-
Asiana Airlines: where was the crew?
I was on an American Airlines Boeing 767 years ago, where there was an engine loss over the Atlantic. The crew was everywhere helping, talking, comforting, holding passenger hands when needed. They were amazing, putting their training into action. In the Times article about Asiana this morning, this crew/pilot assistance is missing according to passengers interviewed.
A frequent flyer on the Asiana route, a Mr. Levy, describes how he opened the emergency door, helped 30-40 passengers leave the plane and never saw or heard a crew member.…
-
Warning on Egypt! But will insurers refund you?
There is a huge difference in the urgency of State Department announcements. Some are mere advisories but the one on Egypt today is serious. Do not go to Egypt on nonessential travel says State. And the UK Foreign Office concurs.
A further hint of danger is that the US has ordered the evacuation of nonessential government workers from Egypt. This is a giant red flag.
Does your insurance allow you to cancel and get refunded in cases like this? That is debatable and the grey areas are the definition of terrorism and the exact incidents that seem dangerous to the traveler.…
-
Solo Travel Tips: Are You in Danger?
Even if you are traveling with others, there might be a time when you go out alone. These tips will help you stay safe.
1. Check street safety in the English language newspaper of your destination. There are many sites with lists of these local papers.
2. Use Google translation to understand news in other languages before you leave.
3. Check not just the US, but also UK, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Foreign Ministry news reports.4. If you go out with anyone you do not know extremely well, make them leave their national identity card with contact.…
-
Turkey Travel Safety now Cancellations for Brazil?
Twitter and social media are spurring riots in both countries. Should you cancel your trips? Let’s assume you are NOT getting your money back from your travel vendor.
We have talked about this before. First, make sure the rioting is exactly where you are going. If so, is it in one neighborhood or city-wide?
Are airlines canceling flights there? Does your hotel website have a notice about problems?
In some cases, riots are limited to university areas, so avoid them when you book your hotel in fragile places.…
-
Are Women 'Travel Victims'?
News about crime abroad seems to focus on women. Though rape in India is less frequent than in most developed countries, the press covers it disproportionately. The latest article about an unfortunate American woman in India, who was raped, includes that she got into a truck with three strange men. Obviously she did not deserve to be raped or hurt anyway, but would you get into a truck with strangers of any type and anywhere?
My issue with the coverage is that the media uses her case to publish endless articles about women and safety, describing us victims.…
-
Cancelling your Vacation to Turkey?
The question is always the same: is news on a headline or a reality that will prevent you from a safe trip? Here are some guidelines to follow:
—–Find out if your travel insurer has qualms or is no longer insuring trips to Turkey.
—–Ask your operator if all their departures are going ahead as planned.
—–Look up UK, Canadian, or other English speaking Foreign Government advice on the area for tourists. Each country will have a different take on the situation.… -
Theft on Airplanes Strikes Women
Theft on planes remains an issue. Women, especially, are the victims. We think that carry on is the be all and end all. We trust passengers merely because they could afford a ticket. Finally we feel ‘safe; in the confines of a plane’s cabin. Theft on airplanes is fairly common. Most companies do not cover you for theft in the airplane cabin.
Some mistakes women make are here in no particular order.
Women experience theft on airplanes, because they leave their valuables near their seats, even when they leave the seat.…
-
Tour Operator Bankruptcy
What an awful thing to happen to people: they are booked and paid up and the tour company goes bankrupt. If paid by credit card, and not stranded overseas, most people get their $$ back.
I have just booked a trip with my husband’s college and the college requires payment by personal check. So how do I protect my money?
Some travel insurance policies do protect against bankruptcy. But here is what consumers do not know: they do not cover all tour companies and airlines.…
-
Airline Prices Have Fallen: it is Taxes which are the Culprit
Many travelers do not know that airline prices have fallen over the years. It is taxes which are the culprit for high prices. Today I got an email from a airline ticket consolidaror, giving out deals from Los Angeles.
Here is the shocker:
LAX to Europe was around $265, taxes were $650. So it is the taxes which are the big piece. Sites selling airline tickets are now required to add the taxes to the amount you see before you click.… -
What Travel Insurers Do Not Tell You About Terrorism
They do not necessarily fly you home if there is a terrorist act in your destination, if your itinerary can skip the one area. Read the small print please!
They do not tell you what to do if the act is before you leave and the US State Dept has not issued a warning yet. Learn the difference between a warning and an advisory and the other vague language used by officials.
So how do you decide if you should go ahead with your trip?…
