Humans suffer far more than pandemic commodities because of international rules. This pandemic highlighted a strange problem that I never realized existed. Why do commodities get to move easily across international boundaries but people cannot? After I thought about...
UASs need airspace rules to grow by so that systems can be developed Not having airspace rules to grow by is hurting the aviation industry. Airports in London faced rogue drones buzzing the runways. Several of the largest airports in Europe ended up closing operations...
After the pandemic and the extraordinary efforts at cleanliness, disinfection, and safety, will my stay be as good as before? Some of my clients think I have a crystal ball. They ask what happens after the pandemic. But as I write this, I fully understand that travel...
Rental car prices dropped by about 50 percent over the last months. I expect they will keep dropping. The days of rental cars costing a hundred dollars or more per day are ending. I traveled to Tampa several months ago and was faced with $110 a day rental charges when...
Successfully flying with young children means parents need to anticipate their children’s needs and prepare for those needs long before leaving for the airport. Flying with young children can be difficult, especially on long flights. Youngsters are easily bored,...
Airfares can be compared across airlines on computers, but not the extra fees A year after the airlines began this epic struggle to stay in business during the pandemic, they are suffering financially. After 9/11 and the recession downturns, this is another financial...
Global Entry is a government program that works wonderfully Global Entry is important again. If you allowed your old memberships to lapse because you were not traveling internationally, sign up again. Moving through airports is seamless with Global Entry. My wife and...
When flying after COVID from the U.S. to Spain, I entered Spain with only a vaccine certificate and a QR health code, but I could not return home. This Spanish approach to allowing foreigners entry to their country is one of many. With so many different sets of...
For some of us, “Old Fashioned” is the way to travel — with paperback books. Admission upfront — I’m a travel agent and a regular traveler. It is easy to understand the advantages of reducing weight and bulk in luggage and limiting what’s in a...
Some parents continue to endanger infants by flying them on their laps. While flying during the COVID pandemic, I’ve seen parents try to evade the face mask mandate for their children while other parents try to fly with their infant or toddler in their lap,...
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.
Airlines Refunds: DOT enforcement notice that all airline tickets canceled by the airlines must be repaid to include all airfare, taxes and added fees with cash not airline credits.
Bi-partisan bill to eliminate hotel resort fees introduced into House of Representatives
Creation of the DOT Consumer Advocate to focus on aviation consumer protections
Full Fare Act — Advertised airfares now include all 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 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.
