How to enjoy the magic of free airline stopovers
Enjoy another country for a few days with a free airline stopover on long-distance flights Last year, I enjoyed three nights in Lisbon, Portugal, during an airline stopover program run by TAP. Plus, I learned that these stopover programs are not only for transatlantic...
Passing out in flight is the No. 1 airline medical problem
When a flight attendant calls for a doctor in mid-flight, chances are a passenger has passed out on a plane. This is the most common in-flight medical emergency. The medical term is syncope — a temporary loss of consciousness usually related to insufficient blood flow to the brain. It is also called fainting or “passing out.”
Airlines can help protect consumers from today’s travel uncertainty
An airline study calls for the elimination of travel uncertainty — wouldn't that be nice. A friend of mine, Jay Sorensen, runs a consulting firm, IdeaWorksCompany.com. He is perhaps the most knowledgeable aviation expert on ancillary fees. And yes, we have crossed...
Here’s your ultimate guide to holiday travel this season
Holiday travel is hard. You must contend with the crowds, the high prices, the end of the shutdown — and the weather. This holiday season, I’ll probably see it all. Snow in the Pacific Northwest for Thanksgiving, thunderstorms in Chile for Christmas and stifling...
Getting through airport security checkpoints during holidays
I have 11 do's and don'ts to help you navigate through airport security checkpoints easily and with minimal hassle during the holidays. The winter holidays are fast approaching. U.S. Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. The December holidays will be here before...
How to avoid electronic toll collection penalties
More and more travelers on the nation’s highways during this pandemic are finding tolls on roads that have no system for manual toll collection — only electronic toll collection systems. Out-of-state traveler without a local FastPass, EZ-Pass, SunPass, or other local toll-collection passes should not be penalized.
What should I do if my flight is canceled or delayed?
It could happen to you. Delayed and canceled flights are happening with greater frequency during this shutdown. This, however, is considered a delay or cancellation beyond the airline's control. This is especially true if your flight is part of the FAA slowdown to...
Strategies for shutdowns, and perhaps future ones?
Setting strategies for shutdowns and maybe future ones. Many Americans, including air travelers, like to ignore politics these days. Unfortunately, politics don't ignore us. At the time of writing, the current government shutdown has lasted over a month, and now...
Six amazing US military sites for your journey to honor our veterans
Veteran's Day is a day to honor all the men and women who have served in America's armed forces. To honor and learn about them, l recommend these US military sites. Veterans Day in the U.S. is tomorrow. It was designated as November 11th. World War I ended at the 11th...
Truth in advertising — the basis of competition
The federal government has redefined truth in advertising. Make sure to read the fine print. How are we to know what the price of travel products will be? The DOT allows airlines to separate baggage, seat assignments, and more from airline tickets. The FAA allows at...