- Courtesy of The Lawyers' Travel Service February 13, 2008 In This Issue...
	2007 SECOND-POOREST PERFORMANCE YEAR FOR AIRLINES
	AIRPORT WORKERS TO FACE MORE VIGOROUS SECURITY SCREENING
	SOME UK AIRPORTS TO CONSIDER "GREEN APPROACHES"
	THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
	-JUMEIRAH ESSEX HOUSE, New York City
	- MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL, Dallas
	- DRISKILL HOTEL, Austin
	- STANDARD DOWNTOWN LA, Los Angeles

2007 SECOND-POOREST PERFORMANCE YEAR FOR AIRLINES
(source: The New York Times)

A quarter of domestic flights failed to arrive on time in 2007, the industry’s second-poorest performance on record, and analysts say the situation is likely to grow worse. The Transportation Department reported last week that more than 26% of commercial flights in the United States arrived late or were canceled last year as rising passenger demand and an industry preference for smaller planes increased congestion in the skies and on runways.

The only time passengers had more difficulty getting to their destinations on time was in 2000, when more than 27% of flights were late or canceled. Back then, there were 31% fewer flights than in 2007, when carriers operated nearly 7.5 million one-way trips.

Excluding cancellations, however, 2007 was the worst on record for flight delays, with 24.2% of flights arriving late. The worst month of the year for the nation’s 20 largest airlines was December, when more than a third of flights were late or canceled, mostly because of weather.

Under a federal plan, airports in the New York City area will start flight caps in March, with Kennedy Airport limited to about 80 flights an hour at peak times, down from about 100 scheduled last summer. Similar caps, which already exist at La Guardia, will also go into effect at Newark Liberty.

AIRPORT WORKERS TO FACE MORE VIGOROUS SECURITY SCREENING
(source: USA Today)

To increase security and weed out potential threats, workers at seven airports nationwide will undergo more vigorous screening beginning in May. The additional checks are part of a 90-day test program run by the federal Transportation Security Administration. Airport employees across the country already receive some screening — such as background checks and random searches — before they are given access to secure areas, said TSA spokesman Christopher White.

Congress mandated the screening test programs late last year. Some airport workers have unfettered access to aircraft and potentially dangerous materials. TSA Administrator Kip Hawley said the tests will help the agency figure out the best way to secure the operations side of airports.

The screening tests will be conducted at airports in Boston, Denver, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Fla., New Bern, N.C., Eugene and North Bend, Oregon. Screening procedures will vary by airport.

At Logan International Airport in Boston, all workers at the airport and vehicles at the airport's perimeter will be screened, and some workers' fingerprints and irises will be scanned electronically to verify their identities. At Jacksonville International Airport and Craven Regional Airport in North Carolina, all employees in the public and secure areas will be physically screened every day. A total of 53,000 workers will be affected by these screening tests.

SOME UK AIRPORTS TO CONSIDER "GREEN APPROACHES"
(source: Boarding.no)

European Regions Airline Association (ERA) Board members agreed unanimously last month to endorse the policy of continuous descent approaches at as many airports as possible because of the system’s beneficial effects on both the environment and flight safety.

Continuous Descent Approaches (CDAs) have long been acknowledged by the ERA to enhance safety benefits when compared with the traditional stepped approach to landing at an airport. Now the ERA is pushing for greater implementation of CDAs because the procedure also saves fuel, emits less CO2 and reduces noise impact around airports.

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
JUMEIRAH ESSEX HOUSE
160 Central Park South
New York City

Now open, Jumeirah Essex House has added a new dimension to the Central Park South dining landscape, with South Gate.

Featuring celebrated chef Kerry Heffernan's outstanding signature Modern American cuisine, South Gate offers a distinctive and seasonally inspired menu, sure to attract native New Yorkers and visitors alike.

Chef Heffernan, whose name is synonymous with wonderfully fresh, contemporary American fare, has honed his culinary skills at some of New York's finest dining establishments. Previously at Eleven Madison Park, Heffernan has gained a loyal following, and is now ready to head north from Madison Square Park to Central Park South.

Boasting a fresh, sleek interior by famed designer, Tony Chi of Tony Chi and Associates, the fabulous new restaurant will be Central Park South's most exciting new address.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Jumeirah Essex House is $379 for an Essex Queen through March 30, 2008 (compared to a corporate rate of $566).

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
MANSION ON TURTLE CREEK, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL
2821 Turtle Creek Boulevard
Dallas, TX

Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek Unveils Restaurant and Bar Makeover.

Newly designed restaurant and bar pay tribute to historic architecture while blending contemporary accents.

The next era at Dallas' Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek has begun with the highly anticipated reopening of the Mansion Restaurant, The Mansion Bar and The Chef's Room.  The legendary Texas icon recently unveiled an unprecedented restaurant and bar renovation that blends The Mansion's historic character with contemporary design elements. This multi-million-dollar makeover, part of a comprehensive $20 million hotel renovation, is highlighted by Chef John Tesar's newly created menus of contemporary American cuisine prepared with regional ingredients.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Mansion on Turtle Creek is $280 (compared to a corporate rate of $360).

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
DRISKILL HOTEL
604 Brazos Street
Austin, TX

Located in downtown Austin, Texas, The Driskill offers 189 guestrooms and suites distributed between the Historic Wing, with its soaring ceilings, elaborate woodwork and balconies, and the Traditional Wing, built in 1929 and featuring classic styling and the colors of the Texas Hill Country.

All luxury hotel accommodations include:
*Original art, oil paintings, and precious antiques
*Ornate beds designed exclusively for The Driskill
*Elegant draperies
*Complimentary, wireless or high-speed Internet access
*Cable television and in-room movies
*Plush terry robes
*Luxurious bed and bath linens
*Molten Brown of London bath amenities
*Mini-bar
*Safety deposit box/in-room safes

Guests have 24/7 access to the Executive Business Center including:
*Dell workstations
*Color laser printers
*Facsimile machines
*Office supplies
*Copiers
*Secretarial services

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Driskill Hotel is $219 (compared to a corporate rate of $299).

THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
STANDARD DOWNTOWN LA
550 South Flower
Los Angeles

The grand lobby with mezzanine at The Standard, Downtown LA has a rich, corporate aesthetic. Inventive design features include a 125 foot fuchsia "Omnibus" sofa by Vladimir Kagan, a billiards table, photo strip booth, Calder inspired mobile and a conceptual art installation by Jenny Holzer, offset against 50's era architectural details such as a 15 time zone clock encased in stainless steel. Nightly DJs spin while guests are served cocktails and a light menu.

The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at Standard Downtown LA is $150 (compared to a corporate rate of $196).

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The Lawyers' Travel Service
www.lawyerstravel.com
info@lawyerstravel.com
800.431.1112