Concept: One Day Coast-to-Coast Travel

Airlines are having intense fare sales right now and it got me thinking, "where could I go, and how much can I really afford to spend?"

At dinner last night I was chatting with a friend about Virgin America's new flights from Boston. For a limited time, Virgin America is offering discounted one-way fares on Boston flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco to celebrate their new route.

"For that fare, you can fly out that morning, have dinner in L.A. and then fly back that night for less than you'd spend at a nice dinner in Boston," my friend said.

Hmmmm.

That would be rather fun, and different. If I take the 7 a.m. flight to Los Angeles I arrive at 10:35 a.m. I can spend the day playing in L.A. then take the 9:15 p.m. flight back and be at work the next day. It's an intriguing concept...

Virgin America is famous for its in-flight services, so the long coast-to-coast flight wouldn't seem so bad given the computer games, in-flight chat systems and mini-bars on the plane. It would be fun to say I flew to L.A. for dinner.


I may not be Julia Roberts, but that doesn't mean I can't portray "Pretty Woman".

Anyone want in on this crazy idea?

The Airport

One of the best people-watching places in the world. Any airport. Thousands of people.

I once dated a boy who would humor with silly games. We would sit on the front stoop of our apartments and guess where the passersby were headed. Whether by car, bike, or the occasional plane that flew above the city, it was always a wonderment to me where people get up and go to.

At 5:30 a.m., it's already a busy morning at Logan International Airport. The kids are pulling their Hello Kitty suitcases behind them while holding tightly to teddy bears, blankets or Mom. Parents are eagerly searching for the first cup of coffee, but nothing is open yet. Business travelers are already on their laptops communicating with the rest of the world.

The JetBlue place that is taking me to Florida sits at the gate. Lights are on inside the plane and the ground crew is buzzing around the plane's belly making sure everything is sorted for flight.

In the distance, an airline takes off... I wonder where it's going...

Tuesday Travel

Tomorrow I'm off to Fort Myers for Thanksgiving.

Alarm set for 4 a.m. Flight leaves at 6:10 a.m.
Tired just thinking about it. Maybe I'll sleep on the plane... unlikely.

Dear Pilot,
Here's good wishes for a safe flight. We're expecting some bad weather, so let's get up and over it quickly.

I have my magazines in my bag. My suitcase is packed.

Dinner tonight with an old D.C. friend, then home to bed. Tomorrow = Mom and Dad. Sis arrives on Thursday, just in time for turkey and Mom's famous stuffing.

At 33,000 Feet

The last time I was at an airport, I ended up in a corner near Gate 30 attempting to breathe through my first-ever panic attack. I leave for San Francisco next week and the thought of flying isn't a concern. In fact, it's the tranquility when my day gets chaotic.

There's something serene about being 33,000 feet in the air. Near the clouds. Away from the worries on the ground. 

Flight Tip: Start at 100 and Count Down

Lately, I've become a nervous traveler. I was never like this - in fact, I was one of the best travelers I know. I blame the "weigh me" plane, but alas, I have to fly and there will be turbulence. 

Saturday morning I awoke to rain storms, fog and potential thunderstorms in the area. By the time I arrived at the airport for my 12:00 p.m. flight, I had already experienced two minor panic attacks. My parents wanted to see me and I wasn't going to let them down. 

I got on the plane.

The pilot came on the loudspeaker and announced, "Folks, it's going to be a little bumpy getting out of here, but once we're passed Philadelphia it should be smooth flying down to Florida." Philadelphia is more than an hour away. This is going to suck. I sat back, opened my book and took long deep breaths.

The first wave of turbulence took us on a ride about 20 minutes into the flight. I stopped, closed my eyes and started counting backwards from 100. I don't know what number I stopped on, but I know the turbulence ended before I reached 1. It made a huge difference in my less-than-calm composure.

I don't know where I picked up this tip, but I'll using this flight tip for future flights. (Check out the hundreds of other flight tips from other travelers.)

Airline Fees: The Good, the Bad and the Ridiculous

It's no surprise that airlines have gone above and beyond to recoup the cost of fuel. From paying for water and blankets to eliminating in-flight services all together, airlines are charging customers for just about anything they can these days. So if you're going to pay, you might as well price out the cheapest option.

I prefer to fly the low-cost carriers -- JetBlue, AirTran, Southwest, etc. -- not just because the cost of the ticket is generally cheaper, but I find the service better, the flight more comfortable and most times, the fees for in-flight items reasonable (if I have to pay).

The Consumerist recently came out with a quick-list of the top 3 most "fee crazy" airlines, and the bottom 3 "fee crazy" airlines. So, if you're flying, you might as well know how much cash to take out before you board the plane. If you're bored, hungry or thirsty, it's going to cost you.

Dead Body Found on Delta Airlines

This can't be good.

Seems the flight attendants found a woman's body in the bathroom lavatory on Delta Airlines flight 950 from Los Angeles to Atlanta. Authorities met the plane at the gate but no information on the passenger or cause of death has been released. Read the story

Confirming Your Confirmation Number

Update from the reader:
"I called the corporate office and got someone in their customer division and she issued the ticket!!! I laid out for her what had happened and ... that I considered it fraud if they didn’t issue the ticket and she went ahead and did it without comment."

While I'm disappointed this happened in the first place, I'm glad that USAir was able to rectify the situation. I stand by my earlier statement -- I believe the traveler unfortunately ended up with an untrained and uneducated customer service representative. It's no excuse, but at least a ticket has been issued and travel plans are well on the way.

-------------------------------------------

I received the following email this morning:

"I wonder if you can give me some help/advice. I booked a trip with USAIR using my frequent flyer miles...I have a confirmation number – which by the definition of the word is a confirmation that I can purchase this ticket at this price – or in this case miles.

But tonight when I called to purchase the ticket USAir told me that the agent made a mistake and should never have made the reservation – that I am not allowed a stopover and they would not honor the reservation or issue the ticket. This to me is fraud and I believe USAir needs to honor the reservation I made.

I just wonder when we are going to reach the limit of the airlines providing lousier and lousier service and getting away with it."

This is a horrendous thing for the airline to do. Once a ticket has been booked and a confirmation distributed the airlines cannot cancel your flight without rebooking for valid reasons. I suggested this reader call the corporate office first thing this morning -- it's likely she got a D-list employee on the evening shift when she called USAir last night. I have high hopes that the airline will rectify this situation... will keep you posted!

Last Night on Larry King...

The talk show maestro hosted a kick-ass program last night with top members of the travel industry about what the airlines are doing to combat fuel prices.

A report hit the newsstands yesterday claiming that US Airways pilots were pressured to cut fuel on-board planes. This sent media moguls into a frenzy. Is it safe to fly? Will passengers be at risk? I received a few phone calls last night so I thought I'd take a moment and set the record straight, as I believe it to be.

1. Airplanes are not going to fall out of the sky when the tank is on "E." IF airlines start using less fuel aboard planes, you can rest assured there will still be enough fuel to fly you to your destination. What it does mean is that the air traffic controllers will be under more pressure to get airplanes landed and get them off the runways, in an effort to help conserve fuel.
2. Pilots are not going to fly a plane that doesn't have enough fuel on board to get them to their destination. As my Dad says, "The pilot cares about his own life. You can rest assured you're safe on his plane."

My advice? Find a good cheap airline ticket, pack your bags and go on vacation. There is enough fuel to fly -- it's just a little more expensive today then it was yesterday. You aren't going to be able to change the fuel crisis in America, but you can still afford to travel if you take time to research and make plans.

'Ad' Something New to Your Boarding Pass

Advertisements are often a bold distraction to the ultimate prize. (My friends who are in advertising/marketing won't like that statement, but please read on.) However, thanks to advertising, some travelers will feel less of a pinch when they go to buy airline ticket. Some of the nation's largest airlines are using advertisements as a way to offset fuel prices and avoid charging the consumer.

Sojern Inc. is selling the ads to airlines and those airlines who participate in the ad program will share the profits equally. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways Group Inc., Continental Airlines Inc. and United Airlines have signed up to use the ads as a revenue generator. But those consumers who still can't stand the sight of an ad can breathe easy, you'll have the option to print your boarding pass with or without the ads.



The new ads will start appearing in the upcoming months. Sojern says it's not ready to tailor the ads to individuals, but never say never...

So, what ads would you want to see on your boarding pass?

An Unfortunate Travel Story

This is a story about my sister and her 24 hours of travel hell.
It started in Boston.

She arrived at the airport at 3 p.m. for her 5 p.m. direct fight home. She was scheduled to be home by 10 p.m. Plans: let the dogs out and go to bed. Instead, she stood in a line for over an hour at the airline agent desk -- her 5 p.m. flight had been cancelled. The reason? Mechanical issues. She was given two options: a direct flight the next morning at 6 a.m. or a connecting flight in just a few hours that would get her home around the same time as she planned. While sis doesn't love to travel, she chose the connecting flight -- sometimes you just want to be home.

Through security and on her way to the gate...

Two hours pass by and the new flight is still not at the gate. She collects her things and finds an agent to help her. Apparently, the plane scheduled to take her to Chicago (first leg of the flight) is "on its way" but because there is bad weather approaching, the airlines aren't sure if it will leave Boston. However, there is another flight that is leaving in an hour for New York and she can get a connecting flight home from LaGuardia. It was a viable option and she took her chances.

Two hours later, the connecting flight to LGA finally landed. Sis made her way to the next gate, where she was to board her flight home. The plane, alas, is not there. After about an hour the airline agent comes on the loud speaker and announces, "The plane is on its way but it was diverted. It should be here in about an hour and if weather permits, we'll have you out of here shortly after it lands." I suggested at this point she get re-booked on a flight for the next day and head to our cousin's house for the night. After a few minutes of deliberation, she agreed this was the best option and asked the agent rebook her on a direct flight for the next morning.

Sis grabbed her bags and headed to baggage claim where she would grab a Yellow Cab to Long Island. A man approached her and asked, "Do you need a cab?" She said yes and they were on their way... to the garage, where a black van was waiting.

"I'm not going with you," my sis calmly stated and started walking back toward the airport. Apparently, this upset the strange man. He started yelling at my sister (which I have a HUGE problem with) and my sister (already at her wit's end) yelled back,

"If you come one f---ing step closer to me I will scream my f---ing head off and you don't want to f--k with me right now, asshole." (Mental picture: my sister is 4'11" and maybe 100 pounds so words like this are serious coming from a little thing like sis.) This four-letter word tangent sent the strange men back to his van and my sister made it safely back to the airport baggage claim. She found a legitimate Yellow Cab and took the $100 cab ride to my cousin's house in Long Island.

It gets worse...

After a good night's sleep, my sister is on her way to the airport where she's prepared to board her 8:55 a.m. direct flight home. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, she didn't arrive at the airport until 8 a.m. She ran to security and was told, "Sorry Ma'am, this is just a receipt. You need to get a ticket from the agent counter."

At this point, she is not making her flight. She arrives at the agent desk and the agent tells her,

"It says you've already used this ticket."

To which my sister replied, "If I had already used this ticket, I'd be home by now."

The agent gladly re-booked her for the 10:45 a.m. flight, which left at 1:15 p.m. I'm happy to report that my sister is safe at home and sleeping soundly.

Airlines Ask Passengers for Help

Last week, a majority of U.S. airlines sent around a note to travelers asking to push Congress on oil prices. is the open letter from the leaders of the U.S. airline industry.

An Open letter to All Airline Customers:

Our country is facing a possible sharp economic downturn because of skyrocketing oil and fuel prices, but by pulling together, we can all do something to help now.

For airlines, ultra-expensive fuel means thousands of lost jobs and severe reductions in air service to both large and small communities. To the broader economy, oil prices mean slower activity and widespread economic pain. This pain can be alleviated, and that is why we are taking the extraordinary step of writing this joint letter to our customers. Since high oil prices are partly a response to normal market forces, the nation needs to focus on increased energy supplies and conservation. However, there is another side to this story because normal market forces are being dangerously amplified by poorly regulated market speculation.

Twenty years ago, 21 percent of oil contracts were purchased by speculators who trade oil on paper with no intention of ever taking delivery. Today, oil speculators purchase 66 percent of all oil futures contracts, and that reflects just the transactions that are known. Speculators buy up large amounts of oil and then sell it to each other again and again. A barrel of oil may trade 20-plus times before it is delivered and used; the price goes up with each trade and consumers pick up the final tab. Some market experts estimate that current prices reflect as much as $30 to $60 per barrel in unnecessary speculative costs.

Over seventy years ago, Congress established regulations to control excessive, largely unchecked market speculation and manipulation. However, over the past two decades, these regulatory limits have been weakened or removed. We believe that restoring and enforcing these limits, along with several other modest measures, will provide more disclosure, transparency and sound market oversight. Together, these reforms will help cool the over-heated oil market and permit the economy to prosper.

The nation needs to pull together to reform the oil markets and solve this growing problem.
We need your help. Get more information and contact Congress by visiting http://www.stopoilspeculationnow.com/.

See the official letter

Oy, With the Airlines!

After a relaxing weekend in upstate New York, my sister and I enjoyed a liesurely drive back into the city. We stopped at a few outlet shops, drove into the city and with time to spare we took a detour to pick up some bagels and nosh at Kupel's for her flight home. When I purchased the little darling's airline ticket, I had to throw all fear of cost out the window -- my sister doesn't do flying, so it's all about ease, comfort and direct-flights for her. The total cost was approximately $250 more than if she had booked a connecting flight, but hey - we all have our fears. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, the airlines screwed with us today.

Turns out the airline cancelled her direct flight home today. Even though I paid MORE for her to fly direct, they rebooked her on a connecting flight. Under most circumstances, this would be fine. But if you have a fear of flying, taking TWO planes ... well, you might as well be flying into hell.

Oy, with the airlines --WHY? WHY must it be so complicated? It was such a lovely, relaxing weekend. Now, my darling little sis is getting sloshed in an airport bar in hopes of forgetting that she has to connect to another plane in just a few hours.

(If I knew this would happen, I would have saved $250 and booked the connecting flight and just handed her a $20 for a few cocktails at the airport bar.)

Rich People Who Suck

I'm all for making good money and spending it well. But, I cannot tolerate people who make that kind of money and then treat lower-income people with disrespect. And so, I bring you a new segment of the travel blog: Rich People Who Suck

Take for example this angry first-class passenger, who threw his patience out the door when some economy class passengers exited the plane before him. The Delta Airlines flier on a flight from New York to Guyana became so irate at the lower class class passengers that he used the emergency exit hatch to escape the plane via the emergency slide.

People PLEASE!!!

Dear Mr. Asshole Airline Flier,

If you're so intent on using your wealth to gain status consider some alternate flying options. Charter a plane or buy your own! That way, you can be certain you get off the plane first. The rest of us can breathe easy knowing you're not screwing with the emergency exits on board commercial flights. I hope you're never on one of my flights. If you are and there actually is an emergency and I'm the one in an exit row that has to pull the exit hatch and release the chute, you can be certain you'll be the last one off the plane.

Stop Bitching; Start Flying

Venting session:

I realize that travel is not as easy as it once was. You can't just pull up to a curb, give the nice man in the cap your luggage and be on your way to the gate. Your friends and family members who aren't flying can't sit and wait with you at the airport bar or in the seating area. And yes, the free bags of peanuts have in fact gotten smaller.

To fly today means to plan ahead -- physically and mentally. No more leaving your bags at the curb. No more easy walk-through security. Today, travelers have to actually look at the number of ounces on a bottle of lotion just to make sure they can take it on the plane. And peanuts? Forget about it. Airlines are now charging passengers to eat on domestic flights and one airline is even charging travelers for in-flight beverage service.

But before cast all the blame on the airlines and start throwing fits at security lines, take a moment and think about why the airlines are doing this. Travel columnist James Wysong offered an interesting look at why we should pity the airlines, instead of hating them. And you know something? I agree with his theory.

Without the airlines you can't get to where you need to be or where you want to go - bottom line. Yes, one could say that by this theory the airlines have passengers "by the balls" but on the other hand, is there really an option?

It's time to think about why the airlines are suffering and doing something to help fix it.

First Class Cry Babies

With all the fees, route cancellations and general airline b.s. that has been plaguing the friendly skies over the past few months, it's no surprise that people are bitching. What's amusing is that most of the bitching is coming from the elite class of passengers, who actually get gourmet meals, seats that recline to beds, and non-stop alcoholic beverages.

Do you think I was happy on an 8-hour flight to Rome with no video monitor to watch movies and stale vegetables that made me so sick I had to tell people waiting in line for the airplane bathroom, 'You don't want to go in there'? No, but I dealt with it.

So why do other people feel they're entitled to a different type of behavior from airlines just because they paid a little more? Chris Elliott, MSNBC travel correspondent and travel expert, takes a look at the first-class cry babies and offers some advice to behaving properly in your seat, n matter how much you paid for it.

In the Air: Alitalia

When people would ask, "How are you flying to Rome," and I would respond, "Alitalia," I was usually met with a roll of the eyes or a casual "eh". Apparently, it's not the most luxurious airline in the fleet but it's still in business, and the Pope trusts it, so why not give it a go? And so we did.

We boarded the flight and immediately realized we were in one of the oldest planes still in working fashion. The plane was so old, the ashtray's on the seat were still flipping up, instead of sealed shut. There are no personal TV monitors -- just a few drop-down TV screens that hang from the ceiling. All the shows are in Italian. On the bright side, the leg room and seat pitch is much roomier.

Flying generally brings out the nerves in anyone - even the good flyers. It was a smooth start. Dinner was served and I was handed my vegetarian meal and a glass of red wine. On the menu, waxy vegetables in a tomato sauce and stale rice. But I was more willing to eat that then the rubber chicken everyone else was digesting. I threw back the wine, closed my eyes and attempted to relax for the next 6.5 hours.

That plan was foiled as soon as we hit turbulence over the Atlantic. It was a little frightening, I won't lie, but I think the majority of my nerves were left over from last week's near death experience. The reality check really sets in when during your moment of panic, you look around the plane and find the 8-year-old kids happily playing cards and video games while the airplane is jumping around the sky. The airplane food was not settling well with all this. I needed a bathroom. NOW. But the captain asked us all to remain in our seats and I couldn't get up if I wanted to and now I was stuck, in my seat, trying not to make a scene that no one would forget. If you've ever experienced turbulence like that you know it's not fun. If you've ever experienced turbulence with a bad plate of food in your stomach, the scenario is, quite literally, rather shitty.

Alitalia landed us safely and we made it to the hotel (more on how/when later). I have decided not to have airplane food on the way home.

Maybe I'll Sleep...

I slept horribly last night. I've slept horribly for weeks. Maybe it's the job, or maybe just general stress of life. It's raining this morning, which usually doesn't help with the natural adrenaline rush one's body often experiences during days of bright sunshine and beautiful weather. It's gray, rainy and dismal - the perfect excuse to stay in bed. Just a few more hours... but my mind was already ahead of me.

The alarm went off at 6 a.m. this morning. Since I was already awake and watching the news, the high-pitched ringing of the alarm clock I bought back in 1997 didn't startle me too much. I'm either used to the sound or completely immune to it. I casually made my way out of bed, hopped in the shower and debated what to wear today. After a few outfit changes, I went with black travel pants (the flowy kind that feel like pajamas but look like silk), a green tank top and a black sweater (jean jacket in my carry-on bag in case it gets cold). I'll probably change again. After a quick check of all things inside the apartment, I made two trips down the four flights of stairs -- one to bring down the over-packed luggage, one to bring down the carry-on bags. My brain was already ahead of me -- it had coffee brewing on the mind. I put the bags in the foyer and walked around the corner to the coffee shop. One medium Guatemalan blend, one sesame bagel. I called for a cab and perched on my front stoop until it arrived. Ten dollars later I'm at work, and tired again.

I find it hard to sleep on planes. Maybe it's because I'm older and more alert to all the sounds, kinks and what can possibly go wrong. I'm not a bad flyer - I actually like to fly. There's something soothing about being so far up in the sky you can touch the clouds. But tonight, there's a possibility I may sleep. For one thing, it's 8:15 a.m. and I'm already exhausted. Second, I have so much reading to do I'll likely fall asleep and miss the opportunity to read up on Rome before I get there.

I'm quite sure, however, then when I arrive in Rome I'll have no problem finding a cappuccino to keep me awake. I did read that cappuccinos are really after-dinner drinks in Rome - during the day signifies true tourist traits. Maybe I'll opt for an espresso. Or, I'll simply go to the hotel and nap for a few hours. At any rate, I'll be in Rome and while I may be exhausted, maybe I'll finally get some sleep.

The Stall Siren

If you're an avid traveler you learn to just jump on board the first thing that takes you where you want to be -- size does not matter, in this case; speed often does.

I've finally recovered from my Sunday afternoon death run and I'm getting ready for my next jaunt: Rome. While enjoying dinner with friends last night on MFTM's back porch, we all started sharing our favorite "I can't believe I did that..." stories from various cities around the world. Some of the stories included too much alcohol... most of the stories included too much alcohol... and then I told the table of my near-death flight experience.

I got to the part about the siren going off mid-flight and then, jsut when I thought the experience couldn't get any worse, my friend J (who happens to be a pilot) asked, "Are you talking about the stall siren?"

"The what?"

"Usually when a siren goes off in a Cessna or small plane it's because the plane is about to stall so the pilot needs to level out the nose and the wings."

Um, pardon me? You did not just tell me that the plane was about to stall 10,000-feet up as I was heading into a black cloud.

Do you want to know the irony of all this, folks? When I was 16-years-old, I was hell-bent on joining Air Force and flying F-16s. I think the world is a much safer place with me at the keyboard.

Finding the Cheapest Airline Ticket

Over the past few days there have been a handful of people asking me for advice on booking the cheapest airline ticket. When it comes right down to it there are only two things to remember. Indulge me while I take a moment to impart my wisdom (small as it may be) on finding a cheap fare.

BE FLEXIBLE.

The more flexible you are with your travel plans, the cheaper the ticket will be. Ex: A friend is traveling with his family (total =4) from St. Louis to Orlando in July. He's renting a condo from Saturday to Saturday, but he has a place to stay on an off night if the flights need to be adjusted. Because of his flexibility in flying, he saved almost $300 PER TICKET. That's huge in airline dollars.

BOOK NOW.

If you know you have travel plans coming up, book your tickets now. It's unlikely the price of fuel is going to come down so drastically that the airlines will slash prices. Also, by booking now, you will avoid any new upcoming fees that airlines may impose. Ex: American Airlines announced they are charging passengers to check bags. However, if you read the fine print of your e-ticket contract, you'll note that if you purchased your ticket prior to this announcement you do not have to pay that fee. Book now to avoid any additional fees!

The airline industry is not in the best shape but there are cheap tickets to be found. Be patient, be flexible and plan ahead.

(Shameless plug: I just finished an article on ways to stretch your travel dollar - check it out for extra travel savings on your next trip!)