Overheard Bin: August 2007 Archives

Safe, Secure Wi-Fi on the Road

Q: Recently I stayed in a hotel and used the free wireless access. Can any wireless user at another hotel or the parking lot for that matter, gain access to the network or my computer?
— Mary F.

A: Wow Mary, tough question. You couldn't ask me something like what does stand for or what city hosted the ? You leave me no choice but to admit that Information Technology (IT) questions are not my forte. I'm the guy who thought a "hard drive" was a road trip from Seattle to Portland or that a "gigahertz" was a particularly large rental car. Needless to say, I felt it best to defer to the experts on this one. Luckily, you can't swing a coaxial cable around here without lassoing an IT expert. Our in-house security gurus offered the following tips for keeping a secure connection on the road, and ensuring that what is seen is for your eyes only (and not some fedora-wearing corporate spy in the adjacent parking lot or club chair).

Make sure it's actually the hotel network to which you're connecting. WiFi density is so high in some areas that you have to be cautious. Just because you are in a hotel room, doesn't mean that the hotel network is the only one that can be seen.
Keep your anti-virus software and patches up-to-date and firewall enabled
Disable file and printer sharing, likely the easiest way to compromise a remote user.
Look for WEP (wireless encryption protocol) or WPA (WiFi protected access) when connecting. If you open the tool to view available wireless networks, it will say unsecured if it is not encrypted. Using WEP (encryption) gives you a reasonable amount of protection from someone just reading the signal out of the air.
Tell your computer to NOT auto connect to wireless access points that are listed as 'unsecure'. A common method of compromise is to establish a fake access point. Users with this feature turned off will automatically associate to your fake access point. You can even provide real internet access, but monitor all of their traffic. Or, if the user automatically associated to you, you can browse their shares without them even realizing.
When using a hotel network, establish a VPN connection to route your traffic through. The VPN client disables what they call 'split tunneling', which is the ability for your machine to connect to two or more networks at the same time. By establishing a VPN connection, no one else on the hotel network can see your traffic or connect to you.

There you have it Mary, some fine tips from the folks who know. Stay tuned next week when I tackle the really tough questions like business attire and airport parking.

Tom Conway, whose technical prowess ends with enabling his Out-of-Office Assistant, looks forward to your questions, comments and tips below:

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Wanna Ride on the Big Plane?

(photo courtesy of AirBus)

Big planes hold the attention of many a world traveler. For me, I like the size of the Gulfstream, Learjet or Boeing Business Jet, of which the closest I'll get to any of those is in the preceding links.

For Road Warriors who like to super size it, an opportunity may be aloft that could land them on the inaugural flight of Singapore Airlines' A380, the Behemoth of the Skies, the Titan of the Tarmac. Singapore Airlines is auctioning off some select seats on the maiden flight (Singapore to Sydney) of its first A380. Online auction giant eBay is already to help Singapore Airlines find the highest bidders for this high-altitude prize. Auction proceeds will benefit charities in Australia and Singapore.

I'd like to start the bidding at....we'll you better take a look for yourself on eBay's A380 First to Fly search results. Also check out an A380 Photos: Up Close and Personal.

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Web Check-In: Staying One Step Ahead

Q: Is there really any true benefit to checking in online?
— -Craig T.

A. Craig, let me extol the virtues of Web check-in, the best thing to happen to air travel since the Jetway, in-seat video screens and Starbucks in airports.

For those not initiated in the way of Web check-in, I believe you'll take to it like network television took to reality shows. It will require a computer, Internet access, and your flight information (or itinerary or record locator) and a printer.

For most airlines, you can check in online 24 hours prior to your departure.

You have a couple options. In most cases, your Expedia Corporate Travel itinerary will host an online check-in link where "check in for this flight" will appear 24 hours prior to scheduled travel. Just click and proceed. The traveler's confirmation and ticket numbers are transmitted to the airline for an easy check-in. You'll need to print the boarding pass.

In addition, you can also go directly to the airline's Web site to check in, though you'll need to provide your flight information in order to proceed. Just look for a tab on the front page that usually says something like Flight Check-In or Manage your flights. And if you're not sure of the airline Web address, simply type in the airline name followed by a .com, such as www.americanairlines.com or www.unitedairlines.com.

The idea of being able to check in anywhere and at anytime within 24 hours of your flight is like sanctioned cutting in line. By checking in online, you're protecting your reservation and seat assignment should you be delayed in transit to the airport. In essence, you're telling the airline, "I really, really, really plan on taking this flight."

Once while pacing about the gate awaiting standby clearance, I witnessed a businessman dashing to the gate, disheveled and dotted with grease, looking as if he had just changed a flat tire (and by George, he had). Oblivious to the dire demeanor of the tardy traveler, the agent was quick to inform him he was late and his seat had been released. After calmly accepting his newly assigned middle seat and the cluelessness of its issuer, he took a breath and said, "The next time I'll check in online (and with another airline)." I wish no one an in-transit mishap, but I rest my case.

Filling a flight is a lot like musical chairs. By checking in online, you get to grab your seat before the music stops. This at least keeps your seat intact until the very last minute, which in airline speak is usually about 10 minutes before departure time.

So Craig, my advice is to check in online and when you have checked baggage look for the kiosks where airline agents will check your luggage and send you on your way, printed boarding pass (and removed shoes) in hand.

Have a question for Tom?
Tom Conway, who has noticed a printer's ink supply is inversely proportional to the importance of the document being printed, looks forward to your questions, comments and tips.

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China Airlines' 737-800s Grounded During Investigation

It was hard to escape the footage this week of a China Airlines plane catching fire and exploding on the tarmac at Naha Airport on Okinawa. With 165 people onboard, miraculously, no one was hurt. The Taiwanese government has temporarily grounded Taipei-based China Airlines' 737-800s while an investigation is underway to find the cause of the accident.

Read more and view video clip from MSNBC: Taiwan airliner explodes at Japanese airport

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American Airlines Sees a Future in Onboard Wi-Fi

In-flight broadband connectivity has eluded the airline industry. For the last five years, airlines and Wi-Fi service providers have purported it’s just around the corner. This week, American Airlines provided a glimmer of hope for air travelers as it announced it had signed a memorandum of intent with AirCell, LLC, to be the first U.S. airline to test AirCell's high-speed broadband connectivity. The test will be conducted in 2008 on American's Boeing 767-200 aircraft that primarily fly transcontinental routes, providing passengers with a high-speed Internet connection, VPN access and e-mail capabilities through Wi-Fi-enabled laptops and PDA devices. See related articles belows:

ARS Technica: American, foreign airlines returning to in-flight broadband plans
USA Today: Fliers' Net-surfing days inch closer

Would you use in-flight Wi-Fi if available?

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Who You Callin' a Hooligan?

Some emails are worth keeping or at least savoring beyond a quick stroke of the delete key. And yesterday one of my pals, Renae Martin, keeper and writer of Expedia Corporate Travel email travel alerts, came across an update warning travelers of hooligan violence. And while the alert was interesting in itself (Do we even have hooligans in the U.S.?), Renae made it my most memorable email of the week:

Numerous soccer matches to take place across Europe Aug. 22. Hooligan violence possible.

Avoid crowds of fans.

Renae writes... "So I'm really interested in this hooligan violence. From reading your last blog I thought you'd like to know about Hungarian hooligans. Not only is alliteration at work, but these hooligans are apparently organizing, as opposed to non-alliterative hooligans who tend toward anarchy. Hooligan sounds like it's one step above mischief maker. What do we call hooligans in the U.S.? Criminals? Also, don't these two countries Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia have some kind of a UN restraining order?

The following five matches have elevated potential for hooligan violence: England-Germany
Time: 2000
Location: Wembley Stadium, London
Authorities are effective in preventing hooliganism, but violent unrest near the stadium, especially after the game, is possible. Avoid Wembley Stadium and nearby public transportation between 2200-2400 Aug. 22.
Time: 2000Location: Wembley Stadium, LondonAuthorities are effective in preventing hooliganism, but violent unrest near the stadium, especially after the game, is possible. Avoid Wembley Stadium and nearby public transportation between 2200-2400 Aug. 22. Russia-Poland
Time: 2100
Location: Lokomotiv Stadium, Moscow
Violence and a heavy-handed police reaction are possible. Expect congestion and an increased risk of petty theft in nearby metro stations, especially the Chekizovskaya Station (Red) Line near the stadium.
Time: 2100Location: Lokomotiv Stadium, MoscowViolence and a heavy-handed police reaction are possible. Expect congestion and an increased risk of petty theft in nearby metro stations, especially the Chekizovskaya Station (Red) Line near the stadium. Hungary-Italy
Time: 2100
Location: Puskas Ferenc Stadium, Budapest
Hungarian hooligans are attempting to rally supporters for violent unrest before and after the game. Expect large numbers of Italian fans. Avoid the area near the stadium and Andrassy Avenue between Hero's Square and Octogon before and after the match; avoid the M2 (Red) Line between Deak Ferenc ter and Ors Vezer tere unless going as far as Keleti Station. Also, avoid the M1 (Yellow) Line between Deak Ferenc ter and Mexikoi ut.
Time: 2100Location: Puskas Ferenc Stadium, BudapestHungarian hooligans are attempting to rally supporters for violent unrest before and after the game. Expect large numbers of Italian fans. Avoid the area near the stadium and Andrassy Avenue between Hero's Square and Octogon before and after the match; avoid the M2 (Red) Line between Deak Ferenc ter and Ors Vezer tere unless going as far as Keleti Station. Also, avoid the M1 (Yellow) Line between Deak Ferenc ter and Mexikoi ut. Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia
Time: 2100
Location: Hase Olympic Stadium, Sarajevo
Violence usually accompanies matches between the two countries' teams, and is likely this time. Police may have difficulty containing unrest. Avoid the stadium and districts to the southwest late Aug. 22, early Aug. 23.
Time: 2100Location: Hase Olympic Stadium, SarajevoViolence usually accompanies matches between the two countries' teams, and is likely this time. Police may have difficulty containing unrest. Avoid the stadium and districts to the southwest late Aug. 22, early Aug. 23.
Greece-Spain
Time: 2100
Location: PAOK Stadium, Thessaloniki
Violence is likely as hooligans and anarchists often take advantage of sports events to engage in unrest. Expect a heavy police presence and traffic disruptions near the stadium. Avoid nearby public transportation late Aug. 22, early Aug. 23.

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Passenger Rights and New York's State of Mind

Travelers may be interested to know that New York became the first state to ratify legislation created to ensure airline passengers on severely delayed flights are provided with basic customer protections.

Effective January 1, 2008, the legislation stipulates that all airlines operating out of New York airports are required to provide passengers with food, water, fresh air, power, and working restrooms on any flight that has left the gate and been on the tarmac for more than three hours. New York State will also establish the Office of the Airline Consumer Advocate within the Consumer Protection Board to oversee compliance with the airline passenger bill of rights.

Governor Eliot Spitzer supported the bill and his office released the following statement:

August 2, 2007

GOVERNOR SPITZER SIGNS AIRLINE PASSENGER BILL OF RIGHTS

Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that he has signed legislation that will ensure airline passengers on severely delayed flights operating out of New York airports are provided with basic customer protections. This legislation was proposed in response to several incidents of severe airline delays due to inclement weather at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, where passengers waited for hours with no food or water, overflowing toilets and a lack of ventilation.

“As a major international travel hub, it is our duty to take the lead in adopting measures that will ease air travel for passengers,” said Governor Spitzer. “This law establishes much needed consumer protections that will help guarantee greater passenger safety and comfort when severe delays impact their travels from New York airports.”

Assemblyman Michael Gianaris said: “I would like to thank Governor Spitzer for his support in making New York the first state to stand up for passengers at the most delayed airports in the country. This law will be the first of its kind to establish much needed guidelines of respect for New York’s airline consumers.”

Senator Charles Fuschillo said: “New York is home to some of the world’s busiest airports, and in adopting this new law, we have taken the lead in protecting the rights of passengers. This first-in-the-nation law will ensure that stranded passengers are treated with respect by the airlines that serve our airports and are not held hostage on delayed flights without basic amenities.”

The legislation stipulates that all airlines operating out of New York airports are required to provide passengers with food, water, fresh air, power, and working restrooms on any flight that has left the gate and been on the tarmac for more than three hours.

In addition to providing passengers with basic services, this legislation will also establish consumer protection guidelines, which will:

Create a consumer bill of rights for airline passengers;
Establish the Office of the Airline Consumer Advocate within the Consumer Protection Board to oversee compliance with the airline passenger bill of rights;
Mandate that all air carriers provide consumers with notice of complaint contact information to be posted at all service desks and other appropriate areas;
Provide the public with a New York State-based consumer advocate and contact person who can help to coordinate with the appropriate airline industry officials, federal agencies and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the event an incident occurs.

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Dude, Where's My Mileage?

Q: Tom, I recently flew on a transatlantic flight with Air France. When I checked the mileage for the flight on my Air France Flying Blue account, I saw that the way east was credited with the expected 4,000 miles or so, while the way back west received only 900 miles! No, this was not the Concorde or some time travel tricks from the airline, but rather some previously unheard of rules that only gives partial mileage to some ticket classes. What is one supposed to do? -Stephan G.

A: Stephan, I feel your pain. What is one supposed to do? I usually go on in excruciating and repetitive detail of how I was wronged, at least until my co-workers' eyes glaze over and I begin to notice no one wants to have lunch with me. At which point, I rethink my course of action and regain favor by bringing in donuts the next morning (powerful mind tool, the deep-fried orb).

For you, I say let's arm you with some information so your miles will never be minimized again (at least without your knowledge).

Airline frequent flier mileage is a convoluted and mysterious thing eluding even the wiliest of travelers. In this case, we're talking about mileage accrual rates. If you go 1,000 miles, should you not get 1,000 miles of credit? It seems only fair.

Most U.S. carriers uncorked their frequent flier programs over 25 years ago and I believe it's a genie that is never going back into the bottle. As more international carriers joined the fray, the rules evolved on a global scale and as we know, not all mileage programs are the same.

U.S. carriers tend to base their mileage credit in an even-steven ratio. What you fly is what you get. Though first class and business class may get a beefier mileage credit, say 1.5 times the actual mileage flown, domestic coach mileage credit is rarely reduced. The $500 coach ticket gets the same mileage accrual as the $200 coach ticket (something business travelers are acutely aware of).

Here's the rub. With some codeshare and most international carriers, your mileage credit accrual is based on the fare you buy. The higher the price you pay, the greater the mileage credit.

For example on British Airways, there are five different mileage classifications based on fares, which on a New York to London flight would play out as follows: lowest economy, 865 miles; flexible economy, 3,458 miles; premier economy, 4,323 miles; business/club 5,187miles; and first, 6,916 miles.

If you have a choice of carriers and mileage accrual is important to you, I suggest checking out your respective airlines and their mileage partners online to see who gives you what. And of course, that's assuming you have a choice. Visit the airline's Web site to see what their mileage accrual policies are. As a rule of thumb, U.S. carriers give at least full mileage credit no matter what fare has been booked (usually more for business and first).

I'll leave you with some examples of airline mileage accrual policies:

American Airlines and Partner Airlines

Continental Airlines and Partner Airlines

Delta Air Lines and Partner Airlines

Northwest Airlines and Partners

example: Nothwest mileage on flights operated by Air France

United Airlines and Partners

Virgin Atlantic and Partners

Have a question for Tom?
Tom Conway, who who gets plenty of mileage from sharing his box of donuts, looks forward to your questions, comments and tips below.

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To Infinity and Beyond, But First a Good Night's Sleep

At last, 2001, A Space Odyssey comes to the hospitality industry as Galactic Suites orbits the newswires with the announcement of a planned space hotel checking in by 2012. No mention if HAL-9000 will be at the front desk.

Brainchild of a group of architects, engineers and big-idea dreamers in the United States and Spain, the Galactic Suite Project has presented the first space tourism package to include preparation, transport and accommodation in an orbital hotel. The journey is likely to last 18 weeks, and the first tickets should go on sale in 2008.

According to Xavier Claramunt and Marsal Gifra, the directors of Galactic Suite Project, “This is the first package deal, as it includes transport from the tourist’s home to the Caribbean island, the training required for journeys into orbit, the flight to the hotel and three nights’ accommodation in the Galactic Suite”.

And just so you know, this will be a working vacation where the space tourists will also take part in scientific experiments, all while enjoying a journey that will orbit the Earth 15 times every day. What's not to like about 15 sunrises and sunsets. As for location, the hotel will be located at a certain angle from the equator about 300 miles in space.

With an initial price tag of $4 million for a three-day stay in space, the out-of-this-world vacation does include beach time in a tropical location between training regimens. I wonder if the mint will be velcroed to the pillow?

To infinity and beyond...but first a good night's sleep.

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The Passport and the Deadbeat Dad

First my apologies to deadbeat moms everywhere for any exclusion in the title, but because I abuse aliteration (always), I had no choice.

That said, this next news tidbit is not gender specific and can stop any deadbeat parent in his or her tracks should they need a passport.

According to an Associated Press story, a parent owing more than $2,500 in child support payments will be denied a passport. Once the payment is made, they can reapply for a passport. In the words of Bart Simpson, "The ironing is delicious." Which brings me to the word of the day: schadenfreude.

Visit MSNB for the full story: Passport Rules Snag Child Support Cash

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ECO BIZ, TerraPass, and Expedia, Oh My!

I’ve outgrown my need for pronouncements like, “I don’t watch TV.” Yep, I watch it, I embrace it and I no longer apologize for it. Whether watching Bill Moyers Journal or America’s Got Talent, there is always something to learn (like I’ll never watch this show again).

I must admit, cable has made TV viewing tolerable and the Sundance Channel had me at “hello.” In particular, there’s a great show called ECO BIZ which profiles businesses with innovative environmental practices.

There’s an engaging clip which features TerraPass, and profiles the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania professor whose business model launched the company that allows consumers to buy carbon off-sets and reduce their “carbon footprint.” Expedia has partnered with TerraPass and now provides travelers with the opportunity to balance their environmental impact from travel.

Grab some popcorn and view the video clip: ECO BIZ - TerraPass

At current count, there are 19 ECO BIZ videos--compelling stories all. Take a look at the businesses making a difference.

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State Department Dispenses Tips for Traveling Abroad

The U.S. Department of State has assembled a list of online tips for easier and safer travel abroad, providing some valuable information to travelers with borders to cross.

Highlights are listed below, but I suggest visiting Tips for Traveling Abroad online for detailed explanations and corresponding links:

Register so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency
Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information:
Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page
Check your overseas medical insurance coverage
Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime
Contact the Department of State in an emergency

Safety and health are everything whether at home or on the road, so don't miss the section about How to Have a Safe Trip.

What are your tips for traveling abroad?

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August 29, 2007

Safe, Secure Wi-Fi on the Road

August 28, 2007

Wanna Ride on the Big Plane?

August 22, 2007