Tips & Articles on Traveling, Aviation, Boating and Cruises
Tips
What Happens If You Are Arrested Overseas?
Sep 22nd
When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws, and American officials are limited as to how they can assist you. They cannot, for instance, represent you in legal proceedings or pay your legal fees or other expenses. They can, however, perform a variety of vital services, which include providing a list of attorneys, assisting in contacting your family in the U.S. if you wish it, helping you obtain money from family in the U.S., and monitoring your health and welfare and the conditions under which you are being held.
If you are arrested, immediately ask to speak to a consular officer at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Under international agreements, the U.S. Government has a right to provide consular assistance to you upon your request. If your request to speak to your consul is turned down, keep askingpolitely, but persistently.
Special warning about drug offenses abroad
Every year, several hundred Americans are arrested abroad on drug charges. Persons caught with illegal drugs in a foreign country are subject to the drug laws of that country, not those of the U.S.; as always, ignorance of the law is no excuse. In many countries, the burden of proof is on the accused to show that he or she is innocent of the charges.
Some Americans take advantage of an offer of an all-expenses-paid vacation abroad in exchange for carrying a small package in the luggage. When, to their surprise, they are caught, the fact that they did not know that there were drugs in that package will not reduce the charges against them.
Every aspect of a drug arrest abroad can be different from U.S. practice. For instance:
* few countries provide a jury trial
* many countries do not permit pre-trial release on bail
* pre-trial detention, often in solitary confinement, can last several months
* prisons may lack even minimal comforts, such as beds, toilets, and washbasins
* diets are often inadequate and require supplements from relatives and friends
* officials may not speak English
* physical abuse, confiscation of property, degrading treatment and extortion are
possible.
* persons convicted may face sentences ranging from fines and jail time, to years of hard labor, and even the death penalty
* penalties for drug possession and for drug trafficking are often the same abroad, so possession of one ounce of marijuana could result in years in a foreign jail
As with any arrest of a U.S. citizen abroad, consular officers perform a variety of services. But, you will basically be on your own. Dont be stupid. Stay away from drugs.
What does ski-in, ski-out really mean?
Sep 21st
When you are booking a vacation rental property in a ski resort there is an indisputable magic to the phrase ski-in, ski-out. It conjures up images of a loving restored log cabin on the edge of an immaculately groomed piste, of watching fellow skiers carve elegant turns from your living room window, with the occasional spray of snow against the window pane. It suggests stepping out of your front door, clicking on your skis and gliding down the slopes to the lift. You may anticipate avoiding the crush of people waiting for a lukewarm and soggy pizza in the mountain restaurant by using your own chalet as a mountain restaurant. And, perhaps best of all, you may look forward to skiing back to your own front door at the end of the afternoon and forgetting about trudging along paths and the indignity of crowded shuttle buses.
The reality may be very different. Knowing the power of the term ski-in, ski-out, vacation rental providers are quick to use it to cover a myriad of different arrangements and a range of proximity to the slopes. Here are a few things to watch out for:
1. The ski-in ski-out home that is really hiking distance to the slopes. The economics of housing development on mountainsides mean that when an area is developed next to the slopes, only some of it is actually next to the slopes. There is almost certain to be a hinterland of properties that have access to the slopesvia pathways, steps, roadways etc. The pathways may be short, or they may not. Make sure you ask exactly how far a particular property is from the actual ski slope, and what the path is actually like: is it a level walkway or a series of dozens of icy steps?
2. The ski-in, ski-out home that is reached via an ungroomed trail through the woods. When these homes were originally built the developers cut a trail to them so that they could be sold as ski-in, ski-out. However these trails are very often too narrow for a snow-cat to use; furthermore, they are very likely private property and the lift company which grooms the slopes may have no responsibility for them. Only if the owners of properties served by that trail get together and make private arrangements for grooming will you find the trail in good enough condition for safe usage.
3. The ski-in, ski-out home that offers good ski-in, ski-out accessif youve chosen one of the 2 weeks of the year when the snow is down to that level. Many resorts that offer ski accommodation are down in the valley, and global warming has led to a raising of the snow line and a decline in the number of weeks that snow is on the ground at given elevations.
4. Finally, there is the nirvana: a ski-in, ski-out home that is what it says it is: situated right on slopes which are snow-covered throughout the season and groomed by the lift companys snowcats daily. This is what is often now referred to as true ski-in, ski-out. However, you may find that because this real estate is so scarce it is also very pricey, or alternatively it is developed with rather high-density and charmless accommodation. The Aspens in Whistler is a good example of this. The situation is perfect, right on the slopes, but the accommodation is mostly fairly spartan.
The lesson here is simple. When you are booking ski-in, ski-out accommodation, make sure that you know exactly what you are getting. If you are booking a resort such as Whistler, where there are many gradations of ski-in, ski-out accommodation, consult one of the local property management companies like Holiday Whistler, and question them very closely on its exact location before you book your Whistler ski accommodation.
What Do You Do In A Hostage Situation?
Sep 21st
While every hostage situation is different, there are some general considerations to keep in mind.
* U.S. Government policy is firm: they do not make concessions to terrorists. When Americans are abducted overseas, the U.S. government looks to the host government to exercise its responsibility under international law to protect all persons within its territories and to bring about the safe release of hostages. The United States works closely with these governments from the outset of a hostage-taking incident to ensure that their citizens and other victims are released as quickly and safely as possible.
* At the outset of a terrorist incident, the terrorists typically are tense, high-strung and may behave irrationally. It is extremely important that you remain calm and alert, and control your own behavior.
* Avoid resistance and sudden or threatening movements. Do not struggle or try to escape unless you are certain of being successful. Don’t try to be a hero, endangering yourself and others.
* Consciously put yourself in a mode of passive cooperation. Talk normally. Do not complain, avoid belligerency, and comply with all orders and instructions.
* If questioned, keep your answers short. Don’t volunteer information or make unnecessary overtures.
* Make a concerted effort to relax. Prepare yourself mentally, physically and emotionally for the possibility of a long ordeal.
* Try to remain inconspicuous, avoid direct eye contact and the appearance of observing your captors’ actions.
* Avoid alcoholic beverages. Eat what they give you, even if it does not look or taste appetizing, but keep consumption of food and drink at a moderate level. A loss of appetite and weight is normal.
* If you are involved in a lengthier, drawn-out situation, try to establish a rapport with your captors, avoiding political discussions or other confrontational subjects.
* Establish a daily program of mental and physical activity.
* Think positively and avoid a sense of despair. You are a valuable commodity to your captors, and it is important to them to keep you alive and well.
Your government will do everything short of conceding to gain your release. Political and media pressure may assist in your release. Keep your cool, say your prayers, and avoid endangering your life and the lives of others.
What Do You Do If You Lose Your Airline Ticket?
Sep 21st
What Do You Do If You Lose Your Airline Ticket?
This can be compounded if you are in a foreign country and the language barrier becomes insurmountable. Airline offices may not be located in the city you are spending your holiday in, funds may not be readily available to re-purchase a ticket, and time may be of the essence.
Many passengers believe that air tickets can be replaced as easily as travelers checks just because the reservation is in the computer, but that is not the case. Your ticket number may be shown on your credit card receipt or travel agency itinerary. If it is not, jot down the number on a sheet of paper and carry it separately from your ticket. Bring it with you on your trip. If the ticket does go astray, the airline can process your refund application more quickly, and perhaps issue an on-the-spot replacement ticket, if you can give them this number.
You should report a lost ticket immediately to the airline that is shown as the issuing carrier at the top of the ticket. You may be required to repurchase a ticket in order to continue your trip. If you no longer meet all of the restrictions on your discount fare (e.g., seven-day advance purchase) the new ticket may cost more than the old one did. In that event, however, it is generally the higher fare that is eventually refunded, as long as you don’t change any of the cities, flights or dates on your trip.
Once the airline establishes that you actually bought the ticket, they will begin processing your refund application. There is often a waiting period of two to six months. If anyone uses or cashes in your ticket while the refund is pending, the airline may refuse to give you your money back.
Finally, there is a handling charge that the airline may deduct from the refund. All in all, getting a refund or replacement for a lost ticket is a lot of trouble, and there’s no guarantee you’ll receive either one.
Ensure that you make a copy of your ticket (the back page), and store it in a safe place. At your hotel, keep your ticket in the in-room safe or at the safe behind the check-in counter. Never carry your ticket around with you while you are out sightseeing, shopping or dining.
Prevention is the key to a hassle free vacation. So, the best advice is-don’t lose the ticket in the first place.
What Do You Do If You Get Kidnapped?
Sep 21st
Although it is recognized that hard-and-fast rules cannot be applied in incidents of kidnapping, the following points are worthy of special consideration:
Under all circumstances attempt to stay calm and be alert to situations that you can exploit to your advantage. Remember that the primary objective of your family and law enforcement officials will be to secure your safe return as quickly as possible.
Do not attempt to fight back or to struggle physically. No matter how reasonable your captors may appear on the surface, they cannot be trusted to behave normally and their actions may be unpredictable.
Comply with the instructions of your abductors as well as you can.
Do not discuss what action may be taken by your family, friends, or company.
Make a mental note of all movements, including time in transit, direction, distances, speeds, landmarks along the way, special odors, and distinctive sounds like bells, construction, voices, etc.
Whenever possible, take mental note of the characteristics of your abductors, their habits, surroundings, speech, mannerisms, and what contacts they make.
Generally, you cannot expect to have a good opportunity to escape. No attempt to escape should be made unless it has been carefully calculated to ensure the best possible odds for success.
Avoid making provocative remarks to your abductors. As noted, they may be unstable individuals who react irrationally.
If you have a disease or physical condition that requires treatment request special medicines or medical attention immediately.
Try to establish some kind of rapport with your captors.
Maintain your cool, use your head and you will get out of this terrible situation. The odds are very long that this will ever happen to you, but you want to be prepared in the event that it does.
