The grand opening of London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 has created chaos for travelers, and it’s likely that technical problems and various other issues will plague the airport for weeks.
On Saturday, March 28, British Airways plans to cancel about 15% of its flights, but at least these passengers will be able to check in luggage—unlike Thursday's passengers who were told to travel light or stay home.

Forbes called the terminal’s opening a “fiasco”,  Reuters reported that travelers lost snooker cues and the BBC politely pointed out that the debacle was “not BA’s finest hour.”  While facing an international PR disaster, the airline also managed to insult Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland, who felt slighted by the high number of cancellations involving Airports in Scotland. We have a feeling this isn't the first time Scotland has felt slighted by London, but that's another matter entirely.

In a grand understatement, British Airways has admitted to a few "minor problems", but added “this is not is not unexpected following one of the most complex and largest airport moves in history."

The state-of-the-art terminal features a Tiffany boutique, two travel spas, a 20-seat cinema and a Swarvovski crystal chandelier in its Gold Bar, but that’s little consolation to those who visit the airport to travel. It might take a few weeks, but BA is working to iron out the travel wrinkles. Until then, travelers should be prepared for stalls, delays and general mayhem.

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Roy Rogers said it best, "Happy trails to you, until we meet again." Whether a happy trail or incident-free business trip, traveling safely is job one in my book. Crime can dim a trip to the City of Lights, or take a bite out of a visit to the Big Apple, especially if you're an easy target. The first line of defense from theft in any city is being prepared and taking precautions. Consider the following safety tips:

1. Try to blend in with the culture you're visiting. No need to sport a kilt in Glasgow or don a bowler in London, but consider what's appropriate attire for the local scene.

2. Leave valuables in the hotel safe (and crown jewels at home). Bring a list of your credit cards and company phone numbers for emergencies. If traveling as a couple, carry different credit cards in case a stolen/lost card needs to be cancelled.

3. Daypacks, purses and computer cases are beacons of opportunity for thieves. Slinging your tote across your back is the universal sign for, "Please, steal this!" Wear your purse or satchel across your chest and secure it with a formidable grip.

4. Keep wallets in a buttoned or zipper-secured inner coat pocket.

5. Consider using a money belt or travel purse, the latter fitting under a blouse, shirt or coat.

6. Choose ATMs in well-lit, secure settings.

7. Beware of strangers or situations that could distract you. (Mimes have been known to work in pairs.)

8. Travel light. Wallets and purses should contain only items with which you need to travel. Leave the coupons, library card, car title, and wads of ATM receipts home.

Travel safety can cover a lot of ground, so I wanted to leave you with some of my favorite links for comprehensive travel safety information.

U.S. Department of State: How to Have a Safe Trip.

U.S. Department of State: International Safety Issues

American Academy of Pediatrics: Family Travel Safety Tips

Tom Conway, who never travels without his nightlight, looks forward to your questions, comments and tips.

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March 12, 14,000 members of the Airports Authority Employees Union (AAEU) walked off the job, but so far impacts have been minimal.  Some of those striking workers—ground controllers, for example— sound pretty essential to flight operations. Others, such as baggage crew, seem like people you’d really like to see after a 20-hour flight from LA through Frankfurt,  but apparently in India they aren’t that big of a deal.

The Economic Times quotes a happy traveler, who says “There is no problem. Everything is normal. I got my baggage in time. We expected chaos here but I was surprised to find everything normal on a strike day.”

These are the same employees who went on a hunger strike in February, a move that’s much more Mahatma Ghandi  than it is rabble-rouser. Their peaceful protest could go on quite a while, and it's bound to be full of non-cooperation. Travelers are advised to keep an eye on the strike and continue to confirm reservations.

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Two Down...Five to Go?

Will other airlines institute a $25 fee for the second checked bag?

I’m reminded of those immortal words sternly uttered by my first grade teacher Miss Hilliard, “Just because Bobby Taylor does it, doesn’t mean you have to do it.” I found her argument weak; Bobby Taylor was the coolest kid in the class.  (He must have known what he was doing.)

And so this week, I wish to borrow from the teaching wisdom of Miss H. by informing US Airways that, “Just because United Airlines started charging $25 for a second bag doesn’t mean you have to do it.”  (They must know what they're doing.)

Yep, last week, US Airways taxied up to the bandwagon and announced it would do something United Airlines did weeks before: implement a $25 service fee for a second checked bag.  The new checked bag policy will apply to travel beginning on or after May 5, 2008, to flights within the U.S., to/from Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

The airline pointed out that customers may continue to check one bag free of charge and US Airways will waive the fee for its most frequent customers including:

• All Dividend Miles Preferred members (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Chairman's Preferred)
  

• Confirmed First Class and Envoy passengers at time of check in
  

• Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members

There are also other exceptions. The following travelers will also be exempt from paying the $25 fee for a second checked bag:

• Active military personnel (in uniform with ID)
  

• Unaccompanied minors

• Those checking assistive devices

The fee only applies to tickets purchased on or after Feb. 26, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008. You can pay the service fee at an airport kiosk with a credit card or at the check-in counter with a credit card, check or cash.  Additional information is available at http://www.usairways.com/baggage.

Stay tuned as the $25-second-bag story continues to develop. Two down, and five to go (major airlines that is).

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I thought I'd share some interesting and environmentally friendly travel news that I first heard about from a friend of mine who hosts a blog devoted to understanding sustainable living. It's called Moving Like Water. In this case, he writes about two encouraging developments in the travel industry: an airline investigating the use of bio fuel and a hotel planning to use power from the wind.

The first entry talks about Virgin Atlantic Airways' test using a five percent bio fuel mixture in a Boeing 747. Read  A Jet With Biofuel.

Sofitel Hotels makes a bold statement and announces its intention of buying electricity produced from wind power for all its properties. Read Sofitel Hotels: Moving to Wind Power.

What good green news have you heard about regarding the travel industry? Comment below.

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As airports in Germany recover from the rolling strikes March 5, the country’s train drivers are making noise about work stoppage as early as Monday, March 10.

Members of the GDL union have said they’ll stay home if negotiations aren’t signed by Sunday, leaving trains at the station and passengers looking for taxis.

And there’s always the chance that the public sector employees will strike again soon, which would put a serious crimp in public transportation and airline operations.

The Ver.di union is expected to ballot its members for an unlimited strike Thursday, March 6, which could leave the nation without buses, planes or trains. This looks likely, with Spiegel Online reporting that the union chief has called the last wage offer "provocative, insulting and shameless, ” which we think is a rather colorful way to call “strike!” Travelers should confirm rental cars and head for the autobahn.

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Public sector workers in Germany could cause flight havoc March 5 with a planned strike at Cologne (CGN), Duesseldorf (DUS) and Munester/Osnabrueck (FMO). The strike will likely be for a few hours, but with work stoppage possibly including police officers, fire and runway crew, airports will have to be shutdown and  delays and cancellations will snowball.

March 4, hospital public transportation, garbage collection and museum services were interrupted by striking workers, who say they’re underpaid and want an 8% raise. Germany requires exhaustive negotiations before an all-out unlimited strike can be declared, but with about  2.3 million workers represented by the Ver.di union, the nation could face a number of small but powerful strikes at nearly every sector.  Travelers will want to keep a close eye on negotiations and prepare for cancellations.

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