Omega World Travel
Vol. 29, No. 2 • Summer 2007
 
Gloria Bohan
President and CEO
It has been a dfficult summer for travelers. Airlines experienced record delays with planes filled to near capacity and thousands of flights were canceled over the course of the last several months, leaving countless travelers stranded. Add to these frustrations the thousands of checked bags that were lost and the impact the price of fuel has had on everyone, consumers and vendors alike. The friendly skies have not been so friendly.

But despite all the inconveniences of the past several months, the travel industry is looking to improve service and products on all levels. As the airlines become more solvent we are hopeful the customer will reap some rewards and that customer satisfaction will become a top priority again.

Eco-friendly travel has been in the forefront this summer also. We’ve all taken a harder look at the impact travel has on the environment and new ways to conserve fuel.

Travel is a challenge but Omega is committed to doing what we can to make it easier. Our agents are always there to help. Call us!
U.S. Postpones Passport Requirement for Land, Sea Travelers
The Bush administration in mid-June postponed for at least six months a requirement that Americans returning by land or sea from Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean nations must carry passports. The rule, due to go into effect in January, will be delayed until summer 2008. From January 31 until then, travelers from those destinations must show a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license, as well as proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

Meanwhile, a three-month backlog at the State Department in processing passport applications has snarled travel plans for many Americans. The U.S. will issue 18 million passports in 2007, 6 million more than last year, according to the department.
Southwest Shifts Course
Southwest is rethinking its strategies because its business model just doesn’t work anymore. In the past, the carrier could offer prices their competitors just couldn’t. Now, with rising fuel and labor costs and the new challenges from its trimmed-down older competitors and new rivals, Southwest’s model will not have the competitive edge it had before.
The carrier may begin assigning seats as soon as this winter and is putting together the computer capability to handle international operations, either through connections with partners or flying the trips on its own. Southwest is even set to begin testing wireless Internet service on board its planes.

New U.S. Biometric Scans Are All Fingers and Thumbs
As part of the immigration identification process, travelers entering the U.S. soon will be subject to 10 fingerprint scans
This fall, U.S. Visit, part of
the Department of Homeland Security, will launch a pilot run of its new $1.7 billion biometric machines with an expected complete roll out in March 2008. Currently visitors to the States face two fingerprint scans, 		a photo and an interview by an immigration officer.

For more information on the
US Visit initiative, go to www.dhs.gov

Flight Cancellations:
On Your Own
Thirty years ago, federal regulation, Rule 240, required airlines to immediately re accommodate any passenger whose flight was canceled or delayed. They were legally bound to put you on their next flight out, or the next flight out operated by any airline on the route. But Rule 240 went the way of the Civil Aeronautics Board, the regulated airline industry and ultimately the passenger’s bill of rights. How things have changed.
Now, if a carrier cancels a flight or has a delay, both scenarios that have occurred
at an alarming rate this summer, the airlines will get you home when and if …the passenger has virtually no rights.
Your option is to request a refund
and find your own way home.
The bottom line? Published schedules, flight times, aircraft types, seat assignments and similar details are not guaranteed. Airline contracts are interpreted broadly. Your rights, though specific to each carrier, are ultimately few and far between.
Airlines Report Record Passenger Loads
American, Southwest and Continental are flying at full capacity and without apology to their passengers. All three airlines say the high passenger load numbers set new performance records and airline stock indexes are reflecting the “good” news.
By the Numbers: A Glance at Summer 2007
Passenger Loads
American Airlines 87.9%
Southwest Airlines 81.4%
Continental 87%
Delta Airlines 86.8%		 U.S. Airways 86.3%
JetBlue 86.9%
United Airlines 87.3%
Northwest Airlines 87.7%
Flight Delays Worst in 13 Years
Flights on U.S. airlines arrived late more often in the first four months of this year than in any other year since the government began tracking the numbers 13 years ago.

The Department of Transportation recently reported that only 72% of domestic flights of the 20 largest U.S. airlines arrived on time in January, February, March and April, the worst showing for those four months since DOT began reporting on-time performance this way in 1995. Final summer statistics promise to be even worse. Consider that in addtion to record delays, more than 30,000 flights never got off the ground.
Earth-Friendly Travel
Moving towards ‘Green Travel’ has become a top priority for many businesses and the travel industry is slowly catching up in actively addressing the issues
of climate change and Eco-friendly initiatives. For example, Delta was the first U.S. airline to introduce an earth-friendly program which allows passengers to make donations to the Conservation Fund to plant trees and expand educational and outreach programs.   

The overall impact of the travel industry and related carbon emissions is still undetermined. Nevertheless, a few companies are willing to approach the issue by tracking and calculating this data with various measuring tools. One Web site, www.terrapass.com, provides a formula which calculates the amount of carbon dioxide released during a flight or a drive to a destination. The site also suggests various ways travelers can counteract the environmental impact of their journey. 
Blue Skies Ahead or Green?
Although commercial aviation contributes only about 3 percent of the green house gas and particle emissions scientists blame for global warming, that impact could surge if the industry continues its worldwide growth. By 2050, the industry will be contributing up to 10% of the gases and particles. The EU is already exerting increasing pressure to cut back on air travel, reduce airport expansion and increase taxes on tickets. It also is proposing emissons rules that will eventually affect all carriers flying to and from Europe. U.S. carriers, however, prefer to approach the problem on a more pragmatic basis.

While American and Delta jets often taxi using one engine to conserve fuel and are adding swept extensions to airplane wings to reduce drag and improve efficiency, carriers are looking to reduce the weight of planes overall. Suppliers too are involved. Under pressure from clients demanding fuel efficiency, Boeing will not introduce a plane unless it is 15 percent more efficient that the one it is replacing. Meanwhile, airplane and engine makers have set a goal of reducing carbon emissions on the next generation of jets by 50 percent by 2020. And travelers can be proactive too. Most airlines give them the option to make donations to environmental groups to offset the carbon emitted on flights.

Playing It Safe After Check In
Use these simple rules to keep you –
and your property – safe at your hotel.

1. Choose your hotel well: Pick hotels with solid metal doors and lobby layouts that allow employees to watch elevators. Examine pictures of the property. Is it well lit? In a safe neighborhood? Do the doors open to the interior? Don’t be afraid to ask for a security escort if you need it.

2. Protect your valuables: If you can’t leave your valuables at home, don’t stash them in the most obvious place, the bedside drawer. Instead, try an in-room safe.

3. Keep your room keys safe and door closed: If you lose your room key, ask the front desk clerk for a new one, not a duplicate. Inserting the new key reprograms the lock, making it impossible fo anyone to use the lost key to enter your room. Also, don’t deliberately prop open your door.

4. Don’t drink too much: You need to be able to pay attention to your surroundings.

5. Pack your common sense: And, use it! Go with your gut feeling. If the situation feels wrong, it probably is.

Hotels Take Pampering to Next Level on Club Floors
In a world where hotel guests increasingly crave pampering, upscale hotel chains are turning club floors into over-the-top retreats where members can choose their pillow, groove to a free iPod and pour a cappuccino day or night. The possibilities are endless, including free wireless Internet; Microsoft’s new surface tabletop computer; Starbucks single-serve coffee machines and self-service refrigerators.

Chains are in various stages of launching new club concepts, but many expect to roll them out in 2008.
Long Weekends -- the New
Vacation Model
The two-week vacation is fast disappearing. Instead, employees are using their vacation days to extend weekends and take shorter breaks from the office.

Travel costs are partly to blame for the shift. While nearly 65% of Americans plan to take a summer vacation, gas prices are taking a toll, according to a May survey. Fifty-five percent of vacationers will take several shorter weekend getaways instead of the traditional long summer retreat.

Mounting pressure for workers to be available to clients around the clock is also a cause. And more dual-income couples are finding it difficult to coordinate vacation schedules due to work demands.

Only 14% of Americans plan to take a two-week vacation in 2007, down from 16% in 2006. One-third of workers do not always use all their vacation days.

Avoiding the Ugly American Label
Americans have a hard time adjusting to a slower pace of life and as a result are sometimes labeled as rude and pushy. Experts offer advice to avoid the most common faux pas among travelers – and the ‘Ugly American’ moniker:

1. Find the local rhythm – In some European countries, dinner can take up to three hours. Try not to offend the waitstaff by rushing them. Take your time to experience the food and atmosphere. Also, educate yourself about local culinary customs and table manners.

2. Make a good first impression –Before your trip, study the culture’s customs on greeting, both formally and casually. It's easy to disrespect locals if you aren't familiar with how to greet them. Also, watch your gestures and do your homework about space relationships.

3. Speak the language – You don't have to be fluent, or even close; you just have to make an effort. Also, use clear English and not slang.

4. Don't overtip (or undertip) – Nobody tips as much as Americans (and that isn't always commendable). Ask a concierge to explain local expectations, and then tip the concierge the proper amount.

5. Dress respectfully – When in doubt, classy, simple attire in grays, blues and blacks works best. If you're going to a warm climate, avoid the temptation to pack only shorts and sandals. Include slacks and dress shoes, especially if you plan on dining at nice restaurants or visiting houses of worship.

6. Be a thoughtful guest – As in the U.S., if you're staying at someone's house or going over for dinner, bring a small, inexpensive gift. It can smooth out everyday interactions.