Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories and Travel News Blog
Travel Accessories and Reviews : Pilot Paul's Travel Accessories and Travel News Home : April 2005
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Travel News: Were you startled during a recent flight? April 3, 2005 10:06 |
Many people have just taken their first trips for the year. Flights have been very full with spring break travelers.
Were you surprised or startled by anything that you saw out the airplane window?
Did the other planes seem much closed than you had seen before?
If you did, it was NOT your imagination. Your eyes and mind were not playing tricks on you.
The fact is that since January 15, 2005, airplanes are now twice as close as they used to be in cruise flight.
Don't worry, it's not less safe. It's the result of better equipment on aircraft and with air traffic control. This had been tested and implemented in other places (over the North Atlantic and Europe) before it began in the U.S. in January.
The program is called RVSM, which stands for Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums.
Now at the higher (above 29,000 feet) cruising altitudes, the planes are vertically separated by 1000, instead of the 2000 separation they used to have.
This is possible due to better Air Traffic control computercapabilities, aircraft equipment that detects and alerts crews to near-by aircraft, plus special crew training in these procedures.
Any planes lacking the newer equipment or manned by crews without this training are now restricted to remain below 29,000 feet.
The result is that more planes can occupy the higher, more desirable cruising altitudes.
As an airline captain, I really like this. There are two main reasons:
1. When it is choppy, this gives more altitude choices and availability to avoid the rough rides.
2. It helps with fuel conservation. Right now the airline industry is really suffering. For some reason, the public expects the product to be delivered below the costs. As fuel prices continue to climb, so do the losses.
As a jet cruises, there is always an altitude where it will operate most efficiently. (This is a function of weight) Having more enroute altitudes available, allows more chances to fly at or near the optimum altitude.
So when you look out the window and see other jets closer than you are accustomed to, the pilots or controllers haven't messed up, you're just observing the new technology in effect.
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Travel News: Are You Getting Enough Sleep When You Travel? April 3, 2005 10:09 |
In a report released by the National Sleep Foundation, The Associated Press reported the following:"Getting a good night's sleep is hard for many adults and that often means poorer health, lower productivity on the job, more danger on the roads and a less vibrant... (Read Article)
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Was Your Luggage Ruined On Your Recent Trip? April 8, 2005 08:53 |
Many people have just returned from spring break travels. I know that many pieces of luggage did not stand up to the rigors of travel- especially, the low cost, low quality types.I saw several damaged suitcases while traveling the last few days.I know that... (Read Article)
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Two Things to Remember This Week- Taxes and New Airport Security Restrictions April 12, 2005 08:46 |
Effective April 14, 2005, the TSA will prohibit lighters and matches from being brought aboard aircraft. No one will be able to pass through security with these items. They also may not be in your checked luggage. This includes, for example, butane, absorbed-fuel (Zippo-type), electric/battery-powered and novelty lighters.
This may seem like another act of persecution against smokers, but it really isn't. I do have sympathy for airport employees who smoke and work inside the secure areas. Maybe this will be the impetus to have them quit smoking.
As an airline captain, I am pleased about this new restriction. Although it will be inconvenient smokers, the "bad guys" have tried to blow up airplanes. Al Qaeda operative, Richard
Reid, AKA "The Shoe Bomber", was caught on December 22, 2001 trying to light a fuse sticking out of his shoe. To accomplish their evil goals, terrorists often need a way to ignite their devices. Obviously, these new rules are designed to make that more difficult for them.
As a side note, this likely didn't make it into many news reports, but I found out via industry information...
The only reason Richard Reid failed in his attempt to blow up a plane full of innocent people was that an alert American Airlines Flight Attendant saw him trying to light his shoe. She quickly got other crewmembers and passengers involved and they overpowered him before he set off his shoe bomb.
Little known is the fact that Reid had tried to make that flight the day before. He was not allowed to fly because American Airlines security employees didn't want to accept him as a passenger. He was suspect to them. He wasn't allowed on that day, which was sunny and dry. The French authorities actually forced American to take him the following day, against their strong objections. (These are our "friends" in the war against terror.)
Thankfully, that second day it had rained. His shoe bomb may have gotten a bit wet. Remember that he was caught by the alert flight attendant during his repeated attempts to light the fuse sticking out of his shoe.
Smokers especially need to pay attention to this new restriction, because taking prohibited items to the security checkpoint can land you in jail.
I understand it is difficult for smokers to make it through a long flight without smoking, and this is an added inconvenience. Still, if you forget and show up at the security screening checkpoint with your lighter or matches you could be in big trouble. The inconvenience of this error could be great.
Although it seems long overdo, I applaud the TSA for these new restrictions.
I believe there are some fundamental errors in our screening philosophy and procedures but this is a step in the right direction.
If you're interested in what I think those fundamental errors are, I plan on detailing those in future entries. People watching this blog, or who subscribe to my newsletter, will be the first to know.
To subscribe to my newsletter, click here on "This is Your Captain Speaking...".
If you're interested in learning some security tips please click here on airport security tips.
I am a big proponent of wearing airport friendly shoes. To read my reasons why, click here on airport friendly shoes.
If you would like to know a good place to get some, (this place has the largest selection I've seen anywhere) click on the link below. Largest Selection of Airport Friendly Shoes
If you would like to go directly to the TSA and read their article on the new restrictions, click here on TSA.
You can find the official and latest information directly from them. Unfortunately, I have sometimes found a gap between what is on their website in what is actually practiced at the security screening points.
One nice thing they do offer at that site as you can sign up for e-mail and advisories of changing security conditions and rules. You can sign up by clicking on the link below.
Thanks and happy flying,
Pilot Paul
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New TSA Security Rules Effective Today April 14, 2005 14:49 |
Effective today, April 14,205, the TSA no longer allows lighters to be carried onto aircraft.
I feel like the "New York Times", issuing corrections: In my last post, I erroneously stated that matches were also prohibited.
That was incorrect. Passengers may still carry on up to 4 packages of safety matches.
If you are a smoking passenger or airport employee, that is likely good news.
As an airline captain, I think that is a big mistake on the part of the TSA.
Why?
Because there are still very motivated people trying to kill as many "infidels" (you and me) as they can in the most spectacular way possible. Blowing up airplanes full of innocent people seems to be something that appeals to these evil people.
Eliminating sources of fire is a big step in the right direction to hindering their plans. Eliminating lighters is a good step to take, but still allowing matches seems to miss the main goal.
Was it a smokers' rights issue? Perhaps.
Was it a compromise from rules being decided by a governmental committee? Likely.
But it is also unfortunately realistic- because there is no way to electronically screen for matches.
It is very important for travelers to be aware of the light restrictions.
Showing up at the security screening checkpoints with prohibited items can get you a fine or trip to jail (when all you wanted to do is get to Cleveland).
If you would like to go directly to the TSA and read their article on the new restrictions, click here on TSA.
You can find the official and latest information directly from them. Unfortunately, I have sometimes found a gap between what is on their website in what is actually practiced at the security screening points.
One nice thing they do offer at that site as you can sign up for e-mail and advisories of changing security conditions and rules. You can sign up by clicking on the link below.
If you're interested in learning some security tips please click here on airport security tips.
I am a big proponent of wearing airport friendly shoes. To read my reasons why, click here on airport friendly shoes.
If you would like to know a good place to get some, (this place has the largest selection I've seen anywhere) click on the link below. Largest Selection of Airport Friendly Shoes
Thanks and happy flying,
Pilot Paul
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I Just Stayed at a Holiday Inn Select. But... April 15, 2005 09:48 |
I didn't sleep well. You are likely familiar with the clever Holiday Inn Select ads where a guy wearing a towel solves many problems for others. When asked how he was able to do that his response is "I just stayed at a holiday Inn Select".
Well I also just stayed at one.
I had to get up very early to be the Captain on a 757 flying 188 people home from their vacations.
I didn't feel like the guy in the ads (and no, I didn't wear my towel to the airport- although the TSA screener's jobs would have been easier if I had).
The fact is that I didn't sleep well. I had trouble getting comfortable in the bed. That made it hard to fall asleep and I woke up a few times in the night.
This wasn't the fault of the Holiday Inn Select- the room was clean and the amenities were abundant.
My problem was the pillows. They were not what I personally like. These were the firm, thick foam ones. I just couldn't seem to be able to get the right adjustment or combination of pillows that ever let me get completely comfortable.
I imagine many others have trouble getting comfortable in hotel rooms too.
There is an art to sleeping well in "strange beds". I have written extensively on the subject. You can learn all my tips and secrets
if you click here for Pilot Paul's sleep tips.
So why was this "expert" on sleeping well in hotels having problems?
The answer is because I had forgotten to bring one of my favorite travel accessories, my contour travel pillow with me.
I have solved this problem of pillows that are different from my preferences that don't seem comfortable to me.
I have this great little memory foam travel pillow that I use in hotels. That way I get a consistent pillow everywhere I sleep.
That makes a huge difference in how I sleep- of course if I have to have it with me to get this benefit.
If you'd like to read my review of these,
click here on contour travel pillow.
If you'd like to shop for the same one that I use and love,
click here.
Have a great travel adventure and sleep well,
Pilot Paul
(Read more...)
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The Airline On-time Ratings- What Does "On-time" Really Mean? Exspecially at the Low-cost Carriers? April 29, 2005 14:37 |
Most frequent flyers are aware that the DOT (Department of Transportation) keeps track of airline on-time performance records. These are published monthly and the airlines with the best records often win awards and use this in their marketing campaigns.This... (Read Article)
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How To Make Sure Your Home Is Secure While You Are Traveling April 30, 2005 15:53 |
You just returned from your "dream vacation" to find that your home has been burglarized. That can ruin a perfect trip. Most people learn the hard way that their home security is lacking. You can learn how to improve your home security easily with this article. (Read Article)
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