I n  T h i s  I s s u e

Urgent Passport Notice

Airport Entrance Ramp from Westbound Winchester Road Closed for Construction

We Are Listening

Flight Cancellations Disrupt Northwest

Hertz Goes Green And Gives To The National Parks!

Avis Adds Chauffeured Option For Loyalty Members in 10 Key Markets

Pod-like Cabins To Open At London's Gatwick Airport

Government To refund travelers whose passports weren't expedited

Top  10 Traveler Safety Tips

Adventures By Disney

 URGENT PASSPORT NOTICE
If you plan to travel outside of the U.S. within the next year
this important message is for you. Is your passport current?

Passport processing times are so drastically delayed that many travelers are in crisis mode. We have clients who applied in February and March who still have not received their passports.

Crisis Cause - In January of this year, new rules mandated that all travelers returning to the U.S. by air from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the Caribbean must have a valid passport. This has resulted in an unprecedented volume of passport requests. Click Here to continue.

Airport Entrance Ramp from Westbound Winchester Road Closed for Construction
Source: Memphis International Airport
Beginning Monday, July 9 through Saturday July 14, the Airport Entrance Ramp from westbound Winchester Road will be closed due to ongoing road construction.
“We strongly advise passengers traveling to the Airport to avoid westbound Winchester Road,” said airport president, Larry D. Cox. “We recommend motorists use one of three alternative routes: Take I-240 to Plough Blvd.; Democrat Rd. to Plough Blvd. or Shelby Dr. to Airways Blvd.” Click Here to continue. Click Here to view the airport detour map.
 

Last week I flew on 2 Northwest flights, which were operated by Pinnacle Airlines. Both flights were on smaller jets…one to Tallahassee and one from Jacksonville. When we got to the gate (after checking in at the counter) the gate agents told us that we would be restricted to ONE carry on bag…and that one could be either your purse OR your laptop, but not both. When pressed for more information, the agents said this was a new Pinnacle rule for the smaller jets and any bags (more then one) would have to be checked planeside. I had checked my actual suitcase, and only had my purse and a very small laptop bag, but that was not allowed. The agent advised me to purchase a shopping bag in the gift store and put both my purse and the laptop bag into the shopping bag, and then I would be allowed on the plane with both. That seemed a foolish rule, but not wanting to part with either my laptop or my purse at planeside, I did as instructed, and was allowed to board. Much to my surprise, the EXACT SAME thing happened on my return flight. Now that I know that, I would carry a slightly larger laptop bag and put my purse in it before boarding, but I was caught by surprise, as were my colleagues.

NOTE: It is important to check with the individual airline you are flying on before you travel and review their current carry-on baggage policy. These policies can change at anytime.

Exceptional Customer Service

Deedee Crowell

Hi Cheryl,
I just wanted you to know that the Clinical team has taken on new responsibilities which means travel requests have increased.
Deedee has been wonderful in assisting us with  travel, lodging, car rental, etc,  whatever needs that were requested, she has done an excellent job in providing it for us. Just think, this is just the clinical team , think about the entire company that she supports I'm sure is more than overwhelming at times.  I just wanted to let you know on behalf of the clinical team we would like to say "thanks" for all she has done for us.

Cherita Walton
Wright Medical Technologies

Avis Adds Chauffeured Option For Loyalty Members in 10 Key Markets
Source: BTN Online
Avis Rent A Car last week introduced a chauffeured driver service to its loyalty program members in 10 top U.S. business destinations, a move some speculated would prompt further synergies between car rental giants and chauffeured transportation providers.

The new Avis service comes through an alliance with San Mateo, Calif.-based WeDriveU, a supplier of chauffeurs who work at an hourly rate out of customers' vehicles rather than their own. Customers can use the driver throughout the entire rental period or intermittently as needed. Click Here to continue.

 

Pod-like Cabins To Open At London's Gatwick Airport
Source: Travel Weekly
Starting July 1, weary travelers will be able to rent small cabins for a quick nap or a full night at London's Gatwick Airport.

Called Yotel, the 46-cabin hotel in the South Terminal promises a "first class hotel experience at affordable prices." Rates start at about $50.

The cabins come fully equipped with private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi with wired Internet access and entertainment systems. These amenities are "designed to offer a solution to boring and expensive hotels around the globe", said Yotel CEO Gerard Greene. Click Here to continue.

Government To refund travelers whose passports weren't expedited
The State Department is offering refunds for travelers who paid the additional $60 to have their passports expedited but then still had to wait. The move is the government's latest effort to deal with the massive issues caused by new passport regulations. Click Here for more information on how to request a refund.

Top 10 Traveler Safety Tips
Simple but critical ways for employees to avoid trouble around the world
Source: T&E Magazine - Bruce McIndoe
These days, whenever I speak at meetings or conferences, someone inevitably asks me for specific things they can do to enhance employee or personal safety while traveling. Given our experience with actual traveler statistics, following is my "Top 10" list. While some of these tips might seem obvious, the vast majority of incidents business travelers encounter around the world fall into these categories. Click Here to see the list.

1

Cities of Knights and Lights
London, Paris

The emerald Isle
Dublin, Killarney, Shannon

imperial cities
Vienna, Salzburg, Prague

fiesta espana
Madrid, Granada, Seville

sol de espana
Madrid, Barcelona

Viva Italia
Rome, Florence, Venice

taste of tuscany
Rome, Tuscany

Roma and La costa Bella
Rome, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Capri

path to pura vida
San Jose, Arenal, Manual Antonio

quest for the west
Jackson Hole, Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks

spirit of America
Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Williamsburg

southwest splendors
Sedona, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Moab, Arches

Whatever Adventures by Disney travels, there's fun for everyone, of every age, with special engaging ways to assure that Junior Adventurers get as much out of a 13th-century castle as you do. We believe it's all in how you tell the story.

Traveling in small groups led by two Adventure Guides, your family will experience the absolute best of each destination. You'll also be joined by naturalists and local experts who "know the territory." And along the way, you'll encounter countless surprises. Fresh towels after rafting. Mid-morning snacks. Even pre-purchased tickets to bypass lines.

Traveling with Adventurers by Disney, you don't have to plan a thing or lift a piece of luggage. And rest assured, our family-friendly accommodations meet Disney's impeccable standards for service, comfort and convenience. With Adventures by Disney taking care of everything, you'll spend your vacation reconnecting as a family, while making new friends and memories in another corner of the world.

Click Here to access
an online brochure.

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