Extreme Makeover

New Travel Expense Reimbursement System

In our February issue, we announced that Gelco would be replaced with an intuitive, user-friendly system in 2ndQ FY08. A Steering Committee has been established and several teams are already working on different aspects of the new system, PeopleSoft Expenses.
The Steering Committee members include:

Bill Kramer - Computing Sciences
Stu Loken - General Sciences
Manfred Auer- Life & Environmental Sciences
Christian Kisielowski - Physical Sciences
Peter Lichty - Operations
Melanie Kincaid - Directorate
Anil More - Project Director
Rosio Alavarez - Chief Information Officer
Jeffrey Fernandez - Chief Financial Officer

Beginning the first week of May, travelers and the people who support the travel process will have an opportunity to comment on the user interface that is currently being designed. Stay tuned for an announcement on when a meeting will be scheduled in your area.

Planning Your Trip

Important Information for Passengers Traveling to/through India

All travelers traveling to/from or connecting through an airport in India on an e-ticket receipt are now required to present a copy of their itinerary showing confirmed reservations in order to gain entry into the airport terminal.  Travelers who do not have a hard copy of their itinerary will not be allowed by the airport security staff to enter the terminal building.  

Passport and Visa Services

In last month’s newsletter we mentioned a 60% discount on foreign visa processing fees that Lab travelers can get when going through Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT). Since then, LBNL established its own account number (# 39562) with the company that CWT uses, the Center for International Business Travel (CIBT).  By having our own CIBT account number, lab business travelers who prefer to make their own arrangements for visas (as well as passports) can do so and take advantage of the CWT 60% discount.

Click HERE to access the CIBT website or call them at 800-929-2428.  (For those who like the human touch, our contact continues to be Sarah Lyons of CWT who can be reached at 925-422-1345. Sarah can help with the paperwork and help to ensure that everything is complete before it is submitted.)

Passport News

Due to the high volume of passport requests, it is currently taking 10-12 or more weeks to process applications and receive a passport.  If you do not have a passport and are planning on traveling outside of the United States, submit your application with your itinerary/airline ticket receipt and submit as a RUSH!  (CIBT can help you with passport processing.)

Airport and Airline Service Updates

Effective immediately and through June 6, the Aspen, Colorado airport will be closed for runway construction. Flight availability to/from Aspen has been removed from the airline computer systems during this period. Service to Aspen will resume on June 7. To learn more about other airport and airline service updates, read on. >>

Las Vegas Airport (McCarran) Car Rental News

Effective Wednesday, April 4th, all car returns should go to the new Consolidated Car Rental Facility located at 7135 Gilespie Road. read on >>

Healthy Travel

Alcohol hand sanitizers -- When and How

New concerns about infectious diseases have increased the usage of alcohol-based hand sanitizers among travelers. These sanitizers, containing 60% ethanol in a gel, are a useful way to disinfect hands when hand washing is impractical. To begin, hands must be reasonably clean with no obvious dirt or other coatings. Dispense a half a teaspoonful onto your hands and rub into the hands for 30 seconds, then allow to air dry. Gels are effective in reducing the bacteria count. This is one way to avoid ingesting micro-organisms from handrails, doorknobs, menus, etc. when eating out. Individuals with chronic dry skin conditions may experience increased dryness with regular usage. When you return home, using regular soap and water is preferred.

For suggestions on how to improve the Travel Express newsletter, or to be removed from our distribution list, please contact Linda Wuy (x7418).