I was in the UK when French workers decided to strike at ports along the English Channel. This was big news in Britain since many individuals and businesses rely on both ferries and the Eurostar Tunnel to cross the English Channel. Being prepared for labor disputes and unexpected travel restrictions need to be considered in making preparations.

The strikes at the Channel Ports in France caused massive delays for both commercial and vacation traffic near the English Channel. Ports like Calais saw striking works erect barricades which restricted cross-channel traffic to a trickle. Oh, and illegal immigrants attempted to take advantage of the confusion to sneak into Great Britain on the thousands of trucks that were stuck on the road. No doubt some illegals were able to sneak into the UK in the resulting chaos.

Labor disputes may not generate the same amount of concern as other unexpected events but they are a part of life and should be accounted for. Preparing for everyday events like strikes makes a lot more sense than potential doomsday scenarios. Having said that, what can you do to prepare for events like this?

If possible, avoid situations where strikes can affect your plans. Like storms, labor disputes usually come with a degree of warning. When there are disputes, labor unions usually let media outlets know so their grievances get a wider audience. For example, if the flight crews of a particular airline are threatening a strike when you plan on going on vacation, look for an alternate airline that doesn’t have a pending labor dispute. Being aware and informed will help you avoid many problems.

However, sometimes strikes can occur with little or no notice. In that case, you need to be ready to deal with the affects. Having extra money available for hotels, fuel, and food is always a good idea when traveling. Carrying a little bit of extra food and water helps too in case you are stuck waiting with thousands of others. I also carry a few key items with me in my Camelbak like medication, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, water bottle, bandana, pen, notepad, and sunscreen. Lately I have also started carrying an Anker battery charger when I travel in case I don’t have access to an outlet to charge my smartphone. Being connected can help you navigate through dynamic situations and stay informed.

There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation that I can offer in this post. However the principles of being ready, flexible, and prepared apply with strikes just as they do with other unexpected events.