by Charlie Leocha | Jan 26, 2010
As predicted, American Airlines has matched the other legacy carriers with increased fees for checked baggage. Now, AA, Continental, Delta, United and USAirways all are charging $25 for the first checked bag and $35 for the second checked bag. The new question is...
by Janice Hough | Jan 26, 2010
Most of the posts on Consumer Traveler are about problems. Admittedly, airlines, especially, don’t seem focused on making the travel experience easier. But, last week, Delta actually went out of their way for a client when they didn’t have to, so...
by Janice Hough | Jan 25, 2010
Nonrefundable and nonchangable hotel rates are one of my least favorite parts of the travel industry. Yes, they are often a good deal, but yes, they are often a recipe for disaster, especially when clients find out that the hotel means it. When a longtime client asked...
by Karen Fawcett | Jan 25, 2010
In these days of air travel, delays, flight cancellations and more, a whole lot of humor helps. Or you may end up beating your head against the wall. With this in mind, here are some amusing and painful stories. I bet there are plenty more floating around in the not...
by Karen Fawcett | Jan 25, 2010
An Ethiopian Airlines plane crashed with 92 passengers and crew members aboard on Monday, January 25th at approximately 4:30 a.m. Rescue workers have located the crash site of the plane just off the Lebanese coast. Lebanon’s Transport Minister Ghazi al-Aridi...
by Ned S. Levi | Jan 25, 2010
We all know that “driving defensively” means reducing the risks of driving by anticipating dangerous situations on the road. Packing defensively means packing your carry-on(s) to reduce problems at security, and the risks of breakage or lost or stolen luggage by...
by Hilary Nangle | Jan 23, 2010
Heading to the 2010 Winter Olympics at this western Canadian Alpine resort? Check out these activities at Whistler in British Columbia. Only three require you to be on skis or a snowboard; the rest are available to anyone. Only half of the resort will be dedicated to...
by Charlie Leocha | Jan 23, 2010
Patience is a virtue for both passengers and TSA A New York Times article states the obvious, passengers should be patient with security procedures and inspectors should be sensitive and patient with passengers. Learn your rights, pack carefully and be upfront. More...
by Charlie Leocha | Jan 22, 2010
After billions of dollars spent, a new bureaucracy, thousands of additional federal workers and slow-downs to air transportation TSA wants more money to stop the same threats. First we need control of the organization and get our intelligence services speaking with...
by Janice Hough | Jan 22, 2010
In theory the Department of Transportation (DOT) fines airlines to keep them from misbehaving. Most recently, the DOT caught United Airlines leaving a 7 1/2 percent federal excise tax out of some of their fare quotes for two days. According to United it was a simple...
