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Friday, June 29, 2012
Events We're Watching

China - Tropical Storm Dindo

Tropical Storm Dindo (International name: Doksuri) is moving northwest through the Philippine Sea and is projected to travel through the Luzon Straight between the Philippines and Taiwan through June 29. Current models predict that Dindo will not make landfall in either country. The system is projected to make landfall early June 30 just south of Macau, where it will likely weaken into a tropical depression. The storm will likely bring heavy precipitation to southern Guangdong, northern Hainan, and possibly eastern parts of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

United States - Wildfire Enters Western Colorado Springs

Conditions remain favorable for the expansion of the Waldo Canyon Fire west of Colorado Springs. The fire has burned more than 18,000 acres and is 15 percent contained. The fire has become established on the east-facing aspect of the Front Range. Authorities have expanded mandatory evacuation zones and issued pre-evacuation notices to residents of communities east, north, and northwest of the current disaster zones. Approximately 35,000 people have received instructions to vacate their homes. Firefighters have been concentrating efforts on the northeastern flank of the fire, where it has destroyed more than 340 residences inside the Colorado Springs city limits. Windy conditions, high temperatures, and low humidity are forecast to continue through July 2. Colorado Springs Airport is open and flight operations have so far been unaffected. I-25 was entirely open as of the morning of June 29, although westbound off-ramps were closed between US 24 and CO 404. U.S. Highway 24 is closed east and westbound from Cave of the Winds to Crystola.

United Kingdom - Landslides Disrupt Rail Service Between England and Scotland

Landslides June 28 forced the closure of the UK's two major rail routes in northern England, creating significant cross-border rail disruptions between England and Scotland. All WCML traffic between Lancaster and Carlisle was halted, and major delays were reported on the ECML between Newcastle and Edinburgh. National Rail officials have stated that the track obstructions could be cleared by June 29, but delays are likely to linger as backlogs are cleared.
Q and A

What is the difference between Clear, Pre-Check, and the special security lanes for first class/elite traveler?

Great question! All of these programs deal with the security experience at the airport, but in different ways. To understand the differences let's break the security experience into two parts - 1) the lines travelers wait in to reach the TSA agent who examines I.D. and boarding pass, and 2) the physical screening process itself. Both the Clear program and the separate lines for first class travelers and elite level frequent flyers are designed to minimize the wait time to reach the TSA agent, but do not affect the physical screening experience. These travelers must still remove shoes, belts, and jackets, pull out laptops and liquids, etc., just like everyone else. The Pre-Check program doesn't always change the waiting experience, but does potentially change the physical screening process. While specifics vary, in many airports the Pre-Check members wait in the general lines with everyone else to reach the TSA agent, but may then be directed by the TSA agent to special lanes where they can commonly leave on shoes and belts, keep laptops and liquids packed away, and bypass the full-body scan machines. It is important to remember that Pre-Check members must still be "selected" for expedited service on a flight-by-flight basis and will not be selected for expedited screening on every trip. Please click to learn more about Clear and Pre-Check.

  • Both the potato and tomato are believed to originate in Peru
  • Parts of Chile's Atacama Desert have never experienced rainfall so inhabitants rely on moisture from fog captured in special nets to supplement underground water sources
  • Located near a gold mine at more than 20,000 feet above sea level, La Rinconada, Peru, is the highest permanently inhabited city in the world
  • After petroleum, coffee is the world’s second most traded commodity and more than half of it comes from Central and South America
  • Have some free time in La Paz, Bolivia? Visit the Witches Market, a crowded array of shops like something out of a Harry Potter book where you'll find magic spells, sorcery, potions, and see "real live witches"
  • Ecuador is the first country to recognize Rights of Nature in its Constitution, acknowledging that in all its forms life has the right to exist, persist, maintain, and regenerate its vital cycles

Important Reminder for United Mileage Plus Members

If you have not already updated your online profile with your new 8-character United Mileage Plus number, please do so now. The grace period during which United Airlines continues to accept the old numbers is winding down. To ensure that you receive the correct mileage credit for your travel it is important to update your profile. If you don't know what your new number is here is a simple short-cut to find out: Go to www.united.com and enter your old Mileage Plus number in the MileagePlus Sign In area. Leave the PIN/Password blank and click the Sign In button. The system will tell you the sign-in attempt failed - but it will display your new Mileage Plus number! Since no PIN/Password is needed, admins and travel arrangers can use this trick on behalf of their travelers.

United is partnering with TSA

United is partnering with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to deliver TSA Pre✓, an expedited security screening program at several airports, with Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles International, Reagan National, and Houston Intercontinental starting this summer. The TSA Pre✓ allows travelers to move through security with greater efficiency and ease when traveling on an itinerary wholly within the United States. Participants may enjoy benefits such as no longer removing the following items at the security checkpoint: shoes, 3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on (all liquid restrictions still apply), light outerwear/jacket, shoes, and belt. MileagePlus members are invited to participate in this program by logging into their MileagePlus profile and updating their traveler information and preferences. This is a one-time sign up for United departures via United Airlines web site. More details

Is summer slipping away?

Is there a meeting coming up that you still haven’t planned yet or something last minute that just came up? We can help! The Hyatt Regency Reston still has good availability for groups of 10 or more rooms. Click here for a calendar highlighting several weeks of “Extra Value” dates in July and August. Let us pencil your group into our calendar! Please contact your Travel-On agent for rates and availability.