Air Travel: September 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Air Travel: Most Popular Articles: US Airways Tickets and Res

Air Travel: Most Popular Articles

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US Airways Tickets and Res

Sep 30th 2012, 11:35

US Airways offers check-in online, and a few of the particulars of their web check-in services:

US Airways - Check-in online up to 24 hours prior to departure.
Domestic travel is eligible for online check-in, but not all international destinations are. If you are traveling with an infant not occupying a seat, you cannot check-in online.
Checked luggage can be taken to any US Airways skycap (for domestic flights), airport kiosk line or the ticket counter.

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Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Tips for Using your Frequent

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Tips for Using your Frequent

Sep 30th 2012, 11:05

There is a skill to redeeming frequent flyer miles. Not every seat on every flight is available for payment with frequent flyer miles, but rather a varying percentage of seats are made available. You will be competing for fewer available seats, so the top 10 list for how to redeem your miles is even more important.

Some of the redemption options that American Airlines offers are quite different from other frequent flyer plans such as teaming up with programs that allow you to use miles towards savings for college.

American Airlines' Top 10 ways to use the miles you've earned

1. Vacation Planning - members can use as few as 500 miles towards paying for vacations planned with AAVacations.com, including hotel, car rentals and local activities.
2. Off-peak travel awards - you can use less miles if you are willing to travel at less popular times which vary by destination.
3. Short-Hop awards - these are not always available and pop up more as a promotion which allow members to claim awards on trips of 750 miles or less at reduced mileage levels.
4. Gift of Travel - you can use your miles to give travel opportunities to family members, friends or even donate miles to various charities.
5. Admirals Clubs - use you miles to use the lounge. AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for annual Admirals Club memberships and really relax before your flights.
6. Hotels - starting at 500 AAdvantage miles, members can book vacation packages which include hotel stays, airport transfers and other features through AmericanAirlines Vacations.
7. Magazines - you can redeem miles for some of your favorite magazines. Subscriptions start at 400 miles and can be setup online through Magazines for Miles.
8. College Savings - American Airlines has teamed up with Upromise, to save for college. AAdvantage members can now redeem frequent flyer miles for college savings and deposit them into their Upromise account.
9. Shopping - Points.com allows AAdvantage members to exchange miles for shopping gift certificates at lots of well known retailers and restaurants.
10. Donate - you can donate your miles to various charities such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation. When you make a donation to one of Americanâ€™s partner organizations, you will earn extra AAdvantage miles.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: My Passport Was Stolen

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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My Passport Was Stolen

Sep 30th 2012, 11:05

My passport was stolen a little more than five years ago. It happened at an airport in North America. When you hear stories about a stolen passport you automatically think that it happens somewhere else, somewhere less developed, and most certainly not at home. But here I was, I had just returned from a trip to Eastern Europe, and passed through customs. I don't remember the exact moment that my passport was stolen, but in an instant it went from being loosely held in my hand (having just finished speaking with a customs officer and declaring the goods I had purchased), to being gone.

At first I thought that I had passed it over to one of the friends that I had traveled with on the trip. Minutes later I realized that I was the only one missing a passport. I went numb. I chastised myself, angry that I could let this happen, that I didn't take enough care with my most important identity document. And I moved to disbelief, calling the airport's lost and found incessantly over the course of the following days. But my passport was gone. In my home country, and the airport I worked at, my passport was stolen. Here I was, a seasoned traveler and airline worker, and in the jet lag of returning home, and not paying enough attention after customs, my passport was stolen.

I was set to travel to Southeast Asia only weeks later, so I almost immediately filed a report with the police. I next went to the Passport Office to apply for a replacement passport, and to report my previous passport as lost or stolen. After presenting all of the necessary documents to prove my identity, I completed my application and soon received a new passport without incident. I worried that someone might try to use my stolen passport, but I had filed reports and assumed that I would be contacted if there were any further problems. The fact that I was able to travel on the replacement passport for the next four and a half years eased me into believing that there were no problems with the old passport. I would soon find out that I was sadly mistaken.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Preferred Seating - Emergency

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Preferred Seating - Emergency

Sep 30th 2012, 11:05

Although not all airlines restrict the booking of exit row seating be forewarned - if you or someone you are traveling with falls under the restrictions placed on the emergency exit rows, you/they will be reseated. The inflight crew will not ignore safety procedures, which certainly does include whether a passenger should or shouldn't be seated in the exit row.

So what passengers may be barred from being seated in an emergency exit row?

Children under 12 (sometimes up to 15) years old
Unaccompanied minors
Infants
Passengers with any physical or mental limitations that may affect a passenger's ability to perform the functions required to remove the door and/or clear the path in the case of an emergency
Passengers traveling with a pet or service animal
Passengers who do not feel comfortable with the idea of performing the necessary duties in the case of an emergency
Passengers who do not speak any of the languages used by the crew on board (passengers in the exit row need to be able to understand safety instructions in the case of an emergency)
Passengers who have requested additional assistance from the airline, whether it be assistance to or from the aircraft, additional assistance on board, etc.

The extra legroom can almost make you forget that your elbows are snuggly planted against your rib cage, but the emergency exit row comes with restrictions. Make sure that you do not fall under those restrictions when you secure a seat in order to avoid the disappointment or frustration of being reseated.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: YYZ

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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YYZ

Sep 29th 2012, 11:08

1 Full name - Toronto Pearson International Airport

2 The airport's website

3 Address/Phone Number - (416) 776 -3000

4 Location, location, location - 27 km north-west of downtown Toronto (approx 16 miles).

5 Flight Information - Arrivals/Departures

6 Major Airline(s) that serve the airport - hub of Air Canada

7 All airlines that serve the airport

8 Transportation to/from the airport

9 Fun fact - Canadian rock legends RUSH composed an instrumental piece called YYZ...not many airports can claim to be a musical inspiration.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Flights to Antarctica

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Flights to Antarctica

Sep 29th 2012, 11:08

The time of year for seeing Antarctica is during the summer in the Southern Hemisphere. This usually means flights in late November until January. Few flights are offered, and they are expensive, but for the air traveler without a budget limit, and who wants to see all the continents, then a flight to Antarctica can make it happen.

Few flights to Antarctica are open to the general flying public. Plus, you will be looking at a pretty big price tag. These are the flights to Antarctica:

Antarctica Sightseeing Flights - Day trip from Australia on a Qantas 747. About four hours is spent flying over Antarctica. Prices range from $999 to $5499 Australian Dollars. Boarding is available out of Sydney or Melbourne.

One and two day trips to Antarctica - Several flight options ranging from $2500 - $3500 USD from Punta Arenas, Chile to King George Island.

Antarctic Logistics - If you are looking to land and trek Antarctica, and are open to spending anywhere from $15,000 to $60,000 then you can experience this continent by flight and foot.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Coming and Going from FCO

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Coming and Going from FCO

Sep 29th 2012, 11:08

Navigating FCO (Rome, Italy) = Chaos. This is a busy airport. For many travelers FCO is the first point of arrival for an Italian adventure or a mediterranean cruise. Given a busy airport, tips on navigating through are always in order!

Breathe deeply...this is an airport that bursts with passengers. So we'll look at arriving and departing from this Italian hub.

If you are arriving from other points in Europe, you are likely to arrive and depart from Terminals A or B. From overseas? Terminal C.

Customs is a fairly rapid process. It seems a quick gaze at your passport and you are done.

On the arrivals level there are several shuttles and taxis (approx 40 euro to the city center). If you are taking the train (Tren Italia), you will need to go to the departures level, continue outside, and look for the pedestrian overpass that will take you to the train station.

You have 2 choices to take you to the city center. The non-stop Leonardo daVinci to Rome Termini is about 10 euro. The slightly slower, but frequent regular service is approximately 5 euro.

If you are taking a cruise from Civitavecchia you have an inexpensive option with the train. Where taxis charge between 130-140 euro to the port, the train is a fraction of that cost. You simply go to the ticket counter and purchase a 5 euro ticket to Trastevere and purchase a Trastevere to Civitavecchia ticket (about 4 euro) at the same time.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Death On Board

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Death On Board

Sep 28th 2012, 11:05

It happens infrequently, but it does happen several times a year - someone dies on board a flight or in the airport.

I have heard anecdotally from a flight attendant friend about her experience with a passenger who died during a flight, and have had it happen at the airport while working.

At the airport
My own experience was a night, about 12 years ago while on shift at the airport. It was before 9/11, and doubtful what occurred would happen now. In any case, I was working the international gates and about 100 feet ahead of me I saw two passengers pushing a wheelchair with an elderly passenger who appeared to be slumped over. I thought it odd, but the passengers made it past airport security screening so I let it go.

Less than an hour later at a neighboring gate, I heard cries and wailing. Not good. So I went over as my own flight was closed and pulling away from the gate. Turns out that the passenger in the wheelchair was dead - and had been for over 12 hours, but according to family who were traveling with him, it was cheaper to fly him than to send him via cargo. The deceased passenger didn't fly but it still amazes me that he ever made it past the screening point.

During a flight
One of my flight attendant friends was flying to Portugal on an uneventful flight when a passenger passed away just an hour before arrival. When they discovered the passenger was dead, on a full flight, just before final descent they improvised. A blanket, and a tightened seat belt covered the passenger and kept him strapped in. The flight was full so there was nowhere else to put him and the flight was descending(and he was seated beside a window), so covering him up and strapping him in was what they decided to do.

Because it was an international flight and the death was deemed to have occurred outside of Portuguese airspace the aircraft was quarantined (but thankfully for the crew, they didn't have to sit out any of the quarantine period on board). It did make returning home a bit more complicated, but the crew did say the saving grace was the passenger who died was a Portuguese national, so the quarantine was much shorter than it might have been.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Carry-on Luggage - What Items

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Carry-on Luggage - What Items

Sep 28th 2012, 11:05

There has been a lot of backlash directed at the TSA for banning items such as pumped breastmilk amounts of over 3 ounces when a woman was traveling without her infant. Millions of dollars worth of lighters also made their way into TSA bins. But guess what? Like many things in the air travel industry, these regulations are changing again and there is INCREASED flexibility in items that may be toted in your carry-ons.

Lighters and breastmilk can be brought on board. Strange combo? But seriously, the TSA has confiscated millions of lighters and has gotten into some hot water for confiscating the pumped breastmilk of mothers who have had to travel for business or whatever other reasons without their infants - and pumped breastmilk takes time and energy and should never have been banned as carry on since it could easily be spoiled in checked luggage.

It's important to note that depending on the country you travel to their may be some differences in what you can bring on board, which are highlighted below.

In the U.S. corkscrews are allowed for carry-on, whereas in Canada corkscrews are only permitted in checked luggage. Toy weapons are banned as carry on in the U.K., Canada, and other countries, but only true-looking replicas are banned in the U.S.. Metal nail files are nearly universally banned, but nail clippers with no metal nail file are not.

Any doubt of what you can or can't bring can be taken away by following the links to some of the government websites about airport security screening. Any further doubts? Then it is a good idea to call the airline directly as they will outline what can/not be brought on board, and can advise you not only about banned potential weapons, but about what the airline considers dangerous goods as well.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Face Massage Techniques

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Face Massage Techniques

Sep 28th 2012, 11:05

We continue more specifically by placing your index fingers just above the nose and in between the eyebrows. You can rest your head in your hands as you do this if it is more comfortable for you.

Apply about the pressure of squeezing a fresh lemon when pushing your index fingers into the spot between your eyebrows. Hold for at least 30 seconds and breathe deeply.

If you were to go directly behind the bone at this point, deep in the center of the skull, you would reach the pineal gland which is often referred to as the third eye in many cultures and is thought to have some influence over your circadian rhythm (the sleep-wake cycle affected by night and day).

In Chinese massage, for example, applying pressure and gently rocking a finger or thumb over this point is believed to calm the mind, and aid with insomnia. Frontal sinuses basically extend over the eyebrows so this is the center point where they almost meet.

All illustrations are copyright Arlene Fleming

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Pets Travel - Continental Airl

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Pets Travel - Continental Airl

Sep 28th 2012, 11:05

Information about flying with your dog, cat, or other pets on Continental Airlines

A summary of tips, rules, restrictions and fees for flying with your pet on Continental Airlines:

Cats, dogs, pet rabbits and household birds are permitted in cabin on most flights within the US, and count as a carry-on bag.
For pets in cabin the carrier must fit under the seat and the pet must stay in the carrier at all times while on board.
Ensure that you have a valid health certificate issued by a veterinarian.
"Earn OnePass miles through our popular PetPass program. OnePass members can earn one (1) OnePass mile for every dollar spent (including tax, fuel and security surcharges) when transporting a pet using Continental's acclaimed PetSafe service (in-cabin pets and service animals do not qualify for this program). Simply present your OnePass number at the time of booking your pet, and the miles will be credited to your account within 6 to 8 weeks."
For pets traveling in the cargo hold, include two empty dishes (for food and water), accessible from the outside. Also ensure there is absorbent material for litter.
Fee - For pets traveling in the passenger cabin - $125 one way within the United States and pets can be booked online. If traveling internationally, contact the reservations office - 1-800-525-0280 regarding pet acceptance and fees. For travel in the cargo hold, Continental Airlines maintains a chart of rates that run up to several hundred dollars one way.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Frequent Flyer - Delta A

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Frequent Flyer - Delta A

Sep 27th 2012, 11:05

According to Delta Airlines - "SkyMiles helps you save time and money in all kinds of ways, from travel to telecommunications."

SkyMiles

phone 800-323-2323

Some of the features of Skymiles (from Delta Airlines) -

Delta's SkyMiles members can book Award Travel with the ability to combine Coach, First Class/BusinessElite, SkySaver and SkyChoice travel into one ticket and save thousands of miles.

"As an example, a member who travels from Atlanta to London in a SkyChoice BusinessElite seat and returns from London to Atlanta in a SkySaver Coach seat may now redeem 150,000 miles versus the previously-required 250,000 miles for the same itinerary. Or, a member can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a SkySaver First Class seat and return in a SkySaver Coach seat for 35,000 miles, which previously would have required 45,000 miles."

For bookings, these are a few of the features offered to Delta frequent flyers: "

An online calendar of availability at delta.com that allows members to shop for Award seats

Delta Messenger upgrades notification, a tool that will automatically contact Medallion members when their complimentary upgrade has cleared. Or, if a Medallion member is still awaiting an upgrade to clear, Delta will automatically add the member to the airport standby list upon check-in

Additionally, the program recently implemented technology to automatically request an upgrade for Medallion members -- Delta's most frequent flyers -- when they make an eligible reservation at delta.com, with Delta reservations, or with a travel agent."

"The award-winning Delta SkyMiles program offers members multiple mileage-earning opportunities when flying Delta, Delta Shuttle(r), the Delta Connection(r) carriers, Delta AirElite(r) and other SkyTeam(r) airlines. Additional mileage-building opportunities are offered through more than 100 partners such as the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, SkyMilesShopping.com, participating hotels, car rental companies, telecommunication services, restaurants, retailers and more."

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Security Surprise

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Security Surprise

Sep 27th 2012, 11:05

The TSA has banned lighters in both carry-on and checked luggage, so if you are traveling within, to, or from the United States, you will need to leave your lighter at home.

You may be surprised that despite the evolution of security at airports that has been occurring over the past few years that many potential "weapons" are being allowed to go through airport security and may be brought on board. There are various banned items depending on the country you are traveling from, but you may be surprised at what is allowed on board these days.

Did you ever think of your tennis racket as a weapon? Because it is a sporting item, you'll be checking it in. As more governments worldwide take over the task of security screening at airports, it becomes even more important to know before you go or risk having some of your belongings being confiscated, or at least sending you back to check them in.

In a recent CNN article, they reported some of the items still allowed for transport as carry-on in the U.S.. Be aware however, that depending on which country you are traveling to, or in, that the list of allowable items for carry-on will vary.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Saving Time Checking in for Yo

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Saving Time Checking in for Yo

Sep 26th 2012, 11:05

Online check-in for your flights could save you some time from waiting in line and get you to your gate on time. Read on about some of the airlines offering check-in online from airline websites.

Bearing this in mind, here are some of the features of checking in from the comfort of your mouse and keyboard:

Advantages for the passenger

Check-in before you get to the airport. Usually between 12 and 24 hours before flight departure.
Print boarding pass ahead of time saving you time at the airport. Some airlines also offer the option of downloading your boarding pass to a PDA such as a Blackberry.
Ability to change/confirm your seat assignment when available, thus a better chance at getting a seat number before you are even at the airport if you didn't have one already pre-reserved.
Some airlines offer bonus frequent flyer miles.

What you'll need to check-in online

Your frequent flyer number (or other login information as outlined by the airline you are using such as a the credit card that was used to pay for the ticket).
An airline electronic ticket that is paid for.
A printer to print the boarding pass, or a PDA (only offered on a few airlines)to download the boarding pass to. Alternatively, you can have the boarding pass reprinted at check-in, or a self-serve kiosk.

In addition, there is a potential problem if you now have your boarding pass, your flight is subsequently canceled, and the airline doesn't have a way to contact you. Thus, in the booking stages it is always a good idea to have more than one contact phone number, and a contact phone number for the destination you are at in case of a delay or cancellation for your return flight.

Check-in Online Now

Some of the airlines offering online check-in are:

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Delta Air Lines, Northwest Air

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Delta Air Lines, Northwest Air

Sep 26th 2012, 11:05

An agreement has been reached, and barring any roadblocks from antitrust authorities Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines are merging and will operate under the Delta Airlines name.

Richard Anderson, Delta CEO, said: "We said we would only enter into a consolidation transaction if it was right for all of our constituencies; Delta and Northwest are a perfect fit."

Delta Airlines released information outlining the basic elements of the deal and what ramifications they foresee for both the new mega-airline, and its passengers.

The list of benefits it sees by merging

Combining Delta and Northwest will create a global US carrier that can compete with foreign airlines - foreign airlines that continue to increase service to the United States.
Customers and communities to benefit from access to a global route system.
More destinations means more schedule options, and more opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles.
A more financially stable airline.
Delta customers will benefit from Northwest's greater service to Asian markets. Northwest's customers will benefit from Delta's strengths across the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
"Delta and Northwest's complementary networks and common membership in the SkyTeam alliance will ease the integration risk that has complicated some airline mergers. The carriers participate in a joint SkyTeam frequent flyer program with common customer lounges and airline partner networks."

Some of the details of the merger and what the merged Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines will look like:

Delta's headquarters were in Atlanta, and the merged Delta will retain its world headquarters in Atlanta.
A mainline fleet of nearly 800 aircraft with nearly 75,000 employees worldwide.
Northwest Airlines shareholders will receive 1.25 Delta shares for each Northwest share they currently own.
No hub closures
The Delta pilot leadership reached an agreement on a post-merger contract including a 3.5 percent equity stake in the new company along with other enhancements to their current contract.
From Delta, "Frontline employees of both airlines will be provided seniority protection through a fair and equitable seniority integration process, as the airlines are combined. In addition, U.S.-based non-pilot employees of both companies will be provided a 4 percent equity stake in the new airline upon closing."

Some of the reasons cited for the merger

An effective way to offset higher fuel prices. From Delta, "Record fuel prices have fundamentally changed the economics of the airline industry. Fuel is the highest single expense for Delta and Northwest, significantly eroding the financial benefits of restructuring and placing the airlines' new found strength and stability at long-term risk. At the beginning of 2007, oil prices were approximately $55 a barrel. Now, oil prices have nearly doubled. This dramatic run-up in the price of oil makes the transaction even more compelling."
More efficient airline.
Increase international presence.
Ability to fund long-term investment in the airline business.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Secrets Your Pilot Won't Tell You

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Secrets Your Pilot Won't Tell You

Sep 26th 2012, 11:05

Reader's Digest asked commercial airline pilots to share some of their secrets with their readers. From napping during flights, to safety issues, airline pilots responded, with Reader's Digest compiling it all in a feature of 50 secretsÂ - 50 Secrets Your Pilot Won't Tell You.

Of the 50 shared secrets, I've included the 10 that struck me the most.

1. Behind Closed Cockpit Doors

AS737700 / Flickr

On the question of whether pilots sleep on the job...

â€œDo pilots sleep in there? Definitely. Sometimes itâ€™s just a ten-minute catnap, but it happens.â€ John Greaves, airline accident lawyer and former airline captain, Los Angeles

2. This Happens All the Time to Gate Agents Too

I chuckled a little when I read this one. When flights are canceled due to weather, it is not necessarily the weather you see in the departing or arrival city, but can be prohibitive conditions en route. As a gate agent, I do hear a version of this...a lot.

â€œThis happens all the time: Weâ€™ll be in Pittsburgh going to Philly, and there will be a weather delay. The weather in Pittsburgh is beautiful. Then Iâ€™ll hear passengers saying, â€˜You know, I just called my friend in Philly, and itâ€™s beautiful there too,â€™ like thereâ€™s some kind of conspiracy or something. But in the airspace between Pittsburgh and Philly thereâ€™s a huge thunderstorm.â€ Jack Stephan

3. Breathe in, the Air is Clean up There

I wrote a feature addressing the issue of recycled air on planes, and in fact, with the current filtration systems in use, many airplanes offer cleaner air than hospitals.

â€œCabin air is not as dirty as people think. A portion of the air is recirculated because that helps to reduce humidity. But itâ€™s run through hospital-quality HEPA filters, and itâ€™s actually cleaner than the air found in most public buildings.â€ Patrick Smith, commercial pilot and author, askthepilot.com

4. Flying Short of an Engine

Arlene Fleming

Note that most commercial airplane types can be flown safely with one malfunctioning engine.

â€œWe tell passengers what they need to know. We donâ€™t tell them things that are going to scare the pants off them. So youâ€™ll never hear me say, â€˜Ladies and gentlemen, we just had an engine failure,â€™ even if thatâ€™s true.â€ Jim Tilmon, retired American Airlines pilot, Phoenix

5. The Safety of Babes in Arms

Although in most cases, a lap baby is allowed until the age of 2, there is a call to end the practice of permitting infants under 2 to travel without his/her own booked seat. Patrick Smith comments on the issue:

â€œIs traveling with a baby in your lap safe? No. Itâ€™s extremely dangerous. If thereâ€™s any impact or deceleration, thereâ€™s a good chance youâ€™re going to lose hold of your kid, and he becomes a projectile. But the governmentâ€™s logic is that if we made you buy an expensive seat for your baby, youâ€™d just drive, and youâ€™re more likely to be injured driving than flying.â€ Patrick Smith

6. The Truth About Turbulence

With turbulence bringing on anxiety in so many passengers, a pilot's take:

â€œPilots find it perplexing that so many people are afraid of turbulence. Itâ€™s all but impossible for turbulence to cause a crash. We avoid turbulence not because weâ€™re afraid the wing is going to fall off but because itâ€™s annoying.â€ Patrick Smith

7. Commenting on Safety - and Running on Empty

Public Domain

This is the safety issue you hear grumblings of, but hope isn't true...

â€œIâ€™m constantly under pressure to carry less fuel than Iâ€™m comfortable with. Airlines are always looking at the bottom line, and you burn fuel carrying fuel. Sometimes if you carry just enough fuel and you hit thunderstorms or delays, then suddenly youâ€™re running out of gas and you have to go to an alternate airport.â€ Captain at a major airline

8. A Smoother Flight for the Fearful Flier

This is a strategy for first time and nervous passengers I hadn't thought of but makes an immense amount of sense, particularly during summer months with active weather, and often less stable conditions in the air.

â€œIf youâ€™re a nervous flier, book a morning flight. The heating of the ground later causes bumpier air, and itâ€™s much more likely to thunderstorm in the afternoon.â€ Jerry Johnson, pilot, Los Angeles

9. For Pilots, Lightning Can Strike Twice

At the airport, there is usually a red alert when lightning is in the vicinity, and all activity stops outside. This choice is not available in the air, and a workplace safety hazard for pilots...

â€œIâ€™ve been struck by lightning twice. Most pilots have. Airplanes are built to take it. You hear a big boom and see a big flash and thatâ€™s it. Youâ€™re not going to fall out of the sky.â€ Pilot for a regional carrier, Charlotte, North Carolina

10. Why You Really Shouldn't Use Your Cell Phone Inflight

Passengers often grumble about not being able to use cell phones during flight, how it is safe. Great perspective from a pilot on this topic...

â€œPeople donâ€™t understand why they canâ€™t use their cell phones. Well, what can happen is 12 people will decide to call someone just before landing, and I can get a false reading on my instruments saying that we are higher than we really are.â€ Jim Tilmon

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Top 10 Ways to Get Upgraded

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Top 10 Ways to Get Upgraded

Sep 25th 2012, 11:05

So are there any tricks to getting upgraded from economy class? Most times there are no tricks of the trade, it is often by being entitled to an upgrade if you are a very frequent flyer with an upgrade-able fare, and once in a while it is a little bit of luck. A lot of the following are also contingent on luck as it isn't really possible to bet on which flights are going to be wildly over or under sold on any given day. That being stated, these are the top 10 ways to get upgraded that I see as an airline gate agent most often:

1. Being a top tier member of the airline's frequent flyer program, and be in possession of a valid upgrade certificate.

2. If you aren't a top tier member then travel with a top tier member of the airline's frequent flyer program, and be in possession of a valid upgrade certificate.

3. And again being a top tier frequent flyer member pays - if you are a top tier member of the airlines frequent flyer program then traveling on an oversold flight will lead to more potential for a courtesy upgrade.

4. If you are traveling on a full fare ticket and traveling on an oversold flight then you also have more potential for a courtesy upgrade.

5. If you travel on a very empty flight where weight and balance is an issue the airline may require that some passengers be upgraded (best to have a seat somewhere in the middle of an aircraft for this)

6. If you are a top tier member of a partner airline's frequent flyer such as oneworld or Star Alliance, and traveling on an oversold flight you will likely have more potential for a courtesy upgrade.

7. If a flight is oversold and you are an infrequent traveler on a cheap ticket, volunteer to give up your seat - more likely to get upgraded if not on your original flight, then the one you have been rebooked on.

8. Again, if a flight is oversold and you are traveling alone, then dress in business / casual business attire and sit off on your own, but in the sight line of the airline agent at the gate. Sometimes we need to upgrade a passenger or two at the very last minute, and a well-dressed, solo traveler is easier to upgrade than one wearing sweatpants and sneakers.

9. If you ultimately don't care where you sit on a flight then don't prebook your seat on an oversold flight, and check in closer to departure time. You may end up with a middle seat, or one up front. This is a really risky strategy, as gate agents will try and upgrade frequent flyers and higher priced ticket holders first.

10. A smile goes a long way. If you are nice as possible to the check-in and gate agents then sometimes if a flight is oversold and you just happen to be one of the nicest passengers that a check-in agent meets that day, they may put a comment on your passenger record such as "nice passenger if you need to upgrade".

NOT TO DO: Don't ask for an upgrade, especially if you aren't a frequent traveler on that particular airline. Airline agents tend to be agitated by this.

Do not badger the gate agent saying that check-in said to ask for an upgrade even though you are on a reduced fare, then going on board and badgering the flight attendants. This happened on a flight where I was the gate agent and the crew was getting fed up enough that two passengers were nearly kicked off the flight. It is better to assume that if your airfare does not entitle you to an upgrade, you probably aren't going to get one. It may happen every once in a while but not often enough to have surefire ways to get upgraded for free every time you travel.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Southwest Airlines Tickets

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Southwest Airlines Tickets

Sep 25th 2012, 11:05

Southwest Airlines offers check-in online. What you need to check-in and a few of the details of their web check-in services:

Southwest Airlines Check-in online up to 24 hours prior to departure.
Need your confirmation number and name of passenger in order to use online check-in.
Passengers traveling with infants without a seat cannot check-in online as identification proving the child is under 2 years old must be presented to a Southwest Airlines agent.

Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Air Travel with a Toddler

Air Travel: What's Hot Now

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Air Travel with a Toddler

Sep 25th 2012, 11:05

Flying with children of any age can be a stressful experience. Not only do you have to worry about how they feel and behave, but also how others around you react. This has to be especially true for toddlers - with all their new-found skills for running and talking and moving about - a confined space, teeming with unfamiliar faces and surroundings does not sound ideal. So traveling with a toddler definitely presents its challenges, but planning ahead may give you at least a chance at a smooth flight.

Scotty Kober who developed I'm A Good Little Traveler!DVD Toolkit Series has had a great deal of experience as a world traveling mom who didn't want to leave her 3 year old behind!

On flying with the younger set she writes: "There is more to flying with toddlers than keeping them entertained and hoping for good behavior on the plane: there are long lines at busy airports, security checkpoint(s), boarding the plane, sitting in confined space that shakes and makes noise, not to mention puts sometimes incredible pressure on little ones' ears, and travel etiquette issues like not kicking the seats in front... all things that don't get addressed in the usual checklists."

Kober emphasizes that although airport and airline personnel try to be helpful it is up to the families to prepare their children for the problems that can arise with air travel such as lengthy delays, and long line-ups.

Tips for air travel with a toddler as well as other products that can help young children understand what to expect with flying may make for easier travels. Kober developed the Shae by Air DVD Toolkit to look at flying through the eyes of a child, including filming it for their height and eye level. It has features such as a packing list in picture form so the child can see what to pack and participate in preparing for the trip.

Amongst Kober's other air travel tips for flying with a toddler are to take the child to the airport prior to your travel date and run through what you'll be doing, and to have your child assist in packing his carry-on bag.

Scotty Kober also suggests these sites for more tips and advice for tackling air travel with a toddler: