October 2008
In this issue
- Welcome To the Newsletter
- Cruise Industry News
- Entertainer of The Month
- Travel 101
- Air Passenger Rights Pt. 2
Welcome to the fourth issue of the Entslist / Green Room Newsletter. We'll be bringing you the latest news and information from entslist.com and our interactive social network The Green Room. We will also bring you travel & health information geared to the professional entertainer.
Note: Due to increased workload by the Webmaster, The Entslist Newsletter will publish every other month starting with the October 2008 issue. The next issue will be mid December 2008.
Travel 101
By Jim Coston
One of the most traumatic events anyone can face is being arrested in a foriegn country. The following information is based on U.S. citizen rights abroad, citizens of other countries should check with their own embassies.
The Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad.
The State Department is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for American citizens imprisoned overseas. They stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international law.
They can and do monitor conditions in foreign prisons and can protest allegations of abuse against U.S. citizen prisoners when requested to do so. They work with local officials to ensure that Americans are afforded due process under local laws and to ensure treatment consistent with internationally recognized standards of human rights.
Always remember, while in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.
Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Any person violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, fined, arrested, or imprisoned.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. If arrested abroad, a citizen must go through the foreign legal process for being charged or indicted, prosecuted, possibly convicted and sentenced, and for any appeals process.
Within this framework, U.S. consular officers provide a wide variety of services to U.S. citizens arrested abroad and their families.
Privacy Act - Consular officers may not reveal information regarding an individual Americans location, welfare, intentions, or problems to anyone, including family members and Congressional representatives, without the expressed consent of that individual.
Jim Coston is not only an Entertainer but has traveled to over 100 countries & territories in the past 30 years.
TRAVEL INFO
From the
US State Dept.
You can register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov
This will help them contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling.
In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.
CRUISE INDUSTRY NEWS
RCCL's newest ships are the "Oasis Class" vessels Oasis of the Seas (2009) and Allure of the Seas (2010). These mega-vessels will dwarf anything else on the market (at least for the time being).
Here's a quick look at their stats:
Built by Aker Yards, Turku (Finland)
Cost: 900,000,000 €
Tonnage: 220000 UMS
Length 360 m / 1180.8 ft
Breadth 47 m / 154.16 ft
Number of passengers (double occupancy/max) 5400 / 0
Passenger space ratio
(double occupancy/max) 40.74 / 0
Number of crew members 2600
Passenger/crew ratio
(double occupancy/max) 2.08 / 0
Number of passengers decks 15
Number of cabins 2700
ENTERTAINER OF THE MONTH
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JIM CARTER has over fourty years experience in the entertainment industry as a Professional Singer, Musician (Piano & Keyboards), Actor, and Character/Voice-Over Artist. Jim has performed as "Ron" in the National Touring Company of the Broadway Show "HAIR", as well as at noted entertainment icons such as Radio City Music Hall (New York, NY), Universal/Orlando, Walt Disney World, and the legendary riverboat "Delta Queen" (New Orleans, LA.) just to name a few. He has performed with such name artists as Helen Reddy, Red Buttons, Jose Felicano, Peabo Bryson, Walter Crockett, David Faustino (Bud from "Married With Children") and The Radio City "Rockettes". For More info, visit his profile at http://entslist.ning.com/profile/JimCarter |
AIRLINE PASSENGER RIGHTS
Part 2
Flying can be a very stressful mode of transportation these days - from weather delays to lost luggage, mishaps at the airport can strike at any time. That's why it's important to know your rights (and their restrictions) as a passenger.
Overbooking:
Overbooking is legal, according to the Department of Transportation, and most airlines do it. However, they are required to ask people to volunteer to be bumped. Those who choose to be bumped may receive compensation from the airline, such as vouchers for future travel, a hotel stay or even cash. These must be negotiated on an individual basis with the airline.
If you are bumped involuntarily, the airline must explain your rights in a written document. You may keep your ticket and use it on another flight.
If you choose to make your own arrangements, you can request an "involuntary refund" for the ticket. You are also entitled to compensation, with a few exceptions; for instance, if the airline arranges alternative transportation that gets you to our destination within one hour of your originally scheduled arrival time, the carrier does not have to compensate you.
Similarly, you must meet all check-in deadlines and have a confirmed reservation in order to get compensated for being bumped from an oversold flight. Note that the airline does not have to compensate you if it is forced to fly a smaller plane than originally scheduled.
Delayed/Lost Luggage:
If your bags are delayed, most airlines usually agree to pay "reasonable" expenses until the luggage is found. The amount paid is subject to negotiation.
If your bags are not found you must file a claim, which takes some time to process. It is normal to wait six weeks to three months for reimbursement.
For bags lost or damaged on flights within the U.S., a liability limit of $3,000 applies. On international trips, the liability limit may vary, as it is governed by various international treaties, including the Montreal and Warsaw Conventions.
If you miss the check-in deadline, the carrier is not responsible for your bag if it is delayed or lost.
Should you discover items in your baggage that are damaged or missing, you can visit the TSA Claims Management Office to file a claim.
