Thank The Economy For a Travel-less Thanksgiving

Yesterday, the Boston Globe ran an article stating that travel over the Thanksgiving holiday were projected to decrease for the first time since 2002. The Automotive Association of America stated that 41 million Americans will travel more than fifty miles for Thanksgiving, this is down by six hundred thousand travelers from last year. This continues to be a pattern since holiday travel for this year has been declining.

Sometimes, when there are not a lot of people traveling it is the perfect opportunity to travel. Other times it is just the opposite. Sometimes airlines will increase the price so they can make up for the unsold seats, other times, airlines will discount seats in order to fill the plan.If you plan on traveling over the holidays, hopefully you have planned ahead. If you haven't you might get lucky and be able to get a good last minuet deal, but don't count on it. When it comes to traveling the best thing to do is always plan ahead and to do your research.

Love Traveling....Again

Earlier this moth, there was an article on MSNBC indicating that there are more reasons to love travel than ever before. Albeit many of you are probably cursing the very thought of travel, now that there are numerous different airline fees for this, that, and another; but there are also a few of you who are glad to be traveling now. Many of you might have to travel every week for business, while others travel occasionally, but the consensus seems to be, that we love to travel again.


The following are some of the reasons why we love to travel now:

• Since prices have soared in other areas of travel, many companies are offering bargains and discounts. Check out Priceline and Hotwire for great discounts.

• Travelers are able to get more upgrades (some without having to ask). Weather it is an upgraded room or an upgrade to your rental, don't be afraid to ask for one on your next trip.

• Now that many companies are loosing business due to the economy, many customer service representatives are a lot nicer to the customers they do have.

• Europe is becoming a cheaper place to travel. Since many airlines are cutting back on their domestic flights, some of them have been adding more international flights to their schedules. Europe is also becoming cheaper again thanks to the strengthening of the dollar against the Euro.

• Since there are less people traveling for leisure, there is less of a crowd at airports, car rental facilities, and hotels. Having less of a crowd allows for less stress and a quicker check-in/out.

The love of travel seems to go in cycles; when the economy is good thus a lot of people are traveling we hate it and when the economy is doing poorly thus not many people are traveling, we love it. We need to try and find a happy medium, so we can all love traveling all the time.

United Cancels Plans To Charge More....

According to Business Week, United Airlines has decided to abandon their plan for a second bag fee hike. United Airlines was planning on increasing their second checked baggage fee from $25 to $50. United still charges a fee of $15 (each way) for checking one bag.

Continental Reduces Carry-On Allowance Size

This month, Continental Airlines has decreased the size allowance of their carry on bags from 51 linear inches to 45 linear inches (which is now the same size allowance as their top competitors). This new rule comes shortly after Continental began new charges for checking bags.


Due to the new fees, many passengers have been trying to save money. They have been attempting this by trying to carry as much as they possible can onto their carry on bags. Unfortunately, Continental is making this harder by limiting the size of their carry-on bags. So what is one to do? The obvious answer would be to try and pack lighter. To only take the items that you really need.

Remember though, most airlines also allow passengers to carry on a personal item (such as a briefcases, laptop bag, purse, small backpack, diaper bags, etc. Your best bet would be to utilize the extra bag that you are allowed to bring on. Try and pack some of your smaller items into your additional carry-on bag, but make sure that the bag is not bulky. Remember, the bag will have to be small enough to fit under the airplane's seats.

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. 

The Fate of Business Travel is still Questionable

How is the rejection of the $700 bailout plan going to affect the travel industry? Well if you travel mainly for business it could have a great effect. With the economy doing poorly, may business travelers may be finding themselves sleeping in less then stellar hotels. Companies are going to be expecting their sales teams to bring in more sales while spending less on obtaining the sale (i.e. flight and hotel costs for the employee).

Since the airlines have been cutting back on the areas that they are servicing and how often flights are being offered, don't be surprised if your next business trip flight will be leaving at six or seven in the morning along with a layover or two. While on the road, companies will probably be limiting the number of meals that they are willing to pay for, as well as the quality of the hotel you'll be staying in, and the rental car you'll be driving.

According to the New York Times, many companies feel differently about how much they are willing to spend next year on travel expenses. A third said they would be spending the same amount, while another third said they would be spending less, and a few companies state that they would be spending more since costs will be increasing. But with the economy changing these forcasts for how much companies are willing to spend will probably change. 

Being Bumped Can Be A Bummer

With many airlines cutting back on the number of flights they offer as well as the number of routes they offer many airline companies are overbooking their flights. With overbooked flights the chance of people being bumped from their flight increases. Sometimes this doesn't cause a problem, but for many travelers this can cause a huge problem, since it might mean that they'll be missing a business meeting or some other important event. 

Being bumped from a flight means that a passenger is denied a seat on a flight even though they have already reserved it. Airline companies tend to overbook their flights in hopes that some of the passengers will not show up for their flight. Usually when a flight is overbooked, the airline company will ask passengers if they would volunteer to take a later flight.

To avoid being bumped from your next flight remember to:

• Arrive to your flight as early as possible
• If you can, check in for your flight online
• If possible, try to take a less popular route

Say Good-Bye To Frequent Flier Miles....

With the economy struggling to stay afloat more than the value of the dollar is taking a beating. All those frequent flier miles you may have racked up have started to become more and more worthless. Since airlines have been adding new fees (what seems like everyday), cutting their routes, and the frequency of their flights, there is less and less to buy with all those earned miles.

Some airline companies have been teaming up with credit card companies. In this case the credit card companies are prepaying for miles that they can then hand out to their customers. This is an advantage to the airlines since they are getting money, that they can then use for other purposes. The credit card companies then get the miles that they paid for and the consumers can then start to earn miles. 

But the question becomes how many miles is one individual going to need in order to take a flight across the country? The number of miles needed might increase since the airlines have instilled so many fees. The airline company needs to (try) and cover their bottom line. 

Air Canada To Remove Life Vests

In another effort to cut back costs on airlines, Air Canada Jazz has decided to remove life vests from their flights. Jazz hopes that by doing so, the airplanes will weigh less thus use less fuel. The seats on Jazz airlines can still be used as a flotation device in the case of a water landing; but there will no longer be any vests. 

According to Transport Canada regulations, any flight that is traveling roughly 56 miles from shore needs to carry a life preserver for each person on board, but anything less than that, the airlines have an option of life vests or flotation devices.  In order to make sure their flights were within the required distance, Jazz has re-routed some flights. 

The question now becomes how much further are airlines going to go to cut costs? Charging for a blanket and headphones is one thing, but removing life vests is a safety issue. Is that what the airline companies are getting to today, we'll charge you extra to be comfortable, but we really do not care much about your safety. What's next, will airlines remove the oxygen masks and fire extinguishers too?

Forgot Your Charger? No Problem, Go To Best Buy Express

Picture this, you are at the airport and have made sure that your luggage is the appropriate weight, you made sure you didn't overpack so you wouldn't have to pay extra fees and have made it through security with little hassle. You have just sat down on an uncomfortable chair (or if your lucky, your in one of the business lounges) when you remember an important phone call you need to make before your flight leaves.  You pull out your cell phone to notice that your battery is almost depleted. You franticly look for your phone charger only to remember that you left it at home! 

Pretty soon you wont have to worry if this situation happens to you; Best Buy has been designing kiosks to install in airports across the country. Currently Best Buy kiosks (which are titled "Best Buy Express") are installed in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and San Francisco airports; Best Buy is hoping to install more kiosks by September 1.

Best Buy Express kiosks will be stocked with media players, unlocked cell phones, digital cameras, portable gaming devices, chargers (phone, iPods, cameras, etc.) flash devices, computer accessories, and headphones. So if you ever find yourself in a situation similar to the one above, you no longer need to worry. Just walk on over to a Best Buy Express and buy what you left at home. 

Stay Connected, Even At 35,000 Feet In The Air

Today it was announced on The Middle Seat, that Delta will be providing their passengers with Wi-Fi access mid flight. Delta is hoping to have 75 planes with Wi-Fi access by the end of this year and have all of their planes with Wi-Fi by summer 2009. 

Delta is planning on charging for the connivence of using Wi-Fi mid air. The price will range from $9.95 for flights that are under three hours and $12.95 for flights that are longer than three hours. This will give Delta another source of revenue; although passengers might be more willing to pay for Wi-Fi than having to pay to check their bags. 

The question then becomes will travelers want to be connected all the time? It used to be that one could relax (although the seats are not that comfortable) during their flights. The time during a flight one could catch up on reading, sleeping, or watching their favorite movie. Now that Wi-Fi is being offered the business traveler might be tempted to stay connected throughout their entire trip. 

Expect other airlines to follow suit. 

Registered Travelers Have It So Easy

Recently, the Transportation Security Administration announced that they would be expanding their Registered Traveler (RT) program. Currently, RT is being run at nineteen airports in a pilot program. Now that the TSA has announced the expansion, any airport who is interested in the program may participate, which will be exciting news for the roughly 135,000 who are already registered with the program. 

The TSA developed the RT program "to provide expedited security screening for passengers who volunteer to undergo a TSA conducted security threat assessment (STA) in order to confirm that they do not pose or are not suspected of posing a threat to transportation or national security." In order to enroll in the program, applicants have to provide biographic and biometric data, as well as pay $100 for the first year; (The TSA has removed their $28 fee) If the applicants are accepted, then they are given high tech cards which will allow them to quickly get through security. 

Some of the benefits of the RT program are: 

• Fast passage through airport security

• Access to a designated security lines
  

• A stress-free airport experience
  

• Discounts for service or concessions

Minimum Stay Requirement For Domestic Flights

According to ABC News, starting in October, United Airlines will be requiring minimum stays for domestic flights. This means if you are taking a quick business trip and are planning to fly United, you might have to stay at your destination for three nights.  Are there many people who need to take a trip that is shorter than three nights? If there are then what would stop them from buying one-way tickets? This is just another crazy idea the airline industry has to try and combat the rise in fuel prices. 

As well as requiring a minimum stay, United will be raising their fares by as much as $90 for a one way ticket. So buying separate tickets would be out of the question, unless you are willing to pay the extra $90. What new fees will the airline industry come up with next?

It's Travel Time: Do You Know Where Your Laptop Is?

A recent study sponsored by Dell and conducted by the Ponemon Institute indicated that on average over 10,000 laptops are stolen from airports each week. This calculates out to about 60,000 stolen laptops a year. Out of the 10,000 laptops stolen each week, only about 30% are recovered and returned to their owners. Sometimes laptops are recovered, but they stay at airports until they are disposed of.

The majority of laptops that are stolen are at security check points. It is not hard for a thief to grab one's laptop and claim it as their own; airport personnel are too busy to remember if a person had a laptop with them or not. 

For travelers (both social and business) loosing a laptop could mean a heap of trouble. There are a lot of valuable and personal information in one's laptop such as credit card information, identifying information, and even private company information is usually located in one's laptop. The research showed that the majority of travelers (about 65%) do not take precautions to secure or backup their data; most people think that it will not happen to them.

The following are some steps, taken from Network World, that one can take to help avoid their laptop from being stolen. 

• Place your laptop in the second bin. Sandwich it between other personal belongings. 

• Mark your laptop with stickers or other identifying markers. DO NOT put any personal information that thieves can use to identify you. 

• If you lose your laptop, contact airport security immediately

• If you are a frequent flyer, you might want to invest in one of the new TSA approved laptop bags

"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

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.

American Airlines to Charge for Checking Bags

According to ABC News and the Wall Street Journal, American Airlines will be charging $15 to check a bag. This new fee comes on the heels of numerous other airlines announcing that they will be charging $25 to check a second bag. American is hoping that the new fee will help them end up in the black by the end of the fiscal year. With crude oil prices being higher than ever, airlines are having to look for new ways to improve their bottom line. Some airlines are charging for amenities such as a blanket, more leg room or an aisle seat, while other airlines are limiting the number of flights they offer. To some individuals, the implementation of this new fee is not a surprise. One would assume that competitors of American Airlines will get more business since they do not require such a fee. But in order for the competing airlines to make money, they will have to cut costs in other areas, whether it be amenities or the number of available flights.



So what does this new fee mean to passengers? This new fee will probably make the number of carry-on bags increase, which will mean that there will be fighting over the already limited overhead space. What happens if you plan on storing your bag into the overhead bin and there is no room? You'd better be prepared to fork over the extra money to have it checked. How much longer will it be before all the airlines start to implement similar fees?

Getting Through Security

One of the greatest stressors about traveling by plane is getting through airport security. Going through security can take a long time and can be very intrusive. There are some ways that one can expedite their security check. Here are some suggestions on how to reduce your stress.

• Plan ahead when choosing the clothes you will wear on the airplane

• Be aware of any metal items that you are wearing i.e. belt buckles, steel toed shoes, watches, body piercings, hair clips, jewelry, etc.

• Don’t over pack your carry-on

• Remember that anything that you pack in your carry on might get handled by security personnel

• Be prepared to take off your shoes

• If carrying medication with you, make sure that it is clearly labeled

• If carrying any type of electronic equipment (laptop, camera, cell phone, PDA, etc.) be ready to remove them from your bag and place them in a bin to be x-rayed

• If bringing a gift, don’t wrap it until you get to your destination

• Double check what items are prohibited

• Remember 3-1-1

• Make sure you have your boarding pass and ID ready

• Remember to take a deep breath; everyone has to go through security

Are the New Full Body X-Ray Machines Too Revealing?

Recently, the TSA has installed new x-ray machines and full body imagers in airports. These new x-ray machines are more advanced than the current ones and allow security personal to screen carry-on bags more clearly and efficiently. The new x-ray machines will limit the number of hand searches that are conducted on passenger’s carry-on luggage. The new full body imagers will allow for TSA personnel to quickly and thoroughly screen travelers, limiting the number of pat-downs.

The new x-ray machines are already being used in Philadelphia, Washington Dulles and Reagan, Los Angeles, Denver and Las Vegas. The full body imagers are currently being used in the following airports: Phoenix, Los Angeles- LAX and New York’s JFK. Within the next couple of weeks, the full body imager will be installed at Dallas- Ft. Worth, Miami, Detroit, Las Vegas, Washington-Reagan, and Denver, as well as other airports.

Some privacy issues have been expressed regarding the use of the full body imager. There is an example of such an image at Evolution of Security . This is an example of what security personnel will see when a passenger is being screened.

As you can see, it can feel a bit exposing. Be assured that the individual who is screening the image is located in a separate room; they are unable to see you and they are the only one who sees the image. The image is examined to see if the passenger has any metallic and/or non-metallic items (prior to entrance, the passenger has to empty all items from their pockets). Immediately following the screening, the image is deleted. Feedback from passengers has indicated that they prefer this method; since it does not require any physical contact from security personnel and it is much faster (total screening time is approximately 3 seconds) than a manual pat down.

Traveling Comfortably

Being uncomfortable while traveling can be so annoying and can transform a dream vacation into an awful experience. Although air travel presents its unique challenges, there are many ways you can improve your chances for a more comfortable flight. In order to start your vacation on the right foot one would want their time spent traveling to be as comfortable as possible.


There are many products available that can enhance your comfort during your travel experience. When traveling by plane, make sure to wear comfortable clothing. Anything that is too tight or doesn’t fit you well should not be worn. In addition to wearing comfortable clothes, one should also make sure that they are wearing comfortable shoes. Make sure to pack additional layers in your travel bag; it might get cold on the plane.

If you wear contacts, you may want to take them out for the flight and use your glasses instead. The air in planes can dry and irritate your eyes. You may also want to bring eye drops to lubricate your dry tired eyes; this is a good idea even if you don’t wear contacts.

Another tip would be to take some Tylenol or Ibuprofen on board with you. It is helpful to have some type of pain reliever, in case you get a headache while on the plane. It also comes in handy once you get off the plane, when your muscles are tired and sore. Remember to always pack your medications in your toiletry kit.

Another consideration during long flights (six or more hours) is the development of a DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). According to WebMD, a DVT “is a condition wherein a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a vein of the deep system [veins comprised within the muscles of the body]”. The primary cause of a DVT is poor blood flow and circulation.

The following tips help prevent DVTs when traveling:

• Purchase compression stockings at a medical supply store and wear them during your flight
• Try to avoid crossing your feet for long periods of time
• Drink plenty of fluids (stay away from coffee and alcohol; these can dehydrate you)
• Get up and move around- every hour
• If you have a connecting flight, walk around the terminal

Planning carefully in advance of a trip will enhance your comfort. Rather than being preoccupied with annoying distractions, you will be able to more fully enjoy your travel experience.

More Fees for Passengers?

As previously blogged, the air industry has started to charge for checking a second bag. According to an article from the Boston Globe, US Airways and JetBlue Airway Corp have taken it a step further and will be starting to implement additional fees. The fees that will be implemented would consist of charging for a pillow, blanket, headphones, even priority seating, a window seat and a seat that provides extra legroom. Such fees have already been in effect for Air Canada (where 45% of their domestic passengers paid additional fees in 2007) and European airline, Ryanair Ltd.


These new fees are becoming more common among airlines; the airlines are trying to compensate for the rising price in fuel. Starting today, US Airways will start charging at least $5 to passengers who want to reserve an aisle or window seat, if they are flying coach.

JetBlue has started to charge passengers $10 to $30 extra if they want to sit in rows that have a greater distance between the seats. According to the article, since this new option was introduced, JetBlue has “Doubled the amount of revenue [we] anticipated for the first year of [our] rollout”

At the beginning of June, JetBlue will also start charging $1 for headphones. These headphones will be of better quality than the complimentary ones and will only be available for purchase before boarding the plane. In June, JetBlue will start charging passengers if they want a pillow or an extra blanket. Similarly, the quality of the pillows and blankets will be better than the complimentary ones and they will be for the passengers to keep.

Apparently, these new fees are not making everyone shudder. Some people are still willing to fly. Some individuals think that their flying experience might be better, now that they can pick and choose the additional amenities they would like.

Losing One's Luggage

Picture this: you just got off of a long plane ride and you are waiting to de-board. You are probably exhausted from the trip and anxiously wanting to take a shower to wash all that plane filth off. You de-board and look for signs that indicate where the baggage claim is. You follow the signs along with the other passengers. Once you find the correct carousel you wait for the buzzer that indicates that your luggage will be making its way around the conveyor belt. The buzzer goes off and the conveyor belt begins to move; people try to squeeze through so they can make sure they are the first one to see the luggage emerge. You nervously wait for your bags to make their way onto the conveyor belt. Bag after bag makes its way around the carousel; some bags go around twice or more before they are claimed. The crowd thins out as passengers claim their bags and make their way outside. You see the same bag round the carousel for a fifth time. The conveyor belt stops. You still don’t have your bag. What do you do now?

Your initial reaction may be to curse and to shout, but the best thing to do is to take a deep breath and make your way to the baggage claim desk. At the baggage claim desk, they will ask for your basic flight information. The attendant will check to see if the baggage made it onto the plane or if it was misplaced. Hopefully, your bag was just misplaced and the attendant was able to find it. But if your bag is really lost, what now? The attendant will ask you to provide basic information and the address where you are staying; you will also have to fill out a lost baggage form. With any luck, you will have your bag before the end of your trip.

Following are some tips:

• Always pack your valuables and medications in your carry-on bag
• Attach a ribbon or another identifying marker so you can easily spot your luggage
• If your traveling with another person, pack an outfit into each other’s bags; if one of your bags gets lost, you won't be stuck without a change of clothes
• Pack an extra change of clothes in your carry-on bag
• Place an itinerary in your checked bagged; once the airline finds your bag, they will know where you are on your trip

Hopefully on your next flight, you wont be one of the last ones at the luggage carousel wondering where your bag is.

Charging for Second Bag

Recently numerous airlines have started to charge passengers if they want to check a second bag. Before, airlines would allow you to check two bags per-person and only charge extra if you needed to check a third. That is not the case anymore for Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways. The aforementioned airlines are now starting to charge $25 to check a second bag.


For most ‘casual’ travelers, this may not pose any inconvenience whatsoever; but what about a business traveler or a traveler who has to carry many samples or a one-of-a-kind item with them? Should they have to pay these new fees? Some airlines are exempting those who fly first class or passengers who participate in their miles program (usually only preferred members) from having to pay the extra fee.

So for those of you who do not meet the requirements that exempt you from this fee, what should you do? Some suggestions could be to try and pack lighter, if possible, or to try other methods of getting your goods to your destination. One could pay FedEx or UPS to ship their luggage to their destination, but this could end up costing more.

I went onto the UPS site to get a guesstimate for how much it would cost to ship luggage that weighed 51 pounds with the dimensions of 27 x 18 x 10 inches from Boston to San Francisco. If I sent off my luggage the day before I needed it, it would cost me $292 ($584 roundtrip). This price would include an extra charge for me to ship my package to a UPS center. In order to save myself some money I could send off my luggage five days before I plan on reaching my destination. If I choose this option, it would cost $59 ($118 roundtrip), which would also include the cost of shipping it to a UPS center.

Since there doesn’t seem to be a better option (if you have one I would love to hear it) I guess we will just have to drag our feet and pay the fee.