Tips for Maneuvering Through Non-American Airports

• At your destination, you will receive several documents to complete for immigration and customs. The immigration officials may keep a portion of these documents and return part of the documents to you. KEEP THE DOCUMENTS/PART OF A DOCUMENT THAT ARE RETURNED TO YOU because you may need them to exit the country.

• If your luggage does not arrive at your destination, handle the situation immediately. Do not leave the airport before you have made arrangements for finding your luggage and you have written acknowledgement of the lost luggage.

• If your luggage is not located, use the packing list of all the items in your bag to make an estimate of the amount of money the airline owes to replace the items. Remember to include the cost of the luggage, too.

• Porters usually swarm airports to help tourists with their bags. Politely decline their service and use the services only of a porter enlisted by your field supervisor.

• Taxi drivers can be notoriously pushy to get you into their vehicle. Again, decline their services unless a taxi has been enlisted by your field supervisor or your supervisor instructed you to take a taxi from the airport. Use only taxis with a company name on the outside and with meters so you do not get ripped off.