FedEx Plane Crashes During Landing

A FedEx cargo plane crashed at Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport in Texas early this morning. It is reported that the aircraft came down at the end of the runway, skidded off and caught on fire. Both pilots supposedly walked away from the crash and are at a local hospital.
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Airplane Engine Pulled from Hudson River

The missing engine from the jet that ditched in the Hudson River last week was pulled from the water Friday afternoon. It will now join the rest of the aircraft as investigators painstakingly examine all the evidence to determine just why the plane came down. The NTSB spokesperson has said it will be next week before any information is released from the initial examination.
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FAA Air Traffic Control Program Dropped from GAO High-Risk List

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a press release earlier this week to promote that its Air Traffic Control modernization program was removed from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) High-Risk List. The ATC modernization program was the only item dropped from the most recently updated list of areas that the GAO identifies as high-risk due to their greater vulnerabilities to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement. The ATC modernization program was first placed on the list in 1995.
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South Africa: Another Arrest Over South African Airways Drug Smuggling

Tuesday the entire crew of a South African Airways flight from Johannesburg to London was arrested at Heathrow Airport after UK customs agents discovered about 110 lbs. of marijuana and 8 lbs. of cocaine in three pieces of luggage. Now a female security guard at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo Airport has been arrested for her possible involvement in this smuggling operation. The guard was one of 16 security personnel on duty clearing flight personnel for the flight to London.
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US Coast Guard to Respond to Digital Distress Calls Only

Jan 22, 2009 — Beginning February 1, 2009, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) will only receive distress alert broadcasts from digital 406-MHz Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs). The USCG will no longer process analog signals transmitting on 121.5 or 243.0 MHz. Mariners and aviators are urged to make the switch before the deadline and register, as required by law, their EPIRBs with the United States 406 MHz Beacon Registration Database System or by calling 1-888-212-SAVE.
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Flight Returns Due to Pepper Spray

Jan 20, 2009 — Southwest Airlines flight 295 returned to Sacramento International Airport Sunday night after passengers complained of various forms of irritation and a chemical odor much like that caused by pepper spray. Hazmat teams searched the plane and all the luggage once it landed but did not find the pepper spray source. A small canister of pepper spray was discovered in a passenger's carry-on bag. It was determined that the canister found had not been opened and was not the source of the odor. The passenger did violate security rules by bringing the pepper spray on-board.
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Spain: Spanish Military Jets Crash, Three Pilots Die

Jan 20, 2009 — There is some difference of opinion as to how the accident happened, but what we do know is that three Spanish air force pilots are dead after two military F1 Mirage jets crashed this morning. One official stated the two jets had collided in mid-air, while another was unclear as to whether they had collided or went down separately. The investigation continues.
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Record Number of Small Planes Expected in D.C.

Jan 19, 2009 — There will be a huge influx of corporate and private jets coming into the Washington DC area for tomorrow's (1/20) Presidential Inauguration. In order to accommodate the number of smaller airplanes at Washington Dulles International, airport officials closed one of the airport's runways so it could be used as an airplane parking lot.
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Record Number of Small Planes Expected in D.C.

Jan 19, 2009 — There will be a huge influx of corporate and private jets coming into the Washington DC area for tomorrow's (1/20) Presidential Inauguration. In order to accommodate the number of smaller airplanes at Washington Dulles International, airport officials closed one of the airport's runways so it could be used as an airplane parking lot.
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Bird Strike Forces Helicopter to Land Early

Jan 19, 2009 — Bird strikes on aircraft are not uncommon occurrences, but with last week's ditching of US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, everyone is going to hear more about the dangers of bird strikes. So it's no wonder that it's being reported that a hospital helicopter in Arkansas was forced to land after a bird strike Saturday. The chopper was returning to a hospital in Little Rock when a bird hit it and the pilot decided to put the aircraft down early.
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TSA Report on Suspicious Behavior, Guns and Closures

Jan 17, 2009 — For the week of January 5-January 11 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported the arrest of 11 passengers due to suspicious behavior or fraudulent travel documents, 16 firearms and 2 artfully concealed prohibited items were found at checkpoints and there were 8 incidents that involved a checkpoint closure, terminal evacuation or a sterile area breach.
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Flight Restrictions Before/During U.S. Presidential Inauguration

(FAA) “Modifications to the Washington, DC Special Flight Rules Area (formerly known as the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)) and the Washington Metropolitan Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ) will be in place for Pre-Inaugural activities on January 18, 2009, and for the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2009.”

Boeing Commercial Airplanes Cutting 4,500 Jobs in 2009

Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes business unit will lose about 4,500 jobs in 2009. According to a statement from the airplane manufacturer, the reductions will come via layoffs, normal attrition and a reduction in contract labor. Also, most of the jobs will be lost in Washington State in Q2 2009 and many will be in overhead functions and other areas not directly associated with airplane production.

Greenpeace Purchases Land for Heathrow’s New Runway

The environmental group Greenpeace has purchased a tract of land that is earmarked for London Heathrow Airport’s proposed third runway. Greenpeace is one of several groups trying to block the expansion of Heathrow. Greenpeace has dubbed its effort “Airplot”. Here’s what they have in mind for this piece of land.

Next TSA Meeting on Large Aircraft Security Program Friday

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is holding five meetings around the country in order to gather input from the General Aviation community about the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) Proposed Rule. So far two meeting have taken place (White Plains, Atlanta) and the LASP rule as it is written has come under intense criticism. The next meeting will be Friday (1/16) in Chicago. For more information about the location visit the TSA website here.

New U.S. Visa Waiver Program Requirements In Effect Today

Effective today (1/12) all foreign travelers to the United States who are from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries are now required to obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to coming to the United States.
The ESTA website is available at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/
(U.S. DHS) “DHS will take a reasonable approach to travelers who have not obtained an approved travel authorization via ESTA, and will continue an aggressive advertising and outreach campaign throughout 2009. Travelers without an approved ESTA are advised, however, that they may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.”

PERPETUAL TRAVELLER TOOLS

Here’s a thing, if you travel frequently I’m sure you can empathize that it’s not just the actual flying that bothers our kind, it’s those ongoing progressive fears of long flight connections we desperately try to avoid or worse still, the enemy of the Traveller – dreaded delays, which slows us down and takes dissolves our passion to fly!

What can one do when locked in what appears to be at the time an age within one of the most undesirable airports imaginable, no facilities, no decent services or VIP Lounges? Over the years I have personally notched up a purchase in almost every Airport, I have frequented, mostly by habit rather than need. As an avid consumer, I cannot believe I'm saying this, but it’s beginning to bore me, as Airport retail spaces all too often offer the same old Duty Free thing or at least they look and feel the same! Nothing original and preciously few uniquely inspired goods, instead the same old regurgitated so called Duty Free shops, with similar repetitive brands; so what can a PT girl do with so much spare travel time available and few entertainment options?

Imagine this scenario, you’ve landed in Simon Bolivar Caracas International Airport and have an onward flight to Lima, Peru in the early hours of the following day, you’ve done the shops, which are closing in front of your eyes and still have 10 hours of waiting time to survive due to this unfriendly flight connection. The VIP lounge is closed and your only comfort is a solid cold public seat - the WAIT begins in earnest and your only companions to pass the time with are the travel tools you skillfully brought with you JUST IN CASE!

Essential “Travel Tools”

I used to tease my partner when he traveled, as I couldn’t believe…
(A) The size of his carry on bag
(B) The weight of his carry on bag
(c) The amount of Travel Tools he used to bring with him
I'm pleased to say that these days he still has lots of updated “Travel Tools”, however his carry on bag has evolved into a rational pull-along Samsonite, both leaner and lighter! It wasn’t my constant teasing that did it, instead it was natural causes, due to his aging hunched back-ache. No kidding he used to carry around 9 kilos on his shoulder!

It’s only now I appreciate though, the importance of “Travel Tools”, so I conducted an in-depth research for Perpetual Traveller. For your reading pleasure please find below my conclusion of the most useful items….

Laptop (King of the road)
Preferably a light Laptop with a long-life Battery, built in quality Speakers, Microphone, Skype enabled Camera and WiFi. The average modern Laptop battery-life lasts 3-4 hours. Ensure you are fully loaded with the following complementary essentials:-
• Email
• Skype
• Movies (recommend the free player VLP, it plays anything!)
• MP3 Music
• Headset

Data Card or Dongle
For your laptop Internet connection, wherever your WiFi lets you down.

Wi-Fi Scanner
We recommend the 2nd generation Wi-Fi Hotspot Detector from Canary Wireless. This is the ultimate Wi-Fi accessory! The dynamic Hotspotter provides network ID, signal strength and accessibility information for multiple networks at a glance. Just push the scan button and the device collects and displays information on up to 20 Wi-Fi networks.

Privacy screens
Ideal when someone sitting next to you starts to invade your Personal Zone (46cm – 1.2M)! Privacy screens and computer privacy filters can be purchased for your computer, notebook or laptop. This tool is designed for open, high-traffic environments where on-screen data needs to be kept private. It utilizes 3M's blackout privacy technology, which makes on-screen data visible only to those directly in front of the monitor. It will not blur or distort the image whatsoever either.

Quad Mobile phone
Same rule applies as to Laptops; select a Mobile Phone with an excellent battery life. Currently the average Mobile phone battery lasts 6 hours. Moreover, ensure you are fully loaded with these complementary essentials / accessories:-
• Bluetooth
• Minimum 3 Mega pixels Camera
• MP3 player (if you do not have an independent one)
• Infrared
• GPS / G3
• Quad Band
• Push Email
• WiFi connection

Battery Charger
- Plug In
- Manual
- Solar (help the planet and to cover every eventuality)

ipod or MP3 Player
- Music (including music videos)
- Recording – to capture your ideas and thoughts
- Language Course (learn on the move)
- Other Audio Courses or short stories
- Mini Videos

Local SIM card
A great way to reduce roaming costs, if you travel frequently .
Alternatively try SIM4TRAVEL.com


A “Good Book”
If Electronics is not your thing, you can’t beat a “Good Book” and a Blanket will always prove useful if you need to lye on the airport floor or you feel cold quickly in the Airports heavily air-conditioned environment.

All the above “Travel Tools” will keep you connected or at least occupied on your journey to avoid email overload and surprises when you get back to the office.

Sharon Mckinley
Publisher
Perpetual Traveller

What do you dislike most about Airports?

Well there is a lot to dislike about airports when you really think about it; there’s the Pre-travel arrangements for a start, getting to the airport, especially a Budget airport and if that isn’t bad enough we then have the pleasure of actually arriving to the airport itself, not knowing what we may find when we get there!
Depending upon which airport you find yourself in, the service, attitude and facilities can vary dramatically often lacking consistency when it comes to Rules and Regulations by this I also refer to Security. It’s difficult to find two airports who operate by exactly the same system and layout.

What we need is a team of independent international “Airport Inspectors” representing consumers to check and regulate Airport facilities in order to ensure that the Perpetual Traveler out there has it least some fundamental comforts concerning communications, toilet related conveniences, clean water, soap and somewhere to eat and adequate public seating, I’m surprised how few airports provide quality services to meet the number of passengers they process.

When it comes to travel in the 21st Century in the era of downgraded Budget services, its not always an easy or pleasant experience, so it pays to prepare pack for all eventualities, yet still try to travel with Hand luggage only to avoid the increasing problem of lost and delayed luggage.

As the “Airport Issue” is generating more moans than ever from travellers these days we decided to create our own POLL with the help of our friends at Plaxo. We asked a simple question “What do you dislike most about Airports”.

The below results demonstrated that since the introduction of the liquid rules, the security process is the resounding winner in this hotly contested airport complaint contest. Of course even if we dared to mention this to the authorities it would fall on deaf ears as they and we will rc the same old rhetoric about terrorists and the important need for security. We understand this to a degree, although security is still lax in many airports and re are surly better ways to deal with this issue. The main point is that security officials are often rude and queues in some airports are still unacceptably long.

In joint second place is unfriendly check-in staff (cannot blame terrorism for that) and long check-in queues. This comes as a result of Airports in collaboration with Airlines seeking to find cost efficiencies by reducing staff levels and by employment of lower quality staff with less training. Check-in staff are under more pressure with new security rules, electronic demands, luggage restrictions and related charges in addition to dealing with passengers already arriving angry to the desk due to long queues. They tend to receive on average less and less customer service training, which is why we perceive them as unfriendly.

Expensive food is another sore point, as clearly most airports around the world with a captive audience hike prices. There are few exceptions.

Parking has always traditionally been high at airports as space is limited, coupled with the fact that the Airport Authorities take advantage wherever they can.

WiFi costs are usually a rip off, although some proactive airports actually offer free WiFi. For frequent travellers and users, we recommend signing up to a BOINGO account. Boingo boast 100,000 Hot Spots and its reasonable if you are a regular user. See www.boingo.com/ for details.

Moving back to the survey, check out the below responses, as they seem reflective of the current status all things considered of Airports on a global scale.

TOP 10 THINGS WE DISLIKE ABOUT AIRPORTS

The Security process - 24%

Unfriendly check-in staff - 20%

Long check-in queues - 20%

Expensive food and drink costs - 14%

Expensive Parking - 8%

Expensive WiFi costs - 4%

Immigration check - 4%

Customs control - 2%

Repetitive Duty Free Shops - 1%

Lack of comfortable seating - 1%

So who’s doing it right? On the bright side there are some spectacular passenger friendly airports out there. See below for the cream of the worlds airports. Clearly the Asians have mastered how to structure and operate an airport. Its fascinating to see no US or UK airports featured in the top ten and just a few European Airports all of which are in the North of Europe. One other point worthy of mention is that I am sure Middle Eastern Airports such as the new terminal in Dubai, that of Abu Dhabi and perhaps Qatar will all figure in the best of the rest in the future.

The Top 10 Airports in the world for 2008

For Hong Kong to be named winner of World’s Best Airport title for the 7th time in ten years is a truly notable achievement. To retain this title amidst such strong competition is testament to an airport that is clearly serving it’s customers well.
1 Hong Kong (1)
2 Singapore Changi (2)
3 Seoul Incheon (2)
4 Kuala Lumpur KLIA (5)
5 Munich (4)
6 Kansai (9)
7 Copenhagen (11)
8 Zurich (6)
9 Helsinki (12)
10 Cape Town (13)

*Source Travellers choice awards

Further Information: link to: www.airlinequality.com