Last Minute Warning to Traveling Pyrotechnics

Posted by Travel Sentry


Tomorrow is July 4th and time for celebrations throughout the U.S.

Certain things come to mind on the 4th. American flags, green lawns, BBQ, the smell of lighter fluid burning on charcoal, cold beverages, hot dogs, hamburgers, pies, and fireworks.

Fireworks... symbolic of our fight for independence from Great Britain, they are the one constant major staple in every town across America on the 4th of July. Some states allow fireworks, others don’t. Some enforce the ban, others are lenient. There is one constant though...

Fireworks are never allowed on a plane. TSA

It is not necessary to warn 99 percent of the U.S. population that the TSA does not allow transport of fireworks on commercial flights either in checked luggage or in carry-ons.

But for that one percent of home pyrotechnics out there - DON'T DO IT.

Bob at TSA points out that irregardless of common sense some persistent passengers try every year to bypass this very basic security regulation. This year one fellow was busted at an airport security checkpoint; he missed the only flight to his destination.

Best advice ... be careful out there with the homespun pyrotechnics. Fireworks are best left to the experts.

Even sparklers in the wrong hands can be dangerous.

"Standing Room Only" on China's Spring Airlines

Posted by Travel Sentry


I’m confident that U.S. airlines are doing a fine job at finding additional revenue under every stone, but compared to the efforts of one Chinese airline, U.S. carriers are mere amateurs.

Let’s hope this latest aviation plan doesn’t have “wings”. China’s Spring Airlines is considering increasing their passenger capacity per plane by 40 percent and cutting costs by 20 percent while offering lower airfares by selling “standing” seats.

…Can’t make this stuff up… "Standing room only?"

Spring Airlines is experiencing more travel demand than it can meet and while they have ordered new planes, they cannot be delivered until next year. The private airline operates just 13 planes — not enough to cope with growing demand.

In the meantime, creative minds are at work.

The airline’s spokesperson, Zhang Wuan, explains the plan to CCTV in China, "It's just like bar stools. The safety belt is the most important thing. It will still be fastened around the waist." Spring could submit its plan to Chinese aviation regulators by the year's end.

Spring Airlines president Wang Zhenghua said that he was confident of approval from authorities because the idea had been suggested by China's vice premier Zhang Dejiang. "He suggested that, for a lower price, passengers should be able to get on a plane like catching a bus, with no seat, no luggage consignment, no food, no water, but very convenient," said Mr Zhenghua.

He added that the company had consulted with Airbus, the company which built most of its aeroplanes, and had been told the proposals were safe.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story. But whatever you do, don't let Michael O'Leary of Ryanair get wind of this.

Here is a video taken during a flight on Spring Airlines showing an in-flight exercise break lead by a flight attendant:

Checked Bag Fees a Significant Boost to Airlines

Posted by Travel Sentry

U.S. airlines turned to additional revenue sources when their bottom line crossed over into red ink territory. One of the most controversial fees instituted by struggling airlines was the checked bag charge. Once a cause for raised eyebrows and verbal complaints, the checked bag charge is now as ingrained as in-flight peanuts and airport security.

If you think this fee will disappear when the black ink returns, think again. And if fuel prices rise, you may very well see your baggage get even more expensive to transport.

Despite all the additional fees, the U.S. airline industry suffered financial losses of $663 million in the first quarter of 2009. With this level of blood-letting, the checked bag fee has become an important revenue source for U.S. airlines and has provided a significant financial boost.

The Wall Street Journal reports that “the U.S. airline industry collected $566.3 million in baggage fees in the first quarter, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. That was up 13.6% from the fourth quarter, and more than four times what was collected in the first three months of 2008."

Here’s how the big guys stacked up when it comes to revenue from checked baggage fees:

• Delta Air Lines and its Northwest Airlines unit collected a total $162.6 million in baggage fees in the first three months of this year, up 354% from a year ago.
• American Airlines, the second-biggest carrier behind Delta, collected the second largest bag fee haul at $108.1 million, up 228%.
• US Airways stands out as a heavy bag fee collector at $94.2 million, up 1,160% from the same period of 2008. US Airways collected more in baggage fees than United Airlines or Continental Airlines, two larger airlines but with more elite-level fliers and international passengers who escaped baggage tolls.
  

New Airport Revenue Squeezed From Baggage Claim

Posted by Travel Sentry

From the DoubleTake Marketing Website

Think of all the years the U.S. was in the marketing dark ages. You know, before every city bus was plastered with advertisements – rolling billboards – and before metro tickets were depositors of media buys. Europe was way ahead of us in cashing in on ancillary revenue.

But once we got it, we really got it, particularly the commercial airlines and airports. If necessity is the brother of invention, we are definitely making up for unharvested revenue when it comes to commercial aviation. With airlines and airports becoming marketing savvy and reaping the revenue rewards, there are few uncovered or unconsidered spaces for ad display. According to Airports Council International-North America, non-aviation revenue including the ubiquitous advertisements, now makes up about half of U.S. airports' operating revenues.

The latest efforts by airports to claim unrealized marketing revenue comes at the last stop for weary fliers - baggage claim. These disembarking passengers are a captive audience perfect for the opportunity of selling to a demographic considered wealthy, young and cosmopolitan.

Zack Clark of DoubleTake Marketing tells USA Today that "They're a captive audience, waiting 15 minutes or so for bags to arrive. It brings some color and revenue to the airport." The ads are adhesive banners placed on the moving portion of the baggage carousel. Ads range from 20 feet wide to an entire belt.

Airports including Kansas City, Seattle-Tacoma and Omaha Eppley are placing advertising on baggage carousels. At least 13 others have similar plans, including Atlanta; Philadelphia; Boston Logan; Huntsville, Ala.; Palm Beach, Fla.; Wichita; Gulfport-Biloxi, Miss.; Albany, N.Y.; and Milwaukee Mitchell.

The good news is that the advertisements will allow for easier counting of carousel rotations until your bag appears. Fifty-six, fifty-seven ....

Ryanair Moves to No Checked Baggage & No Airport Check-In

Posted by Travel Sentry


Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, is either a maverick, a genius or a trend setter. Perhaps all the above. Whatever your opinion, it’s hard to deny his boldness. Seemingly never afraid to press the comfortable status quo, O’Leary continues to make headlines.

This time his plan for the low-cost carrier is to ban ALL checked luggage early next year. That cuts a large swath through airline costs by eliminating baggage handlers and lowering airport costs. They plan to offer unlimited carry-on baggage for free – SUBJECT TO AIRPORT REGULATIONS. Passengers will have to be wary of the regulations of the other airports they may be departing from or risk leaving behind luggage that is beyond the allowable carry-on limits.

Our emboldened CEO also plans to eliminate airport check-in by October 2010 and as the Wall Street Journal reports, “offer in-air online gambling services.” Details are forthcoming.

O'Leary envisages a system that allows passengers to carry their baggage through the airport, check it into the cargo hold at the steps of the aircraft and collect it as they disembark at their destination.

He said that the airline plans to get rid off airport check-in by October, 2010, to complete the migration to online check-in.

The moves form part of O'Leary's plan to cut back on airport services and to reduce costs while minimizing the time passengers spend in airports.

O'Leary said Ryanair, like all other airlines, are implementing cost cutting measures. Looking toward an expected winter slowdown, the airline plans on grounding 20 planes and cutting around 100 staff. Growth plans are on hold.

Despite the never ending quest for added revenue, the maverick airline has abandoned plans for a toilet charge and a “tax” on heavier passengers. Some things are just not worth the trouble and too hard to implement. Ryanair is definitely into simplicity and a streamlined operation.

Lean and mean.

CLEAR Card Security Clearance Operations DOA

Posted by Travel Sentry

As of Monday night, CLEAR, the largest registered traveler program, is no longer in operation. The following is posted on their website:

Clear Lanes Are No Longer Available.

At 11:00 p.m. PST on June 22, 2009, Clear will cease operations. Clear’s parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has been unable to negotiate an agreement with its senior creditor to continue operations.

What will happen to my personal information?
Applicant and Member data is currently secured in accordance with the Transportation Security Administration’s Security, Privacy and Compliance Standards. Verified Identity Pass, Inc. will continue to secure such information and will take appropriate steps to delete the information.

Will I receive a refund for membership in Clear?
At the present time, because of its financial condition, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. cannot issue refunds.

CLEAR was launched in 2005 by entrepreneur Steve Brill with the intent to make airport security a “fly-by” for registered members. CLEAR, in it's short history, enjoyed the status as the largest registered traveler program with 165,000 members.

For an annual fee, Clear collected information from the registrant and ran it through a government security check. After clearance as a “trusted traveler” the CLEAR cardholder was to have “privileges” at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

According to the Wall Street Journal, TSA was "never comfortable with the notion of ‘trusting’ any travelers, and so the security benefits of a Clear card boiled down to getting a special lane and some staff to help carry plastic tubs for you. For some people, moving to the front of a line was worth the price.”

Recent TSA improvements at security checkpoints, including the Black Diamond special lanes for elite-level frequent passengers, rendered the CLEAR program redundant. The CLEAR program was slow to catch on and was only available at about 20 airports and often only at certain checkpoints.

Mr. Brill stepped down as CEO in February.

With the closing of operations, members have been most concerned about the security of their personal information gathered by CLEAR as part of the background check.

The WSJ reports that the personal data submitted to CLEAR is held by Lockheed Martin Inc. and can be reclaimed by the Transportation Security Administration, according to Steve Brill, CLEAR’s founder. “Under CLEAR’s contract with members, data cannot be used for any other purpose than an airport security clearance program if there’s a change in control of the company.”

The Department of Homeland Security has yet to name an administrator which will deal with matters relating to private security clearance companies like CLEAR.

The status of current CLEAR members is uncertain, but according to the website, members probably don’t need to hold their breath for a refund.

Pet Airways’ Plan May Just Work to Perfection Thanks to Millions of Animal Lovers

Posted by Travel Sentry

You might call the founders of Pet Airways, Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel, pretty darn courageous to launch a specialty airline in the middle of a recession. As a matter of fact you could call this husband and wife team, downright crazy. But don’t underestimate the power of animal lovers who are willing to pay the price to have their best friends arrive, safe and sound, at their side.

“Lots of start-up airlines with big ambitions have failed. Unlike Pet Airways, most didn't launch amid a deep recession. But Binder and Wiesel believe they've found the right specialty market and a modest enough operating plan to make it.”

Travel Sentry covered Pet Airways initial announcement in April and their launch is finally in sight. On July 14, the new pet-only airline will begin transporting animals to five (at least for now) select cities. And the introductory fare is $149 each way.

Individually crated, each dog will fly, not in cargo, but in a lighted, pressurized cabin with a flight attendant checking on their comfort and safety every 15 minutes. They will board from their own airport lounges - complimentary beverages and treats included. There is even a paws frequent flier program.

Pet Airlines’ initial destinations include Baltimore/Washington and non-commercial airports in the New York City Area, Denver and Los Angeles, but expansion plans include 25 other cities within a few years. To begin with, dogs and cats only and each route will be flown once a week.

USA Today spoke with the intrepid owners: "There're about 87 million U.S. households that have pets. It's a niche market, no doubt. But the pet community — pet owners and pet lovers — they get it," Binder says. "They've known for a long time that there's a need for this. We're pet owners ourselves. We are our own market."

Binder and Wiesel say “the key to Pet Airways' success may be its choice of aircraft: the affordable, economical Beech 1900. Designed as a 19-passenger turboprop for use by regional carriers serving small markets, the 1900 used to be one of the most widely used planes by regional airlines.”

The turboprops were more or less abandoned in the 1990s when preferences turned to jets, leaving plenty of bargains, ideal for the pickings of Pet Airways. A Golden Retriever will be most happy to join its owner via a prop vs. a jet. And you won’t hear a word of complaint if the fly time is a few minutes more than jet speed. At maximum capacity, each 1900 can hold up to 50 small animal crates.

Geoffrey Gallup, co-owner of Suburban Air Freight, an Omaha-based air-freight specialist that will operate Pet Airways' planes under contract, says he can supply as many 1900s as Pet Airways needs. If it needs more than the four 1900s currently in Suburban Air's fleet, Gallup says, more can be obtained for about $1.5 million each. That's paltry compared with the $10 million to $35 million price tags on used jets.

The statistics on deaths and injuries of animals traveling in the hold of commercial airlines is hard to substantiate, but various animal welfare groups suggest more pets are harmed in transit than the officially reported numbers. A study by the San Francisco SPCA estimates that about 5,000 animals are injured, out of an estimated 1 million to 2 million that travel by air each year.

Source: USA Today