Welcome to Southwest Florida Real Estate

Posts tagged ‘Overseas Travel’

The Benefits of Staying Up-To-Date on All Air Travel Rules

Have you flown within the last year?  How about within the last month?  Even if you have, there is there is a good chance that things have changed since the last time that you were at the airport. While you may be thinking about the airport layout, it is actually the air travel rules that have likely changed. As more security issues arise, often on a daily or weekly basis, the airlines decide to enforce new travel rules.  In the event that these new enforcement do go into effect, do you know how to go about finding what they are?

Before you can learn to familiarize yourself with new air travel rules, if there are any, you will want to understand the benefits of learning those rules. Unfortunately, too many travelers are worried about having the proper forms of identification that they don’t always worry about the items that they pack.  If you are one of those individuals, there is a good chance that you may, unintentionally, pack items that are prohibited past airport security checkpoints.  Depending on the prohibited item, you may be required to make additional accommodations, discard of the item, or turn it over to airport security. 

In addition to prohibited items, there are also new air travel rules that apply to security screening procedures. For instance, all air travelers are now required to remove their shoes. Your shoes will be scanned along with the rest of your carry-on luggage. While this may pose an inconvenience, it is a requirement.  Failing to comply with this requirement, as well as others, may lead to you being detained by airport security or local authorities.  In addition to missing your flight, you may even face prosecution for your actions.  However, this can all be prevented by knowing and understanding the new air travel rules, as well as the old ones.

Perhaps, the best way to familiarize yourself with air travel rules is to go directly to the source. That source is the organization that makes and essentially enforces those rules, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can obtain valuable information from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including information on air travel rules, by directly contacting them or by visiting their online website. That online website can be found at www.tsa.gov You are advised to fully examine this online website. You will find that it has a large amount of information that you need to know.

In addition to using the internet to examine the online website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), you can also use it to perform a standard internet search.  By searching with the words new air travel rules, you should be provided with a number of different results. Those results are likely to include websites or news reports with information on air travel, including the rules that are enforced aboard all airplanes or in all airports.  When doing this, it is important to keep your source of information in mind.  A large number of websites with inaccurate, misleading, outdated information can be found online.

It may also be a good idea to contact the airline or airport that you plan on using. This contact can be made over the phone or the same information can easily be obtained online. Whether you visit the online website of a particular airline or airport or contact their representatives directly, you should be able to familiarize yourself with newly implemented air travel rules.  It is also advised that you contact each airline or airport directly because they tend to have different rules. Airport screening procedures may vary from one airport to another, as well as rules aboard particular airlines. 

With a small amount of time and research, you should easily be able to learn all of the rules of air travel, including the ones that were recently implemented.  Not only will doing so make your flight more pleasant, but it will help to reduce wait times and ensure that you will make it to your intended destination.

Advertisement

Overseas International Airports: What You Need to Know

When it comes to air travel, many Americans do not just stay inside the United Sates, many leave the country. In fact, international travel is rapidly increasing in popularity.  Many individuals are now taking honeymoons overseas, as well as attending business meetings or scheduling family vacations.  If are planning on being one of those individuals, there are a number of important things that you need to remember. Perhaps, the most important thing that you need to keep in mind is that you will be in another country; another country that may have a whole other set of laws and regulations.

While it is a given that different countries have different laws, many air travelers are unaware that different countries also have different air travel rules.  Unfortunately, many believe that the rules enforced in the United States are worldly.  It is true that many of the same rules are enforced, all around the world, but there are some differences.  For that reason, you will want to take the time to learn those rules. You can easily learn these rules by contacting the United States Embassy or by requesting more information from the international airport that you plan on flying in or out of.

Although it is advised that you and all other foreign air travelers research the laws and air travel rules of another country, particularly the one you will be visiting, not everyone does.  Whether you choose not to research these rules or you can’t, you are advised to proceed with caution and use your common sense.  This not only includes packing your bags, but how you handle yourself in a foreign airport. Perhaps, when it doubt it is always best the follow the air travel rules enforced in the United States.  If you are questioned on your behavior or actions that you took, it is best to state that you were unaware of the rules that were you breaking, if any.

As previously mentioned, it is best that you use your common sense, when it comes to preparing for international travel. This begins by having all of the necessary documents, which are needed for international air travel.  Even if you are not required to bring it along, you may want to think about carrying your passport with you at all times. In the event that you are detained by airport security or by local officials, this piece of identification could come in handy. 

It is also important that you pack your bags the correct way. If you are flying out of the United States, no matter where you are traveling to, you will be required to follow all American air travel rules. This includes the carry-on luggage ban of liquids and sharp objects.  Since the United States tends to have more air travel rules and security procedures than other countries, you may not have to worry about your luggage violating a ban in another country. However, you should be worried about what you try to bring home with you. The United States has numerous restrictions on items being imported from other countries, including gifts.  In most cases, you will find these gifts are not sold in airports, even international ones, but it is still advised that you refrain from purchasing exotic gifts, such as alcohol or live animals. 

In addition to the points mentioned above, it is extremely important that your follow any requests given to you by international airport security officials.  Unlike in the United States, where you may just receive a warning for your inappropriate behavior or actions, you may be subject to additional consequences. Those additional consequences, which may include being arrested by local authorities, will vary from country to country.  Regardless of what the consequences are, it is still advised that you follow any instructions given to you, by international flight crews or by airport security.

By keeping the above mentioned information in mind, you should have nothing to worry about.  The truth is that as long as you think before you speak or act, you should be okay, even in an international airport or a foreign country.