Flying with a Baby

If you ask passengers what are the things that annoy them the most while flying, misbehaving children and crying babies are sure to be close to the top of the list. After all, it’s not fun to be stuck around a young one crying her lungs out for a 4 hour flight. It’s not fun for the parents either, especially if they have any respect for the people around them. It’s not easy to quiet down a baby whose ears are hurting, or who can’t fall asleep on your lap.

I recently had the experience of flying with my own baby for the first time, and my wife and I tried to prepare as much as we could. I have to admit things went much better than we expected, and I want to pass along a few tips.

Tip #1 – Leave plenty of time to get to the airport: It goes without saying that traveling with a baby entails more work: more bags, more stuff to carry with you, more checks to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything, and to make sure you have all you need for the plane. It doesn’t help the stress when 2 lanes on I-95 are blocked on your way to the airport either.

Tip #2 – Moving through security and on to the gate: Keep in mind that you’ll have more stuff to carry. In our case, laptop, camera bag, diaper bag, extra bag with more stuff, purse, stroller, and yes, the baby. Going through security will take longer than when you just travel with your own carry on. And you have to keep track of it all. Take the laptop out of the bag, take your shoes off, empty your packets, fold the stroller and try to fit it in the X-ray machine, show all your liquids, water and formula. You get the picture. By the way, I tried to find out if we’d be allowed to go through security with baby bottles with water (not mixed in with the formula). There is no clear answer on TSA’s site, and American’s Gold Desk couldn’t find out either. Their advice, which we followed, was to take the water and dump it or mix it it with the formula if they wouldn’t allow it. For the record, they did let us go through with it.

Tip #3-  Boarding: Take advantage of pre-boarding, if you can. Be ready to navigate around people jamming the boarding area waiting for their turn to board. I was quite pleased when the gate agent actually had people who were trying to board ahead of their group stand aside and wait their turn! You know you’ll have to check the stroller at the gate, right? Well, let’s say the strollers may not be handled with white gloves (broken guitars, anyone?). Make sure you don’t leave anything in any of the stroller’s pockets or compartments, including the net at the bottom where you keep stuff for months before you even forget it is there. Also, if your stroller doesn’t keep closed by itself or is easy to unfold, take something to tie it so it doesn’t open while being send down to the cargo compartment.

Tip #4 – The flight! We asked all our friends for tips and got very good ones. Taking stuff to keep the baby occupied is an obvious one. Keep the baby’s short attention span in mind when thinking of how much stuff you’ll need. Our girl was content watching out the window for a while, and then playing with us and listening to music. An iPod with a small set of speakers (at a volume where only we could hear it) worked wonders. Give your baby milk or water while the plane takes off and during the landing process. Swallowing helps alleviate the effects of the pressure changes.

Tip #5 – at your destination: Be aware of changes to your baby’s body and demeanor. Our baby started crying a couple of hours after we arrived. We finally discovered she had a colic and was very gassy, which is not usually her. We had to call a doctor to prescribe something for us. The problem was solved 30 minutes after she took the medicine, but reappeared a few more times over our stay. Why did this happen? Maybe the effects of the pressure changes in the plane, different composition of the water, different environment…who knows? Just be as prepared as you can. Talk to your pediatrician before traveling, especially if you’re going to another country, as medications may be different. Also, it’s much better to trust your own doctor to one called by a hotel, which you don’t know. We were visiting family, so we used their doctor, but you not always have that choice.

Tip #6: Enjoy the trip. Your baby will see a lot of new things and new people. New people will see your baby. Some may even want to hold him. Try not to stress over little things, accept help when offered, and remember, you’re also on vacation, different as it may be. So, make the most of it.

Regards,

Enrique Brener

KC Travel

N. Miami Beach, FL

www.kctravel.jurni.net

info@kctravel.jurni.net

305-792-0618

FL Seller of Travel Reg. TI-35171

Secure Flight’s Perils

Last month I wrote about the implementation of Secure Flight, TSA’s new initiative to improve security and reduce false positives to the watch lists. The first phase of this program requires passengers to fly under their full name, middle name included, as it appears on their travel documents. This phase started May 15th.

I warned that frequent fliers better make sure that their accounts reflect their full name, and not a shortened version under which they may have traveled before. Reservation systems match the name on the frequent flier account with the name on the reservation, and may make it more difficult for travelers to ensure they get their proper mileage credit.

Yesterday I encountered another instance in which Secure Flight may cause problems for travelers. A client of mine was planning a trip and wanted to use credit leftover from a flight canceled last year. No biggie, we do it all the time, right? Well, his reservation was made following Secure Flight guidelines, to John Steven Harris (fictitious name, obviously). His credit, however, was for a ticket made to a “John Harris”. Slight difference, but the airline (American Airlines in this case), would not process it because the names did not match. Now, airlines do not allow changes to the name once a reservation has been made, and to compound the problem, making a new reservation under John Harris would not have worked because the fare we were holding was no longer available.

After a call to the Agent Sales Support desk at American, they granted us a waiver to change the name so we could process the credit. In fact, they did it with me on the phone and issued the ticket using the credit.

The only issue is that the passenger will be flying under John Harris, which does not comply with Secure Flight rules. This will not be a problem in the first few months of the program, but as time passes, it will become more and more difficult to handle these exception. That is one reason why working with a travel agent can help you make sure all the ducks are in a row before you head out to the airport to a nasty surprise, or at the very least, a few additional questions by your friendly TSA inspector.

Regards,

Enrique Brener

KC Travel

N. Miami Beach, FL

www.kctravel.jurni.net

info@kctravel.jurni.net

305-792-0618

FL Seller of Travel Reg. TI-35171

Improvements to American’s Advantage Program

One common complaint I have (and I hear from clients) about frequent flier programs, and American Advantage in particular, is that awards for redeemed tickets are for round trip travel. That means that if you wanted to fly one way, you’d still need to spend the miles needed for a round trip ticket. Also, if one of the flights you wanted was not available with the cheaper awards, you’d have to use more miles to use the Anytime award for the whole ticket.

American has now changed that. I received an e-mail today from them introducing One Way Flex Awards. One Way Flex Awards cost exactly half of the round trip award, and give the flexibility that was lacking in the previous scheme. A domestic one-way ticket can now be had for 12,500 miles, instead of 25,000 (with half of those going to waste).

Another advantage is that classes of service can now be combined. For example, travel to Europe on an overnight flight in Business Class, so you can rest better when you arrive in the morning, and return on an Economy award, on a day flight. You can now do that for 70,000 miles instead of spending 100,000 on a round trip Business Class ticket.

Also, you can combine the more restrictive Mile Saver awards with Anytime awards if needed to avoid having to pay for a ticket.

It’s not often that an airline will introduce positive changes that don’t have a catch in the small print. So far, I haven’t been able to find one in this case. If so, kudos to American Airlines.

What do you think of these changes? Feel free to comment below.

Regards,

Enrique Brener

KC Travel

N. Miami Beach, FL

www.kctravel.jurni.net

info@kctravel.jurni.net

305-792-0618

FL Seller of Travel Reg. TI-35171

Swine Flu in Mexico

By now you’ve most likely heard about the swine flu epidemic in Mexico, and to a lesser extent, in the U.S. So, what do you do if you have plans to travel to Mexico? First, check often for updated from the CDC and the State Department.

At this time, the CDC is recommending that people avoid non essential travel to Mexico. In general, you should also follow the CDC’s recommendations for avoiding catching the desease:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid contact with sick people.

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Some airlines, such as Continental, Delta, United, American, and others, have relaxed their change and cancelation policies for people traveling to and from Mexico. Some tour operators I work with, like Travel Impressions and  Funjet Vacations, are also working with customer who want to reschedule or cancel their upcoming trips to that country.

Moreover, classes at all levels have been suspended across the country, and the American Embassy has suspended all but the most essential services. This clearly is proof of how serious people are taking this outbreak.

At this time, however, no cruise line has announced plans to alter itineraries that call on Mexican ports, but they have indicated that measures will be taken to reduce the chance of outbrakes on their ships.

If you are (or were) planning a trip to Mexico, please comment on how this epidemic is affecting your plans.

Regards,

Enrique Brener

KC Travel

N. Miami Beach, FL

www.kctravel.jurni.net

info@kctravel.jurni.net

305-792-0618

FL Seller of Travel Reg. TI-35171

Aruba is Full of Action this Year

Last week, I wrote about Grand Cayman, one of the most popular Caribbean ports of call. Today I want to give you some information on another very popular island, Aruba.

Aruba is the smallest of the so called ABC islands (the other two are Bonaire and Curacao). They are part of the Netherland Antilles, and one of their main advantages is that the lie below the Caribbean’s “Hurricane belt”. This means the probability of a hurricane hitting the islands is much less than in the rest of the Caribbean.

Despite being the smallest of the 3 islands, Aruba is by far the more popular among tourists. Its main draw is the white sand beaches along part of its Western and Southern shores. Areas like Eagle Beach and Palm Beach offer a variety of accommodations, and they are just North of the island’s capital or Oranjestad. They also offer water based activities such as parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, etc.

For those accustomed to an active lifestyle, Aruba offers an excellent variety of restaurants, nightclubs and casinos, as well as shopping.

For nature lovers, there is a bird sanctuary, a butterfly farm, caves, natural pools, sand dunes, rock formations, and natural bridges. Even though the most famous natural bridge collapsed in 2005, there are several other bridges worth a look.

The Aruba Tourism Authority has released its calendar of events for the rest of the year. They are a wonderful excuse to plan a visit to the island around events of particular interest. Some of the more interesting are:

• March: National Anthem and Flag Day features folkloric productions and sporting events
• April: 49th RBTT International Boulevard Race, with over 200 competitors from several countries
• May: Soul Beach Music Festival, a 2-night concert series. Past performers include Sean Paul, Chaka Khan, Boys II Men, Alicia Keys and Brian McKnight
• May: The Food & Wine Festival coincides with the Soul Beach Music Festival.
• June: 24th Aruba’s International Triathlon, featuring more than 100 competitors
• July: One of the earliest forms of voluntourism, the 16th annual Reef Care Project allows over 800 participants to clean the islands most popular beaches, dive and snorkel sites, and raise awareness for the need for a clean marine environment
• August: Pro-Am Golf Tournament
• September: Aruba Poker Classic & Blackjack Tournament, no limits with over a million dollars in prices
• October: 8th Aruba Music Festival. Past performers include Pat Benatar, the Doobie Brothers, Chicago, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Gloria Estefan, etc.
• November: Aruba Catamaran Regatta

Given the economic situation, it’s easier to find deals at several hotels. Some of the good news from hotels are:

• The Westin Aruba Resort has upgraded its All Inclusive plan to include room service, the Westin Kids Club, beach palapas, and an off-site dining credit to sample some of the local restaurants.
• The Aruba Marriott has completed a $50 million renovation that includes all rooms, restaurant additions, and overhaul of the lobby and reception area.
• The new Three for Free Package from Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino offers a fifth night free, a complimentary one-category room upgrade and full breakfast for two daily. Guests using an American Express Card to pay for their room will receive the added bonus of a special welcome amenity upon check-in and complimentary late check-out. The Three for Free package offers a 25 percent savings, and is available for stays now through March 31.
• Another package deal for the Hyatt Regency offers up to 35% off room rates when booked by March 31st when booked in conjunction with American Airlines flights.

If you want to learn more about Aruba, or would like to look at the possibility of taking a vacation there, feel free to contact us. We’ll work with you to make sure your vacation is all you want it to be.

Regards,

Enrique Brener

KC Travel

N. Miami Beach, FL

www.kctravel.jurni.net

info@kctravel.jurni.net

305-792-0618

FL Seller of Travel Reg. TI-35171

American Airlines Limiting Passengers on Some Jets

The Associated Press reported last night that American Airlines is voluntarily limiting the number of passengers it allows to fly on some of its 767 airplanes. They are reducing the capacity from 236 to 228. They’re doing this in light of a review of life raft capacity on its fleet. No doubt, this comes as a result of US Airways flight 1549 water landing on the Hudson almost 2 weeks ago.

American flies the affected 767-300 primarily (which incidentally, still lists its capacity at 225 passengers) on Transatlantic and Latin American routes.  Both routes take flights over water for a large part of the flight.  The airline says that the problem arose when they increased the number of seats after redesigning the planes’ Business Class cabin. This happened between 2005 and 2007. This means the planes have been flying with not enough raft capacity for at least over a year, possibly up to 4.

On its defense, American states that the FAA requires planes to have one extra raft in case of failure. Also, they maintain that passengers were never at risk, as the planes are equipped with other flotation devices (like seat cushions).

The way I see it, it’s very possible that passengers were never at risk, and that there would have been enough space in the existing rafts for every passenger, assuming no raft failed. However, in my mind, American’s behavior has been negligent on the one aspect it must always remain vigilant: safety. How come noone thought about this when they redesigned the seating? What would have happened if fligth 1549 had been an American 767 landing on the Atlantic? Yes, passengers may have been forced to use their seat cushions instead of a raft. They may have been perfectly safe. But, would you have liked to be one of those passengers force the wait for rescue floating on the ocean instead of in a raft?

Please share your thoughts and comments below.

Regards,

Enrique Brener

KC Travel

N. Miami Beach, FL

www.kctravel.jurni.net

info@kctravel.jurni.net

305-792-0618

FL Seller of Travel Reg. TI-35171