If you have gone through airport security recently, you’ve probably seen these signs posted:Phase 4 of the Real ID act goes into full effect on January 22, 2018, requiring that travelers present a Real ID compliant form of identification when boarding domestic flights. At this point, the majority of state IDs and drivers licenses are compliant or have received extensions from the federal government. If your ID is from those states then you’ll have nothing to worry about in January. There are some states, however, that are not yet compliant. If your state is on that list, you might want to start thinking about getting a passport or another form of Real ID compliant identification now.
Here’s the timeline:
January 22, 2018
Residents of some states will be required to have a valid passport or other form of Real ID compliant identification to board a domestic flight unless their state becomes compliant and issues new IDs first. This information changes often, so please refer to the Department of Homeland Security’s Real ID Enforcement page for the most up-to-date information on state compliance.
October 1, 2020
Residents of ALL US states and territories – whether they’ve received an extension or not – will be required to have a Real ID-compliant license.
What is the Real ID Act?
You may or may not have heard of the Real ID Act. Congress passed it back in 2005 per the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission and this is what the U.S. Department of Homeland Security tells us it’s all about:
- It “establishes minimum standards for the production and issuance of state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and authorizes grants to assist states in implementing the requirements.”
- It “prohibits Federal agencies from accepting for official uses driver’s licenses and identity cards from states unless the Department of Homeland Security determines that the state meets the standards. Official uses are defined as accessing Federal facilities, entering nuclear power plants, and boarding federally-regulated commercial aircraft.”
Many of the initial phases, which require Real ID approved identification to access secured federal facilities and military bases, have already gone into effect. The final phase of this initiative, phase 4, is underway now. It says that “a driver’s license or identification card from a non-compliant state may only be used in conjunction with a second compliant form of ID for boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft.”
Additional Resources
Here are some additional links with more information on the Real ID Act and how it will be enforced:
DHS: Real ID Enforcement in brief
DHS: REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions for the public
DHS: Real ID and you; Rumor Control
This article was originally published by Travel & Transport on October 12, 2017. To view the original article, click here.
]]>This may seem obvious, but when you leave your home country you’re subject to the laws and regulations of the country you’re visiting – from the moment you enter the front door. A security concern that not everyone thinks about can occur at border crossings. Depending on where you are traveling to, electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and digital cameras may be subject to official government review as well as, in some cases, duplication of your hard drives and other storage media. Privacy concerns don’t end at the border, however. Depending on what country you’re in you may also expose your devices to viruses, activity tracking and other software simply by being in the country and connecting to its networks.
We talk a lot about data security for travelers on this site and all of that information should apply here as well. Check out a few of them here:
- 6 ways to protect yourself against data breach
- So what the heck’s a chip card anyway?
- Don’t throw away that old boarding pass! Here’s why.
While there’s no specific list (at least that we could find) of countries that can take a look at and potentially snoop, seize or copy data from your devices, there are reports that it can and does happen all over the world.
Whether you’re entering a country by air or traveling between countries by car, boat, train, foot, skis (in the unlikely event that James Bond is reading this), hoverboard (in the less likely event that a 12 year-old is reading this), winged horse, TARDIS, trained dolphin team or Uber, it’s a good idea to take some steps before you arrive to ensure that your personal and corporate data is protected from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Encrypt
Encrypt the information on your laptop to ensure that your data remains hidden to unauthorized access. Both Microsoft and Apple offer tools to accomplish this. Just don’t forget your password! You might already have this activated if you use a company device. If so, be sure to check with your IT or corporate security department to get more information before traveling internationally.
Back up
Did you spend your flight crafting the perfect presentation? Make sure you’re able back it up to the cloud while in the air or as soon as you land – just in case your laptop is seized and searched. How about all those photos on your smartphone? Have you backed those up? There are services like Apple iCloud and Google Photos that make it easy. Run that backup before you leave home and again in every country you visit – but then pay attention to the next section!
Sign out
Clear your browser history and delete cookies from your web browsers that may still be signed into email, social media sites, etc.
Sign out of apps on your smartphone and tablet that might contain personally identifiable or sensitive information. This might include social media apps, email apps, notes apps like Evernote and Notes, storage sites like Google Drive and Dropbox, calendars and more. You might just delete the apps altogether. You can get them back when you return.
Do you have a fingerprint reader on your device? Temporarily disable that or reboot your phone prior to arriving at the border so that a password/PIN is required. Here’s how to disable Touch ID on the iPhone or iPad.
Consider alternate devices
If you can manage, don’t take your brand new expensive Macbook or Surface Pro tablet along with you on the trip. Bring along a cheaper device instead such as a low cost Windows laptop or a Chromebook that won’t make you shed tears if it disappears. Make sure it’s new or has been wiped (erased and reloaded like new) before you go. That will limit exposure to to only the time period with which you’re traveling.
The same thing goes for your phone. Do you have an old phone you can take along rather than your primary device? Maybe go old school and consider a “dumb phone” for your trip – just pretend that it’s 2006 again! Yeah, I know that’s no fun and could be terribly inconvenient. It’s just something to consider depending on where you’re traveling.
If you’re carrying corporate devices, keep the number of your travel department, corporate security, or IT department handy (and not on your phone) so that devices can be remotely locked or even wiped should they be taken and accessed by government officials – or anyone else for that matter.
Whatever devices you bring, be sure they have the latest updates and security patches installed. When you return home, have your devices wiped and reset to ensure that no viruses or otherwise nefarious software has been installed.
This article was originally published by Travel & Transport. The original article can be read here.
]]>“You won’t believe the nightmare I had getting through security this morning,” or “that TSA agent must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.
Unless you really have nothing better to do, the TSA knows that you didn’t come to the airport to see them. They’re just a rather large and sometimes annoying speed bump between you and your departing aircraft. That’s why they’ve made a number of great resources available to help travelers get through their checkpoints as efficiently as possible.
Visit TSA.gov for advance planning
Although a few things may vary from airport to airport (or agent to agent), the vast majority of the rules at TSA checkpoints across the U.S. are pretty consistent. You can find those listed on the TSA website or in the MyTSA mobile app, which you can get in the iOS or Google Play stores.
Check out their recent blog on summer travel tips. They also have lots of videos published that can help you know what to expect.
Follow TSA on Social Media
The TSA has an active social media presence. You’ll find great information that will help you get through security more easily and provide answers to questions you might have.
Not sure if an item is allowed through the checkpoint in your carry-on bag? Send a #photo of the item to @AskTSA or https://t.co/FqdjhU6idI pic.twitter.com/WsrMhS71mh
— TSA (@TSA) August 13, 2017
You can also send them a specific question and get a direct answer via their @AskTSA Twitter account or via Facebook Messenger. They’ve got agents available to help from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Have a question about an upcoming flight? Ask TSA on Facebook Messenger! We are standing by to assist from 9 a.m. to 7…
Posted by Ask TSA on Thursday, July 7, 2016
Get Pre-Check
By now, many U.S. travelers already have TSA Pre-Check. If you don’t have it yet and you travel more than a few times a year it can be well worth the cost. Getting approved for Pre-Check allows you to get through airport security faster and easier, and it allows the TSA to focus their attention on both higher risk travelers and infrequent travelers, which can help speed up the entire security process.
For more information on how to get Pre-Check or another Trusted Traveler Program (which will include Pre-Check), visit our Ultimate Guide to Trusted Traveler Programs.
Be Positive!
Sometimes the best way to make your airport security experience easier is to maintain a good attitude throughout the process. Here’s a quote from Travel and Transport’s Senior Vice President of Account Management, Nancy Rissky, which was first published on our website more than three years ago. I think it’s still pretty relevant:
“Aside from the tangible things that made business travel easier, I’ve found that a positive attitude is a must. Sure, things are bound to go wrong, like flight delays or cancellations, but when you consider that these things are done for our safety, it’s easier to stay positive. When you acknowledge that things can go wrong, you’ll be much happier when things go perfectly right, which does occasionally happen. Do your best to smile – behavior breeds like behavior. Saying “good morning” and smiling at the TSA agent is sure to get you one in return.”
Getting through airports isn’t always easy. Keeping a few of these tips and resources in mind can go a long way the next time you’re making your way to your next flight.
This article was originally published by Travel & Transport. To view the original article, click here.
]]>What are SOS Alerts?
According to Google, “SOS Alerts aim to make emergency information more accessible during a natural or human-caused crisis.” The service intends to collect the most relevant, accurate and authoritative information from social media, the web, existing Google sources and their connections with organizations and authorities around the world such as the Red Cross, FEMA and many others. SOS Alerts, according to Google, will typically be published in the local language (where the crisis has occurred) as well as English.
Where do you get them?
Alerts are accessed in a few ways:
- You can search Google for a crisis. For a crisis that happens in Shanghai, for instance, searching for Shanghai will automatically display an SOS Alert in red at the top of search results. Clicking on that will take you to maps, top stories and other useful information from authorities.
- You can browse to the crisis location in Google Maps, which will display an SOS Alerts icon that will open up a card featuring the most relevant information and links.
- If you’re in an area directly affected and your location services on your smartphone are activated, you may receive a push notification from Google that directs you to the SOS Alert.
You don’t have to be there to use SOS Alerts
Crisis situations in the world don’t just affect those that are on location. Back home, family, friends, colleagues and travel managers can also use SOS Alerts to find out what is happening. By simply searching for relevant terms related to the incident, SOS Alerts can be accessed with an overview of the situation. Google Maps can also be used by browsing to that area of the map to get real-time updates on what is happening.
Which incidents warrant an SOS Alert?
When Facebook released their Safety Check feature in 2015, the company was criticized for only activating it for certain incidents. Facebook has now broadened its policies governing when a Safety Check is activated. It’s unclear at this point what types of crises Google will push SOS Alerts for. According to their support site, they will weigh factors such as internet connectivity in the area, availability of content from sources such as local government authorities, as well as the significance of the incident and the impact it has had. Plans are to roll out alerts on select crises initially, with more broad global coverage over time.
The verdict on SOS Alerts for travelers
At the time of this article, SOS Alerts are brand new. Only time will tell how well the service actually works, but initial looks are promising. What is clear, however, is that for travelers, SOS Alerts could be an important weapon in the traveler’s digital arsenal. It could prove to be very useful as a supplement to the relevant travel and emergency information provided by your employer, your travel management company and travel suppliers.
You can get more information on Google’s SOS Alerts and their overall crisis response efforts at https://crisisresponse.google/. You can also follow GoogleCrisisResponse on Twitter.
For more information on the emergency information that Travel and Transport is able to provide, visit our Travel Risk Management resource center.
Click here to access the original article.
]]>Most everyone, by now, has heard of Uber and Lyft. In theory, the transportation services they provide make total sense from a consumer, employee and employer standpoint. A customer takes out his or her phone, loads the app, requests a ride and within minutes he or she is in a car on the way to the destination.
There’s no doubt that the marketplace is responding favorably, as recently estimated values for Uber exceed $40 billion, while Lyft is listed at an impressive $700 million. Theory isn’t necessarily reality, however, and just like Airbnb, a few issues are still preventing both of these “ridesharing” companies from fully emerging as the preferred taxi method over traditional cabs – particularly for business travel.
How do Uber and Lyft differ?
The essential services that Uber and Lyft provide are extremely similar to each other. Once you’ve signed up with either company you can enter your credit card information so that no transaction is necessary during the course of your ride. Your card will be automatically charged after the ride is complete. When you request a ride, drivers are notified and can choose to pick you up depending on their proximity and your intended destination. A feature of both companies that is a slight advantage over regular taxis is they encourage users not to tip drivers.
Uber tends to be geared more toward professional transportation and Lyft, as Tech Times stated, gives off more of a “I’m just a friend who’s giving you a ride” feeling. Lyft drivers generally use their own personal cars – often sporting a giant pink mustache on the front.
Pricing and Service Options
Pricing is similar for both companies so for the purposes of this article we will focus on Uber. Three primary factors affect pricing:
- The type of service you want.
- What city you’re in.
- How much demand there is for the service at the time you want to travel
Uber actually offers five different kinds of rides, which include the following:
- UberX, the standard and cheapest Uber ride where drivers use their own cars.
- Uber Taxi, actual licensed cab drivers who collaborate with Uber.
- Uber Black, a more “deluxe” experience, featuring black cars for a more professional transfer.
- Uber SUV, for larger groups.
- Uber Lux, the most expensive service featuring the highest luxury cars available, such as Mercedes or BMW.
Lyft offers a more limited menu of options with their standard service as described above, and Lyft Plus which provides transportation for six or more passengers. No black car service options are offered, and if you do get a black car it will probably have pink facial hair.
“IF UBER DETERMINES TRAFFIC TO BE BUSY AND RIDER DEMAND HIGH, IT WILL TACK ON WHAT IT REFERS TO AS “SURGE PRICING”, WHICH CAN FORCE RATES TO DOUBLE, TRIPLE OR IN SOME CASES SURGE EVEN MORE.”
Benefits for Business Travel
Business Insider did a side-by-side comparison between the average fares of Uber and regular taxi services in major cities. It essentially found Uber to be a cheaper ride overall, however, the element of “surge pricing” is a big factor for calculating your price. If Uber determines traffic to be busy and rider demand high, it will tack on what it refers to as “surge pricing”, which can force rates to double, triple or in some cases surge even more. Lyft has the same add-on, called “prime time,” and both companies notify users about these increased prices before they agree to a ride. However, one offer Lyft provides that Uber doesn’t is a price decrease called “Happy Hour,” which can decrease fares by 10 to 50 percent if business is slow.
Uber and Lyft can be very convenient for business travelers because their prices are simple and accommodating for companies. Uber’s Business program and Lyft’s For Work program offer services such as travel policy protections, easy administration of employees, simplified billing and expense reporting. In addition, Concur provides access to Uber through its app for booking, payment and expense reporting.
Questions with Uber and Lyft
There has been a great deal of debate about insurance procedures for both companies. When it comes to insurance policies, regular taxi companies have gone to great lengths to lash out at Uber and Lyft for their current regulations, asserting that drivers for both enterprises are sidestepping their personal insurance claims by avoiding reporting the fact they work for a ridesharing service. In fact, 45 taxi groups in the city of Philadelphiafiled a lawsuit against Uber in late 2014 because they felt the company was not correctly operating under state laws and regulations. Uber itself claims that in the event of an accident, there’s a “commercial insurance policy for ridesharing with $1 million of coverage per incident,” which provides coverage for anyone injured in the event of a mishap, “from the time a driver accepts your trip request through the app until the completion of your trip.” Lyft also provides coverage for the same amount of $1 million.
The primary issue centers on the insurance held by the drivers themselves. As Forbes reported, Uber and Lyft have historically told their drivers that their existing private insurance is all they need. However, many insurance companies feel differently and consider this type of driving to be commercial activity. Drivers have had no choice, in some cases, than to conceal the fact that they drive for Uber or Lyft from their insurance companies. This has led to some policies being cancelled when drivers are discovered, as well as allegations of insurance fraud. New laws and new hybrid personal/commercial policies aimed at drivers are currently in the works that will help to protect drivers and ensure rider safety.
Controversy and Global Concerns
Uber has come under fire for controversies with regard to several different alleged business practices, including sabotaging and recruiting Lyft drivers, proposing to expose personal secrets of critical journalists, and implementing surge pricing during emergencies such as Hurricane Sandy and the Sydney hostage crisis. In addition, Uber has had trouble spreading to all major markets – particularly globally. Germany banned Uber over licensing and France is currently investigating similar bans. The service has also been stopped in India due to a reported attack by an Uber driver. Similar charges have been filed against Uber drivers in France. UN Women, a United Nations organization focused on gender equality and empowerment, cancelled an announced partnership with Uber. All of these factors must be considered by businesses with active corporate social responsibility initiatives.
“WHILE IT STILL REMAINS TO BE SEEN HOW FUTURE LAWS COULD IMPACT POLICIES, PRICES AND SERVICE FOR RIDESHARING COMPANIES, THE VERDICT SEEMS TO BE THAT SERVICES LIKE UBER AND LYFT CAN BE A SMART OPTION FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL.”
The Bottom Line on Ridesharing Services
According to Uber, companies will save $1,000 or more per employee per year when using its Uber for Business model compared to regular taxi enterprises. Even corporate giants such as Morgan Stanley have publicly shared their endorsement of Uber by allowing its employees to use the ridesharing venture as a part of their business travel policy. Traditional taxi services are quickly adapting to this new era and many have introduced apps that mimic Uber and Lyft in an attempt to curb the loss of business.
While it still remains to be seen how future laws could impact policies, prices and service for ridesharing companies, the verdict seems to be that services like Uber and Lyft can be a smart option for business travel.
To recap, here are three important things to consider when using a ridesharing service for business travel:
- Consider looking at alternatives in markets where Uber and Lyft pricing is higher or more apt to enter surge pricing periods. Do the taxi and black car services in the area offer similar technologies?
- Review your company’s policies with regard to ridesharing services as well as any potential corporate social responsibility initiatives that might be applicable.
- Consider using Uber and Lyft’s business options which offer services such as travel policy protection and centralized direct billing.
Fraudulent sites may be built to resemble legitimate booking sites, going as far as using the logos and color schemes of hotels and reputable online sites. They will collect deposits from bookers or a “commission” without ever booking the reservation.
It has become harder and harder to notice the fakes as more people book via their mobile devices. Maryam Cope, Vice President for Government Affairs for the AH&LA told the LA Times that travelers may not even realize they’ve been scammed until it’s too late. “If you book the room online you may not find out there is a problem until you show up at the front desk,” said Cope.
The AH&LA has worked with members of Congress to reach out to the US Attorney General’s office, educating them on the issue and asking them to spread the word about these scams. Until these fraudsters are cracked down upon, here are some things you can do to protect your money and enjoy your upcoming trip:
- If you’re a business traveler and your company has a managed travel program, booking through company-approved channels is always the best option.
- Don’t click links from emails or other websites that lead you to a hotel booking site. Access sites directly via their URL or their official mobile app.
- If you aren’t familiar with the hotel booking site, do some research. A few searches of Google and social media sites can save you from a ruined trip.
- Use your instinct. If it doesn’t look or feel right, it probably isn’t. Call your travel management company or reach out to the hotel directly to be sure.