Airlines prioritize the safety and security of their cabin crew during layovers, recognizing that crew members can become targets for crime. At airports, crews stay together as a group, ensuring no one wanders off alone. This practice not only maintains uniformity but also enhances security by keeping an eye on personal belongings to prevent theft or tampering.
Once outside the airport, a contracted crew bus transports them to their hotel. In some regions, curtains are drawn on these buses to avoid identification as airline crew due to past incidents of roadblocks and robberies. Armed guards may accompany the crew in more dangerous areas.
Hotels accommodating airline crews typically meet 4 or 5-star standards with appropriate security measures in place. In high-risk locations like Africa, India, and Pakistan, additional precautions such as armed guards and barbed-wire fences are implemented. Crew members discreetly share room numbers among themselves for safety and take measures like using all available locks and securing valuables.