I n  T h i s  I s s u e

60% Increase In Passport Demand!

TSA Modifies Screening Machines After Privacy Concerns

How To Deal With Worsening Flight Delays

NWA Cash And Miles Are Back

For JetBlue, Fewer Seats, More Bucks

Brazil: Flight Delays Become The Rule

2006 U.S. Hotel Chain Survey

Car Rental Taxes Now Add 28% To The Average Car Rental Rate

What's Up With The U.S. Virgin Islands And The Passport Issue?

If You Are 55 Years Old You Should Join United’s Silver Wings Plus

Leisure Travel Special Offer

TSA Modifies Screening Machines After Privacy Concerns
Source: USA Today
Airport security officials think they have a new device that will both improve security and help reduce lines by making the process more efficient. But the new device –- known as a backscatter X-ray machine -– has raised the concern of privacy advocates because it gives fairly complete images of everything hidden under a passengers’ clothing.

Now, USA TODAY writes that the "new airport screening machine that peers under travelers’ clothing has been modified so it won’t show intimate body parts when it’s tested at a U.S. airport for the first time starting next month. The modification to the controversial backscatter X-ray machine seeks to quiet critics who have helped block its use in airports by saying the vivid images shown to security screeners invade passenger privacy. The new, altered images will show only cartoon-like black-and-white outlines of each passenger."

How To Deal With Worsening Flight Delays
Source: BCD Travel
Airline punctuality is deteriorating on both sides of the Atlantic as flight volumes soar but aviation infrastructure fails to keep pace. What can business travelers do to minimize disruption to their travel plans?
Flight delays are getting worse. According to figures from the Association of European Airlines, 23.0 percent of short-haul flights departed more than 15 minutes behind schedule between July and September of this year. That figure has risen from 20.1 percent for the same quarter in 2005. Click Here to continue.

 Exceptional Customer Service

Ashley Henry

• • • • •

Meeting & Incentive Management

Karen Young

You only get one shot at making a good impression!
Meetings & Incentives are time-consuming and require endless attention to detail from site selection to contract negotiations to logistics. One small oversight can sabotage the success of your event. From Conception to Realization, our professionals will ensure your event makes a lasting positive impression.
For your complimentary consultation please contact:
Karen Young, CTC
Meetings and Incentives Manager
Impressions Corporate Meetings & Incentives (a division of A & I Travel)
901-291-1440 or 800-467-1182
karen@aitvl.com

For JetBlue, Fewer Seats, More Bucks
Source: Travel Weekly
JetBlue Airways will remove a row of seats from all of its A320 aircraft and reconfigure the cabin for 150 seats with more leg room, a change that should be completed by March. JetBlue said it expected to save $30 million over five years, easily offsetting the lost revenue, because the aircraft will be about 900 pounds lighter and burn less fuel and can fly with a smaller cabin crew.

Brazil: Flight Delays Become The Rule
Source: T&E Magazine
Flight delays in Brazil have become a daily issue as air traffic controllers have initiated a "work-to-rule" operation, which reduces the number of flights each controller can work to 14, the internationally recommended limit. By some estimates, up to 25 percent of flights have been delayed by at least 30 minutes. The U.S. Embassy is recommending that those traveling to or in Brazil check with their airline in advance of departure to verify flight status.

What's Up With The U.S. Virgin Islands And The Passport Issue?
Source: Travel Weekly
Because the destination is a U.S. territory, passports are not required of U.S. citizens returning to the U.S. mainland from the U.S.V.I. The same holds true for Puerto Rico.

And this does not change on Jan. 23 when the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative takes effect. The new law will require U.S. airline passengers to have a valid passport when re-entering the U.S. from other countries in the Western Hemisphere.

If You Are 55 Years Old You Should Join United’s Silver Wings Plus
United Airlines offers a very nice travel program for people 55 years old or older. The Silver Wings Plus program costs $240 per year but members receive $300 in travel certificates along with a host of other benefits. The certificates are in $25 denominations and can be pooled together so that you can use up to $100 in certificates to purchase a ticket on United. I only recommend that you do this if you fly a minimum of 3 times a year (allows you to use $100 in certificates for 3 trip). Business travelers should also consider this program as this allows you to access zone fares that do not require a Saturday night stay, etc. For more information visit https://www.silverwingsplus.com/swhome/control/benefit

SAVE
$200
per couple*

Save $200 per couple on 2007 Globus family of brands European vacations.

Click on a link below to
Research
trip options and
book online.

 Globus

 Cosmos

*Book a 2007 Globus, Brennan, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon Waterways Vacations air-inclusive vacation on select carriers to receive the $100 per person discount. Booking must be made, under deposit and discount applied between January 3 and February 28, 2007, for travel commencing by October 31, 2007. The full discounted air price, plus $200 deposit, plus applicable travel protection fees must be made at the time of deposit to receive the discount. Not applicable with any other discounts, and applies to new 2007 Europe bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply.

LINKS TO PAST ISSUES