This travel alert applies to anyone traveling to or through the State of Georgia.

This advisory will remain in effect until the legislators in the State of Georgia come to their senses or get voted out of office.

It would appear that the State of Georgia has made traveling into or through the state a hazard. My recommendation is avoid the state or if you must travel through the state, don’t stop unless absolutely necessary.

Story time.

Let me take you to a beachside resort along the Georgia coast. You are visiting from the United Kingdom. Sitting poolside while little Johnnie and his sister Shirley frolic in the pool. Ahhh! This is heaven. Suddenly from the Tiki bar comes the sound of loud drunken shouting. You have visited Manchester and know that a fight is about to begin. Glancing it that direction you see the two combatants squaring off, but instead of fists you notice the revolvers strapped to their hips. Did we make a wrong turn somewhere and wind up in Afghanistan? Grabbing Johnnie and Shirley you make it into the hotel as bullets whizzing overhead begin striking the building. Surely the police will be here soon to put a stop to this madness and you sprint to the front desk. You exclaim “There are terrorists by the pool!  When will the police arrive?” The employee behind the desk informs you that gun play is legal in the great State of Georgia, no need for the police.

Why? You may ask. The state feels that it just fine to have a group of liquored up yahoos in bars with firearms strapped to their hips. What are bars most famous for?  Fights. Up until now these were fist fights, now they can escalate to trading hot lead when someone offends them.

Next thing you know there will be showdowns at high noon in the city streets. Think wild west. If you are an aspiring gunslinger, then Georgia should be your vacation destination. Put a few notches on that revolver handle.

Think you’re safe in the airport? Think again. Citizens of Georgia are permitted to bring their guns into airports. They just want to feel safe. You on the other hand are getting off a flight that doesn’t allow you carry a gun on board. You are now in a pack of armed vigilantes. Feel at a disadvantage? You should.

Regardless of what they tell you, if someone is carrying a gun they will want to use it. It is like carrying a smart phone. You have it, you want to use it.  Psychologically or psychopathically. It empowers the carrier. It emboldens them. They become the law.

The State of Georgia can now save some money. They no longer need a tourism department. Who in their right mind would want to vacation in the middle of a gun range.

I truly think it is a sorry situation. I personally love visiting Savannah and the beautiful parks in Northern Georgia, but it is not worth dying over.

You may ask who brought the state to this abyss? Why it was those good folks at the National Rifle Association. I remember growing up when the NRA was all about safety. They conducted safety classes for the Boy Scouts. They advocated safe hunting practices. The NRA has evolved or should I say degraded into a platform for the right for everyone to carry a weapon regardless of mental condition or criminal leanings.

At this point the safety courses offered should be:
“The difference between cover and concealment.  When are you safe?
“Duck and weave, the best maneuvers to avoid being shot”
And the very popular- “First aid for gunshot wounds”

Will this have an effect on the convention and trade show revenue in Atlanta? I don’t know. Will I attend a convention or trade show in Atlanta?  There is no way.

With this bill,  the Georgia legislature may accomplish what General Sherman attempted, burn Georgia to the ground.

When will the madness end? When they take the money out of politics.

In our previous article we covered how to keep your home safe when you are away.  In this article we will cover how to keep you safe.  It is fun to visit different places and experience new things, but it is also great to return safely, with all our possessions intact.
Traveling is exciting and informative, but it can be taxing as well, what with the demands of scheduling, transfers and security lines.  In this article we will discuss ways you can stay safe whether you are traveling by plane, train or automobile.
Beside stopping the newspaper and mail, which was discussed in the earlier article.  It is a good idea that someone is given a copy  of your itinerary .  That person could be a family member, close friend or neighbor.  If something should happen to you, and you don’t arrive when expected, there will be someone who can notify the police.  These people should know where you are going, how you are traveling and where you are staying.  In the unlikely event that you disappear, the police have a place to start looking.
Always double check the plane departure time. Check to see if it is on time or delayed.  The same with trains and buses.
When on public transportation, sit near other people for safety.  There is usually safety in numbers.  When possible sit near the doors and locate the emergency exits.  Remember the nearest exit may be behind you.
Stay awake and alert when traveling on public transportation. But if you do nap, have your traveling companion keep watch while you get some sleep.
There are many manufacturers that offer products designed to hide your valuables, such as passports, money, credit cards, traveler’s checks and tickets.  It is a good idea to keep a good portion of your money in traveler’s checks and hidden in separate compartments.  When walking around, keep your money separate from your credit cards and passports.  If you are robbed, then they get the money, but not the harder to replace passport and credit cards.
Always keep your luggage close at hand and in sight.  Not only is it the safest way keep control, but in airports, the luggage could be confiscated by security.  It takes just a second for someone to walk off with your bags. Continue reading →