Visitors from specific countries are permitted to travel to the United States for a period of up to 90 days (for business or pleasure travel) without having to get a Visa.  There are specific requirements for countries to get on the waiver list, including security requirements, and the countries are generally considered developed economies.  Individuals from visa waiver countries must apply for travel through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, and meet a variety of additional requirements.

There are currently 35 Visa Waiver Countries:

Europe:  Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Asia:  Brunei, Japan, Singapore, South Korea

Oceania:  Australia, New Zealand

US visitors to those countries also are not required to have a visa, as part of reciprocity agreements, although Australia does require visitors to file an Electronic Travel Authority.

Visitors to the US can learn more about the Visa Waiver Program, its applicability and requirements from the Department of State.  Likewise, US residents wishing to travel abroad should also check regarding visa requirements for countries not on the wavier list.

Photo credit:  SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

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

Earlier today I was interviewed by Addison Schonland from IAG (Innovation Analysis Group), an airline industry consulting company.

Addison and I talked about what it was like to travel these days, managing airport security and the TSA, dealing with potential confrontational situations on the airplane, and ways to deal with potentially difficult situations.

My simple answer is that when you can’t change something, you have to change the way you think about it.  And for air travel, there’s lots that you can’t change – at least at the very moment it’s happening to you.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes and go listen to the interview, Air Travel Etiquette.

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Now, word is out about a holiday fee.  That’s right, Delta, American, United and US Airways have added on a $10 surcharge to fares on the weekends after Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.  The fares for that time already priced higher to start with (don’t believe me, try searching), and now we have a fee on top of the fare simply for traveling.  The fee applies to most ticked purchased for travel on November 29th, January 2nd and January 3rd, the traditionally busiest travel days of the year.

While airlines may be able to make an argument that the other fees are going to offset charges that they have to absorb (OK, the argument might be a stretch, but at least it’s there), there is no legitimate arguments other than greed that supports this holiday fee.  Simply put, the airlines know that people will be traveling, and they’re going to make a grab for as much additional money as they can get. 

I’m not a fan of a la carte airline pricing to start with, so this fee truly galls me.  Anyone else outraged, or is it just me?

Photo credit: SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

So I settled in for a good read.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make it past more than a handful before I began scratching my head.  OK, I remember that Lonely Planet is published in Australia, so maybe things are a bit different down under.  Still, they sell a lot of guides to a lot of people that aren’t in Australia, so there should be a broad perspective.

I kept reading.  OK, they tackle issues about packing, health and medical issues, and school quite nicely.  Pretty good stuff about preparing your little one and yourself for traveling.

But honestly, after that I pulled up short at the Transport Section, specifically by Air.  And the light bulb over my head came on.  AHA!  I know now why so many people on my flights are so ill equipped to travel with children – they must have read this guide and taken all the bad information and advice to heart!  Because this section reads like it was written by someone who hasn’t traveled since the 1970’s, or haven’t flown on a US airline in the past 10 years.

Here are a few of the gems you’ll find:

• Almost all airlines have children’s activity packs on board medium-to-long-haul flights which will complement the toys and activities you’ve brought.
• Plus, many airlines now have good audio and visual entertainment for children so they can plug into the children’s audio channel and also watch the kids’ movies or shows.
• Special children’s meals and activity packs are usually available
• Nappies and baby food are available for infants
• On most long haul flights, airlines will carry emergency supplies of nappies and, upon request, can provide jars of baby food.
• Car seat information that varied from having to buy a seat for it, not being able to use it for take off and landing, and paying a child’s fare for the seat.
• All airlines carry a number of bassinets or sky cots on long-distance flights.
• Some airlines insist that you wear an infant restraint belt to keep your infant in
• Most airlines will heat up bottles and also provide baby food, upon request.

And unfortunately, that’s where my enthusiasm for the guidebook petered out.  Although the remaining sections of the book dealt with specific types of vacation plans, and specific suggestions based on a variety of destinations, the errors in the initial part of the book made me hesitant about how much credibility to give it.

While some international carriers offer a few more amenities than US carriers, with the move to ala carte ticket pricing, the extras have gone away.  That includes things like activity packs and special meals.  On an international flight they might be available on some airlines, but to raise that expectation to the level of almost all or most is a true disservice to a parent.

The same goes for nappies.  At one time we may have had ONE diaper, but it’s long since gone away.  Other Flight Attendant friends say that maybe there will be one, but certainly a parent should count on it.

Baby food and bottle warmers.  I have never had baby food stocked on a flight for the 20+ years that I’ve been flying.  No one else seems to remember it either.  One friend said that she thought Emirates and/or Singapore might carry it, but no one that I talked to has actually seen it.  Ditto for the bottle warmer.  I’ve never seen one.  And we don’t have microwaves either.  If someone needs to warm a bottle, we try to put some hot water into a barf bag along with the bottle and get it to warm up that way.  Maybe some of the Asian or European airlines have these features, but with so much code sharing going on, and with so much of the audience for this book being US-based, the books leads you to conclude things that simply aren’t accurate.

Let me clear up a few other things –

Sky cots are available on some transatlantic and transpacific flights.  Check with the airlines in advance.

Inflight entertainment may be available, but it may or may not be child friendly.  Be prepared to censor.  And pay.

Child’s fares are rarely available any longer, except as part of a package where the hotel and air fare are priced in combination.  If you want a guaranteed seat for a car seat, you’ll need to buy a ticket.  If the plane isn’t full, you will likely be allowed to bring on your car seat and put it in an unoccupied seat at no charge.  This applies for infants under the age of 2.  Infants may be strapped into the car seat for take off and landing, a far safer place for them to be than on a parent’s lap.

I’ve never seen an infant restraint belt, although I hear they exist.  Policies on their use will vary from airline to airline, but a parent should not be surprised if they are not allowed.

I really tried not to be too ethno-centric about this book.  But when it’s priced for US sales, I expect it to address issues for the US traveler.  And when it comes to air travel, it fails. . . miserably.

When I raised my concern to the Lonely Planet people who sent me the book for review, but questions were answered with a disinterested we’ll let the editors know.  I’ve waited to post my review to allow plenty of time for a further response.  It’s been long enough, and I’ve heard nothing back.

I know there are lots of other books about traveling with kids that have been written, so I’ve lined up another one to review.  I’m hoping that will lead parents in the right direction.

I cannot recommend the Lonely Planet’s Travel with Children based on these errors and/or misinformation.  I give it a 2 star rating, and that’s solely based on the country-specific suggestions that make up the second half of the book.

The book is available from Lonely Planet ($19.99), Amazon ($14.39), or from your local book store.

Photo credit:  Amazon

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

ecoLiving Essentials biodegradable travel booties

The company was founded by two moms, who, as frequent travelers. were concerned about their germ exposure when removing their shoes at airport security.  They saw the bins of plastic booties offered at a few of the airports, and although they admired the concept, were concerned about the amount of plastic being sent to the landfill.  (TSA allows booties to be worn through the security screen, but requires that they be disposed of in that area.)  Refining the concept, the two were able to come up with a disposable and biodegradable alternative that could protect travelers from germs and was still affordable.

A second travel product, the shower cap, attempts to accomplish the same thing – replace a commonly disposed item with a biodegradable option.  You can stop using the ones you find in your hotel room, using, and re-using, a biodegradable one.

The company claims, that in addition to the products themselves being eco-friendly, all the packaging is also naturally biodegradable, completely eco-friendly, BPA-free and non-toxic (the bags are made of plant material).  This means you can toss the products and packaging into the recycling bin, compost pile, or in the trash (if you must).  As an additional selling point, both packaging and products are made in the US with local materials.  Yay for creating local jobs!  While I think we all prefer re-usable products, the reality of travel is that we often are faced with making disposable choices.

The travel booties are priced at $5.95 for two sets of booties, and the shower cap at the same price point for three caps.

I was sent a sample of the booties for review, which gave me the chance to check out the packaging and product.

Biodegradable travel booties

The first thing I noticed was that the exterior package felt and crackled like cellophane (that really noisy crackling type of cello wrapping paper), and carried a choking hazard label.  I don’t know why that warning label bothered me, but it did.  I know that it’s important labeling, and packaging can be a serious danger to small children, but I guess I naively want my package to be both earth friendly and kid friendly, too.  It’s my issue, but needn’t be yours.

The booties are large (one size fits most), and heavy enough that you feel like you’re getting real protection on your feet.  These aren’t the flimsy kind that you pick up at the airport security bin, and they did make me feel like my feet were protected.  Elastic around the ankle area is designed to keep them on your feet, rather than slipping off, and with bare feet it worked fairly well.  With socks on, however, it felt like the booties were going to slip off.  They didn’t, it just felt that way.  The plastic was also textured enough that I didn’t slip and slide on the airport floor.

In short, the product did what it claims it can do – keep your feet protected.  And if walking through security in your stocking feet is a big gross out for you, then these booties are a product that you’re going to love.  It may also mean you can wear sandals or flip flops and not have to worry about going barefoot in the security area by putting on the booties.

For me, however, the germ issue when passing through security isn’t enough of an “ick” factor for me to spend the money (albeit a nominal amount) and time to deal with the booties.  I know all the arguments about germs on the floors, mats, etc., and I know that the security area doesn’t get cleaned nearly often enough.  But I work on an airplane.  I am exposed to more germs in one flight that many people are in an entire month.  I deal with it by taking steps to keep myself healthy, keeping my immune system in great shape, washing frequently, and by trying not to think too hard and long about all the germs.  In this case, denial helps me keep the issue in a neat little box, allowing me to do my job.

However, that’s just me.

If the thought of all these germs creep you out, if you have a compromised immune system, or if you’re prone to picking up every bug that happens by, that will be enough to send you running for booties.  And if you’re going to use them, I can recommend the ecoLiving Essentials booties.  $6 will buy you two pair, enough for a roundtrip, and plenty of peace of mind.

Overall rating:  3 1/2 stars (out of 5).  I think it’s a quality product, but am not sure that there’s really a need.  I’m not sure it’s one of those things that makes traveling that much easier and/or enjoyable.

Your thoughts?

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

So what are you going to do?  Well, at LAX, if you have enough time to get away, you can leave the hustle and bustle of the airport and head to the beach!

Manhattan Beach Pier

There are several stops along Century Boulevard, so you can pick up a stop near the airport or near your hotel if your stuck without a car.  The airport is a very big place, and you’ll need to walk out to Century Boulevard, so check at one of the information centers in the airport to get directions from whatever terminal you’re in.  Here are the stops in the general LAX area:

• 5249 West Century Boulevard
• Century Boulevard & Concourse Way
• 5757 West Century Boulevard
• Century Boulevard & Airport Boulevard
• Century Boulevard & Avian Way
• Century Boulevard & Vicksburg Drive

The shuttle costs $3 round trip.  If you’re near at airport hotel, you can buy a ticket from the hotel front desk or concierge.  If you’re coming from the airport, you can buy a ticket when you get onboard.  Cash only, although the driver can typically make change.

The shuttle operates in a loop, and it will take about a half hour to get to the beach.  Make sure that you calculate your return, allowing yourself plenty of time walk back into the airport, clear security and get to your gate.

If your staying at an airport hotel, as I was last week, Ocean Express is a great way to see a little of the sights without the need for a rental car. 

I caught a shuttle around 1 pm and headed to the beach, getting off at the Manhattan Pier stop.  From there, I grabbed a quick late lunch, and then walked along the beach until I got to Hermosa Beach.  It was a bit of a walk, but nothing too strenuous, and a great way to enjoy a few hours.  After exploring Hermosa Beach, I walked back, and jumped on the trolley for a return to my hotel.  A GREAT way to spend an afternoon away from the airport!

Photo credit:  SXC

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Q.  Is there anything I can do (that might be more of a secret) to get a better seat/1st class?  I fly 1st as often as possible, but sometimes it’s just not doable.  I know it’s a silly question but I’ve always wondered.

A. It’s not a silly question at all, and is one that gets asked all the time!  And the answer has changed a lot since I first wrote about scoring an upgrade over three years ago.  Upgrades are getting harder to come by, but they aren’t impossible.  Here are a few of my recommendations:

• Frequent Flyer status – This is the number one best way to score a flight upgrade.  But you can’t just join ever program and expect it to work for you.  Take a look at who you usually fly on, taking into account your home airport and the destinations that you most often go to.  Then look at the airlines that fly those routes.  Once you know which airlines you have to deal with, take a look to see if they share a frequent flyer program.  Take a few minutes a map it all out, and hopefully you can find one (or two at the most) who cover most of your usual flying.  Then be sure to use that same number for all your flying.
• Change from the competition – If you have an elite status on another carrier, many airlines are eager to woo you away.  There are lots of programs in place that will grant you elite status on a new carrier if you have that status on a competitor.  Be prepared to substantiate your position.  This wooing frequently involved upgrades.
• Buy your tickets from the airline – Most airlines will meet or beat any price out there, so I’m not sure why everyone is rushing to all the third party sites any more.  Buying directly from the airline will mean that you’ll be in compliance with all the rules regarding making a connection, and if you run into any problem you’ll be protected.  And when it comes to an upgrade, agents will look first at people who dealt directly with the airline.
• Be nice – Given a choice, most people will opt to upgrade someone who is nice to them rather than someone who is not.  I know regular flyers who bring candy or some other small item to the agents.  They swear it helps.  You probably won’t find a agent that will admit to that, since it violates policies of some sort or another, but it can’t hurt.
• Let people know if there’s a special occasion.  But be honest and credible.  Agents can spot a scammer a mile away.
• Dress well – No one wants to put a slob in first class.  You don’t have to be in a suit and tie, just be neat and well-groomed.
• Ask politely – There’s nothing wrong with politely asking if an upgrade is available.  It helps to have frequent flyer status, but don’t let that stop you. A few things to keep in mind, however, are that not all fares are eligible for an upgrade and not all upgrades are free. Know what you would be prepared to pay for an upgrade so you can make an instant decision.

The above list are things that happen before you ever get to the plane and see a Flight Attendant.  If you haven’t been successful, your odds of scoring an upgrade are lower once onboard, but still not impossible.

• Ask politely – This is really just a follow up in case there’s an extra seat in first class or someone no-shows at the last minute.  Just let the Flight Attendant know that if there’s a vacant seat that you would be interested in an upgrade.  Most of the times this won’t happen, and again it helps to have elite frequent flyer status, but we’ll try to accommodate you if we can.
• Recognize airline policy – Some airlines have policies that prohibit Flight Attendants from upgrading a passenger, and there may be punitive measures taken for ignoring the policy.  If you run into that, don’t push the issue.
• Be helpful and polite – If you see that the Flight Attendant is trying to get a family together or working to help people sit by one another, offer to help out if you can.  Sometimes, if they ask you to move, they are asking you to move to first class.  We’re most likely to move someone who is nice to us.
• Be a nice guy or gal – What doesn’t work is to threaten or try to intimidate.  Such phrases as “do you know who I am” or “I know the CEO” or “do you know how many miles I fly on your airline” don’t impress us.  If we don’t know who you are, you aren’t that important.  We know the CEO as well.  And we fly more miles that you do.  If you’ve had a bad day, or it’s a special occasion, feel free to mention it, but don’t take it out on us.  We want your flight to be pleasant, and if you’re trying to make it so on your side of things, chances are we’ll do the same.

If it didn’t work out for you this time, prepare for the next time with a few actions:

• Write a complaint letter – This is where people sometimes get turned around, and think that writing a flaming complaint letter will get them tons of free tickets or an upgrade.  That scam has been tried by a whole lot of people, and the “something for nothing” letters can be spotted.  If something has gone wrong, and it’s the fault of the airline, by all means set forth the details in a polite, but firm, way.  The airline needs to step up and address what went wrong, and there is nothing wrong with you holding them accountable.  Be honest, realistic, and don’t make something up.  It’s easier, and more justifiable, to reward and recognize good behavior than bad.
• Write a praise letter – Everyone loves a happy passenger!  So why not be that person.  Write a letter talking about the things that went right with your experience.  Mention people by name and talk about how they’ve made a favorable impression.  If it’s your first flight, mention that, and that you’ve joined the frequent flyer program and are anxious to experience some of the perks (upgrades of the program).  If you’re not quite at elite status, or are between levels, mention that, and that you’re positive experience is what keeps you coming back to fly that airline.  If you’ve just switched over, or were going to put stuck with it, mention that as well.  It has to be credible, don’t make things up, but who wouldn’t want to reward a flyer who’s thrilled with the airline.

It’s not always going to work, and there are going to be times when that upgrade just doesn’t come through.  A little thinking ahead, though, may make a world of difference.

If you’re a frequent flyer and have had any of these tips work for you, I’d love to hear about it.

If you’re a Flight Attendant, please chime in with whether you think these will work on YOUR airline, and add anything that I’ve missed!

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Q.  I can’t believe you can pack so light.  What do you take in your carry on?

A.  This varies based on whether I’m traveling for work or pleasure.  If it’s work, there are some additional things that I have to carry, and when I’m in uniform, I’m exempt from the no liquids rule.  Since most of you will need to be in compliance with the no liquid rule, here’s a run down of what’s in my carry on if I’m flying away for a getaway weekend.

• Netbook – I downsized to this for my trip to Europe this year, and boy did it free up space and weight!
• iPod
• Camera and FlipCam
• Gadget accessories – chargers, mouse, extra cards
• Notepad and pens/pencils, envelopes, file folder with trip info in it, miscellaneous stuff to collect additional information while on trip
• Make up and toiletries
• Bag of liquids – deodorant, toothpaste, perfume, cleanser, moisturizer, mascara, lipstick and gloss,and small-sized hair products
• Change of clothes – usually just another t-shirt or blouse, underwear, socks, and a swimsuit (if I’m going somewhere warm)
• Sleepwear
• Snacks – I’m a big fan of packing something healthy to eat on the road
• Jewelry
• Kindle

And that’s it!  Everything else goes in one roller bag that I check.

My carry on contains the essentials that I’ll need so I’m not bored during the flight, keeps my valuables with me, and with a change of clothes can get me through an overnight if my bag is delayed.  Really — I CHECK MY BAG!  I made a few modifications for a three week trip, but the basic framework for my packing is always the same.  And if I’m on a ticket (rather than flying on a pass), I always check my bag.

What do you pack in your carry on?

Post from: Fly Away Cafe