Travelers: Expect more questions when new Transportation Security Administration rules become effective Nov. 1. Secure Flight requires all passengers to supply their full name, gender and date of birth within 72 hours of departure. If passengers do not provide the required information, TSA officials can deny them the right to board.
The requirements apply to all passengers on U.S. airlines, flying into or out of U.S. airports and over U.S. airspace. For more information, check out the TSA website.
In addition to requiring the above information, airlines will also ask certain passengers to enter a redress number, a TSA-issued code assigned to passengers who have mistakenly been named on a watch list in the past.
Many concerns over privacy arose in response to Secure Flight. The Electronic Privacy Information Center created an online database with more information about privacy concerns and the program.
Consumer Reports offered some tips for travelers planning to take or book flights after Nov. 1.
• Double-check all personal information when making travel reservations.
• Names and dates provided to airlines must exactly match the identification you plan to use.
• Be careful to avoid typing incorrect letters or numbers, an error that could lead to flight cancellations.
• For those traveling in early November, allow yourself extra time at the airport. The new regulations could lead to unforeseen check-in and security delays.
Pothos: Travel news, travel industry updates, corporate and business travel
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Russian carrier makes 6 passengers stand for 5-hour flight
Oct 05, 2010
A Russian airline forced six passengers to stand on a five-hour flight from Turkey to Russia, according to media reports.
Daily Mail reported that six adults had no seats on the overcrowded Boeing jet as it took off from Antalya airport in Turkey, used by thousands of Britons each week.
These passengers did not have oxygen masks or life vests on the overcrowded jet, said reports in Moscow.
According to Daily Mail, the passengers on the Tatarstan Airlines flight from Antalya to Ekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth largest city, were told an aircraft with 148 seats had been replaced at the last minute by another Boeing 737 with space for only 142.
Those who complained were told by the crew to put a child on their lap - but the children were far too big.
The incident on Septmber 24 came to light after angry passengers demanded £3,000 each in compensation.
The tour company which booked their flight offered them only £130.
"The adults had no choice but to fly standing for five hours," said one passenger.
"When the plane flew through turbulence, they went from standing to sitting in the aisle, where naturally they had no safety belts."
A Tatarstan Airlines official said last night: "We cannot deny this happened to our customers. But the company will not share any details until everything is clarified. Our own investigation of this accident is about to begin."
Evgenia Fedorova, a manager of Anex-Tour, which booked many passengers on the flight, said, "People had a choice - to fly on that plane standing up or wait seven hours for another plane.
"All the tourists decided to fly back despite uncomfortable conditions."
Aviation regulators are understood to be probing the incident.
A Russian airline forced six passengers to stand on a five-hour flight from Turkey to Russia, according to media reports.
Daily Mail reported that six adults had no seats on the overcrowded Boeing jet as it took off from Antalya airport in Turkey, used by thousands of Britons each week.
These passengers did not have oxygen masks or life vests on the overcrowded jet, said reports in Moscow.
According to Daily Mail, the passengers on the Tatarstan Airlines flight from Antalya to Ekaterinburg, Russia’s fourth largest city, were told an aircraft with 148 seats had been replaced at the last minute by another Boeing 737 with space for only 142.
Those who complained were told by the crew to put a child on their lap - but the children were far too big.
The incident on Septmber 24 came to light after angry passengers demanded £3,000 each in compensation.
The tour company which booked their flight offered them only £130.
"The adults had no choice but to fly standing for five hours," said one passenger.
"When the plane flew through turbulence, they went from standing to sitting in the aisle, where naturally they had no safety belts."
A Tatarstan Airlines official said last night: "We cannot deny this happened to our customers. But the company will not share any details until everything is clarified. Our own investigation of this accident is about to begin."
Evgenia Fedorova, a manager of Anex-Tour, which booked many passengers on the flight, said, "People had a choice - to fly on that plane standing up or wait seven hours for another plane.
"All the tourists decided to fly back despite uncomfortable conditions."
Aviation regulators are understood to be probing the incident.
Dubai airline refuses to fly blind passenger
Oct 05, 2010
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai's FlyDubai airline refused to allow blind American passenger to fly because of his disability.
According to the Associated Press, Zuhair Mahmoud says he was told by FlyDubai airline staff members that the carrier's policies did not allow blind travelers to fly unless accompanied by someone else.
The airline's chief executive said in an e-mail to AP on Tuesday that the incident never should have happened and that the airline doesn't discriminate against passengers with special needs. CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith says the airline plans a full investigation and is sorry for the incident.
AP reports that the 37-year-old Mahmoud, of Arlington, Virginia, is staying with family in Dubai until he can catch another flight out to Jordan before heading back to the U.S.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Dubai's FlyDubai airline refused to allow blind American passenger to fly because of his disability.
According to the Associated Press, Zuhair Mahmoud says he was told by FlyDubai airline staff members that the carrier's policies did not allow blind travelers to fly unless accompanied by someone else.
The airline's chief executive said in an e-mail to AP on Tuesday that the incident never should have happened and that the airline doesn't discriminate against passengers with special needs. CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith says the airline plans a full investigation and is sorry for the incident.
AP reports that the 37-year-old Mahmoud, of Arlington, Virginia, is staying with family in Dubai until he can catch another flight out to Jordan before heading back to the U.S.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Violent protests continue in France
Protests over planned pension reforms in France continued to be violent on Wednesday, as riot police clashed with protesters in Paris and Lyon for a second straight day.
According to reports, rioting youths in Lyon have burned cars, looted stores and thrown objects at police. In Nanterre, a Paris suburb, riot police have reportedly used tear gas when confronted with youths throwing stones and lighting fires.
Addressing a fuel-shortage crisis, police began to break up blockades of fuel depots established by striking workers. Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said that three depots in western France were forced open last night “without incident,” reported the New York Times.
Also, protesters have either blocked or threatened to block access roads to airports in Marseilles, Lyon, Nice and Paris’ Charles de Gaulle.
Meanwhile, a strike of air traffic controllers continues to affect airline operations. France’s civil aviation authority said that about 50% of Paris Orly flights were canceled Wednesday, and that about 30% of flights were canceled at all other airports.
Strikes by rail workers continued to affect train service, although international service (Eurostar, Thalys) appeared to be less affected than intercity trains, according to reports.
According to reports, rioting youths in Lyon have burned cars, looted stores and thrown objects at police. In Nanterre, a Paris suburb, riot police have reportedly used tear gas when confronted with youths throwing stones and lighting fires.
Addressing a fuel-shortage crisis, police began to break up blockades of fuel depots established by striking workers. Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said that three depots in western France were forced open last night “without incident,” reported the New York Times.
Also, protesters have either blocked or threatened to block access roads to airports in Marseilles, Lyon, Nice and Paris’ Charles de Gaulle.
Meanwhile, a strike of air traffic controllers continues to affect airline operations. France’s civil aviation authority said that about 50% of Paris Orly flights were canceled Wednesday, and that about 30% of flights were canceled at all other airports.
Strikes by rail workers continued to affect train service, although international service (Eurostar, Thalys) appeared to be less affected than intercity trains, according to reports.
Spain Says Adios to Smoking in Bars and Cafés
Spain set the stage yesterday for a tough new anti-smoking law that will rid the country of its dubious status as one of Western Europe's easiest places to light up. The bill, passed by parliamentary commission, calls for making all bars and restaurants no-smoking zones, bringing Spain in line with the European Union's strictest anti-smoking nations and many U.S. states that bar smoking in enclosed public places. The measure is expected to pass the Spanish senate and become law on Jan. 2
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Airlines don't like federal proposal for baggage fee refunds
Interesting article......
________________________________________________
By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times
September 27, 2010
In the 12-month period ended in June, the nation's top 10 airlines collected more than $3.1 billion in baggage fees.
So it's no surprise the airline industry opposes a move by the U.S. Department of Transportation to mandate that all airlines offer refunds of the fees when your bags are lost or delayed.
What's interesting are the objections raised by the Air Transport Assn., the trade group that represents most of the nation's largest airlines.
In comments filed with the federal agency last week, the association said each airline should have the choice of offering a refund, depending on competition in the marketplace.
Only a few airlines, including Alaska Airlines, now offer automatic refunds if a bag is lost or delayed. Most major airlines will consider refunding your bag fee — only after you file a claim, and the refund will usually come in the form of a discount on future travel.
The airline group also said it opposed the refund idea because a government mandate like this would only raise fares for everyone, including people who don't check bags.
Finally, the association said a refund won't work because the requirement for "timely delivered" bags is a "subjective standard" and would "not account for varying conditions."
The DOT said it hadn't included a definition of a timely delivered bag, leaving that up to the airlines and the public to suggest.
Traveler Daniel Cope of New York submitted a comment to the DOT suggesting that passengers get a refund if a bag is not delivered to the luggage carousel within one hour of the aircraft arriving at the gate.
"Furthermore," he added, "a bag not making a connection with a passenger should not be an excuse. If a passenger can make the connection, this is proof that the bag could have made the connection as well."
The comment period for the proposed rule and other passenger protection policies ended Thursday. The DOT hopes to adopt a rule by spring.
Six months ago, the DOT began to enforce a new rule that allows the agency to fine airlines that leave passengers stranded on the tarmac for more than three hours.
Since the law took effect, a handful of airplanes have been reported as being stuck beyond that limit, but the DOT has not yet fined any carrier.
However, the DOT fined United Air Lines $12,000 last week for reporting a three-hour delay that turned out not to be a violation.
The case dates from May 26, when four United planes were stuck on the tarmac at Colorado Springs Airport because of bad weather. The United crews gave passengers food and water after two hours and then offered them the option of getting off the planes after three hours, as required by the new rule.
But because the planes sat on the tarmac more than three hours, United reported the incident as a possible violation. The DOT concluded that it was not, and fined United for prompting an unnecessary investigation.
United isn't happy. "It is unfortunate that our effort to be fully transparent resulted in our inadvertently reporting four flight delays where we complied with regulations," United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said in a statement.
If high fees and long delays at airports are getting you down, American Airlines has an offer for you: Starting Oct. 1, most drinks at the Admirals Club lounges will be on the house.
Beer, house wine and "brand liquors" will be complimentary at the domestic lounges, but you must pay for premium wines and liquors. Club membership costs as much as $500a year or $50 for a one-day pass.
American isn't the first airline to give away booze at its airport lounges. Free drinks are also offered at most Delta Sky Club and US Airways Club lounges, among others.
Although the offer is indefinite, an American Airline spokesman noted that the bartenders reserve the right to cut you off.
________________________________________________
By Hugo Martín, Los Angeles Times
September 27, 2010
In the 12-month period ended in June, the nation's top 10 airlines collected more than $3.1 billion in baggage fees.
So it's no surprise the airline industry opposes a move by the U.S. Department of Transportation to mandate that all airlines offer refunds of the fees when your bags are lost or delayed.
What's interesting are the objections raised by the Air Transport Assn., the trade group that represents most of the nation's largest airlines.
In comments filed with the federal agency last week, the association said each airline should have the choice of offering a refund, depending on competition in the marketplace.
Only a few airlines, including Alaska Airlines, now offer automatic refunds if a bag is lost or delayed. Most major airlines will consider refunding your bag fee — only after you file a claim, and the refund will usually come in the form of a discount on future travel.
The airline group also said it opposed the refund idea because a government mandate like this would only raise fares for everyone, including people who don't check bags.
Finally, the association said a refund won't work because the requirement for "timely delivered" bags is a "subjective standard" and would "not account for varying conditions."
The DOT said it hadn't included a definition of a timely delivered bag, leaving that up to the airlines and the public to suggest.
Traveler Daniel Cope of New York submitted a comment to the DOT suggesting that passengers get a refund if a bag is not delivered to the luggage carousel within one hour of the aircraft arriving at the gate.
"Furthermore," he added, "a bag not making a connection with a passenger should not be an excuse. If a passenger can make the connection, this is proof that the bag could have made the connection as well."
The comment period for the proposed rule and other passenger protection policies ended Thursday. The DOT hopes to adopt a rule by spring.
Six months ago, the DOT began to enforce a new rule that allows the agency to fine airlines that leave passengers stranded on the tarmac for more than three hours.
Since the law took effect, a handful of airplanes have been reported as being stuck beyond that limit, but the DOT has not yet fined any carrier.
However, the DOT fined United Air Lines $12,000 last week for reporting a three-hour delay that turned out not to be a violation.
The case dates from May 26, when four United planes were stuck on the tarmac at Colorado Springs Airport because of bad weather. The United crews gave passengers food and water after two hours and then offered them the option of getting off the planes after three hours, as required by the new rule.
But because the planes sat on the tarmac more than three hours, United reported the incident as a possible violation. The DOT concluded that it was not, and fined United for prompting an unnecessary investigation.
United isn't happy. "It is unfortunate that our effort to be fully transparent resulted in our inadvertently reporting four flight delays where we complied with regulations," United spokesman Rahsaan Johnson said in a statement.
If high fees and long delays at airports are getting you down, American Airlines has an offer for you: Starting Oct. 1, most drinks at the Admirals Club lounges will be on the house.
Beer, house wine and "brand liquors" will be complimentary at the domestic lounges, but you must pay for premium wines and liquors. Club membership costs as much as $500a year or $50 for a one-day pass.
American isn't the first airline to give away booze at its airport lounges. Free drinks are also offered at most Delta Sky Club and US Airways Club lounges, among others.
Although the offer is indefinite, an American Airline spokesman noted that the bartenders reserve the right to cut you off.
airport code humor
Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com wrote a humorous story about airport codes recently.
“Most of you fliers out there are familiar with JFK, LAX and DFW -- the airport codes for New York's Kennedy, Los Angeles International and Dallas-Ft. Worth. But how many of you have flown to SUX?
Yes, SUX - the airport code for Sioux City, Iowa. Luckily, residents there have a sense of humor; instead of bemoaning their unfortunate appellation, they celebrate it. The airport's website sells souvenirs including t-shirts and caps emblazoned with the bold SUX logo. It could be worse. It appears a kindergartner might have had a hand in picking some of these airport codes. Russia's Bolshoye Savino Airport is stuck with the unlovely designation PEE, while Brazil's Poco De Caldas Airport has to live with POO. Then there's Rotorua, New Zealand ROT while Louisiana's Barksdale Air Force Base is just plain BAD.”
“Most of you fliers out there are familiar with JFK, LAX and DFW -- the airport codes for New York's Kennedy, Los Angeles International and Dallas-Ft. Worth. But how many of you have flown to SUX?
Yes, SUX - the airport code for Sioux City, Iowa. Luckily, residents there have a sense of humor; instead of bemoaning their unfortunate appellation, they celebrate it. The airport's website sells souvenirs including t-shirts and caps emblazoned with the bold SUX logo. It could be worse. It appears a kindergartner might have had a hand in picking some of these airport codes. Russia's Bolshoye Savino Airport is stuck with the unlovely designation PEE, while Brazil's Poco De Caldas Airport has to live with POO. Then there's Rotorua, New Zealand ROT while Louisiana's Barksdale Air Force Base is just plain BAD.”
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