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Under the new Secure Flight Rule, the TSA mandates that air carriers request specific information from passengers who are booking travel. The required information is known as Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD).

How will Secure Flight affect you?

In December 2009, United will begin to request the following information from all customers when making a reservation:

• Full name (first, middle name or initial, and last, as it appears on the valid, government-issued photo ID that you will present at the airport);
• Date of birth;
• Gender; and
• Redress number (if applicable).*

*Those who encounter misidentification are invited to apply for redress atwww.dhs.gov/trip to help prevent watch list matching misidentifications in the future.

We will request your Secure Flight Passenger Data each time a reservation is booked, whether online, through United Reservations, or through a travel agency or an online booking agent.

In an effort to simplify the process, we are working toward adding the ability to save this information for use in future reservations. Customers will have the ability to save Secure Flight data to their united.com customer profiles beginning in late February of 2010.

To learn more about the TSA Secure Flight program, please visit the TSA website.

We alert all travelers, especially families with young children who may be carrying gift items or toys, to be prepared for the enhanced and possibly invasive security procedures. As Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano has cautioned, “These measures are designed to be unpredictable, so passengers should not expect to see the same thing everywhere.”

10 Facts Travelers Should Know

On January 4, 2010, the TSA issued a clarification of its new direction for international security measures. We quote: “TSA is mandating that every individual flying into the U.S. from anywhere in the world traveling from or through nations that are state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest will be required to go through enhanced screening. The directive also increases the use of enhanced screening technologies and mandates threat-based and random screening for passengers on U.S. bound international flights.”

According to the New York Times, all travelers carrying passports from 14 specific countries, as well as any traveler transiting through any of these countries on their way to the United States will be subject to enhanced screening, including full-body scanners where available, or full-boady pat-downs. The countries noted are Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria (“state sponsors of terrorism”) plus Afghanistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen, referred to as “countries of interest.”

What does this mean for the family traveler? For the domestic traveler, not much, not yet. But for the international traveler, here’s a breakdown of whats likely to happen on your next airport visit.

* Enhanced security precautions are in place at all international airports with flights to the U.S.
* Passengers must arrive especially early for any international flight as enhanced security on U.S. Bound flights is affecting all travel times.
* All carry-on bags are being subjected to extra security screenings, causing delays at security gates.
* The Canadian government has banned all carry-on bags for passengers traveling to the U.S. because new screening requirements are causing excessive delays. Only exceptions are purses, cameras, coats, laptops, musical instruments, medical devices and items for baby care.
* TSA urges all travelers to check as much carry-on baggage as possible but says that items such as car seats will be accepted on board flights.
* Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are both waiving some baggage fees for the mandatory checked baggage on flights to the U.S. from Mexico and Canada.
* According to the TSA, all passengers regardless of age (including minors and unaccompanied minors) will be subject to additional screening if selected at random or if circumstances warrant.
* Secondary passenger screenings are very likely to include full-body scanners (an extra revealing type of digital imaging), full body pat-downs and manual inspection of all hand carried items.
* In flight, at the discretion of the pilot and the individual airline, passengers may be required to stow all their personal belongings for any portion of the flight.
* In flight, passengers may be required to remain in their seats with their hands fully exposed to view, for any portion of the flight but most likely, for the final hour of the flight.

Additionally, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reminds travelers that, according to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, all U.S. and Canadian citizens, age 16 and older must present a valid, acceptable travel document that denotes both identity and citizenship when entering the U.S. by land or sea. All air travelers of any age are required to present a passport at time of entry to the U.S.

We suggest that parents discuss these enhanced security procedures with their children prior to travel, and that travelers use the CBP website to check on the estimated waiting times at all U.S. air, land and sea borders before making their travel plans.

According to TSA spokesperson Ann Davis, these security precautions and other undisclosed ones will remain in effect indefinitely.

• By Family Travel Forum Staff
• Published: 04 January, 2010

Book Your Panama Canal Cruise Today

The Panama Canal often comes to mind when we think of the country’s up north and is most likely the single best known among Americans. The canal bridges the Isthmus of Panama which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It defined its country’s predestination since the beginning of the Spanish settlement. Commonly hailed as the Crossroads of the world, it is the shipping center with over thirteen thousand boats fleeting the canal from ocean to ocean to myriad destinations every year.

The history of the Panama Canal which was built by the United States recedes to 16th century when it was suggested after recognizing the riches of Peru, Ecuador, and Asia. The realization that cutting out a piece of land somewhere in the country would make trips shorter and faster and the risk of enchanting the reserves throughout the isthmus would validate such an endeavor. Its opening on 1914, symbolized the fulfillment of a valiant vision for more than 400 years. One of the hardest ever won by human initiative and is one of the world’s best engineering wonders.

Sustainable and adequate tourism and nature management and conservation activities such as wildlife and flora and vegetation watching sites are being developed and cultivated in less-developed areas of the former Canal Zone.

The Panama Canal has made it to be a worldwide business hub and an international attraction with more than ninety years, exotic flora and fauna. As an end result, its economy is now strongly based on services such as tourism and trans-shipment, free-trading operations, banking or financial services, commerce and private industries.

Click Here to book your Panama Canal Cruise.

To make certain upcoming competitiveness, the Panama Canal Administration plans to dig a new additional set of wider, deeper and larger locks at a cost of $5.2 billion that would make path for modern container ships, cruise liners, tankers and vessels that are extremely large for its present 108-foot-wide locks. This plan is said to be the biggest innovation plan in the 92-year history of the Panama Canal. The excavation work for the channels leading to the new locks is under way targeting its completion by 2015.

Panama Canal cruises have become one of the most popular way to visit the Panama Canal and its cruise season runs from late September to April. While on the Panama Canal cruise sailing through the lock, just inches from the canal side, you can look out the hostile jungle beyond with its flora and fauna, gaze at the tropical birds overhead and take in the babble and yells of the rain forest’s natural world as you go. Whether you are planning an extravagant cruise or just a last minute getaway, a short sailing or an extended trip, Panama Canal cruise makes available the fun, relaxation and indulging holiday and retreat.

Many have returned to that stunning and interesting Panama that they had just only viewed from a passing freighter, tanker, passenger ship or vessel. Being one of the few amazing engineering efforts, the Panama Canal ought to be on everyone’s list of must-see places.

Book Your Panama Cruise Here

If you would rather speak with a personal travel agent, please call 916.965.3232 and we’ll be happy to book your exciting cruise for you!

For everything related to Panama please visit www.everything-panama.com.

Book Your Mexican Riviera Cruise Now

Cruises to Mexico are now more affordable and are available tear – round lasting from three to fourteen days. Some even have itineraries that also include Central America. With Mexico being more affordable in the cruise market try one of the two basic types. Cruise the Mexican Riviera from California down to the Baja coast of Mexico, from Baja to Acapulco. With the climate being drier and less humid, horseback riding along the many beautiful beaches is a must thing to do along with the excellent fishing of course and other sports. This trip includes stops in Acapulco. Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and others.

Affordable cruises also leave out of the Gulf Ports of Houston, Galveston and New Orleans. These ships generally visit the Caribbean side of Mexico in the Yucatan Region.. The climate is warm and humid but he warm clear waters for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba – diving more than make up for the humidity. Relax on the beaches in Cancun or Cozumel and be sure to visit the ancient Mayan ruins at Uxmel, Tulun and Chichen Itza. These cruises are also Family Friendly.

Acapulco – Queen Bee of the Mexican Beach Resorts

Horseback riding water sports golf, tennis, Fort San Diego and the Cliff Divers are many things to do and see while there. If you are in port long enough stop in and try these restaurants Baikel or Linda Vista for nightlife check out Palladium, Zacca Baby’O , Nino’s El Alebrije or Mandara

Cabo San Lucas – Great Sports Fishing with water sports as the main attraction

Try the Shrimp House for seafood or Brasil for mouth watering steaks and El Pescadores for a great variety

Puerto Vallarta - Beautiful Beaches. Try dining at Carlos and Charlie’s or Christine’s, other favorites are Adriana’s Place Andale’s, Brasil, The Shrimp Factory and the Vista Grill for a magnificent view of the city

Mazatlan – Pearl of the Pacific with its landmark churches

Yucatan – Visit the Mayan Ruins

Cancun – Known as the LONELY PLANET is also one of the worlds best known Holiday Resorts visit the Isla Mujeres Turtle Farm and see different species of turtles laying eggs on the shore, dine at El Pescadores for the best beef in town then dance the night away at “Roots”

Cozumel – Scuba diving abounds along with kayaking and snorkeling tours later try LaCocay Carlos and Charlie’s or the French Quarter for food,drinks and dancing.

Click Here to book your Mexican Riviera Cruise.

All in all your luxury cruise to the Mexican Riviera will be full of memories that will last for many years to come. Experience life at sea in a large stateroom being pampered then going ashore to some of the most beautiful places in the Pacific or anywhere for that matter. REMEMBER: PASSPORTS WILL BE NEEDED

Just Added: Kids under the age of sixteen who are U.S. or Canadian Citizens will be Exempt fro the new passport requirements for land and sea border crossing when the rules go into full effect. Children under the age of sixteen will still be able to use their Birth Certificates as proof of citizenship when re- entering the U.S. or Canada by Land or Sea. HOWEVER children re – entering by AIR will still be required to have a Valid Passport. A VALID PASSPORT IS STILL HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Click Here to book your Mexican Cruise Now

If you would rather speak with a personal travel agent, please call 916.965.3232 and we’ll be happy to book your exciting cruise for you!

Rebecca Robbins offers travel tips on Cruising the Mexican Riviera on her blog at www.myluxurycruise.info

• Hike along the Napali Coast on Kauai.
• Discover the local art scene in downtown Oahu during the monthly “First Friday” art walk.
• Take a swim in the peaceful waters of Kaupoa beach onMolokai.
• Sunbathe on the golden sands of Polihua Beach on Lanai.
• Dress warmly and watch the sunrise from the top of Haleakala National Park on Maui.
• Hike between the lush, 2000-foot cliffs of Waipio Valley on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Explore the hidden hikes and off-road paths of Molokai and Lanai. Browse the charming neighborhoods of Kauai and Hawaii’s Big Island.  Discover the local art scenes of Maui and Oahu. Get off the beaten path and visit Hawaii’s hidden gems, places and locations you won’t find on a postcard.

Click Here for

6 Ways To Get off the Beaten Path in Hawaii

1. Enjoy the stunning scenery from various points along Kauai’s Napali Coast.
2. Visit the USS Arizona and USS Missouri memorials in Oahu’s Pearl Harbor.
3. Take a mule ride down to the Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai.
4. Drive the Munro Trail on Lanai for incredible views.
5. Take the long, winding, scenic road to Hana on Maui.
6. View the active Kilauea Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island.