Tips For Travellers To Foriegn Land

Travel is not just fun and discovery any longer. September 11 and the events following it have put an end to the carefree days of flying when you checked in your luggage, took a comfy seat in the plane, and switched off for the rest of the trip. Here are some new rules that will govern the lives of those who still believe that travel is necessery for their continuing wellbeing from the moment they get out their bags and start planning their gateway.
RULE # 1
Pack as little as you can – carry light luggage, the lighter the better. Conversely, don’t pack so light that suspicions are aroused that you are carrying only two sticks of explosive and nothing else.
RULE # 2
Different airlines treat their passengers differently – In fact, the same airline will treat you differently in different cities. So an American airline can ask you to scan your bags in India. Or can just ask politely if you have packed your bags yourself and if they have been with you all the time, if you are checking in at Paris or Frankfurt. Or can do none of this if you are in UK, and can open and examine your checked-in luggage in your absense, in the US.
RULE # 3
Be warry of what you put into your hand luggage – Sometimes, carrying everything you have as hand luggage is wise, so there are no slip-ups in the way your belongings are treated away from your watchful gaze. The fact remains that you will have to unpack and repack every time you go through the scanner, and even if you don’t mind your belongings being exposed to all and sundry, it can be a bit painful. Remember too, that anything that looks vaguely like weapon, or as if it can be used as one, will get you very suspicious looks and can get confiscated.
RULE # 4
Carry a shoulder bag for your passport and other essentials - the passport is literally that, and is something that will be examined when you go through immigration, customes, take a boarding pass for a connecting flight, and each time you enter a plane.
RULE # 5
Never, ever leave your bags alone for even a minute – keep them under your watchful gaze. In the good old times, one worried about thieves operating at airports, today it is the vigilence team that you need to worry about. They spirit away bags that look lonely, and before you know it, the area is cordoned off, and chances are your bag will be explodedon the spot without much ado.
RULE # 6
Don’t talk to strangers in airpots – who seem too friendly or interested in you. Do not trust them with the job of guarding your luggage, or agree to carry anything for them. The innocent will get branded here, with the guilty, but remember that many countries have a death penalty for drug trafficking, even if you are an unsuspecting carrier.
RULE # 7
Dress right – avoid heavy shoes; they are looked upon with suspiion in many airport security checks and you will have to take them off and pad barefoot across to the other end of the scanner, while your shoes take a ride under the X-rays. So unless you are going to alaska or somewhere where you might get instant frostbite,pack those beautiful boots and walking shoes away for when you hit the sidewalk, and go with open-toed sandals or good ole ‘kolhapuris’ instead.
Happy flying!