Essential Travel Safety Resources Every Smart Traveler Should Know
Read today's edition of Gate Access • June 23rd, 2025
Happy Monday. With the recent Iran developments, I wanted today’s edition to focus solely on safety. We’re all human, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t share my concerns regarding the safety of air travel. Both domestic and international.
Real Time Updates on Trump’s U.S. Bombing of Iran Nuclear Sites
To combat this concern, I rely on the many resources that are provided to us to stay informed and proactive in the event of unexpected events. With that said, here’s a list of resources I believe you should be aware of.
What’s STEP and Why You Should Always Use It When Traveling Abroad
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service run by the U.S. Department of State that helps you stay safe when traveling internationally. When you enroll, you’ll get important updates about your destination—like security alerts, natural disasters, or political unrest—and your local U.S. embassy will know how to reach you in case of an emergency.
Even if you think your trip is “too short to matter” or “nothing ever happens,” emergencies don’t care about your itinerary. STEP is one of the simplest ways to keep yourself informed and connected when you're far from home.
DHS Just Announced The NTAS Bulletin
The Department of Homeland Security just issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin to warn of a heightened threat environment in the U.S. due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
To be clear: there are no specific or credible threats at the moment. But the government is flagging the potential for things like cyberattacks, hate crimes, or other acts of violence.
Always Check The Travel Advisory Before You Book Any International Trips
Before you hit “confirm” on those international flights, take a quick detour to travel.state.gov. The U.S. Department of State issues Global Travel Advisories, ranking each country from Level 1 (normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel).
These advisories encompass a range of issues, including political instability, natural disasters, crime rates, and terrorism threats. It’s basically Yelp for your safety abroad. Use it as your first filter—before you book, not after.
Understanding The Purpose of Fusion Centers
The Department of Homeland Security operates Fusion Centers across the nation. These are regional hubs where local, state, and federal agencies share real-time info to stop threats faster.
Travelers can play a role too. Through the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign, you can report suspicious activity at airports, public events, or even online. And yes, you can stay anonymous; you don’t have to share your name to make a report.
If something feels off, trust your gut and say something to local law enforcement, the FBI, or your regional fusion center. For real-time spotings, you can alert a TSA officer or flight crew as well. It’s a small move that could make a big difference.
Tap Into Local Alerts
One of the smartest things you can do when visiting a major U.S. city is sign up for that city’s official emergency alerts. For example, New York City utilizes Notify NYC, a free service that provides real-time updates on weather emergencies, subway disruptions, road closures, and public safety threats.
Most cities offer something similar; you just text a number or sign up online.
You’ll get texts or emails directly from local agencies, which can be a lifesaver if something unexpected happens. After the trip, you can unsubscribe, but while you’re in town, act like a local and stay in the loop.
📱Gate Access Instagram
In this post, a group of travelers was denied boarding due to their attire. Yes, airlines have dress codes. Although they rarely act on enforcing them due to public outrage, sometimes they bite the bullet.
Check out the video and read this airline’s policy regarding conduct & conditions.
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🎉 Special Announcement: My TV Debut
I’m excited to announce that this week I’ll be making my daytime television debut on ATL LIVE, a morning show powered by Atlanta News First on CBS. Catch me live in-studio this week, Thursday (June 26th) at 9:30 AM EST.
I’ll be discussing this newsletter, Gate Access, and sharing some of my top TSA tips for summer travel.
I can never say this enough: thank you for reading and supporting this newsletter. Something that was once a vision in my mind has turned into us meeting once a week in your email inbox, and now my TV debut.
I’m incredibly proud and grateful for your trust in me to deliver this newsletter every week. Thank you. I’ll catch back up with you next week.
Safe travels. — Caleb Harmon-Marshall (Harmony)