Daily Roundup--December 1, 2011

There’s a new Steri-Pen on the market. It’s called the Freedom and it’s smaller and lighter than the other Steri-pens. It’s also USB rechargeable.I’ve been thinking of getting a Steri-Pen and I like the sound of this new one.

I am not making this up. The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning reminding people it’s not safe to travel to…..Afghanistan. Thanks for the reminder, Washington, I totally forgot it was not safe. I guess I should cancel my vacation plans for Kabul.

Daily Roundup--November 30, 2011

There’s a renewed push in Congress and by airports to hire private baggage screeners.

FAA is proposing new solutions to prevent the tarmac delays like the ones encountered in Hartford this past October.

The parent company of United and Continental Airlines has gotten the go ahead to to operate as one airline.

It’s shopping season and some of you might want to take a “shopping trip.” Here’s a list of America’s America’s most visited malls.

December is usually milege run month. The time when frequent fliers take to the skies just to gain mileage so they keep their elite status the following year. Delta is making it easier for these “runners” by allowing them to buy miles instead of taking flights. Normally, purchased miles could be used for free flights but not elite status. With this program a passenger can purchase up to 10,000 miles that will count towards that top level status. Not cheap, though.

Daily Roundup--November 29, 2011

Google Maps is expanding to large indoor facilities like shopping centers and airport terminals.

Iceland is growing in popularity. Starting next June, a new Icelandic based airline, Wow Air, begins flights from that northern country to numerous points in Europe. And in March, EasyJet begins thrice weekly service to Iceland from London’s Luton airport. Just in time for my planned trip.

A “Nap Bar” in Paris? Gives new meaning to “Voulez Vous Couchez Avec Moi.”

Daily Roundup--November 28, 2011

Did you know that all the emergency oxygen systems in airplane bathrooms have been removed for fears terrorists might use them as a weapon—and it will take 2-4 more years before a safe system is installed?

Our friends at Airfare Watch Dog recently did an interview with an airline baggage handler to find out what really goes on behind the scenes. After reading it, I’m going to continue to do my best to carry-on.

Daily Roundup--November 23, 2011

Delta is dropping quite a few of its international routes. At the same time, it’s increasing some its domestic ones.

I’m not a big fan of USAir. In the past I’ve had mostly horrible service from that airline and I do my best to avoid it. So, when I here stories like this one, I’m not surprised.

Senator Susan Collins of Maine told TSA head honcho John Pistole that she is upset he decided not to go forward with a promised independent study  of backscatter x-ray scanners and would rely on his own Inspector General’s report. She also noted that the EU has banned this type of machine due to their concerns regarding radiation.

The Canadians are coming!!  The Canadians are coming!!!  Canadian airline Westjet has won 8 takeoff and landings slots each at NY’s Laguardia Airport. JetBlue got the other eight.

L.L. Bean is having a 10% off sale on everything through Monday.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the U.S. of A. Daily Roundup is taking some time off and will resume next week. Of course, if there is anything of major travel news value, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, we’re going to try to catch up on some long overdue gear reviews. Gobble. Gobble.

Daily Roundup--November 22, 2011

It looks like tour operator Thomas Cook is in serious financial trouble. Anyone planning to travel with them might want too think about travel insurance—if it’s not too late.

Spirit Airlines, the only U.S. airlines to charge for carry-on bags, is in trouble with the Department of Transportation.  The DOT is fining the airline $50,000 for deceptive advertising. It seems the airline didn’t fully disclose all fees in both traditional advertising and on twitter.

There’s a bill going through Congress that would make it illegal for airlines to charge for the first checked bag. It would also increase the amount of taxes the airlines pay. I don’t expect it to pass.

Daily Roundup--November 21, 2011

The Australian government announced they will be lifting the restriction on liquids in carry-on bags early next year. This is similar to an announcement made by the EU a  year ago but when the time came they changed their mind. And while the article says it’s aimed at international travelers (out of Australia), they still have to follow the rules of the destination countries. As an example, the U.S. will not allow any flight to  use it’s airspace unless a liquid restriction is in effect.

More Australia news: Talks between Qantas and it’s major unions have broken off and are headed towards arbitration.

The City of Berlin will implement a 5% tax on hotel rooms in 2013. It’s a way for the third most visited capital in Europe, after London and Paris, to earn much needed extra income.

According to Bloomberg News, complaints against the TSA have fallen to an all time low. Either TSA is getting better or people are realizing that complaining gets them absolutely nowhere.

The UK says air passengers flying into or out of UK airports can’t opt out of a body scan. While in many countries, passengers are allowed to choose a pat down instead, UK officials feel a pat down is not as efficient as going through the body scanning machine.

London Mayor Boris Johnson says London needs another international airport. It seems five aren’t enough.

To our Canadian friends: 20% discounts on Porter and Air Canada flights. Good until tomorrow night.

Chase in introducing another credit card in the U.S. with “smart chip” technology. It’s a visa card co-branded with British Airways. The annual cost is $95. The U.S. is one of the last places in the modern world that has not switched from “swipe” technology to “smart chip.”

Daily Roundup--November 17, 2011

The TSA may back out of a health study of their backscatter body scanners because the Inspector General is doing its own study and it will prove the machines safe. It’s intersting however, that the EU has recently banned the machines over radiation fears. Am I the only one scratching my head?

Wine drinkers, it’s Beaujolais Nouveau day.

TLC and Southwest Airlines are partnering up for a new TV reality show looking at the behind the scenes working of a airline. For those that remember the TV series “Airline,” which this sounds like, the people behind this show says “Airline” was more focused on customer service while the new show will include many more types of employees who will tell their own stories. Am I the only one these days who seems to be doing a lot more reading?

Daily Roundup--November 17, 2011 (Morning Edition)

These two stories are so unbelievable, I didn’t want to wait until the end of the day to publish them.

So, there you are sitting on your plane waiting for it to refuel when the airport tells you that the passengers must come up with 24,000 British Pounds or they and their luggage will be removed from the plane. It seems the airline hadn’t paid its airport fees because there was no money. The passengers were bussed to the terminal and escorted to the ATM machines.

Pilot uses toilet. Gets locked in. Well, the rest, sounds more like a comedy sketch than reality. You have to read the story. If you’ve flown at all in the last few years, you’ll just shake your head and smile.

Daily Roundup--November 16, 2011

Sorry this is late, I thought I had published it on Wednesday.

To TSA or not to TSA, that is the question. Some members of Congress want to do away with the TSA, while others want to give it more powers.

Hawaiian Airlines begins East Coast service next June when it starts daily round trip service between Honolulu and New York’s JFK airport.  It will be a nonstop flight on an Airbus A330.

Holland is getting closer to changing its laws when it comes to foreigners and smoking pot. Under a new law, that privilege may only be extended to locals.

Next year, Virgin Galactic will start flying ordinary citizens into space. And now we can report that one German insurance company is offering, yes, space flight insurance.

Daily Roundup--November 15, 2011

Deny a bag, make some money. At least that’s the way it is for Ryanair ground workers at Liverpool Airport.  For every carry-on bag they insist be checked for a hefty “fee,”  they are paid a 50 pence bonus. Gee, they wouldn’t abuse the system, would they?

According to a J.D. Power & Associates poll, the top rated rental car company in terms of satisfaction is…Ace Rent-Car. Who?

Having trouble finding a room in London for the 2012 Olympics? Have no fear, Queen Liz is renting out rooms. Not sure if wi-fi is included.

Daily Roundup--November 14, 2011

American Eagle becomes the first airline to be fined under the new tarmac delay regulations. The incident occurred last May 29 during a snowstorm in Chicago. The fine, $900,000.

Hilton is going to start donating all used soap to charity. I thought it sounded weird but apparently the soap is “recycled” and sent to those in need.

BBC Travel has an article on “Five Features To Look For In A Carry-On Bag.” Once again, we non-wheelers get no respect. In fact, this article even encourages “more wheels” as in four instead of two. (Heavy Sigh)

Daily Roundup--November 11, 2011

The New York Times has an article titled: “Getting Savier About Carry-On’s.” I thought they might finally publish something beneficial. Nope. Unfortunately, mostly talk of wheeled bags and the most expensive non-wheeled bags. And it’s interesting that the author talked to retailers and a few travelers rather than those who actually know something about the entire light travel industry.

The EU has set strict standards for European airports that use body scanners. Most are similar to the U.S. rules but they don’t want to admit it.

Boeing is assmebling its 1,000th 777 this week.

Virgin Atlantic will start summer seasonal service next year between London Heathrow and Vancouver, Canada. It will Virgin’s only Canadian destination. The airline also plans to add a second SFO-London flight three times a week.

Hong Kong Airlines plans to start an all business class service next spring between Hong Kong and London’s Gatwick airport.

AirTran has announced that starting next June, it will stop service to five cities: Knoxville (TN), Miami, Bloomington/Normal (IL), Charleston (WV) and Washington Dulles.

Happy Veterans Day…..my thanks go out to all those who have served their country to protect our freedoms.

Daily Roundup--November 10, 2011

Airbus stops production on the A340. It just couldn’t compete with the Boeing 777.

Royal Caribbean is lowering the drinking age from 21 to 18 on some of its international routes.

If you were one of the 10 million people who traveled outside the U.S. from 1996 to 2006, you may soon be getting a check.  As part of a lawsuit settlement for not properly disclosing fees, major credit card companies and banks agreed to certain payouts. How much? Most people will get $18. More if you can prove you spent a lot.

Our friend Kevin at Practical Hacks reports on a recent trip that TSA didn’t cut off his TSA approved lock, they cut the actual zipper pulls. If I didn’t see it, I wouldn’t believe it.

France is ready to take back the title as the world’s largest wine producer from Italy. I think I’ll go open a bottle to celebrate.

Daily Roundup--November 9, 2011

Au Revoir a “Christmas Carols” et bonjour a “rock n roll.”  Galleries Lafayette is ditching the recorded Christmas carols usually found in their holiday window displays for live rock n roll. What’s next? Rap at Printemps Haussmann? Mon Dieu.

Rick Steves is having a sale on everything in his store. Discounts  from 20-50% off. Runs through 12/12/11.

Daily Roundup--November 8, 2011

United will be the first U.S. airline to offer wi-fi on its transoceanic flights. The satellite based system will be introduced in 2012.

The U.S. will spend $1 billion dollars over the next five years to attract foreign tourists. If it works, it really could be considered a “job creator.”

Tired of carrying around multiple chargers or even a universal charger for all of your electronics? How about luggage that not only transports your clothes, but also charges your gadgets?. Powerbags are one of the latest trends.

Have you ever been on a trip where things didn’t all go exactly as planned. I know I have. Here’s an article on how to handle eight of the worst case travel scenarios. Let’s hope you never have to deal with any of them.

Have you ever left anything behind in a hotel, rent a car, airplane? It seems you’re not the only one. Confession time, what have you left?

Daily Roundup--November 7, 2011

Jack the Cat, the feline lost for two months at JFK airport after getting out of its cage, and found just a week ago, was euthanized over the weekend.

Marriott Hotels is joining Starwood in allowing guests to post unedited reviews. Not all guests can post reviews nor are all properties included. The hotel chains are trying to compete with TripAdvisor and Yelp.

TSA has expanded its passenger interrogation program, I mean casual conversation program to Detroit’s aiport.

United Airlines flew the first commercial airline flight today that ran completely on biofuel. The 737 flew from Houston to Chicago.

Daily Roundup--November 3, 2011

You know those pesky hotel add-on fees that drive you just as crazy as the extra airline fees? Well, lilke their flying cousins, don’t expect them to go away anytime soon. Last year, U.S. hotels earned an extra $1.8 billion from those same fees. That’s only up 6% from last year but 50% in the past ten years.

Daily Roundup--November 2, 2011

The TSA test program allowing passengers who supply personal information to sail through security checkpoints has been successful so far and will soon be expanded to more airports.

The State of Arizona wants to expand the airport at the Grand Canyon believing it will bring much more revenue to the state and the area with direct commercial flights. The Park Service says the Grand Canyon is already handling too many visitors. As someone who has visited the Canyon more times than I can remember and being stuck in numerous traffic jams, I’m tossed on this one. I’d hate to see the Canyon get more crowded but I understand the need in this economy for states and municipalities to do what it can to increase revenue.

Four years after being introduced, most major carriers utilize some type of electronic boarding pass. Here’s one reporters experience and suggestions for use. Personally, I’ve never used one. I still like the paper type—seems much simpler.

Daily Roundup--November 1, 2011

Jet Blue offers apology for for 7-hour tarmac delay via YouTube.. Let’s see, the new three hour tarmac rule was put into place because of a similar situation with Jet Blue four years ago. And now you say you want to learn from it. What happened during the last four years?

Singapore Airlines introduces Scoot, Its newest long-haul discount carrier.. It will fly Boieing 777’s.