Duty-Free Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols

Duty-Free Liquids, Gels, and Aerosols
Word Count:
476
Summary:
If you travel overseas you have the advantage of shopping at the airport duty free shop.  But, you need to check the latest rules for carrying liquids on board.

Keywords:
duty-free, international, liquid, security, bags, tamper-evident, liquid duty-free, flight, liquids, items, permitted, connecting flight, destination

Article Body:
Member countries of the European Union, as well as Iceland, Norway, Japan, Singapore, Australia and others - have implemented new regulations regarding liquids in carry-on bags. As a result, there are potential implications for passengers who purchase liquid duty-free items (e.g. perfume and liquor) while traveling to and from international destinations.
Because many duty-free shops in other countries are located before the security checkpoint, all liquid duty-free items purchased in those airports will be placed in special sealed tamper-evident bags in order to be permitted through those countries' security checkpoints. The tamper-evident bag is not currently accepted through U.S. checkpoints.
To avoid the risk of having to abandon your liquid duty-free items in the U.S. and abroad, please follow the guidelines below.
For passengers traveling to an international destination from the United States:
Duty-free purchases of liquids of any size from shops in the U.S. are permitted if you have a nonstop flight to an international destination.
If you have a connecting flight in Europe, Japan or another international destination, U.S. duty-free liquid purchases in containers larger than three ounces will not be permitted through security checkpoints because they will not be in the an approved tamper-evident bag. Note: If you purchase a liquid duty-free item in the U.S. you will not be able to get a tamper evident bag for it before going through international checkpoints.
For passengers returning to the United States from an international destination:
On nonstop flights bound for the US, duty-free liquids purchased in an international airport will be permitted through the checkpoint only if they meet U.S. requirements for the use of tamper-evident bags. Duty-free delivered to the aircraft for passenger pick-up, bought on the plane or purchased after the security checkpoint are allowed.
If you are flying to the U.S. and have a connecting flight, duty-free liquids that meet U.S. requirements will NOT be permitted through U.S. security checkpoints. If you have a connecting flight, liquid duty-free purchases must be placed in your checked baggage. Since you will be required to reclaim your checked bags prior to passing through customs inspection, you can place duty-free liquids into your bags and recheck them for your connection.
Please note, this information applies only to liquid, aerosol, or gel duty free purchases that exceed the three ounce restriction for single containers.
Transportation Security Administration Tips
    * When traveling to an international destination with a connection, buy your duty-free liquid items on the last leg of your trip.

    * In Europe and other countries that use the tamper-evident bag, passengers should not open the bag before the security checkpoint, or else the duty-free contents may be seized.

    * When returning from an international destination on a connecting flight in the U.S., use your time in customs to place any duty-free liquid items in your checked bags.


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http://www.coastal-latinos.net/Arzuaga

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Arriving at an Airport You Can’t Even Pronounce

Arriving at an Airport You Can’t Even Pronounce
Word Count:
665
Summary:
If you have recently traveled to Thailand you arrived at the newest Southeast Asian airport.  Bangkok’s new airport replaces an old friend of mine.

Keywords:
airport, bangkok, international airport, don muang, international,  taxi, taxis, thailand, suvarnabhumi

Article Body:
I have been traveling to Thailand off and on for the past 35 years.  I was stationed in Bangkok in the early 70’s and I still go on vacation there 2 or 3 times every year.  With all of those trips, I knew the Bangkok International Airport like the back of my hand.
In September 2006, the new airport, Suvarnabhumi (su-war-na-poom) opened and the end of the Don Muang era came to a bittersweet close.  Suvarnabhumi is now the official International Airport for Bangkok and Don Muang has been relegated to domestic flights.  I now had to learn to navigate this new metal monster.
Suvarnabhumi, meaning “Golden Land” is about 30 km east of Bangkok in an area known as Nong Ngu Hao, or “Cobra Swamp”. The complex covers 32 square kilometers, and has the world’s tallest control tower (132 meters). The passenger terminal has 360 check-in desks, 120 gates, and accommodations for handling 45 million passengers a year. Surrounding the airport are flooded rice paddies.
The new airport is an architectural masterpiece of metal and glass and is aesthetically beautiful.  My only complaint is that it is a long hike from the arrival gate until you actually reach the Immigration lines.  It seems like miles.
On the plus side, as soon as you clear Immigration, there is giant electronic display board which tells you where your luggage is.  There are many luggage carousels and knowing exactly which one is yours makes life a little easier.
Once you get your bags, clearing customs is a snap.  I have never been checked once in over 35 years of flying in to Bangkok.  The next thing you will face is the taxi mafia gauntlet.
Bags in hand, you will walk into a mass of humanity – some waiting for loved ones – most waiting to harass you.  They are the infamous clipboard toting taxi mafia.  They will pester you, block your way, ask where you go, and never give up no matter how many times you refuse and no matter how many languages you swear at them in.
Having used all of your best football moves, you work your way past the clipboard thugs and head for the down escalator.  This will take you to legal and much more reasonable taxis.  You will have to pay a small fee – but you will get some piece of mind in return.  The taxis are registered, the girls in the booth speak English, and you won’t have to do any bargaining as these taxis use their meters.
If your cabbie offers to take you and not use the meter, agree upon a price and who will be paying for the tolls.  This will be your first opportunity to experience haggling in Asia.  Have fun.
I can’t vouch for all the taxi drivers but I did find one very honest one using this service last year.  I left my credit card wallet in the cab and the driver contacted my hotel and arranged to return my plastic intact.  He was rewarded handsomely and saved me a lot of hassle and possibly a lot of money.
Now you will experience the controlled chaos of driving in Bangkok. It is indescribable and has to be experienced.  Say a prayer and hope for the best.
If you plan to go anywhere in Thailand, you might be lucky enough to fly out of the old International Airport – Don Muang.  It resembles more of a ghost town than an airport but still brings back to me memories of hundreds of trips to Thailand.  Being the first thing you see in a foreign country, you develop a fondness for airports.
I guess I will get over it and learn to accept Suvarnabhumi and treat this new International Airport as a new friend.  I have been there twice and will return in March, 2008 for another holiday.  And, luckily, I will get to visit my old friend, Don Muang, the next day as I head up to Khon Kaen.  It will be good to see old and new friends.

Airlines And Contracts Of Carriage

Airlines And Contracts Of Carriage
Word Count:
481
Summary:
Are the airlines liable for anything at all?

Keywords:
terms, airline, contract, rules, ticket, contract terms, notice, tariff, contract carriage, carriage, domestic, travel, provide, international

Article Body:
It is important to realize, however, that each airline has specific rules that make up your contract of carriage. These rules may differ among carriers. They include provisions such as check-in deadlines, refund procedures, responsibility for delayed flights, and many other things.
<b>Domestic Travel</b>
For domestic travel, an airline may provide all of its contract terms on or with your ticket at the time you buy it. Many small "commuter" carriers use this system. Other airlines may elect to "incorporate terms by reference." This means that you are not given all the airline's rules with your ticket-most of them are contained in a separate document which you can inspect on request.
If an airline elects to "incorporate by reference" it must provide conspicuous written notice with each ticket that: 1) it incorporates terms by reference, and 2) these terms may include liability limitations, claim-filing deadlines, check-in deadlines, and certain other key terms.
The airline must also:
* Ensure that passengers can receive an explanation of key terms identified on the ticket from any location where the carrier's tickets are sold, including travel agencies;
* Make available for inspection the full text of its contract of carriage at each of its own airport and city ticket offices;
* Mail a free copy of the full text of its contract of carriage upon request.
There are additional notice requirements for contract terms that affect your air fare.
Airlines must provide a conspicuous written notice on or with the ticket concerning any "incorporated" contract terms that:
* Restrict refunds;
* Impose monetary penalties; or
* Permit the airline to raise the price after you've bought the ticket.
If an airline incorporates contract terms by reference and fails to provide the required notice about a particular rule, the passenger will not be bound by that rule.
<b>International Travel</b>
Not all of the detailed requirements for disclosing domestic contract terms apply to international travel. Airlines file "tariff rules" with the government for this transportation.
Passengers are generally bound by these rules whether or not they receive actual notice about them. Every international airline must keep a copy of its tariff rules at its airport and city ticket offices. You have a right to examine these rules.
The airline agents must answer your questions about information in the tariff, and they must help you locate specific tariff rules, if necessary. If the airline keeps its tariff in a computer rather than on paper, there are additional disclosure requirements which are similar to those for domestic contract terms.
The most important point to remember, whether your travel is domestic or international, is that you should not be afraid to ask questions about a carrier's rules. You have a right to know the terms of your contract of carriage. It is in your best interest, as well as that of the airline, for you to ask in advance about any matters of uncertainty.