Business Government Regs
IRS, TSA, WHTI, etc.
New Passport Deadline Reminder - January 23, 2007
Just a reminder: Effective today, a passport is required for travel by air to Canada and Mexico, as well as any foreign country in the Western Hemisphere. That DOES NOT include Puerto Rico (a US territory) or the US Virgin Islands (same deal). Land and sea travel are not yet effected by the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. You have about another year to drive to Tijuana if you really want to.
For background information, please see:
Department of Homeland Security WHTI Passport Deadline for Air Travel Begins January 23, …
Date: January 24th, 2007 |
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NEXUS Trusted Traveler Program for Frequent Travel Between the United States and Canada
NEXUS, the joint trusted traveler program of the United States Customs office and the Canadian Border Service Agency, has been approved by the U.S. Customs office. This program allows pre-screened and approved frequent travelers faster processing at designated highway lanes in high-volume border crossing locations, at a NEXUS airport kiosks and at certain marine reporting locations.
NEXUS is being expanded as a result of the new WHTI guidelines, requiring passports for ALL entries to the United States, even those originating in Canada or Mexico. The extended privileges …
Date: December 17th, 2006 |
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New Technology Doing Away With the Airport Liquid Ban?
Nuchtech Co., a Chinese hi-tech company specializing in the R & D, production, sales and service of security scanners and applied radiation technology products announced that its new Thscan LS 8016 X-Ray Liquid Security Scanners will be installed at security checkpoints at all airports throughout China.
What does the Thscan do? The scanner uses the world’s most advanced x-ray technology to rapidly detect potentially explosive or hazardous liquids, without the need to open the container.
Just after the installation announcement, the Thscan was demonstrated at a press conference. It proved capable of identifying and distinguishing explosive, flammable and corrosive liquids from ordinary daily-use substances within 5 seconds of being scanned.
Date: December 14th, 2006 |
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Trans Fat Free New York and Mandatory Menu Labeling
The NYC Board of Health recently decided to ban all artificial trans fats from EVERY restaurant in New York. In addition, nutritional information will be required on all menus and menu boards in restaurants. This initiative is the first of its kind in the US and I suspect (and hope) other areas will follow closely behind (after the bugs are worked out).
With the exception of providing food items that come in the manufacturers original packaging (like potato chips), restaurants will be banned from using most frying oils containing artificial trans fats by July of 2007 and will have to eliminate the artificial trans fats from all foods by July 2008.
Nutritional information right on the menu. Instead of conspicuously asking for nutritional information during a business lunch (and possibly interrupting an otherwise productive meeting), it will be listed in plain sight. For business travelers who visit the city often, this is a HUGE step in the right direction. It can be really challenging to eat healthy meals when on the road.
Date: December 11th, 2006 |
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The TSA is Relaxing Security Rules at Airport Checkpoints
The TSA began a program last week allowing patrons of the Grand Hyatt Hotel at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) past the security checkpoint of the international terminal WITHOUT A BOARDING PASS. In continuing the pilot, next week patrons of the Westin Hotel at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) will be allowed access to the airport as well.
The idea is so the patrons can take advantage of shopping and dining options available in the airport. I think that’s pretty silly, to be honest. Prices for products and services in any airport are inflated. Everybody knows that. The assumption being that shoppers and diners don’t have the option to leave the airport, so competitive pricing isn’t as much of a necessity as it is in the regular economy. So why would anyone go to the airport for dinner on purpose?
I DO think the relaxed security measures are a good idea, just not for the stated reasons. If you have big clients coming in from overseas, it may be worth your while to rent a room for a night to be able to meet them at the gate. How much would that impress someone? Or if you’ve been traveling for an extended time, how great would it be for your significant other or family to book a room so they could meet you at the gate?
Date: December 8th, 2006 |
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2007 IRS Rules for Business Travel (Overview)
The IRS rules for business travel have been revised for 2007, including per diem and mileage rates.
Per Diem Rates - The 2007 Per Diem Rates are as follows:
High Cost Destinations - $246.00.
Low Cost Destinations - $148.00 a day
These rates are valid until September 30, 2007, which is the end of the government’s fiscal year. According to IRS Ruling 2006-56, if you exceed the Per Diem rate, you are REQUIRED to substantiate your expenses in order to be reimbursed. If you don’t, your employer can …
Date: January 2nd, 2007 |
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Mail Safe Express at O’Hare Lets Airline Passengers Mail or Store Banned Liquids
So you tried to sneak your liquid banned new bottle of Bliss Natura Bisse Natura Bisse Inhibit Tensolift lotion through airport security and you got busted. What do you do now? At $675 a bottle, you obviously aren’t just going to give up and eat the cost. Well, if you’re at Chicago O’Hare you’re in luck. Those saints at O’Hare have decided to establish a new program offering airline passengers an alternative to the “T” file.
In a 60-day pilot program that started last Monday, passengers can either mail the items or have them sent for storage to the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport. This program was initiated in an attempt to pacify passengers who would otherwise have to give up their expensive products.
Date: December 15th, 2006 |
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Biometric Identification Security Checks for Travel?
Biometric identifiers seem to be the future of airport security screenings. London’s Heathrow Airport is running a trial program for screening air passengers on Emirates and Cathay Pacific flights to and from Dubai and Hong Kong through the end of January. The test, called miSense, is voluntary. The goal is to enroll 2,000 passengers using Emirates and Cathay Pacific to test basic and advanced biometric checks as a possible security screening tool.
It’s all very George Jetson.
What is the purpose when passengers will still have to go through the regular security checkpoint and x-ray machine? The hope is to prevent people from entering (or leaving) a country illegally using a fake passport. I’m all for keeping the bad guys out, but this is WAY too big brotherish for me.
Date: December 12th, 2006 |
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Airport Security - Carry On Rules and Regulations for the US and Abroad
Most of us have had to deal with the trials and tribulations of the TSA rules, including the liquid ban. Rules vary based on country visited, so be sure you pack according to destination. The following guidelines are for traveling from or connecting through the listed country. Unless otherwise specified below, liquids must be packed in checked baggage. In all cases, plastic bags must be presented to security checkpoint separately from carry-on bags and be sealed.
Asia
China and Japan: Travel-size toiletries (3 oz. container or smaller) that fit in one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag.
- Exceptions: Breast milk, baby formula, baby food in small containers (if a baby or small child is traveling). For diabetic passengers, up to 5 ounces of liquid/ gel medications or juice to address their medical condition.
- Duty Free/Liquids Purchased from the Airport: Liquids purchased from the secure concourse may NOT be brought on the aircraft. Duty Free purchases are only allowed if they can be delivered directly to the aircraft. For international passengers connecting in the US, duty free purchased liquids/gels/aerosols measuring 3.4 oz. or less may be brought on board after clearing customs only if the item is placed in the standard bag.
India: Food items EXCEPT the following: camelbaks (similar backpacks and water bottles must be empty), gel-based sports supplements, gelatin, puddings, yogurts or gel-like substances.
- Exceptions: Breast milk, baby formula, baby food in small containers may be carried on if a baby or small child is traveling. For diabetic passengers, up to 5 oz. of liquid/ gel medications or juice may be carried on to address their medical condition.
- Duty Free/Liquids Purchased from the Airport: Liquids purchased from the secure concourse may NOT be brought on the aircraft. Duty Free purchases are only allowed if they can be delivered directly to the aircraft. For international passengers connecting in the US, duty free purchased liquids/gels/aerosols measuring 3.4 oz. or less may be brought on board after clearing customs only if the item is placed in the standard 1 quart bag.
Date: December 8th, 2006 |
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TSA Registered Traveler Program News: Clear is…Cleared
The TSA just barely missed the Turkey Day implementation deadline. The first registered traveler program, Clear by Verified Identity Pass, was officially approved yesterday by the Transportation Security Administration. The program is designed to expedite airport security for frequent travelers who register for the program and pass an extensive screening.
The program has been tested in Orlando, Florida over the last few months and will expand to include Cincinnati, Indianapolis, San Jose and New York JFK Terminal 7 and between 12 and 20 airports in the next year. Enrollment for the above listed airports is available now through Clear’s website. The price is set at $99.95, $28 of which covers the cost of the TSA security screening. According to the TSA press release,
Date: November 28th, 2006 |
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