Travel Alert Just Issued for Europe.

[KristaTX]

It doesn't look like they've actually put out the warning yet. I assume it would show up at this link?

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

I guess I'll be keeping an eye on that since we are supposed to go to Europe later this Fall as part of a graduate program my husband is in. The article says that "many U.S. college and university study-abroad programs will not send students to countries for which a warning is in place for insurance and liability reasons."

 

[KristaTX]

Oops my mistake. The new alert is on there:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_europe.html .

 

[DawnCt1]

We've had these elevated alerts here in the past. If I had a trip planned I would still go.

I would as well. I might chose to avoid public transportation and large crowded venues. I would scope out the nearest exits, stand in an archway or near a large pillar if I were inside of a public building etc and be aware of anything unusual, although that is hard for anyone traveling in a foreign country to figure out what is "unusual".

 

[C.Ann]

Ugh! I think it's next week that my seasonal neighbor/friend is taking his 2 granddaughters to Ireland for two weeks.. Hope they have a safe trip..

 

[DawnCt1]

Oops my mistake. The new alert is on there:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_europe.html .

Americans living in or visiting Europe have been told to take more security precautions.
This advice is one step below the formal warning recommending no travel at all.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wo...tack-And-Britons-Urged-To-Be-Vigilant/Article

 

[supercarrie]

That would be because there are only two levels: alerts and the more serious "warnings". So yes, it is one step away from a warning, but it is also only one step up on the ladder.

If you compare who is listed with an alert, versus those with a warning, you will see a major difference. For instance, hurricane season is listed on the alerts page, but Iraq and Mexico are listed under the warnings page.

Not that the threat of terrorism in Europe isn't serious - it very much is - and this was issued due to recent and new intelligence specifically targeting Europe.

But bear in mind the risk of terrorism in major U.S. cities is also high. For people worrying, in my opinion, you should also worry if they travel to NYC and choose to take the subway there, or hang out in Times Square, or any other major city in the U.S. The U.S. just do not issue travel alerts/warnings for their own country.

I would advise of course not to "worry" at all, but to remind them of the simple precautions which you can find on the Department of State's website - good advice to take no matter where you are. Things like be careful in public places and public transport, watch out for unattended bags, etc.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Well I am yping this from my hotel room in Paris (Mom is taking a while to get ready today--otherwise I would not be wasting vacation time on the DIS). I am really not worrying about it. At least places are aware and taking precautions--something we all failed to do before 9/11--and thus I am probably safer now than I was then. There are, in fact, police crawling all over town this weekend--staggering numbers of them. I am not sure if it is related to fashion week or the threats or some combination of both.
It has not currently hurt tourism as the tourist offices all had signs up that hotels are booked solid and they cannot help you find a room.

When I leave here I will just be headed home to a smaller European tourist city anyway (and Mom will go home to a tourist town in Mexico)--so I guess it is all about equal. The three times I have been a victim of various forms of violence from strangers (all minor theft type things) were in the US anyway (then again, I have spent more of my life there).

I cannot imagine that he current situation would cause companies to send those living in Europe home (as a PP wondered). It is more of a pay attention and be responsible (as one always should) kind of thing than the scare a few people seem to think it is.

 

[AmandaSparks730]

I have several good friends over in England/Wales...hope they're okay!

 

[DawnCt1]

That would be because there are only two levels: alerts and the more serious "warnings". So yes, it is one step away from a warning, but it is also only one step up on the ladder.

If you compare who is listed with an alert, versus those with a warning, you will see a major difference. For instance, hurricane season is listed on the alerts page, but Iraq and Mexico are listed under the warnings page.

Not that the threat of terrorism in Europe isn't serious - it very much is - and this was issued due to recent and new intelligence specifically targeting Europe.

But bear in mind the risk of terrorism in major U.S. cities is also high. For people worrying, in my opinion, you should also worry if they travel to NYC and choose to take the subway there, or hang out in Times Square, or any other major city in the U.S. The U.S. just do not issue travel alerts/warnings for their own country.

I would advise of course not to "worry" at all, but to remind them of the simple precautions which you can find on the Department of State's website - good advice to take no matter where you are. Things like be careful in public places and public transport, watch out for unattended bags, etc.

From what I understand, an increase in the U.S. thread advisory may be coming next.

 

[woodkins]

My dd's cheer coach is traveling with the NBA right now, they were in Milan and now are in Paris for their exhibition games. They have their own security details & are being much more restricted in their free time as to where they can go and do.