Category: Uncategorized

New Hot Spot for Bugs and Germs When You Travel

September 24, 2018: Airport security is in place to protect you — but might also make you sick? Where are the most germs looking for you at the airport — the heavily used and reused plastic trays used to collect laptops, shoes, coats, handbags, what ever as you pass through security check points — WORLDWIDE!  These trays are “supposedly” scheduled for steam cleaning several times a year — but who’s keeping track? More than half of the luggage trays checked were found to have some type of virus — more than airport toilet seats.

Home Sharing Goes Upscale

June 8, 2018: The TC most unfavorite room booking service, Airbnb, has added a new upscale category to its booking services — Airbnb Plus — that features more “stylish homes” that have actually been “verified” (or so they say) by their inspectors. Prices start on the low end at $250 per night and go up — and can include everything from Wi-Fi to upscale linens. For an additional cost you can even have a private driver.  The TC would rather stay in an upscale hotel that has access to everything — even room service!!!

Airline Quality Ratings are Out — Do you agree?

April 25, 2018: According to newly released information from the US government source that monitors airline quality ratings, here’s the latest lineup of good to bad service:

  1. Alaska Airlines
  2. Delta Air Lines
  3. JetBlue
  4. Hawaiian Airlines
  5. Southwest Airlines
  6. SkyWest Airlines
  7. Virgin America
  8. United Airlines
  9. American Airlines
  10. ExpressJet
  11. Frontier Airlines
  12. Spirit Airline

    Not sure any of this matters any more as there are really not that many choices when it comes to air travel in the US?

 

United’s Friend Skies not so Friendly For Your Pet?

April 18, 2018: United has suspended transporting pets (dogs, cats, etc.) until they can figure out how to do so and not kill them — both in the cargo area and onboard flights.  Seems a recent passenger placed her small pet dog (in a pet carrier) in the over head bin above her seat and then was not allowed to retrieve the pet during landing — with Fido yelping away.  Unfortunately Fido “expired” and didn’t make it  — I think some “stupidity” here on both the owner and United! Travelers beware if you’re traveling with your Fido!!!

TSA Now Says Back Packers “Take it Off and Out”?

April 11, 2018: Now, not only do you need to remove your shoes when heading through TSA check points, you also need to take off and empty your backpack and any carry-on bags, including those with food! TSA says there is no new security alert requiring this — but is doing so at the request of the airlines who say more and more passengers are putting more into carry-on bags so they don’t have to pay a fee for checking a bag!  The new requirement will certainly slow down security checks during these heavy spring and summer travel seasons — the TC’s take — “pack your patience”!

 

Here You Go — Longest Flights in the World!

April 9, 2018: Yup — here’s the 12 longest flights in the world (currently anyway) — ranging in time between 16 and 18 inflight hours — don’t pack your bags yet as later this year the number one longest airline flight in the world will go to Singapore Air with their new nonstop service between Singapore and New York — logging in at just over 18 hours in the air!!!

1    Auckland to Doha / Qatar / 9,032 miles / Boeing 777-200LR

2    Perth to London / Qantas / 9,010 miles / Boeing 787-9

3    Auckland to Dubai / Emirates / 8,824 miles / Airbus A380

4    Los Angeles to Singapore / United / 8,770 miles / Boeing 787-9

5    Houston to Sydney / United / 8,596 miles / Boeing 787-9

6    Dallas to Sydney / Qantas / 8,578 miles / Airbus A380

7    San Francisco to Singapore / Singapore & United / 8,446 miles / Airbus A350-900 & Boeing 787-9

8    Johannesburg to Atlanta / Delta / 8,439 miles / Boeing 777-200LR

9    Abu Dhabi to Los Angeles / Etihad / 8,390 miles / Boeing 777-300ER

10  Dubai to Los Angeles / Emirates / 8,339 miles / Airbus A380

11  Jeddah to Los Angeles / Saudi / 8,332 miles / Boeing 777-300ER

12  Doha to Los Angeles  / Qatar / 8,306 miles / Boeing 777-200LR

(Data via: https://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2018/03/30/worlds-farthest-flights-2018/)