IMPORTANT EMERGENCY INFORMATION TO GIVE CLIENTS
The system isn't perfect yet, but we can advise clients that for things one would dial 911 for in the USA, they can call 112 in 27 European countries.  Only 19 of the countries can answer in English so far, but that is being worked on.  For more information, see http://tiny.cc/jf3Iz

RCCL COMPENSATION POSTERS TO WRITE POSTIVE POSTS?
MSNBC has a very interesting article about RCCL searching, finding and selecting certain people who post online frequently on sites such as Cruise Critic...then offering these "Royal Champions" free pre-inaugural sailings and more if they keep up positive reports about RCCL.  www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29554810    

WHERE THE FLIGHT CUTS OFF
USAToday has a very interesting map and graph showing where the major airline cutbacks in service are. You can mouse-over your state and get specific details.  See www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/airline-capacity-map.htm 

DISNEY WORLD DO’ AND DON’TS

Our insider’s guide to Orlando’s Walt Disney World shows you how to take on the town—and avoid the mousetraps.

From March 2009

By Adrien Glover

“I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known,” Walt Disney once said about his most famous animated character and de facto mascot of the Disney theme park empire. And whether you’re a once-in-a-lifetime visitor or devout ear-wearing fan (or catering to one), there’s no denying that Disney’s passion for all things Mickey still resonates.

Walt Disney World is, hands-down, the most popular destination in the world; almost 50 million people visit the Orlando parks each year—a number that the original “imagineer” never would have foreseen when he opened his ground-breaking amusement park in 1971.

But for all their magical family fun, brazen marketing efforts, and unabashed dream-making, the parks (Magic Kingdom; Epcot; Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and Animal Kingdom) do present challenges, even for the smartest travelers. To this end, travelandleisure.com has consulted with experts and culled the best tips to help ensure a memorable trip to Disney.

Having a plan of attack is essential; without one, you risk wasting precious vacation time and, in some cases, money. To help you prioritize—and organize—your time in the Magic Kingdom, consider hiring someone like Tour Guide Mike. Just complete an online questionnaire, pay a fee ($22), and you’ll receive detailed suggested itineraries based on ages, tastes, and travel preferences. In a word, Mike does the planning for you.
When it comes to time-saving strategies, however, nothing beats the “FastPass.” This nifty innovation allows you to speed to the front of the lines at some of the parks’ most popular rides. It will also buy you and your family time enough for extras—be it another ride down Splash Mountain, a nostalgic spin through Pirates of the Caribbean, or a leisurely stroll down Main Street. Just be sure to hit the popular rides early in the day; when slots run out, the park stops issuing passes.

Even the most basic components of Disney World vacation, such as transportation, come with their own rules of thumb. For example, be sure to avoid slow resort shuttle buses and opt for a rental car instead. The cost per day is the same as a short taxi ride, and you’ll have your own set of wheels for park-hopping.

For some, of course, it’s the memories that matter most. And as many Disney regulars will tell you, few things rank as high on the fun meter as character breakfasts. Goofy and Donald Duck may be mobbed in the park, but at these popular, all-you-can-eat events, fans are guarantee face-time—and photo ops—with their favorite Disney character.

With our insider tips in mind, you’ll be better equipped to make the most of your next trip to Walt Disney World. In the words of Walt Disney himself: If you can dream it, you can do it.
CALL ME WHEN YOU ARE READY TO BOOK…  MICKEY AND I ARE CLOSE

LET’S TAKE THE TRAIN

U.S./Canada Rail Passes
Last Updated: 03/03/09

Planes are dying to get into aircraft graveyards

by Steve Surjaputra

With the economy in a downturn, aircraft “boneyards” like the one in Victorville, Calif., are seeing an unprecedented number of aircraft being parked there.

Carriers are grounding planes in numbers not seen since September 11. Industry experts say that this year is likely to set a record for planes sitting on the ground, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

This has meant job security for Richard Robertson, an aircraft mechanic at the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville.

“It’s unfortunate, but when the economy is bad we’re doing good,” says Robertson as he worked on taking a cockpit instrument from a Boeing 727.

Passenger traffic for the nation’s largest carriers dropped an average of 11% in February compared with a year earlier. It marked the carriers’ 18th consecutive monthly decline.

Last October, there were 100 planes waiting for a spot at Victorville. By last week, there were 200 planes, which makes it more crowded than Los Angeles International Airport.

window.google_render_ad(); There are two other graveyards in the United States: Arizona and New Mexico. The graveyard in Marana, Ariz. is seeing a consistent growth and anticipate growth for another six months, according to Steve Coffaro, vice president of marketing for Evergreen Maintenance Center.
The Victorville facility can hold up to 300 aircrafts. Jeff A. Lynn, general manager for Southern California Aviation said that the Victorville facility is getting close to capacity. They may run out of room if any more 747s come in because they take up two spaces, said Lynn.

Planes remain in storage for a while until they are dismantled for parts or are sold to airlines servicing Latin America or Africa.

Last year, nearly 1,200 planes worldwide were grounded, making 2008 the worst year for fleet cutbacks since 2001, according to London-based aviation consulting firm Ascend Worldwide.
An additional 675 aircraft could be parked this year.

Airlines aren’t the only ones parking planes. Leasing companies are also grounding planes because airlines aren’t renewing their leases.

Aviation analyst Richard Aboulafia of Teal Group Corp. says that “[i]n some cases the companies park the planes rather than slash lease rates.”

Lin Roberts, manager of Flight Test Associates Inc. in the Mojave boneyard, “expected the next upswing in business to come in 2011 and 2012, when most carriers had planned to begin updating their planes. But the falloff in travel has pushed it up a few years.”

A TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER’S CHALLENGE, SHOOTING THROUGH GLASS AND PLEXIGLAS
 http://www.tripso.com/columns/a-travel-photographers-challenge-shooting-through-glass-and-plexiglas/  

Britain plans to scrap liquid ban for airline passengers

by Steve Surjaputra

By the end of the year, airline passengers flying in and out of Great Britain will no longer have a limit on the amount of liquid they can carry on board. The British government is citing improved X-ray technology at airports as the reason.

Scientists in Germany have been carrying out secret tests on new screening technology designed to detect bottles of potentially explosive liquids that could be used to make bombs.

window.google_render_ad(); Speaking to the London Times, a government source says that “The restrictions will start to be removed in six months to a year’s time and passengers will be allowed to carry any size bottle they like inside their hand luggage, just as they were before the summer of 2006.”
The bans were introduced after police uncovered an alleged British terrorist plot to blow up transatlantic flights in August 2006. It meant that millions of bottles of duty-free alcohol, toiletries and perfume bottles have been confiscated amid confusion among passengers about what they are allowed to carry on board.

Whether other countries will follow suit remain to be seen.

Virgin America Adds First-Checked-Bag Fee

Posted March 19, 2009 at 4:31 pm ET by Carl Unger, SmarterTravel.com Staff

Effective today, Virgin America will collect a $15 fee for each checked bag (up to the tenth bag—does anyone check more than 10 bags?). Previously Virgin America didn't have a first-bag fee, charged $25 for the second, and $50 for the third through tenth. The new first-bag fee is waived for passengers with first-class, Main Cabin Select, and refundable fares, and first-class passengers also have their second-checked bag fee waived. Virgin also lowered its fee to change or cancel your flight online, from $75 to $50. People flying on the aforementioned upper-tier fares have this fee waived.

I have to admit this one surprised me, considering Virgin's main low-cost competitor, JetBlue, doesn't charge for the first checked bag. Virgin's appeal wasn't tied entirely to its relatively minimal fees, but adding this fee doesn't help the carrier. And, as you may have read, the still-young carrier hit a somewhat rough patch lately.

Moreover, Virgin's move brings us one step closer to an industry-wide policy of charging for all checked bags. Only three major airlines—Southwest, JetBlue, and Alaska—let you check your first bag for free. Can you believe it? A year ago, no carriers charged for the first checked bag. Heck, we were only seeing the first wave of second-checked-bag fees. Now here we are, with three lone carriers holding out—but for how much longer? Do you think these three will stick to their guns and keep offering free checked bags?

Is there gold in food sold at altitude?

by Charlie Leocha

Southwest Airlines is looking into adding more than just peanuts and an occasional snack pack to its inflight menu. You can bet that if Southwest is considering these sales, they think there is a hefty profit to be made from sandwiches, salad and chips.

Plus, I’ll bet that if Southwest got into the meals-sold-on-board world, the meals overall will improve. There will be a Southwest effect for dining at altitude as well as the vaunted Southwest effect that lowers airfares at every airport they enter.

According to Bloomberg reports, “Passengers now typically have a choice of peanuts or pretzels on trips shorter than 450 miles. On flights of as much as 1,120 miles, the options are a cookie pack or crackers. A snack pack that includes cookies and crackers is provided on the longest flights.”
window.google_render_ad(); Some have noted that if Southwest were to start selling meals, it might hurt its “no fee” image, however, the airline has been selling alcoholic beverages and an energy drink, Monster Lo-Carb, for years, and is testing a paid Internet in-flight system. Those charges have been seen as compatible with the no-fee pledge and most expect that the addition of food for sale to the flight will not be seen as nickle-and-diming passengers since Southwest has never offered such a product in the past. This is expected to be seen as something new that will improve the flight experience.

Most importantly, Southwest will have a new revenue stream. In an airline world where fees seem to rule, this is one airline that will carefully study the possible impact on the bottom line of meals.
First, the airline will make money from these sales. Secondly, for longer flights the addition of paid meals will at least even the playing field with competitors since Southwest hasn’t provided any substantial food in the past.

Look for paid meals, something you might actually look forward to eating, on-board and, hence, higher profits about the middle of this year.

***3 reasons why you absolutely must check in online when you’re flying

by Janice Hough

Not so long ago, airlines were offering bonus miles for online check-in. While that is no longer true, there are still some real bonuses that make it worth your while to try to hit the computer before you arrive at the airport.

First, the obvious one. A boarding pass in advance, buys a little more time with a late arrival at the airport. Advance boarding passes won’t help with checked baggage cutoffs, or help speed up security lines, but it means the seat won’t automatically be given away 30 minutes before the flight. (Although passengers still must be on board ten minutes in advance.)

Second, while any regular Southwest flier knows that boarding priority generally depends on check-in time, advance check-in can help with seats on other airlines as well. On British Airways, for example, travelers on most discount tickets can only get advance seat assignments when they check in online 24 hours in advance. But most carriers will give passengers a chance to select or change their seat assignments.

window.google_render_ad(); Third — and this could be the most important issue — it’s a chance to fix potential problems in advance. If for any reason there’s an issue with the ticket; somehow the computer thinks it’s a paper ticket, there’s a schedule change that didn’t get communicated, a change during the trip caused a mistaken no-show message — the list is endless — finding out before getting to the airport can avoid a last minute nightmare.

Hotels have increasingly recognized the online check-in advantage, and more and more chains are putting boarding pass printers in their lobbies. (Hint: While they’re supposed to be for registered guests, a discreet traveler might be able to use them even when they aren’t staying at the hotel in question. But you didn’t read it here.)

In addition, it’s possible to check in online even without printer access, as most airline systems don’t realize that a boarding passes hasn’t actually been printed when the check-in process is completed. Then the boarding pass can be printed at the airport.
But with or without a boarding pass, the online process at worst takes a few minutes. At best, it can save a trip.

TIPS FOR CUTTING COSTS IN TRAVEL, by Lil

Book a room with at least a refrigerator. That way you can stock up at the supermarket and prepare simple meals as well as store leftovers.

Take advantage of early-bird dining specials, two-for-one promos and discounts or coupons available online or in local newspapers.

If there’s a college or university in the area, see if the cafeteria or other dining option is open to the public or look for restaurants within walking distance of campus; these usually cater to a student’s budget.

Pick up the local newspaper to take advantage of free concerts, lectures, and other events and activities as well as coupons and advertised discounts

Use museum, city passes.  Take the city tour to check out all the highlights and then go back to the one you really need to explore longer.

At my BNI meeting there was a feeling of the turn around of the housing industry. That is the start of the light at the end of the tunnel….Take a week end …..an overnight…a quick “shot in the arm”…it really does make a difference in so many ways in our lives.

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