Thoughts on 2010

The blog

Firstly, prompted by Gary Leff's valid complaint about the recent lack of posts, I apologise to my readers. I haven't posted much in the last few weeks due to a crazy schedule, but this will change ... soon.

I'm working on a plan for 2010. Yes it is a bit late for new year resolutions, but I think this will be worth it. It isn't ready yet but I like how it is shaping up - there is something for everyone I hope. I also haven't forgotten that I have some unanswered questions and unfinished informational and advice series. These will be addressed.

As ever, I'm happy to accept any relevant questions by email, at Quick Questions, or by comment on a relevant post.

Travel news and developments

2009 saw lots of change, and even though 2010 has barely begun there has already been lots happening. Security rules change almost daily. Strike threats. A major airline about to be bankrupt (Japan Airlines). Consolidation of Chinese airlines. Frequent stay program changes (Hilton HHonors devaluation from 15 January). This rapid change will continue.

Meanwhile, the release of the movie Up in the Air late last year (or early 2010 depending on market) has been accompanied by more media attention on frequent flyers and frequent flyer programs (eg this piece today from WSJ). As a result there is a lot of information and advice becoming more widely available to the general public. Readers of this blog have already had access to this information, whether on Flyer Talk or in the tips and advice previously posted here and on other Boarding Area blogs.

Whenever there is change there is opportunity as well as downsides to manage. Having good quality information is as important for savvy travellers today as ever. This will be another great year.

Expect longer delays at New York JFK March to July

Those who've flown to or from New York JFK airport know all about lengthy delays which are legendary amongst frequent flyers. Yesterday came news of at least 4 months of even longer delays as the biggest runway will get rebuilt.

Cranky Flier spells out what is happening and what it means. The upshot is hope weather conditions are right whenever you fly through JFK, and if possible try to avoid it for the spring and early summer period. After a couple of years of mainly avoiding New York and USA in general it looks like I picked a bad time to use New York as a base for some of my (northern hemisphere) spring & summer trips.

Chris Guillebeau, non-conformist?

I've been reading Chris Guillebeau's blog, The Art of Non-Conformity since it was launched. Like me, Chris is an avid traveller, but he also has a hip outlook on life and as he strives to meet his own writing and business goals also gives back by assisting others to achieve theirs. Really you should read his blog (and when his first book is published later this year read that too).

Anyway, after conversing online for some time finally our paths crossed and we met. Many of the people I've pointed to Chris' blog have commented that his style is very affable, and so he is in real life. He talks and acts just like he writes.

I had a very pleasant evening with Chris and others who'd come together to meet him. One of the many things we discussed was how thankful we were to be living now with the many opportunities we have that others in different places and times do/did not.

That's gotten me thinking. There is a mindset shared by many people I've met all over the world that is independent, open and outward looking. To some people this can be scary, and perhaps this is where Chris' approach is non-conformist. I'm somewhat saddened by this line of thought, because to me this is normal.

British Airways - possible strike in March

A British Airways cabin crew strike at Christmas was cancelled by court injunction. The union has announced a revote starting 22 January (source The Guardian), which indicates a possible strike in March. Given the length of voting period required and minimum notice periods, the earliest possible strike date is about 26 or 27 February.

At this stage the revote seems likely to again pass, with a very high vote in favour of strike the first time around and union leaders agitating over working conditions during the extreme snow event currently being experienced in Europe.

In the meantime, BA travellers hope talks between management and unions reach a solution that doesn't disrupt travel plans.

TSA PR & blog gone awol

The past couple of weeks have had lots of security incidents and news, and yet curiously the TSA blog has been largely silent with their last posting well over a week ago.

Surely a period when we have had the following incidents (and more) is a time for more information and PR in order to reassure the travelling public, and not a time to shut up?

• Underpants bomber failed attempt.
• Temporary new security rules (last hour of flight remain in seat with no IFE and no items in your lap).
• Another suspected terrorist (the next day) spent "too long" in the lavatory because he had food poisoning and not because he was concocting a bomb.
• Botched attempt to find source of documents on the new security rules by subpoena'ing 2 bloggers (Chris Elliott and Steven Frischling) who published the widely disseminated documents.
• Apparently permanent new security rules (pat down and bag search for all passengers flying from other countries to USA).
• Newark terminal shut-down where security failed to spot someone bypassing security by entering an exit door until hours later.
• Honey being mistaken for an explosives device shutting down a Californian airport.

It has been a bad couple of weeks for TSA. I'm shocked at the lack of care in the incidents, but also at the lack of appropriate treatment in communicating well with travellers.

Backup plan for flight misconnections - part two

Several days ago I posted some ideas about having a backup plan in case of flight misconnections, using my own potential misconnect as an example. At the time I wrote it I was comfortable the risk was both low and could be mitigated easily.

In the event there was a circumstance which I hadn't factored in, because it is so unusual. In transferring between these two flights I had to clear immigration and customs, go landside to check in for my onward flight, and go back through security to board. Unfortunately for me, at midnight 1 January the immigration computers went down. My flight landed after midnight and I joined a queue of at least 1500 people.

With the computers down processing was incredibly slow and it looked like it might take 6 hours to clear immigration. This would mean not only would I miss my flight, but by the time I'd arrive at the check in counters the staff would have all gone (the last flight for many hours on that airline having long departed) and so the backup options of rebooking would also be difficult to apply.

When I realised this I found someone official looking and enlisted their assistance. I was polite, clearly explained the situation, and left it to him to find a solution. I picked the right person and the right time to ask because he assisted me to jump the queue - passing several hundreds of travelers ahead of me. If he hadn't been able to help I would have tried other people - even to the extent of going backwards up the queue to find a police officer if necessary. It was a close call - by the time I cleared immigration and customs and reached check in it was only 15 minutes before departure - but I made it.

If I hadn't asked but instead had just waited patiently in the queue until it was my turn, I definitely would have missed the flights that were my original backup plan. I might not have been able to fly on the next flight options over 12 hours later (these were full although my frequent flyer status would have put me at the top of the queue in case of no shows), and I certainly would have missed other onward flights on my itineray, requiring further rebooking of flights.

What are the lessons I learned?

1) Be prepared. By having all the facts about onward flights I knew what my options were and were not. Even while it was tense waiting in line I knew if I was still okay or not. Knowing is better than not knowing.

2) Being aware of time limitations. I knew when the check in staff would be finishing up, so could wait patiently while there was still time but act differently when I needed to.

3) Enlisting help. Instead of just accepting a misconnection I enlisted others to help me out.

It is not the first time I've been in this situation, and I doubt it will be the last time. By being prepared I was able to be proactive instead of reactive, which lead to a much better outcome for me.