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VOLCANO ASH FORCES FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS IN INDONESIA
(source: CNN.com)
Volcanic ash spewing from Indonesia's Mount Merapi has forced some airlines to cancel flights out of Jakarta's international airport, airport officials said Wednesday.
Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas Airways had canceled flights at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, airport spokesman Andang Santoso said. Singapore Airlines said it was continuing to fly.
Large clouds of gas and dust from Merapi's recent eruptions also have forced some flight cancellations into and out of the Yogyakarta airport.
The 3,000-meter (9,800-foot) Merapi, in Central Java, is famously unpredictable.
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TSA: 11" MACBOOK AIR CAN STAY IN THE BAG AT AIRPORT SECURITY CHECKPOINTS
(source: USA TODAY)
Customers who rushed out to buy the latest model of 11" MacBook Air can leave the laptop computer in the bag when passing through airport security, says the Transportation Security Administration.
The 13" models must be removed for X-ray screening.
In April, TSA said it allows travelers to leave electronic items smaller than the standard sized laptop - e-readers, netbooks, tablets, iPad, personal DVD players - in their bag.
Despite the public announcement, travelers have complained that TSA officers don't apply the rule consistently at checkpoints.
TSA says it sent a "refresher" to its workforce, reminding them of the laptop policy.
"We shipped out posters this past summer to all of our 450 plus airports around the country explaining the same rules to our workforce," it says. "Removing laptops or anything resembling a laptop has become part of our security DNA, so we thought it best to send out a refresher to our workforce."
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SKIPPING THE LINE AT CUSTOMS
(source: Wall Street Journal)
These days, you don't have to be rich and famous to get the VIP treatment and zip through some of the nation's busiest airport customs checkpoints.
International frequent fliers are hailing a program called Global Entry, a "trusted traveler" program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. To enroll, U.S. citizens and those with permanent-resident cards pay $100, pass a government background check and get fingerprinted. The program lets you use kiosks that take an average 40 seconds to clear, compared to one to three minutes with a customs agent plus a wait in line that can, at peak times at busy airports, stretch to an hour or more.
U.S. Customs says Global Entry enhances security by segregating low-risk travelers from people entering the country who might be considered a risk. The agency likes to call it "clearing hay from the haystack."
"We can spend less of our resources on low-risk people who have given us information and redeploy those resources to travelers who in theory are higher risk," said John Wagner, executive director for admissibility and passenger programs at U.S. Customs.
For passengers weary of long waits at airport security metal detectors, body scanners and X-ray machines, Global Entry, labeled as a "trusted-traveler" program by Customs, appears to offer hope for a faster solution. But the Transportation Security Administration, a sister agency that, like Customs, is part of the Department of Homeland Security, has resisted calls from some airlines, travelers, legislators and security experts for a quicker security regimen, one that perhaps would let pre-screened travelers go through separate checkpoints leaving shoes and coats on, for example.
How much security is necessary is a continual question in air travel. It's a fundamental debate among security agencies—whether to have one level of checks for people considered low risk and focus scarce resources on others who might be a threat, or whether it is better to have one level of scrutiny for all.
TSA tried a pilot program in 2004, and in 2006 allowed privately operated "registered-traveler" programs. But those programs essentially get you a pass to the front of the line—you still go through the same TSA security lanes as everyone else. A TSA spokesman noted that under this set-up, "all passengers are vetted against terrorist watch lists to ensure known or suspected terrorists do not receive boarding passes."
Moreover, the agency has argued that some terrorists might be able to pass background checks and that it wouldn't be safe to have lower-level screening for hundreds of thousands of travelers.
Global Entry is a two-year-old pilot program with almost 85,000 people enrolled, U.S. Customs says. The agency plans to make it permanent by the end of the year. Kiosks are set up at 20 major international airports. The program is most heavily used in Washington, D.C., and Houston, where about 10% of all travelers entering the U.S. now use Global Entry, Mr. Wagner said.
When you land at one of the 20 airports in the program, you scan your passport and fingerprints at a kiosk and answer your questions similar to what's on the customs form handed out on board planes entering the U.S. Global Entry participants don't need to fill out the paper entry form that flight attendants hand out in-flight. The kiosk prints out a receipt that you give to a customs officer to exit.
So far, Global Entry enrollment has been slow—only about 1% of all people entering the U.S. by air use kiosks. Some people say they are reluctant to give information and fingerprints to the government, although some security-line programs, such as "Clear," attracted many more participants and required personal and biometric information.
U.S. Customs says it hopes to have 100,000 people signed up by the end of the year, and notes that applications have recently been picking up. From a usual 3,000 to 4,000 per month, September had more than 10,000 applications and October saw 13,000.
The agency has stepped up marketing efforts with signs at airports and pitches sent to frequent fliers by airlines. American Airlines, for example, recently emailed 400,000 customers who had taken at least four international trips in the past 12 months.
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SEPTEMBER PASSENGER TRAFFIC RISES 9%
(Source: Travel Daily News)
Airports worldwide registered excellent results for September. The best monthly result so far in 2010, airports saw a 9 percent growth bringing total global traffic growth for the first nine months of the year to 6.5 percent. Performance was strong in all regions – led by the Middle East (+20%) followed by Latin America Caribbean (+15.5%).
Once again international traffic (+10.5%) outperformed domestic traffic (+7.5%) with the divergence being particularly pronounced in North America where international passengers (+7.5%) grew more than double over domestic (+3.6%). The 12-month rolling results jumped to 6 percent raising hopes that 2010 might finish with worldwide growth of over 5 percent. The third quarter was clearly the strongest quarter in 2010 with growth of 7.5 percent overall, split 8.5 percent international and 6 percent domestic growth.
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
CONRAD CHICAGO
521 N Rush Street
Chicago
Nestled in the heart of the Magnificent Mile, the Conrad Chicago is steps to countless upscale retailers, fine dining, nightlife, The “Loop” and attractions like Millennium Park, Museum Campus and Navy Pier.
Comprised of 311 guest rooms including 3 terrace suites and 1 grand terrace suite, each room will welcome guests with a warm color palette of contemporary finishes and modern amenities like complimentary in-room internet access, 42-inch flat screen television, in-room surround-sound system, iPod alarm clock with docking/charging station, large bathrooms with granite detail and complimentary pillow menu.
Additional unique offerings include WiFi remote access printing, complimentary boarding pass print out available at the 5th floor internet kiosk or at 8th floor business center, complimentary morning coffee and tea service available in the hotel’s lobby, complimentary chilled bottled water and towels located at the Rush Street entrance between 6am-8am for runners and complimentary fitness center.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Conrad Chicago is $189 (comapred to a corporate rate of $195) including a welcome amenity.*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE STANDARD, NEW YORK
848 Washington Street
New York City
The Standard, New York sits in the Meatpacking District, which over the past ten years has transformed from a butcher's haven into one of New York City's hottest neighborhoods to eat, drink and dance. The property incorporates a century's worth of architectural history into one structure as it straddles the city's former elevated train line which has been recently converted to The High Line Park. Each of the hotel's 337 Scandinavian inspired guestrooms and suites have breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the stunning cityscape. Each room is equipped with massive showers, oversized bath tubs, custom organic amenities, IPod-ready stereos, and 24 hour room service. The hotel is equipped with extensive private meeting and event spaces as well as complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the building. The Standard Grill, the hotel's acclaimed restaurant run by Chef Dan Silverman, is an aesthetic homage to the traditional New York bar and grill serving seasonal New American cuisine. Additionally, the hotel is home to outdoor Biergarten serving traditional German food and beer as well as the 18th floor cocktail lounge with 360° views of the city.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at The Standard, New York is $355 (compared to a corporate rate of $515).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
W NEW ORLEANS
333 Poydras Street
New Orleans
Centrally located in the heart of the Central Business District, W New Orleans has everything travelers need to make a business trip beautiful. Reserve the hotel's complimentary Acura Experience to wheel around town within six miles of the hotel. Sip cool cocktails at Whiskey Blue or tempt ones taste buds at Zoe. Whatever guests want, whenever guests want it…really!
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the W New Orleans is $149 (compared to a corporate rate of $219).*
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* All rates are subject to availability.
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The Lawyers' Travel Service
www.lawyerstravel.com
info@lawyerstravel.com
800.431.1112 |
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