Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Cairo, Egypt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At the end of a trip to Israel, I hopped on the short El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Cairo, itself a tangible symbol of the 1979 Camp David accords that brought between Egypt and Israel.\u00a0\u00a0 My arrival in Cairo was one of the most chaotic airport experiences of my life that did not have to do with United Airlines.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Departing the flight, I descended into a haphazard arrivals hall with no real indication of where I needed to go or what I needed to do. \u00a0 Fortunately, I had a guide meeting me who was able to help me navigate the arrivals process.\u00a0\u00a0 Somehow this person was able to make it to the gate, get my passport stamped, and help me retrieve my bags.\u00a0\u00a0 The entire procedure was filled with people from all nationalities shouting and walking in every direction.\u00a0\u00a0 At regular intervals, someone would attempt to bulldozer me out of the way with a large, fully loaded luggage cart.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As I emerged from the exit, I was again greeted by an overwhelming crowd that spilled over the sidewalk and into the street.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I longed for the obnoxious police that patrol American airports, moving everyone along whether they were causing a problem or not.<\/p>\n
What To Do If You Are Caught Up In A Political Crisis<\/strong><\/p>\n However bad the airport in Cairo was ten years ago, it is undoubtedly worse now.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The pictures I have seen show a much more modern terminal than I saw in 2000, but the eyewitness accounts of the situation there are disturbing.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 People talk of long lines and chaotic attempts to check in.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Because of the difficulty getting to the airport, there are likely many no-shows, further adding to the confusion.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In situations like this, aircraft often depart half empty while crowds wait to check in.<\/p>\n Since I have never really visited a country during a popular uprising, I can’t offer any authoritative advice.\u00a0 I can merely share what I would do in a similar situation.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First, I would remain in my hotel as long as I felt it was safe.\u00a0 The last place I want to spend a few days is on the floor of a crowded international airport.\u00a0\u00a0 A decent hotel catering to foreigners will offer food, shelter, and security,while the airport might only offer the latter.\u00a0\u00a0 From the hotel, I would do my best to find a confirmed seat on any flight out of there.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Going to the airport without a confirmed seat for a specific flight would only be my last resort if I felt that my hotel was in danger.\u00a0\u00a0 When trying to secure a seat, I would investigate the recent track record of the operating airline.\u00a0 Have they been canceling flights or operating irregularly?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If so, I would probably keep looking for a backup reservation.<\/p>\n Staying in touch with your embassy will also be a good idea.\u00a0\u00a0 The United States Embassy has been working on charter flights to get their citizens out of Cairo.\u00a0 Another option might be to proceed to an alternative airport outside of Cairo.\u00a0\u00a0 I saw a story about a reporter who flew into Sharm-El Sheik airport on a flight filled with tourists!\u00a0\u00a0 You would be taking a chance by traveling overland, but if that was the quickest way to get home, I would jump at it.<\/p>\n Above all, I would try to utilize resources back home who have better access to the phones and the Internet.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is the time to have a good travel agent or at the very least, a very travel savvy friend or relative.\u00a0\u00a0 They can contact the various airlines still servicing Egypt and try to confirm outbound seats.<\/p>\n When you finally head out to the airport, I would try to leave as early as possible, and discretely bring as much food as you could.\u00a0 You never know when you might have to spend an extra day or two in a terminal before you are able to get out.<\/p>\n Being stuck in the middle of a revolution must be incredibly exciting and scary at the same time.\u00a0 So far, violence has been relatively minimal in Egypt, and I hope this crisis is resolved in a peaceful manner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ten years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Cairo, Egypt.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At the end of a trip to Israel, I hopped on the short El Al flight from Tel Aviv to Cairo, itself a tangible symbol of the 1979 Camp David accords that brought between Egypt and Israel.\u00a0\u00a0 My arrival in Cairo was one of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n