Thankfully it's becoming less important to remember to call your bank.

One of my credit card providers automatically set a travel alert last time I flew to Europe. I bought the flights on that card from my desktop, so from my normal location, and when i called them to set the travel alert they said "Oh, that's not needed if you buy the flights on that card."

I've never had an ATM fail on me while overseas, but I think I would have had some horrible moments too. I HAVE got somewhere and realized I didn't pack the directions to the hotel and don't have roaming...and there's no wifi...and I don't speak the local language...