A-Lert Travel Tips

SAFETY CONCERNS

2007-10-01T13:05:00.000-05:00

Some key security tips that every traveler should use:

Check-in Checklist. In a hotel, don't let the desk clerk announce your room in a voice that can be heard by anyone but you. If you are signing a hotel charge to your room, do not leave the signed receipt on the table; give it directly back to the server. Keep yourself safe and keep unwanted visitors out - check to be sure there's no one else in your room every time you enter, check the phone to make sure it works, and use door bolts and chains. Fire safety: don't trust the map on the back of the door; do a dry run - drop your bags and find the closest exits, then relax. When you go out, leave a note in your room detailing where you went, what time you left and what you were wearing.
Identity Insurance: Do not allow your name, credit card number, home address or phone to be discussed or printed on any visible document, including luggage tags.
Put Your Best Foot Forward: Do you like to run as part of your work out routine while on the road? You don't have to run alone - contact a health club or running store and inquire about running clubs; and join one of them for your daily run.
What's in your Wallet: Minimize the number of credit cards you carry. Good rule: one for business and one for personal. If you are traveling internationally, alert your bank that you will be out of the country and to expect uncommon charges.

The Official List of 2006 Holiday Travel Nightmares

2006-11-22T17:39:00.000-06:00

As the holidays approach, your thoughts turn to taking a few days off to celebrate with family and friends. But when getting there requires airline travel, that Normal Rockwell scene you hold so dear can vanish as your well-meaning plans are crushed, due to circumstances outside of your control. Travel delays are all but inevitable, but too many of us do not have the tools we need to solve travel problems and make it to our destinations on time. Want to increase the likelihood of a 'less stressful' holiday travel season, read on...

The Official List of 2006 Holiday Travel Nightmares:

You could miss your flight being stuck at security in your stocking feet. If only you were up to date on the latest TSA travel restrictions. It takes a few minutes at home on your computer before you head to the airport. The best resource to us is www.tsa.gov. Another alternative would be your airlines website -- if you check in on-line then it's just an additional click of the mouse.
Your flight's been canceled and now you're 30th in line at the customer service desk. As a standard practice, your travel agent or preferred airline or websites customer service number should be in your speed dial. At the first hint of a delay, contact one of these individuals directly and ask for the flight status. They have access to information that you don't and can start working on alternatives for you. Remember, you're traveling during the busiest time of the year and there are only going to be so many seats available. Your objective is to get one of those coveted seats before anyone else does. One call can save your holiday plans and your sanity.
It's Thanksgiving Day. You live in New York, your family is waiting for you in LA and you're in Albuquerque at 5pm eating a day-old ham and cheese from the airport vending machine. So you saved money by booking a flight that was not direct, although that option was available. A few strategic maneuvers might get you on your way that much quicker. Do some research and know when the direct flights are. Get to the airport early and inquire with the front gate agent if there is room on a direct flight. If there is room you might just be put on the flight. If it's full ask if you can be put on the stand-by list.
You actually made it home for the holidays... But you're wearing Aunt Edna's bathrobe because your luggage never arrived. With the change in the carry-on procedures more people are being forced to check their luggage. The airlines have reported a 20% in checked luggage and the lost luggage statistics have risen as well. A few simple steps can help you avoid being one of the statistics: Get to the airport early if you are checking bags. Those that make it right under the one hour cut off limit are more likely to get left behind. Bring all valuables and medicine on board with you. Make clear plastic bags your new best friend. Put yourself in the shoes of the luggage screeners. Make it easy for them to view what is in your luggage, especially creams, makeup and liquid. Put a copy of your itinerary in your checked luggage. If for some reason your bags didn't arrive with you, you've given yourself an extra layer of protection for the handler to know your destination. Finally, if you are traveling with someone, pack an outfit in his or her bags. This way if one of the bags doesn't make it you at least have a change in clothes.

AIRLINE INDUSTRY HITS NEW MILESTONE

2006-10-13T11:58:00.000-05:00

As if the ever-changing air travel rules weren't enough, a problem that concerns every air traveler-lost luggage-is getting worse. As reported in USA Today, the US Department of Transportation reported a 33% increase in lost luggage from August 2005 to August 2006 and a 74% increase from 2004 to 2006. The Department of Transportation attributes this increase both to changes in security procedures and an increase in air travel - neither of which shows signs of easing.

All this attention reminds me that it's time to review some helpful hints that can help reduce the chances that your luggage will be irretrievably lost. They are:

If you can, don't check your luggage at all. The airline can't lose it if you're carrying it.
If you are checking luggage, arrive at the airport at least 1 hour prior to your departure time.
Recheck to be sure that the luggage tag that the attendant attaches to your bag correctly identifies your destination.
Make sure that your identification (name, address and phone number) is not only on a luggage tag attached to the outside of your bag but is also available on the inside of your bag.
Put a copy of your itinerary in your luggage.
Carry all your valuables and medicines on the plane yourself!

There's nothing you can do to be absolutely sure the airline won't misplace your bags, but following these rules will reduce the risk and then, if the luggage is misplaced, will help the airline return it to you more quickly at your destination.

Mini-size me!

2006-09-26T14:46:00.000-05:00

There is a collective sigh of relief for us female travelers. Our mascara is no longer considered a bomb threat!

Today is the first day of the mini-size movement in air travel. Yesterday, the Transportation Safety Administration announced that liquids, gels and creams were allowed on board an aircraft. As long travelers adhere to the latest guidelines and put these toiletries in a quart (8" x 7.5") size zip-top bag they should have no problem. For more details as to specifics follow this link to the TSA.

Some toiletries are easy to buy in the small size but the costly shampoos, gels, and face creams may not be as easy to find. Ask at your cosmetic counter for travel size products.

It's time to shop - not only for mini-size toiletries but I'm off to purchase stock in a company who makes zip-lock bags! Safe travels.

2006-09-05T14:32:00.000-05:00

Want to still carry your luggage on the plane without worrying about banned liquids and gels? Ship! If you are at a hotel go to the concierge, complete a shipping form for FedEx, UPS or US Postal Service and be on your way. Be sure to tip the concierge before you leave! If you're enroute to the airport, find a shipping store, like a UPS or Kinkos/FedEx.

If you're already at the airport, stop in the business center and do the same thing you would have done at the hotel. Wherever you are, there should always be a way to ship something to yourself. Why throw away that expensive bottle of moisturizer, hair product or shampoo? The cost of shipping should be small compared to what the
product cost you.

For more information on the TSA threat level go here.

2006-08-10T14:23:00.000-05:00

Want to still carry on without worrying about banned liquids and gels? Ship! If you are at a hotel go to the concierge, complete a shipping form for FedEx, UPS or US Postal Service and be on your way. Be sure to tip the concierge before you leave!

If you are at the airport – stop in the business center and do the same thing as you would have done at the hotel. On route to the airport find a shipping store. Doesn't matter where you are there is always a way to ship things to yourself. Why throw away that expensive bottle of moisturizer, hair product or shampoo. The cost of shipping far outweighs the product(s) price.

For more information on the TSA threat level go here.

Aim for the A.M.

2006-08-03T14:29:00.000-05:00

Monday morning flights are typically filled with business travelers. The airlines also have their most senior personnel working the morning shift. Morning travel allows you to work with the most senior staff and gives you further flexibility and choices if you do not get on your original flight.

Keep important paperwork on hand.

2006-07-27T14:30:00.000-05:00

If you are giving an important presentation, don’t leave all of the hard copies of the presentation in your checked luggage; take one with you. Even if the document is saved on your computer’s hard drive, you never know when your computer might "have a moment"!