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Travel Like a Flight Attendant

When to Renew Your Passport

By My Flying Fingers
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May 08, 2015
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Travel Tips

Even if your passport hasn’t expired, there’s no guarantee that it will be accepted as valid for travel. Many countries have rules requiring that your passport is valid for at least 3 months after your entry; Israel requires 6 months remaining on your passport. Even if you’re travelling to countries that aren’t as strict, your passport should be valid for your return flight and a bit beyond, as a safety measure.

Check Destination Passport Requirements in Advance

If you arrive at the airport and are denied boarding because your passport validity doesn’t meet the rules of your destination, who can you blame? With various restrictions around travel today, you should always try to be aware of the latest requirements. If you use the services of a travel agency, they should inform you of any quirks in a country’s policies. Still, with so much current information available online, you’d be well advised to research independently and confirm particulars with your agency or airline.

When to Renew Your Passport.

I always renewed my passport 7 months before the expiry date, which allowed for delays. As a crew member, I received priority treatment, but in most places, paying an extra fee will expedite the process.

Although passport requirements may make your 10 year passport technically valid for only 9 1/2 years, better safe than sorry is a good rule to follow when travelling and dealing with passport renewal.

My eBook Travel Like a Flight Attendant has more useful travel advice.

Bon Voyage!

Can I Carry Nail Varnish or Polish on a Plane?

Is nail polish or nail varnish allowed in hand luggage on board an airplane? The answer is yes, as long as the bottle is under 3.4 oz. or 100ml. Previous US limits were at 3 oz. but have since been updated to reflect a more accurate equivalent to the international standard of 100 ml.

After a 2006 bomb plot discovery, all liquid, gel or aerosol items must be in containers no larger than 3.4 oz or 100ml and fit into a one litre clear, closed and resealable plastic bag, about 20 cm x 20 cm. I’ve dubbed this the security baggie and it must pass though the screening machine separately from your other carry-on luggage.

Use a medium-sized zippered bag; the freezer style is more durable. It’s easy to fit all your sundries once you know that only liquid, gel or aerosol items are considered restricted and
need to be placed in the security baggie. This includes roll-on or aerosol deodorant,
toothpaste, shave cream and mascara.

For more information on what you can carry on board and how to pack it like a pro, download my eBook Travel Like A Flight Attendant. It’s filled with money-saving travel tips and advice I learned from my thirty years (and twenty million air miles) as a crew member.

Happy travels!

Arrest or Detention in a Foreign Country

By My Flying Fingers
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Jun 05, 2012
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Travel Tips

Laws & procedures dealing with body searches or searches of personal belongings vary from country to country. While you must usually submit to customs or immigration searches, if they go beyond reasonable expectations for safety or security or are associated with arrest and detention, you should seek legal advice from a local lawyer or your consular officials.

Read the rest of this article on my new website Travel Like a Flight Attendant.

Personal Safety When Travelling

By My Flying Fingers
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Feb 27, 2012
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Travel Tips

Situations that appear innocuous at home may result in tragic outcomes when travelling. Use common sense and caution and trust your gut instinct. The following safety tips will help.

Avoid rowdy gatherings and political demonstrations, which can quickly escalate into crushing stampedes or violent confrontations
Beware of overloaded boats, bridges, viewing platforms and stadium stands, especially in underdeveloped countries
Decline offers for unofficial guided bus or taxi tours to out of the way places as they could be a set-up for robbery
On tour buses, sit away from the doors to gain extra time if thieves should rush onboard
In some areas, robbers have also been known to smash windows when vehicles are stopped at red lights. Keep purses and totebags on the floor, not the window seat
Dress inconspicuously, especially where local customs mandate modest dress
Don’t stand on the street to examine maps or guide books – step into a store
If trapped in a hotel room due to political or security issues, close the curtains and stay away from the window. Speak quietly into the phone or send text messages from a cell phone

As flight crews know, taking extra precautions does not translate into paranoia. The old adage “better safe than sorry,” is especially valid when travelling.

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