WHTI: since this is the annual Passenger Travel issue of the DTJ, our main thrust this month centers on a travel subject that is

WHTI. What does it mean? Is it just another government acronym? It stands for the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a result of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and it changes documentation requirements of cruise passengers and other travelers returning to the United States by land and sea. The law took effect 1 June 2009. The biggest impact on travelers is that a state driver's license, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship will no longer suffice. Now you must have a Passport ($100) or a new wallet sized Passport Card. This new card (pictured here) costs $45 dollars for first time applicants and is valid for 10 years just like a regular passport. But, it is good only for travel in the Western Hemisphere by land or sea. It is not valid for international air travel.

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The new Passport Cards utilize a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) microchip similar to what most of us are familiar with in the transportation world. The microchip in the Passport Card, however, stores no personal data, because of privacy concerns. Instead, the chip contains a personal ID number that can be cross referenced with a secure government database. Several states (Washington, New York, Vermont, Michigan, and Arizona) are also using the RFID technology in Enhanced Driver Licenses (EDLs). EDLs, as well as the "Trusted Traveler Program" cards such as NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST, are also acceptable under the WHTI. You can get more detailed information about the WHTI and the new Passport Card on several web sites. Among the most popular are www.dhs.gov, www.travel.state.gov, and www.cbp.gov. The most user-friendly site according to our experience seems to be www.getyouhome.gov.

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Thank you for the article you wrote in the April 2009 DTJ about the SS United States. The images and the article brought back many memories.

My brothers and I were born in the South of England in the early 60s while my father worked for the DOD. When it came time for my parents to move back to Washington in 1966, their travel orders provided them a choice to travel by plane or by ship. They chose to pack up their young family and go aboard the SS United States. While my parents were both born and raised in the USA and traveled back and forth often, this trip marked the first time my brothers and I would travel to the United States. I was young, but still remember our arrival to New York City in the summer of 1966.

Recently, when I was working in Philadelphia, I got to see the ship up close sitting in dock just off of 1-95. Rusted and in a state of disrepair, she still looked majestic. This ship will always be special as it was my transportation to the greatest country on Earth. I certainly hope that one day this great ship will one day be put back into service.

Thank you again for writing such a nice article.

Kind regards,

Bryan Scott

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

COL Denny Edwards, USA (Ret.)

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