Special Notice

The Department of Transportation's new rule that no longer allows an airline to keep passengers cooped up in an aircraft on the tarmac for more than three hours goes into effect today. The 81-page ruling from the DOT fines an airline $27,500 per seat on the aircraft if a tarmac delay goes beyond the limit. This translates to as much as $3 million for a medium size aircraft like a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. That's per incident, so it is quite obvious that no airline is going to allow for a delay that passes the three hour time limit. Instead, an airline will return to the gate sooner or in some instances, cancel the flight altogether. While the airlines indicate that this ruling will lead to more flight cancellations, passenger rights groups are saying that is just fine with them. When bad weather is rolling in, they and most travelers surveyed would prefer that flights be canceled earlier rather than running the possibility of having to endure endless hours in the airport or even worse, on a cramped aircraft with no food and limit facilities. Better to know in advance or early-on so that alternative arrangements can be made.

State Dept. Travel Warnings and Public Announcements

For the full announcements or further detail on Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, please see http://http://travel.state.gov/

World - Street demonstrations and protest rallies will take place in various cities around the globe on May 1 in observance of International Labor Day/May Day. While most demonstrations are expected to remain peaceful, travelers may face transportation delays caused by traffic disruptions. Furthermore, there is a potential for violence at some rallies. As May Day falls on a Saturday in 2010, businesses in countries that usually observe a holiday on May 1 will likely be closed on May 3.

In Europe, May Day demonstrations are expected to take place in Germany, Ireland, France, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Greece and Russia, among other locations. There are heightened concerns of violence in Germany in particular due to anti-capitalist demonstrations planned in Berlin. Protests in Greece also have the potential to turn violent given widespread public discontent over the country's budget crisis and the recent decision to request aid from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

In North America, May Day protests are scheduled to take place in more than 70 cities in the United States and Canada. The protests in the United States -- especially in states bordering Mexico -- have the potential to attract larger crowds than in previous years given the current controversy over the illegal immigration bill that recently passed in the state of Arizona. Demonstrations are also expected in Central and South America, including in Panama, Honduras, Paraguay, El Salvador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela and Argentina.

In Africa, planned demonstrations have thus far been announced in Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Various protest actions are also expected in Asia, including in Indonesia, India, Nepal, China and Kazakhstan.

Kyrgyz Republic - On April 22 the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek posted the following Warden Message: "Due to the continuing unrest and possibility of further demonstrations, the Department of State has authorized voluntary departure for some staff and family members of US Embassy Bishkek. This, as mentioned, is a voluntary departure for certain personnel, and will be conducted through normally scheduled commercial flights. All emergency personnel and most non-emergency personnel will remain in Bishkek and the Embassy remains open as usual. All sections of the Embassy remain open and all Embassy and Consular services are still being provided. Any US citizen with questions or concerns can call the Embassy at any time day or night and be connected to the Consular Officer. The main Embassy number is 312.55.12.41. "The Department of State has also issued a Travel Warning urging U.S. citizens to defer travel to Kyrgyzstan until the security situation improves, and alerting U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Kyrgyzstan of the potential for further instability.

Serbia - - On April 23 the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade issued the following Warden Message: "Regional Security Office Recommends Avoiding Soccer Matches and Certain Belgrade Establishments. "The Regional Security Office of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade recommends that U.S. citizens and Embassy personnel avoid all soccer matches in Serbia because of several recent incidents of violence at matches involving many different teams in several different cities. "The Regional Security Office also recommends avoiding the following establishments because of repeated incidents of violence: STEFAN BRAUN (Winter location: Nemanjina 4) (Summer location: Vojislava ilica Street near Sindjelic restaurant); "VANILA, Studentski Trg (next to SPS office building); "H20 boat restaurant (behind Hotel Jugoslavija, Zemunski Kej)"MISTIK, (Former Stari bus, ilije Garasanina Street below Tasmajdan park); "BLEJWATCH, Splav on Zemun Kej"TEATRO, Sarajevska Street (across from the Hotel Rex); "AMBIS, Behind the Belgrade Fair "While Belgrade is generally a safe city, visitors are urged to be aware of their surroundings and to keep a low profile."

Thailand - On April 23 the U.S. Department of State issued a Travel Alert, which reads in part as follows: "The State Department alerts U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in Thailand of ongoing demonstrations in Bangkok. Due to escalating violence in central Bangkok, all U.S. citizens should avoid nonessential travel to Bangkok. Those traveling outside of Bangkok in Thailand should be aware of the possibility of disturbances elsewhere and should exercise caution and good judgment. This replaces the Travel Alert dated April 12, 2010, to update information on security concerns. This Travel Alert will expire on July 22, 2010.

"On the evening of April 22, 2010, several explosions occurred in the Silom/Sala Daeng area at the Sala Daeng BTS Skytrain station causing a number of injuries, including at least one fatality. The possibility of more such attacks cannot be ruled out. U.S. citizens should avoid travel to and lodging in this area. You should monitor local news concerning demonstrations and avoid such areas, if possible. If U.S. citizens must travel to these areas, they should exercise special caution and remain vigilant with regard to their personal security. Immediately report to law enforcement or security personnel any unattended packages or bags or suspicious objects in public areas.

"The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (aka UDD or 'red-shirts') continues to demonstrate in central Bangkok. The UDD may change or expand their demonstration locations at any time. Various other groups are engaging in pro-government or counter-demonstrations. There have been several minor clashes between the UDD and other demonstrators. These clashes may escalate with no warning. For areas currently affected by demonstrations, please refer to local media. "On Saturday, April 10, UDD and Royal Thai Government security forces clashed in the Phanfa Bridge area, resulting in a number of fatalities. The Royal Thai Government, under the order of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, is still operating under a State of Emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas, which grants special powers to the Royal Thai Police and Army. It is unclear what additional steps the Royal Thai Government may take under the State of Emergency.

"U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence with little or no warning. U.S. citizens are urged to avoid the areas that may be targeted for demonstrations and to exercise caution in their movements around Bangkok. "Political demonstrations by the UDD are expected to continue in Bangkok indefinitely. As a result, traffic congestion and difficulty of movement is possible throughout Bangkok, and traffic patterns may change unexpectedly as demonstrators block roads. There have been numerous incidents of explosive attacks, including several isolated grenade attacks, in and around Bangkok and Chiang Mai over the past two months. Additional explosive devices have been discovered before detonation. Some of these incidents occurred at or near areas frequented by U.S. citizens. These incidents appear to be motivated by domestic politics and do not appear to be acts of international terrorism. The possibility of more such attacks cannot be ruled out. U.S. citizens are reminded to exercise caution and vigilance at all times. Immediately report to law enforcement or security personnel any unattended packages or bags or suspicious objects in public areas. "The Department also alerts U.S. citizens that if demonstrations in Bangkok are forcibly dispersed, the UDD demonstrators may move to other provinces, as occurred April 9 and 10. Possible demonstration sites include provincial halls and military and police installations. Therefore, U.S. citizens should monitor public sources of information to stay abreast of the latest information concerning demonstrations and areas to avoid. ..."