ground travel and post travel

Business Travelers’ Ground Travel and Post-Travel Checklist

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Business Travelers’ Ground Travel and Post-Travel Checklist

In our last post, we ran through the essentials that business travellers should cover before setting out on a journey. We will run through the safety and security essentials for the ground travel and post-travel phase of your journey.

In this section, we highlight the value of being prepared. If you spend some time planning your journey and prepare before departing, then your travels will be far safer. In the event that risk presents itself, then you’ll be in a better position to respond to it.

You can also hear us discuss this part of the ground travel and post-travel checklist on The Wheels Up Podcast and download our pdf of the infographic and checklist at the bottom of this page.

Ground Travel Checklist 

  • Check your corporate travel policy for permissible options (If you don’t have a corporate travel policy, we can help with that)

  • Avoid rideshare services. They are currently less regulated than cabs and have fewer security features (e.g. cameras in the vehicle). In some countries, the vehicles can be of a very low standard, dangerous even (especially mopeds and scooters).

  • Touts – drivers offering services unsolicited within the airport (or on the street). Do not use these. They are unregulated and usually offering the service illegally.

  • Public transport. Avoid public transport where possible. Crowded areas are an attractive target for mass casualty attacks and petty crime.

  • Cabs. Use clearly marked cabs that have driver’s registration and ID on display and back-to-base communications. These will be regulated.

  • Security drivers (preferred option). Arrange this in advance. Vehicles and drivers will be of a higher standard with security training and back-to-base communications. They can have the comforts of wifi, water, and snacks onboard. Have them use a predetermined code or alternate name on their welcome signage to keep their identity anonymous. (NB – If a proper security driver is not an option, you could also use a hotel-provided car/limousine service.)

Restaurants/Cafes/Bars

  • Get referrals in advance from friends, colleagues, or your travel manager.

  • Check with the hotel concierge on areas that are safe and those which are not.

  • Don’t risk sites that may have low hygiene standards (including roadside stands). Put it into a business perspective, you’ve travelled all this way to close a deal, you don’t want to be stuck in a bathroom with a bad bout of gastro and miss it.

Accommodation

  • If it hasn’t been arranged in advance, ask for a room on the 3rd, 4th, or 5th floors. Upper-level rooms may be great for getting a view but in the event of a fire, they may be out of reach of fire department equipment. 1st and 2nd floors are easy pickings for thieves.

  • Ask for a room away from the fire escape. Thieves prefer to workrooms near fire escapes for a quick exit if needed.

  • Latch your door and use an additional door stop or door jammer.

  • Hang the Do Not Disturb sign on your door, even if you aren’t in the room.

  • Arrange to have the room serviced while you are still in the room if you can.

When Things Go Bad (Riots, Terrorist Attacks, etc)

  • Avoid protests and large gatherings where possible

  • Move, Escape or Attack (Listen to the Wheels Up Podcast Episode 3 for a more detailed description.)

  • Turn your phone to silent. Use SMS text messages to communicate if safe.

  • Your personal safety is of primary importance – don’t stop to record or take photos. Listen and observe – you can report on this at a later stage. (e.g. descriptions of attackers or weapons, etc. may be helpful for authorities)

What To Do if Prompted for a Bribe By an Official

  • First and foremost, avoid these situations by all means.

  • Pretend you don’t understand the request

  • If you are travelling with local support or security detail, have them address the situation

  • Avoid making payments where possible but if and only if there is no there way out and payment must be made, ask for a receipt

Local Culture and Customs

  • Check what gestures may be offensive where you are going (e.g. Thumbs up has a different meaning in parts of Africa. OK sign used Brazil is the same as giving someone the middle finger). This Daily Mail article has a pretty thorough summary.

  • Learn how to say hello, goodbye, and thank you in the local language

Post Travel Essentials

  • Check credit card and bank accounts for unusual amounts or unfamiliar charges on the return

  • Get medical checks at the first sign of feeling unwell

  • File an After Action report. Write or dictate and provide to your corporate travel and security department

    • Document any issues that arose and what went well on the journey

    • List  local contacts or recommendations that other travellers in the business could benefit from

  • Change all IT passwords that you have used while away (these may have been compromised while using other wifi services).

Enter your details below to access the Business Travel Safety and Security Check List as a printable pdf.

And for the pre-travel post, click here

ground travel and post travel

Business Travel & Safety Check List