eXpect delaYs Travel Delay Blog - Tips

Airline Baggage Fees - Up, up and away! - Airline Checked Baggage Fees Rise Again

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:01:15 -0500

Many of the major airlines have raised (or plan to raise) their checked baggage fees, but you can "save" a little money and avoid these new fees with most of the airlines by paying these fees ahead of time on-line

*This article was updated on January 15, 2010* Most travelers by now are quite familiar with the fees that most major airlines charge for checked bags. While generally these fees are waived for travelers who have achieved certain levels of "status" in an airline's frequent flier program, for those that have purchased first or business class tickets, and for those who are traveling internationally (although second bag fees on international flights are now common on most of the airlines), many domestic economy class travelers are still faced with these fees daily. A byproduct of these fees is that now it tends to take longer to board planes since passengers take more carry-on luggage, and the in-cabin storage space is often filled, causing travelers to have to check their bags once they are already on the plane. The paying of these fees has also increased the wait time for airport check-in. Many of the major airlines have continued to raise their fees even higher, with the most recent round of fare increases happening in January 2010. Most of the airlines allow passengers who prepay these fees on-line to "save" part of the new surcharge by paying a slightly lower fee.

The following are new/changed checked baggage fees as of January 2010 for some of the major US airlines:

Continental Airlines New Fees (January 9, 2010): Fees apply for certain economy fares for tickets purchased on or after Jan. 9, 2010 for travel on or after Jan. 16, 2010. For travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii, the fee for the first checked bag has increased from $20 to $25 and the fee for the second checked bag has increased from $30 to $35. Passengers receive a discount of $3 per bag for each of their first and/or second bags when checking-in online.

United Airlines New Fees (January 14, 2010): For tickets purchased on or after January 14, 2010 for travel on or after January 21, 2010, the fee for the first check bag rises from $20 to $25 and the fee for the second checked bag rises from $30 to $35. There is still a discount for prepaying your baggage fee online at check-in, however United no longer posts the discounted price prior to actually using on-line check-in.

Delta and Northwest Airlines New Fees (January 5, 2010): For tickets purchased on/after January 5, 2010 for travel on/after January 12, 2010 for travel in the 50 United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Puerto Rico in Economy Class: The fees are now - $23 fee, first bag; $32 fee, second bag. There will be a $2 surcharge on the first checked bag, $3 surcharge on the second checked bag, when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside.

US Airways New Fees (January 18, 2010): US Airways has not increased its checked baggage fees overall, but it has decreased the discount given for prepaying them online. For tickets purchased on or after January 18, 2010 for travel on or after February 1, 2010, the discount for prepaying checked baggage fees on line with decrease from $5 for each of the first or second checked bags down to $2 for the first checked bag and $3 for the second checked bag.

United and US Airways were the original airlines to raise fees and give a "discount" if the fees were prepaid on-line. Delta, Northwest and Continental have also implemented a similar policy. Southwest and JetBlue still do not charge for 1st checked bag, and Southwest does not charge for the second as well. AirTran Airways and Frontier allow paying checked bag fees online, but do not give a "discount" for doing so, but also have not raised their checked baggage fees this time around. Remember, there are also significant fees for excess, oversize and overweight baggage, so it is important to plan accordingly to avoid these fees. Most airlines allow a certain number of free bags for active duty military personnel.

The following is a list of the major US Airlines, links to their checked baggage policies and information on paying checked bag fees in advance online (as of January 15, 2010):

note: most airlines do not allow online check-in more than 24 hours or less than 90 minutes prior to departure. Certain passengers are exempt from fees - generally these include members that have reached a certain status in an airline's frequent flier program, active duty military personnel, and passengers purchasing business class or first class tickets. Remember, there are also fees for oversize and overweight baggage, and excess baggage, and most people are not exempt from these. Please note that to most of the airlines, a "Domestic" flight is one that is within the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and possibly Canada, some destinations that people might consider "International", so be sure to check with your airline for specific policies. These fees and policies change frequently, so please check with your airline for the most up to date information.

AirTran Airways: Checked baggage fees may be paid online during online check-in within 24 hours of your flight. No discount is given for paying fees online. Fees for coach passengers are currently $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second checked bag. (AirTran Airways checked baggage policies)

American Airlines: No online checked bag fee payment options are available. Checked baggage fees have increased for passengers with tickets purchased on or after August 14, 2009 by $5 on the first and second checked bag. The fees are $20 for the first checked bag and $30 for the second checked bag. There is no current charge for a first checked bag on international flights (with the exception of flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands) however a second checked bag costs $50. (American Airlines Checked Bag Allowances and Fees )

Continental Airlines: New fees as of January 9, 2010** Fees apply for certain economy fares for tickets purchased on or after Jan. 9, 2010 for travel on or after Jan. 16, 2010. For travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii, the fee for the first checked bag has increased from $20 to $25 and the fee for the second checked bag has increased from $30 to $35. Passengers receive a discount of $3 per bag for each of their first and/or second bags when checking-in online.
Credit card information can be entered for checked bag fees during online check-in, but fees are not charged until bags are checked-in at the airport. Checked baggage fees have increased for passengers with tickets purchased on or after July 21, 2009 for travel on or after August 19, 2009 and for tickets purchased on or after January 9, 2010 for travel on or after January 16, 2010. There is also a 2nd bag fee on most international flights within the western hemisphere. (Continental Airlines Checked Baggage Policies)

Delta Airlines: New fees as of January 13, 2010 ** For tickets purchased on/after January 5, 2010 for travel on/after January 12, 2010 for travel in the 50 United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Puerto Rico in Economy Class: The fees are now - $23 fee, first bag; $32 fee, second bag. There will be a $2 USD/CAD* surcharge on the first checked bag, $3 on the second checked bag, when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. **
Checked baggage fees may be paid within 24 hours of your flight during online check-in. Effective on tickets purchased on or after July 16, 2009 but before January 5, 2010, for travel on or after August 4, a $5 surcharge will be charged in addition to the checked bag fees on the first and second checked bag if fees are paid at the airport. On international flights between the US and Europe the first checked bag is free, but for tickets purchased on or after May 23, 2009 for travel beginning July 1, 2009 there will be a $50 charge for the second checked bag for economy class passengers. (Delta Airlines Baggage Policies & Delta Airlines Excess Baggage (Oversize, overweight, excess number of bags) Allowances and Fees)

Frontier Airlines: Baggage fees can be paid online, but are non-refundable, so don't pay for more bags than you might bring or for bags that are exempt from fees. If you know you are checking items that are exempt from baggage fees, you can only check them in at the airport to get the baggage fees waived. The online system doesn't have any way to waive fees for exempt items. No fee is charged for first or second checked bags on international flights. Checked baggage fees increased on September 8, 2009 and went from $15 to $20 for the frist checked bag and $25 to $30 for the second checked bag. Frontier Airlines has also introduced new AirFairs, some of which include a baggage allowance, as well as other amenities. (Frontier Airlines Checked Baggage Policies - Domestic & Frontier Airlines Checked Baggage Policies - International)

JetBlue: When checking in online, passengers can indicate how many bags they are checking, however the checked bag fee must be paid at the airport when checking the bags. (JetBlue Checked Baggage Requirements) note: the first checked bag is free on JetBlue, the second checked bag fee is $50, and the third or more checked bag fee is $75 (**Customers booked prior to June 2, 2009 will be assesed the second bag fee of $20)

Northwest Airlines: New fees as of January 13, 2010 ** For tickets purchased on/after January 5, 2010 for travel on/after January 12, 2010 for travel in the 50 United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Puerto Rico in Economy Class: The fees are now - $23 fee, first bag; $32 fee, second bag. There will be a $2 USD/CAD* surcharge on the first checked bag, $3 on the second checked bag, when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. **
Baggage fees may be paid online during online check-in. Your credit card is not charged until your baggage tags are printed at the airport, so you can change your number of checked bags prior to that time. Effective for tickets purchased on or after July 16, 2009, for travel on or after August 4, 2009, customers traveling domestically (within the U.S./Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands ) who pay their baggage fees at the airport (instead of online) will be charged a $5 surcharge both for the first and second bag. On International flights between the U.S./Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands and Europe, only the first checked bag is free, and on all other International flights two checked bags are free. (Northwest Airlines Checked Baggage Information)

Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines has no first or second checked baggage fee; fees are charged for 3 or more bags and are not payable online. Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Policies )

United Airlines: New fees as of January 2010** For tickets purchased on or after January 14, 2010 for travel on or after January 21, 2010, the fee for the first check bag rises from $20 to $25 and the fee for the second checked bag rises from $30 to $35. There is still a discount for prepaying your baggage fee online at check-in, however United no longer posts the discounted price prior to actually using on-line check-in.
Checked baggage fees for up to 5 bags can be paid within 24 hours of your flight via United Airlines Web Check-in Online. Effective for tickets purchased on or after May 14, 2009 for travel on or after June 10, 2009 within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada there is a discount if baggage fees are paid online. United no longer posts the discounted price on its website as of January 15, 2010, however you will be offered a discounted price when using Web Check-in. On International flights, the first and second checked bags are still free. (United Airlines Checked Baggage Policies for the US & Canada – United Airlines Checked Baggage Policy for International Travel)

US Airways: New fees as of January 18, 2010** You can pay for checked bags when you check-in online for a small discount, which will be decreased for tickets purchased on or after January 18, 2010 for travel on or after February 1, 2010. The fees will be $25 for your first checked bag and $35 for your second for flights within the U.S. and to and from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. For customers who choose to pay for checked bags at the online, there will be a $2 discount on the first checked bag fee and a $3 discount on the second checked bag fee. Passengers traveling to and from Europe and Asia can check one bag free. The second checked bag fee for international travel is $55 if paid at the airport and $50 if prepaid online. (US Airways Checked Baggage Policies)

Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them, and paying your luggage fees online and being aware of luggage quantity, size and weight restrictions and additional fees will save you a significant amount of time, trouble and money.

Mobile Versions of Airport Web Sites For Your Cell Phone

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 21:48:51 -0500

Get Airport Information on your cell phone with mobile versions of airport web sites

While many people now have cell phones that can view full versions of web sites, many people will still appreciate a streamlined text-only version of a web site which can be viewed quickly and easily on any phone. Many airports provide users some information utilizing these fast-loading and easily read pages. The information available on these mobile web sites ranges from almost complete text-only versions of the full web site to more limited information such as text versions of flight arrival and departure information. Other airports provide email alerts or flight information sent as a text messages to your mobile phone. Many web sites will automatically display the mobile version if you access the website using a mobile phone. The following is a list of airports with cell phone friendly web sites or other means of providing airport information to your cell phone. Also, you can check http://m.expectdelays.com from your mobile phone to check on flight arrival and departure information for any airport, as well as other air travel information.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Charlotte Douglass International Airport does not have a mobile site per se, but they have a text only version of the entire web site which is easily viewable on mobile devices. It can be accessed via: http://assistive.usablenet.com/tt/www.charmeck.org/Departments/Airport/Site+Map/home.htm. As this is a text version of the full web site, it contains all of the information contained on the full site.

Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Midway (MDW) Airports
The major Chicago airports have no mobile web sites per se, however flight information can be accessed from your mobile device via email. While this feature may appeal to some, most people would probably rather visit a true mobile site for your flight information, such as http://m.expectdelays.com.

Real time flight information (TextFIDS) from either O'Hare or Midway International Airports is available via e-mail capable mobile devices, free-of-charge. The full instructions for this service can be found at: http://www.flychicago.com//AboutUS/MobileFIDS.shtm

You can also sign up for the O'Hare Modernization Program mailing list at:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/opti/ea?v=001JtLq2k4dXaI1fwV2Bu8_vA%3D%3D/

Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
If you go to the main DFW web site (http://www.dfwairport.com) using a mobile device, the mobile version of the site will be automatically displayed. There is also the option to view the full site. The mobile site can also be accessed via: http://www.dfwairport.com/mobile. The mobile site has all the information that the main site has, without the graphics. Because of this, some of the links which go to non-mobile sites may not display properly on all mobile devices, however it is nice to have a mobile site that contains much of the information that is available on the full site.

Denver International Airport (DEN)
Denver International Airport has a mobile web site available via: http://flydenver.com/idsmall.asp. The mobile web site provide basic airport information as well as security wait times, flight status, and a list of parking lot status (whether the lot is open or closed). There is no link to the full site, however, which may be frustrating to some who have capable mobile devices and are looking for more information than the mobile site provides.

Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
The Houston airports have a limited mobile site which provides only a tool to check flight arrival and departure information. It can be accessed at: http://wap.fly2houston.com. There is no auto-redirect to the mobile site from the main page of the full site.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX also only provides a limited mobile web site on which you can check on flight arrival or departure information. It can be accessed at: http://www.lawa.org/fsw/m. The full web site is based on graphical navigation, so it is not too conducive to mobile use.

Milwaukee General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
mobile.mitchellairport.com contains information found to be the most important to travelers, including arrivals and departures status, real-time parking information, directions to the airport and an airport guide. The site also includes a listing of airlines that serve GMIA complete with Web links and contact phone numbers that can be dialed by a cell phone with one simple click. The airport recently added a real-time parking monitor to its Web site as well as introduced the new Smart Pass parking system. The real time parking monitor allows one to see the percentage of available parking spaces in each parking lot.

New York City Airports (LaGuardia (LGA), Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR))
The web sites for all three of the major New York City area airports are located on the main Port Authority of New York and New Jersey web site. There is no mobile version of the airport web sites, however you can sign up for alerts and advisories for each airport which can be sent to your cell phone at http://www.airportinfoalerts.com. Airport Info-Alert is a free subscription service that notifies customers of airport weather delays, parking lot capacity, and AirTrain service delays. When you register, you will:

Receive free alerts directly to your cellular phone, PDA, pager, or email account.
Be notified if a weather delay exceeds 120 minutes, if parking lots are full, and if AirTrain service is interrupted.
Be able to select the days of the week and the times of the day you wish to monitor.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
If you visit the main Philadelphia International Airport web site at http://www.phl.org using a mobile device, you will automatically be shown a screen which gives you the option of going to the full site, view a text version of the site or find quick text flight information. The text version of the site contains links to full graphics containing pages, so not all the information may be easily viewable on your mobile device, although there is still quite a bit of information that should display correctly.

Seattle - Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac, SEA)
Sea-Tac Airport does have a mobile web site, however it does not automatically display this site when you are using a mobile browser. The mobile site can be accessed at: http://hosting.portseattle.org/fids/mobile/%28S%28acujrh55ij2j1i55ioahpbzd%29%29/Menu.aspx. The mobile site allows one to check on flight arrival and departure information as well as to sign up for flight email alerts.

Sea-Tac Airport also has two additional options for receiving information via a mobile device.
Real-Time Flight Information for Sea-Tac Airport is available through most cell phones. The service uses a simple text message request that returns updated flight information back to the phone via a text message. Users get real-time flight information including current departure or arrival times, gate numbers, and additional flight status updates. Here's how it works:

Create a new text message.
Type your airline and flight number in the body of the message. For example, Alaska 1234
Enter the code "FlySEA" or 359732 in the "Send To" area.
Send the message.

Within seconds, you'll receive the latest real-time information, including the flight number, departure or arrival time, gate number and flight status. Cell phone updates are a one-time,passenger activated service. In order to receive another update you must text the address again. Your cell phone carrier's standard rates apply.

The other Sea-Tac option is to sign up to receive e-mail notifications for real-time flight status, airport construction and other information. There are numerous mailing lists that you can sign up for.
You can sign up for these mailing lists at:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001nkQbX5l1Qs9y_B38b6iB6Hhhnv18xEhv.
You can also sign up for email flight notifications at:
http://hosting.portseattle.org/fids/FlightInfo.aspx?MenuItem=2.

These mobile web sites can make your travel go more smoothly if you discover that you need additional airport information while away from home.
Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them!

Travelers Aid To The Rescue

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:39:57 -0500

Travelers Aid supplies a helping hand to travelers in distress at major airports and other transportation centers

November 22, 2009 - I am embarrassed to say that although I have heard of Travelers Aid, I knew very little about them until I just read this article in The Washington Post. This article is about the Travelers Aid organization at Washington Dulles International Airport, but I would assume it is relevant to the many other outposts of this organization. According to the Travelers Aid International home page, the organization's mission is: "To advance and support a network of human service provider organizations committed to assisting individuals and families who are in transition, or crisis, and are disconnected from their support systems." From the Washington Post article, it sounds as if they also answer many routine questions for travelers; however they also can provide support if one finds themselves stranded or otherwise imperiled with a personal or family emergency, or travel related financial crisis.

You can learn more about this organization at the Travelers Aid International home page. Check out the "Information on the Travelers Aid Airport Network" link on the home page for useful information about specific airports such as the cost of a cab to or from the airport, as well as a link to the airport's home page and other information. The home page also has links to a list of some useful travel tips, links to other charitable organizations dedicated to helping people, a directory of Travelers Aid programs, and information on how to volunteer or donate to the Travelers Aid organization. Hopefully you won't need their services, but it is nice to know that an organization like this is always there, just in case.

Holiday Season Air Travel Tips

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:04:41 -0500

Holiday season air travel tips from eXpectdelaYs.com

Hey! Where did summer go?! It's the holiday season already! For many people this means they will be doing some traveling. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or just a traveler for the season, whatever you are planning, you will probably have a more enjoyable time if your trip goes as smoothly as possible. While I can't promise that you won't have a flight delay or that you won't wait in an airport security checkpoint line for a few minutes longer than you would like, or find yourself in a little traffic, I can offer you a few tips to help minimize your travel delays, and if a delay arises, make it a little more pleasant. I'll also throw in a few tips to make any trip be a more pleasant one, just for good measure!

Be flexible and save time! If you have any flexibility in your travel dates, you can decrease your chance of flight delays, airport security screening wait times and other issues that happen on high volume days. You may also save some money traveling on less popular days and times as well. If you can arrive earlier (or later) than everyone else and leave later, you can avoid the crowds and have a better chance of avoiding delays and hassles. Traveling on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Thanksgiving, or the day right after Thanksgiving tend to be the least crowded, because everyone wants to get to their destination before the holiday and stick around for a day or two afterward. Generally, traveling Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are likely to be the least crowded, and possibly have the best prices as well, however this doesn't always work during the holiday season since the holidays themselves dictate when people will want to travel. Both Christmas and New Years fall on Friday this year, so Thursday will probably be a pretty popular travel day. However, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, New Years or Christmas might be a good choice, if you don't mind leaving before the weekend is over.

Be flexible and save money on flights! If you are flexible in your travel times and dates, you also may be able to get less expensive flights. Check out sites like Hotwire.com, where, you choose the days that you want to travel, your origin and destination airports, and they may offer you a cheap option on a flight, what they call a "Hot Rate". The only catch is that they don't tell you the time or airline until you purchase the ticket, but all you have to do is be willing to fly on a flight that has 0-1 stops each way (departing and returning) and a scheduled departure between 6am and 10pm and they will give you a flight with confirmed seating -- you'll never fly standby and you'll save money! Hotwire now will not offer you these special rates on all itineraries or dates, and you probably have a better chance of getting one if you are booking close to your departure date. You also have the choice of picking a flight the usual way – you will know the airline and flight times before you pay – but you will not get the big savings. If you like to shop around for prices before you buy, then I recommend Kayak.com. They don't sell airline tickets or hotel rooms themselves, but they do search a whole bunch of other travel, hotel and airline sites for you, to help you find the best price. Check Kayak.com out to Find Cheap Flights from 100+ Sites with One Click.

Be flexible and save on hotels! Hotwire.com is also a great place to go to save money on hotels. You choose the day and place that you need a hotel room, and they will give you a list of hotels by star rating to choose from. The only catch is that you won't know the exact hotel until you pay, but you will know the hotel's star rating before you buy, so you have some idea what to expect. I have used their service many times and it has always worked out well. Same as for airline tickets, if you want to shop around before you buy, then let Kayak.com look at a bunch of web sites for you to find hotel availability and the best hotel rates. Follow this link to have Kayak.com find you great hotel rates and Discount Hotels

Be prepared, and don't wait in line! If you are not planning on checking baggage on your flight, and are only going to have a “carry on” then it really pays to check-in for your flight online before you head to the airport. Just go to your airline's web site, and there is generally a link for online check in on their home page. You can select your seats and print out your boarding pass at home, and then just head straight to the airport security screening line. Just be sure that you have checked the limitations on how large your carry on bag may be (each airline has this information posted on their web site), and what is allowed through security screening and any special preparations that need to be made (such as all of your liquids being in 3 oz bottles in a 1 quart plastic bag). Check the TSA's website for up-to-date restrictions on what you can bring through the airport security checkpoint, and your airline's website for restrictions on the size and number of carry on items allowed per person.

Pay for your checked bags in advance and save some money! Most of the major airlines that charge for checked baggage offer a discounted price if you pay these baggage fees when you check in online. Read this article about checked baggage fees from eXpectdelaYs.com to learn more.

Check for flight delays! Before you leave for the airport, check on your flight to make sure there has been no change in the flight schedule or a flight delay. That's easy to do right from our home page, http://expectdelays.com. Either choose the city you are traveling from or use the Flight Status search box on our home page. Also don't forget to always check all the other factors that might delay you such as security wait times, traffic, parking availability and weather before you leave the house, so you will know if you have to allow some extra time. You can check all these thing at eXpectdelaYs.com also! Unfortunately, not all of this information is available everywhere, but if it is, we will provide it for you. Also, check out our Tips for Avoiding Air Travel Delays for additional suggestions.

Dress for the Security Screening! The security screening process is much easier if you are dressed appropriately. Remember that anything with metal may set off the alarms and cause you to have to undergo a more extensive search. So either don't wear a belt or take it off, put your metal watch on once you have already gone through security, put your phone (and clip or holder) in your carry-on bag and reconsider any large metal jewelry or hair clips. Wear shoes that are easy to remove. Ladies, there are nightmare stories out there about underwire bras setting off the metal detectors and causing people to undergo more intensive searches, so you may want to consider this as well if you were planning on wearing one that contains metal. Also, put that money clip in your carry-on bag as well, and take that change out of your pockets. You may want to keep the paper money in your pocket, though. Just remember to bring your photo ID and keep it handy, as you will need to show it to the security personnel; and keep your boarding pass out as they will want to see this as well. Oh, and finish that water or other beverage that you are drinking because they won't let you take that through either. Some exceptions are made for substances like baby formula, breast milk or juices for children. You can read the details about traveling with formula, breast milk or juice on the TSA web site.

Pack a little snack! If you encounter a delay, especially if you are unfortunate enough to get stuck in traffic or are sitting inside a plane waiting to take off or waiting for a gate, you will be happy that you packed something to eat, such as an energy bar, fruit or a sandwich (that doesn't require refrigeration). I always make sure that I buy a bottle of water once I am through security as well, so that I always have something to drink. If you remain well hydrated and you aren't hungry, you will be able to better withstand travel and flight delays.

Pack a big snack! If you think you are going to get hungry on the flight you can either pack a sandwich to take with you or purchase something to go at one of the airport restaurants. You may be able to purchase something on the plane, however your selection may be limited, and they can run out.

Bring something to pass the time! Make sure you have your music or video player of choice, a book, magazine, computer or PDA so that you have something to do should you have a delay and on the flight. Don't forget to load your favorite games, books or movies on your portable device. Waiting is much more tolerable if you have something to pass the time.

Stay warm (or cool)! The temperature in the aircraft or airport may be very different than the temperature outside. Your flight can be miserable if you are cold while you sit there for hours, and some of the airlines have started to charge for blankets unless you are seated in first (or business) class. The easiest thing to do is dress in layers, or throw a light pullover or jacket in your carry-on bag. Personally, I usually wear a "wicking" tee shirt under a long sleeve shirt or pullover and also bring a jacket. I can quickly adjust my clothing to the ambient temperature and be comfortable in the plane and in the airport. Don't worry too much about fashion - you can return to your haute couture look when you arrive at your destination!

Keep the kids happy! You won't be happy if the kids aren't happy, and a long travel day is not something that may make the kids happy! Fortunately, many of the larger airports have kids' play areas or other diversions to let them burn off some steam. Check out the eXpectdelaYs.com guide to airport children's play areas for more information. Also, bring along some snacks for the kids, purchase some water bottles or juices once you get to the airport, and don't forget to bring along their favorite games or their iPod Touch, books or even a movie for them to watch on your computer, viewer or other portable device.

Keep yourself happy! There are things for adults to do in the airport, too. If you enjoy a nice handcrafted beer or a nice glass of wine while you are waiting for your flight, you are in luck. Airports have been adding bars over the recent years with nice wine and beer selections. Check out the eXpectdelaYs.com guide to airport wine bars for more information.

Don't get lost! If you are renting a car at you destination and you don't know your way around, save yourself some time and aggravation and be sure to plan ahead. Map the route from the airport to the hotel or your relative's house ahead of time, and to any destinations (restaurants, beaches, etc) that you might want to go to. Better yet, bring a GPS or rent a car with one. Bringing a map is also a good idea. The extra time and/or money invested before your trip will give you more time to have fun and spend with your friends and family on your vacation.

Stop that Growling Stomach! Investigate your dining choices ahead of time. If there is a restaurant that you would like to go to during a busy travel week, or on a Friday or Saturday night, or on a big holiday like New Year's Eve, save yourself from disappointment by making a reservation either before you leave or as soon as you get to your destination. Many restaurants take reservations on-line, but if they don't, with long-distance charges now cheap, spend a few cents and give them a call.

A little research goes a long way! Check out attractions and activities at your destination ahead of time in either a travel guide book or on-line. If you have a few ideas of places you want to go to and things that you would like to do, you'll be able to spend more time actually doing them!

We can't guarantee you a delay free holiday or vacation, but with these tips you should be able to spend more time enjoying your time away! Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them!

Happy Travels!
Have a safe and happy holiday season!

-Gus

Secure Flight Program - Personal Information Required for Air Travelers

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:26:12 -0400

The Secure Flight Program requires travelers to provide personal information when purchasing airline tickets on domestic and international flights

The Secure Flight Program is a program designed to provide more efficient "Watch List" matching of passengers. These lists are the No-Fly List and the Selectee List. Initially domestic flight watch list matching was performed by the airlines, and international watch list matching was performed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection utilizing the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) or by the airlines. Under the Secure Flight program, all watch list matching will eventually be performed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This will provide a more uniform and efficient system. To aid in accurate matching, some airlines have been asking for, and eventually all will be asking for, additional personal information. This will include birthdate and gender. Travelers will also have to provide their name exactly as it appears on the ID that they will be presenting when checking in at the airport and when passing through airport security. If travelers have been issued a redress number, this must also be provided. This system should allow more accurate matching, and ultimately should help prevent anyone with a name similar to someone on a list to avoid complications at the airport.

For additional information, the TSA has provided extensive information about the program on their website. A good place to start is the "Secure Flight Program - Layers of Security" page.

US Airways began requesting the additional personal information on October 30, 2009.

Prepay Airline Checked Baggage Fees Online To Save Money - If You Can!

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:12:47 -0400

Many of the major airlines have raised (or plan to raise) their checked baggage fees, but you can "save" a little money and avoid these new fees with most of the airlines by paying these fees ahead of time on-line

Most travelers by now are quite familiar with the fees that most major airlines charge for checked bags. While generally these fees are waived for travelers who have achieved certain levels of "status" in an airline's frequent flier program, for those that have purchased first or business class tickets, and for those who are traveling internationally, many domestic economy class travelers are still faced with these fees daily. A byproduct of these fees is that now it tends to take longer to board planes since passengers take more carry-on luggage, and the in-cabin storage space is often filled, causing travelers to have to check their bags once they are already on the plane. The paying of these fees has also increased the wait time for airport check-in. Lately, some of the major airlines have raised their fees even higher, although most who have done this allow passengers who prepay these fees on-line to "save" the new surcharge by paying a slightly lower fee.

American Airlines is now joining the other airlines, and raising its fees for checked bags for passengers with tickets purchased on or after August 14, 2009. The fees change from:

1st Checked Bag Charge $15 to $20
2nd Checked Bag Charge $25 to $30

And you don't get any break if you prepay the fees on-line. This may be because American Airlines is one of the few of the major airlines that charge these fees and does not let you pay them ahead of time on-line. Who doesn't love the airport check-in process to take a little longer and cost a little bit more? Thanks, American Airlines!

United and US Airways were the original airlines to raise fees and give a "discount" if the fees were prepaid on-line. Delta, Northwest and Continental have also implemented a similar policy. Southwest and JetBlue still do not charge for 1st checked bag, and Southwest does not charge for the second as well. AirTran Airways and Frontier allow paying checked bag fees online, but do not give a "discount" for doing so, but also have not raised their checked baggage fees at this time. Remember, there are also significant fees for excess, oversize and overweight baggage, so it is important to plan accordingly to avoid these fees.

The following is a list of the major US Airlines, links to their checked baggage policies and information on paying checked bag fees in advance online (as of July 28, 2009):

AirTran Airways: Checked baggage fees may be paid online during online check-in within 24 hours of your flight. No discount is given for paying fees online. (AirTran Airways checked baggage policies)

American Airlines: No online checked bag fee payment options are available. Checked baggage fees have increased for passengers with tickets purchased on or after August 14, 2009 by $5 on the first and second checked bag. There is no current charge for a first or second checked bag on international flights (with the exception of flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands). (American Airlines Checked Bag Allowances and Fees )

Continental Airlines: Credit card information can be entered for checked bag fees during online check-in, but fees are not charged until bags are checked-in at the airport. A $5 discount if given for paying fees online. Checked baggage fees have increased for passengers with tickets purchased on or after July 21, 2009 for travel on or after August 19, 2009. There is also a 2nd bag fee on most international flights within the western hemisphere. (Continental Airlines Checked Baggage Policies)

Delta Airlines: New rules as of January 13, 2010 ** For tickets purchased on/after January 5, 2010 for travel on/after January 12, 2010 for travel in the 50 United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and Puerto Rico in Economy Class: The fees are now - 23 USD/CAD* fee, first bag; 32 USD/CAD* fee, second bag. There will be a 2 USD/CAD* surcharge on the first checked bag, 3 USD/CAD* on second checked bag, when checking in via ticket counter, kiosk, or curbside. **
Checked baggage fees may be paid within 24 hours of your flight during online check-in. Effective on tickets purchased on or after July 16, 2009 for travel on or after August 4, a $5 surcharge will be charged in addition to the checked bag fees on the first and second checked bag if fees are paid at the airport. On international flights between the US and Europe the first checked bag is free, but for tickets purchased on or after May 23, 2009 for travel beginning July 1, 2009 there will be a $50 charge for the second checked bag for economy class passengers. (Delta Airlines Baggage Policies & Delta Airlines Excess Baggage (Oversize, overweight, excess number of bags) Allowances and Fees)

Frontier Airlines: Baggage fees can be paid online, but are non-refundable, so don't pay for more bags than you might bring or for bags that are exempt from fees. No fee is charged for first or second checked bags on international flights. (Frontier Airlines Checked Baggage Policies - Domestic & Frontier Airlines Checked Baggage Policies - International)

Northwest Airlines: Baggage fees may be paid online during online check-in. Your credit card is not charged until your baggage tags are printed at the airport, so you can change your number of checked bags prior to that time. Effective for tickets purchased on or after July 16, 2009, for travel on or after August 4, 2009, customers traveling domestically (within the U.S./Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands ) who pay their baggage fees at the airport (instead of online) will be charged a $5 surcharge both for the first and second bag. On International flights between the U.S./Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands and Europe, only the first checked bag is free, and on all other International flights two checked bags are free. (Northwest Airlines Checked Baggage Information)

Southwest Airlines: Southwest Airlines has no first or second checked baggage fee; fees are charged for 3 or more bags and are not payable online. Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Policies )

United Airlines: Checked baggage fees for up to 5 bags can be paid within 24 hours of your flight via United Airlines Web Check-in Online. Effective for tickets purchased on or after May 14, 2009 for travel on or after June 10, 2009 within the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada there is a $5 surcharge if baggage fees are paid at the airport rather than online. On International flights, the first and second checked bags are still free. (United Airlines Checked Baggage Policies for the US & Canada – United Airlines Checked Baggage Policy for International Travel)

US Airways: You can pay for checked bags when you check-in online – $15 for your first checked bag and $25 for your second for flights within the U.S. and to and from Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. For customers who choose to pay for checked bags at the airport, there will be an additional $5 service fee per bag. Passengers traveling to and from Europe and Asia can check two bags free. (US Airways Checked Baggage Policies)

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Going Into Effect On June 1, 2009

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:51:00 -0400

U.S. Border Crossing Requirements Are Changing - Get Compliant by June 1, 2009!

(the following is from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web site. For full information about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) visit GetYouHome.gov and for full Border crossing information as well as border crossing wait times visit eXpectdelaYs.com )

Simplify your travel checklist!

On June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, will be required to present one of the travel documents listed below.

Many of these documents are already available, and obtaining one now will ensure that you are ready on June 1, 2009, when they will be required.

U.S. Passport – This is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies a person’s identity and nationality. It is accepted for travel by air, land and sea.

U.S. Passport Card – This is a new, limited-use travel document that fits in your wallet and costs less than a U.S. Passport. It is only valid for travel by land and sea.

Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) – Several states and Canadian provinces/territories are issuing this driver’s license or identification document that denotes identity and citizenship. It is specifically designed for cross-border travel into the U.S. by land or sea.

Trusted Traveler Program Cards – NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards can speed your entry into the U.S. and are issued only to pre-approved, low-risk travelers. The cards are valid for use at land or sea; the NEXUS card can be used in airports with a NEXUS kiosk. (Remember, these documents work ONLY at specific borders -- they will NOT be adequate documentation for U.S. entry at all borders - Gus)

Special Groups – Information for Parents and Children, Native Americans and Boaters.

Knowing what documents are required and having them ready when you return home will help streamline the entry process and ensure your return to the U.S. is as smooth as possible.

Gus says: "Remember, if you treat all border crossings the same, and always bring the same documentation when you are traveling by car or foot as you would if you were traveling by plane, you should have a trouble-free travel experience."

Online Payment of US Airline Checked Baggage Fees and US Airline Baggage Policies

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:47:54 -0500

US Airline Online Checked Baggage Fee Payment Options And Baggage Policies (as of December 15, 2009)

Some information in this article is out of date as of July 2009. Please see the updated version of this article: Prepay Airline Checked Baggage Fees Online To Save Money - If You Can!

Some US Airlines allow passengers to pay their checked luggage fees online, generally during online check-in, within 24 hours of their flight. This article lists those airlines that provide this option. In addition, since airline baggage fees and restrictions have become fairly complex and vary by airline and destination, we also have attempted to provide pertinent information and links to help you understand the airlines' policies to prevent unexpected charges and delays.

Most people who have traveled recently on a major US airline are aware of the checked baggage fees which virtually all major airlines have instituted this past year. All the major US airlines except Southwest (1st 2 bags free) and JetBlue (1st bag free) charge for both the first and second checked bags on domestic flights, and all the airlines add surcharges for exceeding weight and size limits.

In addition to first and second checked bags fees on domestic flights, all major US airlines charge for overweight and oversize bags and add a surcharge for a large number of bags, usually considered to be three or more. Policies, weights and fees vary by airline, and have been changing fairly regularly. Most airlines charge first and second bag fees on domestic flights (with "domestic" often also including Canada, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands), while most US airlines generally still allow one or two bags to be taken without additional charge (assuming that they do not exceed size and weight restrictions) on international flights which include travel from or to the US. The definition of international travel and policies also vary by airline. Many airlines only consider "international" to be Europe, Africa and Asia for the purposes of these fees. Also note that most airlines will not accept a piece of luggage over certain size and weight limits, even for a charge. Most airlines will also provide some exceptions to these fees for travelers who are elite members of their frequent flier programs, are flying first or business class, and sometimes for those flying full fare coach/economy. All major US airlines provide exceptions for active military personnel traveling to/from duty assignments (although the allowances may not be unlimited). Remember to adhere to baggage guidelines to avoid unexpected charges and delays, particularly if you have paid the checked baggage fees in advance.

The following is a list of the major US Airlines, links to their checked baggage policies and information on paying checked bag fees in advance online:

note: most airlines do not allow online check-in more than 24 hours or less than 90 minutes prior to departure

AirTran Airways: Checked baggage fees may be paid online during online check-in within 24 hours of your flight. (AirTran Airways checked baggage policies)

American Airlines: No online checked bag fee payment options are available. American Airlines Checked Baggage Policies & American Airlines Checked Bag Allowances and Fees )

Delta Airlines: Checked baggage fees may be paid within 24 hours of your flight during online check-in. (Delta Airlines Baggage Policies & Delta Airlines Excess Baggage (Oversize, overweight, excess number of bags) Allowances and Fees)

Frontier Airlines: No online checked bag fee payment options are available. (Frontier Airlines Checked Baggage Policies - Domestic & Frontier Airlines Checked Baggage Policies - International)

Northwest Airlines: No online checked bag fee payment options are available, however passengers who have checked in on line may use nwa.com Checked Luggage Kiosks (at select airports) to check bags in. (Northwest Airlines Checked Baggage Information)

Southwest Airlines: Southwest has no first or second check bag fee charge; fees are charged for 3 or more bags and are not payable online. Southwest Airlines Checked Baggage Policies )

United Airlines: Checked baggage fees for up to 5 bags can be paid within 24 hours of your flight via United Airlines Web Check-in Online (United Airlines Checked Baggage Policies for the US & Canada – United Airlines Checked Baggage Policy for International Travel)

US Airways: No online checked bag fee payment options are available currently, as of May 2009. However, beginning July 9, 2009, you'll be able to pay for checked bags when you check in online – $15 for your first checked bag and $25 for your second. For customers who choose to pay for checked bags at the airport, there will be an additional $5 service fee. (US Airways Checked Baggage Policies)

United Airlines Checked Baggage Fees - Prepay Online and Save Time and Money

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:55:06 -0500

Save 20% on United Airlines first checked bag fee if you pay in advance online through January 31, 2009! Up to 5 bags can be pre-paid on-line within 24 hours of your flight.

United Airlines offers passengers the opportunity to pay their checked bag fees online, to save time at the airport and help avoid delays. For a brief time, passengers may save money as well - 20% off on their United Airlines checked bag fee on their first checked bag until January 31, 2009. Passengers can pay their United Airlines checked baggage fees for up to 5 pieces of luggage. This can be done at the time of web check-in, as well as after the passenger has already checked in, although an additional receipt must then be printed. United Airlines checked bag fees may be paid within 24 hours of departure via Easy Check-in Online or via an Easy Check-in Kiosk at the airport. If a passenger needs to add additional checked bags after they have already paid the checked bag fees, additional bags can be added on-line as well as via United Easy Check-in Online.

Link to the FAQ Regarding United Airlines checked baggage fees.

Follow this link to United Airlines Easy Check-in Online

Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them, and this tip should save a little time during airport check-in.

Airport Passengers With Medically Necessary Liquids Now Welcome At Airport Security Screening Family (Green) Lanes

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:52:47 -0500

The TSA expands popular Family Lanes to every airport in America and these specially designated "Green" lanes will also accommodate passengers with greater than 3 ounces of medically necessary liquids as well

WASHINGTON – November 10, 2008 -- The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced the expansion of its popular family lane concept to every security checkpoint in America. This expansion comes weeks before the busy Thanksgiving travel season and will be complete by Thursday, Nov. 20.

The "Green" or "Family" lanes, part of TSA's Diamond Self-Select program currently at 48 airports, allow families, individuals unfamiliar with air travel procedures and travelers with special needs to go through security at their own pace. Individuals carrying medically necessary liquids, aerosols and gels in excess of three ounces will also be directed to these popular Family lanes. Individuals traveling with liquids, gels and aerosols within 3-1-1 limits will experience no change to their screening procedures.

The introduction of lanes that will serve as both family lanes and dedicated lanes for passengers carrying medically necessary liquids strengthens TSA efforts to build a network of technology to detect liquid explosives. "Passengers have clearly demonstrated their preference to go at their own pace," said TSA Administrator Kip Hawley. "Expanding these lanes to every airport and directing families and passengers with medically necessary liquids to them, increases passenger convenience and security."

Officers manning these dedicated family lanes will use their training and explosive detection technologies to work with passengers to quickly and efficiently complete the screening process. Individuals traveling with medically necessary liquids, gels and aerosols like baby formula, insulin, cough syrup, contact lens solution and prescription medications will undergo additional screening that will usually take less than two minutes to ensure these items do not pose a threat. Liquid explosives are still a relevant security concern. Restrictions on quantities of liquids, gels and aerosols carried onboard aircraft were implemented in August 2006. Technological innovations will allow a review of current procedures by the Fall of 2009. For more information on checkpoint security, please visit www.tsa.gov.

Note that the Airport Security Screening Checkpoint Family Lanes are also marked with a Green Circle, as also seen on "beginner", "novice" or easy ski slopes. You can also check real time and historical security check point wait times at www.eXpectdelaYs.com and read more about security screening at www.tsa.gov.

TSA Rolls Out Electronic Paperless Boarding Passes At 10 Airports

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:32:02 -0400

At 10 airports on select airlines, passengers can now use a boarding pass loaded onto cell phones or PDA's thanks to the TSA's new paperless boarding pass pilot program.

The electronic boarding pass pilot enables passengers to download their boarding pass on their cell phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs). This innovative approach streamlines the customer experience while heightening the ability to detect fraudulent boarding passes. Each paperless boarding pass is displayed as an encrypted two-dimensional bar code along with passenger and flight information. TSA security officers use hand-held scanners to validate the authenticity of the boarding pass at the checkpoint.

Ten airports are piloting this technology: Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Logan International Airport (BOS), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), San Antonio International Airport (SAT), Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and, Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE).

Once the hand-held scanners are deployed nationwide, TSA will also use this technology to track wait times using standardized automated data collected at checkpoints. This development is expected to happen within about a year.

How It Works

The electronic boarding pass contains a two-dimensional (2-D) barcode encrypted with specific passenger information, such as the traveler's name and flight information. At the checkpoint, passengers present their cell phones or PDA to a TSA travel document checking officer. The officer will scan the encrypted barcode using a handheld device to verify its authenticity. Passengers will still be required to show photo identification so officers can validate that the name on the boarding pass matches the name on the ID.

Where Can I Use an Electronic Boarding Pass Now?

Continental Airlines passengers can use the electronic boarding pass at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Logan International Airport (BOS), Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), San Antonio International Airport (SAT), Cleveland Hopkins Airport (CLE) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Northwest Airlines passengers can use electronic boarding passes at Indianapolis International Airport (IND) and will soon launch in Detroit.

Delta Airlines passengers can use electronic boarding passes at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York.

Alaska Airlines is piloting this program at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

More information about the electronic paperless boarding pass pilot program is available from the TSA website.

Rule 240 - If Your Flight is Cancelled Does the Airline Have to Put You on the Next Flight?

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:26:34 -0400

There is much on the web about "rule 240" which purportedly states that airlines are required by this rule to place you on another of their own or other carrier's flights if you flight is cancelled.

One thing that seems clear from the conflicting information about Airline Rule 240 out there is that this is probably no longer a universal rule followed by all US airlines, and that, like everything else in air travel, whether the airline puts you on one of it's own or someone else's next flight is pretty much at their descretion. From my personal experience however, at least one US carrier did place us on another carrier's flight when our flight was delayed for a prolonged and then unspecified amount of time. On July 26, 2008 Airfarewatchdog posted an article about Rule 240 including a table with the policies of each of the different airlines and links to their Rules of Carriage so that you can get the facts directly from the proverbial horse's mouth. -Gus

Read the story here

Tips to Make Your Summer Vacation, Travel and Airport Experience Delay Free

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:48:00 -0400

Tips to avoid air and other travel delays during your Summertime Travel, from eXpectdelaYs.com.

It's Summer! The weather's warm, the sun is out and your ready to go on vacation, or perhaps a nice business trip. Whatever you are planning, you will probably have a more enjoyable time if your trip is delay free. While I can't promise that you won't have a flight delay or that you may wait in an airport security checkpoint line for a few minutes, or find yourself in a little traffic, I can offer you a few tips to minimize your travel delays. If you don't have time to read this whole article now, just remember to check the essentials on expectdelays.com before you leave your house:

Check your flight to make sure it's not delayed
Check traffic on the way to the airport
Check the wait time at security screening
Check parking lot status.

Be flexible and save time! If you have any flexibility in your travel dates, you can decrease your chance of flight delays, airport security screening wait times and other issues that happen on high volume days. You can also save some money traveling on less popular days and times as well. The days and times that have the highest volume in part depend on what your origin and destination cities are. For example, if your travel includes a place that has a high volume of business travelers, then you would want to avoid peak business travel times like Sunday afternoon/evening, Monday morning and Friday. If your travel plans are to a vacation destination, then some of the largest crowds will be due to people taking weekend trips (Friday and Sunday travel days) and as you can see, this is also the time that business travelers are at their peak as well. Thus, traveling Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are likely to get you the least crowds, and the possibly the best prices as well.

Be flexible and save time in line! Less popular days and times may translate into shorter airport security screening checkpoint wait times. Check the TSA's website to get historical information on airport security checkpoint wait times based on date from the past 30 days. Assuming that the airport will be the least crowded when security wait times are the shortest, you can also suspect that other lines you may encounter at the airport, such as flight check-in, concessions, etc, may also be shorter at these times as well. Remember, since these airport security checkpoint wait times are based on the last 30 days of data, they will more likely resemble the times that you will encounter as you get closer to your travel date.

Be flexible and save money on flights! If you are flexible in your travel times and dates, you also may be able to get less expensive flights. Check out sites like Hotwire.com, where, you choose the day that you want to travel, your origin and destination airports, and they will offer you a cheap option on a flight. The only catch is that they don't tell you the time of your flight or airline until you purchase the ticket, but all you have to do is be willing to fly on a flight that has 0-1 stops each way (departing and returning) and a scheduled departure between 6am and 10pm and they will give you a flight with confirmed seating -- you'll never fly standby and you'll save money! You also have the choice of picking a flight the usual way – you will know the airline and flight times before you pay – but you will not get the big savings. If you like to shop around for prices before you buy, then I recommend Kayak.com. They don't sell airline tickets or hotel rooms themselves, but they do search a whole bunch of other travel, hotel and airline sites for you, to help you find the best price. Check Kayak.com out to Find Cheap Flights from 100+ Sites with One Click.

Be flexible and save on hotels! Hotwire.com is also a great place to go to save money on hotels. You choose the day and place that you need a hotel room, and they will give you a list of hotels to choose from. The only catch is that you won't know the exact hotel until you pay, but you will know the hotel's star rating and amenities before you buy, so you will have some idea what to expect. I have used their service many times and it has always worked out well. Same as for airline tickets, if you want to shop around before you buy, then let Kayak.com look at a bunch of web sites for you to find hotel availability and the best hotel rates. Follow this link to have Kayak.com find you great hotel rates and Discount Hotels

Pack Light and save time and money! Now that many airlines have added fees even for your first piece of checked luggage (many will take effect in August), and the extra bag fees and overweight bag fees have become really expensive, it really "pays" to pack lightly. If you can get away with a carry-on bag only, go for it! If you pack only the essentials, plan to do a little washing in the sink, and bring versatile shoes, it is amazing how little you can actually bring on a trip. Just be sure to pay attention to the restrictions on what you can pack in a carry-on bag, especially regarding liquids (see Be prepared, and don't wait in line! below). Carrying on your bags saves the time you have to wait to check them in, and probably more importantly, the time you have to wait to retrieve them. The trade off is that with more people carrying on their luggage, it may take a little longer to get flights boarded, and the overhead storage space may fill up, so you may wind up having to check your bag at the gate if there is no room to accomodate it in the cabin. If you are checking a bag, then do your best to follow your airline's baggage weight, number and size restrictions because having to pay extra fees will cost you in both money and time. Many of the airlines are planning on enabling you to pay the initial luggage fees at the time you purchase your ticket, which can save you time, as long as you do not incur any additional fees that you will have to pay at check-in such as your bag being oversized or overweight.

Be prepared, and don't wait in line! If you are not planning on checking baggage on your flight, and are only going to have a “carry-on” then it really pays to check-in for your flight on-line before you head to the airport. Just go to your airline's web site, and there is generally a link on their home page. You can select your seats and print out your boarding pass at home, and then just head straight to the airport security screening line. Just be sure that you have checked the limitations on how large your carry-on may be, and what is allowed through security screening and any special preparations that need to be made (such as all of your liquids being in 3 oz bottles in a 1 quart plastic bag). Check the TSA's website for up-to-date restrictions on what you can bring through the airport security checkpoint, and your airline's website for restrictions on the size and number of carry on items allowed per person.

Check for flight delays! Before you leave for the airport, check on your flight to make sure there has been no change in flight schedule or a flight delay. That's easy to do right from our home page, http://expectdelays.com. Either choose the city you are traveling from or use the Flight Status search box on our home page. Also always check security wait times, traffic and weather before you leave the house and check out our Tips for Avoiding Air Travel Delays for additional suggestions

Make sure there's a space for your car! Many airports have real-time parking lot status where you can check the number of spaces available in each lot to help you plan where to park as well as how much time you will need. Just follow the parking links that we provide for each city on http://expectdelays.com.

Pack a little snack! If you encounter a delay, especially if you are unfortunate enough to get stuck in traffic or are sitting inside a plane waiting to take off or for a gate, you will be happy that you packed something to eat, such as an energy bar, fruit or a sandwich (that doesn't require refrigeration). I always make sure that I buy a bottle of water once I am through security as well, so that I always have something to drink. If you remain well hydrated and you aren't hungry, you will be able to better withstand travel and flight delays.

Bring something to pass the time! Make sure you have your music player of choice, a book, magazine, computer or PDA so that you have something to do should you have a delay. Waiting is much more tolerable if you have something to pass the times.

Don't get lost! If you are renting a car at you destination and you don't know your way around, save yourself some time and aggravation and be sure to plan ahead. Map the route from the airport to the hotel ahead of time, and to any destinations (restaurants, beaches, etc) that you might want to go to. Better yet, bring a GPS or rent a car with one. Bringing a map is also a good idea. The extra time and/or money invested before your trip will give you more time to have fun on your vacation. Also, don't forget to plan your route back to the airport, taking into account travel time for the time of day (i.e. rush hour, etc), so that the finale of your trip can also be stress free. You can check traffic right here on expectdelays.com!

Stop that Growling Stomach! Investigate your dining choices ahead of time. If there is a restaurant that you would like to go to during a busy travel week, or on a Friday or Saturday night, save yourself from disappointment by making a reservation either before you leave or as soon as you get to your destination. Many restaurants take reservations on-line, but if they don't, with long-distance charges now cheap, spend a few cents and give them a call.

A little research goes a long way! Check out attractions and activities at your destination ahead of time in either a travel guide book or on-line. If you have a few ideas of places you want to go to and things that you would like to do ahead of time, you'll be able to spend more time actually doing them!

We can't guarantee you a delay free vacation, but with these tips you should be able to spend more time enjoying your time away! Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them!

Happy Travels!

-Gus

How to Get Through Airport Security if you Lose your Drivers License

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:37:28 -0400

A major fear of many air travelers is what would happen at the airport if one has lost their drivers license or other form of ID. A search of the TSA's website turned up scant information on this subject. While more details may be there somewhere, one would think this would be easy to find for the panic-stricken traveler who discovers that their ID, drivers license or passport has gone missing moments before a flight. We have found some information on the web that might help as well. Note that this information would likely only help for domestic travel. If you are traveling internationally and have lost your passport / visa, these tips would probably not help and you would need to get a replacement.

If you lose your ID before boarding a domestic flight, you will still be able to travel on your flight, according to two recent articles siting a TSA source, and the TSA website. According to the articles, you show up for your flight early to allow extra time, and explain your situation to the TSA agent at the security checkpoint. They will have you fill out some paperwork, and then you may be subject to additional interviews and search / screening, but you will probably be on your way in a relatively short time.

It may also be helpful if you have some additional forms of ID, such as a photo credit card, or photocopies of your drivers license or passport. These will not substitute for your real ID, but may help expedite the process.

A recent posting (June 23, 2008) on the TSA website does somewhat address this issue without giving the specifics:

TSA Announces Enhancements to Airport ID Requirements to Increase Safety

Beginning Saturday, June 21, 2008 passengers that willfully refuse to provide identification at security checkpoint will be denied access to the secure area of airports. This change will apply exclusively to individuals that simply refuse to provide any identification or assist transportation security officers in ascertaining their identity.

This new procedure will not affect passengers that may have misplaced, lost or otherwise do not have ID but are cooperative with officers. Cooperative passengers without ID may be subjected to additional screening protocols, including enhanced physical screening, enhanced carry-on and/or checked baggage screening, interviews with behavior detection or law enforcement officers and other measures.

Under the law that created TSA, the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, the TSA administrator is responsible for overseeing aviation security (P.L. 107-71) and has the authority to establish security procedures at airports (49 C.F.R. § 1540.107). Passengers that fail to comply with security procedures may be prohibited from entering the secure area of airports to catch their flight (49 C.F.R. § 1540.105(a)(2).

This initiative is the latest in a series designed to facilitate travel for legitimate passengers while enhancing the agency's risk-based focus - on people, not things. Positively identifying passengers is an important tool in our multi-layered approach to security and one that we have significantly bolstered during the past 18 months.

A few helpful articles (which are basically identical):

No ID? All is Not Lost. from the Washington Post June 29, 2008

Lost ID? Can you still fly? from TravelMole July 10, 2008

Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them!
Happy Travels -
-Gus

Make your Spring Break Travel Delay Free!

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 18:25:39 -0500

Tips to avoid travel delays on your spring break, from eXpectdelaYs.com.

So it's time for spring break! I bet you are looking forward to some fun in the sun or on the slopes, or just a little time away from home. Whatever you are planning, you will probably have a more enjoyable time if your trip is delay free. While I can't promise that you won't have a flight delay or that you may wait in an airport security checkpoint line for a few minutes, or find yourself in a little traffic, I can offer you a few tips to minimize your travel delays.

Be flexible and save time! If you have any flexibility in your travel dates, you can decrease your chance of flight delays, airport security screening wait times and other issues that happen on high volume days. You can also save some money traveling on less popular days and times as well. The days and times that have the highest volume in part depend on what your origins and destinations are. For example, if your travel includes a place that has a high volume of business travelers, then you would want to avoid peak business travel times like Sunday afternoon/evening, Monday morning and Friday. If your travel plans are to a vacation destination, then some of the largest crowds will be due to people taking weekend trips (Friday and Sunday travel days) and as you can see, this is also the time that business travelers are at their peak as well. Thus, traveling Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are likely to get you the least crowds, and the possibly the best prices as well.

Be flexible and save money on flights! If you are flexible in your travel times and dates, you also may be able to get less expensive flights. Check out sites like Hotwire.com, where, you choose the day that you want to travel, your origin and destination airports, and they will offer you a cheap option on a flight. The only catch is that they don't tell you the time or airline until you purchase the ticket, but all you have to do is be willing to fly on a flight that has 0-1 stops each way (departing and returning) and a scheduled departure between 6am and 10pm and they will give you a flight with confirmed seating -- you'll never fly standby and you'll save money! You also have the choice of picking a flight the usual way – you will know the airline and flight times before you pay – but you will not get the big savings. If you like to shop around for prices before you buy, then I recommend Kayak.com. They don't sell airline tickets or hotel rooms themselves, but they do search a whole bunch of other travel, hotel and airline sites for you, to help you find the best price. Check Kayak.com out to Find Cheap Flights from 100+ Sites with One Click.

Be flexible and save on hotels! Hotwire.com is also a great place to go to save money on hotels. You choose the day and place that you need a hotel room, and they will give you a list of hotels to choose from. The only catch is that you won't know the exact hotel until you pay, but you will know the hotel's star rating before you buy, so you have some idea what to expect. I have used their service many times and it has always worked out well. Same as for airline tickets, if you want to shop around before you buy, then let Kayak.com look at a bunch of web sites for you to find hotel availability and the best hotel rates. Follow this link to have Kayak.com find you great hotel rates and Discount Hotels

Stop that Growling Stomach! Investigate your dining choices ahead of time. If there is a restaurant that you would like to go to during a busy travel week, or on a Friday or Saturday night, save yourself from disappointment by making a reservation either before you leave or as soon as you get to your destination. Many restaurants take reservations on-line, but if they don't, with long-distance charges now cheap, spend a few cents and give them a call.

We can't guarantee you a delay free vacation, but with these tips you should be able to spend more time enjoying your time away! Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them!

Happy Travels!

-Gus