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

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My Passport Was Stolen Jun 14th 2013, 11:01 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.

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Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Air Travel with Mobility Devices or Mobility Aids

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Air Travel with Mobility Devices or Mobility Aids Jun 13th 2013, 11:01 Advice and tips for traveling with a wheelchair, walker or cane, and passengers with mobility restrictions. 1. Wheelchairs, Walkers Can Be Gate Checked If you have a wheelchair, walker, or other mobility aid - any of these items can be checked. Wheelchairs with a wet battery cell are often an issue so call the airline if this is the type you use. Most wheelchairs and walkers can be gate checked, so if you choose, you can use your walker or wheelchair right up to the door of the aircraft. 2. If You Cannot Walk Unassisted, Request a Manual Search If you use a mobility device like a wheelchair - you can request a manual patdown at airport screening if you cannot walk through the detectors. You can request a same sex screener to perform the manual patdown. If you use a cane, be aware that it will go on the belt and through the screening machines. If you cannot walk a few steps without your cane, advise the airport security screeners who may provide the options of either a manual patdown, or will return your cane to you after it has been screened, and then you can proceed through airport security screening. 3. Ask if the Airport Permits Escort Passes If you are using a mobility device like your own wheelchair you may be able to get an escort pass for a loved one to escort you to the gate at some airports. If not, you can ask to have assistance with your chair and not switch over to one of the airline's ones. 4. Prep Your Chair for Gate Checking It If you are gate-checking (or if at check-in there are no bags to put your wheelchair in) your wheelchair, make sure the foot rests are either removed or folded to reduce the chance of it being damaged. If you have a cushion on your wheelchair remove that and bring it on board with you. 5. Advise the Airline of Your Mobility Limitation If you use a mobility aid like a wheelchair or walker, advise the airline of the limits of your mobility - whether you can ascend stairs, whether you can walk any distance at all if the ground surface is flat, whether you can get to your seat by yourself and if you need a liftable armrest. All of these are important in terms of getting the level of assistance you may/not need, and when the airline knows in advance, they can have appropriate staff there to help. 6. Where Will Your Mobility Device Be Upon Arrival? If you are checking-in your mobility aid at check-in and not the gate, ask where it will be brought upon arrival. Some airports have separate areas well away from the regular baggage carousel. 7. Make Sure the Airline Documents It Make sure your assistance requirements are on file, and double check with either the check-in agent or the gate agent. There are times at the airport when we have surprise carry-off situations (when a passenger requires full assistance to be deplane) and if staff at the arrival airport isn't aware, it means that passenger can be stuck waiting while the airline scrambles to find staff trained in proper lifting to arrive. 8. Consider Preboarding and the Location of Your Seat Regardless of your mobility restriction, if you need extra time to get to the aircraft then take advantage of preboarding. Aisle seats are generally easier to manage as it can be difficult to access the lavatories when you are in a window seat in a bank of 3 seats. 9. Check-in and Special Assistance If you require wheelchair assistance, but are not using your own, proceed to check-in regardless - there may or may not be a separate check-in position for special assistance. 10. Possible Discounts for Attendant/Travel Companion Be aware that an attendant/travel companion may travel at a highly discounted rates in some cases. Any possible situation where this may apply will need to go through your health care provider(s) and the airline's medical desk.

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Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Airline Lounge Passes - One Day Passes to...

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Airline Lounge Passes - One Day Passes to... Jun 13th 2013, 11:01 Want to spend your wait time in one of the business lounges but don't have a membership? There are a few airlines that allow you to purchase a day pass for a more relaxed, quieter airport experience. Delta Airlines - for $50 you can buy a one day pass for Delta's Crown Lounge. Must be traveling on Delta or one of its connectors. American Airlines - $50 for a one day Admirals Clubpass. US Airways - A US Airways Club Day Pass can be purchased for $50. Continental Airlines - $50 is the rate for a day pass to the President's Club. The day pass is valid for one year, so you can choose the day you want to use it, and are not locked into choosing one specific date. Alaska Airlines - A one day Board Room pass is $40.

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Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Flights Canceled, Delayed and Rule 240

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Flights Canceled, Delayed and Rule 240 Jun 12th 2013, 11:01 How has Rule 240 changed? Because Rule 240 deals with cancellations and delays, it is probably the best known of any 'rules' pertaining to the airline industry. What makes defining Rule 240 so troublesome is that since the deregulation of the U.S. airline industry Rule 240 is not a federal requirement. Therefore, if the airline has submitted the rule in their respective contracts (also conditions) of carriage (the ticket is a contractual agreement that an airline and passenger enter regarding the transport of a passenger) then the airline has a Rule 240, but it doesn't have to. A common misconception is that all airlines are required to have a Rule 240, but they do not. And airlines have different versions of Rule 240, making it even more difficult for passengers to know their rights in the event of a delay or cancellation that has been caused by the airline. What is considered the airline's fault regarding delays and cancellations? mechanical problems late arrival of an aircraft pilots or other crew that are not at the aircraft on the time other factors that are within an airline's control What details might a Rule 240 include? A Rule 240 may or may not include the following items: meal vouchers confirmation on the airline's next flight or on another airline option to not travel and obtain a refund hotel accommodation ground transportation phone calls

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Air Travel: What's Hot Now: When an Airline Strikes - Labor Disruptions,...

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When an Airline Strikes - Labor Disruptions,... Jun 12th 2013, 11:01 Whenever a strike is looming at an airline, passenger anxiety naturally increases. The uncertainty not only is among passengers, but extends to airline employees as well. In effect, if you call an airline even hours before a possible strike you are likely to be told that the company line is business as usual. 1. An Airline Agent's Experience with a Strike I worked in reservations when the airline I work for last had a strike. Even minutes before the threat of a strike, we were not updated. Phone lines were flooded with calls, at that point the airline was not offering options. I was left apologizing for not having more information, but as far as I was aware the airline was operating. Hours later - the airline was not operating as usual. Passengers were stranded, agents struggled to rebook passengers on other airlines during a peak travel time. Service was disrupted - some rebooked passengers now had 4 flights when they originally had one non-stop. The airline I work for did have agreements with other airlines to accept tickets / MCOs (miscellaneous charge orders), if you could find space. 2. What is an airline obligated to do during a strike? Nothing. There are no provisions guaranteeing you anything in the case of a labor disruption. Sometimes there is advance notice that a strike might occur, other times it is a wildcat strike such as a sick-in where airline employees call in sick en masse. That being said, airlines will usually try to do something for its passengers. 3. What will an airline try to do during a strike for its most frequent flyers? If you are a top tier frequent flyer member, the airline is probably working on rebooking your travel before you even reach an agent. The airline wants to maintain its most loyal passengers and will try and accommodate them first. 4. What an airline may to do during a strike - Rebooking on other airlines During a strike, an airline will often rebook on partner airlines, space permitting. You will be waiting a long time on the phone or at the airport, but an airline will turn to partner airlines as a strike lingers. An airline may offer to rebook on non-partner airlines. This usually does not occur until all partner airline options have been exhausted. When I was rebooking passengers we eventually got the go-ahead to use any airlines as long as there was a ticketing agreement with them. One awful rebooking involved San Francisco to Amsterdam and ended up with connections in Denver, Chicago, Boston and London on 3 airlines. 5. Possible passenger options during a strike - Rebooking without fees Although airlines are not obligated to do anything during a strike, they will usually loosen their ticket rules. If a strike does not affect all flights then you are likely to be able to standby for other flights without fees, thus arrive at the airport early. In the same vein, you may be able to rebook for later travel dates without fees. And if a strike drags on, refunds without penalties are often offered. Unfortunately, the airline may not offer many options, save rebooking you on their next available flight if yours cancels. In the days after 9/11, some passengers could not be accommodated for days after their original flights on 9/11 and 9/12. 6. Information during a strike An airline may simply post their policies / news on their website as circumstances change. It is always a good idea during a strike to check the airline's website. 7. What should you do to protect yourself during an airline strike? If you are flexible with your travel dates, call to see if you can rebook. Strikes often mean that you can change your ticket for future travel without fees. If you do not need to travel and the strike is longer, call for a refund. A strike that drags on will lead an airline to permit refunds without fees as even after flights are back to normal there is likely to be a huge backlog of disrupted passengers. Check if your travel insurance covers labor disruptions. Check for partner airlines check to see if there is space on them, and see if you can rebook as it may be allowed by the striking airline. As a last resort (expensive), book a refundable ticket on another airline. You can refund the ticket if you do not end up requiring it. 8. Strikes and low cost or charter airlines It may be a generalization but low cost and charter airlines are likely to have less options since they don't usually have ticketing agreements with other airlines, and may have less service to the destination you are traveling to.

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Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Air Traffic Controllers in Europe Strike!

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Air Traffic Controllers in Europe Strike! Jun 12th 2013, 11:01 Dateline: 19 June 2002 Turbulent skies in Europe - Air traffic controllers strike The players - Air traffic controllers (ATCs) in a number of European countries striking against proposed measures to make much of the European air space a `single sky'. What has occurred thus far - French air traffic controllers staged a strike on Wednesday, June 19th, effectively closing down French airports and resulting in hundreds of cancelled flights. Air traffic controllers in other European countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland) have also staged strikes (though not as widespread as those in France) in support of the French ATCs. Strikes are likely to occur intermittently throughout the month of June. A general strike planned in Spain on Thursday, June 20th, will probably add more problems for passengers into the mix. Why are the Air Traffic Controllers striking? The French ATCs are concerned about possible job losses; privatization of air traffic control services; and air traffic safety and security issues over plans by the European Union's Single Sky Committee to move towards one body governing the continent's airspace. The European Union insists that their plan will help air traffic control to deal with anticipated increases in air traffic, and will make the system more efficient. The results - Hundreds of canceled flights; stranded passengers; days of airport delays and more canceled flights; and possible air travel disruptions in Europe this summer.

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Air Travel: What's Hot Now: Low Cost, Budget Airlines Based in North America

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Low Cost, Budget Airlines Based in North America Jun 11th 2013, 11:01 A number of low cost airlines have sprung up in North America as an alternative to mainstream, long-established airlines. As services decrease on the traditional, scheduled carriers, these low cost options seem even more attractive. Southwest Airlines This is the low cost airline that other airlines - both legacy carriers and other low cost airlines - often try to emulate. Southwest Airlines is not just known for great fares, but for customer service. Westjet This Canadian low cost airline flies across Canada, to the United States and now to points in the Caribbean. Westjet is also loosely allied with Southwest Airlines. AirTran Airways AirTran is a low cost airline that serves dozens of US markets. JetBlue Airways JetBlue continues to be well-ranked among US airlines for customer service, as well as having a broad range of routes across the United States and the Caribbean. Virgin America In its short tenure as an airline, Virgin America is known for its innovation with WiFi, and inflight options, and for good customer service. Spirit Airlines Spirit Airlines has been likened to Europe`s Ryanair as not just a low cost airline, but no frills one as well. Air Transat Air Transat is one of Canada's charter airlines serving sun destinations and Europe. Frontier Airlines Frontier Airlines has its main hub in Denver and serves several cities in the United States. Sun Country Airlines Sun Country is based in Minnesota with several destinations in the United States, and flies to Mexico. Sunwing Airlines This charter airline travels from cities in Canada to Southern destinations.

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