Blog

July 14, 2016: Gotta give Las Vegas credit for creating unusual sites to impress and wow visitors. At the entrance to the Hersey Store — located inside the New York New York gaming and entertainment dark and dreary interior, one would not want to miss the life size “red vine” Statue of Liberty!  No better way to celebrate America than with a handful of red vines.  Don’t let it be said Vegas doesn’t have class — or, maybe thats better said “lack of class”?  New York New York is part of the MGM Grand Group of Vegas hotels and s — that make up a good portion of Las Vegas real-estate!

July 13, 2016: Yes — and please add some Black Cherry, Dad’s Root Beer and Barritt’s Ginger Beer. Then you want to find Galco’s Old World Grocery in Highland Park Los Angeles — where you can find over 750 varieties of soda from all over the world — including the Republic of Georgia. Check out http://www.galcos.com.

July 12, 2016: Used to be that TSA pre check was a neat deal for a few randomly selected travelers — the initial idea being travelers would like the expedited security lanes and search and pay a fee for the service. It seems Pre Check did just the opposite and created even longer lines. TSA says it can process 150 passengers an hour in standard lanes and up 300 an hour in Pre Check lanes. Permanent TSA Pre Check and Global Entry for international travelers require a lengthly application and interview, usually at an airport or off site hard to find location. Some appointments require a 45 day or longer wait time — and appointments can run hours late — add to that long clerical delays slow distribution for ID’s. Once enrolled in either program, you’re good for 5 years — Pre Check one time fee is $85 and Global Entry $100. TSA’s goal is to have 25 million travelers in enrolled in both programs. Current membership is around 10 million. Not sure the inconsistent Pre and Global are worth the investment?

July 11, 2016: The new system, currently testing in Atlanta, can speed up security lane wait times by up to 30%. Delta coughed up more than $1 million for the test — basically two parallel conveyor systems, one that sends empty plastic bins to waiting passengers and a second that moves the bins (with everything passengers have placed in them) towards the X-ray machine. Unlike the current system, the bins keep moving no matter how slow the people move in front of you — as well as those pulled out for extra screening. The TC experienced the new system recently departing Amsterdam — once again, Europeans have figured this out and have in place way ahead of our slow moving single lane government infused system.

July 9, 2016: Most regular Uber users know that during peak use times, they implement whats called “surge pricing,” basically rising the rate anywhere from 10-25% — you absolutely need a pick up, you pay extra. No issue with that as it leaves it up to the customer — but, they haven’t been upfront in telling users what the new fee will be. Now, Uber will tell customers the full cost of the ride before they book. Some customers refer to the surge pricing as price gouging — and, just so you know, Uber takes a 20% cut off the fare as well as a booking fee. Potential users can also go online and find Uber estimate so you have a price reference starting point. The TC has used Uber both for domestic and international rides — no complaints — so far!

July 8, 2016: Found this “notification” at SFO in the United Airlines check in area — wonder if the “author” saw the Simpson movie and how the term was use?

July 7, 2016: Well, you can now, thanks to Abu Dhabi (UAE) based Etihad. Super car fans — know as “carparazzi” — can have their cars, some valued at more than US$5 million — transported via Etihad Air Cargo to more than a dozen European and Middle East destinations — the most popular being London. Cars travel in the belly of the massive Airbus double deck A380, and of course, delivered right to your second home or hotel doorstep. Tough to miss those “life essentials” from home when traveling!

July 6, 2016: Expect to see some international travel bargains, especially to Britain, in the coming months, so make sure your passport is in order. If you have less than six months before expiration, then you need to apply for a new one ASAP — many countries will refuse travelers entrance with 6 months or less remaining. Most US post offices now offer passport application services — you’ll need an appointment and can call your local PO directly or 877-487-2778 — remember, it’s the Post Office so don’t expect efficiency, but it does work.

Renewing a passport is $110 and a applying for a new one — even if your current one has expired — is $170.  If you have less than 3 weeks before international travel, the US Passport service does offer an expedited service — that can take 8 days to 3 weeks. At this time of the year, allow a minimum of 6 weeks for delivery without the expedited service. Visas can take longer — you can hire a “travel concierge” service, who for a fee — usually a minimum of $500 + $170 the US Government will charge for expediting — can speed the process up. Some tour operators, like those offering 3 and 4 day programs from Finland and Estonia to St. Petersburg, will include a Visa into Russia as part of the tour fee — and do all the work for you!

July 5, 2016: Thanks United Airlines — like you all haven’t done enough over the past 2 years in providing bad customer service (on and off the ground) and inconsistent inflight services — now you’re going to add even more bodies on your planes by squeezing in thiner seats in economy. Called “slimline,” these seats have thinner back cushions making it easier to put more seats in the already uncomfortable economy section. But fear not, UAL is adding a new “super economy” section (called Polaris) on international flights — with a nice surcharge of-course. These moves will generate more than $3 billion a year in new revenue — United continues leading the way in offering “the best” in uncomfortable expensive travel?

July 2, 2016: Istanbul’s’ Ataturk International Airport, the site of recent terrorists bombings, was the third largest passenger airport on the European continent — just behind London and France’s confusing Charles de Gaulle. The reason; Turkish Air has the lowest air fares to just about anywhere in Europe and the middle east — and is, or was, a huge transit point for travelers going elsewhere. Too much confusion and inconsistent security in Istanbul these days, so use Britain, Amsterdam or Frankfurt as your travel transit point — and allow minimum of 2 hours for connections as numerous security check points to transit.