Charlotte, N.C.: Hi. I have been living in the U.S. as a green card holder--so besides Puerto Rico and Canada, which other countries can I visit without applying for a visa? Or can I get a visa at that specific country's airport? Thanks.

Peter E. Tarlow: It depends on the passport that you hold. Check with the country who issued your passport and they can tell you where you need a visa for or not. Your green card has nothing to do with a need for visas.

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San Diego, Calif.: Other than registering with the local embassies and keeping copies of passports with you and back at home, are there other precautionary actions that should be taken in case of civil unrest, accidents, or emergencies while traveling abroad?

Peter E. Tarlow: Make sure that you have the name of a doctor you can call upon and if your health insurance is valid for the part of the world in which you are traveling. Check with state department for additional updates and make sure someone at home also has a copy of your passport. If possible, get it notorized.

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St Louis, Mo.: We all know there are TSA-approved locks for our luggage. A debate is ongoing among my friends about whether it's best to lock up your bags when checking them. Some say that TSA is most likely to open/inspect just the locked bags, and never bother the unlocked bags. I still prefer to TSA-lock my checked baggage to minimize "snoopers" getting into my luggage. What's your opinion on the locked vs. non-locked issue?

Peter E. Tarlow: I never lock my bags. If you cannot afford to loose it, do not take it.

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Washington, D.C.: Do all airlines that fly to the U.S. comply with regulatory safety procedures imposed by the U.S.? If so, who oversees these airlines, and are headquarters in a different country?

Peter E. Tarlow: Airlines are checked in the U.S. If they fail, they do not come back. Most First world/developed countries have very similiar rules and security is standardized. Be more careful of airlines from developing nations.

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