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What you need to know...NOW!
New Passport Requirements when Traveling to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Canada and Mexico
The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) mandated that the U.S. Secretaries of Homeland Security and State develop and implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate secure identity and citizenship documentation when entering the United States.  As a result of this legislation the two agencies have developed a plan called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI).
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will require all travelers entering or re-entering the United States from these areas to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. This is a change from prior travel requirements.
This initiative will be rolled out in phases, providing as much advance notice as possible to
the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline is
as follows:
- December 31, 2006 - Requirement applied to all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central and South America.
- December 31, 2006 - Requirement extended to all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and
Canada.
- December 31, 2007 - Requirement extended to all air, sea and land border crossings.
United States citizens can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778; TDD/ TTY: 1-888-874-7793. Visit online at www.travel.state.gov.
New Suitcase Requirements
 Airlines have substantially tightened up on their checked luggage policies. Most airlines now charge
extra for suitcases weighing more than 50 lbs. The charges run from $25 - $80 depending on the
weight and the airline.
An empty suitcase weighs 15-20 lbs. Since most airlines allow two free
pieces of luggage nowadays, you would be better off packing everything in
two bags instead of just one bag to avoid facing excess baggage charges.
Baggage rules can be complicated. For the absolutely most accurate
information, you should phone your airline and get exact information of your
luggage entitlements and what the penalty costs might be shortly before your
flight.
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