Business travelers understand that third-world countries don’t have the same health issues as the US – for instance polio outbreaks have recently been reported in some areas of Africa – but for most travelers, the biggest concern is avoiding the sniffles.

With a number of countries such as Switzerland and Japan facing an alarming number of measles  travelers can’t be complacent.

In both Japan and Switzerland, immunization levels are surprisingly low by US standards, as they are in Italy, Germany and Austria. As a side note, German doctors often blame the Swiss for any outbreaks in Germany, saying the disease is being imported. The Swiss, of course, remain neutral.

But back to business travel, the good news is that most US residents don’t have to worry about infection, as they were either born before 1957 or were vaccinated in childhood.  For anyone else, we say bring home Swiss chocolates and Swiss contracts, but review immunization records prior to travel to avoid Swiss measles.

Posted by Renae at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Delta Air Lines In-flight Safety Video Makeover

I'm one of the five people on the flight (aside from crew members) who actually pays attention to the in-flight safey demo. Flight attendants are there for my safety, so doggoneit, I pay attention. Delta's latest effort makes it easier to do just that with its stylized version of this often ignored ritual. I wish all flights were like this. Of course, it doesn't hurt that our in-flght instructor shares a striking resemblance to Angelina Jolie.

Virgin America Sketches Out Its In-Flight Safety

Virgin America wins an originality award for its in-flight safety cartoon. It's dry wit and sardonic slant should bring a grin to even the most jaded traveler, though I'm not sure how well it will play after the tenth or eleventh screening.

Posted by Tom at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So the airline representative responded to your complaint with all the verve, empathy, and interest of a Madame Tussaud wax figure—icy cold stare, random eye rolls and gum snapping notwithstanding. Better try Plan B: talk to Uncle Sam; he’ll listen (and take note).

Each month the DOT publishes statistics based on consumer feedback and airline performance, ranking airlines from best to worst—a list the airlines say they take seriously. For airline-related issues such as canceled or delayed flights, on-time baggage delivery, and ticket refunds, comments should be directed to the Department’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division  

You can also view the annual Air Travel Consumer Reports for specific airline rankings.

Posted by Tom at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In the travel biz, we are often inundated with travel alerts or advisories, warning about something somewhere that will impact travelers. The good news is we tend to screen these cautionary missives, so as not to spam our travelers about events with which they'd have no connection.

That said, my friend and in-house Travel Alert Scholar, Renae, sent me an advisory too good not to share, one that will not be read, pondered and chuckled over, but rather destined for the recycle bin where it will linger undistributed and unappreciated. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands; and this time I could not let it happen. Here is said advisory:

Cork flights grounded for second night
Cork airport tonight faced the second delay in 24 hours as a dispute with air traffic controllers escalated. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said six flights at the airport will be grounded between tonight and 8am tomorrow because a worker called in sick and his colleagues refused to cover his shift.

In Renae’s Op-Ed to me she asks, “One worker. Do you think this is a protest of lack of staffing or a coworker scuffle? Is this the guy who has called in sick one too many times and his co-workers are fed up? This is the funniest thing I've seen in a long, long time.” 

I concur Renae, I concur.

Posted by Tom at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I love Ben Schott's book of miscellany or as it's officially titled: Schott's Original Miscellany (and I love the reader reviews on Amazon). Truth be told my favorite of his series on miscellany is Schott's Food and Drink Miscellany. (Those with delicate constitutions should avoid the section on the Ortolan.) I digress.

A friend pointed out to me recently an entry on page 65 in the original book. It's seen above.  While I love the idea of this, as a former ticket agent, I find the suggestion laughable. Upgrades are rarely negotiable these days. And in the rare instance where a complimentary upgrade is bestowed, it will be based on information contained in the passenger's online reservation record.  I still like the idea and may try the concept in a different venue, perhaps have one fashioned to read: Give this man a raise!

Posted by Tom at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Sheraton and Four Points hotels will implement a smoke-free policy at more than 300 hotels and resorts throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Canada. This includes all public areas as well as guestrooms. The new policy also follows in the footsteps of their sister Starwood brand, Westin, which in 2006 was the first hotel chain to go smoke-free. To prepare for the new policy, approximately 8,000 smoking rooms will undergo an extensive cleaning process. This includes deep cleaning all soft goods, and treating all hard surfaces, walls and carpets to eliminate allergens, replacing air filters and deep cleaning all air conditioning units.

Posted by Tom at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Swooning On Demand

The mental scars of last years Valentine’s Day debacle have barely healed, when you receive an unexpected head thump from Cupid himself. Apparently, a Far Side card and Snickers bar, a  Valentine’s Day gift does not make.  The Messenger of Love rarely gives second chances, but perhaps this year he'll take exception. 
 
I admit Valentine’s Day can be a stressful time for the hopeless romantic. What new weapons of amour might the Messenger of Love relinquish from his arsenal? Acting as Cupid’s personal emissary, I'm here to expose the smoldering romantic that you are. (Work with me, here.)

It's still not too late to leave your sweetheart swooning and Cupid upstaged--and all without having to shop. Because true love knows no price tag. (Again, work with me here.),  I suggest something more from the heart and the head: poetry.

A quick visit to Poets.org brings the words of a poet to the tongue of the romantic (and the romantically challenged). Search for poems by author or subject. Think of it as your online Cyrano.  And should words escape you, the site’s listening booth provides audio clips of poems and samples from the Academy's Poetry Audio Archive.  The pen may just be mightier than the cherub’s arrow.

And if you're in a rush check out the site's section Be Mine: Poems for Valentines

Now to tie this into travel and Valentine's Day...whenever you travel, bring a little something home to your sweetie pie. Physical distance may have separated you both, but upon your return unwrap a little treasure that holds a story about how you were thinking of said sugar dumpling while on the road. (Focus. You can do this.)

Posted by Tom at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

          You take the Pacific . . . and we'll take the Atlantic!

Reports are widespread, but there’s still no official word on the reported merger talks between Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines. If a merger does occur, both airlines’ pilots unions will likely play a vital role in the process, negotiating the best way to bring the two work groups together. Industry analysts are saying it’s a good fit, combining Northwest’s Asia-Pacific routes with Delta’s U.S. - European route system. The merger would create the world’s largest airline and be subject to Department of Transportation approval.  Stay tuned.

Read more: what others are saying

• Bloomberg

• The Associated Press