Airlines

Second woman says Southwest made her cover up

September 14th, 2007 at 08:27am Under Airlines

DALLAS, Texas (AP) — A second young woman has come forward to claim that Southwest Airlines employees made her cover up on a recent flight, leading jet-setters to ask: Will my outfit fly?
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Southwest Airlines said it had no record that Setara Qassim ever complained about the alleged incident.

Setara Qassim said a flight attendant confronted her during the trip from Tucson, Arizona, to Burbank, California, and asked whether she had a sweater to go over her green halter-style dress.

Qassim, 21, told KNBC-TV in Los Angeles she was forced to wrap a blanket around herself for the rest of the flight. She complained that if Southwest wants passengers to dress a certain way, it should publish a dress code.

Last week, 23-year-old Kayla Ebbert said a Southwest employee pulled her aside as she was preparing to board a plane departing San Diego for Tucson in July and told her she was dressed too provocatively to fly.

Ebbert, who took her case to NBC’s “Today Show,” said she was allowed on the plane after adjusting her sweater and short skirt. She said she was humiliated and felt the stares of other passengers who had overheard the verbal dressing-down.

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. acknowledged the incident involving Ebbert, but airline spokesman Chris Mainz said the company had no record that Qassim ever complained.

Messages left with Qassim at her California home were not immediately returned to The Associated Press.

Southwest — which dressed its stewardesses in hot pants and called itself “the love airline” back in the 1970s — relies on employees to decide whether a passenger’s attire may offend other customers, Mainz said.

“We don’t have a dress code. We rely on our employees to use common sense, good judgment and good taste,” Mainz said. “It’s so rare for us to have to address a customer’s clothing issue.”

American Airlines claims the right to refuse to carry passengers for a variety of reasons, including being drunk, barefoot, having an offensive odor or being “clothed in a manner that would cause discomfort or offense to other passengers.”

“It’s generally a graphic on a T-shirt that might be uncomfortable” to another passenger, said American Airlines spokesman Tim Wagner. “We always find ways to mitigate it as best possible, with not allowing someone on a flight being the last option.”

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10 Tips On How To Avoid Jet Lag

September 13th, 2007 at 07:39pm Under Airlines

As more and more people travel further both for pleasure and business, the chances of suffering from jet lag increases. Learn here a few simple solutions to reduce the misery of jet lag.

1. Take a morning flight where possible and upon arrival at your destination have a light meal then go to bed.

2. Try not to become over tired before you travel. The fallacy of having a late night party before you fly with very little sleep so you can sleep on the flight will often have the reverse effect. It may alleviate the boredom, but will do little to adjust your body clock.

3. Set a separate clock or watch to the time zone of your destination 4 - 5 days before your departure. Using this, become aware of your intended breakfast time and increase your alertness, by being a little more active.

4. Caffeine intake should be avoided 2 - 3 days before your flight and only taken when it is morning at your destination.

5. Change all watches when you board for your flight , this will subconsciously help you to adjust your body clock.

6. Avoid alcohol on the flight, keep up your fluid intake with soft drinks or weak tea. Stay active during your flight, magazines, books and quizzes will often help. Don’t just rely on one book and avoid sleeping.

7. Adjust your eating pattern to the new time zone and avoid overeating.

8. Move around the aircraft at least once an hour to help with your circulation.

9. When you arrive at your destination after unpacking have a quick shower, then take a short stroll to gently exercise your muscles. Then eat a very light meal and go to bed. Leave the bedroom curtains or blinds open a little bit, so that the natural morning sunrise will help to waken you.

10. The following day, if you feel the onslaught of jet lag and want to go to sleep, try to find an activity to do, socialising can often alleviate the jet lag. Don’t drink any alcohol until the evening.

If you are unfortunate to still be suffering from jet lag, don’t worry it will usually disappear with 48hrs. Interestingly enough some say jet lag is purely a state of mind, if this should be the case, then avoid comparing time zones and thinking about what time it is back home. There is also another thought that people often say regarding jet lag - you only suffer

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ATA is still losing money post-bankruptcy

September 11th, 2007 at 02:08pm Under Airlines

ATA Airlines is still losing money nearly 18 months after exiting bankruptcy, the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) reports. The airline’s parent company -– now known as Global Aero Logistics (GAL) following its acquisition of the World Air Group –- lost…
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Original post by Ben For All Your Travel Needs Best Travel Rates Online

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How to Avoid Airport Boredom

July 8th, 2007 at 10:09pm Under Airlines

Many of us have had the misfortune to be stuck around in airport lounges, waiting for our delayed flight to depart. In this article we examine methods to avoid the associated boredom.

Being stuck at an airport for hours on end can be a draining experience. Even the world’s largest airports make less than ideal locations to spend more than an hour or so.

From the uncomfortable chairs to the loud announcements, it seems that airport lounges are not conducive to relaxing. Although many airports will include a number of stores within the airport terminal buildings, such stores are often over-priced, making the entire experience even less pleasurable.

Don’t worry though - help is at hand.

There are some simple tips that you can use to ensure that you’re stay is much more pleasant. Much of what you can do needn’t be expensive and simply requires a little planning.

Firstly, when packing for your trip, it’s always worth packing some food and drink (if authorised) in your hand luggage. This is particularly useful if you are travelling with children, allowing you to provide a simple snack without paying exorbitant airport prices.

With many of us travelling using budget airlines, packing a bite to eat can often come in handy on the actual flight too, since it’s now less common to see in-flight refreshments provided as standard.

Another tip is to pack as much “entertainment” as possible in your hand luggage. Once again, this is particularly important if you are travelling with children who are likely to be bored easily.

Personal MP3 players can be great for relaxing and blocking out the noise of the airport surroundings (though make sure that you don’t miss any important announcements!)

Books are always a simple option, while puzzle books and travel games are great for keeping children entertained.

Using a selection of these tips, you should be able to keep yourself and your family entertained and well-fed during your time at the airport.

Hopefully you won’t encounter too many flight delays in future, but it’s always worth being prepared, just in case!

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Flying with Your Baby - Tips to Make Your Trip Enjoyable

July 8th, 2007 at 10:08pm Under Airlines

So, you are going to board an airplane with your baby. Before you go on a flight in the U.S., you have to find out the safety rules and regulations of the particular airline and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These rules govern what you can and cannot do with your child in flight. Most domestic airlines follow the following guidelines:

• Under 40 pounds or two years old, a child must either be carried in a paying passenger’s lap or they must be in an infant carrier like a car seat or some other convertible restraint. Also, they have to be situated in the window seat of a non-exit row. The child restraint system must have an FAA-approval label and it must be securely fastened in an airplane seat using the provided seatbelt.

• All children over 40 pounds must have their own seats and wear the provided seatbelt low and snug across the hips. Booster seats are not allowed.

Baby on BoardWhile traveling with an infant you have one of two choices. The first is to carry your infant and travel with them in your lap. The airline will allow you to wear your baby in a sling or carrier while the airplane is in flight. However, during takeoff, turbulence with the seat belt sign on, and landing, they will require you to remove your carrier (or sling) and hold your baby in your arms. If you choose this option you will only be required to purchase one airline seat ticket, but this option has obvious safety issues to consider, as they will only be restrained in your arms. Some airlines may not allow this option.

The second choice is to take along an FAA approved car seat. Such a car seat should have a sticker to that effect stuck on it somewhere; generally you can find it on the underside of the seat. If your car seat does not have a sticker attached to it then you will need to call the manufacturer and ask if the car seat you own is FAA approved or not.

If your infant’s car seat is approved, you will carry it with you on the plane and place it in the seat next to you. This traveling option requires that you purchase an additional seat for your child, though you may be able to get a discount or a free seat in a non-crowded flight if you ask. The carrier has to be on a window seat so they are not blocking other passengers from getting into and out of their seats. Also, make sure it’s not wider than sixteen inches, the width of most airline seats.

If you go this route, and you’re travelling alone with your infant, you will quickly realize how much superhuman effort you will need to carry the car seat, your carry-on luggage, and your baby! Try this instead: Wear a front carrier like a Snugli or Baby Bjorn with baby secure inside, then strap the car seat to your back using a Cheeky Monkey Pac Back. That way you’ll still have both your hands free.

Flying Options For Older Infants

If your baby is between 22 and 44 pounds, you have three options available. The first is to hold your child, under the age of two, in your lap. This is the same scenario as if your child were still and infant. The second option again is to use an FAA approved car seat which will be secured in the window seat of the plane.

The third and new option is a harness known as the CARES flight harness. This restraint, easily stored in your carry-on luggage or purse, can be used instead of a car seat by children between 22 and 44 pounds, or 1 to 4 years. The harness is FAA approved for flight and is much less bulky than trying to carry around your car seat in the airport and onto the plane. While the CARES flight harness can be a bit pricey at about $75, it also insures your child is the safest possible, which in my opinion is priceless.

Flying with your infant or child can seem like a daunting process. However, with some research and planning, both you and your baby can be happy and safe on the airplane. Always check with the airline you will be flying on to be aware of any other rules and regulations. This can usually be found on their website. Have a safe and happy trip!

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Airline Travel Tips

July 8th, 2007 at 10:07pm Under Airlines

Our number one airline travel tip is: Check in early!

Airlines require domestic travelers to check-in 1 hour prior to departure. International flights require a 2 hour check-in. If you do not arrive on time and if the flights are overbooked, the possibility exists that your seat will be given away. In addition, there will be a greater opportunity when you arrive early to have your name on the “top of the list” for an upgrade.

Be aware that some airlines have restricted carry on luggage policies. For example:

Northwest - Maximum check-in is two and carryon luggage is limited to one piece plus a purse/briefcase/laptop computer for all flights. First class international is allowed two carry on items.
American/TWA - Check one and carryon two or check two and carryon one.
Delta - Check one and carry-on two or check two and carry-on one.
Southwest - Check up to three and carryon two.
United - One carryon in economy and two in business/first class.
USAir - Carryon two
Continental - Carryon two
Store your carryon luggage in the compartment across from you so you can keep an eye on it.

Be sure to carry photo identification.

Be aware of Safe Harbors emergency service telephone number (International / domestic) This will help you with questions concerning your ticket or itinerary changes. The number is printed on all itineraries. Calling the airline directly can cause confusion and be costly.

Never make enemies or be abrasive with airline ticket agents or gate agents. Regardless of the situation, most people are more than accommodating when approached with respect.

Travel Reservations
Do not make a reservation with an airline directly. They will not have all of your company data accessible including your discounted rates, frequent flier numbers, travel preferences, travel policy information and payment procedures. They will only give you their information not competing information where the agency will.

When a travel reservation is made with Safe Harbors, your confirmation number for your flight, hotel room and car is your guarantee! If you arrive at any of these counters and they claim that you do not have a reservation, chance has it that they are trying to sell you a higher priced car, hotel room and airline reservation. This is a common practice for these vendors to recreate a reservation so that a commission will not have to be paid and that last minute availability is achieved, resulting in a higher fare/rate. If this should happen, be assertive and demand the guaranteed rate/fare is utilized on the confirmed itinerary from Safe Harbors.

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