Articles filed under Todd, Gail

• Airlines, passengers extra cautious about security May 5, 2013 12:00 AM
  Airline personnel and security agents take anything sounding remotely like a threat seriously with good reason. But sometimes it gets out of hand. Several years ago there was the passenger who caused a flight to abort and return to the gate by repeating "Bye, Bye airplane" during the safety demonstration. The passenger was considered a safety risk and removed from the flight. A reasonable response? Perhaps. Except the passenger was 18 months old.
  

   

• Packing on the pounds can be costly for travelers Apr 7, 2013 12:00 AM
  Did you hear about the weighty subject created by a small airline based in Samoa? Apparently Samoa Air figured out a way to get their pound of flesh. Literally. They've started charging travel fees by the pound — both body and baggage are figured into the cost of a ticket. This isn't new. Small commuter carriers often have strict weight-control policies.
  

   

• Travelers love to share stories of terrible trips Mar 3, 2013 12:00 AM
  People have the best time sharing their worst time. Go to any cocktail party, and you’re apt to hear what a terrible experience someone had on his last flight. But little annoyances can drive people to the edge. If a flight is delayed an hour, passengers become irate. Run out of coffee on a two-hour flight and someone will write a hate letter to the airline. But let it turn into a two-day sojourn, and it makes them members of an elite crowd of survivors, which gives major bragging rights.
  

   

• Tips for keeping germs at bay at 35,000 feetFeb 3, 2013 12:00 AM
  Recently while flying back to Chicago from Cancun, Mexico, I was seated behind a couple wearing masks — the Lone Ranger style. Only they weren't trying to hide their identity. They were trying to avoid catching the flu that has become epidemic this winter. And with good reason. Half the passengers on the plane were coughing, sneezing or looking like death was imminent and in some cases would be welcome.
  

   

• Savvy travelers can avoid airline fees Jan 6, 2013 12:00 AM
  Dave Johnson is one of those people who gets a real charge out of flying. It's not that he looks forward to long security lines and flight delays. He's talking about the fees the airlines add to the cost of travel. There are ways to fight back and avoid some of the airline fees. Here are a few suggestions.
  

   

• Planning can help ease those holiday travel headaches Dec 2, 2012 12:00 AM
  Airport travel today is difficult for even the frequent flier, but frustrations increase at holiday times. And for senior passengers not used to dealing with long lines and heavy crowds, the challenge can be overwhelming. There are some things you can do to make the journey easier.
  

   

• Be thankful for Thanksgiving travel options Nov 4, 2012 12:00 AM
  When the children were young, we headed across the pond each Thanksgiving. Because Europeans aren't particularly interested in what our pilgrims did, flights and hotels are often discounted. But if I were on my own — like my neighbors, I would head for a spa.
  

   

• You don’t want to stand out when traveling abroad Oct 7, 2012 12:00 AM
  With anti-Americanism flying higher than most aircraft and world economy at it’s lowest, international travelers dressing to the nines are asking to be the target of jokes or something more serious. There are ways to avoid not standing out in a crowd.
  

   

• Traveling alone doesn't have to be intimidating Sep 2, 2012 12:00 AM
  Last week, I received a letter from a recently widowed woman who feels her traveling days are over. "I need to get away," she said. "But I'm afraid to travel alone and have no friends my own age who'll join me. I guess I'm stuck." Not according to my old friend Jean Cowden who has been traveling alone for years.
  

   
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  What you can, can’t carry on is a crapshoot Aug 5, 2012 12:00 AM
  The list of dangerous carry-on items is always evolving. Some are obvious. Try to bring a meat cleaver onboard and you'll cause a real beef with security. On the other hand, screw drivers, wrenches and pliers are probably OK.
  

   

• Don’t let traveling diet weigh you down Jul 2, 2012 12:00 AM
  Obesity in the United States is a serious problem and has become a "weighty" problem for the airlines. The passenger's bottom line also affects the airlines bottom line. Heavier passengers require more fuel to stay airborne. However, most frequent fliers will tell you, eating healthy when you're on the wing can be a challenge.
  

   

• Trip of a lifetime doesn't have to be a whirlwind tour Jun 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  The problem is many people put off the trip of their lifetime until they retire and then they want to do it all. They expect to still feel like teenage backpackers. Instead their backs ache and their feet hurt and they wished they had just stayed home. It doesn't have to be this way.
  

   

• Traveling doesn’t have to be a pet peeve for owners May 6, 2012 12:00 AM
  Most veterinarians try to discourage pet owners from flying with their animals. But this isn't always possible. If you do plan to take wing with your four-legged friend, there are a few things to consider.
  

   

• Some travelers raise a stink on airplanes Apr 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  Many frequent fliers complain that air travel really stinks. And if you were one of 15 TSA agents working in the baggage department at Boston Logan International recently, you would probably agree.
  

   

• Are travel safety concerns going a little overboard? Mar 11, 2012 12:00 AM
  In the past, it has been the airline crews and security agents who have taken the dialogue seriously. And no wonder. With the airlines and airports at high alert, flight crews and security agents are understandably concerned. A simple "Hi" to your good friend Jack can cause you to miss your flight. But sometimes they go overboard.
  

   

• Keep track of personal items when traveling Jan 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  Airline passengers forget things every day at airports. It’s common to see books, eyeglasses and jewelry left behind, and according to airport security officials, there’s always a pile of unclaimed goods that have no identification.
  

   

• Location, activities add to reunion fun Oct 2, 2011 12:00 AM
  While the old homestead gatherings may have been fine in the past when planning family reunions, today’s get-togethers require a little more planning and effort. In order for a reunion to be successful, it’s important to consider the location, the cost and the interest and age of the people attending.
  

   

• Booze on planes fueling some bad behavior Sep 4, 2011 12:00 AM
  Some airplane passengers are blaming their bad actions on alcohol. Seriously inebriated passengers have started food fights, broken bottles over flight attendants heads and stormed cockpits.
  

   

• Airlines wary of pilfering passengers Aug 7, 2011 12:00 AM
  Disappearing silver serving sets and other airline memorabilia have cost the airlines millions of dollars. They have solved this problem by virtually eliminating anything of value from the aircraft, which is why even blankets and pillows have become endangered species.
  

   

• Pilot's comments won't fly with co-workers Jul 3, 2011 12:00 AM
  Last week, a Southwest Airlines pilot reached record heights with his language. In case you missed it, the captain was ranting to his co-pilot about the poor quality of flight attendants Southwest Airlines hires. Oops.