Detained Abroad: What U.S. Travelers Can Learn From the Denmark Uber Incident

Read today's edition of Gate Access • April 14th, 2025

Happy Monday! A warm welcome to all the new subscribers. Two U.S. college students were recently detained in Denmark after canceling an Uber ride, and it’s a reminder many travelers need, especially young boundless travelers.

I covered this story for Yahoo News, and what struck me most was how easily Americans assume the rights and protections they have at home automatically carry over abroad.

If you thought they did… well… they don’t.

This was an unfortunate situation, and I’m not blaming the students at all—but I want us to think about this like how many Black Americans are taught to approach police interactions in the U.S.

Don’t escalate, even if you feel justified. When something goes sideways in another country, whether it’s about a refund, a bad Uber ride, or a misunderstanding, play it safe, stay calm, and fix it later.

It’s not fair. It’s not fun. But it might save you from a legal mess in a place where you don’t know the laws or the language.

On The Radar

There’s a story going viral right now that claims the TSA has approved 11 “new items” that can now be carried on regardless of size. Many of you sent the story my way via TikTok, and here’s the truth.