Gettin’ Carried Away

Imagine yourself about to embark on a two-week holiday to London. You’ve packed up a huge suitcase, checked it at the airport and sent it off to be placed on your aircraft… or so you thought. You take your overnight flight to the UK, you sleep through most of it and you wake up excited, ready to greet the day! You wait patiently at the baggage claim as everyone grabs their suitcases. All of a sudden, the turnstile is empty. Where’s your bag? It’s… gone.

Although ‘permanently lost luggage’ is a rare occurence, it does happen. Here’s what you can do to prepare yourself for the worst-case-scenario:

1. Bring a carry-on! Especially when you are planning to bring valuable items and important documents, you should carry them with you at all times. These include, but are not limited to, a camera, a cell phone, an mp3 player, a laptop, a passport, a visa and prescription medication. You may also want to bring your toiletries (in a clear, quart-sized plastic bag) and pack a change of clothes in the event that the airline does lose your checked luggage.

2. Attach a clearly written label to your checked bag. Most suitcases have a pocket on the outside where you can slip an address label. You may also want to stick another one inside your suitcase just in case the one on the outside falls out. Another good idea is to place a copy of your flight itinerary and the name/address of your hotel accommodations inside your bag so that when it is found, the airline will know where to send it.

3. Give your luggage some distinctive characteristics. Do you know how many people own basic black suitcases? Because of the sleek appearance, black suitcases are a popular choice among travelers. However, it’s never easy to spot your bag when 20 other black bags spill out onto the turnstile. And if the airline loses your bag, it’s going to be hard to give a good description when your suitcase looks just like everyone else’s. Tie some colorful ribbon around the handle or the holes in the zippers. You may also want to buy a bright-colored luggage strap to wrap around your suitcase!

4. Try to take a non-top flight. Most luggage is lost when passengers make connecting flights. If your first flight is delayed, and you have very little time to get to your connecting flight, the chances of the airline losing your luggage increase. If you’re worried about it, try to find non-stop flights whenever you are planning a trip. This way, you should know where your luggage is from the moment you drop it off to the moment you pick it up.

When all is said and done, if your luggage is lost… it’s lost. The best thing you can do is to be prepared for the worst. Remember: don’t leave anything valuable in a checked bag, make sure your home address is on the checked bag, make your checked bag stand out from others and try to avoid connecting flights.

Let me start off by wishing you and yours Happy Holidays!

Perry Como (and many after him) once said, “There’s no place like home for the holidays.” While this may be true, I never realized the impact my travels would have on my Christmas celebrations. I’ve been to a lot of places, and I have befriended many people. This post is to wish all of them a very Merry Christmas and to tell them how I truly appreciate every one of them, especially during this cheerful season.

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My NY roomies: Though it’s been awhile since I sent you those silly ornaments, I always think of you this time of year. We had some crazy weather in Manhattan that winter, and when it rains/snows/sleets in Chicago, I think of our many walks to Happy Eric’s or our opening the windows when the heat was just a little too hot. Love you!

My London family: Whenever I’m in the Loop or at the mall around this time, I can’t help but think about Oxford Street and Harrods! Our Crimbo celebration dinner in mid-December was the perfect going away gift. During this time of year, there’s nothing like being with the ones you love. We also enjoyed ourselves at the pub, plenty of times, surrounded by shimmering garland and twinkling lights. I’ll be seeing you for Valentine’s Day 2009!

Shanna: Thank you for the delicious cookies. There’s something about homemade gifts that warms the heart… and in this case… satisfies the stomach! My “journey” to the BO has changed my life in more ways than one. Thank you for leading me in the right direction.

Mom and Laura: Without you, I would never have embarked on any of my journeys. Thank you for being my #1 fan, mom, and thank you for always “one-upping” me with the Christmas gifts, Laura. Hehe! Also, thank you both for making each Christmas special. I may be out of the country for most Thanksgiving celebrations, but I will never miss the chance to spend Christmas at home with you.

~* The Williams Family — Christmas 2006 *~

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I celebrate Christmas with friends and family located all over the world! I also decorate our tree with ornaments I find while I travel. Christmas time is not just about being with my mom and my sister. It’s also about sharing happy memories and making new ones with my dear friends who live anywhere from a few minutes to several thousand miles away. Merry Christmas!

Until recently, I never really paid attention to the taxes I incurred when purchasing a flight. While I was searching for flights on Southwest, I noticed some fine print discussing taxes for taking off, landing, September 11th, etc. I was thinking… huh?

Have you ever wondered why your taxes/fees can be as much as $50 or $100? Here’s why:

Segment taxes

The Passenger Flight Segment Tax is currently $3.50, charged every time a passenger takes off and lands. Essentially, you are paying $7 in taxes per round-trip flight. So if you are not flying non-stop, and you have a connecting flight in another city, you will be paying $17.50 in taxes for taking off twice and landing three times.

International taxes

The Federal Aviation Administration excises a $15.40 tax for the departure and arrival of all international flights. Therefore, if you are flying from New York to London, you will pay an extra $30.80 in taxes.

Security fees

After the terrorist tacks in the East Coast on September 11, 2001, Congress created a 9/11 Security Fee. The fee costs $2.50 per boarding with a maximum fee of $5 per one-way. So even if you have several connecting flights, you will only be charged $5. All of the money collected goes to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which typically enforces heightened security checks on September 11th each year.

~* Every passenger on this flight was charged a $2.50 tax
for flying from Las Vegas to Chicago on 9/11/08. *~

~* Carrie is the blonde in the back! *~

Passenger facility charges

This is a local tax that is collected by individual airlines and paid directly to the airport. The FAA is in charge of telling airports across America how much they can charge for this tax - anywhere from $3 to $18 on a one-way ticket. Most airports in the U.S. charge $6 for this fee. Much of the money collected goes to the maintenance and improvements of the airports.

Other taxes

For example, U.S. Airways charges taxes ($100 each way) for unaccompanied minors. I first flew on a plane when I was 15 years old… alone. Looking back, I don’t even know if there was such a fee added to the price of my flight. U.S. Airways also may charge a fee for “lap children.” Although your baby may be able to travel for free, there just might be a tax added to your trip price because, well, nothing is free these days, right?

So remember - when you are choosing an airline, don’t be surprised by all the taxes! Do some research. Don’t be discouraged! It is a business after all. Airlines and airports need to make money. You will find the airline that fits you best.