Traveling
Information
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Before your travel visit
http://www.travel.state.gov
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Travel
Insurance -
http://sand2204tx.portals.tripinsurance.com/
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Congressional passport
requirements. (updated 10/12/06)
Passport Requirements, WHTI
UPDATE
On Sept. 29, Congress passed language to extend the
deadline for the Western Hemisphere
Travel Initiative (WHTI). Here as what the
extension means for passport requirements for
U.S. citizens:
WHAT'S THE SAME ...
Air Travel
Passport Deadline: Jan. 8,
2007
U.S.
citizens will be required to have a valid passport
for exiting and reentering the
United States
starting Jan. 8, 2007 for all air travel.
WHAT'S CHANGED ...
Sea and
Land Border Entry Ports
Passport/PASS Card Deadline: June 1, 2009
U.S. citizens
traveling by sea and land within the Western
Hemisphere _ Caribbean,
Bermuda, Canada and Mexico _ will be required to
have a valid U.S. passport or a
yet-to-be-determined, new economical travel document
known as a Passport Card
on or before June l, 2009.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
Congress stipulated that the Departments of State
and
Homeland Security must meet seven criteria in
developing and implementing the
PASS card for sea and
land ports of entry. If the seven criteria are
met within the
17 month extension period, the implementation of
WHTI becomes effective
three months after the criteria is approved, or by
June 1, 2009; whichever is earlier.
In other words, the June 1, 2009 implementation date
for WHTI may be moved back
if the agencies can comply with the seven
specifications set out by the Congress
in the extension legislation.
The U.S. Department of States
Office of Passport Services reports that 70 million
U.S. citizens now have passports. U.S. Passport
Services is receiving 225,000-250,000
passport applications a week, which is up 60 percent
from two years ago.
The current turn around period for obtaining a U.S.
passport remains at four to six weeks.
ASTA continues to urge all U.S. citizens to apply
for a U.S. passport, which will ease
travelers confusion on what document is required and
when.
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New Requirements for
Travelers
(updated
8/14/06)
8/14/06
CARRYON -Special
policies for carryon baggage and airport changes due
to the current Security directives,
August 2006.
Information is
current as of 2336ct August 13, 2006
New
Security Rules for the US
The US Department of Homeland Security has issued a
Security Directive effective immediately for all US
carriers traveling to/from the US, including Puerto
Rico and USVI and within/between the US, including
Puerto Rico and USVI, we must advise all customers
that no liquids or gels or aerosols or hairspray,
added 13AUG06, are permitted to enter the sterile
area thru the screening checkpoint or be in
accessible property or on one's person except:
Liquids and gels include beverages, shampoo,
suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, and
other items of similar consistency.
UK New
Carryon Rules 2336ct/13AUG06
updates are in bold
The following measures apply to all passengers
starting their journey at a UK airport and to those
transferring between flights at a UK airport:
The UK Government has identified a potential threat
that makes it necessary for special, stringent
security measures to be implemented immediately.
Effective immediately 2336ct/13AUG06 the TSA
and UK will allow each person one carryon bag with
the dimensions -not- to exceed maximum length 45cm,
width 35cm, depth 16cm. 2.5 cms equal
approximately 1 inch, which would make the maximum
dimensions, length 17.72 inches, width 13.78 in by
depth of 6.3 in. This will apply to all
passengers on aircraft departing UK airports,
or connecting thru UK airports.
Passengers may take through the airport security
checkpoint, in a single (ideally transparent)
plastic carrier bag, only the following items:
Nothing may be carried in pockets:
 | Pocket size wallets and pocket size purses
plus contents (for example money, credit cards,
identity cards, etc (not handbags, unless it is the one carryon meeting the
dimensions) |
| Travel documents essential for the journey
(for example, passports and travel tickets) |
| Prescription medicines and medical items
may be carried provided that the total
amount to be carried in the cabin is less than
50ml (50ml is 10 teaspoons full
or a little over 3 tablespoons) (includes
medicines in liquid, cream or gel form)sufficient
and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit),
except in liquid form unless verified as
authentic. Essential medicines in
tablet form or powder form (up to 50g) can be
carried in the cabin without being subject to a
verification procedure. Passengers
will be questioned on non-prescription
medication and if the security person is not
satisfied with the answers given, then the
passenger will be advised that they cannot fly.
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| Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases
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| Contact lens holders, without bottles of
solution |
| For those traveling with an infant: baby
food (in small containers),
milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted
by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary
items sufficient and essential for the flight
(nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags)
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| Female sanitary items sufficient and
essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg
tampons, pads, towels and wipes) |
| Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
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| Keys (but no electrical key fobs)
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| Solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items
such as lipstick in a tube, solid deodorant, lib
balm & similar solids |
| 13 AUG06 added per
Security
Directive 1544-06-03B
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| Allowance
for passengers to purchase non-liquid
items from
duty free areas and carry them onboard
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NOTE: The definition of
liquids by the TSA and UK Department of
Transport include gels, pastes, lotions,
liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of
pressurized containers, e.g. toothpaste,
hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume,
deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.
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If
the item does not appear in the list above,
it is not allowed. If the
passenger has any questions direct them to
www.tsa.gov for more
information. |
There will be no liquids or gels allowed
thru/from the UK. Duty free liquids from
the UK will not be allowed, however, duty free
onboard will continue.
All UK transiting customers will be required to
check any carry-ons they bring to the airport
regardless of origination. For customers
who have chosen to carryon from other than the UK
and will be connecting in the UK, they will not be
allowed to use the transit area in the UK airports
and will be routed back to the ticket counters to
check their carry-on luggage. This could
cause misconnects in the UK due to the extra time it
will take in line. We are attempting to
notify all customers connecting in the UK and
departing from the UK so if you receive a call from
a customer connecting in or departing or returning
from the UK please let them know the new carry-on
guidelines for their return and document the pnr
that you have advised them this information.
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New
Carry-On Baggage Restrictions Summary
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Flights |
New Policy |
Electronic Devices |
| Within U.S.* |
No liquids, gels in carry-ons |
Approved devices permitted |
| U.S.* to International
(except UK) |
No liquids, gels in carry-ons |
Approved devices permitted |
| U.S.* to UK |
No liquids, gels in carry-ons |
Approved devices permitted |
| U.S.* to International with
transit in UK |
No liquids, gels in carry-ons
One
Carry-on allowed dimensions 45cmX35cmX16cm
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Electronic devices are permitted,
but must
be checked in the UK**
unless it fits
in the one allowed carryon |
| UK to U.S.* |
No liquids, gels in carry-ons
One
Carry-on allowed dimensions 45cmX35cmX16cm
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Electronic devices are permitted,
but must
be checked in the UK**
unless it fits
in the one allowed carryon |
| International to U.S.* with transit in
U.S.(except UK) |
No liquids, gels in carry-ons |
Approved devices permitted |
| International to U.S.* (except UK) |
No liquids, gels in carry-ons |
Approved devices permitted |
| International to U.S.* with
transit in UK |
No liquids, gels in carry-ons
One
Carry-on allowed dimensions 45cmX35cmX16cm
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Electronic devices are permitted,
but must
be checked in the UK**
unless it fits
in the one allowed carryon |
*U.S.
includes the 50 United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
**Electronic devices
must be checked-in at the airline’s ticket counter
outside the secure area, and may cause a delay in your
travel plans.
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4/12/06
The Intelligence Reform and
Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires that by
January 1, 2008,
travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama,
Mexico and Canada have a passport or other secure,
accepted document to enter or re-enter the United
States. In order to facilitate the implementation
of this requirement, the Administration is proposing to
complete it in phases following a proposed timeline,
which will be published in the Federal Register in the
near future.
In the proposed implementation
plan, which is subject to a period of initial public
comment, the Initiative will be rolled out in phases,
providing as much advance notice as possible to the
affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the
new guidelines. The proposed timeline will be as
follows:
| December 31, 2006 -
Requirement applied to all air and sea travel to or
from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda. |
| December 31, 2007 -
Requirement extended to all land border crossings as
well as air and sea travel. |
This is a change from prior travel requirements and will
affect all United States citizens entering the United
States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who
do not currently possess valid passports. This
new requirement will also affect certain foreign
nationals who currently are not required to present a
passport to travel to the United States. Most
Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas
Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican
citizens will be affected by the implementation of this
requirement.
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How to Pack
Change mindset. Airport security screening
procedures will be significantly more stringent than
before. Items in one's suitcase that may have passed
through before may not be accepted onboard aircraft
today.
Complete a personal luggage inventory.
Empty out items in the always packed suitcase. Look at
each item and evaluate whether an object could be
scrutinized by airport security. (This includes items
found in manicure kits, etc.) Consider removal of
anything that could be perceived as threatening, or may
raise suspicion at a security screening checkpoint. No
knives of any size will be accepted.
Anticipate
having to open a bag for security inspection. Pack
efficiently, placing smaller items together in a pouch
or bag. Avoid over packing so that carryon luggage and
checked suitcases open and close with ease.
Make
sure that each suitcase has a name tag securely affixed
to it.
Verify possession of a government-issued
photo identification card or passport. Customers will
not be allowed to check-in without proper
identification.
Bring E-Ticket confirmation to
the airport.
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Getting to the Airport
Confirm flight status. Before proceeding to the
airport. Expect restricted airport parking.
Arrive early. Customers are encouraged to arrive at the
airport at least two hours before scheduled departure
for domestic flights, and at least two-and-one-half
hours before
international flights.
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Upon Arrival at Airport
Leave no vehicle or baggage unattended. Aircraft
security will be completing thorough sweeps of airport
properties. Expect to see an increased presence of law
enforcement personnel outside and inside the terminal
building.
Proceed inside the terminal with
luggage. Curbside check-in and off airport checked
baggage options are unavailable.
E-Ticket
customers without luggage may check in at an E-Service
Center. (Some airports may not provide this option.)
E-Ticket and paper ticket customers with luggage to
check may proceed to the ticket counter. Maintain
baggage receipts for verification at destination.
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At
the Security Checkpoint
Access beyond security restricted to passengers and
employees only.
Have ticket paperwork available,
along with ID. Prepare to empty pockets of coins,
metals, etc.
Prepare to demonstrate operation of
electronic equipment such as laptops, cell phones, etc.
Be patient. Do not make jokes about security. Comply
with all security instructions.
Expect increased
passenger and baggage security screening. Wand checks
and full-body hand searches may be expected.
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At
the Gate
Leave no bag unattended. Maintain sense of awareness.
Expect to see law enforcement personnel and dogs.
Keep ticket paperwork and identification available.
Expect to see teams of individuals board the
aircraft before general passenger boarding in order to
sweep the aircraft as an added security precaution.
These individuals may board the aircraft from inside the
terminal building, or may enter and exit via jet bridge
stairs.
Pay attention to announcements. Board the
aircraft as directed by gate agents. Do not wait until
the last minute to board the aircraft.
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Onboard the Aircraft
Expect to see random searches of service
personnel, flight crews, and equipment.
Listen to and follow crew instructions at all
times. Flight crews are trained to ensure
passenger safety and comfort.
Be patient
if departure is delayed. Passenger
boarding and baggage loading are being carefully
coordinated by ground handling crew.
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Upon Arrival at Destination
Proceed through the terminal beyond security. Meeting
parties will be restricted to areas outside security
checkpoints.
Have luggage receipts available when
retrieving luggage for verification.
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Sandy
Clark
Travel
2204
Courtney Place Plano, TX 75075
Phone
(972) 612-3379 * Fax
(972) 612-8133
Email
sandy@sandyclarktravel.com
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