The Ground Rules for Taking Off on International Travels
Published in the KC Small Business Monthly, May 2001
So, you’re going to be traveling overseas
on business for the first time. No matter what your
purpose or destination, the issues and questions are
similar. The primary concern for business travel is
getting from point A to point B, not sightseeing or
finding the best shopping area. But how do you
manager your travel if you’ve never been there
before? More importantly, what question should
you know the answers to before you go?
Covering the Basic Requirements
The first question, of course, is where are
you going? The second is perhaps more important:
How are you going to get back? These are more
than logistics issues – they’re directly related to
your legal status in the U.S. If you are not a U.S.
citizen, you may have to meet additional
requirements to enter your destination country, and
you will be required to prove your right to re-enter
the U.S. on your return.
Be ready to present your identification,
passport and visa, and/or other travel documents
when you check in for your flight. You should keep
these documents safely, and never, ever pack them
in checked luggage. Also make sure you have
backup copies of everything packed separately.
It’s a good idea as well to leave a photocopy of
your passport with someone in the U.S., just in
case. Even with a valid ticket, you won’t be able to
get on an international flight without proof you can
legally enter the destination country.
The U.S. State Department recommends
that any American citizen traveling outside the
States carry a valid U.S. passport as identification.
Most of the time, it’s very easy for U.S. citizens to
enter other countries. To enter Canada, for example,
U.S. citizens do not need a visa and may be
admitted with a valid driver’s license as
identification. But to enter the People’s Republic of
China, a valid visa and passport are required.
Customs and immigration officials have
broad discretion, so it’s to your advantage to know
the specific concerns of your destination country.
On entering the country, Immigration will usually
ask “What are you planning to do while you are in
our country?” and, on your return, “What were you
doing there?” Customs also will want to know what
you’re brining with you. Some items are restricted,
and others might require paying a duty.
Navigating on the Ground
Navigating through airports, especially to
make a connecting flight, can be a real challenge.
Most airports have a Web site, however, with maps
showing gates, terminals, concessions and ground
transportation. Knowing the layout can save you
time and headaches, and also may mean the
difference between making your connecting flight
or not.
The most important thing for international
flights is to allow enough time to get through
immigration and customs. If you arrive at LAX
from Shanghai and have only 30 minutes to make
your connection to Dallas, you will almost certainly
be waiting for the next flight to Dallas. If you know
your flight is going to leave late and your
connection is tight, find out what your options are
early on. Don’t wait until you’re stranded to try to
get a seat on the next flight.
Planning ahead for ground transportation
is critical, especially when a city has more than one
airport. You might be better off flying into one over
the other depending on where you need to go when
you leave the terminal. For personal security as
well as expense planning, if you are going to travel
by taxi, know where you are headed and how much
it should cost before you get in the cab. Most taxis
and airport livery services are regulated and must
display their licenses. It’s unwise to use unlicensed
transportation.
Once on the ground, language issues can
create problems even if everyone speaks English.
Most business people in Western European
countries will speak English, often as well as their
native language. Similarly, many Chinese and
Japanese business people speak English too. But
beware! The English you’re accustomed to and the
way the language is used in other countries can be
quite different. What you expect something to mean
may not be what it means to someone else, and vice
The Ground Rules for Taking Off on International Travels - To learn more about this author, visit Terri Morgan's Website.
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Terri Morgan
(Visit Terri's Website)
Terri Morgan has management, general and
technical (IT) business experience,
manufacturing experience, native-level
fluency in Mandarin (her fourth language)
and is Six Sigma certified. She has over
25 years of published work and has been
recognized for her professional
contributions in both business and in
Chinese martial arts. Terri has been an
invited speaker, presenter, and performer
for national and international events.
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