Travel Regulatory Frameworks & Compliance 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) restricts coastwise trade in the U.S., which means a foreign-flagged cruise ship generally cannot:
- Transport passengers between two U.S. ports without stopping at a foreign port (Correct answer)
- Dock at any U.S. port for refueling
- Carry U.S. citizens as passengers at all
- Operate in U.S. territorial waters without a U.S. captain
Correct answer: Transport passengers between two U.S. ports without stopping at a foreign port
The Jones Act requires that ships transporting goods or passengers between U.S. ports be U.S.-built, -owned, and -crewed.
Question 2: Which document is required for U.S. citizens re-entering from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean by land or sea under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)?
- A U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card (Correct answer)
- A state driver's license and birth certificate
- Only a state-issued photo ID
- A notarized letter from the State Department
Correct answer: A U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card
WHTI requires U.S. citizens to present a passport, passport card, or other approved document at land and sea border crossings.
Question 3: Under ADA Title III, which of the following transportation providers must comply with accessibility requirements for people with disabilities?
- Private airport shuttle services and hotels offering transportation (Correct answer)
- Only government-owned transit systems
- Airlines only, under a separate federal law
- Ride-share companies exclusively
Correct answer: Private airport shuttle services and hotels offering transportation
ADA Title III covers private businesses providing public accommodations and transportation, including hotel shuttles and private carriers.
Question 4: A travel agent selling vacation packages that include air, hotel, and car rental is typically regulated by:
- State seller-of-travel laws and federal consumer protection regulations (Correct answer)
- The FAA exclusively
- IATA as the sole governing body
- No regulations, as travel agents are exempt from oversight
Correct answer: State seller-of-travel laws and federal consumer protection regulations
States like California, Florida, and Hawaii have seller-of-travel laws, and federal FTC rules on advertising also apply.
Question 5: The TSA's PreCheck program allows eligible travelers to use expedited security lanes. Which of the following is NOT a benefit of TSA PreCheck?
- Skipping passport control and customs upon international arrival (Correct answer)
- Keeping shoes on during screening
- Leaving laptops in carry-on bags
- Not removing light jackets during screening
Correct answer: Skipping passport control and customs upon international arrival
TSA PreCheck only expedites the security screening process at departure; it does not affect customs or immigration upon return.
Question 6: Under the Montreal Convention, which governs international air travel, an airline's liability for passenger death or bodily injury up to 128,821 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) is:
- Strict liability with no fault required from the passenger (Correct answer)
- Only triggered if gross negligence is proven
- Capped absolutely with no additional claims possible
- Applicable only if the passenger holds a first-class ticket
Correct answer: Strict liability with no fault required from the passenger
The Montreal Convention imposes strict liability on carriers for the first tier of compensation regardless of fault.
Question 7: Which U.S. law prohibits hotels and other public accommodations from discriminating against guests based on race, color, religion, or national origin?
- Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Correct answer)
- The Fair Housing Act of 1968
- The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- The Equal Credit Opportunity Act
Correct answer: Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 specifically prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation, including hotels and restaurants.
Travel Regulatory Frameworks & Compliance 3
The Jones Act (Merchant Marine Act of 1920) restricts coastwise trade in the U.S., which means a foreign-flagged cruise ship generally cannot: