"Carry-On Cops" To Examine Your Carry-On Luggage

According to Good Morning America, some airlines have started to hire "Carry-On Cops". These cops responsibilities are to check and make sure travelers' carry-on bags are not bulky and to prevent travelers from sneaking extra bags onto the planes. Since more and more airlines have started to charge a fee to check bags, more and more travelers are trying to find ways to avoid checking their bags. Some travelers are accomplishing this by over stuffing their carry-on bags, or using a carry-on bag that is too large. This is not fair to those travelers who have paid the extra money to check their bags or to the ones who have made sure their carry on bag is the appropriate size. 

With these new cops at airports one would hope that their traveling experience would improve. The truth of the matter may be different. Now when going to the airport one will have to check their bag, get through security, and have another officer check their carry on bag to make sure it is not too bulky. It is understandable that airlines (as well as passengers) are tired of having the overhead bins over stuffed, but will having a "Carry-On Cop" solve the problem, or will it just create new ones? 

American Airlines will charge passengers $15, at the gate, if their carry on is discovered to be too large. Whereas U.S. Airways will not charge you extra money. With U.S. Airways not charging their passengers, what is going to stop travelers from bringing the bags that they intended to check and having them get checked for free at the gate?

Each airline has different rules when it comes to the size requirement for their carry on. For United, American Airlines, and Delta the limit is 45 linear inches. For U.S. Airways and Continental the limit is 51 linear inches. To figure out the linear inches for your bag use the following formula: height + width + depth

Decline in Travel Over The Fourth

According to USA Today and the American Automotive Association (AAA), there is going to be a decrease in the number of people planing to travel, via driving, over the Fourth of July weekend. AAA is predicting that roughly 40.45 million people will be traveling, which is a decrease of 1.3 percent from last year. This decrease is similar to the reduction in travel over the Memorial day weekend compared to last year. For those travelers planning on flying AAA predicts that there is going to be a 2.3 percent decrease from last year. 

The decline in travel most likely has to do with increase in gas prices as well as the added fees that airlines have recently implemented. The travel industry is trying to counteract this by offering deals and promotions. Such as free gas cards, "kids-eat-free" meal deals and car rental discounts. 

According to AAA the greatest number of automobile travelers over the weekend will be from:

1. Southeast- 8.7 million
   
2. West- 8.5 million
   
3. Midwest- 6.5 million
   
4. Northeast- 5.7 million
   
5. Great Lakes- 4.7 million
   

The greatest number of air travelers will be from:

1. West- 1.78 million
2. Southeast- 813,000
3. Midwest- 727,000
4. Northeast- 695,000
5. Great Lakes- 518,000

 

Travelers Start Your Luggage.....

Today, Live Luggage will be unveiling the first power assisted suitcase to the world. This new suitcase has been in design and development for several years. This new suitcase is power assisted meaning that the suitcase will not move on its own, but will help aid the user in the movement of their suitcase. This means there there will no longer be that struggle to lift or move your luggage if it is too heavy. 

Some of the features of this new suitcase are:

• Has a rechargeable battery with an average life of 2 hours

• The weight of the suitcase is 24 pounds (10.9 Kg), which leaves room for about 26 pounds of clothes (for an allotted weight of 50 pounds)

• Equipped with an anti-gravity handle, which puts 85% of the weight of the suitcase over the wheels

• Has a TSA approved combination lock

• Is equipped with Live Luggage's unique ID, which can help locate the suitcase in the event of loss

• A three-point adjustable handle

According to the press release, "the tilt switch/sensors only power the wheels at certain angles- between the slopes of 15% and 35%." This means, that for a slope that is less than 15%, there will be no power to the wheels. This also means that if the suitcase is accidentally dropped, power to the wheels will stop preventing the suitcase from further falling down the incline. 

Jet Lag: If It is 3 O'Clock Here, Then What Time Is It There?

According to the MayoClinic, Jet Lag, also known as time zone change syndrome , is a sleeping disorder caused by traveling across multiple time zones, which results in the upheaval of one's body rhythms, most notably one's circadian cycle. This can be a problem since one does not want to spend their vacation or business trip in bed trying to catch up on sleep. Most of the symptoms of jet lag occur if three or more time zones are passed but remember everyone is different, crossing time zones will affect everyone differently. 

Some of the common symptoms of jet lag are: 

• disorientation

• irritability

• fatigue

• swollen eyes

• headaches

• cold-like symptoms

• muscle soreness

• stomach problems 

So what can be done about jet lag? Although there is no cure for jet lag (even the most seasoned of travelers get jet lag) there are some steps that can be taken to help alleviate the symptoms. 

• If you have an important event, try to arrive a few days before so your body can adjust to the new time zone

• Try to train your body a few days a head of time. For example if traveling East to West, stay up a little later each night before you depart so once you reach your destination your body is more prepared for the time difference 

• Drink plenty of fluids and eat a high-protein diet 

• Exercise before the flight and make sure to move around during the flight as well

• Make sure to get enough sleep; sleep on the plane if you can

• Make sure to reset your watch once you get into the new time zone

Remember, not everyone is affected by jet lag and everyone has different experiences with jet lag. Before making travel plans remember to take into account the time difference. The typical rule of thumb is that it takes one day to recover for each time zone crossed. 

How To Travel Safe and Secure

It is officially summer and many of you are probably thinking about taking a vacation. You've been working hard so you deserve it! When you travel (weather it is for a vacation or business) you need to make sure that you are traveling safe and secure. There are thieves everywhere and they are just looking for an opportunity to prey on unsuspecting travelers. You should always be aware and alert of your surroundings, and try not to make opportunities for thieves to strike.

The following are some suggestions about how to keep yourself and your belongings safe when you travel:

• Before leaving home- make sure all the doors and windows are locked. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your place and for help taking in the mail and newspaper.

• Make sure your luggage is easy to spot. The best way to do this is with unique luggage tags.

• Use a TSA approved lock for your luggage
  

• Carry your valuable items with you (i.e. cell phone, laptop, medications, jewelry etc.) in your carry on

• When checking in at the airport and hotels, talk quietly. Someone can overhear what you say and use it to get into your hotel room or steal your identity

• Make use of hotel room safes

• Keep your wallet close. Do not leave your pocketbook or wallet at a table, even if you just need to get up for a moment.
  

• Make use of the buddy system

• If you wouldn't do it at home, do not do it on vacation

• Travel with your health insurance card and know what medication you are taking just in case you have to visit the hospital

• Be aware of your surrounds; when at dinner or a conference know where the exits are

Trying to Travel Cheap? Try These Suggestions and Sites.

With the summer travel season approaching quickly many of you are looking to book cheap flights, especially now that there are additional fees associated with air travel, and by the look of things, it doesn't look like prices are going to go down anytime soon. The following are some suggestions on finding cheaper flights:

• Travel to popular destinations during the off season
• Book flights during the week, when air fare tends to be cheaper
• Book flights during the slow time of the year (usually around fall)
• Check for flights early in the morning, when they tend to be cheaper
• Be patient and "shop" around
• Check online booking site often (some serious travelers check every 5 hours or so

The following are some online sites that compare air fare across many different sites:

• Kayak
• Airfare Watch Dog
• Yahoo! Farechase
• Side Step
• Farecast
• Mobissimo (for international flights)
• Skyscanner (for international flights)
• dohop (for international flights)

The following are the traditional search engine travel sites:

• Cheap Tickets
• Orbits
• Expedia.com
• Priceline
• Travelocity

Sometimes you can also find deals by looking at airlines specific websites. Remember to check around to see which flights work best for you. If you find a good deal don't wait too long, since the offer could expire before you have the chance to act upon it. 

 

Stranded At the Airport?

Traveling can be a very stressful endeavor; there is only so much that one can prepare and anticipate. You have prepared to get through security, packed your suitcase with the items that you will be needing and have anticipated the extra fees that you might have to fork over. One thing that cannot be anticipated are delayed flights and unexpected layovers.  Unfortunately delayed flights and unexpected layovers do happen, but there are some things that a traveler can do to pass the time.  

1. People watch
   
2. Explore the airport
   
3. Talk with fellow airline passengers
   
4. Catch up on your reading
   
5. Go to a bookstore and catch up on current events
   
6. Call your mom, dad, or an old friend
   

Now if your flight is delayed and you have a child with you, you might consider some of the following activities:

1. Watch the planes land and take off
   
2. Walk around the terminal and see how many red, green, or blue bags can be found
   
3. Have a picnic
   
4. If the airport's floor has a pattern to it, make up a game
   
5. Find a map and talk to your child about where you are and where you are going
   
6. If the terminal has an escalator or a moving side walk take a couple of rides on it
   

These are just a few suggestions; there are plenty of other activities that can pass the time, you just have to use your imagination. 

Identification is Required to Pass

According to the TSA and many other articles, the TSA will begin a new ID requirement. This new requirement will take effect on June 21, 2008. According to the TSA website: "Passengers that willfully refuse to provide identification at security check point will be denied access to the secure area of airports." This new rule does not apply to those individuals who simple forgot or misplaced their ID and are cooperative with security personal. These individuals will have to go through an additional screening process but will be permitted (if they pass the security checks) further into the airport. Before you leave for the airport double check that you have your ID with you, you'll most likely need it when you get to your destination anyway.

Self Select Lanes Similar to Ski Icons

According to the New York Times, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has developed a way for travelers to get through checkpoint procedures quicker. Travelers can now choose a different line to wait in according to their traveling experience. The different lines that one can choose from are similar with how ski slopes define how challenging their runs are. These new lines were first introduced in Salt Lake City and Denver this past February. As of right now, these self select lanes are in 21 different airports across the continental U.S. The following are the different lines one can choose from (the visuals are our interpretations):

The Green Circle is for families and individuals who feel like they need more time. The Blue Square is for casual travelers who know the security process and are comfortable with the procedures. The Black Diamond lines are meant for frequent flyers (defined as those who travel more than twice a month). 

2008 Eagle Award Recipients

From June 1 to 3 2008, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) held its annual World Air Transport Summit in Istanbul, Turkey. It was there that the recipients for the Eagle Awards were announced. The Eagle Awards are given to airports and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) for exceptional performance in customer satisfaction, cost efficiency and continuous improvement. These wining airports provide quality service and value for money to their customers. The winners of this award are based on recommendations from the Eagle Awards Panel whose members are neutral and have a background in aviation. 

This year's recipients of the Eagle Awards are:

• Airways New Zealand
• Incheon International Airport
• Tampa International Airport

An Honorable Mention goes to: 

• Papua New Guinea Air Services Limited 

Paperless Boarding Passes

Having to carry around a paper-boarding pass is starting to become a thing of the past. Now, more and more airports are adapting the paper-less boarding passes offered by Continental Airlines. Currently these new paper-less boarding passes are being used at Huston’s Intercontinental, Reagan Washington National, Boston’s Logan Airport and Newark Liberty International.

According to the TSA, These new boarding passes will be in the form of two-dimensional bar codes, which will be e-mailed to the passenger’s cell phone. Travelers will still have to show proof of identification when passing through security, but will no longer have to carry a paper-boarding pass. Security personal will be able to quickly scan the passenger’s cell phone with little hassle. Unlike flat bar codes (the ones consumers see daily) two –dimensional bar codes can carry more information and is harder to tamper with.

According to the New York Times, if the 240 members of the International Air Transport Association start using these bar codes that it can save the airline industry roughly $500 million annual! The hope is that once these two-dimensional bar codes are being used exclusively, that foreign airlines will begin to use them as well. One just has to remember to pack extra batteries and/or their charging cables so your phone will not loose power.

Airport Security Approved Laptop Bags

The Transportation Security Administration, (TSA) just announced that they would be allowing passengers to keep their laptops in specialty designed laptop bags when they go through x-ray machines. The TSA has given design guidelines to manufactures such as Skooba and Targus who will be taking the first stab at designing these new bags. These new laptop bags will allow passengers to keep their laptops secure while stilling letting security officials x-ray your laptop and the bag.

The TSA is hoping that these new bags will make the screening time quicker, since passengers will no longer have to remove their laptops. Unfortunately, some passengers may try and sneak their laptops in bags that do not meet these guidelines. This will in fact make the screening time longer since security personnel will have to remove the laptop and thoroughly check the bag and laptop.

Until the TSA has approved these new bags, the best thing to do would be to be prepared to take your laptop out of your bag. If you have your laptop ready for screening you will be able to get through security a bit quicker since you are already prepared.