What do you do if TSHTF when you are Traveling?

[Morgan101]

Tweet
There are several posts here regarding "what if" scenarios, and I hope this doesn't sound like just one more, but what are your plans if TSHTF when you are traveling?

When you are driving you can always have a BOB with you, but when you are flying your BOB options and gear are very limited. I have to travel by air a significant amount in my job. I always feel naked on a flight where I can't even carry a pocket knife or a lighter. In my case I am usually carrying luggage on, and not checking it. I know your options increase when you check luggage if you have the time.

Other thoughts: How do you get in touch with your family if you are separated? How will you get home? Do you have other options depending on where you are i.e. family or a BOL? What if you are out of the country?

I do not have a plan at this time, and I would like to see what others think.

[snake35]

Tweet
I no longer fly, because I will not submit to the police states groping. In W.V. most people carry a firearm. However in a lot of the country a speeding ticket turns into an unconstitutional search. If the military police find a weapon in your B.O.B. you will have some explaining to do. If you have a permit you might think you are fine, but that puts you on more government lists.

I wish I could be more helpful!

[myakka]

Tweet
I have to travel a lot for work in season. I make a plan with the family including what to do in emergencies. I know that if they can stay in the house, then they will hunker down and wait for me, but if they have to bug out, then they are headed to my folk's house which is our bol. In fact if there is a reason they have to leave the state, then my folk's other house is our secondary bol.
I know it is hard to plan for everything, but I think a lot of scenarios fall into catagories based on bug in or bug out, etc. for example, a solar or military emp means they bug in, and I will just have to try to hike back (biggest worry of my life). If it is a hurricane, depending on predicted strength, then we could continue comms, and I can find out where they would bug out to, either in town at a safer house than ours, or actually bug-out. Try grouping the scenarios you are concerned about based on big picture, comms, travel, bug-in/out. Then make a simple meet-up plan based on each.

We teach kids during school programs to have a rally point if their house is on fire. They pick a tree, or a neighbor's house and the whole family is supposed to go to this spot to meet if they have to run out of the house in the night. It's the same idea. I'm not saying I have it all figured out, but these are my ideas. Hope it gives you food for thought.

[Morgan101]

Tweet
Everybody's thoughts are helpful, and I appreciate them. Unfortunately, not flying is not an option, and where I have to go is usually 1500 - 2000 miles away. I would be like an Israelite wandering in the desert for 40 years trying to get home. I will have to think this through more thoroughly. Wife and son would almost certainly be home and could bug in, which is Plan A. I will have to live by my wits. That is a scary thought.

[RICHFL]

Tweet
You need to plan on no motorized transportation within your travels. So that means foot, bike, or horse to move you to your home. If you believe that your family will move make plans on how to leave messages that only you understand as to where they went.

If you plan ahead, you will know that they have gone to a more secure location and await your return. Meanwhile can they start a garden, hunt and provide their own self defense? If not, you need to train with them; so that you, and they feel secure enough that they can get along on their own.

It is a nightmare thinking about all the time and money spent on supplies, that you may not be able to return to.

[101airborne]

Tweet
I refuse to fly commercial anymore due to the TSA nazi's if I need to fly I have friends with their own private planes I can use. That being said when we travel ( drive) we have 10 days supplies for us and the dogs in go kits in the vehicles.

[Oscar Wilde]

Tweet

.... Unfortunately, not flying is not an option, and where I have to go is usually 1500 - 2000 miles away.

Is there a pattern to your travels, a routine? Should there be an "event" while airborne, odds are your plane will be making an unscheduled stop.

For peace of mind, as in reality you are out of your "element" and at someone else's mercy, consider caching supplies in storage units nearby the terminals you frequent.

As with the rest of us, our most valuable tool is our mindset. Your situation is gonna require calm, resolved, precise thinking. Most if not all of your actions will be REactions until you're again, in some semblance of control.

You gotta stay smart but even that's no guarantee. I don't envy ya Brother.

O.W.

[longhunter]

Tweet
I travel an extensive amount for work myself, most of which is by air also, so I feel your pain. I drive when I can but that's not very often. There are no easy answers to a situation developing while you're 30k ft in the air. My trips are usually a week at a time so I'm checking luggage and have a minimalist BoB in there. I have multiple carry permits and pack a firearm to locations it's legal for me to. That's only good if my bag and I arrive at the same location at the same time, doesn't always happen unfortunately. My computer bag that I carry on has morphed over time to become an EDC bag so it also has some bare essentials in it, minus a knife and lighter of course but they can be aquired easy enough if need be.
My plan A for the family is much the same, bug-in if possible and link up with friends at BOL if not. Minus any kind of communication, I will head for home first and then to BOL. Beyond that, I am also open to suggestions.

[CountryGuy]

Tweet
I'm in there with you guys. My current job requires weekly travel with 3-5 nites away from home but luckily 99% of it is travel in my car, only rarely needing to fly. However, I'm usually a 3-6 hr drive from home so not out of the woods by any means. But I've been there and worried like you when flying in somewhere, thinking to myself "What am I gonna do 1500 miles from home." I always was reluctant to pack much in the way of mini BOB or preps in my check on on the rare occasion I checked one. When I did carry one, I was always worried it'd get delayed or lost or stolen. One thing to consider is to take to carrying a good amount of cash or even some silver coins in your carry on. TSA thugs will likely just see a roll of quarters or dimes (excuse - I need those for vending machines and parking meters...) and never bother to see they're pre 65 silver.

When I had enough notice that I'd be flying, I used to search around and map out and then print thru google a map showing where I'd be staying and show outdoor shops, Walmarts/ Target/ Dicks Sporting/ Cabela's, gun shops and pawn shops close to my hotel or where I'd be working. That way if things started to go south, I'd have an idea where to quickly head to grab some emergency supplies. They won't be cheap but what ya gonna do. Not to offend anyone but many pawn shops are less than honest in their business dealings and in a SHTF I think you could "negotiate" to pick up a firearm and/ or knife though at a high premium I'm sure. Years ago I quit using a small suitcase for my carry on and instead started using a Kelty Redwing pack for my luggage along with a carabiner to clip my comfy shoes to. I wanted to buy another one as mine is showing it's age and miles but they've redesigned it and eliminated the large main compartment being zip open. So my search continues...

The difficult part in planning can also be the location. I mean if your in NYC, L.A., or Chicago your gonna probably be a lot more in the thick of things not to mention bad areas and a long ways to go just to get out of the sprawl vs. a smaller town or rural area where you might have hope of people being a little more friendly. In event that you need to hoof it, maybe try to find a bike to speed things along.

I always carried a comfy pair of sneakers or hiking shoes in case walking becomes your primary means of transport. Also I tried to pick up 1 or 2 1L water bottles when I arrived to keep in the room. I think if things went dead, say EMP or grid crash, a priority would be to get things like a map and compass, a backpack of some sort, and then start loading up on water and means to purify as well as some food say protein bars? Then add some other items like a knife, light, walking staff. Also some type of rain gear and or spare clothing depending on time of year and weather.

As for family, if communications are still up, a quick call to say where I am and what I'm planning or doing. If they're down, they know that barring me being unconscious or dead I'll be on my way headed home or towards the closest friends or family then headed home.

[dalewick]

Tweet
If the SHTF in question is a nuclear attack (EMP), your BOB will be the least of your worries in flight. Any others should give you operational time.

Dale