International (and domestic) travelers to (within) the U.S. will be pleased to learn that some sanity has returned to TSA rules about permissible items to be carried on-board an airplane. Starting tomorrow, TSA will allow limited amounts (3 ounces or less) of liquids, gels and aerosols (mostly toiletry items), as well as beverages bought within the secure areas of an airport.
For full details, complete with pictures of properly packed "zip-top" bags, click here.
RH
In the wake of the foiled terrorist plot in London, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) updated its list of Permitted and Prohibited Items than can be brought on board an airplane. Your international transferees traveling to the U.S. may want to take note of this list to avoid delays at security checkpoints. Travelers should also check with the airline they are flying for further restrictions.
Though this is certainly a serious matter, one can't help but wonder how some items made it on the list. Particularly when considering what is permissible in carry-on vs. checked luggage.
Cigar cutters (very handy on non-smoking flights) are allowed in the cabin. As are crochet needles and corkscrews. Don't try to sneak in any yogurt or whipped cream however. Luckily, you can pack those in your suitcase. Which sounds like an excellent idea to do when embarking on a 12-hour international flight.
RH
At the March 2006 ERC Global Workforce Summit in Hong Kong, Cathy Tsang-Feign, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and principal of PsychInternational, focused on several personal issues attendant to foreign moves to Hong Kong as well as other parts of the world. She brought to light some underestimated or overlooked stresses which sometimes negatively impact international transferees.
Single Expats: There is statistical evidence indicating that the burn out rate for single Expats is higher than for married Expats. The reasons are linked to lack of the built in support system of accompanying family which can offset cultural isolation as well as an intense work schedule which can limit the opportunity to build new friendships outside of the workplace.
Children: It is commonly accepted that children easily can adjust to anything. In fact, children need as much support as adults during a relocation. Ms Tsang-Feign stated that research has shown that children are best moved before age 9 since it is then that they start developing a sense of community and establish emotional links to their community. Since families usually cannot stop moving based on their children's ages, it is important to provide the support they need to adjust to a new environment.
Marital issues: Relocating internationally can put extra stress on any relationship. If there is pre existing weakness in a marriage, the stresses can sometimes push a marriage to the breaking point. Ms. Tsang-Feign highlighted the following issues as hot points along with a couple of solutions:
- The trailing spouse may experience a loss of identity as she leaves her family and friends, community, job and moves into a foreign environment where she is "unknown".
- The working spouse, meanwhile, is experiencing ego inflation as the new position is often higher profile than what he had at home.
- Communication can suffer when the working spouse's job entails frequent travel. Absence and travel fatigue can make it very hard to talk. A simple solution might be to avoid travel on weekends so there are at least a couple of days a week that the entire family can spend time together.
- Dual careers can create challenges within a marriage, especially if one spouse is giving up a career to follow the other on a foreign assignment. Latent resentments can be avoided by setting clear individual and family goals setting forth what all hope to accomplish during this relocation.
Cathy Tsang-Feign has authored a book entitled Keeping Your Life, Family and Career Intact While Living Abroad which provides more detail on dealing with these relocation issues.
ST
On November 16 (Can I Bring My Hair Dryer) we explained the different electrical systems around the world and how this impacts the appliances that international assignees can, or can not, use in the U.S. Beyond variations in voltage/hertz, television sets (and other video equipment) also operate on different broadcasting systems.
Currently there are three standards around the world:
- NTSC - National Television Standards Committee (developed in the U.S.)
- PAL - Phase Alternating Line (developed in Germany)
- SECAM - Systeme Electronique pour Couleur avec Memoire (developed in France)
Stepping over the technicalities, the bottom line is that a German TV on the PAL system will not be able to receive TV broadcasts in the U.S. Unless the TV is a multi-function system (which is compatible across all systems), it would be wise to check the home country system before the assignee packs up the TV set.
Mr. Kropla once again provides a detailed list of countries and corresponding systems.
An "intercultural" tidbit: the only reason the French developed SECAM, was to have a system that differed from the American. To their credit, the original SECAM system was far more superior in quality than both the NTSC and PAL systems.
Next week: the world of DVD codes.
RH
Well, that depends. But most likely not.
Before packing up and shipping electrical appliances, international assignees need to consider the differences between their home country electrical system and the one in the U.S. The three main aspects to consider:
- Voltage
- Frequency (hertz)
- Type of plug
The U.S. electrical system operates on 120V and 60 Hz. Other countries that run on 110-120V/60 Hz are: Brazil (partly), Canada, Mexico, Taiwan and Venezuela. Most of the rest of the world runs on 220-240V and 50 Hz. A notable exception is Japan, which operates on 100V/50-60Hz (depending on the location).
Unfortunately, the variations in electrical plugs (and wall outlets) is much more diverse.
For a (very) complete overview of voltage, frequency and plug types around the world, check out Steve Kropla's World Electric Guide.
As for that hair dryer; a new one costs about $20 in the U.S.
RH
On the list of things to worry about for international assignees moving to New York City, how to treat the doorman probably does not rank very high.
However, influenced by TV and movies (depicting scenes of doormen dressed in long red coats and high hats standing under ruffled awnings held up by gold posts, while opening the door for their tenants who just returned from a day of shopping in town) many international assignees who decide to live in the City demand a building with a doorman.
A newly published book Doormen by Peter Bearman (ISBN 0-226-03970-6) shares his findings from countless interviews with NYC doormen and their tenants. The result is an illuminating chronicle of this often misunderstood profession. It provides insights into the special role of the doormen in NYC "class" society; about tipping and holiday bonuses (which can be substantial); the intimate details doormen know about their tenants' personal lives (apparently more than desired); and, many accounts on how doormen and tenants interact in the "complex world of the lobby".
RH
An article in the Washington Post yesterday ("Immigrant Wives' Visa Status Keeps Them Out of Workplace"), discussed a major challenge for trailing spouses: their inability to work in the U.S. due to their visa status.
The article focused on the H-1 visa category. Though many spouses are highly skilled professionals themselves, this visa does not provide work permits for family members. Immigration (a tad ironic in this context) defines the accompanying partner as the "dependent". Indeed they are. Once independent in their own right, the careers of most spouses will be put on hold when they relocate to the U.S.
Among other common business visas, only the L-1 visa, both E visas and immigrant visas (green cards) allow spouses to obtain their own work permit.
Note: although the focus of this article is on trailing "wives", according to the 2005 Global Relocation Trends Survey by GMAC Global Relocation Services, nearly 25% of the assignees are female (with, potentially, an equal portion of trailing "husbands").
RH
