Globe Aware news

Globe Aware volunteers should be aware that while it’s hard to predict if your belongings or digital devices will be searched at a U.S. port of entry, you can take steps to reduce the risk. Here’s a checklist.

Preparing devices for travel through a US border

June 12, 2025
Freedom of the Press Foundation

Those within the U.S. have Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures — but there is an exception at the border. Customs and Border Protection asserts broad authority to search travelers’ devices when crossing U.S. borders, whether traveling by land, sea, or air. And unfortunately, except for a dip at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when international travel substantially decreased, CBP has generally searched more devices year over year since the George W. Bush administration. While the percentage of travelers affected by device searches remains small, in recent months we’ve heard growing concerns about apparent increased immigration scrutiny and enforcement at U.S. ports of entry, including seemingly unjustified device searches.

Globe Aware volunteers should be aware that major airspace closures over Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Jordan are causing significant flight disruptions and rerouting in the Middle East. These changes may affect travel plans between Europe, North America, and Asia.

Major Airspace Closures In Middle East: What This Means For Your Next Flight

Flights in the Middle East stand suspended or diverted in light of airspace closures over Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Jordan.

ByYashita Vashishth
Jun 13, 2025
TRAVEL + LEISURE

Iran and Israel have declared an indefinite closure of their airspace following the escalating political situation between the two countries. The ongoing developments and regional situation have also led to Iraq and Jordan implementing immediate airspace closures. These closures are expected to severely disrupt flight operations for carriers connecting Europe, North America, and Asia, necessitating major rerouting.

Flying this summer? Airport travel can get stressful and overwhelming. If you’re a Globe Aware volunteer, especially a college student on break, here are some tips to make your journey smoother and less hectic.

5 tips for airport travel

June 5, 2025
Kathryn Pinto
The Daily Collegian

Flying this summer? Airport travel can be stressful and extremely complicated. As an out-of-state student from far enough away, people question my decision to attend Penn State. Over the years I’ve learned a thing or two about reducing travel hassle.

Here are five things you can do to ensure a smoother journey.

New rules in Turkey allow fines for passengers who unbuckle their seatbelts, enter aisles, or open overhead bins before the plane has finished taxiing. Do Globe Aware volunteers agree with this? What are your thoughts as travelers?

Turkey will fine airline passengers who unbuckle before the plane stops

May 28, 2025
AP News

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Passengers on flights to Turkey who unbuckle their seat belts, enter an aisle or open overhead compartments before their plane has stopped taxiing upon arrival are eligible for fines under new regulations issued by the country’s civil aviation authority.

Southwest Airlines now charges bag fees for all flights booked from May 28. This change affects Globe Aware volunteers who once enjoyed two free checked bags. But here’s how to get one free checked bag.

How to still get a free checked bag on Southwest flights

By Danyal Ahmed
May 28, 2025
The Points Guy

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A record number of Americans, including Globe Aware volunteers, are gearing up to head to the airport or hit the highway for the first long weekend of the summer. Here’s what you need to know about this record-breaking travel weekend.

Memorial Day weekend travel forecast: What you need to know

AAA predicts this year will set a record for Memorial Day weekend travel.

By Ayesha Ali and Emily Shapiro
May 16, 2025
ABC News

A record number of Americans are gearing up to head to the airport or hit the highway for the first long weekend of the summer.

AAA forecasts more than 45 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home between Thursday, May 22, and Monday, May 26, which would break the Memorial Day weekend travel record set in 2005.

Here’s what you need to know:

TSA is expanding facial recognition technology at airports across the country. If a Globe Aware volunteer does not want their face scanned, here’s how they can opt out of the process without delaying their travel.

Yes, You Can Opt Out of TSA Facial Recognition—Here’s Why Experts Say You Should

And no, opting out won’t delay your travel.

By Stacey Leasca
May 5, 2025
Travel + Leisure

It seems like a near-daily occurrence to hear unsettling stories about international travelers facing denial of entry at U.S. airports. In April, a few German tourists were turned away at Honolulu’s airport and sent back to Europe after U.S. immigration officials said they couldn’t confirm hotel arrangements. New Zealand’s government has revised its U.S. travel advisory after at least eight of its citizens were detained or denied entry over visa-related issues over the last several months. And in March, a French scientist who was traveling to Houston for a research conference was denied entry after border agents reportedly found text messages on his phone that criticized President Donald Trump. (U.S. officials later claimed the denial was tied to unauthorized scientific data.)