Airports were difficult enough to navigate before security measures began to change from one trip—and one airport—to the next. Terror threats may never escape our minds or our headlines, but have they rendered air travel safer than ever or simply more confusing?

August saw some restrictions lifted as lighters and breast milk became permitted in carry-on luggage, and other measures tightened as DVD players and video game consoles became subjected to the same screening processes as laptop computers. Other practices changed, too; while the Transportation Security Administration says it does not conduct ethnic or religious profiling, it now warns that all head coverings face “the possibility of additional security screening.”

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member World_Explorer

With the Western world’s growing leeriness of terrorism, many alluring destinations experiencing social unrest conjure up more fear than gusto. But how dangerous are these places, really?

Part of the equation depends on who you are, where you're from, and where you're going. A good friend of mine recently enjoyed a two-week vacation in Iran. She visited the mountain capital, Tehran, went to the awe-inspiring Persepolis ruins near Shiraz, and got a great tan on the shores of the Caspian Sea. I should mention that she's a second-generation Iranian-American, speaks fluent Farsi, and has family in Tehran. Even so, she was hassled regularly by both police and private citizens, mostly for being an improperly covered woman.

Photo courtesy of IgoUgo member writeonthespot.

In an overture towards homeland security, a new x-ray machine has been unveiled in the Phoenix airport which scans on such a high level that the screener is basically able to see through your clothes. For now, it’s being used on a voluntary basis, but that could change.

Who isn’t confused about security regulations these days? Returning home from a trip last week, even I got held back at the airport security checkpoint (and I track this stuff for a living!). As soon as the monitor lifted my bag off the conveyer belt (giving me that discerning Ha! Gotcha! look), I realized my mistake: I had forgotten to take the plastic bag that held my liquid containers out of my carry-on. Doh!

The lady behind me groaned and rolled her eyes. (Something I’ve been guilty of doing, too. It’s a common, involuntary action when the only thing standing between you and your gate is an inexperienced traveler.) Only this time, I was that traveler. Not a good feeling.

In spite of the fact that there will always be travelers who inevitably slow the line, TSA is making strides to speed up the security process for those of us who (usually) know the ropes. The most recent of which is Clear Registered Traveler, a program that, among other efficiencies, introduced a new technology that detects explosives and allows passengers to keep their shoes on during the screening process.

I often use this column to talk about how to stay safe when traveling. My aim is not to be an alarmist, but rather to inform travelers of ways to protect themselves. With numerous stories stating that credit fraud and identity theft is rapidly on the rise, I began to think about how this relates to travelers. Then I returned from my vacation abroad and was alerted by my credit card company that my account had likely been breached while I was away. I was fortunate that my credit card company had advised me to cancel the account proactively, before any damage was done. But what if they hadn't? Imagine checking into a hotel, only to find that your account had been frozen. Safeguarding your identity on the road definitely adds another concern to the list of things to monitor when taking a trip--but it's imperative. If you don't, it can cost you dearly.