First, there was the Heene family, and what it becoming known as the Bubble Boy Flight.  Or hoax, depending on which side of the issue you come down on.  A recent CNN breaking news report said that charges were soon to be filed against the dad.  What charges?  Not yet known, but many who followed the story on Thursday will be curious to find out.

Next, comes the story of Nic (a mom), Jackson (a baby), Atlanta’s Jackson-Hartfield Airport, and the TSA.

On October 16th, Nic posts on her blog that while she was undergoing a secondary screening a TSA official took her baby out of her arms and left her sight.  You can read her story on her blog.  A cry went up from outraged parents and passengers.  And who could blame them.

I read her story and while it sounded outrageous, I had a niggling little voice inside of me that said. . . “there’s more to this story.”  Maybe it’s because I’m naturally suspicious and need corroborating evidence.  Maybe it’s because I deal with the TSA and security screening more than most people.  Maybe it’s because something just didn’t sound authentic.

The TSA chimed in on the TSA blog, citing their attempts to contact Nic and receiving no response.  They posted a video of the individual who they claim in Nic, showing in elapsed time a security process that took around 9 minutes starting from the time she put her items on the security conveyor until she walked away from the security screening area.  What happened in those 9-ish minutes didn’t bear much in common with Nic’s description, with the exception of there was a baby and there was a security screen.  In the video, baby and mom were never more than a couple of feet apart, always within eyesight of one another.

You will never hear me asserting the the TSA is a paragon of efficiency or etiquette.  I have seen everything from people trying their hardest to do a job that no one really wants done to power hungry officials.  Everything from gross incompetency to an I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude.

I’ve seen passengers who are polite, despite the intrusion on their civil liberties and the ridiculous procedures involved.  But I’ve also seen passengers with chips on their shoulder, taking out anger or frustration on people who are just trying to do their job.  I’ve seen passengers who refuse to calm down, becoming their own worst enemy, as well as those who are angry and spoiling for a fight and exaggerating their circumstances.

In this world, it takes all kinds.

Take a look at these videos and decide who you believe told the truth.   I’m not asking whether you agree with TSA procedures, because not many people do.  I’m not asking if you thinking a mom should be separated from her child, because clearly she should not.  What I’m asking here, is who is telling the truth.  If blogging in citizen journalism, we need to care about that.

Watch the video and then vote.  Feel free to leave a comment as well.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

How can you put all those precious waiting minutes to good use?  You can keep a book nearby, but often you just get into the plot and it’s time to put it aside.  You can talk on your phone, annoying everyone around you and risking private information being overheard my many.  You can stare into space, day dream, or even try to come up a way to save the world.

But what if during all the waiting around you really could save the world?  Well, maybe not you alone and maybe not the entire world, but what if you could use the waiting time to support a cause that was important to you?

That’s part of the premise behind a new on-line game charity called GamesThatGive that launched earlier this week.  It’s a chance for you to play some of your favorite online games for FREE and while doing so generate funds for your favorite charity.   Funds are generated by the corporations who sponsor the site, who have agreed to donate 70% of its advertising revenue to charity.  All you have to do is pull out your smart phone or laptop, and choose your favorite game.  They say:  “70% of our ad revenue goes to your favorite charity. You play. We donate. No Catch.”

Who are the community minded businesses involved with the venture?  More are being added each day, but so far include Domino’s Pizza, Starbuck’s, Pepsi, Best Buy, Quaker Oats, Dial, and MasterCard.

There are about 9 games that you can choose from, including Solitaire, Blackjack, Gems, Bubble Burst, and Sudoku.  Pick your favorite, or try to learn a new one.  Although I’m not a big game person, when I could help raise money for Breast Cancer Network of Strength, Mercy Corps, or Ronald McDonald House Charities (just three of the charities you can choose), it seemed like gaming was a good idea.

There’s even a social media component, if you want to challenge your friends to beat your scores, raise more money, or get involved.

I just checked the site before writing this post, and it said that $3.147.87 had been raised so far.  If you’re hanging out with time on your hands, play a game or two and make that total go much higher!

Photo credit:  SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Still, I did get intrigued by a number of other topics, though. . . .

Eyeflare – 9 airport rip offs, and although I don’t agree with all of them (Duty Free can be a bargain, if you know you’re prices), there’s some good tips here.

The Edinburgh Guide – I don’t often think of tanning in Scotland, but Andy tells us the best spots in Edinburgh to work on a tan.

Intelligent Travel – Island hopping in Vermont?  I didn’t know that Vermont had islands till I read this article.

Tripso – Airports may not be known for their fine dining, but at some you can get a really decent meal.

Travel Views – How do you define value when it comes to choosing a restaurant and meal.  A good discussion of what is becoming a pretty big travel expense.

The South Florida Traveler – I love bags, and this BuiltNY Laptop Porter looks like it good be a good choice.  Attractive, lightweight, and perfect for travel.

Los Angeles Times – What does Mexico need to do to win back travelers?

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Between the hours of 9 am – 6:30 pm, a complimentary van service makes scheduled trips between the airport and Temple Square.  The service delivers you to one of the two visitor centers where complimentary tours are offered.  You can take a quick guided tour of this 10 acre area at the center of the city, then return to the airport for your outbound flight.

Regardless of religious affiliation, Temple Square is one of the most popular attractions in the state.  It is home to the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the Salt Lake Tabernacle and the huge pipe organ that accompanies the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

The Temple, with is six-spire design, is an operational house of worship.  No public tours of the interior are available.  (If you are member of the church and wish to enter the Temple, a temple recommend is required.)  The rest of the grounds are open to the public.

There’s no reason to feel stuck at the airport here in Utah.  Put down your work, and enjoy a little cultural outing.  It’s one of the most unusual cities that I’ve visited, and I’m fascinated at how religion as shaped its architecture, culture and development.

NOTE:  Allow a minimum of 90 minutes for the tour and round trip transportation.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

But this?  If you miss your flight, that’s bad.  But acting like this?  Even worse!

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

What kind of traveler do you consider yourself to be?

• Expert – My bag is always packed, I can be at the airport in half an hour, and will figure out plans on the fly.
• Advanced – It takes me awhile to figure out what I need to do, but I can manage planning, packing and the airport with minimal stress.
• Intermediate – It’s going to take some doing, but I’ll manage.
• Novice – I don’t travel that often, so it takes me awhile.
• Inexperienced – I need a lesson to help me back, and I have no clue how to get through security. 
• Miracle Worker – These kids, car seats, strollers and bag didn’t magically get to the plane, OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT I’M DOING!

Vote in the Poll Section of the top portion of the sidebar, and feel free to leave comments below.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

I think the ability to research, sleuth out the best and perfect deal, and make reservations yourself is a wonderful thing.  BUT – it also means that you have to take responsibility for those reservations, including the mistakes that you make.

One mistake that I’m seeing on a regular basis, is travelers not allowing sufficient time to make a connection.  This can have unintended consequence that can wind up costing you money.

Here are a few scenarios, and my recommendations on making sure you have enough time to make your connection:

You are traveling domestically on Airline A and are connecting to another domestic flight also on Airline A:

If it’s a large airport, I’d allow no less than 45 minutes.  That gives you time to get off one plane, walk to another gate, and board another.  It has a little built in room in case there’s a small delay.  I’ve seen people do it in 30 minutes, but I’d not take that chance unless it is a very small airport.  Under 30 minutes is just asking for trouble.

You are traveling domestically on Airline A and are connecting to a domestic flight on Airline B:

I’d probably go with 45 minutes unless I knew that the connecting gate areas were at opposite ends of a busy airport.  Then I’d allow an hour.

You have purchased two separate tickets (rather than one) and will need to get to another gate to make that flight:

This is the riskiest scenario of all.  Because you have two different tickets, and if you miss the connection, the second airline will assume you are a no show and will cancel your ticket.  Will you be able to convince them to reinstate it?  Maybe.  Will there be a fee associated with it?  Most likely.  If you are going to take this option, I recommend leaving lots and lots of time to make the connection.  Don’t try to cut it short and find yourself without a flight.  Depending on the airport and the airlines, I’d suggest hours and hours of a cushion.

You are traveling domestically on Airline A and are connecting to an international flight on any carrier:

I’d allow no less than an hour at a smaller airport and 90 minutes at a major hub.  The reason?  You will most likely have to go to the international terminal, and that’s going to take some time.  Depending on the airport, you may have to go back through security (LAX for example).  That means you need to allow for time in line and clearing security.  You also want to make sure there’s time for your bag to make it as well.  And if you’re flight is early and everything goes smoothly, you can use those few extra minutes to browse duty free!

What about an international flight?  Any difference?

You are traveling international inbound to the US on Airline A and are connecting to another US flight.

You will have to go through customs and immigrations inbound to the U.S., and depending on the airport, time of day, and number of other international arrivals, this could take awhile.  You will need to claim your bags and get them checked to your final destination, then clear security again and get to your departure gate.  If you make the trip regularly, and know your airport and its traffic patterns, or are continuing on the same flight number, you will probably do fine with 90 minutes.  If you are not an experienced traveler, are planning on making major purchases abroad, are traveling with children or a large group, or in any way can’t run through an airport if time is tight, I’d recommend allowing 2 hours.

There are, of course, exceptions to all of these recommendations, but these are the guidelines that I personally start with.  If missing a connection has serious repercussions (missing the last flight that gets you in on time for a cruise departure, missing the last flight of the day to Europe, or something like that), I try to take an earlier flight or leave additional time to make my connection.

NOTE: If you don’t have checked bags, and can make an earlier connection, you can always ask your airline to stand-by for the earlier flight.

Image credit:  SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

After you check your bags, take a deep breath, queue up, and get ready to wait.  The lines are likely to be long this time of year, but there are things you can do to put that time to good use.  Sure you can chat on your phone or with your traveling companions, but do that after you have everything everything else prepared and ready to go.

Here are my recommendations for breezing through the security process:

• Have your photo ID out of your pocket or purse, and have it tucked together with your boarding pass.  Keep this handy, because you’ll have to present both to the TSA official when you get to the front of the line, and then again when you go through the metal detector.  I’ve mentioned this before, and I’ll keep mentioning as long as I see people stalling the process by waiting till they’re asked for ID.
• Once you’re at the front of the security line, get off your cell phone.  You need to pay attention to where you’re sent, get your things into bins and bags on the conveyor belt.  In other words, you’re going to need both hands free.
• Once you get in the line to go through the metal detector, start getting ready.  Remove your shoes and jacket, and place them in a bin – again BEFORE you get to the front of the line.  Cell phones and iPods, too.  Ditto for the change in your pockets or any other metal your might have – though why you haven’t packed this away is beyond me!  All this goes is a bin.
• Remove your 3-1-1 liquids and gel bag and put it into a bag as well.  This can go with your jacket and shoes.  If you haven’t removed them, your bags will be inspected and items removed.  If your liquids are too large they will be confiscated or you will be directed to check your bags.  Don’t waste your time, and everyone else’s, by not following the regulations.  (I see this happen EVERY SINGLE DAY and can’t figure out why people won’t comply.)
• Remove your laptop and other large electronic items from your bag and put them into a SEPARATE bin. 

Much of this can be done before you are at the front of the line, but realizing you can’t remove everything, just be ready when it’s your turn.  Know where everything is so you don’t have to fumble around causing delays for everyone behind you.

If there are crew members or airport employees, they will be in a special line and likely directed to the front of the line in a sanctioned “cutting in line.”  Some airports have dedicated lines for employees, but most now just put everyone through the same lines, sending employees to the front.  If you have employees “cut” in front of you, don’t become hostile or aggressive.  TSA is on alert for any aggressive behavior, and when it’s directed to a crew member it’s likely to cause even more concern.  We’ll be fast and get through as quickly as we can so you can have your turn.

• Once you get a little closer to the front of the line for the conveyor belt, place your luggage, carry on, purse, packages, etc. directly onto the belt.  These do not need to be in a bin.  Do not carry anything to the x-ray scan, except your boarding pass and ID.
• If, despite all your planning and efforts, you are having problems getting everything together and on the security belt, motion to the person behind you to go ahead.  It’s just good manners to keep the line moving.
• After all your bags and stuff is on the conveyor belt, step aside and stand inline to walk through the metal detector.  Line up and walk through AFTER you have been motioned to do so.

But what if the metal detector goes off?  Now what?  Keep reading to find more tips on getting through security.

Hopefully, by following all previous suggestion, you’ll walk through the door frame and keep on walking.  But if the alarm goes off, stop and return to the front side of the door frame. 

• TSA officials will have you check your pockets to see if you’ve forgotten anything.  Step aside from the line to do this, letting people behind you pass through.
• If you’ve forgotten something in your pocket, place it in a bin and send it on through on the conveyor.  People will be irritated with you.  They’ll wonder why you thought you could get through with the bag of quarters from the slot machine jackpot you won.  Deal with it in a way that allows other people to get through and you’ll save a little face.

Sometimes, though, you really have done everything right and the metal detector still goes off.  Don’t get angry, just be prepared for a hand wand screen and a pat down by the TSA.  Try to keep a positive attitude about this.  It sucks.  I know.  Certain pieces of my uniform do this too, so I know how it feels.  You can’t change it at that point in your travels, so just change your attitude about it and you’ll have a more pleasant experience.

It’s still not over yet, and there’s much you have left to do.

• Once through the metal detector, slide your bags down to the end of the conveyor belt.  You can put your shoes on there – out of the way of other people trying to come through behind you – as well as lift up your bags and get everything back together.  Keep aware of your environment, and don’t block people behind you.  If you need extra time, that’s not a problem, just stand to one side so others can pass.
• As you pick up your things, stack up the empty bins.  If you don’t they’ll just start bunching up and nothing else will get through.  This part of the process is about paying it forward since it helps the people behind you.  Do it!

That’s it – you’re finally through and ready to head to your departure gate!  Safe travels!

Photo credit:  wikimedia, conveyor belt; metal detector

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Today, I tackle the the planning and packing that will help you comply with the liquid and gel restriction, and make getting through airport security a breeze.

Let’s be honest, the big headache at the airport is getting through security.  It’s time consuming, the rules seem to be continually changing, and there are different procedures in nearly every airport you transit.  Is it any wonder that the security process is one of the most stressful parts of travel?!

The best way to get through airport security is to plan ahead and be prepared.  Preparation and planning starts at home, from the things you pack to what you wear, so before you ever walk out the door read and remember these tips:

1. Don’t wear metal – wear something that will get through security easily.  Leave the big brass belt buckle in a bag, because trust me, it is not going to make it through the security.  The same goes for heavy metal jewelry, hair decorations, chains on your belt loops, etc.  I’m not saying that you can’t wear these items, but I am saying don’t try to get through security wear them.  Pack them away and put them on AFTER you’ve cleared the metal detector.  Remember, if you have to stop and take off all this in the security line, it’s going to take longer for you to get through, and it will hold up everyone behind you.  Don’t be that person!
2. Wear a coat that’s  easy to slip off.  Same goes for your jacket, sweater, or other outerwear.  If you’re going to keep it on while you’re waiting in line, you want something easy to remove as you get to the front of the line.  Again, remove it in advance – BEFORE you get to the security belt.  If you’re going to carry your jacket and put it on AFTER you get through security, it probably doesn’t matter.  Think about which option applies to you.
3. Wear shoes that are easy to remove.  You are going to have to remove them to go through security and then put them back on on the other side.  (More about the etiquette of this in a future post.)  Taking off and putting on boots and other complicated shoes, no matter how attractive, is a time waster.  I wear simple slip on shoes that are on and off in a flash.
4. Remember the 3-1-1 rule.  3 ounces maximum sized containers in 1 clear plastic zip bag, for each person.  That is all the liquids and gels that you are permitted in your carry on luggage.  If you have more than that, or larger sizes, place them in your checked luggage.  There are some limited exemptions from this rule (e.g., for medications, breast milk), so if you have special needs you can check the TSA website for specifics.
5. Think about what’s a liquid or gel.  It’s not just bottles of water and shaving cream.  It’s also hairspray, toothpaste, deodorant, mascara, lipstick, cheese spread, and more.  Take a closer look at this liquid and gel list for more examples.
6. Put all your liquids in a clear bag.  There are lots of attractive containers and packing for gel and liquid items, many approved for use by the TSA.  I’ve used them, but on occasion have been confronted by an overly zealous TSA official who has dumped everything out of my clear travel bag into a Ziploc bag.  Using a particular brand of clear bag is not a legitimate function of the TSA.  However, if you want to get through and on your way you should just comply for the moment, and then write a letter of complaint later.  Comply now, complain later is a good rule of thumb. 
7. Place your liquids bag where it is easy to get to it.  Since you’ll have to remove you bag of liquids to go through security, make sure you’ve packed it where you can get to it easily.  Don’t waste time unpacking your entire bag just to get to the liquids.  Pack it last and on top, making it quicker for you to get to.
8. Pack your laptop where it’s easy to remove.  It’s not just liquids and gels that have to be removed.  You will have to remove your laptop and place it in a big to go through the security screen.  Have it handy, so that you can remove it without unpacking your entire bag.

Now that you’re dressed simply, and have your items packed so that they are easily accessible, your ready to head off the airport and tackle that security line!

Image credit:  SXC

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

While you can get away with being fashionably late to your office or party or neighborhood gift exchange, airport counters and security lines are not that forgiving. This will be a busy travel season, despite the recession, and if you’re one of the ones who’ll be flying it’s time now to start planning on how you’ll be getting to the airport.

As you’re making plans, remember to leave plenty of time to get to the airport, and make sure you take into account heavier traffic, less parking places, and longer security lines. 

Here are some options on how you can get to the airport.  Pick one that is economical – both in price and in stress level!

• Drive yourself and park at the terminal. Depending on where you live and the traffic patterns, this could take a fair amount of commute time. Additionally, terminal parking is generally the most expensive parking option, with prices in many airports nearing $30/day.  Sure, you have the convenience of complete control over your schedule, but compute the driving cost, parking cost, and time factor and see if this is really the right choice.
• Drive yourself and park off-site. Again, you have to deal with the traffic and commuting issue, but at least parking off-site saves a bit of money. Allow plenty of time to not only get to the parking lot, but also to get from the parking lot to the airport. The farther away the lot, the cheaper it will be.  Lots close to the airports are running around $15/day, and further away around $10/day.  If your off-site lot of choice accepts them, make a parking reservations to avoid finding the lot full on your travel day.
• Take a cab to the airport. You still have the traffic and commute to deal with, but you don’t have the headache of managing it.  The cab can take advantage of HOV or commuter lanes, and at most airports can drop you curbside at your airline ticket counter.  You can make a pick up reservation a few days in advance, and most accept credit cards.  This can be expensive for a short trip, but do the math and find out what you’ll save on parking.
• Use a car service. Although not available in all cities, I’ve found a car service to be more reliable than a taxi service when it comes to a timely pick up. Cars are clean and comfortable, and comparably priced to a taxi.  This is the option I use when I’ll be gone for any length of time.  During the holidays, I’d recommend making a reservation at least a week in advance.
• Shared van service. There are a variety of companies that provide these services, combining several pick ups in one shuttle. Because these are shared rides, it will take more time to get to the airport as you’ll make a couple stops, but you’ll also save some money.  The pricing is per person, rather than per trip, so if there are two or more of you traveling together, it’s probably more cost efficient to use a taxi or car service rather than to use a shared service.
• Stay at an airport hotel that offers parking in addition to the room.  For the price or a room, you can stay close by and take the hotel shuttle to the airport. If you live a ways away from the airport, this is a great option if you have an early morning flight.  The price of the room may offset the price of parking, and with some planning you can avoid peak traffic times.  There may be limits on how many days you can park free, so check to make sure than any limits meet your travel schedule.
• Public transportation. Depending on where you live this could be a subway, train or a bus. It’s cheap, it’s green, and it is relatively fast.  Unfortunately, this is not a viable option from my home, but it is in many major cities.  If you’re traveling with kids, remember that you’ll have to juggle your luggage and theirs, so think about  the additional stress this may place on you.
• Have a friend or family member drive you. This is probably my least favorite alternative, because you really are pushing your schedule and commute time onto someone else.  There are ways to avoid putting your travel stress on someone else, and that is always my first choice.  In considering this option, remember that you’ll need to bring home a gift or treat your chauffeur in some way, so it may be cheaper to consider another arrangement.

This time of year, I recommend planning to arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of your scheduled departure for a domestic flight and three hours for an international flight.  That gives you plenty leeway for a few things to go wrong without disrupting or ruining the entirety of your travel plans.

Frequent travelers most likely know what’s the best way to travel to the airport, but it’s something that the infrequent travel often forgets. Planning ahead will not only make things less stressful, but will also help to make sure that you aren’t rushing around on the day of your flight.

Photo credit:  SXC

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe