Buckle That Seat Belt!

Image courtesy of Aeroflot

You just sat down in your seat on the plane. As you get settled, you squirm a bit to get comfy, get out your book, or electronic device and you are good to go. Oh wait, here's the announcement from the deck, "Please fasten your seat belts." The flight attendants come through the cabin and do that little spot check with their eyes and catch a few offenders. Begrudgingly, they buckle up.

Finally the captain turns off the seat belt notice and you feel free, well as free as you can in the plane. You grab your book or device, put headphones on and wonder when your beverage will arrive. Meanwhile, the cabin crew advises you keep your belt fastened while you are sitting in the event of sudden turbulence.  'Forget about it' you think to yourself. 'I don't need no stinkin' seat belt.  What's going to happen?'

This week, passengers on an Aeroflot flight from Moscow bound to Thailand learned the important lesson of sudden turbulence. The flight departed Moscow filled with passengers ready to enjoy some holiday time in Thailand. The flight was smooth and captain made no announcements about turbulent weather ahead. Unfortunately, just as we don't expect to be in a car accident, we don't expect a bumpy ride in the sky. Before you know it, and sometimes before the pilot knows it, the aircraft comes into an air pocket or sudden turbulence. By the time it happens, it's too late to buckle up.

The moment you are jostled out of your seat, you become not only a liability to yourself, but also to others on the flight. As you are thrown around, your body will come into contact with your seatmates around you. Even if they are safely buckled in, you have the propensity to become a fly object. When you land, chances are you will fall on another passenger injuring them as well.

Image courtesy of passenger on Aeroflot/CNN

According to reports the turbulence only lasted about 10 seconds, but was severe enough to eject passengers from their seats. On this particular flight, 27 injuries were reported. They in ranged from bumps and bruises to fractured limbs. One passenger reported 'it was like being in a washing machine.' Another passenger took a photo of blood on the overhead compartment where a passenger's head came into contact. Not a great way to being your vacation.

Perhaps on your next flight if you are not in the habit of securing your seat belt this will change your mind. If you don't think anything can happen to you, please be considerate of your fellow passengers.

REAL ID and US Domestic Travel

As you may have heard, beginning 2018, the airlines and TSA will enforce the act set forth regarding REAL ID for domestic travel. Until recently, only a few states are compliant with the REAL ID act, but more are joining the crowd.

What is the REAL ID ACT? This act was passed by Congress in 2005 by the recommendation of the 9/11 Commission. The act seeks to streamline the aspects of proper state issued identification such as driver’s licenses and non-driver license Federal ID. Until this time, there hasn't been any uniform template for identification across the US or her territories. Now Federal agencies have at the very least, minimum standards which must appear on a driver's license or other identification. If these minimum requirements are not met, Federal government agencies may not accept personal IDs. 

Though the Federal government has announced this will be firm by January 22, 2018, they realize not all states will be compliant. If your ID is not compliant, your state must be granted a compliance extension by the Federal government. All IDs will need to be compliant by October 2020. 

So, what does this have to do with my travel? Up until now for domestic travel all you needed was a picture ID with your name, birth date, valid expiration date, and gender contained in a tamper resistant frame. Not rocket science. However, the one link all of the IDs must have for REAL ID compliance is proof of US citizenship or residency. Several states are still lacking this requirement for new or renewed ID. Currently the states and US territories which are non-compliant include: 

• Maine
• Missouri 
• Minnesota
• Montana 

 The following states have limited extended compliance only until June 2017:

• Alaska 
• Kentucky 
• Oklahoma 
• Oregon
• S. Carolina 
• Pennsylvania
• Virginia 
• Washington (State)

Other states and territories with extensions through October 2017 include: 

• American Samoa
• California
• Guam
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• N. Marianas
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• N. Carolina
• N. Dakota
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• Texas
• Virgin Islands

Residents in those states will need to have a more secure identification. These passengers can use a US Passport or NEXUS pass, permanent resident card (formerly known as a green card), military ID or Global Entry pass. If you live in a compliant state, but don't have a driver's license, you may also use one of the mentioned compliant IDs. 

While these issues are being worked out in your state, be prepared for longer lines as security will become slower as travelers are weeded out of line for improper ID. In the long run, it will be up to you to prove your status and have proper ID. If you are one of the many states not in compliance, I highly recommend you register for a passport. It is one of the most perfect forms of ID and lasts 10 years for travelers over 16 years old.

Residents in those states will need to have a more secure identification. These passengers can use a US Passport or NEXUS pass, permanent resident card (formerly known as a green card), military ID or Global Entry pass. If you live in a compliant state, but don't have a driver's license, you may also use one of the mentioned compliant IDs. 

While these issues are being worked out in your state, be prepared for longer lines as security will become slower as travelers are weeded out of line for improper ID. In the long run, it will be up to you to prove your status and have proper ID. If you are one of the many states not in compliance, I highly recommend you register for a passport. It is one of the most perfect forms of ID and lasts 10 years for travelers over 16 years old. 

You can check for your state’s update at: https://www.dhs.gov/current-status-states-territories

What Did They Ask Their Travel Consultant?

In my 20 plus years as a travel consultant I've been asked some pretty amazing questions. Most questions are great questions and show real concern by my clients. In the age of technology most of my clients or prospective clients have done some research prior to speaking with me. 

ASTA, American Society of Travel Agents put together a list of some of the craziest questions posed to travel consultants over the years. Will you be insulted when you read this list? I surely hope not! My goal is to give you a bit of a chuckle and glimpse of your fellow travelers. 

Many thanks to ASTA for their support of travel agencies and agents worldwide.

In celebrating National Plan for Vacation Day, the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is shining a spotlight on the work dedicated professional travel agents do by releasing “22 Bizarre Requests Made to Travel Agents”. These are real requests made by real travelers and sourced by our ASTA agent membership. 

“Consumers have a wealth of information available to them via the Internet. ASTA travel agents help consumers make sense of the innumerable internet 'deals', and know which local suppliers are worthy of trust.” said Zane Kerby, ASTA President & CEO. “This list is proof that some consumers need a little extra help when they plan vacations, and that's where we come in.” he said.

“There are 658 million unused vacation days left on the table every year by American workers. When they finally do take a vacation, most of us don't have time for a do-over. Put that planning in the hands of a professional. You’ll be glad you did,” said Kerby.

The following are 22 Bizarre Requests made of an ASTA professional travel agent, in no particular order:

1. Can I fish off of the cruise ship?
2. Do they speak English in Britain?
3. Can I bring a 12 pack of Tab on the plane? (Agent responds: First of all, where did you find Tab? And no you can’t bring it on the plane).
4. Are there toll roads on the way to Hawaii?
5. Can you make sure I don’t get a window seat on the plane because I just had my hair done?

6. Can you set it up so that the whales jump in the background at the same time I’m proposing to my girlfriend?
7. I was looking online at the picture of our room. I hate the curtains. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep in that room with those curtains. Can you cancel the whole trip?

8. Don’t tell my fiancé this is where I took my first wife for our honeymoon.

9. I’d love a train trip to Africa…No, I mean I want a train trip from New York to Cape Town.
10. Guest in the aft of the ship… “Which elevator takes you to the front of the ship?”
11. I had a grandmother and granddaughter who wanted to visit China. When informed that they needed visas, the grandmother responded, "No we don’t.  I went to China with my church group last year and I was able to use my American Express card all over the country."
12. Can you please book the honeymoon suite for us and another couple?
13. I want to take a cruise to Las Vegas.
14. Does the crew actually sleep onboard the cruise ship?
15. Can we drive our rental car in Hawaii out of state? We want to go to Alaska. After all, they are the 49th and 50th states on the map… so there must be a bridge, right?
16. I would like to go somewhere where there are NOT a lot of men.
17. I’d like to get married in the Caribbean on an island where the marriage is not legal in the U.S.
18. Will there be shadows on my face at 4 p.m. when the pictures are taken?

19. Will you watch my pet while I’m away?
20. How can I get to Europe without going by air or sea?
21. I’d like to visit Scotland and Denmark on the same trip. (Agent then tells client he does not have time in his schedule to travel the distance). But they’re only an inch apart on the map!
22. Can you ask the airline to block the seat next to me so I can stretch out?

ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally based members, it is the leading global advocate for travel agents, the travel industry and the traveling public. ASTA’s history of travel industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information, visit ASTA.org.