Making Holiday Travel Bearable

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. -Susan Heller

Travel tips to help you breath a bit easier during your holiday travel experience.

The key for a successful and less stressful trip is to be prepared. By following these five simple suggestions, traveling into or out of HIA, or any airport for that matter, will be easy and convenient:

1) Know the security rules before you pack. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has a 3-1-1 campaign to educate travelers on the carry-on baggage restrictions. For specific details, visit www.tsa.dhs.gov before you pack your bags.

2) Call your airline’s toll-free flight tracking phone number for an update on your flight before coming to the airport. Flight status information is also available on each airline’s website.

3) Arrive at an HIA parking lot about 90-minutes before your schedule departure.

4) Follow the signs and park in the Long Term/Economy lot ($7.00 per day). Shuttle uses run every 8-10 minutes from the numbered shelters in the lot and bring you directly to the terminal building.

5) When picking up or dropping off a passenger, park on the second or third floor of the garage. The garage rate is just $1.10 for the first hour (additional rate information). Federal security mandates prohibit parking along the terminal curbside. Only the active loading and unloading of a vehicle is permitted in front of the terminal building.

Finally, we ask that you remember to bring a smile and be patient. Generally the weather looks good nationwide for the upcoming holiday travel week, however delays can happen at any time. The airlines want to get you to your destination safely and on time, while the TSA has a responsibility to make sure that everyone getting on an aircraft is doing so without any prohibited items.

Have we missed any tips that you think would be helpful to other travelers? We'll include your feedback and suggestions on our travel tips section of our web site as well.

Stories for the Road...

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. – St. Augustine

Having just finished listening to Exploded by Tom Bodett (long-time Motel Six spokesmen) while on the road, I am inspired to find out what keeps you fueled while you're racking up mileage.

I found myself transported to Homer, Alaska to Tom's living room as he -surprisingly the consummate storyteller- wove an auditory journey overflowing with humor and local metaphors. Listening to his audio book made my typically mind-numbing highway travels quickly slip by as his stories engaged my brain with verbal play.

Either by train, plane, automobile or any other form of transportation; what pod casts and audio books are on your play list or in your changer? Or do you prefer a good old paper back read?

Wherever your travels take you, hopefully you find that where you end up has left the light on for you.

Corporate Intrusion or Customer Service Department Extender?

A number of you are active on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social networking sites. Much of online social networking revolves not only around our personal contacts, but also our favorite local and national brands and businesses as well. However, some folks find the business use of online social media to be a 'corporate intrusion,' as one woman deemed it.

Do you find business use of online social media to be offensive, an intrusion into your social networking zen? Or, do you find it an easily accessible extension of a business or brand's customer service?

What brands and businesses, based on your experience, are dominating the social media waves with great customer service and relationship building? And, which do you feel are merely barraging you with self-promotion messages, videos, podcasts and tweets?

Please share your thoughts and feedback to our facebook profile or as a comment on this post.

Who's on first?

Since we are in the midst of a baseball fever, why not enjoy a short Abbott and Costello clip from 1945 that comedically depicts America's favorite past time?

Where the Wild Things Are, Aviation Edition

Max was swept up and lifted high in the air...

In the spirit of the new movie, Where the Wild Things Are, opening in theaters tomorrow, we went on a hunt for the wild things that have occurred in aviation and been caught on film! These amazing and at times, crazy, feats are nail-biting, white-knuckled, heart-stopping and above all else, wild!

This pilot accomplishes a touch and go maneuver while his plane is nearly side-ways from an overbearing crosswind:


These wild stunt pilot, decides to fly under a bridge, upside down!


How about skydiving from one plane into another? Yes, a plane-to-plane stunt, midair!


Planes aren't the only aircraft prone to wild stunts! This helicopter's antics are jaw dropping. (Note: Be prepared for stereotypcial cheesy background music!)


The F-15 in this airshow video leaves the crowd with their mouth agape!


And one last video, a view of an aircraft carrier landing as seen from inside of the cockpit! (Note: Not for those prone to motion sickness)


Do you have any great aviation "wild rumpus" footage that you've caught on "tape"? We'd love to see them, feel free to embed them in your comments on this post, or email them to info@saraa.org.

Traveling with Junior

For today's blogging purposes, this is Junior.

"In America, there are two classes of travel:
First class, and with children." -Robert Benchley

Okay, parents, let's face it, traveling with your children is at times an exercise in humility. You have high hopes and expectations for how your trip will go, but Junior has other ideas. Whether he's in diapers relying on your for every need or moodily listening to his iPod barely acknowledging your existence; kids alter the way you travel.

Traveling with your mini me doesn't have to be burdensome, in fact, it can be quite fun, if you're in the know! You need to know what to do when different situations present themselves. For starters, how about making reservations for your child(ren) to fly? If your tot is under the age of two, you don't need a seat for him, you can hold your infant/toddler while you fly. However, once he reaches the age of two, Junior will need his own seat reservation. And, your young'n needs to be in a booster seat just as he would when in your personal vehicle.

Okay, so you've reserved your seats on the plane for you and Junior. Now what? Well, how about packing for baby? What you take along for your and your little one will be scanned at the security checkpoint if you're carrying on an appropriately sized bag or two, and all other luggage you take will be scanned once checked with your airline. The Transportation Security Administration has a great section on their web site to help make your packing and subsequent checkpoint experiences as hassle-free as possible. A few key points about taking your kiddos through the security checkpoint:

• The TSA employees are not here to harass your kids, they have every intent on working with you as much as possible to keep Junior happy while going through the checkpoint process.

• If you don't suspect your stroller, diaper bag, etc will fit through the bag scanner, you need to let a TSA employee know in advance. Hand scanning is available for over sized items.
  

• Your child needs snacks and drinks while on the plane? You may take breast milk, juice, or formula in your carry-on in reasonable amounts greater than the mandated 3 ounces.
  
  
• It is your responsibility to review what you can and cannot take on the plane for Junior. Please don't get upset with the checkpoint personnel if they tell you cannot take prohibited items on the plane.
  

Okay, so you've made it through the checkpoint successfully and you're now waiting in the gate area for your flight to arrive. Junior is happily camped out in his stroller while you're between reading the paper and attending to him. Before you know it, the airline gate agent announces via the intercom that XYZ airline is to begin boarding for your flight from HIA to your vacation destination. Let's run through the easy way to get on the plane with a little one. Make sure all of his items are packed away, that his stroller, if you're traveling with it, is collapsed for easy transport and stowing on the plane, and that you got him with you. If Junior is over two, and mobile [requiring his own seat on the plane], we'd recommend that mom or dad hold onto his boarding pass at all times during travel. This lessens the likelihood that it gets lost and enables all of you to get through your travels more quickly. So the gate agent's called for your seat assignments to board, and you make your way to on to the plane.

You make your way onto the aircraft and find your seats. Let's assume for our blogging purposes that Junior is a lap-sitter, and you're sharing a seat. You have his drinks, snacks and entertainment stowed at your feet under the seat in front of you for ease of access. As your row mates are filing onto the plane, you discover the fine seat occupant to your left has an apparent disdain for your infant. What do you do? How do you handle a fellow traveler who seems, for whatever reason as your flying, annoyed with your child?

The plane's been boarded, door closed, and the aircraft is being pushed back from the gate. You begin taxiing and your flight is taking it's spot in line for take-off. In an ideal situation you discover that Junior has fallen asleep, or is happily busying himself with one of his toys. However, you discover that your little one is not real happy with the prospect of being confined to your lap, or worse yet, has taken ill with what seems to be motion sickness. What do you do when your young, primarily non-verbal child(ren) are ill or unhappy while in-flight?

Let's assume that today's flight is headed for a warm-weather vacation in Orlando. Your flight is about to land at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and AirTran Airways has been your airline today. You've had a safe, uneventful, and successful flight. You land, deplane and enter the terminal in search of your Mickey Mouse car service. With Junior, the rest of the family, and all of your gear in tow, you head out to the curb, find your awaiting Magic Kingdom chauffeur and are well on your way to your family vacation!

What have you found to be successful tips for making family vacations successful? Where are some of your favorite family-friendly destinations to visit?

Are you an "ugly" traveler?

“One’s destination is never a place,
but a new way of seeing things." -Henry Miller

Let's face it folks, some of us, when traveling forget that our social norms and habits aren't normal or well-perceived when traveling abroad. We may talk too loudly; hold too aggressive body language, offer the wrong hand for a handshake, or any combination of what we consider typical responses or actions when in our native culture.

Truth is though, to be a savvy visitor to a foreign country, you must first be a student of that culture. Learn about the traditions and communication nuances of where you're traveling. Don't expect the way you'd conduct yourself at home as typical or acceptable abroad. For example, do you realize that shaking your head yes or no is not universal? In parts of Eastern Europe and the Middle East those head movements actually mean just the opposite. Or, how about this one? Americans hold direct eye contact in esteem, viewing it as an indicator of honesty. In a number of Asian cultures, looking someone directly in the eyes is considered an aggressive act.

Earlier today, MSN Travel Columnist, Christopher Elliot wrote on the 6 things you should never do when you're away. Quite honestly the content of Elliot's column is just good common traveling sense. In a nut shell, he advises against: threatening violence, yelling, having one too many, being inconsiderate of others, leaving your manners at home, and acting like a jerk. If these actions aren't copacetic on your home turf, they're certainly not cool on someone else's. Even more uncool is acting this way while in flight. Have you experienced flight with an angry or uncooperative flyer?

When we become the traveler who thinks it's our way or the highway when on foreign land, we become the ethnocentric individual referred to as the "ugly American." This term, according to Wikipedia, originated as the title of a book in 1958. An ugly American is defined as traveler or tourist who is loud, arrogant, demeaning, and thoughtless. Have you ever been or witnessed someone being an "ugly American"? If you were the offender, how did you remedy the situation?

Travelers and tourists can ensure they don't act like an "ugly American" by walking a mile in the shoes of their host country's residents. Imagine yourself as houseguest when traveling. How would you want a guest to behave when visiting your home? Would you prefer the guest who blantantly abuses your hospitality or the guest who is mindful of the culture of your home? That's not a trick question! We all prefer the guest who leaves their bad manners at home and chooses to be a delightful visitor. Generally speaking, practice the Golden Rule.

When traveling abroad, remember to take into consideration that everything from word choice to body language can have an impact on how you are perceived. But with a little pre-education and thoughtfulness you can avoid being the person that James Michener disdained, "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.”

Traveling with the Flu...

...While this isn't necessarily a good idea, if you absolutely have to travel while ill, please make use of these CDC tips to facilitate keeping your germs your's and not your traveling neighbor's!

First, if you have to sneeze of cough, cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or use the crook of your elbow in order to contain the cough or sneeze. Second, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible.

If you don't have a tissue handy or forget to cover your mouth or you've touched your eyes, nose or mouth; be sure to wash your hands, as soon as your able, with soap and water. Don't forget to wash the backs of your hands as well! Hand sanitizer while great for killing germs doesn't remove residue or dirt from your hands.

If you can avoid traveling while sick, it might be a better idea to stay home, rest up and recuperate!

Double Check your Flight Number

As the Delta and Northwest merger of business operations goes on, travelers flying one of the airlines will continue to experience changes. The latest is the announcement that Delta is going to begin changing every Northwest flight number.

Beginning November 1, 2009 fliers departing on Northwest domestically will see their flights change and on October 24, 2009 international travelers on Northwest flights should make note of changed flight numbers.

Northwest’s international flights will be in the range of 250 and 349. Domestic flights will be set-up in two ranges: all DC-9 operated flights will fall in the 7000-7999 range, while all other domestic flights will be between 2000 - 2999.

For more information on these upcoming changes to flight numbers, visit here, or contact Delta. Delta has posted FAQ on how the merger will continue to affect customers.

9/11 Remembered...

Today is one of those days of memoriam where you stop and remember lives that were needlessly lost to a series of unfathomable events. But, none the less, these lives are remembered for their sacrifice and simply because they were loved and cherished. Our continued condolences to those family members, friends and others who were intimately affected by 9/11.

September 11, 2001 radically changed the landscape of industry and thinking in this country. Aspects of our lives we'd normally take for granted - hopping on a plane, going to work, kissing a spouse goodbye in the morning - would forever be changed in a matter of seconds for thousands of people. Eight years ago today will be forever etched in the minds of the American population. Many of us old enough to remember, can recollect the horrific scenes which were broadcast on every network for the hours, weeks and days following.

While its coming up on a decade since those tragic events in New York, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania, for some the memory is as fresh as today. I, the author of this post, remember sitting in a college classroom when I and my classmates received word. Our professor turned on the television and we all sat dumbstruck, many in tears, as we watched the news reports and the incident unfold.

Where were you when you first heard the news?