantCents, Paraphrasing a favorite permaculture-type saying from guru Bill Mollison, all species are native to this planet. Kudzu, for example, while seemingly intent on swallowing the southern United States, is great fodder for pigs and for compost piles.
So I don’t get too worked up about imported apples. I doubt that the same fruit-by-fruit federal quality control process gets applied to the thousands of containers of produce that are imported from South America in wintertime.
The North American ladybugs in my garden could take on any South Korean aphids, and totally kick their ass seven ways from Sunday.
Absolutely not being paranoid. Great observation. I too find myself being aware of my surroundings… but that has to do with spending a summer supervising naive Americans in Latin America. Plus, I learned my lesson young when I walked through gang territory in Brazil and was stopped by a Brazilian police officer.
20′s Finances recently posted..Obama’s Finances: How to Solve the Debt Crisis
Hey Corey, good points about keeping a low profile in Brazil, and other similar countries. North Americans do tend to be a little la-te-dah overseas, at least in my personal experience. So what happened with the Brazilian police officer? Makes for a good blog post.
I think you were just using your travel smarts. Airports are crawling with people and they are also usually very crammed leaving it easy for someone to grab something out of your pocket without you noticing. It is sad there are thieves to begin with but since there are we need to be smart. I am always observing what is going on around me.
Miss T @ Prairie Eco-Thrifter recently posted..How to Save Money at the Supermarket
Hi Miss T – I’m slightly more aware *outside* the terminal, where access is easier, then inside past the screening check. Although, being inside the terminal can lead to a false sense of security. Check out this wake-up video on theft at depature gates… Scams of Christmas Airport PickPockets
You may be paranoid, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never be right. A healthy dose of skepticism goes a long way to protect yourself.
Roshawn @ Watson Inc recently posted..Too Frugal For Your Own Good
Hi Roshawn – even a stopped clock is right twice a day, right?
[...] 101 Cetavos – Situational Awareness [...]
Just some classic street smarts on your part. The guy was probably being opportunistic and targeted you guys for whatever reason. However the opportunity never came up because you were eying him too closely. Crisis averted.
LAX does suck but my worst experiences have been in Europe airports actually.
First Gen American recently posted..Low Cost Activism
Hi FGA – Charles De Gaulle aiport in Paris was also not-so-very-good.
Sorry for the apple 101, I had to let go of 2 mini bottles of french red wine because they weren’t small enough to be accepted in my handbag snif snif ;(
You never know when your awareness pays off, I must admit I am as paranoid as you!
BeatingTheIndex recently posted..Investing in Oil: 5 Junior Oil Stocks for 2012
Man, I’d rather lose a piece of fruit than two bottles of wine.
I’m sure there are times that I’m less vigilant than I should be, but like you I’ve lived in some dicey areas and keep a close eye on what’s going on around me.
I haven’t been in LAX before, so I can’t comment on how good/bad it is, but I would put Miami International Airport up at the top of the worst international airport list. Coming back from Ecuador last year it was hellish. We had to take a tiny two car “train” from the gate to Passport Control (just imagine more than one 747 unloading passengers into two little airport transport trains such as those used in Atlanta). Passport control is laid out in a cramped hallway with confusing signage that only allows for very short lines. I had to fight my way through lines of non-US passport holders to get to the US line which was the way back of the hallway. Then onwards to the cramped luggage carousels where one is impeded in claiming luggage due to the long line of people waiting to get through Customs. I could go on about the experience of being shuttled from line to line to transfer to the US connection point, but I’ll end here. It was awful, awful, awful.
Linda recently posted..Rough week
Hi Linda – thanks for the tip, that sounds like a ghastly experience. I’ve had our travel service try to route us through Miami on our way to Brazil. Luckily, the connections just haven’t worked out. Now I’ll have another reason to nix it.
Who knows what that guy was up to! The fact was he was acting suspiciously and you noticed him.
I’m more aware of my surrounding then when I was younger but I’m also more cynical!
Molly (Mike and Molly’s House) recently posted..Halloween Miscellaney
Hi Molly – I know that I was much less situation aware when I was younger and stupider.
Apple smuggling is serious crime 101C!
MoneyCone recently posted..HOWTO Do A 401K Rollover Correctly
I am a bad person, MC.
You want paranoid? If someone stands too close to me in a crowded area I imagine they are trying to steal something from my bag. If someone is wearing a very long coat, I start to wonder if they a gun. You are not paranoid. You are a great observer!
Aloysa recently posted..The Most Expensive Six Hour Layover I Ever Had
Hi Aloysa – agree with someone standing too close and trying to distract. As for guns, sorry to make you more nervous, but all it takes to conceal effectively is a loose shirt.
[...] Situational Awareness (smuggling an apple and getting tailed) (101 Centavos) [...]
[...] 101 Centavos is an apple smuggler and an apple killer, but that is beside the point. Read about how two people in the same situation notice different things in an airport (or notice nothing at all)… [...]
[...] Situational Awareness (smuggling an apple and getting tailed) (101 Centavos) [...]
[...] Centavos: Situational Awareness 101 proves that security is a very serious matter at airports and other security checkpoints theses [...]
Your friend Bob sounds like me. I’m a little too unaware. I need to turn it up a notch. My wife is super attentive and it kind of works out. Is your wife like you or Bob in terms of awareness?
Buck Inspire recently posted..The Rum Diary: Absolutely Nothing In Moderation
Mrs. 101 is a total Bob, especially in parking lots. Like most couples, we balance out.