Main | Next page »
 

Entry bubble Passport Cost Increase

By: Colleen | March 10, 2010 | Category: Travel

Now that the east coast has finally started to warm up, the sun is shining, birds are chirping...allow me to bring some gloom and doom to passportyour day. It looks like the cost of obtaining / renewing a passport is going to go up.

The State Department is proposing a fee hike that would raise the cost of applying for a passport from $100 to $135, and renewal cost would increase to $110 from the current $75.

The reason? The State Department says that the costs of increased security and anti-fraud and terrorism measures aren't being covered by the current fees.

Besides this just seeming like yet another rising cost that is annoying to deal with, some lawmakers worry that overall it will hurt the tourism industry- particularly to neighboring countries of Canada and Mexico. They worry that the increased burden will deter Americans from traveling and in turn, continue to hurt the economy.

While the increase is not yet final, it could be in effect by April. The State Department suggests applying for your passport now if you are planning international travel, as a rush of applications are expected in the wake of this news.

Do you have an alternative idea to cover security costs? Do you mind paying the higher fee?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: colleen   passport   passport_increase   state_department   travel  

 

Entry bubble More Updates on Airport Security

By: Joanne | January 05, 2010 | Category: Travel

man in an airport talking to customs agentsSecurity procedures continue to evolve for air travelers. Last week we talked about the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) increasing security at U.S. airports in response to the incident on the December 25 flight.

Yesterday the TSA implemented new air travel security measures, and these will have an effect on people traveling to the United States from other countries. There will now be more pat downs, carry-on bag searches and random screenings happening in foreign airports for travelers headed to the United States. Travelers from or departing from countries the United States considers a State sponsor of terrorism will receive the highest levels of scrutiny.

The media keeps talking about the prospects of advanced imaging technologies in airports. I guess we’ll have to wait and see if advanced imaging will become a requirement before boarding a flight. There are already some of these machines in use in airports in the U.S. and I know that not everyone is very happy about the idea of widespread use of these new imaging technologies. I haven’t encountered one in my travels yet. Have you? What are they like?

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: airport   joanne   plane   travel   tsa   updates  

 

Entry bubble Airport Security Update

By: Joanne | December 29, 2009 | Category: Travel

man in an airport talking to customs agentsSurely you heard the news last week that a person on board a flight to Detroit set off a device on the plane. Thanks to the heroic actions of the crew and passengers, he was subdued and the plane landed safely. That’s what I call saving Christmas.

When incidents like this happen on planes, usually a change in airport security follows. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued some guidance to the public about this incident and how it will affect you.

The TSA says that they will implement additional screening measures including explosive detection dogs, law enforcement officers, gate screening, and other measures.

But what does all that mean to you? Right now, security checkpoint requirements remain the same for departures from U.S. airports.

You don’t need to do anything differently, just remember to pack well to get through the line faster, follow the liquid rules and keep prohibited items at home.

You may notice additional security measures at the airport, and you know that additional security measures mean it just might take more time to get through the security line. Be sure to give yourself even a little more extra time to get to your flight.

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: airport   joanne   plane   travel   tsa  

 

Entry bubble Luggage Tips this Holiday Season

By: Colleen | December 16, 2009 | Category: Travel

Those of us who don't get to do our holiday travel via sleigh all seem to have our luggage horror stories.

My poor sister survived a seven hour flight to Germany seated next to some wack-a-doo who sucked his fingers the entire time- only to arrive in Deutschland with no luggage. Europe sans skivvies isn't really ideal.

My spring break in San Diego was tarnished when one of my two bags didn't make the trip. After two days of not being able to work on my tan because my bathing suit was in the missing bag, I "went all Philly" on the customer service agent over the phone. The bag was on my doorstep two hours later.

Then there was the family ski trip to Salt Lake City when our equipment ended up in Las Vegas. While I'm pretty much Sin City's biggest fan, the skiing there isn't exactly ideal.

During December, more bag mishandling reports are filed than any other month of the year due to the volume of bags being checked. Here are some tips to avoid spending the holidays wearing Uncle Al's spare sweatshirt.

  • Avoid connecting flights. If you must take a flight that connects, allow at least 30 minutes inbetween for your bags to be transferred.
  • Don't wrap presents you've packed. Foil wrapping paper or tin foil can appear as a solid object during a screening, resulting in a luggage search. This can delay the bag.
  • Travel light. Larger bags tend to fall off conveyor belts.
  • Make your luggage easily accessible for screening. TSA security having to unlock your bag will cause a hold-up.
  • Check in ASAP. Rushing a bag through at the last minute might cause it to be left behind.
  • Be sure your name and contact information can easily be found on your luggage. This makes it easier to return to you should it get lost.

What horror stories or tips do you have? Are you traveling this Holiday season?

 

| View Comments [4] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: delays   luggage   travel  

 

Entry bubble Holiday Air Travel

By: Joanne | November 17, 2009 | Category: Travel

man in an airport talking to customs agents I can’t believe it, but holiday travel time is here already! My family is off to Grandy’s house this year, and luckily her house is just a car ride away. Many, many of you will be flying to your Thanksgiving destinations next week, and if you haven’t been in an airport lately, I recommend you prepare yourself before you leave the house.

There are so many rules and regulations for flyers now.  The rules are in place to keep us safe, but they certainly do make a trip to the airport more complicated.

Before you leave the house, be sure to check airport delays, and also check with your airline about the status of your flight.

Bringing a special dish for the thanksgiving table? Be sure to pack it right, or it won’t be allowed on the flight. Want to get through the security line faster? TSA tells you how to pack to have an easy trip through the airport security checkpoint.

And then there are the rules for traveling with liquids, and the list of things that you’re not allowed to pack in your carry-on bag.

As Jacob says, leave your hand grenades at home.

I hope you have an easy, safe trip this Thanksgiving, but if you have problems along the way, you can always file a complaint.

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: air   airport   fly   joanne   thanksgiving   travel  

Main | Next page »