Falcon Travel cares for the safety and well being of our customers. We would like to provide you some useful travel tips and information:

When you plan you travel check to see if you are required to have a visa to enter the country you plan to visit. For that process, you will want to allow yourself 6-8 weeks for visa approval and processing. Be aware that some countries will not let you enter if your passport indicates that you have visited particular other countries or if your passport will expire during your visit.

Make three photocopies of your airline tickets, passport identification page, driver's license and any credit cards you plan to take with you. Leave one copy at home, the second copy in your office and pack the third copy in your carry-on luggage.

You should also have with you the phone numbers of your credit card companies, as well as the number of the embassy of which you are holding a passport from for the countries that you are visiting. Should you lose any documents, this will facilitate their replacement.

Check well in advance with your doctor or government agencies about immunization requirements and recent outbreaks of disease when visiting less developed countries. Some vaccinations must be administered over time, so research and plan immunizations 6-8 weeks prior to departure. In addition, you will want to become familiar with the locations and recommended medical facilities for the areas for which you will be traveling to.

Ask your doctor for prescriptions for any medicine you may need, and pack enough medication for your trip. Be sure to carry enough medicine with you to last a couple of days in case you are separated from your checked luggage. To avoid possible drug violations, bring the medications in their original labeled containers accompanied with a letter from your doctor stating the need for the medicine. If you question the legality of carrying a certain drug into a country, consult the embassy or consulate of that country prior to your trip.

In addition to your prescriptions, it is recommended that you pack in your carry-on luggage toiletries and clothing for one or two days. Some doctors recommend that travelers to areas of high blood contamination carry their own blood and a supply of syringes in case of a medical emergency. Speak to your family doctor about the advisability of taking these precautions.

When local water is not recommended, drink only carbonated bottled containers. Avoid ice and fresh vegetables, and only eat fruit which you can peel.

Check local weather conditions and appropriate dress.

Check local customs, protocols and "do's and don't's."

Label each piece of luggage, inside and out (use covered luggage tags, instead of your home address and phone, use that of your office. Arrange for transportation to the airport, and make sure you know how far in advance you must arrive for your flight. Be sure to know the airline's policies on luggage and carry-on bags, advanced seat assignments, and boarding procedures.

Laptop Computer Checklist: Assemble and photocopy all e-mail and online service access numbers; clear or limit the amount or confidential information stored on you computer's hard drive or removable storage; record serial numbers of your computer and peripherals; label all equipment with contact information; and pack necessary accessories (batteries, diskettes, voltage converter, telephone adapter).

Before departing, change a small amount of money to currency of your destination. This will enable you to make a phone call, enter a lavatory facility, purchase food or pay for a taxi upon arrival.

Adhere to the airline's check-in time. Personally pack your luggage so you will be able to answer questions about the contents when asked by airline personnel. If you did not pack the luggage, belongings may be subject to a search. Laptop computers and other electronic devices might require additional time to clear security.

Never leave luggage or carry-on items unattended or under the watch of a stranger at the airport. They could be stolen or used by someone to smuggle an illegal item onboard an airplane. Also, luggage that appears to be abandoned may look suspicious to airport security personnel and be confiscated. Keep carry-on baggage to a minimum. Heavy passenger volume may limit storage capacity in overhead bins and under seats. Some airlines now limit the amount of carry-on luggage, so check with the airline or Falcon Travel for restrictions.

No Objects that could be used as a weapon or looks like a weapon, including scissors, disposable razors, lighters, and inflammable deodorant spray, etc. will be permitted in your carry on bag.

Be at the gate at least 20 minutes prior to departure and 30 minutes for international flights. If you fail to meet these deadlines, you may be considered a no-show, and airlines can legally give your seat away. Have your photo ID and ticket with boarding pass in hand to reduce delays.

Avoid standing in line during boarding. Airlines generally board the last rows in the plane first to minimize congestion and confusion.

Use caution and courtesy when storing carry-on baggage. Large carry-on bags can irritate or injure other passengers, so handle them carefully.
 

Listen carefully to arrival announcements made during the landing. If you missed or couldn't hear it, ask an attendant for the information to help you know where to find your luggage, the gate to your next flight or how to get to customs and passport control. Don't panic if you're late -- tour companies and those meeting the flight will most likely have called ahead to get the arrival time of your flight. Don't stand up immediately after the seat belt light goes off. Be patient and allow passengers seated in front of you to leave their seat first. Only use officially recognised services such as taxis, foreign exchange and porters at your arrival destination.

As anyone who has flown through several time zones will attest, jet-lag can put a real damper on any trip. Jet-lag is experienced when several time zones are crossed rapidly. The common symptoms of jet-lag are: fatigue, insomnia, disorientation and headaches. The following steps are recommended to alleviate this inconvenience. Schedule eastbound flights in the morning and westbound flights at night so that the physical symptoms of jet-lag will be reduced. The eastbound flight in the a.m. will allow you to arrive at your destination in daylight and the westbound flight in the p.m. will only extend your 24-hour day. The disruption to your internal body clock will be lessened and you will readjust more quickly.

Mentally prepare yourself for the change in time zones by immediately setting your watch to the local time at your destination. Avoid dehydration by refraining from excessive alcoholic and caffeinated beverage intake and by drinking plenty of water and fruit juices. Begin adjusting to your arrival time by altering your sleep and meal cycle on the airplane to that of your destination.

Begin adjusting to your arrival time by altering your sleep and meal cycle on the airplane to that of your destination. Make yourself comfortable. For long flights, dress comfortably in natural fiber clothing when possible, and consider bringing a neck pillow, eyeshades, earplugs, and slipper socks. Upon arrival, fight your instinct to nap during daylight hours. Take a shower, go out to explore your new surroundings, plan an activity, but most of all be sure to time your eating and sleeping patterns to those of your destination.