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Off Topic / Planning Your Journey: Tips from a World Traveler
« on: July 02, 2012, 08:46:17 PM »
(If you don't care, just disregard.)
Introduction
Hello! If you even care enough to read this, this is a guide to domestic and international travel, and do's and don't's when traveling abroad. More than likely, most of you will be traveling with you parents. If it's your first time traveling anywhere this summer, I would recommend giving this a good read. I've accumulated my knowledge from experience in traveling to 10 countries and over 123 cities.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel is defined as traveling within your country of origin, without the need of a passport. Most often, if you are traveling to an area that is within range of cellular coverage, there is no urgent need to provide your itinerary to someone unless going hiking in a remote area (e.g. within the Grand Canyon backcountry). Even still, you should let a family member or close friend where you are going just in case a situation arises in which you require monetary assistance or so on and so forth.
Most of the above applies the same during international flights as well.
This guide will be separated into two posts. The next post will cover International Travel, and Do's and Don't's Abroad.
Please provide constructive criticism, and if you have an questions, I'll be happy to answer them. Thanks for reading.
Introduction
Hello! If you even care enough to read this, this is a guide to domestic and international travel, and do's and don't's when traveling abroad. More than likely, most of you will be traveling with you parents. If it's your first time traveling anywhere this summer, I would recommend giving this a good read. I've accumulated my knowledge from experience in traveling to 10 countries and over 123 cities.
Domestic Travel
Domestic travel is defined as traveling within your country of origin, without the need of a passport. Most often, if you are traveling to an area that is within range of cellular coverage, there is no urgent need to provide your itinerary to someone unless going hiking in a remote area (e.g. within the Grand Canyon backcountry). Even still, you should let a family member or close friend where you are going just in case a situation arises in which you require monetary assistance or so on and so forth.
- Air Travel
Within the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. They are responsible for the security of United States airports, and the security of the traveling public. Other countries may have their independent security firms responsible for airport security, but in this thread, I'll mostly be covering TSA regulations.
Upon entering an airport, the following apply:
- You, and your luggage are subject to search by the Department of Homeland Security.
- You have the right to privacy during security screening. If you would like a private security screening, just ask a TSA Officer.
- Any of your belongings may be seized or destroyed by the TSA.
- If you are 18 or over, you are federally required to provide a valid photo ID at the security checkpoint.
You cannot carry liquids or gels through the security checkpoint. In this case, remember 3-1-1. If you plan on carrying liquids or gels through the checkpoint,
- They must be in a 3 oz. or smaller bottle. Larger quantities of these substances are allowed in checked luggage.
- The bottles must be placed in a 1-quart size, clear plastic ziptop bag.
- There can only be one bag per traveler per party.
Remember, if in doubt, put your liquids and gels in checked luggage. Though you may have to claim your bag at your final destination, it saves the hassle of having to put them in bottles.
If you have checked luggage, and are afraid that your luggage's contents will be stolen, you can purchase a TSA-approved luggage lock which can only be opened by the key that came with the lock, and special tools only used by the TSA. But remember, the TSA are permitted to cut, disable, or break open locks during their search before the luggage is loaded onto the aircraft. If your lock is found to be missing from your luggage after you claim it, it is most likely that a TSA agent has put the lock on improperly and it fell off during transit. If you find this to be a problem, you can file a claim with TSA form SF-95.
As of November of 2010, new screening machines have been implemented at airports across the United States, using backscatter x-ray and millimeter wave detection. The former and latter machines display front and back images of your body to a TSA officer in a remote location within the airport, and said images are deleted after viewing. Remember, you are not obligated to going through these scanners. You may ask for a private screening from a TSA officer of the same love. You may also request for a member of your party to witness the screening.
Most of the above applies the same during international flights as well.
- Travel by Car
There's not much to this, but the fact that if you are traveling through various states in the US, that an item from one state may be banned in another (i.e. fireworks). If you are unsure of these things, check the regulations in each state you may be visiting.
This guide will be separated into two posts. The next post will cover International Travel, and Do's and Don't's Abroad.
Please provide constructive criticism, and if you have an questions, I'll be happy to answer them. Thanks for reading.
