- - - - - - BREAKING NEWS - - - - - NEW TRAVEL HELP DESK TICKET SYSTEM!
The Travel Help Desk Ticket System is similar to the system currently used by the IT Division’s Computer Help Desk. The Travel Ticket System will replace the travelhotline@lbl.gov and gelcohotline@lbl.gov e-mail addresses currently used. The new system will ensure that all inquiries, problems, and communication between travelers/arrangers and the Travel Office will be streamlined, and properly documented. The Travel Office workload will be more evenly distributed, and will eliminate multiple staff working on the same problem. With this new system, the Travel Office will be able to better understand traveler’s/arranger’s needs, and respond to and resolve issues more effectively. End-users will find this system very easy to navigate. It will be accessible from the Travel Services web site http://travel.lbl.gov/ as well as the LBNL IT help page https://travelhelp.lbl.gov using your LDAP log-in to sign on. Users create and submit a ticket using applicable categories, receive a ticket number and confirmation e-mail. Subsequently, travelers will be able to check on the progress of their ticket, and follow up on issues by referring to a ticket number. Users will be encouraged to submit a survey on service provided after their ticket has been resolved. BUSINESS TRAVEL INSURANCE CHANGE Effective October 1, 2007, the University of California changed its Business Travel Accident insurance provider to ACE USA. As a LBNL employee, when traveling on official Lab business you will be covered worldwide, 24 hours a day, for a wide variety of accidents and incidents while away from the workplace. This new coverage is broader and more generous and is provided at no cost to you, but you must register all out-of-state and foreign country travel at www.uctravel.org to ensure coverage for each business trip. Coverage is automatic for business travel within the state and registration is not required for those trips. Get more information HERE, or download the UC Group Insurance Plan booklet HERE (and go to page 36). - Reimbursement/Voucher Hints - Hint #1: Signatures on voucher hard copies are often illegible. Please PRINT your name next to the signature. Hint #2: LOCAL travel vouchers have to be submitted to the Travel Office with proper approval signatures. Hint #3: When communicating with the Travel Office, please refer to a Gelco document by traveler and document name, as well as the TA (trip) number. Thanks! Hint #4: Take the online expense reimbursement tutorial.
- Airline News - AMERICAN AIRLINES LAUNCHES NEW FLIGHTS FROM NEW YORK JFK TO LONDON STANTED AMERICAN AIRLINES TO FLY FROM CHICAGO TO MOSCOW IN 2008 MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT'S SOUTH TERMINAL NOW OPEN U.S. AIRLINES ADDS ROUTES TO CHINA DELTA REQUIRES 45-MINUTE DOMESTIC CHECK-IN AT JFK - More Travel Tips - PREORDER MEALS ONLINE Do you worry about not having a choice of meal on your long flight overseas? One way to ensure that you get a choice is to pre-order your meal online. It's easy. For example, United Airlines serves great vegetarian meals. Another advantage of pre-ordering meals is that you get served first! THE SEAT GURU
TSA RECOGNIZED BAGGAGE LOCKS
NOT SURE WHAT TO BRING ON BOARD? For the latest information about what you can and cannot bring on board, visit the Transportation Security Administration web site HERE.
Travel Office Hours: 8 AM-5 PM To Contact Us, Click HERE >> | Attention Travelers!
BEWARE of any combined air and hotel package deals. The Laboratory strongly discourages package deals such as the ones offered by Travelocity, as a proper breakdown for expenses incurred (airfare, lodging and lodging tax) is not available for accounting and reporting purposes. Without a proper breakdown the expense becomes non-reimbursable.
Travelers must comply with the FLY AMERICA ACT on all foreign travel.
Employee purchased tickets may not always fit the allowable airfare – always check first with the Travel Office. Allowable airfares for certain city pairs are listed on the Travel Web site (HERE). The Laboratory strongly encourages the use of Cliqbook and Carlson Wagonlit Travel for all airline ticket purchases.
- Safety Tip of the Month -
If you have questions about foreign travel safety or security please call the LBNL Office of Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism at x4988 or send an email to CIOffice@lbl.gov. Travel Express Archive
For suggestions on how to improve the Travel Express newsletter, or to be removed from our distribution list, please contact Klara Sebek (x7049). |
Travel Services has been testing its new Travel Help Desk Ticket System that is scheduled to be rolled out to all divisions December 10, 2007.
Do you know where to find detailed seat maps for most aircraft? Go to the Seat Guru at 
Do you worry about having your luggage lock being cut by security and your luggage traveling unlocked? You can now buy TSA (Transportation Security Administration) Recognized Baggage Locks. TSA screens every passenger's baggage before it is placed on an airplane. While technology allows TSA to electronically screen bags, there are times when TSA needs to physically inspect a piece of luggage. TSA has worked with several companies to develop locks that can be opened by security officers using universal "master" keys so that the locks may not have to be cut. These locks are available at airports and travel stores nationwide. The packaging on the locks indicates whether they can be opened by TSA. Try 
Traveling over the Holidays? Make sure you check the Real-time Updates at the 
Effective November 20, 2007, Japan will implement new immigration procedures which require the submission of personal identification information at immigration control. Under the new immigration procedures, fingerprints and a facial photograph will be taken. After which, an immigration control officer will conduct an examination hearing. In the event someone refuses to submit to these new procedures, that person will not be permitted to enter Japan. More information can be obtained 
Whenever traveling by taxi, be sure you are riding in a clearly marked and licensed taxi. This will ensure you are not taking a ride in a "black market" taxi operated by unlicensed persons. You can usually spot “black market” taxis as they are usually poorly marked and the drivers may take you to unrequested destinations. In addition, “black market” taxi fees are much higher than the fees of licensed taxi services. In worst case scenarios, passengers riding in “black market” taxis have been hijacked and/or large sums of money have been extorted from the unsuspecting passengers. |
TRAVEL STAFF Disbursements: Michelle McCan | Lonnette Robinson | Klara Sebek | Cynthia Thomas Travel Operations: Craig Gaylor | Jean Ortiz | Maxine Redfearn | Elijah Walker Travel Operations Manager: Anil Moré Disbursements Manager: Sallie Frainier |