Consumer Traveler Today: Feb 9

Consumer Traveler Today: It’s India, do you know where your children are?
 
 
It’s India, do you know where your children are?
What we’re reading: Delta makes avionics and software changes, Boeing 747-8 finally flies, piece of cargo plane falls in mall parking lot
This weekend’s blizzard odyssey
Being robbed on the road
DHS making our travel lives miserable and (officially) wasting our money
10 advance-travel tips for the next big storm
It’s India, do you know where your children are?
Posted: 09 Feb 2010 03:15 AM PST
Although travel isn’t inherently dangerous, the mere fact of going to places unknown does mean additional safeguards are in order. Unknown streets, different languages, unfamiliar landmarks and any location where absolutely everyone is a stranger demands that you keep a close watch on your children.
       

What we’re reading: Delta makes avionics and software changes, Boeing 747-8 finally flies, piece of cargo plane falls in mall parking lot
Posted: 09 Feb 2010 03:00 AM PST
Delta makes avionics and software changes to avoid overflights, Boeing 747-8 finally flies, piece of cargo plane falls in mall parking lot
       

This weekend’s blizzard odyssey
Posted: 08 Feb 2010 09:36 AM PST
This past weekend was a travel disaster for folks trying to get outta Dodge in the Northeast. I even heard from friends pleading with me to help, as if I could get BWI airport to open. Yep, anyone headed anywhere by plane, train or automobile was stranded. Amtrak cancelled service south of DC, airports from Philly southward were closed at least part of the weekend, and many governments closed roads to automobile travel to clean highways and streets, and to get a reprieve from the accidents caused by the brave and foolish who went out anyway.
       

Being robbed on the road
Posted: 08 Feb 2010 08:15 AM PST
Savvy travelers are supposed to know what to do, and what not to do, in order to avoid being ripped off. But even the most sophisticated ones have been victims of nefarious characters and acts that have turned their trips into ones from hell.
       

DHS making our travel lives miserable and (officially) wasting our money
Posted: 08 Feb 2010 07:15 AM PST
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is having its share of problems. Their intricate systems failed to uncover the Christmas panty bomber. Passengers are rebelling against being virtually stripped naked in order to get through security. GAO note they have not even tested these new strip-search machines to see if they can identify PETN (the explosive used in the Christmas bomb). And now the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight finds uncontrolled spending.
       

10 advance-travel tips for the next big storm
Posted: 08 Feb 2010 06:15 AM PST
Travel in and out of Washington DC will slowly get back to normal after this weekend’s epic snowstorm. Until the next time and while it may be too late for a current trip, here are a few tips for increasing your chances of avoiding trouble the next time a snowstorm plants itself in the midst [...]