Archive for August, 2009

In the post 911 era, many things have changed, due to extra security
concerns. Some of the sensitive student travel destinations in the New York
City area are potential targets because they are symbols of the United
States. These include The Statue of Liberty, the United Nations building,
and the Empire State Building. There are other buildings that may also be
potential targets in the New York City area. I focus on these three
because they are the main three sites that most student travel tours want
to visit.

For this article, I have interviewed Karen Goodman, a licensed New York
City tour guide who works closely with my company, Educational Travel
Consultants. Her knowledge of New York City is extensive. I interviewed her
on the topic of how student travel groups may prepare to enter New York
City sites.

Q. What advice would you give to student travel groups headed to the
Statue of Liberty, the United Nations Building, or the Empire State
Building?

A. Always travel as light as you can. When you move along the security
line, it's best not to be singled out, because it takes more time to pass
through.

Q. What are some of the items related to tourism and education,that you
are permitted to take into these buildings?

A. Visitors can bring ipods and cameras with them, but they must be placed
in the basket as they pass through security.

Q. Can you explain the security process at the Statue of Liberty?

A. Yes. All student travel groups pass through security tents before they
board the ferry boat. Metal detectors are under these tents. All
electronics, including watches, ipods or cameras, go through the metal
detector in a basket.

Q. Does this security process at the Statue of Liberty take a little more
time?

Yes. Similar to planning a little more time at the airport, student travel
groups need to leave some space in the itinerary for the day to allow for
passing through security, especially if they are a large group.

Q. Is there anything that student travelers to New York City should try to
avoid bringing?

A. Sometimes a student will inadvertently bring a pocket knife. Usually,
these are confiscated by security, and they are not returned. It's best not
to bring this sort of thing at all.

Q. Are the tents near the ferry in Battery Park the only security
checkpoints for the Statue of Liberty?

A. For now, yes. Once student travel groups board the ferry, the security
check is completed.

Q. Does the United Nations have a similar security checkpoint in place?

A. The United Nations has metal detectors that student travel groups must
pass through as well. The same rules as the Statue of Liberty apply.

Q. What is security like in the Empire State Building?

A. Since it is an historic building that signifies many things, the
security is similar in scope to Statue of Liberty and the United Nations
building. Around the escalator area, there are security checkpoints with
metal detectors in place. Students should be prepared for similar
regulations when visiting the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations
building.

Q. Do you have any additional tips for student travel groups headed to the
New York City area?

A. Yes, some buildings, such as museums, will have guards that request a
look inside a handbag or backpack. Student groups should be prepared to
open their bags, if asked. In some buildings, a backpack must be checked
at the door. So, if a student is traveling and he or she has a choice about
leaving a backpack, it would be a good idea to leave it on the charter bus.

Q. Do you have any concluding thoughts about leading student travel tours
in the New York City area, in a post 911 era?

A. I think that most people are aware at this point, that we have extra
security regulations to consider when we travel. They set up the tents
just six months after September 11th near the ferries to the Statue of
Liberty. And it's been many years now travelers have had to prepare for
extra security. This precaution has to be done. Even though it may be time
consuming, security is important.

With that being said, be aware of the metal detectors, and prepare for them
accordingly.

Student travel groups on tour in New York City need to go light and leave
the extra baggage behind. Make the most of a student travel tour to New
York City, by planning extra time in the itinerary for security checkpoints
at major sites. The security procedures at the Statue of Liberty, the
United Nations building, and the Empire State Building are subject to
change at any time.

In the post 911 era, student travel groups should come
prepared to tour New York City knowing their bags may be
searched or that it may take longer to go through metal
detectors or other layers of security.