News Archive
Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines Combine
Air Tran and Air Tran U
Important Car Rental Information
Corporate Cards
$3.1 Million Overhaul
NWA Custom Service Enhancements
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Red Roof
Stay at Club Quarters and Save
TSA Announces Refinements
National Car Rental
TSA Withdraws Proposed
Congress Passes Bill
Services Fees
Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines Combine
ATLANTA, Georgia and EAGAN, Minnesota – April 14, 2008 – Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) and Northwest Airlines Corporation (NYSE: NWA) today announced an agreement in which the two carriers will combine in an all-stock transaction with a combined enterprise value of $17.7 billion, creating America’s premier global airline. The new airline, which will be called Delta, will provide employees with greater job security, an equity stake in the combined airline, and a more stable platform for future growth in the face of significant economic pressures from rising fuel costs and intense competition. Small communities throughout the United States will enjoy enhanced access to more destinations worldwide. Customers also will benefit from the combined carriers’ complementary route networks, which together will offer people greater choice, competitive fares and a superior travel experience to more cities than any other airline. In addition, combining Delta and Northwest will create a global U.S. flag carrier strongly positioned to compete with foreign airlines that are continuing to increase service to the United States.
Delta CEO Richard Anderson will be chief executive officer of the combined company. Delta Chairman of the Board Daniel Carp will become chairman of the new Board of Directors and Northwest Chairman Roy Bostock will become vice chairman. Ed Bastian will be president and chief financial officer. The Board of Directors will be made up of 13 members, seven of whom will come from Delta’s board, including Anderson, and five of whom will come from Northwest’s board, including Bostock and Doug Steenland, the current Northwest CEO. One director will come from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).
Delta will have executive offices in Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul and New York, and international executive offices in Amsterdam, Paris and Tokyo. The company’s world headquarters will be in Atlanta. Delta is committed to retaining significant jobs, operations and facilities in Minnesota.
Combined, the company and its regional partners will provide access to more than 390 destinations in 67 countries. Delta and Northwest, together, will have more than $35 billion in aggregate annual revenues, operate a mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft and employ approximately 75,000 people worldwide.
In an industry where the U.S. network carriers have shed more than 150,000 jobs and lost more than $29 billion since 2001, the combination of Delta and Northwest creates a company with a more resilient business model that is better able to withstand volatile fuel prices than either can on a standalone basis. Merging Delta and Northwest is the most effective way to offset higher fuel prices and improve efficiencies, increase international presence and fund long-term investment in the business.
The transaction is expected to generate more than $1 billion in annual revenue and cost synergies from more effective aircraft utilization, a more comprehensive and diversified route system and cost synergies from reduced overhead and improved operational efficiency. The company expects to incur one-time cash costs to not exceed $1 billion to integrate the two airlines. The combined company will have a stronger, more durable financial base and one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry, with expected liquidity of nearly $7 billion at closing.
Under the terms of the transaction, Northwest shareholders will receive 1.25 Delta shares for each Northwest share they own. This exchange ratio represents a premium to Northwest shareholders of 16.8 percent based on April 14 closing prices. The transaction is expected to be accretive to current Delta shareholders in year one excluding one-time costs. The merger is subject to the approval of Delta and Northwest shareholders and regulatory approvals. It is expected that the regulatory review period will be completed later this year.
Richard Anderson, Delta CEO, stated: “We said we would only enter into a consolidation transaction if it was right for all of our constituencies; Delta and Northwest are a perfect fit. Today, we’re announcing a transaction that is about addition, not subtraction, and combines end-to-end networks that open a world of opportunities for our customers and employees. We believe by partnering with our employees, including providing equity to U.S.-based employees of Delta and Northwest, this combination is off to the right start. Together, we are creating America’s leading airline – an airline that is financially secure, able to invest in our employees and our customers, and built to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Doug Steenland, Northwest CEO, said: “Today’s announcement is exciting for Northwest and its employees. The new carrier will offer superior route diversity across the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia and will be better able to overcome the industry’s boom-and-bust cycles. The airline will also be better able to match the right planes with the right routes, making transportation more efficient across our entire network. In short, combining the Northwest and Delta networks will allow the strengthened airline to realize its full global potential and invest in its future.”
Customers, communities to benefit from expanded global route system, more competitive, financially secure airline
The Delta and Northwest merger will offer customers and communities direct service between the United States and the world's major business centers. Specific benefits include:
Customers will be able to fly to more destinations, have more schedule options and more opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles in what will become the world’s largest frequent flyer program. The merged airline will maintain all hubs at Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita – each of which will benefit from improved global connectivity. Delta customers will benefit from Northwest’s extensive service to Asian markets and Northwest’s customers will have access to Delta’s strengths across the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Both airlines’ customers will benefit from a strengthened SkyTeam alliance that more closely aligns the combined airline with its respective trans-Atlantic partners Air France and KLM.
Customers also will benefit from the combined carrier’s financial stability. The merger creates one of the strongest balance sheets among major U.S. airlines, permitting the combined airline to invest in its fleet and services to enhance the customer experience. For instance:
The combination will accelerate the upgrading of existing international aircraft with lie-flat seats and personal on-demand entertainment. The combined company will have the opportunity to exercise options for delivery of up to 20 widebody jets between 2010 and 2013 to provide more international service than ever before. The combined company also will be able to improve customers’ travel experience through new products and services, including enhanced self-service tools, better bag-tracking technology, new seats and refurbished cabin interiors.
No hub closures; improved international access to benefit small communities
This combination will expand Delta’s international and domestic reach, and there will be no reductions in the number of hubs. In addition, building on both airlines’ proud, decades-long history of serving small communities, Delta will improve worldwide connections to small towns and cities across the U.S., enhancing their access to the global marketplace. Following the merger, Delta will serve more than 140 small communities in the United States – more than any other airline.
“Delta and Northwest are an excellent strategic fit, with complementary and geographically distinct route systems,” said Edward Bastian, Delta president and chief financial officer. “Together, we will have a more robust platform for profitable international growth. Combining both carriers’ international and domestic strengths, with our worldwide SkyTeam partners, we are well positioned to lead the industry and deliver value to our shareholders.”
Merger helps offset record oil prices, creates stronger global airline to compete in Open Skies environment
Record fuel prices have fundamentally changed the economics of the airline industry. Fuel is the highest single expense for Delta and Northwest, significantly eroding the financial benefits of restructuring and placing the airlines’ new found strength and stability at long-term risk. At the beginning of 2007, oil prices were approximately $55 a barrel. Now, oil prices have nearly doubled. This dramatic run-up in the price of oil makes the transaction even more compelling.
Internationally, the two carriers, along with their partners at Air France and KLM, will have a broader global network similar in scope and depth to what other foreign flag carriers already possess – and a significant presence in key business centers, with improved prospects for growing corporate business globally. This presence is essential for U.S. network carriers due to Open Skies agreements that have expanded aviation markets around the world and have created a more competitive international environment.
Merger combines Delta’s strengths in the South, Mountain West, Northeast, Europe and Latin America with Northwest’s leading positions in the Midwest, Canada and Asia; competition will be preserved and enhanced as a result of complementary networks
The Delta-Northwest combination will be pro-competitive. There is little overlap in the nonstop routes the two airlines serve, with direct competitive service on only 12 of more than 1,000 nonstop city pair routes currently flown by both airlines. In fact, the merger will create a stronger, more efficient global competitor. Discount carriers, which now carry one third of domestic passengers, and other network airlines will remain competitors in the airline’s markets.
Delta pilot leadership reaches agreement on post-merger contract
Delta also today announced that it has reached agreement with the company’s pilot leadership to extend its existing collective bargaining agreement through the end of 2012. The agreement, which is subject to pilot ratification, facilitates the realization of the revenue synergies of the combined companies once the transaction is completed. It also provides the Delta pilots a 3.5 percent equity stake in the new company and other enhancements to their current contract.
Delta will use its best efforts to reach a combined Delta-Northwest pilot agreement, including resolution of pilot seniority integration, prior to the closing of the merger.
Employees to be provided seniority protection and equity in the new airline
Frontline employees of both airlines will be provided seniority protection through a fair and equitable seniority integration process, as the airlines are combined. In addition, U.S.-based non-pilot employees of both companies will be provided a 4 percent equity stake in the new airline upon closing. The company also expects no involuntary furloughs of frontline employees as a result of this transaction and the existing pension plans for both companies’ employees will be protected. Additionally, all Delta and Northwest employees will enjoy reciprocal pass privileges on both airlines, beginning as soon as possible during the regulatory review process.
“We are pleased that the people of Delta and Northwest will participate directly in the growth and future success of the combined company,” Anderson said. “Thanks to the hard work and professionalism of the more than 75,000 Delta and Northwest employees over the last few years, our new, combined company will be positioned for a bright future as a leader in the global airline industry.”
Integrated SkyTeam frequent flyer programs and partner networks enable faster integration; existing Air France, KLM joint venture partnerships strengthened
Delta and Northwest’s complementary networks and common membership in the SkyTeam alliance will ease the integration risk that has complicated some airline mergers. The carriers participate in a joint SkyTeam frequent flyer program with common customer lounges and airline partner networks. In addition, they share a common IT platform, which has already been partially integrated through the existing alliance between Delta and Northwest. Further, the combination of Delta and Northwest will enable an accelerated joint venture integration with Air France/KLM, creating the industry’s leading alliance network.
Over the course of the regulatory process, a detailed integration plan will be created by the transition committee made up of leaders from both companies. After closing of the merger, the consolidation of overlapping corporate and administrative functions will result in some job reductions or company-paid transfers. Involuntary reductions for management and administrative employees will be minimized by normal attrition.
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Air Tran and Air Tran U
Travel Services has entered into a partnership with Air Tran Airways, a low-cost carrier operating out of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the three Washington, D.C. airports. Although not convenient for the University Park campus travelers, this carrier may be an option for some of our other campus travelers or those who are willing to drive to another airport if there is a cost savings. Air Tran offers the following benefits to its corporate accounts:
- Low one-way business fares with fewer rules and restrictions
- No Saturday night stay or roundtrip purchase requirement
- Fully refundable fares on select coach fares as long as the reservation is cancelled one hour prior to scheduled departure
- No change fees for select coach fares as long as the reservation is changed one hour prior to scheduled departure
- Advance seat assignments at time of ticketing
- Priority boarding on all flights
- Dedicated check-in lines and security entrances at select airports
- Can be booked through Travelport
Travelers who book Air Tran on Travelport or with a Travel Services agent will automatically be entitled to the above benefits of the Air Tran Program.
Air Tran U for Students
Air Tran also offers an exciting program for our students: Air Tran U allows our students to stand-by for inexpensive fares to Air Tran destinations. For more information, visit www.airtranu.com.
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Important Car Rental Information
Travel Services receives calls on a regular basis regarding various issues related to car rental. The following list of information is provided as a reminder to those booking and/or renting cars of the important points to keep in mind.
Penn State has two car rental contracts – Primary Big Ten National Car Rental (must be used first) Secondary Enterprise Rent a Car (when National is not available or at all campuses except University Park and Penn State Harrisburg as fleet replacement) Proof of unavailability required for travel support form/ERS
National can be used for both business and leisure travel.
Enterprise is only available for business travel.
Both National and Enterprise provide Collision Damage (CDW) coverage and Supplemental Liability (SLI) coverage domestically.
National provides CDW only for international reservations and the CORPORATE RATE must be booked to get this coverage. A deductible can apply in some countries if an accident occurs.
Enterprise is for domestic rentals only.
It is most economical to refuel the rental car before returning it since the car rental company will refuel at sometimes double the cost per gallon on the open market. Purchasing the Fuel Option at the time of rental is not always the most cost effective choice. Consider how many miles will be driven and whether refueling a small amount of gasoline may be much cheaper than paying for a full tank up front that ends up not being used.
Rental cars MUST BE DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS ONLY! Do not take rentals on unpaved roads because any damage would be the driver’s responsibility. Driving a rental off-road can void the insurance coverage.
If an accident occurs, the vendor and the police must be notified to meet the terms of the rental agreement. It is highly recommended that the rented do a “walk-around” of the vehicle prior to leaving the lot and have the lot attendant note any scratches or damages on the rental agreement.
Rentals must be booked using the corporate discount numbers:
National – 5160279 Enterprise – NA40096
By referencing these discount numbers, you will receive appropriate insurance at no cost to Penn State. Renters who elect to purchase additional Liability Coverage, Personal Affect Coverage or Roadside Assistance coverage will NOT be reimbursed for these expenses.
Renting a car with the intension of returning it to the renting city (local rental) and then dropping it in another city will incur an Unauthorized Drop charge. This is becoming a problem in State College and is reducing our ability to rent one way cars.
When booking car rental only, you may want to go to the Travel Services homepage at www.travel.psu.edu and click on car rental to avoid any unnecessary service fee.
If booking cars only in Travelport without an air reservation, please make certain a credit card is stored with usage indicated for car rental so that the service fee can be billed.
Graduate students are only permitted to rent under the Penn State agreement for business travel and must carry a letter on Penn State letterhead indicating the rental is being reimbursed by the University. Undergraduates are not permitted to rent cars under the Penn State contracts for any reason.
Anyone booking National should go to the Travel Services website under car rental and enroll in the Emerald Club (no fee) to insure express service by bypassing the counter, a one-car-class upgrade and guarantee of a car as long as there is a car available, regardless of size. This service applies at all airport locations where there is an Emerald Aisle.
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Corporate Cards
Penn State offers both American Express and Citicorp Diners Club corporate cards with no annual fees and no credit limits. Both cards are limited-liability cards. The cardholder receives the monthly statement and is responsible for payment directly to the card company. When travelers use the corporate cards to pay for hotels, car rentals, and meals, we are able to reduce the need for cash advances and avoid use of the traveler’s personal credit limit while providing the convenience and added services of corporate cards.
Both cards offer a frequent traveler program that allows the cardholder to earn points that can be used toward travel or merchandise. There is an annual membership fee for both frequent traveler programs that is not a reimbursable expense.
Corporate card applications may be obtained through Travel Services.
The Diners Club Corporate Card is now co-branded with MasterCard and is accepted any place MasterCard is accepted. The card also provides Loss Damage Waiver coverage for car rental worldwide and allows the cardholder to withdraw financed cash advances at any ATM. A $6.00 transaction fee is charged for each withdrawal. The transaction fee is not reimbursable.
The American Express Corporate Card does not offer cash advances or Loss Damage Waiver coverage for car rental.
Please use the 800 number on the back of your card to contact a customer service representative or call Travel Services.
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$3.1 Million Overhaul To Start Expansion Project To Keep Facility In Line With Growth
The Centre Daily Times: Friday, August 31, 2007
Reproduced by permission.
By Anne Danahy adanahy@centredaily.com
BENNER TOWNSHIP -- Travelers slated to fly out of University Park Airport in up coming months will encounter construction work intended to lead to more elbow room in the waiting area if not on the planes.
The Centre County Airport Authority is getting ready for a renovation and expansion project that will cost an estimated $3.1 million and add 6,000 square feet to the terminal. The project includes expanding the passenger waiting lounge by 120 seats, building space to accommodate the federal Transportation Security Administration, moving the food and gift shop, and creating a centralized baggage security area. Authority Director Charles Welch said the changes should make the airport easier to navigate and more convenient for passengers. Construction could start in October and take six to eight months, depending on factors such as weather and the availability of materials.
"The simple need is we have outgrown the space we have here," Welch said.
The number of times passengers take to the skies from University Park Airport each year has more than tripled since the early 1980s. So far this year, the number of enplanements is up 4.2 percent compared with the same period last year. US Airways, United, Delta and Northwest serve the airport.
A 2004 long-term study that included projected growth determined that the airport needs a new passenger terminal that would be twice as big as the current one, as well as more space for aircraft parking. Welch said that project could cost almost $60 million.
But that much money wasn't available, so the authority pursued a smaller-scale project. Welch said the authority still hopes to have federal aviation funding to move forward with the larger expansion in eight to 10 years.
The airport is also looking to move ahead with an air-traffic control tower. Traffic is currently handled by controllers in New York. In the meantime, plans are to reconfigure parts of the airport.
The authority is accepting bids on the project, de signed by Architectural Al liance, of Minneapolis, until Sept. 13. Almost the entire cost will be covered by the Federal Aviation Administration, through a $4.50 federal passenger fee. Welch said construction will take place in phases to minimize any disruption. There won't be reductions in the number of flights.
The project will start with an expansion of a front area to make room for the relocated food and gift shop. Expanding the passenger lounge and adding space for the Transportation Security Administration, which is currently housed in mobile offices outside the main building, also will be part of the first phase.
The entrance for passengers deboarding planes will be moved to prevent arriving and departing passenger lines from becoming entangled. Space will be added to the ticket check-in counter for another airline to join at some point in the future. Passengers also will give their baggage to TSA agents at a central station rather than to the individual airlines. Welch said there are plans to add parking space too, hopefully by summer 2008.
Anne Danahy can be reached at 231-4648.
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NWA Customer Service Enhancements
NWA “Customer Focus” Enhancements Winter blizzards and adverse weather across the system have the potential to impact reliable operations and disrupt travel plans. When a service disruption is anticipated, or cancellations are necessary, NWA has enhanced the ability of its customers to adjust travel plans in the following ways:
1. Liberalized Exception Policy: When this policy is in effect, NWA waives all change fees associated with re-accommodating customers who have been impacted by weather delays, irregular operations, or a mechanical situation and allows rebooking options for other NWA flights.
2. Enhanced Event Notification: An Automated Messaging System proactively advises customers (by telephone or email) of a flight delay, irregular operation, or cancellation through a free service on nwa.com called “My NWA Info.” Customers are encouraged to take advantage of this service by providing the airline with email and telephone contact information.
3. Automated Flight Rebooking (AFR): NWA’s computer software systems have the ability to automatically process and rebook 150 customers in less than two minutes.
4. Frequent Airport Updates: If a flight is delayed or canceled before boarding, customer service agents will promptly post the information on the gate display monitors and make announcements at the gate every 15 minutes on the status of the delay, or in the case of the canceled flight, provide instructions to customers.
5. Rebook Hotline: NWA has a dedicated, toll-free number that customers can call from an airport telephone, or their cell phones, to obtain rebooking assistance from reservations agents. These calls take precedence over other incoming customer calls.
6. Rebook Service Centers (located in Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul hubs): These centers allow customers to print boarding passes for their new flight once they have been rebooked by the AFR system.
7. Technology options in the airport: Airport Self Service Devices give customers added convenient rebooking options. 8. Rebooking from home or the office: Customers can go online to nwa.com in the “Manage My Reservations” section to reschedule flights with ease.
“Travel over the holidays can be challenging and we know, from experience, that peak demand and unanticipated delays can stress the system and our passengers,” said Steenland. “We encourage our customers to sign up for our notification services and provide us with a telephone number or email address, so we can let them know as quickly as possible if they need to adjust their travel plans. This allows us to provide better service to the customer and give them added travel options.”
NWA Operational Reliability Enhancements NWA’s “20 Point Plan” also provides for improved operational reliability during inclement weather and irregular operations through a variety of measures, including:
9. NWA’s Winter Operations Summit: This first annual operations strategy session brought together station personnel, flight operations, system operations control center (SOC) – along with representatives from the FAA and several airport authorities. The group will continue to establish and review best practices during irregular operations and enhance safe winter operations.
10. Taxi-way Delays: If an aircraft is delayed due to weather or air traffic issues during taxi-out for departure, and the delay reaches three hours, the captain will coordinate with NWA operations and initiate a plan for passengers to deplane. This is policy may be modified at the discretion of the captain. For inbound planes that have not reached the gate within one hour of landing, the pilot will activate an “event recovery plan” intended to arrange for passengers to deplane safely.
11. Frequent Crew Communications: During ground holds or taxi-way delays, Northwest operations will communicate frequently with crew members so they can provide ongoing updates to passengers.
12. Fewer misconnects: The last two banks of flights, during peak Holiday travel days in the Detroit Metro and Minneapolis/St. Paul airports, have been pushed back up to 20 minutes to minimize the potential for passenger misconnects.
13. Contingency planning: NWA has created a comprehensive contingency plan for aircraft routing in the event that weather conditions quickly deteriorate and diversions are necessary.
14. Added aircraft: NWA has set aside additional spare aircraft, over and above the normal spares, to accommodate passengers affected by service disruptions.
15. A new position of Vice President of Regional Operations has been filled to enhance the coordination between Northwest’s mainline operations and its regional carriers.
“The Northwest Holiday Travel Reliability program looks to minimize the impact of schedule disruptions, to the extent we can plan for them, by ensuring we have extra aircraft and crews available to take care of our customers,” said Steenland.
NWA Employee Focus / Staffing Enhancements In further anticipation of the peak Holiday travel season, Northwest Airlines has also added staff to respond more quickly to the customers’ needs. This includes:
16. Increased Pilot Staffing: NWA has increased overall reserve pilot staffing by about 30 percent. The airline also allocated its largest volume of reserve pilots during keys days surrounding Thanksgiving and December holiday periods.
17. Increased Flight Attendant Staffing: NWA has created significant flight attendant staffing surpluses during peak holiday travel days, as compared to non-holiday months.
18. More Reservations Agents: The airline has increased its capacity to answer customers' phone calls by opening a new, state-of-the-art reservations center based in Sioux City, Iowa, with about 200 new reservations agents. NWA also hired and trained over 250 additional new-hires in its five pre-existing reservations centers.
19. Better Training: NWA’s nearly 2,000 reservations agents have all had specialized training to handle irregular operations and weather-related incidents in order to provide better service to its customers.
Steenland added, “During uncontrollable weather events, safety is always our first priority. With that in mind, we will proactively cancel operations if needed to protect our passengers and crew members.”
Employee Incentives 20. A “Holiday Incentive Program” will again be instituted for employees working during the December holidays. This recognizes the sacrifice that working during the holidays requires of NWA employees and their families. NWA has offered similar holiday incentive programs for more than a decade. The program has been praised by employees and also helps the airline maintain appropriate staffing levels.
Sixteen of the 20 items included in NWA’s “20 Point” Holiday Travel Reliability Plan will remain in effect as part of Northwest Airlines’ “Customer First” Commitments. The only exceptions are holiday specific and include delaying the last two daily banks of flights by up to 20 minutes in Detroit and Minneapolis/St. Paul to reduce misconnects; the added increases to pilot and flight attendant staffing above normally anticipated reserve needs; and the Holiday Incentive Program for employees.
Steenland concluded, “These proactive customer care measures will not only improve the holiday travel experience, but most have also become part of our standard operating procedures and Northwest’s ongoing commitment to best-in-class customer care.”
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Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Enterprise Rent-a-Car is now available as a secondary car rental supplier for Penn State business travel. Although National Car Rental is the primary supplier to the Big Ten and the car rental of choice by Penn State travel policy, Enterprise is available as a back-up supplier when National Car Rental has no availability for the dates needed.
Documentation is required for inclusion with the travelers reimbursement request verifying that National was out of cars. When travelers enroll in National's no-fee Emerald Club program and book the mid-size car, they are guaranteed a car as long as National has any type vehicle available.
Enterprise is also available as fleet replacement at all campuses (excluding University Park and Penn State Harrisburg) where National has service and at University Park where fleet cars are provided. When booking Enterprise, reference Corporate ID #NA40096. Enterprise provides Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage and Supplimental Liability (SLI) coverage on the Penn State contract. This contract is strictly for business travel and does not include leisure travel.
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Red Roof
The Big Ten Universities have entered into a new hotel program with Red Roof - Corporate Plus. By booking your reservation utilizing the Big Ten ID #CP514137 and presenting the corporate card available by contacting Travel Services, travelers will receive the the Big Ten rate. This includes complimentary coffee, free local telephone calls, expanded cable, priority advance room requests, express check-in and complimentary late check-out.
By going to the Travel Services Homepage and clicking on Hotels on the left of the screen, travelers can find additional hotel information, including hotel listings at Penn State campuses, hotel chains that offer the government rate to all University employees regardless of funding and a listing of all rates at Big Ten campuses.
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Stay at Club Quarters and Save
Penn State employees, students, and alumni can realize significant savings by staying at Club Quarters™ when traveling for business or pleasure. Club Quarters are private, full-service hotels for the exclusive use of employees and guests of Club Quarters member organizations like Penn State, and offer club-like facilities at the lowest possible prices. (more)
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TSA Announces Refinements To Security Measures - Agency Adjusts Liquid Ban, Aviation Threat Level Remains High
Press Office
Transportation Security Administration
September 25, 2006
Media Inquiries Only - (571) 227-2829
All Other Inquiries - (866) 289-9673
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today it is adjusting its total ban on liquids, gels and aerosols effective Tuesday, September 26. There are two significant changes: Travelers will be allowed to carry travel-size toiletries (3 ounce or less) that fit comfortably in ONE quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag through security checkpoints. Travelers may also bring items, including beverages, purchased in the secure, boarding area on-board the aircraft.
“After the initial, total ban, we have learned enough from the UK investigation to say with confidence that small, travel size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers,” said Assistant Secretary for TSA Kip Hawley. “We have also taken additional security measures throughout the airport that make us comfortable allowing passengers to bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure area onboard.”
TSA will be enhancing security measures throughout the airport environment, both visible and not visible to the traveling public. Examples of these measures include: more random screening of employees, additional canine patrols, stronger air cargo security measures, more rigorous identity verification standards and deploying more trained security officers in bomb appraisal and screening by observation techniques. It is unlikely that further adjustments to the ban on liquids, gels and aerosols will be made in the near future.
The United States and United Kingdom (UK) have continued to work closely together and have shared technical and threat information with partners in Canada and the European Union (EU). These measures are being simultaneously adopted in partnership with the Canadian government. The UK and the EU are expected to consider similar changes in the coming weeks.
Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson said, “Today’s announcement represents a unified approach with our Canadian partners. These are sustainable, common-sense adjustments that combined with additional security measures throughout the airport will keep the traveling public safe.”
The U.S. Homeland Security threat level for aviation remains at Orange, or high, and will not change at this time. This security regime will apply to all domestic and international flights departing U.S. airports. Travelers should, however, check with transportation security authorities in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports.
Existing exemptions including larger amounts of required medications, baby formula and diabetic glucose treatments must be declared to security officers at the entrance of the checkpoint for screening. For additional information and travel tips, please read our information for travelers. Our Travelers
TSA first implemented the ban on all liquids, gels and aerosols on August 10, after U.K. officials uncovered a terrorist plot involving transatlantic flights bound for the United States.
Video clips of these new procedures and Assistant Secretary Hawley’s statement are available. Assistant Secretary Hawley’s Statement
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National Car Rental
When booking a National rental car, you have two options that are recommended for booking:
- Book through Travelport and the service fee is $5.70. If you are booking air and car together, there is no increased cost.
- If you are only booking car rental or you simply want to take advantage of the direct booking savings through our National link, book through our homepage at www.travel.psu.edu under Car Rental. This link will insure the corporate ID is appended, you are getting the best rate including free insurance, a 10% additional discount when a leisure rate is returned or a $2.00/day discount if the corporate rate is returned and no service fee will be incurred.
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TSA Withdraws Proposed Registered Traveler Screener Fee
SEPTEMBER 25, 2006 -- After initial estimates of up to $100 in government-imposed charges for enrollment into Registered Traveler programs, the Transportation Security Administration today outlined recalibrated costs that bring the fee down to $30.
TSA earlier this month estimated the cost to the government of about $30 per enrollee for a background check and $70 per enrollee to supplement costs to pay TSA screeners working the lanes at airports.
The $70 fee caused the most controversy among Registered Traveler proponents, who argued that an extra screening fee should not be incurred unless a greater burden is placed on TSA screeners (BTN, Sept. 25). Last week, TSA reevaluated this fee, with input from vendors, and today showed it ultimately agreed with their assessment.
Today on its Web site, TSA said it "will not seek cost reimbursement beyond the enrollment fee, until such time that RT screening modifications impact TSA duties, responsibilities, or costs."
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Congress passes bill delaying passport rule for land, sea travel (10/02/2006)
Passports still required for air travel as of Jan. 8, 2007
By Michael Milligan
WASHINGTON -- Congress on Sept. 29 approved an amendment that would delay implementation of new passport requirements included in the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a law requiring U.S. travelers to have passports in order to re-enter the U.S from abroad.
The last-minute revision, which was inserted into a Homeland Security Dept. appropriations bill, delays implementation until June 1, 2009 the requirement for passports for land crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders and for cruise passengers returning to the U.S. from Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada or Bermuda through the same date. All U.S. citizens, however, will need passports for travel by air starting Jan. 8, 2007, as previously proposed.
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Service Fees
Effective September 1, the airline industry began assessing a computer access fee on all airline tickets. This fee is passed on to the customer through the booking agency. Our contract travel agencies have advised that they can not absorb this added fee. Therefore, the following service fee increases have been implemented:
Travel Services - Full Service
Initial Booking - $20
Change Fee - None
Travel Services Online (Travelport)
Initial Booking - $5.70 (No Increase)
Change Fee - None
Centre for Travel
Initial Booking - $31
Change Fee - $22
E-TravCo Travel
Initial Booking - $33
Change Fee - $26
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