Jul
30
Delta Raises Fees on 2nd Bag - Delta has doubled it’s second suitcase fee from $25 to $50. They have also increased fees on items that require special handling such as surfboards, skis, bikes, and heavy items. This applies to tickets purchased after July 31. The third bag fee goes from $80 to $125. First bag is still free. First and Business Class ticket holders can still check three bags at no charge. The free baggage perk also applies to upper level Delta frequent flier members.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield Intl is the World’s Busiest- ATL is now the worlds busiest airport terminals serving 89.4 billion passengers in 2007. This is an increase of 6.8% over 2006. So far during 2008 the growth has slowed to a 3% growth rate. Second place went to O’Hare and third place was Heathrow.
Jul
23
The New Space Race - Overhead Bin Space
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Welcome to the new space race! The race for overhead bin space on your next flight. And the eyes of airline employees with be focused on you.
Since luggage has become a new profit center, an estimated $350 million for American, many airlines, passengers need to pay much more attention to their carry-on luggage. Airlines are starting to enforce limits on carry-on baggage and many fliers are being caught up in the mess.
In order to not delay the passenger boarding processes be ready to have your carry-on bags size closely monitored. American and United airlines have announced they will be adding workers at entrances to security lanes to stop passengers who are carrying more than one small bag that can fit in an overhead bin and one “personal item”. Plans are also underway to install templates or slots in front of TSA x-ray machines that will not allow you luggage to pass if it is over sized.
Also be ready to have your carry-on taken from you at the planes loading door. As more and more passengers try to take on bags, your flights overhead bins may fill-up before you entry the aircraft. When this happens you will be forced to give up one of your two items for storage below. If this happens to you ask your bag be returned to you at your destinations gate not at the luggage carousel, known as “gate-to-gate” handling.
I suspect the new luggage fees will first result in a torrent of voice announcements as we move through airports reminding us of the new enforcement. I also think that if most people are like me they will be highly motivated to arrive at the airport early to get a early boarding pass.
I also am starting to think this is about reducing the amount of luggage on each plane. Airlines may be thinking that adding these hassles to the already existing hoops we have to jump through when flying may reduce the weight of the luggage they are transporting. Maybe over-weight people will soon be hit with an additional fee.
Check your airlines website for their current luggage restrictions.
Jul
21
I always thought it was a bit of a splurge to ship your luggage ahead of you to your destination, but with airlines starting to charge for checked baggage, it may not be such a bad idea. I’ve also discovered that dealing with lots of luggage can sometimes take it’s toll on my back. Last thing you want when starting your vacation is low back pain!
I found cardboard boxes that are close to the size of my suitcases, over the years I’ve settled on boxes that have a single layer of cardboard, they are lighter than the double layered. To help strengthen the boxes I’ve taped all the edges with heavy reinforced packing tape. The stuff with the fiber filaments running through it. That stuff is tough. I also don’t tape the bottom, allowing me to flatten the box at my destination and for storage at my house.
I usually add a bit of bubble wrap packing material or a overcoat to fill the voids between the box and the suitcase. Don’t forget to put a small roll of packing tape in the box before you close it up for when you ship the box home.
I normally ship suitcases via UPS or FedEx. First I call my destination and ask if they can hold my box for me for arrival, if not I ship the box and have it held for pick-up at a local UPS Store or Kinko FedEx. Using the hold for pick-up option can also save you some money. They will hold your box for five days, allowing you to ship your baggage using a less expensive slower shipment method.
Shipping the box home may be more difficult, you will need to find a shipping option that is convenient for you, usually that means an easy pick-up service. I’ll often keep in my shipping box a few FedEx waybills that I can you use. These waybills have my personal account info pre-printed on them, so billing is not an issue. Folks at your destination can often help you with finding a good solution.
I’m looking for a very heavy duty plastic bag to ship my suitcase in next time rather than using a box.
Another way to do it is to hire someone!!!
These delivery services will take care of everything for you. It will cost you more than doing it yourself, but you may want to give it a try. Some of these services just outsource the deliver, with FedEx or UPS showing up at your door to transport your suitcase. I have yet to try any of these services yet. NOTE: Luggage Free sends their own courier.
LUGGAGE FREE - VIRTUAL BELLHOP - LUGGAGE FORWARD
Jul
18
And Delta is just the first, and it may not be as bad as it sounds…. An advertising agency says they have cut a deal with five airlines buying space on their consumer printed online boarding-passes. The company will supply the airlines with advertisements, weather updates, coupons, restaurants and event promotions for my tickets destination. With 250 million boarding-passes printed by consumers each year, it could be really opportunity.
This may be one of those rare occasions where, if they really do supply quality info, the clutter of ads may be worth the space they consume. But at some point I’m going to block out all the ad “noise” airlines are pushing at me. From inside the terminal billboards to seat-back tables advertisements.
I understand we will have the ability to opt out of the ads at the time of printing.
Jul
14
After all the problems the public had with air travel last summer the federal government said things would be better this year. Guess What! They are just as screwed up as last summer. But does that surprise you? The fact that our government couldn’t fix something?
The nations air traffic control system is still having problems dealing with all the flights it monitors. And financial difficulties with some airlines have made improving operations difficult.
30% of all flights in June were late or canceled. With New York’s LaGuardia Airport still being the biggest culprit, with delays almost as long as last summer. Only 52% of their flights arrived on schedule compared to last years 56%.
Biggest problems seem to be with United and American, both of which use Chicago as a major hub. Chicago has had a been hit not only with flight congestion but also some bad weather this year.
The FAA says they have made changes and improved the air traffic control system. Just imagine when these government bureaucrats are running our health care system!
From what I’ve read it appears the biggest problems fliers have is with customer service issues. Crews that care little about the comfort of their passengers, few if any in-flight amenities and little help with missed or delayed flights.
I suggest my readers prepare for additional delays and flight problems this summer. Leave extra time for connecting flights. Don’t book events such as a cruise departure close to your flights arrival time.
Jul
11
US House Passenger Rights Bill
Filed Under Airlines, Legislation, News | Comments Off
Leaders of the US House of Representatives have introduced legislation called the Air Service Improvement Act of 2008. This act is different from the bill stalled in the Senate in that it separates passenger rights from FAA funding.
The bill requires airlines and airports to maintain emergency plans for providing stranded customers with required services or face a $25,000-a-day fine. It would also require airlines to regularly report delay and aiport diversions. It requires the Transportation Dept. to maintain a hot line for consumer complaints and to investigate those complaints.
The bill is expected to pass, and at the same time the Senate is also preparing a similar bill. More details can be found here. Air carriers appear to think that it would be best for them to police themselves.
Jul
9
DELTA - Has notified the DOT that it will be changing several of it’s US to Mexico flights from year round to seasonal. Stopping nonstop flights during August-November. NYC to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Atlanta -> Acapulco, Washington -> Cancun, Salt Lake City -> Mexico City, Orlando -> Mexico City, Los Angeles -> La Pax, Mazatlan and Zacatecas. Connecting service will still be available.
AIR TAHITI - Will suspend service between Tahiti and NY Kennedy for the winter. Last flight is Oct 18th.
UNITED - As a result of higher fuel costs United has delayed the launch of it’s new service from Washington to Moscow until March 29, 2009.
EL AL - Plans to end it’s three times weekly Tel Aviv to Miami non-stop service as of September 1st. It will add additional code-share flights with American.
Jul
3
Ever Wonder? Fly Commercial or Private?
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Ever try and fly into a small town? Want to skip the bigger airports? A new website, www.JetCombo.com, will help you by allowing you to combine commercial flights with private charters to reach your destination.
My first flight search was a round trip from the airport near my childhood home, Montgomery Ohio, and my college Ohio University located in Athens Ohio. It worked pretty well first option was on a small single engine Cirrus Sr22 at a rate of $695 before taxes. Flying me out of an airport near my old home, Blue Ash Airport, and using the Ohio University Airport-Snyder Field near school for the 30 minute flight. This fare included one free passenger and a two night stay for the crew.
Second flight test was a round trip from Blue Ash airport again but this time to Durango-La Plata County Airport. Cheapest flight was on a Cessna CE 401b, this piston engine plane would have taken almost 7 hours and would have required a refueling stop at a price of $7999 with 4 passengers. Flying this trip on a Eclipse 500 jet would cost over $22,000 and a flight time of just under 5 hours. This jet flight also included 2 passengers.
Hmmm… The airport in Durango is served by several major air carriers, but the returned results didn’t suggest I use any of those options. Maybe I don’t understand this service, but I thought it would have suggested a short flight from Blue Ash airport to a larger airport where I could have connected with a major airline.
May
30
Fewer Air-Traffic Controllers
Filed Under Airlines, Legislation, Security | Comments Off
5 of 5 - Safety & Security Week
The bad news is that air-traffic controllers are leaving in huge numbers. These retiring controllers are leaving at the fastest rate since President Ronald Reagan fired more than 12,000 striking controllers in 1981.
To reduce the bleeding the FAA is hiring hundreds of trainees and offering bonuses of as much as $24,000 to keep controllers in their current jobs. The FAA also says that air travel has never been safer. In January 2008 we had around 11,000 controllers, a loss from the 2,801 6 years ago.
The union that represents the controllers, NATCA, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, has declared staffing emergencies at several major US airports. Union statement. It appears much of this is due to a contract dispute that has lasted since 2006.
May
27
2 of 5 - Safety & Security Week
This is the Eastern Caribbeans second busiest airport located on the Dutch side of the island of Saint Martin. Approaching jets fly just 30-60 feet over the heads of sunbathers on the Maho Beach. Even with the difficult approach no major accidents have occurred. This list is from Oddee.com. For an interesting discussion of the topic read this posting on airliners.net.
- Princess Juliana International Airport (Saint Martin)
- Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport (Saba)
- Courchevel (France)
- Gustaf III Airport (St. Bart)
- Barra International Airport (Barra)
