October 25, 2016: The US Government is looking into legislation that would require the airlines to pay passengers a fee if they lose your bag or it arrives late. They also want the airlines to release information on bags that get lost in transit on connecting flights. This year, over 700 million passengers will travel on 9 million domestic flights in the US. The airlines are claiming “over government regulation” and passengers are saying, “about time!”
October 24, 2016: French Government passport authorities are warning locals “not to smile” when taking their passport photo. Security experts say that facial recognition scanners at airports can be “confounded” and miss read open mouths or unusual expressions. Other countries, like Canada and Thailand, ask for a neutral passport photo expression — in recent years the French have ranked among the most pessimistic people in the world so this all makes sense?
October 21, 2016: If a place with “death” in the name still sounds appealing, maybe the idea of the hottest place on earth with an average yearly temp. of 91°F will drive down tourism. Perhaps this is the reason the park hasn’t seen an increase in costs for a decade. However, following unheard-of flash floods in the area last year, the site is now raising it’s prices on certain campgrounds to help pay off damages and education programs in the area.
October 20, 2016: American has recently begun rolling out a new design for their Boeing Dreamliner international flights, featuring their new “premium economy” cabin. While most flights today offer an upgraded coach option that doesn’t break the bank like First Class, the difference has usually been nothing more than an extra inch or two of leg room. However, it looks like American is uping their mid-level option closer to business class with larger, more comfortable seats with leg rests and free alcohol! Now the only question is, how nice will their first class seats be?
October 19, 2016: With the outbreak of mosquito-transmitted Zika virus across the Caribbean leading to an international state of emergency by the CDC and WHO, there’s no better time to book a cruise than now! Sure this might not be the greatest idea for young honeymooners with Zika’s dangerous risks involved with pregnancy, but for baby boomers, saving a couple hundred dollars might be worth the risk of fever, rash and joint pain. Keep in mind, the Travel Curmudgeon doesn’t condone risking your health, but I also don’t condone passing up a great deal when you see one!
October 18, 2016: While many people rely on Yelp to help make their dining decisions, especially in new and unfamiliar places, is a top rated restaurant on the site a must visit? According to USA Today, these restaurants are the top rated in every state — And while they’re no doubt incredible, is Yelp’s recommendation spot on? What’s your go-to restaurant in your home state?
October 14, 2016: An Australian company, Martin Jetpack, is about to start retail sales for individual “personal” Jetpacks that can fly you at heights of 3,000 feet and speeds over 70 miles per hour. Initial use for the Jetpack include emergency services from fire and police — and boarder security observation (maybe something The Donald might be interested in?). Roll out cost will range between $200,000 – $250,000 — discounts for multiple orders and initial deliveries expected by year end. The governments of the UAE and USA are expected to be initial customers. Interesting to note: Jetpack just sold 52% of the company to a Chinese investment group.
(thanks for the tips — Marriott and Arianna Huffington)
October 12, 2016: Be prepared for longer airport security lines, fewer TSA staff and just more frustration going through security check points. TSA staffing and budgets are down and the only way to get federal legislators to pay attention is to increase passenger frustration. This tactic might backfire as some airports are looking to fire TSA and go to outside vendors for airport security.
Several airports around the country already do this — SFO and Oakland have used outside services for their security needs for years. They look and act like TSA — and follow Federal guidelines — but don’t have the the heavy layered management needs TSA brings to the airport.
We need good airport security — it’s not going away — but lets show some respect and concern to the traveling public — after all they pay the bill through taxes on each plane ticket. The TC’s advice: be patient, smile, don’t be cute with comments, and pay attention!
October 11, 2016: Can someone please tell me why it’s always cold in an airplane cabin? I understand that flying to Europe and beyond over the North Atlantic — with outside temperatures usually minus 60 to 70 degrees and countries like Iceland and Greenland still masses of ice covered landscape — why is the inside cabin temperature is always cold too? That is until 30 minutes or so before landing and then it warms up. Is cabin temperature control the tool of the flight crew to punish travelers? Overcrowding, poor service, middle seat discomfort, cold coffee, isn’t enough punishment? With most airlines now having individual seat power connections, I wonder if we could ask for our own space heater? Seems only proper!
