Travel Potpourri.

The big buzz in the latest attempts to shore up the failing airline industry is that Northwest Airlines (which filed for bankruptcy protection September 2005) announced its offer to sell comfort! Actually that's not exactly right - what they announced was their new program to allow coach passengers to buy the privilege of sitting in those cushy exit row or bulkhead seats for $15. Besides all the major issues I have with this ludicrous idea, my first thought is what about families traveling together, are they now forced to have pay extra for the privilege of sitting together? I don't have the answer to that but I'll try to find out at next writing. If your are an Elite World Perks member you can reserve these cushy seats 36 hours in advance but what's the to cost you...Flying thousand of miles on a failing airline to accumulate enough miles to earn "Elite" status! Frankly I've never found the aisle seats to be any more comfortable, especially when the food cart is rambling down the aisle or the guy behind you uses your aisle seat headrest to aid him in getting up from his seat: you're pulled back and almost ejected simultaneously. In an I-told-you so moment...It was only this time last year when I remarked tongue in cheek that when the airlines gave up offering pillows and blankets what's next? "Having to bring your own seat?,". Christine's Corner - Notes from 20,000 feet.

Speaking of comfort and legroom - March is DVT (Deep Vain Thrombosis) awareness month - okay, so March is over but it doesn't mean I can't talk about a subject very important to travelers. To recap DVT, also called Economy Class Syndrome, is a condition caused when blood clots develop deep within the veins those clots can obstruct the critical blood flow causing severe tissue damage or even death. This syndrome happens most often when one is forced to sit long periods of time without moving (i.e. coach class non-aisle seats) see the connection? The good news is you can help yourself to reduce the threat of this serious syndrome by taking a few precautionary measures.

• Wear Compression Socks.
• Get up and move around (when safely recommended) each hour to exercise your legs.
• Do exercises in your seat - simple ankle rolls, knee lifts, neck and shoulder rolls, plus arm curls.
• Drink plenty of water at least one liter for every 5 hours of flying.
• Limit your intake of alcohol.
• Walk for 30 minutes before boarding the aircraft, train or car. This condition isn't limited to air passengers!
• Elevate your feet by resting them on your under seat stowed carry-on.
• Change your seat position often during the flight.

My friend Bruce just came back from Barcelona, Spain where he and his fellow convention goers learned that this city is host to pickpockets and thieves. Bruce travels the world for business, so for him to mention how bad his experience was is worth noting. While Bruce was spared the humiliation, frustration and monetary loss, most of his coworkers were not so lucky. Wallets, purses, money and other valuables were taken from persons as well as hotel rooms. The suggestion going around this group to thwart off pickpockets is to sew fishhooks into the pockets of clothing. Well as tempting as that may sound (NOT!), a better suggestion may be to keep your valuables well hidden on your person by using neck wallets, wallet minders, and money-belts available in our Safety and Security section. A good measure of forewarned is forearmed applies.

Check out the latest list of household items that are now permitted on board at TSA Guidelines. The relaxed rules resulted from the time consuming measures that bogged down airport screeners. These new screening tactics are aimed to be less predictable and more random to allow screeners to concentrate on potential terrorists. This measure comes at the protest of flight attendants and relatives of the Sept 11th victims. The airline industry hopes these new screening measures help smooth the process of airport security check-in and allow passengers more access to personal non-threat items.

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Cheers,

Annette
President & Co-founder