Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

The Transportation Security Administration or TSA are doing extra safety precautions for people who travel through air to follow.
Early this May, the TSA kick off the first phase of their Security Flight program by requesting travelers to use their full names in booking for their tickets. Air travelers have to use the name written in their valid IDs, no nicknames allowed anymore.

Then in the second phase, to be implemented mid August, passengers would need to give their birthday and gender. Some are then left to ask, what will a transgender who loves to travel write?

What are all these new travel information for? Airlines will pass every data to the TSA and they will use this information to screen for names in the federal watch list. Airlines used to do this job, but the TSA thinks that they are not doing a very good job.

TSA wants to handle all the screening proceedings in 2010.

But until then, the TSA would not be that strict yet. Nicknames for travel bookings may still be used. But in a few more months, once the next phase of the program begins you will be required to give your full name.

Another change that the TSA would want to implement is the direct screening of your footwear. Your shoes will have to say goodbye to those plastic bins for they will be now placed directly on the conveyor belt. In this way, inspectors could check the shoes more closely.

But no one will be forcing you to do this yet. You are still free to mix your footwear with your other personal belongings, but do not be surprised if the inspector will put your shoe for another round to the x-ray.

Some eager travelers might find this irritating and unnecessary. This might even increase the risk of loss. But come to think about it, you are saving your pouch bag and your freshly ironed coat from muddy plastic bins. If those shoes skip the plastic bins, this means that these containers may be cleaner and safer for your personal effects. For your information: these plastic containers are only cleaned as needed.

So, if you planning to travel this summer know the new TSA changes. Start by booking with your full name and remember to put your shoes directly on the conveyor belt. Cooperate for your own safety.

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According to the World Travel Market Report for 2008, released by Euromonitor International, travel service providers operating in international markets such as those of Asia and the Middle East will likely enjoy a relatively good year compared to those whose markets are the United States and Europe.

With the nation facing one of the worst financial crises in decades, the impact on consumer spending can already be felt in the industry. Not only are the individuals and families tightening their belts but also companies, in terms of business travels.

The good news is that budget hotels and carriers will be able to grab a larger share of the market. The rest of the industry will have to come up with more affordable rates for their vacation deals.

A lot of travelers these days are actually downgrading in order to manage the high cost of travel. Most are always on the lookout for cheap ticket deals in order to enjoy considerable savings.

Although fuel prices have gone down considerably in the past month, a lot of major airlines have yet to recover from the losses incurred when fuel costs skyrocketed during the summer. Most of them are still imposing surcharges on their passengers for fuel, checked luggage and other amenities.

Travelers, who are trying to stick to their budgets, have resorted to traveling with just a carry-on luggage and bringing their own water, blanket and even earphones. In addition, most plan their vacation during off peak season and fly out on weekdays.

The problems in the travel industry simply mirror the economic situation of the country. Fresh from the collapse of large Wall Street companies and large inventory of foreclosure properties, it is not surprising that consumers are cutting back on their travels, with many opting for a “staycation” instead.

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A rising number of U.S. airports have been striving to become more friendly to boost air travel.

Because of the recession, more and more people are revising their air travel plans to cut costs, pushing down the number of passengers passing through airports and boarding planes.

In response, airports have been using various marketing tools that they never considered before. Some airports are now using online social networking tools like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to connect with air passengers and update them about nice developments in air travel and in airports.

At the airport meeting held in Montreal recently, Myrna White, the public affairs director at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, told conference participants that her office has been using YouTube and Facebook to update travelers about various happenings at the airport. Her staff members microblog on things such as the visit of a movie star, the launching of a store outlet and an advisory on pet travel.

White also mentioned the micro social media tool Twitter, which can be used to promote air travel and to monitor what passengers are saying about airport services, such as bathrooms, food courts and meal choices.

Richard Walsh, a representative of Boston Logan International Airport, also affirmed the effectiveness of using Twitter and Facebook to promote his airport. He said that sharing photos, videos and updates about his airport’s parking, rocking chairs and events such as the recent impromptu concert held by the Brandeis University Choir at Logan humanize airports.

Other airports promote air travel and airport services by catering to the interests of travelers who prefer green-friendly facilities, who are interested in works of art and who need accessible facilities.

Airports in cities like Jacksonville, Asheville and Philadelphia have been expanding their art gallery programs which focus on the works of local and national artists. Some are even earning small amounts of commission from art work purchased by travelers.

Another promotional strategy that airports could do is to give attention to the traveling disability community, which comprises about 22 million people spending over $13.6 billion yearly on air travel.

Eric Lipp, director of the nonprofit Open Doors Organization, reported that in his organization’s recent survey, air travelers with disabilities said they would travel more if air travel staff would do their best to help.

All in all, airports and airlines do not have to worry about dwindling number of passengers who travel by air. Their staff would just have to be more friendly and more helpful.

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