Check with the U.S. State Department if you are travelling to a country that does not currently have diplomatic relations with the U. S. If you need any help regarding an emergency, you might be surprised to learn that there is little or nothing that can be done to help you, except to contact your family on your behalf. If you give birth in a country where there is a U.S. Interests Section, you should be able to get a birth certificate issued, but you may need to travel to a third country to pick it up. In any case, learn all you can before you move abroad, no matter which country you will be calling home.

If you need to move your automobile overseas as well you will want to compare car moving companies to see who has the best car moving rates as it can get very expensive.

Most people are not in the habit of memorizing their passport number, so copy your passport from cover to cover and keep a copy with you at all times, leave one copy with a family member back in the U.S., and also keep a copy in your overseas home. Any type of document that can be lost or stolen and sold needs to be protected, and your identification is at risk of being used by criminals, which can cause so many problems, including travel restrictions, no access to bank accounts until the issue is resolved, and other headaches, that you need to take every possible precaution you can to safeguard your identity.

Try to find the right balance between living in fear and being careless or oblivious to potential risks when you choose to reside outside of your native land. There is no need to be paranoid, but there is a serious need to be prudent, use common sense and live responsibly.

Never hold a purse loosely or by its straps in public, because a purse snatcher will have easy access to it and could grab it and run before you have time to react, much less try to pursue him or her. If you need to keep your passport with you, put it in a small purse or other holder that has a secure strap so you can put it around your neck and tuck it into your clothing. When you go to an ATM take care not to do so at night, or alone. If you withdraw money from a bank, take care to protect the money, since thieves have been known to watch banks in search of potential victims. They could follow you for a long time and then steal your money. They will know the area and where to run to get away quickly, or they might have an accomplice waiting nearby with a motorcycle or car.

Another scam to avoid is a seemingly well-meaning person who approaches you in public and asks, or demands, to see your identity papers. He could be a legitimate policeman but is most likely a criminal who then takes your passport and sells it on the black market. There is always a big market for U.S. passports and other forms of identification.

If you have expensive jewelery, do not wear it in public unless it is covered by a scarf, and make sure it is stored in a safe or is very well-hidden. Keep a close eye on your luggage at airports and train or bus terminals, and do not let any strangers near it.

Those who live alone in a foreign country entering their house should act as if they have someone at home, calling out as if replying to a person inside, for example. Such a simple tactic can discourage would-be intruders who will look for easier targets.

Thirty percent of 6,767 cargo inspections by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) found security violations in the nine months ended in June 2008, according to Richard Skinner, the Homeland Security Department’s inspector general. Skinner was introducing a report that found:

… [redacted]% of the drivers we tested were handling or transporting air cargo without the required background checks. We also reviewed drivers’ records and identified that 23% did not satisfy the required training and testing requirements.

The agency’s inspection process has not been effective in ensuring that requirements for securing air cargo during ground transportation are understood or followed. The inspection process has focused on quantity rather than outcomes and ensuring corrective actions.

Other problems identified in the report:

• unauthorized entry to secured cargo storage areas;
• insufficient security screening of personnel; e.g. TWIC (Transportation Worker Identity Card) applicants aren’t required to submit a social security number;
• sharing of security documents amongst workers;
• TSA emphasizes the quantity of inspections at the expense of the quality of inspections.

The redacted report Security of Air Cargo During Ground Transportation is available as a pdf download (39 pp., 735 KB).

The TSA says currently 50 percent of air cargo on passenger carrying aircraft in the USA is screened. (Sources: Transportation Security Administration, Air Cargo; Bloomberg.com, “Cargo-Screening Flaws Put Fliers at Risk, U.S. Report Finds“)

The U.S. Transport Security Administration (TSA) has issued an emergency amendment to security measures which take effect today March 10, 2011.

The short announcement yesterday contained few details and has caused confusion and delays as air cargo carriers struggle to comply.

Yesterday, Air Canada Cargo notified shippers that they’re halting all cargo flown to the U.S., and then today removed the bulletin from their web site. Shippers will have to contact Air Canada directly for details.

Air Canada, which carries freight in the belly of passenger planes, faces greater challenges in screening air cargo than dedicated air freight operators like FedEX. FedEX Canada said today that it is conducting business as usual.

The U.S. TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has a imposed a deadline to inspect 100% of inbound international air cargo by the end of 2011.

In 2005, about $8.5 billion worth of goods were exported by air from Canada to the USA, a daily average of $23 million. The top carriers, at a guess, are FedEX, UPS, Purolator and Air Canada. The top commoditities were electrical machinery, equipment, parts and small parcels. (Sources: CanadianManufacturing.com, 2011-03-09, “Air Canada suspends cargo shipments to US“; HStoday.com, “TSA Launches Air Cargo Security Initiatives“; (USA) Bureau of Transportation Statistics)

Transair has announced the launch of its new daytime air cargo flights operating between Honolulu, Kahului and Kona. Established in 1982, Transair is one of Hawaii’s largest interisland air cargo companies, with a large fleet of Bombardier aircrafts. Transair presently operates overnight evening air cargo flights to each of the major Hawaiian Islands.

Beginning Wednesday, July 7, Transair will launch its daytime air cargo service, which will be available Monday though Friday. This new service will begin in Honolulu with departures to Kahului, continuing on to Kona and returning to Honolulu.

Transair’s regular air cargo rates will apply.

“We are proud to have the longest running, uninterrupted interisland air cargo service in Hawaii,” says Teimour Riahi, president/CEO of Transair. “Our new daytime service will be a first for Hawaii and will fill a need in the marketplace for mid-day all cargo interisland service. Our new flights will also provide more flexible day time service to our existing public and corporate accounts.”

Transair is proud to operate a fleet of seven Bombardier Shorts SD3-60-300 aircraft, featuring twin jetprop engines. Each cargo flight can handle up to 7495 pounds and can hold up to nine palletized container positions.

Interisland air cargo charter flights are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. There is a 50 percent discount for first-time shippers.

AUSTIN, Texas – Lynxs CargoPorts strengthened its management team with a recent senior appointment at the company, extending full commercial and technical support throughout Europe to leading air cargo handling operators.

Anthony Pink joined Lynxs CargoPorts as European Technical Director effective in March of this year with offices based in the vicinity of Frankfurt, Germany, to provide coverage for Lynxs operations throughout Europe.

As a chartered structural engineer, Pink has more than 20 years experience in construction management gained during consulting projects and assignments throughout Europe.

“With a stellar track record at numerous premier companies, Anthony Pink provides a true competitive edge to Lynxs clients based on a combination of both his management expertise and pragmatic technical solutions,” said Ray Brimble, chairman and founder of Lynxs CargoPorts.

Previously with the Simons Group, a leading design and construction company for distribution facilities across the UK, Pink served as director of distribution projects and will continue to remain as a consultant to the company.

“I am very pleased to be joining Lynxs at this pivotal economic turning point for both the European business climate and the global cargo industry. I look forward to developing cost effective and ecologically designed cargo handling facilities for air-sea-road systems throughout Europe and beyond,” Pink said.

About Lynxs CargoPorts:
Lynxs CargoPorts, LLC, is an international CargoPort™ developer with its global headquarters in Austin, Texas. A highlight of Lynxs CargoPort projects includes Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and the Alaska CargoPort at Anchorage (ANC). Recently Lynxs CargoPorts expanded in Vienna, Austria and Lynxs Chairman Ray Brimble co-partnered the GlobalPort project, effectively bringing DHL to Riverside (RIV) airport in California as the DHL West Coast Hub. Look for other announcements in coming months regarding additional European project expansions.  As an international distribution facility provider for emerging regions, Lynxs CargoPorts is the reliable, one-stop global real estate solutions manager.

Shannon, Ireland –Lynxs Group, a global airport cargo facility company, and Shannon Airport have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of jointly developing a major international logistics hub and business facility at Shannon Airport, which is managed by the Dublin Airport Authority, the owner of Ireland’s three State Airports.

The agreement is a significant step towards the delivery of a state-of-the-art international cargo facility on a 200,000 square-feet (approximately 19,000 square-meters) site at Shannon Airport.

“The outstanding site design and location form an attractive real estate offering for new entities looking for cargo space, as well as the existing tenants currently at Shannon,” Lynxs Group Executive Director Anthony Jackson said, adding that the modern infrastructure to be put in place with customized options for tenants will make cargo handling easier.

The prime location of the Lynxs site will offer great access for tenants at Shannon Airport, which serves as the main airport in the West of Ireland with more than 3.1 million passengers traveling through in 2008, along with six North American routes
and 40 European routes.

The planned cargo port would be built at a cost of $15 million and would include aircraft parking configurations, an immediate taxiway and access to public roads. Preliminary building specifications for the cargo facility also include clear spans, chilled and freezer storage, air-conditioned offices, heated warehouse space, and automobile parking for office and warehouse

Shannon Airport has also provided Lynxs with rights for the development of any and all on-airport cargo facilities on the site until it is fully occupied. Lynxs anticipates a groundbreaking event by mid 2010 with the final stages of construction to be completed by early 2011 for what will be the first new cargo development project in over 10 years.

“The Lynxs CargoPort at Shannon would be the next chapter in the proud legacy of this airport. We are also confident that the onset of passenger pre-clearance for the US this year at Shannon, which will become the first airport outside the Americas with this facility, will also have future positive implications for cargo as well. This would be another significant strategic advantage for a major international cargo port at Shannon,” Lynxs Group President and CEO Ray Brimble said.

Lynxs Group is currently in discussions with major airlines and several cargo handling companies, including existing tenants at the airport, Brimble added. The state-of-the-art new cargo facility will be made available at competitive rates to current tenants and they will also be encouraged to play a major role in the development of an innovative cargo plan for Shannon. This would be the first phase in the overall project.

The parties are also currently planning a Phase II stage which would begin in the next five to ten years to further develop cargo and airport related facilities.
About Lynxs Group

Raymond J. Brimble serves as the President and CEO of Lynxs Group, LLC and Anthony Jackson serves as the Executive Director; Brimble’s business portfolio combines entrepreneurial, managerial and academic accomplishments spanning a thirty-year career. Mr. Jackson previously was an executive for a Danish-owned, multi-national group for more than twenty years and collaborated with Mr. Brimble in a joint venture involving computer-printer supplies manufacturing; building on their business relationship, in 2001 Mr. Jackson was asked by Brimble to join forces in the expansion of Lynxs Group to Europe and beyond. Through the years, both Brimble and Jackson have become known for bringing together numerous elements such as people, ideas, capital, research and expertise into one focused effort toward a common goal.

With a modern， all-cargo fleet， coverage of major world markets， vast experience in air cargo and a commitment to quality， safety and customer service， Polar Air Cargo is a key player in the cilitation of global trade.

Contact us today to find out air china tracking cargomore about Polar Air， schedule your shipment， or arrange to ship your cargo via charter.

With airfreight industry leader Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings， Inc. as its majority shareholder， Polar is 49% owned by DHL Express， and DHL is an anchor customer. Under this long-term， strategic partnership， Polar supports DHL Express with trans-Pacific ePolar Air Cargoxpress service on Polars fleet of Boeing 747-400 freighters.

HONOLULU, Hawaii, June 29, 2010 – Transair is pleased to announce the launch of its new daytime air cargo flights operating between Honolulu, Kahului and Kona. Established in 1982, Transair is one of Hawaii’s largest interisland air cargo companies, with a large fleet of Bombardier aircrafts. Transair presently operates overnight evening air cargo flights to each of the major Hawaiian Islands.

Beginning July 7, 2010, Transair will launch its new daytime air cargo service, which will be available Monday though Friday. This new service will begin in Honolulu with departures to Kahului, continuing on to Kona and returning to Honolulu. Transair’s regular air cargo rates will apply.

“We are proud to have the longest running, uninterrupted interisland air cargo service in Hawaii,” says Teimour Riahi, President and CEO of Transair. “Our new daytime service will be a first for Hawaii and will fill a need in the marketplace for mid-day all cargo interisland service. Our new flights will also provide more flexible day time service to our existing public and corporate accounts.”

Transair is proud to operate a fleet of seven Bombardier Shorts SD3-60-300 aircraft, featuring twin jetprop engines. Each cargo flight can handle up to 7495 pounds and can hold up to nine palletized container positions. Interisland air cargo charter flights are also available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Transair freight offices are conveniently located on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Kona.

TRANSPACIFIC AIR CARGO PARTERSHIPS PREVAIL AT THE ALASKA CARGOPORT IN ANCHORAGE

Anchorage, AK (March 2011) – Lynxs Group LLC, a global air cargo and transportation infrastructure development company is proud to welcome three new tenants to their Alaska Cargo Port facility at Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage.  DHL Express (USA) Inc., Atlas Air, Inc. and Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc.  This transpacific air cargo collaboration quickly filled the vacuum of the Delta Airlines (Northwest) Cargo exit from Anchorage last year.

Atlas, a long time tenant at the Alaska CargoPort, relocated within the project to expand its operations with Polar and DHL.  The companies combined tenancy in the same building and ramp location will bolster their current strategic relationship.

“We are very pleased to be moving into the Lynxs CargoPort facility,” said John Dietrich, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAWW), the parent company of Atlas and Polar. “With Atlas and Polar in the same building, we will be able to consolidate operations, enhance our efficiency, and provide greater service and value to our customers who serve the trans-Pacific trade lanes between Asia and North America.

“Anchorage is a linchpin in our global operations and our ability to provide time-definite, route-network service,” Mr. Dietrich added. “Atlas’ ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) and commercial charter aircraft transit Anchorage on a daily basis. And Polar conducts an almost daily transload operation there in support of its customers, including DHL Express. In addition to a home for our maintenance staff and offices for our flight operations, we’ll also be able to capitalize on CargoPort’s ample airside cargo warehouse space – a significant benefit when turning aircraft around quickly.”

These new lease agreements  indicate the viability and relevance of both the Alaska CargoPort as an important, multitenant cargo facility in Anchorage, and also in the larger sense, the continuing robustness of Anchorage as not only one of the world’s major technical stops, but also one of the most important cargo transfer points in North America.

The location of the Alaska CargoPort at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport offers carriers a unique opportunity provided by legislation expanding and liberalizing cargo transfer rights for the Alaska International Airport System.  The Stevens Amendment and further Department of Transportation Exemptions allow U.S. and non-US carriers to interline, transfer on-line between flights, employ change of gauge service, and commingle U.S. and non-U.S. traffic on the same flight.  The Alaska CargoPort exists as the only privately owned multitenant facility designed specifically for cargo transfer.  This allows Alaska CargoPort tenants to take advantage of partnerships and alliances, reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency.

John Parrot, Ted Steven Anchorage International Airport Manger stated, “The geographic location of Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, the liberal regulatory environment for cargo transfer, low rates and fees, a partner airport in Fairbanks and the infrastructure provided by both the airport and in this case Lynxs, makes a nearly unbeatable combination when looking for a safe, reliable, efficient location to maximize the revenue opportunities of moving international cargo.  It is a pleasure to see the opportunities taken advantage of and expanded.”

The Alaska CargoPort currently has opportunities for other companies to be on site with direct access on the airport operations area (AOA).  Six dedicated hardstand parking positions with in-ramp fueling to support aircraft ranging from MD-11’s to 747-800’s are available for lease.  Modern offices, open warehouse with cross-dock features, a maintenance shop, and ground space for GSE staging and operations are available for immediate occupancy.

About Lynxs Group LLC

Lynxs Group LLC is a privately owned Austin, Texas based international real estate development company specializing in air cargo and related transportation infrastructure facilities at airports worldwide. Lynxs partners with airports worldwide to create new air cargo infrastructure, and/or redevelop existing yet outdated air cargo or related infrastructure. As a full service real estate firm with in-house development, acquisition, property management, and leasing capabilities Lynxs is a recognized leader in its sector. A highlight of previous Lynxs projects includes Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) and Vienna International Airport (VIE) among others. Lynxs recently completed the largest  airport cargo facility in Latin America based on annual throughput, at El Dorado International Airport in Bogota (BOG), Colombia.