Passport Safety
After all of the time and energy put into researching, gathering information, filling out paperwork to put with other paperwork, and skipping lunch to go down to your local passport office you finally have a passport in hand. The world is now a great place, because you get to travel it like a rock star. After globe-trotting for several weeks, you find there is now a slight problem. The bags are packed and on a cart waiting to go downstairs, you have flight tickets in hand, wallet, and sunglasses when you exclaim, "Where's my passport?” That is the question you must always know the answer to, even after you've partied hard the night before and are struggling to make your flight, you've got to know where your passport is located. If you lose your passport, it's not going to be a fun couple of days.
What exactly are the ramifications of losing a passport abroad? Well, first cancel your flight, because you're not going anywhere. You could try to reschedule your flight, but when you're leaving is anyone's guess. Second, head straight to the Front Desk of your Hotel and have them book you a room for a couple more days. This is a good start. Now, finding the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate is priority number one. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will work to get you a replacement passport just as soon as you apply for a new passport. Even though you may not have the necessary paperwork on hand, you should possess enough knowledge to satisfy Embassy/Consulate that you are who you claim. Expect to go through a rigorous verbal review of personal information, to have your demeanor evaluated, along with your responses to questions asked, and the same goes for anyone traveling with you. When all is said and done, the joy of finding a place to get a new passport picture is laid upon you.
All of this can be easily avoided if some simple passport safety rules are followed:
- Don't lose your passport
- Don't be careless: If your passport is in a briefcase and you need a napkin at a coffee shop, don't walk away from your bag thinking, "the napkins are just right there.”
- Be consistent: Be consistent about where you store your passport while traveling
- Store in a Sealed Pocket: If your passport is on your person, ensure it's in a zipped or buttoned pocket and feel that pocket once in a while to ensure it is still there. Pick pockets are more common abroad than they are in the U.S.
- Beware of Safes: Despite their secure appearance, most hotel room safes all open with the same combination. If the safe is key based, consider it useless. If the room service staff is in your room while you're out and about, you are at risk. If something is stolen from your room, nine times out of ten someone at the hotel is helping out the thief.
With these passport safety tips in mind we wish you safe travels wherever your adventures take you.
