ARE YOU READY FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL?  (Advice for those who are!)

 It was the first time on an overseas flight since the pandemic began.  After 19 months of only traveling in the USA… I was ready.  Yes me and everyone else!   It wasn’t surprising that along with a huge desire to “Get out there’ again, everyone wants to go somewhere.

So my first suggestion is to plan ahead!  Flights are full and you can’t always get what you want.  

Secondly – have patience!  I have heard that to reach an airline reservation agent can take up to 9 hours on hold.

Third – Make sure you know the rules and regulations into the country you want to travel to.  Rules change daily so make sure that you have everything in order or the airlines won’t let you get on your first flight.

 Flying to one country is easy…but if you want to go to more than one…you will have to have all requirements for each country you will visit. This may even mean multiple PCR or Antigen tests going from one to another. Again, each country has its own rules.     Some countries have forms to fill out, others not.  Plus you have to do the math because it is not 48 hours in your time zone, but theirs.  So if you are arriving in Madrid at 9am on Monday, you need to have your test done no earlier than 3am on Sat AM in EST in Atlanta. 

Forth suggestion…make one or two printouts of everything, plus an electronic record on the cellphone you travel with

Fifth – Be prepared.  It can be a real snag if you get delayed or miss a connecting flight too.  The flights are so full, the next flight could be at least a day later meaning  another PCR test so that you are within your window of  72 or 48 hrs.

And be prepared….airports are jammed.   Everyone wants to go. When you do get aboard…flights are also jammed!!  Not an empty seat anywhere!  Be prepared. Many airport outlets for food are closed still (staffing problems) so make sure you bring a  protein bar just in case.

 There is so much more to be prepared for both here at home and also when you get to your favorite destination.   Prepared and Patience gain the biggest rewards.   Next month, read about examples of what happens when you test positive before returning home.

Until then, Be Safe and Be Well and Let’s go!!  The world is waiting!