Be Careful When Flying Abroad! Forgetting One Thing at Airport Security Could Mean You Can't Board – Many People Get This Wrong

Summer is peak travel season for Taiwanese tourists, but travelers must stay alert at airport security! A netizen recently warned others not to place their passport alone in the security tray, as it could completely vanish within seconds during X-ray screening—potentially leading to being unable to board. The post sparked widespread discussion, raising the question: how can such incidents be prevented?

Airport Security Scare in Denmark: Passport Mysteriously Disappears

A tour guide shared a harrowing experience on Threads while leading a group. At an airport in Denmark, a group member casually placed their passport and boarding pass into a security tray for X-ray screening. Shockingly, after the tray passed through, the documents had vanished into thin air! The traveler immediately panicked and asked the security staff, who shrugged innocently and claimed to have no idea. The person involved said everyone broke into a cold sweat—losing identification overseas is no small matter and could lead to being stranded, disrupting the entire group’s itinerary.

Fortunately, the guide and the group didn’t give up. They insisted on repeatedly questioning staff and checking with other employees. After persistent inquiries, the same security officer who initially claimed ignorance suddenly produced the traveler’s passport and boarding pass and returned them. The guide later said the entire incident was utterly baffling.

Netizens Share Similar Experiences: Even Japanese Airports Are Not Immune

The post quickly ignited a wave of discussion online. Many users chimed in, sharing their own similar experiences:

### Amsterdam Airport, Netherlands

One user said their phone nearly disappeared: "We were at Amsterdam Airport in the Netherlands. Our brand-new iPhone, placed in the tray, vanished the moment it went through security. We argued on the spot for a long time before staff from another checkpoint magically brought it back. It was completely bizarre."

### Narita Airport, Japan

Even Japan, a country many Taiwanese trust deeply, isn’t immune. One user shared that at Narita Airport, they deliberately placed their passport under their bag, yet it still mysteriously disappeared after X-ray screening. The user, still shaken, said: "I always thought putting items in the tray was standard procedure, but it actually disappeared. From now on, I’ll always tuck my passport deep inside my bag and zip it up."

### Rome Airport, Italy

Another user reported their neck pillow disappeared after screening: "My expensive neck pillow vanished from the tray after going through X-ray. When I went back to ask security, they said they didn’t see it?!"

Airport Security: 3 Key Tips to Avoid Trouble

Losing your passport at the airport could mean canceling your trip and suffering major losses. To prevent important items like passports from disappearing during screening, netizens and travel experts have compiled three practical tips:

### Never Place Alone

Never toss lightweight, valuable items like passports, ID cards, or boarding passes alone into large plastic trays. Because documents are small, they can easily slip into tray gaps or be taken by someone with ill intent.

### Place in Your Carry-On Bag

The safest method is to put your passport into a zipped inner compartment of your carry-on bag before entering security. Alternatively, place all documents into a secure pouch and send the entire pouch through screening—this prevents documents from flying away and makes post-screening organization easier.

### Check Immediately

After passing through the metal detector, immediately check your valuables and confirm everything is present before leaving the security area.

Next time you travel by plane, remember to take one extra step to protect your documents!

This article is reprinted with permission from Hong Kong 01 (Original title: Airport Security Taboo: Don’t Place Passport Alone in Tray During X-ray! Netizens Reveal Mysterious Disappearances)

Editor: Lin Li