Tips For Those Traveling in The USA And Abroad, Though Since Everyone Is Celebrating It’s Also A Great Time to Travel
There were celebration all around, but at the same time travelers should keep their guard up, especially Americans traveling abroad.
The U.S. government was on alert and warning of possible retaliations by Al Qaeda and radical Muslim groups. Here’s how affected travelers in the USA and overseas, with tips on dealing with – and still enjoying – travel.
1.) Longer Security Lines At Airports. There was heightened security, so be prepared to spend even more time getting through the X-ray machines and TSA agents. Give it at least an extra half an hour. Arrive an hour and a half before flights; even two hours is not a bad idea, especially at major airports such as New York, DC, Chicago, Boston, LAX, London and Paris. Travelers might get through quickly, so bring something to read or plan on having extra money for restaurant meals or more time in airport bars.
2.) Increased Police Presence at National Landmarks. Americans flocked to wave the Stars and Stripes and chant “USA, USA” at the Wold Trade Center and the White House. While officials certainly want Americans to have this release, they are also well aware that these and other national landmarks are potential “high profile” targets.
3.) Increased Security & Scrutiny At Overseas Transportation Centers. Arrive earlier to catch trains in Europe and especially The Tube and buses in London, which have previously been targeted.
4.) Be Alert At Overseas Tourist Sites & Gathering Places. Sometimes, being safe means being aware of one’s surroundings. Security can’t be everywhere and it varies from country to country. So be aware of others in big groups, of anything happening out of the ordinary, at international tourists sites. Be alert anywhere large numbers of people gather, even in a park or by a popular water fountain or statue, cafes or even bars.
5.) Don’t Let The Guard Down After A Few Days. It may be a while before any potential retaliation happens, so don’t let the guard down if a few days passes and nothing happens. The heavy summer travel season is approaching and that might prove to be a better “target time” for extremists.
At the same time, most people will be in a celebratory mood, so this could actually be one of the best times to travel. The biggest tip from PubClub.com is to enjoy the experience.
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