Tagged: security

Privacy vs. Security: How Hotel Guests Can Get Around the Rise in "Room Checks"

I do a strange thing in hotel rooms sometimes: I host a live radio show. When I'm on the road, thanks to the magic of Skype, my room becomes my studio. And it used to be a quiet, easy…

San Francisco Airport Can Now Send Emergency Texts to Passengers

San Francisco International Airport has become the first in the nation to receive approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to send emergency text messages directly to any…

U.S. State Department Travel Advisories: Where to Find Them, How to Read Them

Pop quiz: What's the difference between a "travel alert" and a "travel warning"? If you don't have a clue, the U.S. State Department determined that you're not the only one. Widespread…

Our Top Tips for Surviving Holiday Air Travel this Year

The airlines are expecting 51 million passengers to fly in United States in the final two weeks of December, a figure that’s up 3% from last year’s record number. Break it down and…

Airlines Limit Smart Bags Allowed on Flights

The supposed next big thing in luggage just hit a snag. Several U.S. airlines have announced bans on technologically sophisticated "smart" suitcases with lithium-ion batteries that…

More Complex Screening Begins for U.S. Passengers

You might remember that last spring, several international airlines, mostly from predominantly Muslim countries, were banned from allowing laptops in passenger cabins. That, and the…

After Las Vegas, Should Airport Security Measures Now Be Applied to Hotels?

The recent horrific shooting in Las Vegas has touched off a number of articles and proposals by travel writers on the relationship of hotel security measures to acts of…

Now Is the Best Time to Apply for or Renew a U.S. Passport, Says State Department

If you need to apply for or renew a U.S. passport, the best time to do so is right now, according to the U.S. State Department.Processing times are shortest between September and…

Non-Flyers Now Allowed Into Secured Areas at Pittsburgh Airport

We've got good news for airport shoppers, chaperones, and prolonged goodbye-sayers.For the first time since 9/11, an American airport is allowing people without tickets into secured…

Italian Airport Relaxes Liquid Ban—for Pesto Only

Each year, hundreds of jars of pesto are confiscated at airport security checkpoints in the Italian city of Genoa, where the sauce made from basil, pine nuts, cheese, and olive oil…

Great Barrier Reef's Value, Food Theme Park in Tokyo, and Carry-On Pesto in Italy: Today's Travel Briefing

JUNE 27, 2017 — Good morning, everybody! Here's the latest from the world's markets, airports, and underwater marvels.HOW MUCH IS THE GREAT BARRIER REEF WORTH? (Kyodo News)You can't…

No Laptop Ban on Flights from Europe to U.S.—For Now

For the time being, a ban on in-cabin laptops will not be extended to flights from Europe to the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security.However, a…

No Laptop Ban on Europe Flights, A New Budget Airline, and Facial-Recognition Boarding: Today's Travel Briefing

JUNE 7, 2017 — Good morning, everybody! Today's news is all about air travel.U.S. NOT EXPANDING LAPTOP BAN TO FLIGHTS FROM EUROPE—FOR NOW (Travel Weekly)For the time being, a ban on…

Travel Without Hesitation to Foreign Democracies, but Steer Clear of Authoritarian Nations

The scene was captured by photographers. They trained their cameras on sign-wielding protesters exercising their constitutional right to gather outside a foreign embassy and criticize…

A Mandatory Fee at NYC's Met?, Europe Travel Alert, and an Expanded Panama Canal: Today's Travel Briefing

MAY 4, 2017 — Good morning, everybody! Here's the latest from the world's museums, cruise ships, and tourism hotspots. U.S. GOVERNMENT ISSUES TRAVEL ALERT FOR EUROPE IN WAKE OF TERROR…

How to Protect Your Phone from Hackers (And Other Bad Stuff) When You Travel

Cell phones have become as indispensable during travel as they are everywhere else—whether you need directions in an unfamiliar city or simply want to keep in touch with the folks back…

The World's Safest Country for Tourists

Finland has been named the world's safest country for travelers in this year's edition of the highly regarded Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report from the World Economic…

Trump Hotel Deal Off in Dallas, World's Safest Country Named, and Emirates Cuts Flights to U.S.: Today's Travel Briefing

APRIL 20, 2017 — Good morning, everybody! Here's the latest from the world's hotels, airlines, and tourism bureaus.PLAN TO BUILD TRUMP HOTEL IN DALLAS FALLS THROUGH (Associated…

Qatar Airways Loaning Out Laptops for Free in Business Class

The Trump administration won't let airline passengers carry their own laptops onto flights from Qatar to the United States, so Qatar Airways has begun loaning out free laptops to…

Free Laptops on Qatar Airways, Rewards for Seat Volunteers, and Bob Dylan's Archive: Today's Travel Briefing

APRIL 4, 2017 — Good morning, everybody! Here's the latest from the world's museums and airports.* QATAR AIRWAYS LOANING OUT LAPTOPS FOR FREE IN BUSINESS CLASS (Travel Weekly)The Trump…

The Most Popular U.S. National Parks, a Beer Hotel in Ohio, and Skiing in Iraq: Today's Travel Briefing

Good morning, everybody! Here's the latest from the world's hotels, national parks, and ski slopes.* MOST VISITED U.S. NATIONAL PARKS IN A RECORD-SETTING YEAR (CNN)The National Park…

Trump Wants TSA Cuts to Pay for Immigration Crackdown

President Donald Trump's proposed crackdown on undocumented immigrants could wind up leading to more headaches at airports.According to internal documents reviewed by Politico,…

TSA Introducing More Invasive Pat-Downs at Airports

The Transportation Security Administration is adopting a new, more "comprehensive" (read: invasive) pat-down procedure at the nation's airports.How comprehensive?The agency is…

Cyprus Tourism Surge, More Invasive TSA Pat-Downs, and Possible TSA Budget Cuts: Today's Travel Briefing

Good morning, everybody! Here's the latest from the world's airports and tourism boards. * TSA INTRODUCING MORE INVASIVE PAT-DOWNS AT AIRPORTS (Consumerist)The Transportation Security…

TSA May Soon Stop Accepting Driver’s Licenses from These Nine States

Some airline passengers may be in for a rude awakening next January if they live in one of the nine states where driver’s licenses do not comply with the REAL ID Act, a federal…