Holiday Travel Reminders

It is estimated that 25 million travelers will take to the skies this Thanksgiving weekend.

With elevated security measures in place at airports across the nation, the Transportation Security Administration is taking steps to make sure everyone understands the rules.

The big change from years past is the whole issue of taking liquids on board flights. Ever since the failed terrorist plot in England this past summer, the TSA has cracked down on all liquid items.

TSA's education campaign calls it 3-1-1, meaning you can now take containers of up to three ounces of liquid, in a one-quart Ziploc bag - one bag per traveler.

"Every item in this bag is three ounces or less and it fits nicely in a one-quart bag, the reason for that is, based on a security threat this is what is safe from a security threat perspective to bring aboard an aircraft. Larger quantity liquids pose a concern and that's why they're prohibited at this time," said Doug Melvin, TSA security director.

If you forget to put the liquid items in a clear plastic bag, the airport will provide you with one just before the security check point.

Unlike earlier this summer, liquid beverages purchased beyond the security checkpoint may now be carried aboard your flight. And most electronic items, like laptops and Ipods, are now allowed as well. In fact, since summer, the only real change are the rules concerning liquids – and it’s always been a good idea to carry them in sample size containers in a Ziploc bag anyway.

Another thing to keep in mind this holiday season is that a lot of people take wine or champagne to their destination. That is completely off limits as far as carry-ons are concerned this year.

And, as always, TSA reminds everyone to transport your presents unwrapped –both in your carry-on AND checked luggage. Carry your wrapping supplies and plan on wrapping those presents upon arrival at your destination.

Airports will be busier than ever this year, so plan to arrive at the airport EARLY to avoid delays. Flights are definitely booked full, and in all likelihood, oversold. Failure to arrive early could mean losing your seat; and that could mean not getting to your destination until the turkey is cold.

National Threat Advisory: HIGH

In response to a serious terrorist threat to international aviation security, the Secretary of Homeland Security has elevated the Homeland Security Advisory System Threat Condition to Severe, or Red, for all commercial flights from the United Kingdom to the United States, and to High, or Orange, for all other international flights and all domestic commercial aviation.

There are approximately 106 flights per day between the United Kingdom and the United States. Although numerous arrests have been made in the U.K. to disrupt and neutralize this threat, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking a number of heightened protective measures to ensure the continued safety and security of our international and domestic air travel.

Increased Aviation Screening Procedures:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be implementing a series of security measures – some visible and some not visible – to ensure the security of the traveling public and the Nation's transportation system.

TSA is immediately implementing the following changes to airport screening procedures:

NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND WILL BE PERMITTED IN CARRY-ON BAGGAGE. ITEMS MUST BE IN CHECKED BAGGAGE. This includes all beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel, and other items of similar consistency.

Exception: Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is traveling; prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket; and insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines

• Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding because they will not be permitted onboard the aircraft.

• Passengers traveling from the U.K. to the U.S. will be subject to a more extensive screening process.

Some measures will not be visible to the public. In light of the elevated threat level, the Federal Air Marshals Service (FAMS) will provide expanded mission coverage for flights from the United Kingdom to the United States.

These measures will be constantly evaluated and updated when circumstances warrant. DHS and its components have coordinated closely with the air carrier industry, airports, and state and local stakeholders to implement these significant, but necessary, security measures.

How every passenger can assist in security:

• Packing lightly, without clutter to facilitate easier screening.

• Check with your air carrier well before your flight departs for information on when you shoudl arrive at the airport.

• Cooperating with TSA personnel at all checkpoints and gates because TSA Security Officers will be checking carry-on baggage at the gate.

• Being attentive and vigilant to any suspicious activity.

Increased Border Protection Procedures:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will increase enforcement efforts in international arrival areas including the use of advanced targeting tools, special response teams including baggage and aircraft search teams, baggage x-ray equipment, specially-trained canine units, and explosive detection technology.

DHS has also mandated that all flights from the U.K. transmit passenger manifest information for intensive screening prior to departure from the gate. In addition, passengers on these flights and all other international flights will be subject to heightened inspection upon arrival in the U.S.

Standing Room Only

I’m not a small man. Nor am I what you’d call super-sized, either. But when I’m seated in coach on your average airliner, particularly if I’m seated next to someone about my size, I do find myself feeling a little like what I imagine a sardine might feel like all jammed up in that tiny little can. But things could be worse.

According to the New York Times, Airbus is reportedly pitching a Standing Room Only (SRO) “seating” option for it’s new A380 to Asian carriers. If Airbus is successful in it’s pitch, airline travel could actually get even more uncomfortable than it already is. And that’s a tough pill to swallow.

The paper, claiming to quote experts who it said had seen a proposal, reports that if the SRO option were used, passengers would be “propped” against a padded backboard and held in place with a harness. Masochists rejoice!

Meanwhile, CNNMoney.com is reporting that Airbus is flatly denying the claim.

Either way, the message is clear. The airlines want to squeeze more profit out of their jets, and they’re willing to sacrifice your comfort to do it. The fact that I can write a story about an airliner manufacturer exploring an option to cram still more people in an already small space, with “seats” that are even more ridiculous than they are today, is proof enough that things will get even more uncomfortable then they already are, long before they get any better; if they get better at all.

I’m betting that, if the FAA were to approve such a ridiculous “seating” arrangement, that you’ll at least see some SRO options installed along the bulkheads of existing airliners in the not too distant future. Those harnesses (and their padded boards) might just look attractive to a traveler that’s been victimized by a cancelled flight after being stuck in an airport for many long hours, with no other apparent hope of finding a ride home anytime soon.

Soaring Prices

On Monday I read about a sale at United Airlines offering unbelievably low fares. So I searched all the markets that I regularly monitor for a reduction in fares. Much to my dismay, all of those markets were up a few bucks.

Yesterday I got notices that, in all of the city pairs that I regularly monitor, the ticket prices had increased an average of about $100 each. Still more dismay.

The unbelievable sale, like most things that are too good to be true, was short-lived and virtually unobtainable. And what little truth there was to be found in that sale, it only lasted a day. United got great press out of the “sale”, and no one is reporting that the sale is over. So when you log on to higher prices today, or in the future, you might just think your getting some kind of great deal. Don’t be fooled.

As airlines emerge from bankruptcy with fewer seats, on fewer flights, in an economy that is now accustomed to paying higher prices for fuel - get used to seeing higher airfares.

Sure, the cost of fuel is outrageous. But that is not what’s going to keep airfares high. It’s reduced supply and increasing demand that will keep the prices high, and climbing higher.

As far as emerging from bankruptcy goes, that’s genius. Reduce costs by reducing service, amenities and available flights. Save yourself from bankruptcy in a market that is accustomed to paying high prices at the pump, and then use all of the above to raise prices and put your industry back in the black. It’s what great recoveries are made of. But the rest of us lose. We’ll pay more for less, and we’ll be plenty unhappy about it.

As airfares rise, driving the RV actually becomes more affordable. Based on today’s rates, I can actually drive my family of three across country in an RV, stopping for both work and play along the way, and still save money over the cost of flying, renting a car and paying for hotel rooms. We’ll all be more comfortable along the way, we’ll get to see much more of this great country of ours, we’ll eat better, and we’ll all be a lot happier at the end of our journey – even the dog.

As I’ve previously reported, I’ll be choosing the RV as an alternative to flying whenever I possibly can. If enough of you join me in that choice, something might just change. But I’m not holding my breath.

And Still They Suck

Jill Aldape recently traveled to Cancun, mostly aboard America West, with her family, for a wedding.

"We got to the airport in plenty of time, we're checking our bags and our first hint that something was wrong was when the ticket agent said this flight is overbooked," said Juliana Aldape.

Their flight was overbooked, and despite confirmed reservations, the Aldapes were involuntarily bumped from the first leg of their flight.

America West gave the Aldape family some travel vouchers and suggested they drive 300 miles to Salt Lake City to catch a different connecting flight to Denver.

"That presented a problem of how do we get our car back from Salt Lake. We don't want to drive back on the tail end of the trip, so the next option was, well, you could rent a car. And we were like, Okay, we can do that, now you're paying for that right? Oh no, they weren't going to pay for a rental car. And in the end they said they could pay for a taxi van to take us from Boise to Salt Lake," said Jill.

The solution was a $700 taxi ride, courtesy of America West. But their problems didn't end there.

Half way between Boise and Salt Lake City, the cab broke down.

"I'm in a cab because this morning America West overbooked and so they put us in a cab. The cab is now broken down," said Jill.

"I just need to know what I'm doing at the cab and how I'm going to get back," said taxi driver.

Juliana says the taxi driver was completely unprepared for an emergency.

"He was stymied. He didn't have a cell phone, he had no idea. He used our cell phones in order for us to get AAA for him to be towed and for another service to take us to Salt Lake," said Juliana.

After sprinting through the airport, the Aldapes narrowly made the flight; they were the last four passengers to board.

"When you can't get on a flight because of weather or some other uncontrollable factor you understand, it might be a bit of an inconvenience, but you understand. What's so frustrating about this is that the airline is causing the problem by overbooking the flight. They are creating the circumstance in which they cannot deliver the product that is sold to the customer. And that is bad business!" said Jill.

The airline did better on the return flight, getting everyone home as scheduled; albeit without luggage. That arrived two days later.

It hasn't even been two weeks since The University of Nebraska at Omaha and Wichita State University released a report outlining the Customer Dissatisfaction of Airline patrons everywhere.

In that report, it was USAirways that sucked more than any other airline. And by all outward appearances, they don't care. Not about the report, and certainly not about their customers.

America West recently merged with U.S. Airways, forming a new airline, cleverly named "The New USAirways".

The More Things Change, The More They Remain The Same...

Airline Service Still Declining

People are flying again. In fact, people are flying as often today as they were prior to 9/11. But service has declined since 9/11, and it shows no signs of getting any better, anytime soon.

Meals are history; some airlines charge for their crappy snacks; flights are hopelessly crowded; there are fewer flights to choose from; and according to a recent study by the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Wichita State University, there is only a 77.3% chance that you’ll actually arrive on time.

That report also says that Customer Satisfaction last year was at it’s lowest since 2000. And 2000 was a record year for flight delays, cancellations, and passengers left stranded in airports.

The study's other conclusions include:

- Southwest Airlines had the lowest rate of complaints (no surprises there), 0.18 per 100,000 passengers, while US Airways had the highest - 1.86.

- ATA had the highest rate of denied boarding’s, 2.75 per 10,000 passengers, while JetBlue had the lowest at 0.

- AirTran had the best baggage-handling rate, mishandling 3.43 bags per 1,000 passengers; and Atlantic Southeast had the worst, (mishandling 17.41 bags per 1,000 passengers.

I’ve given up on flying for everything except short business trips that take me more than 8-12 hours (driving time) away from home. I can no longer tolerate the discomfort and disservice of flying. But I’m a lonely minority in that choice.

As long as the public continues to pay the airlines for the abuse they are serving up, they’ll continue to do what they do. If there is to be any change at all, we must all choose to stop flying until service reaches an acceptable level. A level of service that at least matches what it was prior to 9/11, if not what it was back in the early 1990’s. Service that included meals, snacks, and real service from real people with real smiles on their faces.

I won’t be holding my breath about positive changes in airline service in the foreseeable future. Instead I will be loading up the RV and enjoying a nice leisurely drive to all my vacation destinations, taking in as much scenery as I can along the way. I’ll take all the time I need to get there and back; it will be considerably more comfortable than flying; the food will be better; and I’ll arrive on-time – whatever time that happens to be.

Holiday Travel

Christmas is upon us and many of you are preparing to travel. With Christmas being on a weekend this year, both the highways and the airports are expected to be as busy, if not busier, for Christmas weekend as they were this past Thanksgiving. So as you head out to travel this holiday weekend, keeping a few simple things in mind might help to make your travel go a little smoother.

BY AIR

First, Dress for success. As always, you’ll want to pick clothing that is “security friendly”. So leave the heavy metal at home.

Then, plan to arrive early. Very early. At least two hours early for domestic flights, and three hours for International flights.

If you’ll be carrying Christmas presents, leave them unwrapped. Security will almost certainly unwrap them if you try to carry them on. And if your checked bags are opened for inspection, they’ll get unwrapped there as well. So don’t waste any effort on wrapping until you get to your destination. Better yet, give FedEx a call and have them transport your presents for you.

Oh, and don't forget the luggage tags!

BY LAND

First, check the weather. Then check it again. Make certain that no storms stand in your way. It’s much better to delay your trip by 24 hours than it is to get trapped by a winter storm.

Winter travel means packing a few extra things in the name of safety that you might not need to consider when traveling in warmer temperatures. Winter tires and a few extra items in the trunk can make all the difference.

Then leave early and be patient. Avoiding rush hour and taking a break during those congested times will make your trip much more enjoyable. Not to mention, safer.

Dress for Success

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, travel by air was reserved for the wealthiest members of society. And traveling by air all those years ago always meant that you should dress to impress. Those days are but a fleeing memory now that the last of the aircraft that attempted to preserve those fine traditions has been retired. Air travel has been reduced to the level of common, everyday mass-transit.

Airport security, an oxymoron in and of itself, has been severely challenged by the terrorist acts of 9/11. And my patience has been severely challenged by airport security ever since. But airport security is definitely NOT the place to lose your cool.

What you wear, and more importantly - what you don’t wear, to the airport will greatly enhance your chances of passing through security quickly and efficiently. Before you leave home, take a moment of pause to consider what you have on your person, and what you are about to put on your person, that might be a problem at the security checkpoint.

Let’s start with your shoes. Boots are a bad idea. You will almost certainly be asked to remove them. And the odds are high that the metal shanks in the soles of your boot will set off the metal detectors.

Athletic shoes are always a good choice, both for keeping the metal detectors happy, and for evacuating an aircraft should an emergency in-flight occur. But they also tend to have thick soles and you may be asked to remove them for further screening as you pass through the checkpoint. You can thank the “shoe bomber” for that little courtesy.

My favorite shoes for flying these days are my leather boat shoes. They slip on and off easily, contain nothing for the metal detectors to detect, and they have a flat rubber sole. Good enough for emergencies, and great for the security checkpoint.

From there, common sense mostly prevails. Leave your loose change in your ashtray, or find a nice fountain to throw it in. Leave your big expensive watch at home, or take it off and put it in your carry on bag. Same thing for any other large jewelry you may be wearing.

If you have any exotic piercings, you’ll probably want the remove them before trying to pass through security. In the off chance that they set off the metal detectors you might find yourself getting more familiar with the folks at the checkpoint than you’d really like to.

Lastly, wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. You’ll be more comfortable in the ever-changing air pressure in the aircraft cabin. Those pressure changes can affect your body in some very unpleasant ways if you aren’t an experienced traveler.

Dressing in layers is a good idea as well. You just never know how hot or cold it’s going to be in the aircraft cabin. In the heat of summer it’s really not uncommon to see extremes of both hot and cold during a single flight. But do consider wearing long slacks. In the event of a spill caused by turbulence (or some other slob), or the unlikely event of an aircraft evacuation, those long slacks will be your new best friend.

Lastly, take a deep breath and relax. The inconveniences of cooperating with airport security are considerably less bothersome than mouthing off and getting the very best personal attention that they have to offer. For better or worse, this is what travel has been reduced to. Until something better comes along, we’re all stuck with it.

Lost Luggage

It may seem that you’ve lost complete control of your personal belongings, and perhaps even your dignity, in this modern day of jet travel. But there are a few things you can do to help reduce the instances of lost and misrouted luggage. In fact, following just a few simple tips and tricks may be enough to shift the odds in your favor next time a bag goes missing from one of your flights.

Let’s take a look at what you can do to help prevent your luggage from being lost in the first place:

Getting your bag on the right airplane is mostly up to the airlines. But there are a couple things you can do to help ensure that your bag is going the same place that you are.

First, arrive early. The cargo compartment has a fixed amount of space available. Those arriving late may have their bags shipped on a later flight. Whether it’s a space issue, or simply a matter of poor timing, getting to the airport early will help you keep your luggage where you want it. Right under your seat.

Second, remove all checked bag tags from your luggage that may still be lingering around from previous trips. Leaving those tags on your bag is a sure fire recipe for getting your bag shipped east when you are traveling west.

Then, pay attention to the tags that the agent places on your bags when you check them in. Check to see that it’s YOUR NAME on the tags, and that the three-letter city code printed on the tag in bold letters is indeed the code for your destination. If you aren’t familiar with the code, politely ask the agent to explain it to you.

Third, if your luggage is black, and an overwhelmingly large percentage of all the luggage in the world is, do something to change that. Purchase new luggage in the ugliest color you can find, or do something to make your black bag stand out from all the other black bags in the belly of the lost luggage machine. Apply ANYTHING to the outside of the bag that is semi-permanent, and that will make your bag EASY to identify to a complete stranger. After all, if your bag does become one of the missing, it’s a stranger that’s going to be looking for it.

Fourth, avoid short connections. While it’s true that no one enjoys sitting around an airport, and no one wants the pleasure of his or her travel to be even a minute longer than necessary, a short connection spells doom for your luggage. And if your flight is even just a few minutes late, your luggage will miss its connecting flight. As a rule, look for connections of 1 hour or more on domestic flights, and 2 hours anytime customs will be involved. If your bag is lost in customs, it may truly be lost forever.

Lastly, if your bag does go missing, take a deep breath and resist the urge to be angry with the agent taking the report of your lost baggage. Getting angry with the only person in the world that can help you locate your missing luggage isn’t a good idea.

Additionally, you are the only person in the world that even cares if your bag is found. So you have to stay in the game. Get the name of the person who takes your report, and get a LOCAL phone number that will allow you reach this person directly. The toll-free numbers that are routinely given out are all but worthless. You need a number where you can talk to a real person that can give you real assistance, in real time. Then, use that number regularly, but politely, until your lost baggage is returned.

Saving the obvious for last, using brightly colored luggage tags like the ones we make here at Crew Tags are an excellent way to spot your bag more easily on the carousel. And an easy way to make your bag stand out to those perfect strangers that are out searching for it. Should your bag be found without the paper tags that the airline attaches to your bag, a sturdy luggage tag that readily identifies you is your last line of defense. And TSA regulations require that, as a minimum, your name and phone number be attached to your bag in the form of a luggage tag anyway.

The End of an Era

The Concorde left JFK on its last regular passenger flight today. No tickets were sold for this flight; all 100 passengers were guests of British Airways. Celebrity's, and the likes thereof. The people that helped make the Concorde famous. The people that kept the Concorde flying for 27 years.

The Concorde, a joint project of the British and French governments, began commercial service in January 1976. The technological marvel flew 11 miles above the Earth at speeds up to 1,350 mph, crossing the Atlantic in just 3 1/2 hours. With the five-hour time difference, passengers arrived in New York earlier than they had left London.

Only 16 Concorde's were ever built. British Airways said it would make an announcement next week about the fate of its seven Concorde's. Most are expected to go to museums.

Got Baggage?

If you're in the habit of traveling "heavy", your trip is about to get a little more expensive.

On October 1st, 2003, Alaska Airlines and it's subsidiary Horizon Air began charging a surcharge for bags in excess of 50 pounds. And if your bag happens to weigh in excess of 100 pounds, you won't be able to take the bag with you at all.

The vice president of safety says the airline hopes the added fee will encourage people to pack lighter bags. He also says back injuries from heavy lifting are the most common injuries in the airline industry.

If Alaska and Horizon are successful in charging for heavy bags you can bet that the other airlines will follow suit. Better start packing light!

Life in the Slow Lane

Air France and British Airways Plc are giving up on the Concorde, citing falling passenger traffic and rising costs. Demand for seats on the Concorde, whose passengers have included golfer Tiger Woods and rock star Sting, never rebounded after an Air France crash in July 2000 which grounded the fleets for more than a year.

Flying the Concorde is your last chance to experience air travel at supersonic speeds; and your last chance to experience the kind of style air travel had in the 1950s and 1960s. If you can treat yourself to a ride on the Concorde before it stops flying, you definitely should.

Air France's last commercial Concorde flights will be Saturday, May 31, 2003. British Airways plans to stop flying the planes in October 2003.

Got Pet Allergies?

Under recently revised FAA guidelines, airline passengers who rely on cats, monkeys and certain other animals for emotional support may soon be able to bring their fluffy loved ones into an airliners cabin. Previously, permission for pets to ride in the cabin was only given to animals that helped people with physical disabilities.

Transportation Department officials say these animals are used for a wider variety of functions, such as helping to pull wheelchairs or alerting a person with epilepsy that a seizure is imminent.

Animals such as snakes, ferrets, rodents and spiders are still considered a safety risk and will not be allowed in the cabin.

Please pass the Benadryl...