If you are traveling with a companion, this ploy can be foiled if one person holds onto the computer until the other person is successfully through the metal detector. If traveling alone, the best protection is to simply be observant. After you put items on the belt, make sure no one cuts between you and the metal detector. If someone does, don't be shy. Even if he refuses, an alert has been sounded and potential thieves will hesitate to try anything.
Anytime rates can be as low as ten cents a minute and it works in almost every part of the world.
If the cost is 50 cents or less, use the room phone. Otherwise, use a pay phone in the lobby, but check the fine print. Some wireless phone companies offer plans that cover the entire country, with no long-distance fees and tons of airtime. Get a passport cover and use it. List your blood type and any allergies you have in your passport, in case of a health emergency.