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As groundbreaking leaders in personal security and risk management for travelers, we stand ready to equip and serve as you are called to the ends of the Earth.
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ARE YOU PREPARED?
Faith-based guidance and practice in prevention, protection, interaction, and survival
Vertical Divider
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Collaborative workshops on assessing risks, mitigating crises, and managing contingencies
Vertical Divider
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Partner together to provide 24/7 emergency access, consultation, and threat analysis
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NEWS FOR YOU
A BIT OUT OF TOUCH?
Here are a few reminders of the changes being experienced, in case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few months: 1. REAL ID Enforcement (since May 7, 2025) All U.S. domestic flyers aged 18+ must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or an acceptable alternative (passport, Enhanced Driver’s License, Trusted Traveler cards, etc.). IDs that don’t meet the standard will no longer be accepted for boarding. 2. Shoes Stay On The requirement to remove shoes at many airports has been lifted. Most travelers (not just TSA PreCheck members) can now keep their shoes on during the security screening, though occasional removal may still be required if a footwear item triggers the screening alarm. 3. Dangerous / Sensitive Items & Carry-On vs. Checked Bags • Power banks / lithium battery devices: These are now banned from checked baggage — you must carry them in your cabin bag. • Hot tools with lithium (battery-powered, or gas/fuel powered cordless curling irons, straighteners, etc.): These are also banned from checked baggage; they are allowed in carry-ons but need safety covers to prevent accidental activation. Spare fuel/gas cartridges (e.g., butane) are prohibited entirely in checked bags. 4. Technology & Screening Enhancements TSA is expanding use of more advanced screening tech, including CT (Computed Tomography) scanners in some airports. With these, there is potential to reduce or eliminate some existing restrictions (for example, taking liquids or laptops out) at certain checkpoints. Also, identity verification is getting more high-tech: newer Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2), facial comparison features, and more automated processes are being tested to speed up checkpoint flow without compromising security. |
TIPS & ADVICE
When Taxi Meters Take You for a Ride
Picture this: you’ve just landed in Rome after a red-eye flight. Bleary-eyed, you hop in a taxi at the airport. Ten minutes in, you notice the meter climbing like it’s auditioning for a rocket launch. By the time you reach your hotel, you’ve basically paid for the cabbie’s next family vacation.
Welcome to the world of “creative taxiing”.
Why should this matter to you—or to those of us in travel security management? Because these scams aren’t just about losing a few euros. They create unnecessary risk: arguing over inflated fares in a foreign city can escalate quickly, and getting into an unlicensed cab exposes you to potential safety issues.
So, what can you do to keep your taxi ride from turning into a financial rollercoaster?
~ Book through trusted sources: Ask your hotel, travel desk, or airport information desk for recommended services. Many international airports have official taxi stands—stick to them.
~ Use apps when available: Uber, Bolt, Grab, or local ride-hailing apps cut out fare negotiations and track your ride in real time.
~ Confirm before you go: If it’s a meter taxi, make sure it’s switched on when you start. If meters aren’t standard, agree on the fare before the car moves an inch.
~ Know the route: A quick check on Google Maps can help you spot if your “shortcut” is actually the scenic route through three postal codes.
~ Trust your instincts: If a taxi looks unmarked, lacks ID, or the driver seems pushy, walk away.
Travel should be about exploring, not funding surprise detours. If your ‘ten-minute’ ride to the airport somehow includes a tour of the entire city, you’re not sightseeing—you’re being scammed.
A little awareness goes a long way in keeping your ride safe, secure, and fairly priced.
Picture this: you’ve just landed in Rome after a red-eye flight. Bleary-eyed, you hop in a taxi at the airport. Ten minutes in, you notice the meter climbing like it’s auditioning for a rocket launch. By the time you reach your hotel, you’ve basically paid for the cabbie’s next family vacation.
Welcome to the world of “creative taxiing”.
Why should this matter to you—or to those of us in travel security management? Because these scams aren’t just about losing a few euros. They create unnecessary risk: arguing over inflated fares in a foreign city can escalate quickly, and getting into an unlicensed cab exposes you to potential safety issues.
So, what can you do to keep your taxi ride from turning into a financial rollercoaster?
~ Book through trusted sources: Ask your hotel, travel desk, or airport information desk for recommended services. Many international airports have official taxi stands—stick to them.
~ Use apps when available: Uber, Bolt, Grab, or local ride-hailing apps cut out fare negotiations and track your ride in real time.
~ Confirm before you go: If it’s a meter taxi, make sure it’s switched on when you start. If meters aren’t standard, agree on the fare before the car moves an inch.
~ Know the route: A quick check on Google Maps can help you spot if your “shortcut” is actually the scenic route through three postal codes.
~ Trust your instincts: If a taxi looks unmarked, lacks ID, or the driver seems pushy, walk away.
Travel should be about exploring, not funding surprise detours. If your ‘ten-minute’ ride to the airport somehow includes a tour of the entire city, you’re not sightseeing—you’re being scammed.
A little awareness goes a long way in keeping your ride safe, secure, and fairly priced.
When “Friendly” Locals Watch Too Closely
Play this out:
You're using an ATM in a busy foreign market. Behind you, someone chats loudly on a phone, standing oddly close. You feel rushed and ignore it—but you’ve just been shoulder-surfed. They caught your PIN, probably skimmed/scanned the card and within minutes, your card will be cloned and emptied.
Wait, WHAT?! How, WHY?!
In high-tourism or unstable regions, criminals rely on low-tech tactics like shoulder surfing to harvest information. ATMs, check-in kiosks, and airport terminals are gold mines. Even passport numbers or boarding pass details can be harvested this way.
How to Mitigate:
Play this out:
You're using an ATM in a busy foreign market. Behind you, someone chats loudly on a phone, standing oddly close. You feel rushed and ignore it—but you’ve just been shoulder-surfed. They caught your PIN, probably skimmed/scanned the card and within minutes, your card will be cloned and emptied.
Wait, WHAT?! How, WHY?!
In high-tourism or unstable regions, criminals rely on low-tech tactics like shoulder surfing to harvest information. ATMs, check-in kiosks, and airport terminals are gold mines. Even passport numbers or boarding pass details can be harvested this way.
How to Mitigate:
- Use your body to shield your hands anytime entering a PIN or password.
- Be suspicious of anyone standing too close—it’s not just a cultural difference.
- Use ATMs inside banks or hotels when possible, not on the street.
- Enable 2FA or instant alerts for banking and travel apps.
