Tips to Keep Your Car Safe While Parked at the Airport

A friend of my friend told me once at an event that he went on a business trip to LA. When he came back, his car window was completely smashed.  

Thankfully there wasn’t any valuable stuff, just a bunch of a few keychains and pens and a pair of earbuds he had forgotten to take on his flight. But the attempt alone freaked him out. It wasn't normal for him. And he definitely wasn’t expecting anything like this to occur, especially after giving a hefty parking fee to the airport parking facility.  

That made me realize something: Airport parking is not safe at all. It’s expensive, and the security is not 100% guaranteed.  

And do you know what the real cost of all this was? The lesson is that most of the car break-ins at different airports are 100% preventable.  

Here’s something I learned after hearing from that guy. 

The minds of thieves at airport parking  

When you look at the people who could commit this theft, you will get to know that these are smart people.  

And it’s pretty simple. You’re gone for some days at least. And they know it's not going to take some hours but actually long days to see you return, so they have ample time.  

And another thing they are aware of is that they know you could have left some important stuff, so they should at least give it a go. Plus, you as a traveler could be late and in a hurry. So, you could leave something behind in your vehicle at the parking lot.  

Here are some tips to make sure you do not become the victim of car theft.  

#1 The Invisible Car Strategy.  

When you leave your car, it’s not that you’re leaving valuables. The real threat lies in leaving evidence that there could be some valuables left behind.  

There are certain items that indicate this: 

• Smartphone chargers that are often plugged in outlets 
• Marks of GPS suction car cups on vehicle windshields 
• Coffee cup holders with new cups placed in them 
• A car dashboard having different business cards scattered over it.  

It is important to know that carrying valuable items is not a problem. It leaves traces that you could be having any valuables, hence removing any doubts and triggers attempting a theft in your car when you’re gone.  

In simple words, make your car look like there’s nothing worth it.  

#2 Trunk Loader  

This is advice that’s quite common in terms of car safety, but surprisingly, not many people know this. And it is this: 

Never ever load your car trunk at the airport.  

The departure areas are watched by the criminals. When you’re at the departure area, you can easily be seen transferring your luggage and valuables. You are vulnerable. When potential criminals see you, they know where your stuff is.  

Here’s a how-to guide on how to do it right: 

• When loading your trunk, do it at your home and not the airport.  
• When you drive to the airport, make sure that the passenger compartment is empty.  
• You simply park and then walk away to the airport without the need to open your car’s trunk.  

This is obvious, but I’m personally amazed to see how many people take this entirely for granted. This therefore puts them at huge risk.  

#3 Choosing your parking spot like an expert 

One thing to know is that all parking spaces are not equal.  

Let me tell you about what I call the safety hierarchy.  

When you say that a parking spot is fae, it means that the spot falls under bright lights. IT is under 24/7 security cameras. Shuttle stops are nearby and easy to access.  

A bit less safe is a parking spot in areas that are well-lit, if not directly falling under bright lights. The traffic near is good too. It’s crowded, so it’s not too silent.  

And then there’s this parking area that is risky. It has dark corners; the whole section is isolated and is located far from main traffic routes and walkways. 

And in the end, there is a spot that is extremely dangerous to park your car in. The number of garages is limited. And the area has no proper surveillance cameras.  

The best way to look out for the ideal airport parking spot is to simply arrive early.  

#4 Decoy Strategy  

Hear me out. When you visit the airport, make sure you leave nothing valuable in your car. But here’s the thing: make it look intentional and not suspicious.  

This is to say that when a vehicle is empty, it seems good, but at the same time, it seems that it has been left unintentionally for travel, which creates suspicions. However, a car left with a few items that are worth nothing gives the idea that there’s less likely to be any item of value in that particular car.  

When a car seems too clean, it gives the impression that there might be something of value hidden in it.  

• There are certain things that could do the work for you: 
• Some magazines or newspapers were placed on seats.  
• Things like water bottles, receipts, and umbrellas 

When you do this, your vehicle will not look valuable, hence making it less of a target for criminals.  

#5 Taking Pictures of Your Car 

One of the best car safety tips for airport parking in my opinion. When you park your car and are about to leave, make sure you take photos from different angles of your vehicle. When you’re doing this, don’t forget to include the location of the vehicle and the timestamps.  

This comes in handy for the insurance if something happens to your vehicle. This way, you will be able to show your car’s condition before and after the incident.  

These 15 minutes protect thousands of dollars in potential losses. 

More importantly, they eliminate the stress of wondering, "Is my car okay?" While you're trying to enjoy your trip. 

The truth is that airport parking taught me about security, and as a frequent traveler myself, I try to be cautious. Know that in order to keep yourself protected, you don't necessarily have to invest money; you just simply need to be smart.