Showing posts with label Airport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Airport. Show all posts
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Vacation Tip: Lost Luggage
The best advice to is to prepare so your bags are not lost. Here are some things you can do to get control:
BEFORE LEAVING:
* Book a non stop flight. Minimize the chance of a failed transfer.
* Choose an airline with a good baggage record. Compare here.
* Pack your carry-on wisely so that you can live comfortably for a few days - medications and clothes - in case you have to.
* Remove old luggage tags to avoid confusion.
* Label your suitcase well - also tuck a business card inside - Lack of ID tags is why luggage ends up in the lost luggage clearing house and is resold.
AT THE AIRPORT:
* Check in on time, if not your bags may not make the flight.
* Make sure the desk agent places the correct destination tags on your bags.
* Hang onto your baggage claim ticket. Often, it is attached to your boarding pass and is frequently left behind on the plane.
AFTER LANDING:
* Be at the carousel when bags are off-loaded.
* If your bags are lost or delayed, file a report immediately at the airport and get a copy.
* Ask the lost-luggage counter for the airline's contract of carriage, this will spell out your rights.
* The Department of Transportation recommends following up with a certified letter to the airline's customer service department restating the details of the incident.
LESSON LEARNED:
Do your best to pack lightly and travel with carry-on only. With what you save in time, aggravation and baggage fees, you could purchase what you don't pack at your destination.
Cool web site about travel by American Express: www.TravelAndLeisure.com
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Preparing for Holiday Travel
GET READY BECAUSE HERE IT COMES - Holiday Survival Guide
The crowds. The lines. The security and scanning. The sprint to the gate. All of it can overwhelm air travelers -- especially during the holiday rush -- but it doesn't have to be that way. And as security measures continue to ramp up, with pat-downs and new scans, navigating overbooked, overflowing airports just got a bit more dicey.
Travel experts to provide tips to make the airport experience a smooth one, especially if you haven't flown since last holiday season.
But first, be aware that you'll have lots of company in your quest to share a turkey dinner with relatives. It's estimated that 42.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving, according to AAA and IHS Global Insight. That's an 11 percent increase from last year, when 37.9 million people traveled during the holiday. And about 24 million people will be crammed into airplanes, a 3.5 percent increase over last year, according to the Air Transport Association of America, which represents some of the nation's biggest airlines.
The busiest travel day is expected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, followed by the Monday after the holiday, the ATA said. The Friday before Thanksgiving week and the Wednesday before the holiday will be the other peak travel days.
The least busy travel day? The holiday itself: Thursday, November 25. No matter what day you fly, here are five tips to survive the airport this holiday season.
1. Hit the web before you head for the airport
Let modern technology save you some hassles and maybe even some money. Check in online up to 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave, and print your boarding pass at home. "This allows you to secure your seat assignment, double-check for any schedule changes ... and decrease your chances of getting bumped if your flight is oversold,"
New since the holidays last year: More carriers now allow you to check in from your smartphone and use a digital bar code on the screen to pass through the airport.
If you're using this option, save the bar code as a photo on your device, which will make it much easier to retrieve at security and at the gate, advised Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights.
If you're checking bags, many airlines have raised their fees this year, but some offer discounts if you prepay during the online check-in. Delta, Continental and US Airways, for example, take $2 off the first bag and $3 off the second if you pay online when you check in for your flight on the carrier's website.
"Know before you go," Saltzburg said. "There are fees, and it's important to educate yourself and be prepared and handle as much of the check-in process before you actually get to the airport."
He recommended the ultimate airline fee guide on SmarterTravel.com to get a clear picture of any extra charges you might pay.
Check out other great travel tips and destinations at Five To Go
2. Pack light
Avoid checked-bag fees altogether by bringing carry-on luggage only. (Be sure to check with your carrier on the maximum size of bags allowed in the overhead bins.) You can head straight for the security line when you arrive at the airport and skip the baggage carousel after your flight lands at your destination. New since the holidays last year: Spirit Airlines now charges a fee for carry-ons that passengers place in the overhead bins. (Each traveler can still bring one personal item that fits under a seat for free, such as a purse or briefcase.)
Every other Airline allows one piece of luggage and one personal item to be carried on for free by every ticketed passenger, Brown said.
3. Give yourself plenty of time
Get to the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure for a domestic flight and three hours before an international trip.
It's especially important to get to the airport early during the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel rush, because the many inexperienced fliers and families with children who are venturing out during the holidays will probably slow down the security process.
New since the holidays last year: Beefed-up screening means that lines may be moving more sluggishly.
"Body scanners and additional pat-downs are the norm these days, leave extra time to get through security,"
4. Prepare for the security line
There's no avoiding your encounter with Transportation Security Administration agents, and there's tension in the air as hundreds of travelers grab bins and shuffle through with their belongings.
"The one place you'll tend to have to queue is going to be at airport security, and it's probably your most stressful part of the trip," Saltzburg said.
You can't speed up the line, but you can do your part to prevent slowing it down. Here are some basic tips:
• Have your boarding pass and ID easily available.
• Remove your shoes. ("Slip-on shoes should make going through security much faster," Saltzburg advised.)
• Make sure all of your liquids are in a zip-top plastic bag that's kept separate from your carry-on bag and adheres to the 3-1-1 rule: Fliers are limited to 3-ounce or smaller containers of liquids or gels, that can fit in a one-quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag; one bag per passenger.
• Send coats and jackets through the X-ray machine.
• Take any items that might set off the metal detector -- like keys, loose change and heavy jewelry -- out of your pockets.
• Don't wrap any gifts. If security officers need to inspect a package, they may have to unwrap it. If traveling with food, check the TSA's list of items that should be checked or shipped ahead.
Bored at the airport? Entertain yourself with CNN iReport's holiday scavenger hunt
5. Plan for flight delays
Don't expect all of your Thanksgiving travel plans to happen without a hitch, Orbitz.com advised. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and if you have connecting flights, build buffers into your itinerary so that one disruption won't jeopardize your entire trip.
"Keep any medication you need and something to keep you busy in your carry-on bags," Brown said.
Saltzburg, who flies several times a week, said he depends on noise-canceling headphones to provide him with moments of Zen.
"I put my headset on, and it tunes out the world around me," he said.
SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/17/holiday.airport.survival.guide/?hpt=Sbin
 |
| Gettting to enjoy it |
The crowds. The lines. The security and scanning. The sprint to the gate. All of it can overwhelm air travelers -- especially during the holiday rush -- but it doesn't have to be that way. And as security measures continue to ramp up, with pat-downs and new scans, navigating overbooked, overflowing airports just got a bit more dicey.
Travel experts to provide tips to make the airport experience a smooth one, especially if you haven't flown since last holiday season.
But first, be aware that you'll have lots of company in your quest to share a turkey dinner with relatives. It's estimated that 42.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home for Thanksgiving, according to AAA and IHS Global Insight. That's an 11 percent increase from last year, when 37.9 million people traveled during the holiday. And about 24 million people will be crammed into airplanes, a 3.5 percent increase over last year, according to the Air Transport Association of America, which represents some of the nation's biggest airlines.
The busiest travel day is expected to be the Sunday after Thanksgiving, followed by the Monday after the holiday, the ATA said. The Friday before Thanksgiving week and the Wednesday before the holiday will be the other peak travel days.
The least busy travel day? The holiday itself: Thursday, November 25. No matter what day you fly, here are five tips to survive the airport this holiday season.
1. Hit the web before you head for the airport
Let modern technology save you some hassles and maybe even some money. Check in online up to 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave, and print your boarding pass at home. "This allows you to secure your seat assignment, double-check for any schedule changes ... and decrease your chances of getting bumped if your flight is oversold,"
New since the holidays last year: More carriers now allow you to check in from your smartphone and use a digital bar code on the screen to pass through the airport.
If you're using this option, save the bar code as a photo on your device, which will make it much easier to retrieve at security and at the gate, advised Bryan Saltzburg, general manager of TripAdvisor Flights.
If you're checking bags, many airlines have raised their fees this year, but some offer discounts if you prepay during the online check-in. Delta, Continental and US Airways, for example, take $2 off the first bag and $3 off the second if you pay online when you check in for your flight on the carrier's website.
"Know before you go," Saltzburg said. "There are fees, and it's important to educate yourself and be prepared and handle as much of the check-in process before you actually get to the airport."
He recommended the ultimate airline fee guide on SmarterTravel.com to get a clear picture of any extra charges you might pay.
Check out other great travel tips and destinations at Five To Go
2. Pack light
Avoid checked-bag fees altogether by bringing carry-on luggage only. (Be sure to check with your carrier on the maximum size of bags allowed in the overhead bins.) You can head straight for the security line when you arrive at the airport and skip the baggage carousel after your flight lands at your destination. New since the holidays last year: Spirit Airlines now charges a fee for carry-ons that passengers place in the overhead bins. (Each traveler can still bring one personal item that fits under a seat for free, such as a purse or briefcase.)
Every other Airline allows one piece of luggage and one personal item to be carried on for free by every ticketed passenger, Brown said.
3. Give yourself plenty of time
Get to the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure for a domestic flight and three hours before an international trip.
It's especially important to get to the airport early during the Thanksgiving and Christmas travel rush, because the many inexperienced fliers and families with children who are venturing out during the holidays will probably slow down the security process.
New since the holidays last year: Beefed-up screening means that lines may be moving more sluggishly.
"Body scanners and additional pat-downs are the norm these days, leave extra time to get through security,"
4. Prepare for the security line
There's no avoiding your encounter with Transportation Security Administration agents, and there's tension in the air as hundreds of travelers grab bins and shuffle through with their belongings.
"The one place you'll tend to have to queue is going to be at airport security, and it's probably your most stressful part of the trip," Saltzburg said.
You can't speed up the line, but you can do your part to prevent slowing it down. Here are some basic tips:
• Have your boarding pass and ID easily available.
• Remove your shoes. ("Slip-on shoes should make going through security much faster," Saltzburg advised.)
• Make sure all of your liquids are in a zip-top plastic bag that's kept separate from your carry-on bag and adheres to the 3-1-1 rule: Fliers are limited to 3-ounce or smaller containers of liquids or gels, that can fit in a one-quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag; one bag per passenger.
• Send coats and jackets through the X-ray machine.
• Take any items that might set off the metal detector -- like keys, loose change and heavy jewelry -- out of your pockets.
• Don't wrap any gifts. If security officers need to inspect a package, they may have to unwrap it. If traveling with food, check the TSA's list of items that should be checked or shipped ahead.
Bored at the airport? Entertain yourself with CNN iReport's holiday scavenger hunt
5. Plan for flight delays
Don't expect all of your Thanksgiving travel plans to happen without a hitch, Orbitz.com advised. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and if you have connecting flights, build buffers into your itinerary so that one disruption won't jeopardize your entire trip.
"Keep any medication you need and something to keep you busy in your carry-on bags," Brown said.
Saltzburg, who flies several times a week, said he depends on noise-canceling headphones to provide him with moments of Zen.
"I put my headset on, and it tunes out the world around me," he said.
SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/17/holiday.airport.survival.guide/?hpt=Sbin
Sunday, October 31, 2010
AIRPORT DINING - Letting you know what's on your menu
AIRPORT DINING
If you ever wondered what kind of food you can get at an airport you are going to maybe for the first time, a new site has launched. Ready to keep you informed and well fed with your favorite foods. Many of us have dietary requirments either dictated by medical reasons or by lifestyle choices. Also, airlines are reducing their offerings onboard and security is constantly changing what you can or can't bring through the check point.
If you ever wondered what kind of food you can get at an airport you are going to maybe for the first time, a new site has launched. Ready to keep you informed and well fed with your favorite foods. Many of us have dietary requirments either dictated by medical reasons or by lifestyle choices. Also, airlines are reducing their offerings onboard and security is constantly changing what you can or can't bring through the check point.
 |
| Many choices - arm yourself |
We’re spending more time than ever at airports. With long security lines, flight delays and lengthy check-in times most likely you're bound to be hungry at the airport.
The good news is that airport food has gotten better with plenty of fine dining options. In addition to the usual suspects, fast-food airport outlets, airports started to offer lots of quality restaurant choices as airport eateries are becoming branches of favorite local restaurants, bars and cafés.
Based on that Airport Dining is determined to collect airport restaurant information and share it with frequent flyers as well as concerned airport restaurants who desire useful feedback as to the quality of their airport food. Their goal is to find the truth from real flyers and bring you the most up-to-date information about airport dining. Your reviews not only aid others in their choice of airport restaurants and their menu selection, but also provide valuable feedback to any airport restaurant that cares for the quality of their customer airport dining experience.
They only have a few reviews so far, but it's a great idea that may catch on.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
AMERICAN AIRLINES - USA ADMIRAL'S CLUB - Free Drinks
 |
| Now offering free alcoholic beverages |
American also recently updated the technology offering in its Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge Business Centers with HP Compaq 8000 Elite Business PCs. The Cyber Cafes will also include HP TouchSmart PCs, boasting built-for-touch applications that allow customers to experience music, photos, games and video in a visually-engaging manner beyond what a mouse or keyboard can do.
Beginning October 1, 2010, American will offer guests alcoholic beverages, including wine, beer and spirits, free of charge to customers visiting any of its domestic clubs, in addition to complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices. Premium liquors and wines and a selection of Amora™ fresh food items will be available for purchase in all U.S. Admirals Club lounges. Customers visiting international clubs will continue to enjoy complimentary non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages as they do today.
Pricing for new Admirals Club memberships is based on the level of American AAdvantage membership, ranging from $350 or 50,000 AAdvantage miles annually for a new Executive Platinum membership, to $500 or 80,000 miles annually for a regular membership. One-day passes are available for $50 each.
Club Amenities**:
- Complimentary well brand liquors, house wine and beer
- Complimentary snacks, coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices
- Amora™ fresh food for purchase
- Premium liquors and wines for purchase
- Conference rooms
- Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet powered by T-Mobile for members and one-day pass guests visiting domestic lounge locations, including San Juan
- Complimentary Wi-Fi in most Latin American clubs
- Showers
- Cyber café with HP TouchSmart PCs
- HP Compaq 8000 Elite Business PCs with complimentary Internet access
- Children's rooms
- Music rooms at LAX and DFW A locations
Airport Locations:
Atlanta, Austin, Bogotá, Boston, Buenos Aires, Caracas, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Frankfurt, Honolulu, Kansas City, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Nashville, Newark, New York Kennedy, New York LaGuardia, Orange County, Panama City, Paris, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham, Rio de Janeiro, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sao Paulo, St. Louis, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington, D.C. Dulles, and Washington, D.C. Reagan.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
CONTRABAND - The Stuff Seized at Customs becomes an Art Show
A bird corpse, the active ingredient found in Botox, counterfeit clothes and accessories (including designer hand bags), heroin, jewelry, over-proof Jamaican rum, items made from endangered species, pharmaceuticals, Cuban cigars, animal parts, pirated DVDs, gold dust, potatoes, GBL (a date rape drug concealed as house cleaner), cow manure tooth powder, and illegal steroids.
All the images in the show, "Contraband," are of items seized from passengers or express mail entering the U.S. by photographer, Taryn Simon.
For five days in November 2009, Simon remained on site at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which processes more international passengers than any other airport in the United States. The exhaustive pace at which she photographed paralleled the twenty-four hour rhythm by which goods move across borders and time zones. CONTRABAND includes 1075 photographs of items detained or seized from passengers and express mail entering the U.S. from abroad.
The renowned photographer tells CNN she spent several months getting permission to do the project from airport authorities, before showing up with her air mattress and team.
"Myself and my team got very little sleep under the blinding fluorescent lights. It was torturous. I could barely stand on the last day," says Simon.
There are 1,075 photographs in the series, which will also be exhibited in New York and featured in a 500-page book due out soon.
The show is up at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills through Nov. 6 2010.
Gagosian Gallery - Beverly Hills
456 North Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-271-9400
All the images in the show, "Contraband," are of items seized from passengers or express mail entering the U.S. by photographer, Taryn Simon.
 |
| Bird Corpse - Prohibited Item |
The renowned photographer tells CNN she spent several months getting permission to do the project from airport authorities, before showing up with her air mattress and team.
"Myself and my team got very little sleep under the blinding fluorescent lights. It was torturous. I could barely stand on the last day," says Simon.
There are 1,075 photographs in the series, which will also be exhibited in New York and featured in a 500-page book due out soon.
The show is up at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills through Nov. 6 2010.
Gagosian Gallery - Beverly Hills
456 North Camden Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-271-9400
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