Are you planning holiday travel this year? If so, here are a few things to remember.
If your holiday travel plans include flying, chances are those planes are going to be full. TSA tells us domestic travel is at 90% of pre-pandemic limits.
This also means airports are going to be busier. More people. Take plenty of masks and social distance yourself. Take the correct face masks. You need ones that cover your nose and your mouth. Check the CDC guidelines to see which ones are the best. If you are unsure, check out this site https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
Don’t forget your hand sanitizer. Keep one with you, put one in your carryon, have an extra in your luggage. You will not regret having more than you think you need.
More and more your holiday travel plans will include being asked to take COVID-19 tests. Before. During. After traveling. Plan accordingly so you know which tests are accepted and where you can find them.
Some hotels are requiring rapid tests upon check-in and some even then ask for another one in five days.
Check the testing and vaccine requirements for your destination included in your holiday travel plans. You may need to make appointments for testing. You also may have to wait to get your results.
If you cross international borders, you may be asked to quarantine for 10 to 14 days. If you test positive, plan on being quarantined.
It seems not every airline and every hotel have the same requirements or take the same precautions when cleaning. For safe holiday travel, take sanitizing wipes so you can clean your tray tables, doorknobs, TV remote, light switches, and anything else you need to touch.
The best thing you can do for your holiday travel plans is to get vaccinated.
It seems summer is still here in parts of the country. But, it is time to think about fall and holiday travel.
It is always a hectic time to travel but add in the pandemic and it will become even more hectic. So, what do you do?
Book Early
As usual, fall and holiday travel will get more expensive the longer you wait. If you are thinking of Thanksgiving travel, the time to book is now. Same goes for Christmas travel.
Rental Cars
Perhaps you have read rental cars are hard to find and reserve, especially at the last minute. It would be a good idea to rent one now for your fall and holiday travel. If you can rent one with a refundable reservation, even better.
TSA Pre-Check
If you are not already a TSA Pre-Check member, there are several reasons to register now before your fall and holiday travel. Security lines at the airport are long and will get longer this holiday travel season. With Pre-Check you do not stand in the regular security line. This means less time in line and less close contact with others.
Prepare for Extra Time in Lines
TSA has a staffing shortage. Combine that with more travelers this fall and holiday travel season and that means lines will be longer in security and at check in at the airport.
Also, prepare for longer lines at hotels. Staffing shortages seem to have affected all areas of the travel industry.
Check all Travel Requirements
If your fall and holiday travel destination is international, sign up for STEP https://step.state.gov/. Find out what each country requires, what is required to come back to the US, and what you need to do. Also, check with the airline to see what their requirements are.
Know CDC Travel Guidelines
Right now, the guidelines are to delay travel if you are not fully vaccinated. If you need to travel and are not fully vaccinated, follow the CDC’s domestic travel or international travel recommendations. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
Check out if you are traveling with children younger than 12 what is best. Also, be sure to check mask requirements.
You should know by now that wearing face masks when flying is required. Did you know the airlines’ mask mandate has been extended through January 18, 2022. It is possible it will continue to be extended beyond that date.
What does that mean for you? All travelers two years of age and older need to wear a mask whenever inside a U.S. airport or onboard an airplane, regardless of vaccination status.
Flying
Airlines can issue fines of up to $3,000 and ban non-compliant fliers for life, making it an expensive mistake to refuse to wear one.
Did you also know that wearing masks when flying can be different on different airlines? Bandanas and scarves are generally not sufficient. Some airlines have more restrictions for cloth face coverings or masks with vents. All airlines indicate that face shields may be worn in addition to a mask. Keep in mind wearing a face shield is not an alternative to wearing a mask.
If you are traveling in the US, the CDC has issues specific requirements for what constitutes an acceptable mask when flying. Most US airlines follow these guidelines and some have added even more specific requirements.
These are a few airlines I found that have specific requirements for wearing masks when flying.
Alaska Airlines allows cloth masks made with two or more layers of breathable fabric. Gaiters are allowed if they have two layers or are folded to make two layers. Masks that do not cover your nose and mouth are not accepted. Likewise, masks cannot have any slits or exhalation valves.
American Airlines lists masks or 2-layered secured cloth as acceptable face coverings. Unacceptable face coverings include balaclavas, bandanas, gaiters, scarves, ski masks, and face covers with exhaust valves or vents.
Delta Airlines specifies that the type of mask allowed onboard follows CDC guidance. Permitted masks include disposable surgical or medical masks, cloth masks with tightly woven fabric, valve-free respirator masks (N95 or KN95), fabric masks with a clear plastic window, and gaiters with two layers. Any mask with an exhaust valve is not permitted and, like other airlines, bandanas, scarves, ski masks, and balaclavas are not sufficient.
Frontier Airlines states that face coverings must fit snugly over your nose and mouth and must be secured under the chin. Open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing vents are not allowed.
Hawaiian Airlines says any mask must meet CDC requirements. Cloth masks should be made with two or more layers of breathable fabric, which do not let light through.
Jet Blue requires travelers to wear masks that do not have any vents or exhalation valves. The airline also states that personal face/body tents or pods, personal air purifiers, ozone generators, and masks connected to tubing or battery-operated filters are not allowed.
Southwest basically follows the CDC guidelines to a tee. Masks must completely cover the nose and mouth and fit snugly with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head. Clear masks or cloth masks, medical masks and N95 respirators are allowed, as well as neck gaiters with two layers of fabric. Masks may not have any exhalation valves.
Spirit states that masks must have at least two layers of fabric such as disposable non-medical face masks, or multi-layered cloth. Open-chin triangle bandanas and face coverings containing valves or mesh material are not appropriate.
United Airlines says travelers are required to wear a mask with no vents and bandanas are not permitted. Masks must be worn at customer service counters, airport lounges, gates, baggage claim, and on board during the entire flight.
Air France requires flyers to wear a surgical mask or an FFP1, FFP2, or FFP3 type mask without an exhaust valve. Cloth masks are not authorized.
Finnair says you must have a surgical mask or a valveless FFP2, FFP3, or another valveless mask following the equivalent standards, such as an N95. Masks made of fabric are not accepted. If you’re just flying within Europe, kids under 7 years old don’t need a mask, but all passengers above 2 years old must wear a mask when flying to/from the USA.
Lufthansa says you must wear either a surgical mask, FFP2, or KN95/N95 mask. Cloth masks are no longer permitted for flights to and from Germany.
Swiss requires these face masks, FFP2, KN95, or N95 standard, or surgical masks. When flying within Europe, children under 12 years of age do not need to wear a mask, but all passengers over the age of 2 must wear a mask when flying to/from the USA.
Are there any exceptions to wearing face masks when traveling?
The CDC lists a narrow subset of individuals who may be exempt from wearing a mask for medical reasons. This includes people with certain disabilities or requirements that would not allow them to wear a mask safely. Individuals who want to request an exemption must contact the airline for the procedures to be followed. Some airlines require you to fill out forms and send a physician’s signature up to a week in advance.
Traveling has many benefits, but for those who don’t have much time or money, it can be difficult to get away. Fortunately, there are several ways you can travel to just about anywhere your heart desires without breaking the bank, and if you do a bit of research ahead of time, you’ll save yourself several hours of driving or walking by looking for the best destinations for your needs.
That research is important; while the idea of jetting off to a new city is romantic and fun, it’s not ideal for those looking for a way to save time and money. Do some homework to find not only the best deal on transportation, but the best deal on a place to stay and how to find one close to everything you need. For instance, if you grab a hotel room by the airport simply because it has the cheapest rate, you might find yourself having to spend extra money on a cab or Uber to get to restaurants and events, or you might have to walk long distances to get there, which will take up valuable time.
Travels and Escapes shares some great tips on how to avoid wasting hours and dollars on your next trip.
Plan ahead
Planning your trip a couple of months in advance will often ensure you get the best deal on accommodations and plane tickets. You can also plan your departure and arrival on days that aren’t typically peak travel times; Tuesdays are usually the best days to get a good price for air travel, according to BudgetTravel.
Do some homework
Make sure you know everything worth knowing about your transportation and accommodations before you book anything. Resorts sometimes have added, “hidden” fees that you won’t see until the end of your stay, which can be a nasty surprise to say the least. Understanding exactly what you’ll be responsible for will help you stay on budget and will give you peace of mind.
Think locally
Travel doesn’t have to be exclusively to faraway places; you can likely find all sorts of fun things to do in cities near you. Look online for the best cities to visit that are within an hour or two of your hometown and take a day or weekend trip. This is a great option for people who have full schedules and can’t afford to take a longer trip.
You don’t even have to leave town! Simply rent a vacation home in San Diego and stay near the city’s attractions that interest you. For example, if you want to enjoy San Diego’s thriving restaurant and music scene, you can find a home in the Gaslamp Quarter. If you’d prefer to spend time near the water, look for a home near one of San Diego’s beautiful beaches. Most vacation homes come with fully equipped kitchens, so you’ll be able to save substantially by cooking your own meals instead of eating out all the time.
Take public transit
Just about anywhere you visit will have some form of public transportation, so take advantage of it! It’s usually either free or very inexpensive, and if you’ll be doing a lot of sightseeing it’s the way to go if you want to save money (and shoe leather).
Remember that traveling on a budget means you’ll need to be careful about keeping your funds safe. Never flash your cash in public, and, if possible, wear a travel pack that straps to your body to keep your money and credit cards close. With a little planning, you’ll be able to take the trip you’ve always wanted to take and keep your cash where you want it: in your pocket.
In 1996, the U.S. Department of State issued 5.5 million passports. Fast forward to 2019 and that number has since been trending upward, reaching just under 21 million in 2019.
Need to send in your old passport to get a new one? The Department of State recommends that applicants use a trackable shipping method, such as Priority Mail Express, to keep tabs on their application and know when it arrives safely at its destination.
Think you have plenty of time to renew? Don’t take your passport’s expiration date at face value. Some countries have a six-month or three-month passport validity rule that requires your passport to be valid for a certain amount of time after your date of entry.
If your passport was issued after August 2007, you’ve got what is called an e-passport. This has a small integrated chip in the back cover that stores your passport information and a biometric identifier based on your photograph. To protect passport holders from unknowingly falling victim to high-tech identity theft, there are metallic elements in the cover of the passport, making it impossible for the passport to be digitally “read” until it’s physically open.
Has your appearance changed significantly? You probably need to apply for a new passport. This is in case you’ve lost or gained a lot of weight, so much so that you look different than you do in your passport photo. It also applies if you have undergone significant facial surgery, trauma, or if you’ve added or removed large facial tattoos or piercings.
Your photo must also reflect your current appearance. Face the camera and keep your expression neutral. Don’t wear a uniform with any writing on it.
What if you travel a lot and you run out of pages? The standard issue passport is 28 pages long. You can request one that is 52 pages at no extra cost. If you fill that up, you will need a new one.
You will also need a new one if yours is damaged more than just wear and tear. If it went swimming and is damaged by water, or if your kids drew all over it with their favorite crayons, or if there are tears on the book cover or the page with your personal info…you will definitely need a new one.
Did you know most countries want you to have at least one blank page for stamps? Some countries require to have up to three blank pages in your passport for visa and immigration stamps. Be sure to check before you travel.
Recently I read a post by Johnny Jet about safety and travel.
These are some excerpts from his interview with Kevin Coffey, a travel security expert. Kevin spent several decades as a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department and was responsible for the creation of the LAPD’s LAX Airport Crimes Investigation detail.
In this interview, he taught me numerous tips but none greater than what he calls his “What If?” Kevin’s tip is for everyone to do two things:
If you have a US passport, go to page 3 and fill out the In Case of Emergency page. In addition, he says to put either a sticky note or paper clip a piece of paper onto the inside cover with more In Case of Emergency information, mainly your cell phone number and those of your loved ones who are and are not traveling with you.
He also said it’s important to do this in the event that you’re traveling solo and you get in an accident or have a medical emergency. The first thing trained emergency workers do is go through your wallet to find contact information and if you’re traveling internationally, this will help enormously.
“Each day, our officers screen hundreds of thousands of airline travelers ensuring they arrive at their destinations safely. We expect to screen a higher number of travelers regularly by the summer months and will need additional officers to support our critical mission”, said Melanie Harvey, acting Executive Assistant Administrator for TSA’s Security Operations.
In addition to an increased number of passengers, the TSA will have to spend time enforcing the new federal transportation mask requirement. TSA agents can issue fines starting at $250 for non-compliant passengers and going up to $1,500 for repeat offenders.
Based on regular seasonal travel trends plus predicted COVID-19 vaccination availability for the general public, the TSA is looking to hire over 6,000 Transportation Security Officer (TSO) positions to meet passenger demand by this summer.
Does this mean airports will be full again? Probably not. Numbers will be up but probably not back to 2019 numbers until late 2022 or early 2023.
When it’s time to fly again…here are some helpful reminders from the TSA.
Medications and Prescriptions Are Allowed
It is still a good idea to pack your medication in the original bottle. The TSA allows your to bring as much as you need in your checked or carry-on luggage as long as it goes through proper screening. For a liquid medication, separate it into a bottle of 3.4 ounces and notify an officer at the checkpoint of your liquid prescription. It’s important to note that some states have laws requiring prescription labels on medication, so check with your state before traveling.
Solid Foods Are Permitted in Carry-Ons
The TSA permits solid food in carry-on bags. Any non-solid foods must be put in a sealed container and then into a quart-sized bag to follow the liquid requirements.
Eating Utensils Are Permitted in Carry-Ons
You may bring round-bladed butter knives and forks on the plane.
Creams and Lotions Are Considered Liquids
According to the TSA, anything that you can pour, pump, spread, squeeze, smear, spray, or spill is considered to be a liquid and must follow the 3.4 ounces or less rule. Keep this in mind when buying souvenirs or a new lotion you want to try. Even items like nut butter, sunscreen, face creams, and perfumes must be under 3.4 ounces. This is true even if they are factory-sealed and unopened. If you must travel with such an item, place it in a sealed bag in your checked luggage instead.
Expensive Jewelry Must Stay On
For travelers who like to dress up, we have good news. The TSA actually prefers you leave your diamonds on at the security checkpoint. This prevents costly items from being stolen from the bin or lost during the screening process.
You Can Bring Plants on the Plane
As long as your plant fits neatly into the overhead bin or underneath your seat, the TSA says you can fly with it. Do check your state regulations to make sure you aren’t bringing a prohibited plant across state borders.
All Undeveloped Film Must Be Inspected
If you are traveling with a traditional film camera, you need to know about this rule. If you are worried about your film being ruined, ask for a physical inspection of the film at the beginning of the screening process. This is before your bags go on the belt to be screened.
