Tagged With "Department of Homeland Security"
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Re: New name for U.S. highest mountain
Good point…new name as far as official government name goes…old name as far as local peoples are concerned!
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Re: Norwegian Air to finally get U.S. license
This is great news! And this license should really have an impact on trans-Atlantic prices.
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Re: The ART of Chocolate: Brussels, Belgium
Very true Paul. Many people dislike English Muffins because they sit in your stomach like a lead ball. Of course - nothing to do with us ! So we call them American Muffins - and blame them on you !! The origin of the Danish pastry is ascribed by the Danish Confectioners, Bakers and Chocolatemakers Association to a strike amongst the bakery workers in Danish bakeries in 1850. The strike forced Danish bakery owners to hire foreign workers. Among these were several Austrian bakers, who were...
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Re: The Legend of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula)
Thank you so very much for this fascinating piece on Dracula!! I grew up scared of vampires as a small boy because I''d watched Bela Lugosi when I was a little to young to understand. But at least I knew I was safe in the day, as vampires could not come into the sunlight. Amazing what an industry Vampires have become, with hundreds of movies, television series and books written about them. You've give us yet another reason to visit Romania. The country moves further and further up my list of...
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Re: What can't you live without on a plane flight?
It's interesting how electronics have changed how we live, isn't it? PHeymont, I liked the kind of snacks you do but a lot of countries completely disallow any type of produce to be taken into their homeland. Usually if it's processed, it's okay, but just dried I'm not sure about. Have you run into troubles with this? New Zealand especially has hefty fines. Can't even bring a dozen eggs from USA into Canada or visa versa.
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Re: Airfare bill would roll back consumer protection
With the continuing unbundling of fares, it's important that people get some idea of what their flight will actually cost. I don't understand the airlines opposition to it. Most of them use the same tactics and it's unlikely someone won't fly because their true fare is revealed (though a few might not). People need clarity to make well-informed choices.
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Re: Airfare bill would roll back consumer protection
It was a task to compare fares before the law, so I hope it doesn't revert back. Gotta love the name of the new bill. I guess it's opposite day again.
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Not just DC: Govt wants more concession from AA/USAir
Reuters reports the Department of Justice wants a broad range of promises and concessions in any deal to withdraw its objections to the merger of American and USAir. Read more HERE
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Crowded Skies: U.S. sets air passenger record
Nearly 850 airline passengers for 2014! To be exact, 848.1 million passengers (obviously some repeaters!) flew on domestic airlines last year, or on foreign airline flights to and from the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The...
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Update: Did complaints force out Frontier CEO?
Dave Siegel, CEO of Frontier Airlines is out; the airline says his resignation was for "personal reasons," but Frontier Barry Biffle told the Denver Post that the changes at the top are meant to help fix the carrier's operational issues. ...
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United off the hook on "mistake fares"
The U.S. Department of Transportation has ruled that United is not obligated to honor $50 first-class trans-Atlantic fares sold in error two weeks ago. DOT ruled that since customers were only able to obtain the fares by misrepresenting themselves as...
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Traveler advocates ask DOT to cap change fees
FlyersRights.org has petitioned the Federal Department of Transportation to put a $100 cap on change fees for international flights. The fees, which used to run around $50 to $100 now go as high as $750, and the group says they have no relation to the...
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US to Eliminate Custom Forms for Air Passengers
By the end of 2016 ,the United States Department of Homeland Security is eliminating the need for air passengers to complete the paper 6059b Customs Declaration form upon arrival. The US is taking this and other steps in an effort to speed up and...
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U.S. airlines hit new low in long tarmac delays
The U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that "tarmac delays"—incidents in which passengers are kept on the plane during long take-off delays—hit their lowest total since rules fining airlines for allowing them went into effect...
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Three historical cities to visit in the winters for travel enthusiasts
The chilling weather of India glorifies the beauty of many cities. The three top cities are calling you to experience their beauty. These towns can be an escape from the spine-chilling weather or the thrust to kiss the warmth of the sun. Jaipur: Jal Mahal The capital of the royal state of India, Rajasthan, Jaipur is best suited to visit in winters. The city was founded in 1726 by Maharaja Jai Singh II and is popularly known as Fort City of India. Amber Fort, the Star attraction of the city,...
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TSA books possible new delays
TSA tries requiring books and food be pulled out of bags at scanning. It's supposed to speed things up, but travelers say it doesn't.
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US-EU Visa Waiver war could get hotter
U.S. hints that Visa Waiver Program may get tighter, rather than complying with EU requirement to include all EU citizens.
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Svartisdal, Norway, Part 1
Bob Cranwell shares wonderful travel memories of camping in the Norwegian backcountry, in the shadow of a great glacier!
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Mideast laptop ban easing fast
The weeks-old ban on anything bigger than a cellphone in passenger cabins on flights to the U.S. from the Middle East has been relaxed for more carriers.
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Britain's medieval immigration issue: Viking settlers
A new study highlights an early wave of immigrants, and the hostile reaction they faced from England's rulers.
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St Vartan Armenian Cathedral, New York
An unusual building in an unusual location, St Vartan's is the home of the Armenian Apostolic Church in America, and well worth a visit.
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The Value of Traveling to Where Your Ancestors Came From
America is the melting pot of the world. There are people here from every area on the planet. It's what makes this country so great. However, when all cultures mix together, it can dim the light on what makes each culture so unique and special. Some people don't even know their heritage. Luckily, there are ways to get this information. For instance, you can use the 1840 census to learn where your ancestors came from. Once you have this information, you may want to explore your main country...
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New Yorkers lose Global Entry; others may follow
New Yorkers have been barred from joining or renewing Global Entry in a dispute over federal access to state databases.
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U.S. plans big increase in "pre-clearance" sites
If you've ever flown into the U.S. from overseas and missed a connection because of a long line at Customs, or had to collect and re-check your bags, you'll be cheering at the announcement that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is negotiating to add...
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Airline ratings: Frontier is worst and latest
Frontier and Southwest planes pass each other at Seattle. Photo: Wikimedia / rsocol In two different surveys recently released, Frontier takes the cake...sort of. On one, it was the airline garnering the most complaints; on the other (perhaps...
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Is Delta trying to become a "stealth airline?"
Above, Delta flight takes off. Below, Delta takes off flight info from ticket agencies Delta, which earlier this year stopped posting its award charts so that its Skymiles members can no longer plan ahead how many "miles" they'll have to...
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United's computer glitches ground its flights
United Airlines suffered another of its continuing series of computer glitches today, grounding all flights for a time this morning, and leaving delays and confusion extending possibly into the evening. Up to 800 flights were affected. The...
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Anatomy of a Trip (Why Oaxaca?)
In a word, food. More on the subject later. I’ve lived most of my life between 10 and 500 miles from Mexico. For 24 years my house was 10 miles from the port of entry at Naco, Arizona/Sonora, in Bisbee, 1988 to...
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New name for U.S. highest mountain
It's hard times for famous Americans these days. Either Hamilton or Jackson is slated to lose his place on the money, and Ohio's William McKinley has now lost his spot on the tallest mountain in the U.S. It's now officially to be called Denali, a...
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France redraws its regional map
Following a decision last year to simplify its administrative structure and save money on bureaucracy, France has drawn a new map, reducing its 22 regions to 13, and proposing new capitals for the 7 new merged regions. Six existing regions are...
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Airline Price Gouging, Collusion, Undisclosed Fees
Is our federal government finally taking some action in favor of consumers where airline pricing and fees are concerned? According to Consumer Reports, the Department of Transportation has launched an investigation of 5 airlines over price...
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In 2016, TSA may not take some states' driver's licenses at airports
The REAL ID Act was passed in 2005 and it requires certain security features to be on Drivers Licenses. The Department of Homeland Security announced a plan of enforcement two years ago. And in 2016, the agency will start enforcing...
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Department of Homeland Security Announces Changes To Visa Waiver Program
38 countries citizens that didn't need a Visa to come to the US because of the Visa Waiver Program, are in for some changes. Homeland Secretary Jeh Charles Johnson announced these following changes to the Visa Waiver Program Required use of...
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Tax Delinquents Beware - the IRS Comes for Your Passport
Tax delinquency is not a new thing in the United States. But now, the delinquency is going to cost one dearly. The government of USA is aiming to have a debtors’ prison in the country. It has been known from trusted sources that very soon the Internal Revenue Service will begin to deny passport issuance to some American citizens, who have not paid their taxes. In many cases the passports of tax delinquent Americans might also be revoked. The government will play a pivotal role in making sure...
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Hawaiian, JAL ask OK for joint venture
Two airlines seek to extend their networks and increase Hawaii tourism.
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Orlando will face-screen all passengers
A test program to match at-the-airport passenger facial scans with security databases is expanding to cover all passengers at Orlando International.
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Google Sheep View maps the Faroe Islands
A Google project manager said "Where there's a wool, there's a way," and islanders convinced Google to add their homeland to Street View
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Airfare bill would roll back consumer protection
An airline-industry-backed bill in Congress would roll back the requirement that airlines and travel agencies advertise the fare you'll actually pay. Before the 2011 Department of Transportation rule—which has been upheld in court—airlines...
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Bratislava: An overlooked travel destination
(Bratislava's Slovak National Theater) Bratislava, capitol of land-locked Slovakia, was not what I expected. It’s an old city whose history goes back to well before the time of Christ, including envelopment into the Hungarian and...
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A Farm Visit in Normandy
I lost my heart in Paris a long time ago, but every time we visit we plan some out-of-city experiences as well. Last summer, as part of our two weeks in Paris, we planned a two-day side-trip to Normandy, visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. For our...
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That's a Mickey Mouse way to give out visas!
Really. Brazil, which sends 2 million visitors a year to the U.S., has seen long waits for appointments and for visa issuance at U.S. consulates and embassies there. And since tourists=dollars, that's a problem. According to travel industry...
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REAL ID getting closer to real at America's airports
The deadline for full compliance with the requirement for secure ID is getting closer, and the posters are going up.
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Gov't study: Airline loyalty programs fair but confusing
A Department of Transportation study has found that airline loyalty programs are working fairly well, but could use some further study and help.
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Ready, set, Havana! U.S. DOT announces routes
The U.S. Department of Transportation lists the airlines and cities that will begin regular air service to Cuba's capital by this fall.
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Unspoiled Natural Beauty in Croatian National Parks
Alisa Mura shares her favorite National Parks to be found in her homeland of Croatia. For a small country, these parks offer amazing beauty and diversity of sights and experiences.
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Langtang Views, Part 1
Bob Cranwell, the Amateur Emigrant, shares memories of an exhausting but rewarding visit to a remote area of Nepal.
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Zapatistas & Comandanta Ramona
Images of the Zapatista Movement in the far south of Mexico are everywhere, constantly reminding PortMoresby of the ongoing struggle for rights and equality.
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Are you ready for REAL ID?
The final deadline for REAL ID is coming next year, with most states already in compliance. But you may need to update your license!
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Flood of new agents to speed up Customs at JFK and Newark
Good news for those of us who visit the U.S. or come home to New York area airports, which have had some of the worst customs delays for arriving passengers (a high of THREE HOURS last August 24!). Homeland Security has begun hiring 300 more Customs...