Welcome to the September 2008 Issue of Travology Today

Even though the economy is tough right now, we at Directravel are committing at least part of our time to reminding ourselves that no matter how difficult things may seem, doing good deeds can be easy.

With this in mind, our Mahwah location has, for the second year in a row, formed a walk team and will be participating in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Walk to Cure Diabetes on October 19th. We have encouraged our other offices to participate on a local level as well and to illustrate by example, Pat Fragale, Directravel’s President, has taken on the role of Corporate Chairman for the walk.

JDRF was founded by parents and children with diabetes who believed that through supporting research, a cure for diabetes could be found within their child’s lifetime. In a typical year, 85% of JDRF’s expenditures support research and education about research, earning an A rating for efficiency from the American Institute of Philanthropy.

Our walk team is committed to reaching our goal and has planned fundraisers and programs to help get us there. From bake sales to peer recognition, we are finding ways to remind ourselves each day that small things can add up to be something truly great.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection signed a joint agreement in Washington, D.C., with the United Kingdom Border Agency to strengthen our countries’ borders by sharing information on people who may present a threat – including illegal immigrants, smugglers and foreign criminals – before they even arrive.

"Strong partnerships mean open lines of communication," said CBP Commissioner W. Ralph Basham. "This agreement equips our frontline personnel with the information they need to protect our citizens and facilitate legitimate trade and travel."

As a result of the agreement, CBP’s National Targeting Center and UKBA’s Joint Borders Operations Centre will strengthen the capability of the U.S. and the U.K. to verify travel documents, detect false identities, determine admissibility, carry out customs purposes and identify persons traveling between our countries who may pose a security risk. The exchange of information between NTC and the JBOC will serve both enforcement and facilitation interests of both nations.

“The U.K. is currently undergoing the biggest shake up in its border security for 45 years. This agreement will mean that we are better informed about threats to our borders, and able to target our resources to deal with those threats,” said Brodie Clark, head of the border force, UK Border Agency. “It provides a model of international co-operation that will become increasingly important in delivering fast but firm border management.”

The agreement also will improve communication between the two agencies when a person is denied entry and returned to the traveler’s country of origin.

“A strong tough border, protecting our country from illegal immigrants, foreign criminals and drug smugglers, is a goal the U.K. and the U.S. share,” said U.K. Border and Immigration Minister Liam Byrne. “That is why we are using our technology and expertise to target those who aren’t willing to play by our rules. By sharing information on individuals we have removed and refused entry to our countries we are able to help protect the shore and borders of our partners.

CBP and UKBA signed an agreement June 24 to develop a bilateral pilot program to facilitate travel between the two nations. The International Expedited Traveler Initiative will integrate CBP’s Global Entry program with the British registered traveler program.

For more information, click here.

Amtrak Office of Security Strategy and Special Operations (OSSSO), Amtrak Police, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel and officers from approximately 100 commuter rail, state, and local police agencies mobilized earlier this month for the largest joint, simultaneous Northeast rail security operation of its kind, involving 150 railway stations between Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Essex Junction, Vermont.

The morning rush-hour multi-force security deployment was NOT in response to any particular threat or incident, but rather a demonstration of an ongoing collaborative effort to expand counter-terrorism and incident response capabilities up and down the Northeast Corridor railway system. Approximately 750,000 rail passengers ride along the Northeast Corridor and other rail systems integrated with the Corridor each day.

Over the past few years, terrorist attacks, attempts and plots around the globe have specifically targeted rail and mass transit. The security implications of this activity in the United States, particularly in the region with the greatest concentration of users of public transportation, have spurred the formation of a strong coalition of transportation and law enforcement agencies in the Northeast Corridor area.

"We are one team, with one mission, and that is to protect rail and mass transit passengers, patrons and employees from harm, manmade or otherwise," said Amtrak Police Chief John O'Connor. "Without question, this operation provided the longest wall of security ever mobilized along the East Coast. We had hundreds of law enforcement officers across 13 states and Washington, D.C., report to duty as one force this morning, and that is our greatest strength."

The operation enabled TSA and law enforcement officials to further familiarize themselves with their local train stations and rail environment, while establishing a highly visible police and security presence. Amtrak Mobile Team security personnel and TSA agents were deployed to designated locations along the Northeast Corridor area to conduct security activities, including the use of explosive trace detection devices during random passenger bag inspections.

Additionally, TSA's Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response Teams or VIPR Teams, were mobilized at undisclosed locations to enhance security activities through the use of specialized detection technologies that identify anomalies considered suspicious. The main focus of VIPR operations is to deploy TSA resources to augment local security capabilities and facilitate deterrence through coordinated actions with local transportation entities and law enforcement.

Amtrak and TSA said similar unannounced exercises will occur in the future along the Northeast Corridor area as well as in other parts of our nation’s rail system as part of an enhanced security strategy. Today's exercise will be reviewed and used as a method to evaluate personnel and resources required to respond to any future threats or incidents within the railway system.

This operation encompassed rail stations in 13 states, including Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia.

For more information, click here.

Millions of people every day enjoy the ease of credit card payment, GPS-based location and mapping, weather updates, national and New York City entertainment and city news available in NYC taxis thanks to a solution developed by Sprint and VeriFone’s U.S.-based taxi business, VeriFone Transportation Systems (VTS). This collaboration has resulted in equipping 6,600 NYC taxis with a real-time integrated payment and information system, powered by Sprint Mobile Broadband and Sprint Data Link to ensure secure credit card transactions.

The system features a Passenger Information Monitor with a 10.4-inch touch screen that allows passengers to review the fare, add a tip and pay by swiping a credit card through a reader or using “tap and go” contactless payment. The system includes programming from several providers, including WABC-TV’s local news, AccuWeather, Reuters Business News, People.com (the leading celebrity news site), Disney Broadway, Zagat Survey and PMbuzz.com (a leading source of information on NYC night life). It also features a GPS component that helps passengers quickly recover items accidentally left in cabs. Sprint and VTS plan to deliver a similar solution to taxis in Philadelphia, Chicago and Las Vegas.

“The system has not only improved our ability to manage fleets, but drivers have found that it provides them with the ability to better recover fares,” said Solomon Neuschatz, NYC taxi owner/operator. “Most have also noticed an increase in gratuities. In addition, passengers love the fact that they’re informed during the ride and have access to information on restaurants, clubs and theaters right at their fingertips.”

For more information, click here.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Croatia does not comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following an assessment of the country’s civil aviation authority in January.

A Category 1 rating means the country’s civil aviation authority complies with ICAO standards. Croatia’s Category 2 safety rating means that the country’s civil aviation authority does not comply with ICAO standards. A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with international standards, or that its civil aviation authority — equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters — is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures.

As part of the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, the agency assesses the civil aviation authorities of all countries with air carriers that operate or might be authorized to fly to the United States and makes that information available to the public. The assessments determine whether or not foreign civil aviation authorities are meeting ICAO safety standards, not FAA regulations.

With the IASA Category 2 rating, Croatian air carriers cannot establish service to the United States. The government of Croatia has informed the FAA that they are working diligently to correct all areas of concern as they move to establish a safety oversight system that will be fully compliant with international standards and recommended practices.

Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.

For more information, click here.

International passengers traveling to mainland China on SkyTeam partner airlines can now take advantage of discounted flight coupons on China Southern to explore up to nine cities of their choice. The China Pass, which launches today, is an excellent option for business and leisure travelers looking to make the most out of their trip to China.

Customers can purchase three-to-nine discounted flight coupons for travel within China in conjunction with an international round-trip ticket to China on any SkyTeam partner. While all flights will be operated by China Southern, passengers can book the China Pass through any of the 11 SkyTeam members and the three Associates. There is no minimum requirement on length of stay and rerouting is allowed after first flight.

The China Pass offers a discount of approximately 40 percent in high season and 45 percent in low season. For example, a three city, low season itinerary on the SkyTeam China Pass can cost USD 330 versus the conventional fare of USD 600.

“SkyTeam member China Southern is the largest airline in China and offers an unmatched network in the country,” said Leo van Wijk, chairman of the SkyTeam Governing Board. “Passengers flying to mainland China on any SkyTeam partner airline now have the option of benefiting from the affordable, convenience of the China Pass to visit multiple cities during their stay.”

The SkyTeam network includes 105 cities throughout mainland China. SkyTeam customers who are seeking to explore numerous destinations in China now have greater options when deciding where to travel, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Guilin, Kunming, Weihai, Shenyang, Urumqi, Sanya, Harbin, Changchun, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Chongqing, Chengdu, Nanjing, Zhuhai, Shantou, Xiamen, Guiyang, etc. Passengers using the China Pass have the option to schedule their flights at their convenience without prior notice.

The China Pass is a great addition to the SkyTeam fare pass offerings, including the America Pass, the Europe Pass, the Asia Pass and the Round-the-World product. Whether traveling for business or leisure, the China Pass allows for flexibility and convenience.

SkyTeam is the global airline alliance partnering eleven members, including Aeroflot, Aeroméxico, Air France, Alitalia, China Southern, Continental Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and Northwest Airlines, and three Associate Airlines: Air Europa, Copa Airlines (Panama) and Kenya Airways. SkyTeam offers its 462 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 16,700 daily flights covering 905 destinations in 169 countries.

For more information, click here.

American Airlines will soon introduce to its top customers PriorityAAccess SM privileges, which are an array of enhancements designed to make the airport process and overall travel experience more convenient and include dedicated check in areas, security screening lanes (where allowed) and boarding lanes…Continental Airlines announced a promotional $45 one-way fare for US Helicopter service between its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport and Manhattan. The discounted fare is available for a limited time to economy-class customers traveling on select fares to or from Liberty. In addition, for a limited time, Continental is offering complimentary helicopter service between Liberty and Manhattan to customers traveling on first-class and full-fare economy tickets. The special offer is effective immediately for tickets purchased on or after Sept. 1 for travel through Oct. 31, 2008…Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines announced that their respective stockholders have approved the pending merger between the two companies…US Airways received its tenth consecutive Diamond Award for maintenance training excellence from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Charlotte, North Carolina hub line maintenance facility.

in July '08 increased to 75.7%, up 1.5 points vs. the running 12 month average of 74.2% and up 4.9 points from June’s 70.8%. To view the USDOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) Air Travel Consumer Report, click here.

The United States Government has posted recent travel advisories and warnings for Afghanistan, Algeria, Bolivia, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Cote d’lvoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, East Timor, Eritrea, Georgia, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Kenya, Lebanon, Nepal, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan and Yemen.