Recent news reports have highlighted the ongoing debate over the use of advanced imaging technology and pat-downs during the U.S. airport security process. According to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), physical pat-downs are conducted when a traveler sets off the alarm on the metal detector at the security checkpoint, opts out of the advanced imaging technology conducted at some airports, or is selected for additional screening.  The TSA has indicated it is working to achieve the right balance of privacy and security.

CWT travel counselors haven’t heard much concern from our business travelers about the security processes just yet, but recent changes to the pat-down process conducted by the TSA are still relatively new. Among the general traveling population, some travelers have expressed the opinion that both the advanced imaging technology and the pat-downs are an invasion of privacy. In fact, some individuals who oppose the full-body scanners have organized an “opt-out” day, encouraging travelers to exercise their right to opt out of the body scan and submit to an enhanced pat-down instead. This opt-out day is scheduled for tomorrow, November 24, expected to be one of the busiest travel days of the year.

Regardless of whether this protest causes widespread impact, Wednesday is known to be a high-volume travel day in the United States requiring extra time for the travel and security screening process. CWT recommends travelers arrive at the airport well in advance of their flight in case of check-in and/or security delays. Keep in mind the general tips below to ease the travel process:

• If possible, check in online and print your boarding pass from home
• If you can avoid checking baggage, that will save time at the airport
• Keep in mind the TSA and CATSA guidelines for liquids in your carry-on baggage
• At the security checkpoint, consider the following recommendations:
  • Have your boarding pass and identification ready to present to the security official
  • Remove shoes, jackets, and all metal objects (jewelry, keys, etc.), before passing through the metal detector
  • If traveling with a laptop, remove it from its case and put it in a separate bin for screening
  • Make sure your bag of liquids/gels is removed from your carry-on bag for screening
  • If selected for enhanced screening, know that you have the right to opt out of the advanced imaging technology, and if subject to an enhanced pat down you can request that it be conducted in private

 

Safe travels, and happy holidays!

As the holiday season approaches, those travelers planning to fly to their holiday destination may be wondering, “What can I pack, and how much are these bags going to cost me?”

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) both offer tips for travelers regarding what items can or cannot be packed in carry-on and checked baggage. Common advice includes:

• Do not wrap gifts before traveling: they may need to be unwrapped during the security process. Consider shipping wrapped gifts ahead of time, or waiting until your arrival to wrap them.
• Do not pack food or gifts containing liquids or gels in carry-on baggage (lotion, perfume, jams, maple syrup, wine, etc. could all fall into that category if they exceed the permitted volume).
• Consult your airline’s specific size and weight restrictions for both carry-on and checked baggage, as there may be additional fees associated with oversize or overweight bags.

 

Additionally, keep in mind the fact that most major airlines charge fees for checked baggage. Recently, both Air Canada and WestJet introduced fees for the second checked bag on domestic and select international flights. Bag fees vary by airline, but generally fall within the $20-35 per bag range for domestic travel. CWT keeps a list of baggage fees for major North American airlines posted on its website, available here.

In general, remember to leave yourself plenty of extra time when traveling this holiday season. Parking, check-in, baggage checking, and security screening may all take longer than usual. Consider bringing a book (or e-book reader), music, or other activities to help make the wait time a little more bearable.

Safe travels!

Those of us who travel internationally on a regular basis can tend to forget all the nuances that contribute to traveling abroad, but for infrequent international travelers, little things can add up quickly to make for a more stressful, complicated trip. Below are just a few of the tips I’ve compiled over years – and thousands of miles – of international travel. I’m just scratching the surface here, so please weigh in below with your own advice and experiences!

 Air travel

• I recommend planning for the sun.  When flying west, try to book a seat on the right side of the plane so you’re not being hit by the sun for hours. This has obvious benefits whether you’re hoping to catch up on sleep, or want to be able to actually see your laptop screen and get some work done. 
• Try flying in and out of smaller airports to reduce customs lines. I personally like Cincinnati for easing the international travel process.
• If you’re connecting to your international destination, I strongly recommend not checking luggage if at all possible. You’ll be required to claim and then recheck your bag during the layover, making it extremely difficult to make a tight connection. 
• If you do need to check luggage, try to fly directly to your international destination, so you only have to deal with your baggage upon arrival.
• When returning home, try connecting through a carrier’s European hub instead of one based in North America.  In many cases you will get home hours earlier. 

 

 Staying in hotels

• When flying from North America to Europe, odds are you’ll be landing early in the morning. Trust me, the only way to guarantee early check-in, and a quick nap to start combating jet lag, is to book the room the night before. 
  • That said, recently some airport hotels have been offering special rates for travelers arriving really early or flying out very late.  For instance, Sofitel Aurora Hotel at London Heathrow offers day-use rates, available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • If reserving a hotel for an extra night is too expensive and all you really want is a shower, check for related services within the airport, or at your preferred airline’s in-airport lounge.  British Airways’ Arrival Lounges at both London Heathrow and London Gatwick are good examples of facilities that offer showers as one of the amenities for arriving travelers. 

 

Taking taxis

• When arriving in a European country, try to show your taxi driver the hotel address in printed form.  The wrong pronunciation of an unfamiliar word can leave you at the wrong hotel. 
• When departing, allow extra time for the taxi ride to the airport, especially for early morning departures.  I have had many drivers show up 15-30 minutes late for an early morning pick-up, so the more cushion you allow yourself, the better your chances of making your flight if something similar happens to you. 

 

 Helpful travel gear

• If international travel is going to be a regular occurrence for you, or even if you take regular nighttime or lengthy domestic flights, I recommend investing in noise cancelling headphones. My favorites are the Bose Quiet Comfort 15, or one of the models by Beats by Doctor Dre.
• To help deal with unfamiliar power outlets in other countries, I recommend the power adapters available from Targus. Mine is small, stays together, and supports my laptop.

 

I’m always in need of more tricks of the trade before my next long trip, so pitch in your recommendations below. And most importantly, safe travels!

Corporate travelers – check out the fantastic list of “top 10 must-have i-Phone apps” published in the New York Times on November 10.  In particular you might fall in love with Evernote (free) and QuickOfficeMobile Suite ($5) – two tools that can make life on the road go so much more smoothly as you use your iPhone to supplement your PC as a business tool.  And Hipstamatic?  Well, it has zero to do with your work life, but woah, it’s cool. My snapshots of interesting sights have been elevated to a whole new level of hip.