A New Year, A New Liquid Rule (It's Not Bad)

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced (via their blog) that restrictions on carry -on liquid items will be eased next year at major U.S. airports, and that they plan to lift the restrictions all together by 2010. The TSA will be introducing a new advanced technology (AT) X-ray machine that will be installed in all major airports by fall of next year. This new X-ray will allow for the removal of size restrictions on carry-on liquids. All liquids that will be carried onto plans will still have to be put into separate bins for X-raying. By 2010 air travelers will be allowed to keep their non-hazardous liquids in their carry-on bags when going through security check points.

Currently, travelers are still restricted to the 3-1-1 rule. The 3-1-1 rule states that an airline passenger can only have 3 ounces of liquid or less in 1 quart size bag per traveler. These new rules will be a big weight lifted off of the shoulders of travelers all across the globe. When this new rule is in effect, it means that we will no longer be required to throw out our water bottles before the security gates. This also means that if we were to buy an expensive wine from Italy, we will not have to check it in our bags.

Continental to Waive Checked Luggage Fee (For Some...)

Earlier today, it was announced that Continental Airlines will waive their fee for the first checked bag for Continental Airlines Chase credit and debit card members. This new policy will save travelers $30 (round trip); but if you are a Plus car member, you can save even more. For those of you who hold an Continental Airlines Presidential Plus card, you can check up to two bags without having to pay the checked baggage fee, which can be a savings of up to $40 each way! If you plan on utilizing this new policy, you still have to make sure that the bag that you are checking meets weight and size restrictions.



This is a great change of pace. After coming off the heels of a summer where it seemed that everyday there was a new airline fee that one had to worry about, it looks like we might (fingers-crossed) be coming to an end of all the fees.

Make Sure To Tag Your Luggage

Picture this, you are at the baggage carousel awaiting for your bag to make its way to you. You finally spot your bag, but then you notice that there are two other bags identical to yours. You don't want to pick up the wrong bag and as you are contemplating whether or not it is your bag, it passes you by.


None of this would have happened if you had a luggage tag on your luggage. Luggage tags are a great way to identify which bags are yours on the rotating baggage claim. Other than aesthetically, luggage tags serve a purpose. They are used first when trying to identify someone's lost bag.

There are many different kinds and types of luggage tags on the market today. When choosing a luggage tag, make sure it is one that you will be able to notice on a bag that is making its way around the carousel. Also, make sure before you leave on your trip that the information on the tag is current and up to date. Remember to have fun with your luggage tag, as of right now, there are no restrictions on the type and kind of luggage tag that you choose to use.

Expanded Use of Paperless Boarding Passes

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is planing on expanding their electronic boarding pass program nationwide over the next year or so. Earlier this year, the TSA tested their paperless boarding pass program in a select number of airports across the country. Currently, Delta Airlines are utilizing paperless boarding passes at LaGuardia, and will soon use them in Atlanta, Orlando, and Salt Lake City.

Boarding passes are e-mailed to passenger's cellphone and will appear on the screen as a bar code. When going to a security checkpoint, the passenger has to show the screener their cellphone with the bar code visible, and the screener will scan it. Once scanned, the scanner's hand held device will show the passenger's name and flight information, which is then cross-referenced with the passenger's ID. The traditional boarding pass is still available? Those that would most likely utilize the paperless boarding passes are business travelers and those who are frequent fliers and who already carry their electronic devices with them.

Before an airline can use paperless boarding passes, the airline has to get approval from the TSA. The TSA wants to make sure that the bar codes meet certain criteria, in order to prevent forged boarding passes (which will be a lot harder once they become electronic)

Europe is hoping to make paperless boarding passses stanadard for all flights within the the next two to four years.

Best Places to Expereince Fall

Now that autumn is in full swing, it would be the perfect time to take a fall foliage drive. New England has been known for their spectacular fall foliage, but New England is not the only place that one can drive to in order to view all that fall has to offer.



Recently, Forbes Traveler put together a list of the the "15 Most Awesome Autumn Drives". The following is a list of the places that Forbes noted as being great locals for experiencing fall.

• Black Hills, South Dakota

• State Highway 126, Oregon

• Denali Highway, Alaska

• Natchez Trace Parkway, Tennessee, Alabama & Mississippi

• Cabot Trail, Cape Brenton Island, Canada

• Highway 88, High Sierra Via Carson Pass, California
  

• Kancamagus Highway, White Mt. National Forest, New Hampshire

• Southern Utah and Northern Arizona

• Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin

• Green Mountains, Vermont

• Route 129, Pennsylvania

• Columbia River Gorge Road, Oregon

• Amish Country Byway, Ohio

• Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina

• Coconino National Forest, Arizona

If you are not near any of these locations, you can always check The Weather Channel for their fall foliage map.

Need a Personal Travel Assistant? Just "TripIt"

Have you ever wished that you had a personal travel assistant that could help you when you traveled? Someone who could keep your itinerary, notify you of the weather, gives you maps and directions and is also able to share your travel plans with friends or family. Well for those of us who do not have a personal assistant, or someone who is able to be our assistant when we travel there it TripIt. 

TripIt is a free service that allows you to do all that a personal assistant would (expect call and cancel dinner plans). TripIt is able to consolidate all your itineraries, gives you predicted weather reports for your destinations, gives you maps and directions and also allows you to share your travel plans with others. 

There are two ways to utilize all that TripIt has to offer, you can register free online or you can send TripIt your itinerary (at plans@tripit.com) from a major airline, car rental company and or hotel. After you mail them your itinerary, TripIt will set up an account for you, and well e-mail you a confirmation that will include a link so you can complete your registration. If you have more than one leg to your trip, TripIt will be able to figure out the dates and locations, and is able to merge it into one master itinerary. TripIt also allows access to your e-mail where you can see which one of your friends also use TripIt, and if your friend happens to be in the same location as you, TripIt will send you an alert notifying you that "John" is in the same location. 

Overall TripIt is a wonderful program that allows you to have your own personal travel assistant. Additionally, TripIt has social-networking capabilities where you can connect and notify your friends regarding your travel plans. 

Start Planning Early For 2009 Travel

For those of you who are planning on traveling in 2009, there are some things that you should be aware of before your trip. Even though it just became October it is never to early to begin planning for trips happening in 2009. You do not want it to be 3 days before your trip and realize that you'll be needing a passport to drive into Canada!

In an article recently published on MSNBC, the following are new issues that will be taking effect in 2009.

• Starting June 1 a passport will be required for all border crossings whether its by air, land or sea. To avoid the passport rush seen before, apply for your passport as soon as possible, even if you are not planning on going anywhere soon.

• The European Parliament issued a new rule, which should take effect late in 2008 or early 2009, where when traveling to or in Europe all airfare prices have to include taxes, and fees when advertised. This will put an end to all the surprise charges that are seen when buying a ticket.

• Another law that might (fingers crossed) come into effect in 2009 is the Passenger Bill of Rights. This Bill would provide passengers who are stuck on planes for more than three hours, (due to delays) with fresh air, food, water, and waste removal. This bill was first introduced in New York, but was struck down by the federal appeals court this past March.

So regardless if you already have all your travel plans for 2009 booked, make sure that you brush up on the new rules and regulations before you departure, and don't forget to register to get your passport as soon as possible if you don't have your yet.