Tagged: government

If You Need a US Passport in the Next Year, You'd Better Apply Now

The last time the United States faced major disruptions in the federal government, wait times for passports soared. Starting in March 2020, pandemic-related understaffing in the U.S.…

Understaffing Could Make National Parks a Real Mess This Summer

The temporary hiring freeze that has been ordered across the entire U.S. federal government by the Trump administration could wreak havoc on national parks this summer, observers…

Will Trump Undo the New DOT Rules Protecting Traveler Rights?

When Donald Trump nominated Sean Duffy for Secretary of Transportation last month, Airlines for America—lobbyists for the largest carriers—said it was “thrilled.”  Not surprising,…

Are TSA Liquid Carry-On Restrictions Really Relaxing Soon?

We're seeing a lot of speculation around the internet this week about whether the Transportation Security Administration is about to relax limits on the size of liquids that passengers…

Which Countries Do Not Require 6 Months of Passport Validity? 12 Options for Renewal Procrastinators

One of the annoying things about passports is that the expiration date you'll find printed inside isn't necessarily the date up to which you can use the passport for international…

What You’ll See on the Newly Expanded, More Interactive Tour of the White House

While we all stress out over who will move into the White House in January, one of the building's current occupants has unveiled some long-in-the-works upgrades to how visitors…

What to Know About the U.K.’s New Online Application and Entry Fee for Visitors

Soon, travelers will have to complete an online application and pay an entry fee to visit the United Kingdom.The U.K.'s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (deeply sorry about that…

These Are the Safest Caribbean Countries Right Now, According to the U.S. Government

This post, originally published Feb. 2, 2024, has been updated with new information. Earlier this year, the U.S. State Department issued alarming travel warnings for Jamaica and the…

How to Get a Copy of Your Birth Certificate for Travel

If you love to travel, sooner or later, you will need to show a government official your birth certificate to prove who you are. Birth certificates can unlock the ability to travel…

DOT Secretary Forcefully Reminds U.S. Airline Passengers of Their New Refund Rights

Some airlines are still struggling to reboot their service in the wake of last weekend's cataclysmic CloudStrike software shutdown. On Monday, Delta Air Lines was still limping its way…

The Rules for Bringing a Dog Into the US Are Getting Stricter: Here's What's Changing

This post, originally published May 13, 2024, has been updated with new information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is rolling out new rules for bringing a dog into…

Biden Creates His First National Park Unit: Amache in Colorado

Update: Amache officially became a Natonal Historic Site on February 15, 2024. Here is its official National Park unit page.Last Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the paperwork…

What Are the Safest Countries to Visit in South America Right Now?

In recent months several South American destinations have generated the sorts of international headlines that can unsettle tourists.  Amid reports of gang violence in Ecuador, protests…

Missed by No One, Brazil’s Visa for U.S. Citizens Is Returning

This post has been updated with new information. Just a few years after visiting Brazil got easier for Americans, traveling to the South American nation will get harder again.  On…

How to Fix Boeing, By an Industry Expert

There was a time when the Boeing Company was the pride of the United States. Not just of its aviation industry—for the entire country.  Back when Americans built stuff domestically…

The Cost of Going Cashless at U.S. National Parks As Many Switch to Plastic-Only

A growing number of sites operated by the U.S. National Park Service no longer accept cash for entrance fees or other services.  In 2023, Badlands National Park in South Dakota, Crater…

What’s Behind the Uptick in Close Calls at U.S. Airports?

The headlines have been jarring. In February, a FedEx jet and a Southwest Airlines plane nearly collided in Austin, Texas. That close call followed a January near miss at New York…

“If It Is Not Closed, It Will Collapse”: Converted Hagia Sophia Is Now Crowded and Crumbling

The Hagia Sophia, Istanbul's iconic cathedral-turned-mosque-turned-museum-turned-mosque, will begin charging foreign tourists an entrance fee starting January 15, 2024, Turkish…

This Country Just Cut Its Sky-High Tourist Tax in Half

Turns out imposing a ludicrously expensive daily fee on tourists isn't great for tourism. Who knew.  The Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan has announced that it is cutting in half the $200…

The Air Traffic Controller Shortage: When Will It Improve? How Can You Prepare?

The summer travel season started with a lot of hope that air travel headaches might be behind us. Beginning with a smooth-sailing Memorial Day weekend, flight cancellations through…

Can I Cancel a Flight and Get a Refund? Rules for Refunds, Reimbursements, and More

Sorting through the fine print of an airline’s policies can be tedious and confusing, and it doesn’t get any easier when things go awry. From meal and hotel vouchers to refunds,…

Pressure Mounts for Improving Accessibility for Air Travelers with Disabilities

Every time he boards a commercial aircraft, Lee Page fears being injured. Having used a wheelchair for more than four decades, Page says the airline boarding process requires…

Passport Wait Times Go Up Again: Here's Where They Stand Now

The U.S. State Department seems to be having a crisis of sorts—the wait for passport renewals and applications rises by the week.Two weeks ago, we warned you about a processing…

Amid Record TSA PreCheck Enrollment, Here’s How to Get Through Airport Security Faster

If you’re a TSA PreCheck member and have noticed more company in the line at airport checkpoints lately, you’re not imagining things. New numbers show the TSA is seeing interest in its…

How Dangerous Is Turbulence on Planes—and Is It Getting Worse?

UPDATE, March 31: After the below article was published on March 16, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board released findings that the severe movements of a…