KEEP YOUR PASSPORT PRISTINE

DAMAGE CONTROL
Keep your passport pristine

27 DEC 2011: WestJet wants Canadians planning a holiday in Mexico to make sure their passports are in ``perfect'' condition. The airline says Mexican customs and immigration officials could deny entry to anyone arriving with a damaged passport. Rips, tears, missing corners or water damage to the cover or inside pages are all no-nos.

Mexico ``definitely takes the most stringent approach'' concerning passport damage to any country the airline flies to, including the US and Caribbean destinations, said Robert Palmer, WestJet's manager of public relations.

He said ``a handful'' of the airline's customers have been turned away so far this winter season - either prevented in Canada from boarding a flight to Mexico or denied entry on arrival - because of the state of their passports.

One B.C. man with a water-damaged passport was stopped from boarding a Mexico-bound flight by a WestJet ticket agent at Kelowna International Airport earlier this month. He had stored it in a shaving kit where it got wet.

If Mexico denies someone entry, the airline bringing the person in is responsible for getting him out immediately, said Palmer. That could mean having to pay to put him on another airline’s flight.

``We need to screen passports at the point of departure'' to avoid such a scenario, he said. ``We're really between a rock and hard place on this.''

Mexico adopted its tougher approach over the past year, Palmer said.

However, the Mexican Embassy in Ottawa denied that there has been any change in the passport policy of the country's customs and immigration officials.

``Passports must be in a generally good condition -normal use is no problem,'' Milko Rivera Hope, responsible for economic and tourism affairs at the embassy, said in an email.

But Rivera Hope added that ``any alterations or major damage to the passport will definitely be a problem for any passenger who wants to travel anywhere in the world. Not only to Mexico.''

Passport Canada recommends that individuals with a damaged passport apply for a new one, regardless of their destination.

``Travellers whose passport is damaged in any way could face significant delays or be denied entry at border crossings, or be denied boarding on flights,'' Passport Canada says on its website.

Palmer's advice is to keep your passport in a protective sleeve. Don't store it in a kitchen cupboard where something could spill on it. And don't carry it around as all-purpose ID.

``I know young people who use their passport for identification when they go to a bar. ... You're just increasing your risk if you're hauling your passport around like it's another card in your wallet.''

Reprinted with permission of Travel Industry Today.com


http://travelindustrytoday.com/web/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=13286:damage-control-keep-your-passport-pristine&Itemid=64

‘Be merry and pack smart!’ – CATSA

As the holiday season is the busiest time of the year at Canada’s airports, CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) offers helpful packing tips that will make air travel more about the destination and less about the common stressors of flying.

Gifts and wrapped packages: Leave gifts and packages unwrapped until you arrive at your destination as their contents may need to be inspected.

Liquids: Pack liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) such as sunscreen, hair gel, hand cream and perfume, in your checked baggage. LAGs are only allowed in carry-on baggage when packed in containers with a capacity of 100 ml / 100 grams (3.4 oz.) or less. The containers must fit comfortably in one clear, closed and re-sealable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than 1 litre (1 quart). One plastic bag per person is allowed, and must be removed from carry-on baggage and placed in a bin at security.

Food products: The holidays are a time for delicious treats and baked goods. Food products should be packed in your carry-on baggage, given that certain items may require additional searches. Solid food can be packed in your carry-on baggage, and food items that are liquid or gel based should be carefully packed in checked baggage. These are a few common items that are subject to regular LAGs restrictions:

• Cranberry sauce
• Jams and jellies
• Oils and vinegars
• Maple syrup
• Alcohol

* Remember that, when travelling internationally, some food items are restricted when crossing the border, so check the regulations for your individual destination. When returning to Canada, consult the Canadian Food Inspection Agency about restricted items.

Duty-free purchases: It is recommended that you place all duty-free purchases in checked baggage. To learn more, consult the duty-free purchases page.

Electronic devices: The following items do not need to be removed from cases or bags in order to be screened:

• Cellphones
• MP3 music players (iPod)
• E-book readers (Kindle)
• Portable DVD players
• Tablets (iPad)

Laptops and gaming consoles (PSP, Nintendo 3DS): These items must be removed from carrying cases and laptop bags and placed in a bin.

Toy weapons: Toy weapons such as water guns, replica swords, or any toy resembling a weapon must be packed in checked baggage.

Sporting equipment: Most sports equipment, including skis, snowboards, are not allowed as carry-on baggage. Place these items in checked baggage.

Dress for success: The way you dress can significantly affect the time it takes to go through screening. By following these tips, you will speed up the screening process and decrease the likelihood of setting off the walk-through metal detector:

• Be ready to remove coats, jackets and blazers and place them in the bins provided.
• Dress comfortably with easy-to-remove outerwear, jackets and belts.
• Limit jewelry to small earrings, watches and wedding bands/engagement rings.
• Wear clothing without snaps, metal buttons or studs.
• Avoid wearing shoes with metal arches, buckles, steel-toes or shanks.
• Avoid wearing belts with metal buckles.
• Remove hidden body piercings before you fly.

Be ready to empty all contents of your shirt and pant pockets and place these items in the bins before passing through the walk-through metal detector.

In order to make your screening experience as smooth as possible, contact your air carrier for the number and size of items permitted as carry-on.

Many airports have posted holiday travel tips on their website. It would be wise to check the airport’s website for other tips they may offer for a smooth travel experience.

For more information go to www.catsa.gc.ca.

TIPS FOR STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY TRAVEL

Wrap Gifts After You Arrive

Do not wrap gifts and packages when carrying them on board. All items carried on board are subject to inspection and may be unwrapped at the security checkpoint.

Check In Before You Arrive at the Airport

Use Web Check-In from 1 to 24 hours before your flight and print your boarding pass in advance. You can add passport information, change your seat assignment, sometimes upgrade to First Class, and print a receipt for your flight.  With some airlines you can also opt for Mobile Check-In or download a Mobile App and check in from your mobile device.

Plan for Extra Transportation Time to the Airport

Airport drives and parking lots can become very congested during holiday travel periods. Please allow extra time getting to and from the airport.

Travellers are encouraged to take a shuttle to the airport or park at a satellite parking lot nearby. Travellers should allow extra time for parking during busy holiday travel periods, as lots may be full.

Plan Extra Time For Baggage Check and Security Procedures

The ticket counters and security lines are very busy during the holiday travel season. Plan to arrive extra early and give yourself some breathing room to relax, rather than worry that you won't make it through the line in time.

Made it through security with lots of time to spare? Purchase an airport lounge one-day pass and wait for your flight in comfort!

Passport Canada ready for ePassports

BREAKING NEWS

Passport Canada ready for ePassports

PASSPORT Canada will start issuing higher-security electronic passports, or ePassports, to Canadians next year. With the ePassport, Canadians will have the option of getting a new, security-enhanced passport that is valid for five years, starting next year, or a 10-year passport, starting in early 2013.

In accordance with the User Fees Act, Passport Canada is unveiling its new fee-for-service proposal to accompany the new 10-year ePassport. Canadians are invited to have their say on this proposal.

As always, Passport Canada is striving to strike the best possible balance between security, service andcost. In fact, the proposed fee for a 10-year ePassport is actually lower, per year of validity, than the fee forthe current 5-year passport. The proposal and all supporting documentation may be found at:

www.passportcanada.gc.ca/consultations.

A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document
available to Canadians who want to travel abroad. The more secure ePassport is a document that benefits  all Canadians by protecting our national security.

Costa Rica - New passport validation change

Effective November 1, 2011

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the authorities of Costa Rica. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Costa Rica for up-to-date information.

Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Canadians intending to visit Costa Rica require a valid Canadian passport. The passport must be valid for at least 90 days from the date of arrival in Costa Rica. You should carry a photocopy of your passport and of the Costa Rican Immigration entry stamp at all times. Costa Rican Immigration authorities state that all foreigners must carry original identification documents; however, local authorities will accept photocopies as long as the original documents are accessible.

Canadians arriving in Costa Rica may remain for a period of up to 90 days without a visa. Those wishing to apply for residency status or intending to stay beyond 90 days must apply for their visa from outside the country. Travellers overstaying the 90-day period can expect to pay a fine and risk being deported. Persons deported from Costa Rica will not be allowed to re-enter the country for a 10-year period.

Students must obtain a visa from the Costa Rican Immigration Department. They must provide confirmation of enrolment in an accredited school.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=67000

Low cost flights to St. Petersburg Florida from Niagara Falls, Ontario

Allegiant Airlines to fly to Niagara Falls from St. Pete.  Direct Air out of Niagara Falls will be getting a little competition this winter as low cost airline Allegiant plans to begin flights on December 15 from St. Petersburg, Florida to Niagara Falls. In case you‟re wondering – yes, its Canadians they're after.
The Niagara Falls destination has been popular for Direct Air, with flights from Lakeland Linder Regional Airport just 40 miles from St. Pete-Clearwater.  According to reports at Niagara Falls International nearly 70% of the passengers using the airports are Canadians living in southern Ontario. That's quite a market for both Direct Air and Allegiant.

RUSSIA PLANS TO OPEN A SPACE HOTEL BY 2016

Are you always looking for that unusual vacation destination? 
A Russian company announced its plan to open a space hotel on the orbit by 2016. The facility should accommodate up to seven guests. Today Russia is the only country that can deliver people to the orbit.
The lack of competition is seen by many experts as a good opportunity for Russia to develop space tourism. The developers believe that they will open the space hotel for the first tourists in 2016. They also stated that hotel will be much more comfortable than the International Space Station. The tourists in weightlessness will be able to choose the position of their bed – vertical or horizontal. Food will be delivered from the earth, and warmed up in microwave ovens. The project developers plan to abandon the lyophilized (dried) food in tubes and to replace it with delicacies such as braised veal with mushrooms, mashed white beans, potato soup and plum compote. The guests will also have available ice tea, mineral water and fruit juice; however alcohol will be strictly prohibited. Nevertheless, it should be noted that such a space trip will be very expensive. For five-day stay in orbit hotel tourists will have to pay around USD 170 000, plus at least another USD 800 000 for the shuttle transfer to the hotel. With no doubt the fare could further rise due to increased cost of fuel, which is so common in civil aviation.

Courtesy of YYZ Travel Group Business First October 2011 Newsletter.