What the Brussels Attack Means for You.

Getting on a plane or train this week? You may be in for a delay or two, but it’s for your own safety. Really!

Whether you’re traveling to a meeting in Manhattan or taking the little ones to Disney World for spring break, the attack in Brussels, Belgium is going to have some real-world implications for you here in the U.S.A. That being said, this may be the safest time to travel because the Homeland Security Engine is operating in overdrive. Here’s a quick checklist of what you need to plan for:

1. A long wait. Airports, rail and bus stations, and large public venues are on high alert. This will mean more inspections, detections and missed connections. Build extra travel time into your plans and load a few more movies onto your laptop or tablet. As several news outlets have been reporting for the last week or so…lines are growing: http://abc13.com/news/tsa-increasing-security-at-us-airports-following-brussels-attack/1257864/

http://abc13.com/video/embed/?pid=1257864

2. More cops, maybe even cops with dogs, maybe even a few soldiers hanging out with cops and dogs. I get it. We might scare the kids, but let them know that these guys are heroes who are willing to put their lives on the line to make sure Brussels doesn’t happen in our back yard. Plus, some of them carry junior officer stickers- ask for one!:

Above: LAX airport police officers with automatic weapons patrol near the Tom Bradley International Terminal on March 22, 2016. A terrorist attack in Brussels has put law enforcement on high alert in Los Angeles despite no specific threats. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Okay, now that you’re not scared of the cops, here’s something a little bit scary. We are targets. Period. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t travel, but we should know the risks. Here’s a link that will give risks. Here’s a link that will give updates and plots of terror investigations: https://homeland.house.gov/map/.

So you’ve learned a little bit about what to expect and what is out there. We in the Homeland Security business want you to keep learning. To join the conversation, take a look at the CBS News special, which is now available at http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sunday-terror-in-brussels/

I’ll end by saying in advance: “Thanks for your patience and enjoy your trip.”