Tidelines has learned from one of our readers that the North Charleston airport parking service Park & Go is closing. Although their Facebook page is still active and has no information about the closing, an employee verified this information and indicated that individuals whose cars are parked there are being notified. For more information, contact them at (843) 302-2288.
–Tidelines Editors
We just received word that Plowground Road is being resurfaced and is causing delays on River Road.
You may want to allow extra time or choose an alternate route leaving or coming back to Seabrook Island.
Follow us on Twitter at TidelinesAlert to receive instant information about traffic issues as we receive it.
–Tidelines Editors
Charleston Internation Airport is undergoing a large construction project as they address the issue of parking at the airport. Unfortunately, until the five-story parking garage is completed, parking will be even more of a problem.
They are anticipating that the holidays will bring additional passengers that will need to park their cars. To address this, they have opened outlying lots and are providing additional free shuttles to the terminal and back to your car.
To see an article that appeared in The Post and Courier that contains maps and additional information, click here.
We strongly suggest getting to the airport early whether you are leaving your car or picking up people. The roads around the airport have been reconfigured to accommodate the construction as well as the holiday traffic. This means that there will be congestion as people park their cars, pick up passengers and drop them off.
Another suggestion is that if you park, you take a picture of the section number so you will be able to find your car when you return.
Safe travels!
–Tidelines Editors
The United States Post Office has released the following notice:
“To provide you with greater security, USPS is making several changes to the online USPS Hold Mail™ process. These improvements will require additional action from you before you submit your next hold mail request.
What is changing?
Beginning in early October 2019, to place an online hold mail request in the future, you will be required to:
Note: There are several identity verification methods available, with some methods taking up to one week to complete, so please plan accordingly.
How can I prepare?
To complete account creation and satisfy the Hold Mail identity verification requirement ahead of these changes, you can sign up for the free USPS Informed Delivery® feature – the only feature that currently offers identity verification. Once you are identity verified, you will not have to complete this step again for your current address and will be able to hold your mail. As an Informed Delivery subscriber, you will also be able to digitally monitor your mail while it is on hold. To learn more and sign up, go to the Informed Delivery Homepage. See more details in the Informed Delivery FAQs.
What if I already scheduled a USPS Hold Mail request?
If you placed a USPS Hold Mail request before these changes are implemented, your request will not be affected.
If you have other questions related to this upcoming change, please feel free to Contact Us or reach out to the USPS Helpdesk at 1-800-344-7779 for more information.”
–Tidelines Editors
Chief Fire Marshal Ryan Kunitzer, St. John’s Fire District, just tweeted that Bohicket Road is closed in the 2800 block – near Edenvale Rd. This is due to a structure fire.
He suggests that if you need to get off or on the island, you should use an alternate route.
Follow us on Twitter at TidelinesAlert to receive instant information about traffic issues as we receive it.
–Tidelines Editors
Count On 2 News is reporting that there is an accident this morning on Maybank Highway near the Municipal Golf Course. This accident is preventing people from Johns Island going to James Island and/or Charleston. If your travel takes you that way, you may want to go up Main Road to Route 17.
Follow us on Twitter at TidelinesAlert to receive instant information about traffic issues as we receive it.
–Tidelines Editors
Airport Operations to Cease at 3:00 pm Wednesday, September 4
The FAA tower will cease operations at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, September 4, 2019. At this time, all airport operations will be suspended. Depending on weather conditions, airport operations are expected to resume on Friday morning. We strongly recommend that passengers stay in direct contact with their airlines for up to date information on flight operations and cancellations.
Click here to access the Charleston International Airport website.
–Tidelines Editor
Two recent items in the national media may be of interest to Seabrookers traveling overseas. The first is the Six Month Validity Passport Rule. Most countries require travelers who wish to enter their country to hold passports that have at least six months of validity remaining. The other one, reported by The New York Times, among other publications, has to do with the need for the new requirement for US citizens traveling to Europe beginning in 2021.
Six Month Validity Passport Rule
A passport doesn’t necessarily expire on the expiration date! Many countries accepting foreign visitors require passports be valid for as much as six months prior to entry. This is to ensure that you don’t overstay your passport validity. They may require 1, 3, 4, or 6 months validity (in addition to a visa in some cases). To check the countries where you will be traveling, click here. The requirements for passport validity may change, so check your country well in advance of your travel.
Most people can renew their passport by mail. Click here to see the requirement for renewing your passport.
European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
Beginning January 1, 2021, US citizens will need an ETIAS visa waiver to travel to Europe. It is known as Europe’s travel authorization and will enable you to travel to any of the Schengen Zone countries if you plan to visit for less than 90 days.
The Schengen Zone was established by twenty-six European countries that have passport-free borders. Some of these countries are Spain, France, Greece, Germany, and Poland. Currently, citizens of the United States are not required to obtain an ETIAS but will need it after the January 1, 2021, deadline.
To learn more about the ETIAS Waiver for Americans countries click here. To see which countries are involved in the Schengen Area, click here.
As always, check with your travel agent or go online to confirm these requirements as well as any immunizations that may be required or suggested.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: pixabay.com)
Do you have plans for international travel? If so, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you check to be sure you are up to date on vaccinations because “many vaccine-preventable diseases that have become rare in the United States, such as measles and pertussis, are still common in other parts of the world.” To learn more about recommended vaccinations before traveling abroad, click here. Available in the App Store or Google Play is the CDC’s TravWell app, which helps you plan for safe and healthy international travel. It provides destination-specific vaccine recommendations, a checklist of what you need to do to prepare for travel, and a customizable healthy travel packing list.
Even if you are not traveling outside of the country, the CDC urges all adults to avoid vaccine-preventable disease by talking with their health care professional about their immunization status. According to the (CDC):
“Every year in the United States, thousands of adults become seriously ill and are hospitalized because of diseases that vaccines can help prevent. These diseases can be deadly for many adults. Make sure you are vaccinated for the best protection. The need for vaccines does not go away with age. In fact, there are specific ages in your adult life when vaccinations are recommended. Also, protection from vaccines you received as a child can wear off over time, and there are more vaccines available now.”
To learn more about vaccine recommendations for adults, click here.
–Tidelines Editor
(Image credit: http://www.cdc.gov)
Many Seabrookers travel to visit family and friends as well as take wonderful trips. There are several ways you can speed up the time going through security and/or customs checkpoints. Use TSA Pre✓ and CLEAR to go through the TSA checkpoints in the US, Mobile Passport to come back into the US through security and customs and Global Entry to help both going out of and coming back into the US. Depending on where and how often you travel may dictate which ones to use.
Travel Within the United States
TSA Pre✓® This has been around for some time. Not only is the line shorter for TSA Pre✓® at most US airports, but you also don’t need to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. Sometimes you are lucky enough to be chosen at random and get the TSA Pre✓® on your boarding pass. To be certain that you have TSA Pre✓®, it is better to apply for the membership. Apply online at https://www.tsa.gov/precheck and set up an interview at their office on Ashley River Road. Once you receive confirmation of your registration, make sure to list your Known Traveler Number when you book your flight.
CLEAR– this is a relatively new program in the US that will also expedite your travel through TSA. In some airports, such as DCA and BWI, the TSA Pre✓® line can be as long as the regular line. CLEAR is currently available at 35 US airports and uses biometrics – your eyes and fingertips – to confirm it’s really you. To read more about CLEAR, go to their website https://www.clearme.com
Travel Internationally
Continue reading “Hints for Travelers”
Joint Base Charleston has given airlines at Charleston International Airport the all clear to resume operations.
Passengers should check flight status information with their air carrier.
–Tidelines Editor
Did you know that Medicare coverage does not extend to travel outside the US? In a recent email, the information shown below was provided by Medicare. For more information, click here.