Make Your Trip Better Using 3-1-1
3-1-1 for carry-ons = 3 ounce bottle or less; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can bring. 3 oz. container size is a security measure.
Consolidate bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.
Be prepared. Each time TSA searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience.
3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.
Declare larger liquids. Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. Declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.
Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.
TSA working with our partners. TSA works with airlines and airports to anticipate peak traffic and be ready for the traveling public.
A SAFE TRIP ABROAD
When you travel abroad, the odds are in your favor that you will have a safe and incident-free trip. Travelers are, however, sometimes victimized by crime and violence, or experience unexpected difficulties. No one is better able to tell you this than the U.S. consular officers who work in more than 250 U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe. Every day of the year, U.S. embassies and consulates receive calls from American citizens in distress.
Happily, most problems can be solved over the telephone or by a visit to the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. There are other occasions, however, when U.S. consular officers are called upon to help U.S. citizens who are in foreign hospitals or prisons, or to assist the families of U.S. citizens who have passed away overseas.
We have prepared the following travel tips to help you avoid serious difficulties during your overseas travel. We wish you a safe and wonderful journey!
Click here for the travel tips.
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
AIR TRAVEL
ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security's website .
- CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document ; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
- LATER:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document .
Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory .
U.S. PASSPORT AND WHTI COMPLIANT DOCUMENTS:
- U.S. Passport: U.S. citizens may present a valid U.S. passport when traveling via air, land or sea between the U.S. and the aforementioned Western Hemisphere countries.
- The Passport Card : U.S. citizens may begin applying in advance for this new, limited-use, wallet-size passport card beginning February 1, 2008. We expect cards will be available and mailed to applicants in spring 2008. When available it will only be valid for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean region, and Bermuda.
- WHTI-Compliant Travel Documents for U.S. citizen travel via land or sea, as of January 31, 2008:
- Trusted Traveler Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
- State Issued Enhanced Driver's License (when available)
- Enhanced Tribal Cards (when available)
- U.S. Military Identification with Military Travel Orders
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Document when traveling in conjunction with official maritime business
- Native American Tribal Photo Identification Card
- Form I-872 American Indian Card
AVOID CARIBBEAN HURRICANES
Avoiding Caribbean hurricanes during the peak season from June to November requires you to remember just one thing: the number 10. The hurricanes that move across the South Atlantic ocean almost always do so at or above the 10th parallel, which is the line 10 degrees north of the equator. Locations near or below this line, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao and Aruba have escaped severe hurricanes for decades
CURRENT STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL WARNINGS
Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.
TRAVEL SAFETY
Recent
stories about travelers falling victim to foul
play should remind travelers that safety never
takes a holiday.
Basic
safety precautions to remember:
*
Avoid showing lots of money or jewelry
* Place luggage or shopping bags between your
legs
* Use reputable cabs for travel after dark
*
Don't bond too quickly with someone you just
met.
MINORS TRAVELING ALONE
Minors
traveling abroad alone or with one parent face
restrictions visiting countries such as Mexico,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel and Lebanon.
The requirements differ by country, but most
ask for notarized letters from the absent parent(s),
and in some cases the letter must be translated.
HOW TO AVOID TRAVEL SCAMS
If you have been offered a great bargain on a cruise or resort vacation, but you cannot seem to get all the details unless you pay the company first, you may be dealing with a travel scam.
PAY NOW, TRAVEL LATER ... MAYBE
Typically, scam operators won't give you full and complete information in writing until after you've given them a credit card number, certified check or money order. Once you do get further information, there will be restrictions and conditions which may make it more expensive, or even impossible, to take your trip. Click here to see a mock scam site by the Federal Trade Commission .
While getting a refund is sometimes possible, it's better to avoid paying anything in the first place. While there is the remote chance that you might miss a legitimate deal, chances are you will save yourself time and money in the long run.
To help avoid being a victim of a travel scam, the American Society of Travel Agents provides the following suggestions when evaluating travel offers:
» Be extremely skeptical about postcard and phone solicitations which say you've been selected to receive a fabulous vacation;
» You should receive complete details in writing about any trip prior to payment. These details should include the total price; cancellation and change penalties, if any; and specific information about all components of the package;
» If you insist on calling a 900 number in response to a travel solicitation, understand the charges and know the risks;
» Walk away from high pressure sales presentations which don't allow you time to evaluate the offer, or which require that you disclose your income;
» Be suspicious of companies which require that you wait at least 60 days to take your trip.
If you think you've been scammed, contact your local Better Business Bureau , your local or state Consumer Affairs Office , state attorney general's office, or e-mail ASTA's Consumer Affairs Department at consumeraffairs@astahq.com for information and assistance.
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