StrandedTraveler: The Stranded Traveler + Spring Break, Summer Flights + Airports Updates

Flights Resume: Stranded Passengers Will be Able to go Home

2010-04-20T20:58:00.000-07:00

A few European countries have already opened their airspace. Passengers are scrambing to get a flight home.

Lawmakers Against Spirit Airlines's $45 Carry-on Fee

2010-04-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) called the fee a "slap in the face to travelers." Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) called it "skyway robbery."

What is going on with Spirit Airlines? Why is its CEO Baldanza asking passengers to pay $45 for their carry on? Fortunately, there are some lawmakers who are standing against the company with us. Now, Baldanza is saying that if we pay online, we can pay only $30. He is trying to resolve the overstuffed carry on bags that most airlines close their eyes on. Thanks God, thus far, some of the other major companies said they are not going to add a fee to that.

Everyone hopes that he drops this crazy idea which aims at finding new sources of income for the company.

"The lawmakers hope to put the kibosh on the fee by imposing a tax on all airline revenue collected from such charges.

Baldanza says the senators and most of the media are looking at the fees the wrong way. He noted that passengers can bring a carry-on bag for free as long as it fits under the seat. Anything bigger will cost $45, reduced to $30 if paid online. The fee takes effect Aug. 1.

George Hobica, founder of the travel tip website Airfarewatchdog.com, thinks Spirit might have added the fee not to make money but to solve the industrywide problem of overstuffed overhead bins.

On Sunday, five of the nation's largest airlines -- American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue Airways -- promised not to add a carry-on bag fee..."

Charles de Gaulle Airport Closed Due to Volcanic Ash

2010-04-17T06:14:00.001-07:00

All over the world, passengers are being stranded. All the major airports are closed in order to protect lives and properties. Volcanic ash particles can choke the engines of their planes. So to avoid all potential plane's engine failure, the directors of major aiports and many countries decide to ground their airplanes. Knowing that the European airports feed passengers to US and all countries, there is a sure and immediate impact of the volcanic quake in most countries of the world.

In the meantime, people who live close to airports are happy because there is no more noise that breaks their sleep. They are rejoicing over the sudden and unexpected calm in their neighborhood. From France, England to Germany, people living close to airports are enjoying their new noise-free time.

This is not the same for the millions of passengers who are sleeping on cots strewn in all major airports of the world. This is not the same for people who have very important businesses to deal with. The many people who saved money for their vacation find themselves stuck somewhere in Europe with no idea of when to return to their country. Many of them may be broke because they have already spent all their money.

Once again, nature reminds us and all the major, first-world countries of the world that she remains the greatest superpower. It has enough natural weapons that it can unleash on us!

Volcanic Ash Cancels Flights and Strands Travelers all Over Europe

2010-04-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

All over Europe, passengers are stranded. They can not fly out of the airports where they are stuck. They are reduced to playing and finding ways to pass the time. No wonder this has disrupted the travel of thousands of people from all over the world. After 9-11, this may be the worst case scenario of travel cancelations. On all travel screen boards, canceled flights are showing up.

There are many passengers who ware upset at mother Nature. Well, this is just a natural disaster. Partial closures of airports in Berlin and Dusseldorf cause many passengers to sleep right where they are. Tensions are flaring up.Smoke billows from an erupting volcano.

Official Google Blog: A different kind of company name

2010-04-01T11:16:00.000-07:00

Official Google Blog: A different kind of company name

Who would like to have a good belly laugh on April Fool's Day? Google is giving it to all of us when the Mountain View company decided to change its name to join the load of fun that cities have been having over its recent announcement of ultra fast connection.

Well, on this day, I want to have fun with the rest of the team at Google. Thanks for giving us these few laughs.

2010 Spring Break at Cancun, South Padre Island and Jamaica

2010-04-01T11:11:00.001-07:00

2010 Spring Break: Spring Break Teens and Canadian Tourists Return to Cancun, Mexico

2009 is so gone. Students on Spring Break do not want to think about the year that killed their entertainment plans. The world-wide scare provoked by the 2009 swine flu kept many Spring Breakers at home and near their home school campuses. But 2010 is a different year. Students on Spring Break want to go their regular fun pits. They want to go back to Puerto Vallarta, Cancun in Mexico, Florida, Texas and Jamaica beaches. It is true that the fear of the swine flu in the other places was not as magnified as that of Mexico. Nobody wanted to die to have fun. That is why the beaches of Cancun were deserted. 2009 will be remembered as the year of the swine flue epidemic, the increasing drug violence in Mexico and the full-fledged global economic crisis.

According to various reports, February saw 85 % of Cancun's 28,000 rooms filled. Many attribute it to Cancun's quick recovery from 2009. Others attribute to the good fun that awaits thousands of U.S. and Canadian teens and college students from the US and Canada. They want to beat the cold. They want to be where it is cool. For example, Oasis Hotel has been a popular spot for many years. The Swine Flu affected it last year. This year is different. Spring Breakers from the U.S. Midwest and Canada are filling its rooms.

So far, Mexican Tourism officials are expecting more than 25,000 Spring breakers to descend on Cancun's rebuilt beaches and turquoise blue ocean. There is going to be a regular flow of tourists who visit all the time too. Despite the bad news that comes with drug violence in places such as Guerrero, in the Northern states, many spring breakers will follow the parties organized by MTV. The Pacific Coast resort of Acapulco paid MTV $200,00 so the network can host its spring party there this year. The drinks are flowing. All parents hope that their kids will drink reasonably.

2010 Spring Break: U.S. Spring Break Teens and Canadian Tourists Return to Cancun, Mexico

2010-03-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Travel and body scan

2009-12-28T23:37:00.000-08:00

New restrictions (part2)

2009-12-28T23:27:00.000-08:00

Safety in the sky: new restrctions (PART 1)

2009-12-28T23:11:00.000-08:00

Tougher airline security measures were imposed Friday after a man flying from Nigeria to Amsterdam then to the U.S. on a Northwest Airlines flight tried to ignite an explosive as the plane prepared to land in Detroit. On Sunday, police met another Amsterdam-to-Detroit flight after the crew reported a "verbally disruptive passenger." A law enforcement official said the man posed no security risk to the plane.

Government officials have refused to discuss what restrictions had been put into place, but in many airports lines were longer and security personnel were extra diligent.

Travelers on incoming international flights said that during the final hour, attendants removed blankets, banned opening overhead bins, and told passengers to stay in their seats with their hands in plain sight.

Nigerian Man Created Terror on Plane over Detroit; He was Subdued and Manhandled by Passengers

2009-12-26T09:46:00.001-08:00

Tiger Woods Travels Despite Scandal; In Touch Magazine Reports on Travel to Los Angeles

2009-12-25T19:52:00.001-08:00

Tiger Woods hasn't shown his face since the news broke that he'd been cheating on his wife, Elin Nordegren, with as many as a dozen porn stars, cocktail waitresses and party girls. But Tiger isn't in seclusion, depressed and watching cartoons, as many news outlets have reported -- In Touch can exclusively reveal that he's still secretly having sex with his mistress, New York party promoter Rachel Uchitel. "They have been sleeping together the entire time since the scandal broke," her friend says. They hooked up in a condo she's been staying at in Palm Beach."

Rachel, 34, has recently been spotted out in the ritzy Florida town where Tiger's luxurious yacht, Privacy, is docked, and reports claim she's been visiting her parents nearby. "Unfortunately, I'm not commenting on anything," she told a reporter on December 14 during a trip to the grocery store. But the golf superstar isn't actually staying on Privacy, the friend reveals -- he's been holed up in another decoy boat nearby. "Rachel's condo is 500 feet from where Tiger's boat is docked. He has been visiting her there." According to the friend, Tiger even secretly flew out to LA on December 4 just so he could spend time with her. "She's madly in love with him, and she believes that he loves her as well."

Bad Weather Delays Many Flights: Many Airlines Cancel Flights; Passengers Get Stranded at Airports

2009-12-25T19:39:00.000-08:00

Many passengers are spending nights at various airports due to the cold that is spreading all over back East. Many airlines are forced to cancel some of their flights. Passengers are calling their loved ones to tell them Merry Christmas from their airport chair.

As Tough as Losing or missing a Flight: Woman Lost it

2009-02-16T06:30:00.000-08:00

Olympian Michael Phelps's Bong Pictures, Song, and Videos: He Apologizes for Being a Pot Head

2009-02-02T08:36:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Hudson Wowed the Public with the Singing of the National Anthem

2009-02-02T08:13:00.000-08:00

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Chesley Sully Sullenberger, Family and Crew Honored at Obama Inauguration and SuperBowl

2009-02-02T08:08:00.000-08:00

We know what a new hero is all about. Pilot Sullenberger saved 155 passengers. He has been honored by President Bush, President Obama and the Superbowl organizers, the NFL.

The hero of the 'Miracle on the Hudson' received quite a Super ovation, as US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and the rest of the crew for Flight 1549 were honored before Sunday's Super Bowl between Pittsburgh and Arizona for helping rescue 150 passengers after an emergency landing in New York's Hudson River.

New Google Application Is to Be Launched: Google Ocean

2009-02-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

Gore will be present at the launching of Google Ocean today. With the release of this new application, Googlers and regular people will be able to travel under the ocean from the comfort of their seats. So far, very few people have been able to see the floor of the ocean.

With this new application, we can see the hills and mountains of the ocean. We can explore the beauty of this unknown world.

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Vietnam: Land of Magic, Beauty, Riches, Hard Work and Beautiful People Vietnamese Want Education, Growing Economy, Employment Opportunities

2008-07-31T23:09:00.000-07:00

Vietnam: Land of Magic, Beauty, Riches, Hard Work and Beautiful People

Vietnamese Want Education, Growing Economy, Employment Opportunities and Consumer Goods such as Apple iPhone 3g

A recent trip to Vietnam has helped me realize the economic rise and fall of this important Asian country.

Who has not heard a recent story about Hanoi, Vietnam's stock market and growing economy? Most of you have read about the recent efforts by many countries including ours to renew contact with the Asian country with the highest diaspora in the States, specifically California. For that matter, we have Little Saigon in the Golden State. Just a few years ago, many Vietnamese were leaving Australia and the U.S. to go back home to invest in the soaring stock market, real estate market. The economic growth was a sure thing. Exports were booming. These expatriates returned to build and brought with them lots of cash. Foreign investment was also flooding in. With all of these economic activities, the country was admitted to the World Trade Organization.

It was with fanfare that millions of Vietnamese celebrated the adoption of capitalist ideas by the communist country. The country is waking up to the marvels and pitfalls of the capitalist system. These days, workers are protesting for higher wages. Inflation has been eating up their incomes. Shares have plunged. People are losing their precious, hard-earned money. The hope of those who expected to strike it rich is being dashed. The good thing is that many of the factors that attracted more than $22 billion in foreign investment to Vietnam are still in place: emerging middle class, adoption of western economic reforms, half of Vietnam's 84 million citizens are under age 30, importance of education and literacy programs, demand for consumer goods and relatively cheap labor. The strength of the economy rests on the shoulder of the young population.

The growth that Vietnam knows has been fueled by young entrepreneurs creating and investing in the new economy. At the same time, the Old economy was present with the booming telecommunications, manufacturing and construction industries. Many U.S. companies wanted to have a presence in Hanoi. Starbucks wanted to grow and get its coffee from Vietnam. Exports of clothing, shoes, rice and coffee brought in the much needed cash for many retailers and farmers. Little did most Vietnamese that this growth would be stunted by the soaring food and oil prices all over the world. Inflation is a major problem right now according to a Vietnamese Restaurant owner who was seeking to open a sister restaurant over there. The government is in control and is paying attention to the recent problems.

In the meantime, if you want to vacation in Vietnam, you will have lots of fun. The people are nice. They want you to visit again. Tourism is very important to the overall economy too. If you decide to venture out, away from rated restaurants, make sure to take care of your water. In the countryside, you may catch worms if the water was not boiled. Two college students who vacationed in Vietnam tell of their trouble with worms when they got back to the U.S. One of them made the mistake of eating unwashed local fruits. He could not turn down the large variety of tropical fruits he was being offered on his walks in the village.

Airlines Are Increasing Fees on Baggage, Cutting Down Jobs and Laying Off Workers

2008-07-31T23:06:00.000-07:00

Cash-strapped Airlines Are Increasing Fees, Laying Off Pilots, Workers and Cutting Hundreds of Flights at Most Airports

From FYI to LAX, San Francisco International Aiport, San Jose airport and elsewhere, the high fuel prices bring bad news to the CEOs of most airlines companies. At the same time, travelers without extra cash are being asked to pay higher fees on local and international flights for extra luggage. Many airlines have resulted to cutting down a number of flights at the local airports. The cuts announced thus far will be felt at the Los Angeles International Airport. According to Airline industry database company Innovata, the number of flights scheduled out of LAX has been reduced.

In front of the new economic reality, American Airlines and other companies are cutting down flights. American Airlines plans to eliminate 86 arrivals and departures at the LAX per week in November. Delta plans to eliminate 68. United Airlines plans to cut the flights down to 266 flights. LAX can no longer count on the landing fees to fund its expansion. The cuts will be felt down at the local regional airports too.

Delta Airlines Raises Fees on Second Bag

2008-07-30T08:34:00.000-07:00

Delta Airlines has just announced that it is raising the fees on your second bag. It will go from $25 to $50.

Fees
For tickets purchased on or after July 31, 2008, for travel on or after August 5, 2008, the baggage fees will be changing. See below for exact fees. No more than four checked bags will be allowed in all Delta Connection® carriers.
You'll be charged an excess baggage fee each time you go over any one of the free allowances.
For example, if you have an extra piece of baggage that goes over the weight limit and the size limit, then you'll be charged 3 times:
once for the extra bag,
once for going over the size limit, and
once for going over the weight limit.
Fees are for each additional bag, each way.
The fees listed below apply to all areas of travel, however some areas may have additional restrictions.
Current baggage fees for passengers who purchased tickets before July 31, 2008:
Quantity

Amount Fee
Travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico Bag 2
$25
Bags 3, 4, and 5
$80 each
Bags 6, 7, and 8
$110 each
Bags 9 and 10
$180 each
Travel outside the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico Bags 3, 4, and 5 $150 each
Bags 6, 7, and 8 $300 each
Bags 9 and 10 $600 each

Weight

Amount Fee
51–70 pounds $80 each
71–100 pounds $150 each
Over 100 pounds not permitted

Size

Amount Fee
63–80 inches—total of length plus width plus height $150 each
Over 80 inches—total of length plus width plus height
not permitted

Baggage fees for passengers who purchased tickets on or after July 31, 2008, for travel on or after August 5, 2008
Quantity

Amount Fee
Travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico Bag 2
$50
Bag 3
$125
Bags 4—10
$200 each
Travel outside the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico Bag 2 no fee
Bag 3 $200
Bags 4 & 5 $350
Bags 6—10 $600

Weight

Amount Fee
51–70 pounds for travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico $90 each
51–70 pounds for travel outside the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico $150 each
71–100 pounds for travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico $175 each
71–100 pounds for travel outside the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico $300 each
Over 100 pounds not permitted

Size

Amount Fee
63–80 inches—total of length plus width plus height $175 each
Over 80 inches—total of length plus width plus height
not permitted

Hole in Qantas Airlines

2008-07-26T06:49:00.000-07:00

A hole the side of a sedan was ripped from a cargo area under the business class area of the cabin, officials said. The plane, a 747-400 operating as Qantas Flight 30 from Melbourne to Hong Kong, landed safely, and no one was hurt.

"The hole appeared to encompass a part of the plane called a fairing, which is meant to smooth out the surface of the fuselage and reduce drag. Fairings, which are installed on various parts of an aircraft, do not normally suffer metal fatigue, said Robert Mann Jr., an industry consultant based in Port Washington, N.Y.

That raised the question of whether the aircraft might have been damaged on the ground or from inside the cargo compartment, possibly when bags were being loaded, Mr. Mann said."

In-flight Entertainment Offered by Delta Airlines

2008-07-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

Domestic
We offer the AVOD product to customers on most flights 4+hours to and from New York City, Boston, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Atlanta.

Flights between Los Angeles and Honolulu or Maui also feature Delta on Demand.

International
We offer Delta on Demand to all customers traveling in the BusinessElite cabin, regardless of destination.

It’s also available to customers in the Economy cabin traveling between Atlanta* and Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Moscow, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bogotá, Quito, Guayaquil, Paris/CDG, Copenhagen, Dakar, Dublin, Frankfurt, Sao Paulo, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro, Johannesburg, London/LGW, Madrid, Munich and Milan.

And if you’re traveling in Economy between New York/JFK* and Antigua, Shannon, Guatemala City, Edinburgh, Manchester, Malaga, Mexico City, Lyon, London/LGW, Paris/CDG, Punta Cana, Puerto Vallarta, Santo Domingo, Santiago (STI), Frankfurt, Georgetown, Brussels and Mumbai…you’ll also be on aircraft with Delta on Demand.

It’s available to all customers traveling between Cincinnati* and Amsterdam…to all customers traveling between Los Angeles* and Cancun and to all customers traveling between Hartford* and Cancun.

*And here’s the fine print…Routes and Aircraft subject to change

Fast Facts

Delta on Demand offers each customer their own personal, 7” wide-screen display and a choice of up to 28 new and classic films, 60 hours of HBO on Demand, more than 3,000 mp3s across 14 music categories, a suite of 12 video games and a real-time moving map;

The system features 18 channels of live satellite television on 97 Boeing 737, 757 and 767 aircraft flying domestic routes (usually on flights of 4 hours or more), while customers flying on transoceanic routes on Delta’s Boeing 757, 767 and 777 fleet enjoy up to 25 hours of on-demand television across a broad range of genres.

Our new 777-200LR ultra-long range aircraft feature larger 9” screens in Economy and 10.6” screens in BusinessElite. 200 movie choices are offered across a broad range of genres. The 777LR fleet also features 100 hours of HBO on Demand; more than 150 TV and short subject programs; more than 4,000 mp3s; 40 music videos, including 20 from Bollywood artists; a dedicated children’s area called “FlyKids;” and a suite of 12 video games and language tools. Additionally, BusinessElite customers have access to exclusive games not available in the Economy cabin.

News in Brief: USAirways Cut in Flight Movies to Lighten Planes

2008-07-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The Hollywood studios will take a revenue hit when US Airways does away with in-flight movies, but executives don't expect other airlines to follow suit.

Recently, rising global aviation oil prices have led to increases in airline operation costs. After adjusting the fuel surcharge on domestic flights, airlines have also adjusted the aircraft fuel prices on international flights, according to Guangzhou

In yet another attempt to offset rising fuel costs, US Airways will yank in-flight movie and music systems from all domestic flights in November - a move the airline says will save about $10 million a year. What's a beleaguered passenger to do? First airlines slapped on fees for checked bags. They took away free snacks, added extra charges ..

Hotwire.com is one of my favorite travel websites

2008-07-10T09:07:00.001-07:00

Have you checked www.hotwire.com, http://hotwire.com lately?

If you want to get discount airfare, hotel reservations, car rentals, vacation packages and more, you need to be on http://hotwire.com. I have never been disappointed by their service.

It is a great site with easy navigation.

If you are planning to get some good tickets for your next trip, I recommend www.hotwire.com