Travel Policy for Faculty and Staff

General Travel Safety Tips

The following suggestions will provide a more safe and pleasurable trip for travelers:

Plan to arrive at the airport at least one hour before domestic flights and two hours before international flights. To avoid
having to stand in line, ask the travel counselor to include boarding passes with your ticket whenever possible.
Do not leave luggage unattended or with someone you do not know.
Never agree to carry anything on board or in your luggage for someone else.
Put your name and University address on your luggage. For added security, use tags that conceal your name and address. You should avoid using your home address as this will alert would-be thieves to the fact that you are away from your
residence.
Remove all old destination tags to avoid misdirection by baggage handlers.
Carry all medication, important business papers, some toiletries and a change of clothing in carry-on luggage in case the checked luggage is misplaced.

Leave the airport as soon as possible after deplaning. Disturbances are more likely to occur in public airport lobbies.
Beware of people claiming to be cab drivers in unmarked cars. Use licensed taxi or limousine services only.
If renting a car, get maps in advance or from the rental car counter and clearly write out the directions from the airport to the hotel. Stop to ask for directions only in well-lit public areas. Keep the phone number of your destination with you.
If unfamiliar with the local language, carry a card or matchbook with the hotel's name and address. This can be shown to a cab driver or police officer should you become lost.
In developing countries, try to reserve rooms on the third through the sixth floor of the hotel. Disturbances and burglaries are most likely to affect ground and second story levels. In some countries, fire rescue equipment does not reach above the sixth floor.
Do not leave a sign on the hotel room door for maid service as it announces an empty room for would-be thieves.