Excess baggage charges — how much is too much?
Baggage fees are so ubiquitous that Southwest, one of the last holdouts, uses their lack of fees as a marketing point. Plus, other carriers market some of their branded credit cards as being a way to save on fees.
Autumn splendor: 5 foliage tours
Vermont and New Hampshire market their fall foliage as the most brilliant and ahhh-inspiring in the country. And it’s true: New England is a leaf-peeper’s paradise. But nature puts on this spectacular show all across the country. Get out and take a look.
Unions claim to reduce penalties for TSA workers not screeening bags
The American Federation of Government Employees has claimed that it negotiated reduced punishment for some of the TSA workers found to have not been doing their jobs. Is this good?
5 items you really need to bring in your carry-on
Most frequent and even semi-regular travelers know the basic drill — don’t put anything really important in your checked baggage. Most columns and posts are jewelry, keys, prescription medicines, computers and anything exceptionally valuable. But there other important items that we can’t live without.
Preventing and minimizing air travel luggage woes
Lost or delayed luggage, due to traveling by air, can ruin both business and leisure trips. Ned Levi examines and discusses what travelers can do to prevent and minimize air travel luggage woes.
Weekend what we're reading: FF miles pulled for complaining, airlines want money over safety, pilots earn less than window washers
This weekend, we seem to be a bit hard on the airlines. Then again, these stories focus on airline actions. Firstly, Delta fights to take away FF miles from a traveler who they say, “Complains too much,” Secondly, the airline association is fighting safety efforts proposed by the FAA regarding pilot fatigue. Finally, we take a look at what airlines pay pilots — less than window washers?
10 steps to getting through TSA airport checkpoints quickly
Lots of readers and friends ask me how I deal with TSA checkpoints at airports. They know I don’t approve of all of the searches and have privacy concerns. But, the airport checkpoint is not the place to argue the issues you don’t like. TSA officers have to go through their motions just like you have to go through the motions.
Sometimes, missing a flight can be a blessing in disguise
On the anniversary of September 11, there were countless stories of luck, good and bad. Random chance, as far as choosing or changing habitual routines, getting stuck in traffic or missing flights, meant the difference between life and death.
Of course, these events can be disaster or good luck.
Do airport take-off and landing slots belong to airlines or to the public?
During the past two years, an airline drama has been playing out in Washington, DC, between Delta Air Lines, US Airways and the Department of Transportation regarding a proposed swapping of slots between the two airlines.
Consumer Travel Alliance files comments regarding airline slot swaps and ancillary fee data
Consumer Travel Alliance files comments regarding LGA/DCA slot swap and DOT proposed rulemaking regarding reporting of ancillary fees, mishandled baggage and mishandled mobility devices such as wheelchairs, scooters and walkers.