Hotels

The Hotel and Transportation Committee works with management to investigate Flight Attendants’ concerns related to hotel facilities and transportation and periodically checks for any change in the quality of accommodations and services. The chair of this committee surveys potential facilities and attempts to eliminate or avoid potential issues involving transportation and layover accommodations.

HOTEL SAFETY TIPS

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, traveling can be an exciting time, with plenty of new places to see and things to explore. Often, a hotel stay is part of this adventure. While staying in a hotel can be quite an enjoyable experience, there are certain safety issues to keep in mind, whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner or friend, or with your family. Here are the top 10 hotel safety tips to remember the next time you travel.

1. Be aware of your surroundings. This includes when you’re in parking lots, public areas, elevators, or the hallway to your room. Have your key ready in hand before you get to your door so you’re not distracted as you look and fumble for it. Use common sense, and get yourself to a public area if you notice anyone or anything suspicious.
2. Keep your room number to yourself. Most hotels these days no longer print room numbers on the keys. But don’t share your room number with strangers, and don’t display your key in public or leave it where it can get stolen. If it does disappear, request another room.
3. Avoid staying on the ground floor. This will leave you much less vulnerable to break-ins and other incidents. In fact, many safety experts recommend staying on the third to sixth floors, as any higher can lead to fire safety concerns. If you can, also choose a room whose door opens onto an interior hallway or courtyard, rather than the parking lot.
4. Identify a fire escape route. Once you’ve settled in, map out the nearest fire escape route. Many hotels provide convenient maps within the rooms but find those stairwells and emergency exits for yourself so you’ll have them committed to memory. Remember, in case of emergency, always use the stairs, never the elevator.
5. Secure your valuables. If your room has a safe, store any extra cash, plane tickets, and other valuables in there. And never, ever leave valuables in a car in the hotel parking lot.
6. Don’t open the door to anyone. If someone knocks, use the peephole to identify them first. Don’t assume it’s housekeeping or maintenance just because the person says so. When in doubt, call the front desk to confirm that the person is who they say they are.
7. Keep the doors and windows locked while you’re in the room. This includes any windows or sliding glass doors. Avoid propping your door open, even for a short time. If your door has an extra bolt or chain, engage that as well.
8. Make it seem like you’re home. When you leave your room for the day or evening, leave the TV or radio on. It may very well deter a thief if they think someone might be in the room. Hanging the Do Not Disturb sign is another excellent theft deterrent.
9. Enter and exit the building through the main entrance. This will help you avoid unoccupied or deserted areas. It’s also a good idea to park in a well-lit part of the parking lot, even if you have to walk a little farther to get to your room.
10. Keep your children in sight. Children should not be allowed to play by themselves on hotel grounds. This, of course, includes the swimming pool, but also the playground and other kid-friendly areas, as well as the hallways, elevators, and lobby.