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January 2006
Carry-on baggage limits?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What do you think about Sen. Ted Stevens’ proposal to limit airline passengers to one carry-on bag per person?
I didn’t think the Alaska Republican would get beyond the pontificating stage with his plan, and hadn’t paid much attention to it. Now I see that he’s planning to explore the issue at a Feb. 9 aviation hearing. His thesis is that airport screeners would be able to pay closer attention to potential terrorists if they weren’t so burdened by checking two carryon bags.
He has a point, I suppose. But two carry-ons is the way I travel, a small bag under the seat and a larger one overhead, and there’s no waiting at the end of the trip for baggage to be unloaded and put on the carousel. The few times I’ve been forced to check bags (because a travel companion couldn’t pack light), I’ve wasted at least an hour on each end waiting for bags, and the way I see it, that’s two hours better spent do absolutely anything else, with the exception of a root canal.
Would being limited to one carry-on bag affect the way you travel? Do you think it’s a good idea or bad?
Permalink | Comments (27) | Categories: About the airlines
New wardrobe for Delta attendants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta, which is struggling with bankruptcy, just unveiled new flight attendant uniforms. SEE PHOTOS Designer Richard Tyler says they evoke “the classic age of travel.”
Is this the right time to splurge on new uniforms?
And, besides, what about the style? Is it timelessly elegant, as Tyler says, or too 1950ish?
Permalink | Comments (136) | Categories: About the airlines
Travel that bites
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So a man bites a fellow traveler, then leaps from a moving plane in Fort Lauderdale before police subdue him with a stun gun. Do you have a traveling tale that can top this for a strange or unsettling behavior? One of those stories you’d really rather hear about than be involved in?
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Travel in 2006
Riding the deals wave
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Are you planning to cruise on vacation this year? Where are you going? Veteran cruisers know now is the time to book for the best availablity and perhaps the best deals. Bargain offers that sound tempting are crossing my desk daily.
The Cruise Lines International Association is touting some really great deals for cruisers who sign up during Wave Season for cruises they plan to take in spring and beyond. Here are a couple: Holland America Line’s “View & Verandah� promotion rewards cruise guests with upgrades that range from one to seven categories – a value of up to $300; travelers can book an ocean-view stateroom for the price of an inside stateroom or a Deluxe Verandah stateroom for the price of an ocean-view stateroom. Norwegian Cruise Line is offering discounted rates, stateroom upgrades and onboard credits on every 2006 ship and itinerary for all bookings made between now and Feb. 28.
Have you found an oustanding deal out there you want to tell other cruisers about? Is there a cruise line you can recommend above all others?
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Cruising
Registered traveling, anyone?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is getting through security at the airport faster and easier worth the tradeoff of handing over to the govenrment personal information and extra money for elite treatment?
I’ve been reading a bit about the Transportation Security Administration’s planned Registered Traveler Program and debating whether I’ll sign up for it when it goes into effect, probably by summer. The TSA is supposed to announce proposed guidelines by Jan. 20.
If you haven’t heard of the program, it’s basically this: In exchange for handing over some personal information to the TSA and submitting to a background check and fingerprinting and possibly even iris biometrics, and paying an as yet undetermined annual fee, possibly $80, frequent fliers can use special security lines to bypass the huddled masses waiting to get their bags screened.
On the one hand, it would make security check-in more predictable and less time-consuming, and it’s very tempting. On the other, I have a hard time with such a close, personal relationship with my government and I have a hard time with giving special treatment to people who can pay the $80 or so. It seems to me that leisure travelers who go once or twice a year might not want to pay $80 additional and will wind up standing in line, and it makes me uncomfortable to feel like the “elite.” What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Travel in 2006
Frequent flier changes?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Only four days into the new year, and airline experts are suggesting that many frequent flier programs are in for some “restructuring” as the airlines work to improve their bottom line. What you want to bet that those miles you’ve been accumulating will be worth less, no matter how the rules change?
What do you think about some of these ideas on the table?
Redemption rates based on trip mileage. For instance, an award trip to New York might cost 15,000 miles while a trip to Seattle might cost 30,000.
A wider selection of nonflight awards, such as spa visits, credit toward a cruise, home products or other items.
Better guarantees of choice flights and destinations, though that may require more mileage.
Looser deadlines on mileage expiration, currently at three years for most big airlines but as little as one year at smaller carriers.
Have you tried to redeem frequent flier miles for a special trip? Do you think these ideas will make redemption easier or harder?
Permalink | Comments (75) | Categories: About the airlines
