LINK

[for fair use educational and discussion purposes only]

Be Prepared If Traveling Abroad For Y2K - Make Sure Youre Ready For Trouble As The Big Date Nears

Date :11/26/1999
Author : Larry Olmsted
Copyright : Investor's Business Daily

Apprehensive about flying overseas around the New Years holiday? Air travel may be the least of your woes if youre out of the country when Y2K arrives.
Government authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration, corporate travel planners and independent aviation experts say air traffic systems are mostly ready for the date change. Other key systems - from bank machines to public transportation - may cause you real trouble abroad. But your risks will be less if you take the following precautions:
Check the DOTs Web site. The Department of Transportation site has Y2K preparedness data on foreign destinations, including reports on major airports and foreign airlines.
Keep 1999 flier-mile statement. Chris McGinnis, travel consultant and author of "202 Tips Even the Best Business Travelers May Not Know," offers advice for air travelers. Such as: "Whether youre traveling or not, hold onto your last frequent-flier statement this year until you receive a new and correct one in 2000."
Dont use electronic tickets. Go with paper from about Christmas until at least Jan. 5. Record and carry all travel-related confirmation numbers, including hotel reservations.
Renew passport if needed. If your passport expires before next spring, renew now.
Double-check reservations. Especially if you made them earlier in the year. Virgin Atlantic, an extreme example, is not flying at all on New Years Day.
Since airlines and air traffic control systems operate on Greenwich Mean Time, any midnight incidents on Dec. 31 should be known in this country at 7 p.m. EST or 4 p.m. on the West Coast.
Check ahead for travel abroad. According to the State Department, in some countries Y2K could mean cancellation or delays of flights, limited acceptance of credit and ATM cards, and limited access to medical supplies and care. In more extreme examples, major systems like utilities and telecommunications may fail.
Carry all important documentation. That means on your person or in carry-on luggage. Bring a photocopy of your passport, separate from the original.
Carry ample supplies. Have enough prescription medication to cover a delayed return. Carry cash in the local currency or widely accepted travelers checks. Divide the cash or checks in case some is lost or stolen.
Carry contact numbers with you. These include the phone number and address of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest your destination in case of emergency.
In mid-September, the State Department modified its Consular Information Sheets, detailed descriptions of travel and safety issues for 196 countries, to include a section on Y2K. The sheets contain other useful information, such as the location of U.S. embassies, consulates and medical facilities. The sheets are available online, or through fax-back service, and recorded Y2K information is also available. The State Department Web site includes links to foreign government Y2K sites, as well as those of other U.S. government agencies.
It is generally agreed that key countries of concern include Russia and China, as well as Venezuela, Nigeria and Colombia. The Russia CIS states, "Y2K disruptions are likely to occur in the key sectors of electrical power, heat, telecommunications, transportation and financial and emergency services."
While specific warnings such as these should be heeded, some State Department information may not be completely accurate. The Italy CIS paints a rosy picture for travelers, while a report by a Senate special committee identified Italy as the least prepared major travel destination. The best-prepared foreign nation is probably Canada. [ENDS]

-- John Whitley (jwhitley@inforamp.net), November 27, 1999

Answers

First hint: "Whether youre traveling or not, hold onto your last frequent-flier statement this year until you receive a new and correct one in 2000." Nice to see these people are concentrating on the important stuff.

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), November 27, 1999.