Travelrific®
A blog for travel enthusiasts. Listen to our podcast at Travelrific® Radio, and visit our Wanderful Places® Travel Shop!Archive for airlines
Secure Flight Means Tighter ID Requirements
By Linda Tancs
The Transportation Security Administration recently announced the implementation of its Secure Flight program, an initiative from 9/11 requiring airlines to collect precise identity information to match up against the no-fly and warning lists. The program requires that a party present ID at check-in that matches the name given to the airline when making a reservation. Of paramount concern is whether a problem will arise if a driver’s license or passport omits a middle name or middle initial or some other hiccup in identity that is otherwise revealed on a boarding pass, or vice versa. Perhaps it’s too early to tell what the ramifications of the new rule will be, which ultimately will apply to both domestic and international travel (international rules taking effect in late 2009). The best advice? Have the appropriate ID handy when making that reservation or when instructing your travel agent.
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Fido Flies First Class
By Linda Tancs
Remember Eos and Silverjet, those now defunct business-class only airlines? Well, now comes the equivalent for four-legged travelers: Pet Airways. Billing itself as first-class travel for “pawsengers,” the airline uses Beech 1900 turbo props with a proprietary restraint system to fly your dog or cat in its carrier to one of their current destinations: Teterboro, NJ, Washington, DC, Denver, Los Angeles or Chicago. The experience includes a pet attendant, monitored potty breaks before travel and a little decompression in the travel lounge. The only thing missing is filet mignon on a porcelain plate. Rawhide will just have to do for now.
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Air Traffic Control Gets Facelift
By Linda Tancs
The Miami Herald recently heralded a new development in air traffic control. That would be a satellite-based air traffic control system, the first of its kind in the country, being rolled out at Miami International Airport. But don’t say good-bye to conventional radar just yet. It’s likely to stay in place as back-up to this NextGen air traffic technology. Will the air traffic controllers remain in place as well? This isn’t Star Trek, after all. As one commentator put it, “Technology does not run an enterprise, relationships do.”
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Pet Travel Succumbs to Economy
By Linda Tancs
Once peanuts, blankets and pillows were eyed for surcharges then you knew it wouldn’t be long until pets saw a fare hike. And so it goes, with the least expensive ticket averaging $100 each way on low-cost carriers Spirit and JetBlue. Rates on Delta and American have gone to the dogs as well. Will Fido have to sit out Disney World this year? Or more to the point–will you? Maybe so, unless you can find a better kennel rate.
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Kid Travel Made Easy
By Linda Tancs
It isn’t easy traveling with young kids, as anyone witnessing or engaging in the juggling act of strollers, carriers and car seats can attest. Checking all that paraphernalia at the gate is no fun, either. And watching it clunk down some dirty baggage carousel is even worse. So what’s a parent to do? Try Gate Check, a bright red drawstring travel bag for children’s gear. If only luggage packing could be this easy.
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An Airline with Heart
By Linda Tancs
Kudos to JetBlue. In the wake of these economic woes (surely affecting their business as well), the airline is pledging to refund certain eligible fares for those suffering an involuntary loss of employment. Find out more here.
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Ambulance in the Sky
By Linda Tancs
The US Air incident taught us many lessons. One question to ponder is this: if you’re hospitalized as an inpatient hundreds of miles from home, do you have the resources to get transported to the hospital of your choice? Your insurance coverage may require you to choose the medical facility closest to your location–whether that’s in Toledo or Timbuktu. If it’s choice you want, then Air Ambulance card membership gives you the option to get flown from your current locale to the facility you designate. How’s that for simple?
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Continental Soars on Biofuel
By Linda Tancs
Continental took its maiden voyage using biofuel today in engine #2 on a flight to nowhere beginning and ending at the airline’s hub at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport. The fuel in this instance is a mix of algae and jatropha oil, which purportedly reduces the voyage’s carbon footprint as these elements consume carbon during their respective lifecycles. The test flight is a first for a North American carrier and also represents the first use of algae. Recently, Air New Zealand conducted its own successful test flight using jet fuel combined with jatropha oil. The oil is derived from the seeds of jatropha plants. Commonly found in southeastern Africa and Asia, the plant is capable of growing in non-arable land and therefore doesn’t compete for space with food crops. However, the New Zealand carrier did not dedicate an engine solely to the use of biofuel as Continental did. Last February, Virgin also embarked on a flight using an alternative to traditional jet fuel–in that case, coconut oil. Nice to see so many airlines thinking outside the box.
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Casinos Bet on Airport Expansion to Boost Revenues
By Linda Tancs
If I were a betting person, I’d bet the odds are long that an expansion of the airport serving Atlantic City, NJ will bring in more slot players. For one thing, the 13-mile hike to the boardwalk once graced each season by Miss America is less than ideal as are the transportation options. From the airport, you can hail a taxi, rent a car, or take a shuttle service that only accepts cash. And given the economic crunch, it’s unlikely that any new carriers will enter the space or that the airport’s prime tenant, Spirit Airlines, will be able to offer significant new routing options. Still, fingers crossed. Time will tell. Here’s hoping that good ol’ AC can turn the tides.
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Lost Baggage Rule Gets Facelift
By Linda Tancs
Amidst the doom and gloom of baggage mishandling comes a rainbow: the Department of Transportation has increased liability for lost baggage arising from domestic travel from $3000 to $3300, effective today. This means an airline needn’t pay you a penny more than the DOT rate for your losses. Of course, you shouldn’t be packing Sunday’s best (or–gasp–electronic equipment or heirloom jewelry) in that checked bag in any event. Chances are, you’d consider it irreplaceable, no matter how much money the DOT is willing to throw at you. The same is true for international travel, but the compensation rate is about halved.
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