Much to consider when factoring terror attacks into plans

In the mid-1980s, when U.S. citizens first started to face terror attacks aimed at travelers, Americans canceled trips abroad in droves.

If an elderly American could be shot and dumped from his cruise ship into the Mediterranean, wheelchair and all; if people could be gunned down at the Rome and Vienna airports; if an airplane could explode over a peaceful Scottish village, the thinking went, I’ll just say home.

Today, jitters about terror attacks get factored into our decisions about where to go: Witness the drop-off in vacations to Bali, Egypt and Israel.

But the destination should be only one part of the equation. Think, too, about how you plan your trip – what airline to choose, whether to buy travel insurance, how to book your trip and how to act once at your destination.

Booking your trip: Some travel agents offer 24/7 emergency numbers, answered by a real person. Others don’t. Don’t assume that using an agent means you’ll get service once your trip is under way; ask first. And be specific with your questions.

Online services such as Orbitz and Travelocity offer some emergency assistance via both their Web sites and telephone. After the London bombings, Travelocity posted a link to information on its home page, advising ticket-holders to either contact Travelocity or the airlines directly to change plans. A person answered Orbitz’s help line almost immediately the day of the bombing.

Airlines: Know your airline’s policies about cancellation and ticket changes. In general, it will cost you to change your ticket. It may take an airline awhile to decide what to do beyond its existing policy, if anything, because of a terror attack.

After the London bombings, American Airlines posted information on its Web page within a few hours and was generous and clear about what it offered to those who wanted to change their plans. United, on the other hand, took until 3 p.m. Pacific time – about 15 hours after the blasts – to announce its policies, which were confusing and quite restrictive.

Travel insurance: Yes, it’s spendy. No, it doesn’t cover the “yips,” as in, “I’m scared something might happen.” Yes, it will seem cheap if you have to collect. Only you can decide whether it’s worth it.

If you do decide to buy: Read the fine print, read the fine print, read the fine print. If you had a policy and wanted to cancel your trip to London last month, you probably were covered. But if you’ve bought tickets for a tour of the Cotswalds in September and now have second thoughts, too bad: The bombings weren’t in the Cotswalds, and insurance generally ends 30 days after an incident.

Once you’re there: Make sure you have the local telephone number and ticket office address for your airline. Know the ways to get to the airport and, while you’re at it, other ways to get out of that city.

Passport? Let’s see; it was right here. Your passport is like gold. Or platinum. Make it like “unobtainium” to thieves: Don’t leave it in your hotel room; lock it in the hotel safe. If you’re carrying it with you, keep it well-protected.

And make sure you have a copy of the passport information, two extra passport photos and the nearest consular office’s address with you, just in case.

Check out the Web site www.travel.state.gov for excellent travel safety tips.

You’re going where?: Last, if you’re basically a Nervous Nellie/Norman Traveler to begin with, let’s face it: You either have to stay home or get over it.

Safety cannot be guaranteed on a trip abroad or a trip across the country any more than it can on a trip across town. Accidents can happen. Bad things can happen. Anywhere.