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Travel Tips - July 2008
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Traveling to the United States of America
Editor’s note: Global business, and subsequently, global business travel, continues to expand rapidly. In response, CWT Traveler will provide to readers each month in 2008 insights and tips on traveling from North America to other countries around the world. This month’s installment focuses on the United States. With readers in both the United States and Canada, CWT Traveler has highlighted these countries in the June and July issues.
In business:
- Punctuality is highly emphasized. Plan ahead in large cities since congested highways can cause delays. Be sure to allow enough driving time to your destination and if delayed, it is respectful to call your contact to let them know. However, if it is more of a casual social gathering or cocktail party, the communication may not be necessary.
- Businesspeople expect a firm handshake.
- Business is generally conducted quickly compared to many other cultures. It is often common, for example, to close a deal in one day.
- Many corporations may practice green efforts such as paperless online systems, Web conferences, and appointments generated by email. If possible, send all relevant information electronically to prospects prior to your visit and be prepared for the most up-to-date electronic software and equipment.
- Email and Internet are often accessible from numerous business locations as well as public stores, coffee shops, and airports. Cell phone usage is also common, and coverage areas are broad.
- The 48 contiguous United States have four time zones. Be sure to check the time zone of your destination.
Good to Know:
- English is the official language, with Spanish being the most widely used second.
- The standard greeting is a smile, often followed by a nod or wave. A simple greeting such as, “ Hello, how are you?” followed by a “Good, thanks” is frequently used.
- Unlike Europeans or South Americans, the date in the United States is written with the month first, then the day and the year—July 1, 2008 or 7/1/08.
- Depending on the time of year, the weather amongst the states can vary significantly. Check the weather forecast for your destination before you arrive so you are prepared.
- Since September 11, 2001, security has greatly increased in the nation’s airports; allow enough time in your travel schedule for potential long security lines and searches.
- Many convenience and grocery stores are open 24 hours a day.
- Gift giving is not common in business and is therefore not considered necessary. However, if you stay in a U.S. home, a gift is appropriate, along with a thank you note.
Source: “Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Best selling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries,” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway. Published by Adams Media of Avon, Massachusetts.
Self-select security lanes expand across the United States
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) self-select security lane program is now in place in about 30 cities/airports across the country with another 10 or so preparing for implementation. The program is commonly referred to as the “black diamond” program because of the ski-slope-icon color system used to inform travelers to self-select the security lane that best suits their needs. As previously reported in CWT Traveler, the program is intended to move travelers of all experience levels through checkpoints quickly and efficiently, with families and others with special needs receiving more time and assistance.
As of this writing, the following cities are participating in the program:
Atlanta; Boise; Boston; Chicago; Cincinnati; Dallas (Fort Worth, Love); Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; Lubbock; Milwaukee; Minneapolis/St. Paul; New York City (JFK, LaGuardia); Oakland; Orlando; Pittsburgh; Portland; Raleigh Durham; Salt Lake City; San Diego; San Jose; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Seattle; Spokane; Tulsa; and Washington D.C. (Dulles).
The TSA Website offers some tips from experts on how to speed up checkpoint passage along with the following bits of information about the process:
- The average traveler takes up to four feet of space at the checkpoint, taking roughly 32 seconds to divest their belongings and 42 seconds to compose at the end of the checkpoint.
- Belts, wallets, and cell phones are the most common items that trigger the alarm on a passenger when passing through the metal detector.
- Forty-two percent of the checkpoint bottlenecks are caused by delays in composing after screening.
Sources: USA Today, www.TSA.gov
