International travel in the days subsequent to September 11 has become more stressful than it ever was before. There are ways to assure a smoother trip abroad, however, and here are some things to deal with prior to your flight.
There was a time prior to that horrifying September morning frozen in history in 2001 that traveling abroad was a lot less stressful than it is now. Post 9-11 traveling, however, has changed the way we need to deal with some things in daily life, and travel security is definitely one of those changes. Gone are the days of simply throwing everything into your suitcase, grabbing the passport, and heading for the airport.
Hopefully this will serve as a checklist of sorts to make the vital issues that need to be dealt with a bit easier on the traveler.
Familiarize Yourself with the New Airport Security Rules
Find a list of things that can no longer be taken onto airplanes. Some of the banned items may surprise you when finding them on the list if you are not accustomed to air travel. In addition to the banned items for all flights, there are also added restrictions depending on your destination.
You will need to arrive at the airport much earlier than you could arrive in the past. Be sure to check with the airport to make sure how early they suggest arriving before your flight.
Certain countries, as just one example of the restrictions you will need to know, will not allow certain medications to come over the borders. This includes something as innocent sounding as aspirin in some countries. If you have all those things researched before leaving for the airport, it will save you a lot of stress later.
You will also need to find out if there are any limitations on things that are allowed to be brought back home over the borders. Countries often have lists of such items, and knowing this ahead of time will not only save money so that you don't buy items that you won't be able to get back over the border, but will hopefully prevent some tense times with border security when you're trying to come back home.
Know What Things Need to Be Done Early
As soon as you know that you will be traveling out of the country, make sure that your passport is in order and that everything about it is valid. If the emergency section of the passport isn't filled in, make sure that gets done. Is your photo up to date?
Another thing to check on as much in advance as possible before your trip is whether or not the country to which you will be traveling requires a visa. If so, and you don't have one, you need to begin that process at the earliest possible time. Another fact you will need to know is if there are any restrictions on a visa issued to the country that will be your destination.
You will need to find out if any particular immunizations will be needed before entering your destination country. Even if a vaccine isn't mandatory, are there any health risks that you would want to be aware of? Be sure to have your insurance ID card with you on the trip (on your person, preferably, and not packed in a suitcase) and know if the hospitals close to where you will be staying would even accept your insurance or if treatment outside of America is covered by your insurance company. With your ID card, have a list of any drug allergies you may have, any pre-existing medical conditions, and a list of any medications you are taking.
When In Rome ...
The old adage of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do" is very important when traveling to certain areas of the world. If your destination is a region that does not enjoy the same basic freedoms or beliefs that America does, take the time to research those things. Know the customs and the rituals and know which kinds of actions or behaviors could possibly cause trouble for a foreigner in that country. Waiting until you arrive and hoping you will catch on to the customs after arrival is much too risky.
Also find out where certain things are located near where you will be lodging. Where is a grocery store and pharmacy? A police station? How far is the nearest American embassy? How far is the nearest hospital?
When It's Nearly Time to Go
There are a few things to do when it is almost time to leave for your trip.
Make sure that someone in your family has an itinerary of your plans. Include phone numbers of the places you know you will be at certain times. Should an emergency arise, the State Department, in accordance with the Privacy Act, is not allowed to release information about your welfare without your written authorization. Find out how to provide that authorization to the proper people.
Leave copies of your citizenship papers and your passport with someone in the states.
You will need to also register with the United States consulate or the embassy before your flight out of the country. Registration makes it possible for a consulate officer to contact you should the need arise or help you in an emergency or during a disaster occurring in that country. If there is no embassy in your destination country, register with a neighboring country.
Make plans for someone to call you if any travel warnings are issued from the State Department about the area in which you will be staying.
When making your reservations the hotel, bed and breakfast, or wherever you will be lodging should be in a safe part of the city where you will be staying.
Time to Head for the Airport! Last Minute Details
So everything is taken care of and the time for your departure is almost upon you. What are some things to remember to do? You will need to know where your luggage is constantly, but sometimes it still gets lost. Make sure nothing vital is packed in the pieces of luggage that you will be separated from at any given time.
Be sure to have the phone numbers of the United States Embassy in your destination country.
If you haven't already done so, find out where to exchange currency in the country where you will be staying.
Put in a call to a State Department representative to see if there are any travel advisories that would affect you and your upcoming flight.
Maybe an Overused Maxim, but Very True
We have all heard the saying, "Better safe than sorry." It may be terribly overused, but it applies to many areas of life. Traveling to places that may not be the safest of destinations is one field that this saying certainly applies. There is a lot of preparation necessary, but many travelers are spared a great deal of anxiety by assuring they are "being safe" while out of the country.
Terrorism is, of course, a top concern since the attacks on 9-11, but any international traveler is wise to consider other possibilities as well. Is the area to which you are traveling prone to natural disasters? Have you considered the safety measures to be taken in the event of such disasters? What is the crime level in your destination city?
Keep up to date with the often-changing travel warnings that the government issues. The State Department offers consular information sheets for any country you may be visiting. Be sure to have looked at these. The sheet will describe the country and list what the entry requirements are. There will be security and health tips. The sheet will also tell you where to find the embassy.
By taking these few extra steps and precautions to possibly prevent some hard times while out of the country, you should feel more at ease no matter where your business or pleasure flight will be taking you.