The one cabin-bag rule will be lifted at some of Britain’s airports beginning Monday, including Heathrow, Stansted and Manchester, but remain in place elsewhere.
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JetBlue Airways announced that they are “the first U.S. domestic carrier to provide complimentary in-flight e-mail and instant messaging services” for passengers who have Wi-Fi enabled laptops and Blackberry mobile devices.
The airline is conducting the test on a wireless network on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft in partnership with its wholly-owned subsidiary LiveTV in partnership with Yahoo and Research In Motion, manufacturer of the Blackberry product line.
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Remember that effective January 31, 2008, when returning to the U.S. from any destination, you must present proof of citizenship. A passport is the best proof because it also identifies you and it can be scanned and you can quickly move through the border.
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Greek public and private unions have called a 24-hour nationwide strike December 12th to protest at initial government steps to reform the ailing pension system.
The strike is likely to bring the whole country to a grinding halt.
Air traffic controllers will participate, thus no flights will land or take off from Greek airports. Buses, trolley and rail services will stop for 24 hours.
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Several U.S. and European airlines are beginning a test of new Internet services on some of their planes. After the tests, they plan to roll out the service on their other aircraft over the next 12 to 18 months. A few airlines plan to enable voice calls eventually.
On Tuesday, December 18th JetBlue will begin offering a free e-mail and instant messaging service on one aircraft as a test, and American, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines plan to offer broader web access, probably at a cost of around $10 a flight.
In Europe, Air France-KLM plans to begin a six-month test of text and e-mail on one of its Airbus A318 jets before the New Year, while BMI of Britain, TAP of Portugal and the low-cost Irish carrier Ryanair have said they will introduce similar services by the end of March.
U.S. air safety and communications regulators have not approved voice calls they have in Europe, Australia and parts of the Middle East.
It’s just a matter of time before Internet service is a feature airline passengers will take for granted. Count on it. The only question is when.
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There is a huge ice storm in the Mid-west that is causing flight delays and cancellations, 550 of them in O’Hare Airport alone.
If domestic travel is planned, check the weather developments.
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REMINDER:
Starting Jan. 31, adult travelers re-entering the USA by land or via ferry or small boat must carry either a passport or a government-issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship such as a birth or naturalization certificate. …. The change here is that persons driving into the U.S. until Jan. 31st, can get in by just answering questions.
Children 18 and younger need only proof of citizenship.
Effective Jan. 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens (19 and older) will be required to present proof of citizenship, such as
1) a passport or
2) a birth certificate or naturalization certificate supported by a government issued photo ID, when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry from Canada.
Children ages 18 and under are only required to present proof of citizenship (without ID), such as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate or passport.
If a birth certificate is presented, it must be a certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state. A photocopy of a birth certificate will only be accepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if the original has been sent to the Department of State in support of a passport application. In such case, the traveler must obtain and provide proof of passport application.
These changes are significant as compared to the current and long-standing policy that allows CBP officers to accept oral declarations of citizenship from U.S. and Canadian citizens seeking entry into the United States through a land or sea border. Effective Jan. 31, 2008, oral declarations will not be accepted.
All persons traveling by land or sea to Canada to take either a valid passport or a government issued birth certificate and photo ID beginning Jan. 31, 2008.
All persons traveling by air should be reminded to bring a passport. The passport requirement for air travelers entering the U.S. from Canada has been on the books since Jan. 8, 2007.
Please note that travelers holding NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST cards will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.
Eventually, at an unspecified date by mid-2009, the Department of State will require passports, or soon-to-be announced passport alternatives, from ALL travelers at ALL points, including air, land and sea, within the Western Hemisphere.
Prior to the effective date, the State Department intends to make available a Passport Card, which is specifically designed for land and sea travel from neighboring countries. The primary advantages of the Passport Card are that it will be less expensive and smaller than a traditional passport.
In addition, several states including Washington, Vermont and New York are creating an Enhanced Driver_s License that will, according to the CBP, also fulfill the proof-of-citizenship requirement at land and sea borders. Further details of these alternative products are unknown.
However, CBP says that ample notice of the exact date of implementation will be provided to ensure travelers can obtain the appropriate documents.
Since passports are the gold standard for entering and exiting the country from all foreign destinations, ALL travelers, including those traveling by land or sea in the Western Hemisphere, should be encouraged to obtain, and travel with, a passport.
Specific documentation requirements for land, sea and air travel may be found at www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/.
To learn more about NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST, visit www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/.
The State Department recommends that all persons obtain a passport for any international travel. If you need a passport or have questions, contact A Briggs. If you need an expedited passport, A Briggs can obtain one for you as quickly as one day.
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We trust you have heard about the registered traveler program. The idea of this program is that participants pay $99.99 and get limited security clearance — the federal government checks to verify your name is not on any terrorist watch list, and then you get an I.D. card that you use to go to the head of the line at the security checkpoint at participating airports listed below. More airports are considering participating and we expect many more to do so as the program gathers speed.
80,000 travelers have signed up as members. If you travel out of any of the airports below with any regularity, we recommend signing up. The I.D. members are given includes their finger prints and iris scanned onto the card. The only problem with the card is that it is not accepted by the Transportation Security Administration — but it will get you to the head of the line. Members still have to show their driver’s license or passport when going through security checkpoint at airports.
The system is evolving and we expect it to improve its operation and add more airports, but long term we think its main use for members will be to avoid waiting in lines at airport check points. The participating airports and airport terminals at this time include the following:
Air France (operating out of Terminal 1 at JFK);
AirTran Airways (operating out of the Central Terminal at LGA);
Albany International Airport (ALB);
British Airways (operating out of Terminal 7 at JFK);
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG);
Indianapolis International Airport (IND);
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX);
Little Rock National Airport (LIT);
Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC);
Orlando International Airport (MCO);
Reno/Tahoe International Airport (RNO);
San Francisco International Airport (SFO);
Virgin Atlantic (operating out of Terminal B at EWR);
Virgin Atlantic (operating out of Terminal 4 at JFK); and
Westchester County Airport (HPN).
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There was an interesting article on MSNBC’s website in which a former airline public relations executive “confesses” the inside skinny on how airlines make decisions about fares and how they cover their mistakes.
Here is a sampling:
It’s very hard to get a refund on non-refundable tickets unless you have a death or natural disaster.
Be suspicious of fare sales — only a “few people get the cheapest fares.”
The best deals are on the airlines’ websites.
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Transit workers are striking in Paris and Budapest. If you plan to travel there, check to insure that you can get to your destination and double check any rental car reservations. The strikes are supposed to end November 21st, but check to be sure.
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Planning a trip? Is your passport up to date? Click here to order a visa and check the requirements for entry.