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LATEST STORIES
Sunday musings: Naples pizza, Airstream trailers, Travel bans do little
Today, we look at the world of Naples pizza, the Italian hometown of pizza. We also examine the phenomenon of the Airstream culture. It is still going strong during the pandemic. And, we read about another study that says travel bans didn’t help to stop the spread of COVID-19. Now they tell us.
Enjoy American train stations as cultural centers in many cities
Some American train stations are more, much more than just places where passengers board or depart from a train. They can double as art museums and examples of magnificent architecture, places to shop and sip, and in some cases locations of hidden surprises.
POLICY
Discussing the most important consumer issues at start of the Biden administration
I had the pleasure of being the consumer representative on a panel discussing airline regulations. As we move into the Biden Presidency and the Secretary Pete administration, we have to make decisions about consumer issues facing the industry. Plus, we discussed regulations that were rushed into place after the election.
TRAVEL
Enjoy American train stations as cultural centers in many cities
Some American train stations are more, much more than just places where passengers board or depart from a train. They can double as art museums and examples of magnificent architecture, places to shop and sip, and in some cases locations of hidden surprises.
Airlines are common carriers — they should follow the rules
This industry enjoys a special place in the American judicial structure — they are virtually exempt from the state and local court system. Instead, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has the responsibility to protect America’s consumers from the airline industry. Airlines need to follow the rules of common carriers.
How to find on-time statistics on airline websites
On-time statistics are important for travelers. DOT recognizes this importance. Travelers use arrival times in order to plan for enough time to get to connecting flights. Many also hope that checked baggage makes the connection as well,
Why LCCs will lead the way to airline rebirth if they are allowed
Low-Cost Carriers such as Southwest, Spirit, Allegiant, and Frontier are poised to lead aviation’s rebirth. But they are operating against legacy carriers who have enormous power. Market power will allow LCCs to soar.
How to see Oberammergau’s unique (and delayed) once-a-decade Passion Play
The Passion Play, the story of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, is performed in Oberammergau, a small Alpine village, once every 10 years. It is a performance unlike any other in the world — all of the actors and musicians must come from this village.
Savor Maine’s best Lobster Shacks during the coming spring and summer
When I eat lobster, I take no prisoners. All that’s identifiable in the carnage left behind are the eyes and dismembered carcass. Finished, I’m literally dripping in lobster juice and goo. The only place for such a messy operation is a classic Maine lobster shack, a sometimes rough-and-tumble operation that’s usually within sight and scent of the ocean.
Don’t forget Civil Rights sites and desegregation monuments
Hundreds of civil rights sites around the country recount pages from the fight for freedom and equality waged by segments of our population. Plantations, churches, and schools are among the sites where skirmishes in the effort took place. Some serve as reminders of tragedies, others of victories, in the struggle.
TRAVEL SAFETY
How to avoid passing out inflight at 35,000 feet
If you hear a flight attendant calling for a doctor in mid-flight, chances are a passenger has fainted. The medical term is syncope. Fainting on planes is the most common in-flight medical emergency. I know first-hand. I’ve fainted while airborne three times.
TRAVEL TIPS
AA/JetBlue deal changes passenger favorite to nothing special in the air
JetBlue is squandering its passenger-friendly image creating an AA/JetBlue codeshare arrangement. No longer are they playing the marketing cards that say wonderful passenger service. That will mean fewer passenger amenities, less room in coach, and airline partners who once were JetBlue’s whipping boys.
Double masking coming for safety against COVID variants?
The Biden Administration working to purchase an additional 200 million vaccine doses. it seemed It may seem the end of the pandemic is approaching. Unfortunately, that end may be in doubt. Three COVID variants are circulating globally, including in the US.
Learn how secure WiFi can make a whopping difference
Secure WiFi is important for travelers. Whether close to home or to the other side of the planet you can be cybersecure. Failure to protect your Internet connection allows anyone to track your Web activity from your home office or when traveling.
What are 2021 travel fears? Should travelers actually worry?
There are many travelers who have 2021 travel fears. Some should induce worry, but many can be ignored. Christopher Elliott takes a look at real fears vs. fake fears. Having a vaccine is only the beginning of getting the public to travel again.
Never use these 5 forbidden travel agent words
Any traveler who uses a travel agent, especially the first time they use a travel agent, should read on. Leaving these 5 forbidden words out of the requests to any travel agent will save both traveler and agent a lot of time.
Are mandatory COVID vaccinations best for travel health safety?
Mandatory COVID vaccinations may be on the way. So far, 18.9 million Americans are fully vaccinated. It appears that by this coming fall, every American adult who wants to be vaccinated for COVID-19 will be.
Why the WSJ Airline Ranking only tells a part of the story
The airline industry needs to take its WSJ ranking with a grain of salt. Airlines, to say the least, faced a difficult year. The minute that the government declared a shutdown of international travel on March 11, 2020, the bottom fell out of the aviation economy. Plus, the entire economy of the United States began to implode.
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Accomplishments
These accomplishments have been achieved by working closely with our members, national media, the travel industry, the Department of Transportation (DOT), Congress and many other agencies.
- Bi-partisan bill to eliminate hotel resort fees introduced into House of Representatives
- Creation of the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections
- Advertised airfares now include airfare plus, mandatory taxes and fees
- Lost/damaged/delayed luggage compensation limit increased to $3,500
- Passengers have 24 hours to change or cancel their nonrefundable tickets without penalty
- Once an airfare is purchased, that airfare and ancillary fees cannot be increased
- Families flying together act passed by Congress that requires family members 13 years of age and younger to sit with other family members at no additional cost.
