Even the most intrepid traveler may be developing a fear of flying given the current global unrest. Prompted by those concerns,iJET Travel Intelligence, a travel risk management company, has prepared a report for travel managers with a number of suggestions for business professionals traveling abroad.
First, the good news: iJET says that most countries remain safe. Even those with strong anti-U.S. sentiments don't necessarily have to be avoided - but being aware of those problems can help you make reasoned decisions.
Airport security is at an all-time high: That means that although the chance of terrorist attacks is low, the chance of airport hassles is distinctly elevated. iJET recommends arriving 90 minutes before departure for domestic flights and two hours early for international travel.
During times of high threat, whether real or perceived, airports could prohibit access to terminals to anyone without tickets or reservations Airlines may ban last-minute ticket purchases, as well. That means it's important to have all your travel documents in order. The company recommends making two copies of passports, visas, and tickets and keeping them separate from the originals and from each other.
International travelers should register with the embassy in each nation they visit; iJET says that online registration is available in many countries. That could prove important in case the government obtains information about military movements or terrorist attacks.
The company advises U.S. citizens traveling abroad to vary their routes of travel and their daily routines; to avoid obvious displays of U.S. symbols and corporate logos; to avoid discussions of international politics and religion; and to try to blend in with locals. In other words, while feelings are high, keep your profile low.
Avoid any protests against the war, too: iJET says while most don't pose a threat, they do shut down roads and could be a major inconvenience.
Also, keep enough cash on hand to leave a destination quickly, if need be.
Travelers can stay abreast of the latest news and safety recommendations via a Web site set up by iJET, www.travelriskcenter.com. The site contains special reports on travel safety, a variety of travel advice sheets on topics valuable at any time (i.e., tips on taxi security or dealing with jet lag), and links to government, commercial security and otherWeb sites that address travel security issues.iJET also offers a subscription-based Travel Intelligence Service, which provides realtime notification of events worldwide that might affect travelers. The Web site for iJET is www.ijet.com
Gartner, Inc.