- Current Events
- Travel Tips
- Supplier News
- Regional
- International
- Government/Legislation
- Technology
- Industry Trends/Innovation
- Supplier Spotlight
- Supplier Promotions
- Spotlight on Leisure Offers
Travel Tips - August 2008
-
Traveling to Chile
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 Chile.
In business:
- Visitors are expected to be punctual. However, Chilean counterparts may be up to 30 minutes late.
- Guidelines for punctuality are different for social occasions. Even North Americans are expected to be 15 minutes late for dinner and 30 minutes late for parties.
- Make appointments at least one week before arrival, and reconfirm upon arrival.
- Many Chileans vacation in January and February, so it is not a good time to try to accomplish business.
- Personal relationships are very important to Chileans. Before jumping into business, it is imperative to establish trust and rapport. Additionally, a focus on honor is crucial so any criticism should be done privately.
- Negotiation is taken seriously, so be prepared with terms and bottom line. Financial proposals should be detailed and include different financial options.
- Because relationships are important, service is key.
- When having a business dinner, Chilean businessmen will drink alcohol and expect foreign visitors to do the same. Businesswomen, however, are not expected to partake.
- Men shake hands and women pat each other on the right forearm or shoulder. Hugs or a kiss on the cheek may be accepted after rapport is established.
- Wait to be invited to use a first name.
Good to Know:
- Chileans converse at a closer distance than North Americans or northern Europeans are accustomed—often with a hand on the other person’s lapel or shoulder. Restrain yourself from backing away; it may be considered an insult.
- Maintaining eye contact is important—something that North Americans may find difficult while speaking to a person at such a close distance.
- People in Chile are extremely hospitable, so it is not uncommon to be invited into someone’s home. Be sure to note that while thank-you cards or gifts are not expected, flowers or candy in advance are appreciated.
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.
Traveling domestically when ID has been lost
On June 21, the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) policy on identity verification officially changed. The new system requires that if ID is lost, the traveler should arrive at the security checkpoint early and explain the circumstances to the officer at the document-checking location. The officer will then request that a form with full name and address be completed, which will be checked with publicly available databases. The traveler may then be interviewed by local law enforcement and TSA behavior-detection officers, and possibly be required to go through additional screening.
According to TSA officials, establishing identification is as important as having a passenger go through a metal detector; it takes an average of six minutes to verify identity. Persons with ulterior motives would not want their name and address entered into a government database or to be interviewed by police or behavior-detection officers.
Prior to the policy change, domestic travelers without ID were required to have the regular screening process, a full-body pat-down, and a complete check of luggage before they could board.
Source: washingtonpost.com
Revisiting the carry-on bag security checkpoint restrictions
Many travelers handled the liquids-gels-aerosols-sharp-objects restrictions for carry-on bags by simply packing them in their checked luggage. Now that additional charges are being applied to checked bags, more and more passengers are attempting to travel with a carry-on bag only. Following is a reminder from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s Website on the applicable rules.
Air travelers may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints by doing the following:
1. All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
2. All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be packed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon-size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
3. Each traveler must remove their quart-size, zip-top bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.There are exceptions for certain items including prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines for which the Website lays out detailed instructions. Items such as corkscrews, cuticle cutters, eyeglass repair tools, eyelash curlers, tweezers, nail clippers and files are now allowed in a carry-on as well.
The TSA Website includes extensive information on all manner of items. It also includes an email service—follow the simple prompts—that will notify the traveler when there are updates to the page.
With the frequently changing airline regulations regarding luggage and fees, it is best to check the airline Website for size and weight restrictions for carry-on baggage. With more luggage being carried onboard, airlines are insisting on compliance.
Source: tsa.gov
