THE TOP 5 (NEW) RULES OF FLYING With smaller, regional carriers making up half the air traffic at some of the country's biggest airports, how you previously prepared for a flight may no longer apply. Below, the new rules. 1. Bring food Regional flights can be as long as four hours, and food isn't sold on most of them. 2. Leave nothing to chance To avoid surprises, always find out what type of plane you'll be flying before you buy your ticket. 3. Don't assume that you can bring aboard a carry-on A wheelie that would fit easily into the overhead bin on a major airline probably won't get past the gate agent at a regional carrier whose bins are too small for anything other than a glorified purse. You'll have to check it at the gate. 4. Selecting your seat The standard seating rules don't apply on regional jets. For instance, don't assume that a C or D seat is on the aisle. Choice spots on an Embraer 145 are the A seats—single seats on the left side. 5. You can usually avoid flying a regional, but it might not be easy On many routes, airlines offer a mix of code-share regional services as well as flights on their own full-size jets. If there's no way to avoid regional service, try to book the largest aircraft. It's trite but true: The bigger planes do provide a smoother ride. BAGGAGE THEFT AT AIRPORTS IS ON THE RISE Airlines say baggage theft is rare among the millions of passengers who fly each year, but law-enforcement officials say it has been growing significantly. "There's been a tremendous increase in the last five years. It's pretty bad—a lot is getting stolen every day," said a prosecutor in the Queens County district attorney's office, which handles airport theft cases in New York. Authorities attribute an escalation to the sour economy and to tighter security around cargo, which historically has been a target for thieves. Passenger baggage is now easier pickings. In addition, cost-cutting at airlines and police departments has reduced patrols and enforcement, officials say. Airline ticket rules—the "contract of carriage"—exclude liability for any valuables in luggage, such as computers, cameras, electronic equipment, jewelry, business documents, artwork or similar valuable items. Here's how to protect yourself: Never put anything of value in checked luggage. Airlines don't cover it. Small, easily pocketed items are most at risk, from jewelry and electronics down to battery chargers and golf balls. If you can't carry valuables onboard, ship them separately. With shipping companies, you can insure your valuables and get tracking information. Don't rely on luggage locks. They are easily broken or bypassed. If you do find something stolen, report it immediately to the airline, to the TSA and to local airport police. Mark your bag with colorful ribbon or straps (that won't get caught in conveyor belts) so it can be spotted easily on a crowded carousel. That lessens the chances someone else will walk off with it, intentionally or by accident. A Delta spokeswoman says the airline does offer compensation to customers "within the limits of our contract of carriage." Airlines say they look for patterns in theft claims filed by customers and work with police to catch thieves. Arrests in Portland, Hartford, St. Louis and New York all included Delta employees or contractors, for example, and Delta says that's because it initiated most of the investigations. In New York, for example, Delta and TSA planted a bag stuffed with electronics in the JFK baggage system and two men working together, one a TSA screener and the other a baggage handler, were videotaped swiping a computer and cellphone, then switching the luggage tags to help cover their tracks. Since it's hard to pin down at which airport items were stolen, airport police chiefs have launched a new reporting system that tracks the itinerary of a stolen bag, alerts airports along the route and tries to spot patterns, says Chief Mason in St. Louis, who is also president of Airports Law Enforcement Agencies Network, an association of police chiefs. In its first six months, the system has already identified one airport that might be having a problem, he said. DELTA, AMERICAN, UNITED SEE BETTER PREMIUM TRAVEL The nation's three largest airlines say they're seeing an uptick in demand for business and premium tickets, which could signal the beginning of a recovery in all-important corporate travel. At Delta Air Lines Inc., chief financial officer Hank Halter said the company sold more corporate tickets in November than it did in the same month last year — the first such increase all year. The treasurer of American Airlines' parent, AMR Corp., said both leisure and premium travel were beginning to pick up, especially on international routes. Premium travel includes leisure travelers flying first- or business-class. The CFO of United Airlines also said corporate travel was continuing to improve. Business travelers matter because they fly regularly and often pay higher, last-minute fares. Their numbers apparently hit bottom in the spring. Delta's revenue from corporate tickets hit a low point in April, off 50 percent from the year before, but has gradually recovered since then. With the outlook improving, Halter said Delta's revenue per available seat mile — a closely watched indicator of financial performance in the airline business — will probably turn positive in the first half of next year.
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
Deep in the heart of Dallas, famed Texas hospitality meets W style. W Dallas - Victory defines the emerging it-spot, Victory Park, as a posh playground near Downtown, Uptown, Turtle Creek, the high-style Design District and the city's nightspots. W Dallas - Victory will charm with sensory indulgences wrapped in cowboy cool. Indulge at Tom Colicchio's Craft, revel at Ghostbar, steam, de-stress at Bliss Dallas or get wet in the infinity pool. From the Mega Texas-sized rooms to the Wow Suites, 252 sleek rooms invite guests to live large, Dallas-style with rainforest showerheads, 32" plasma TVs, W signature beds and the W-exclusive lemon + sage Bliss® Sinkside Six.
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
Spacious rooms and expansive views in the center of the financial district; convenience and luxury make business a pleasure. In the room, one will find the level of comfort one of the most enjoyable aspects of any business trip. When it comes to work, the layout of every room gives travelers adequate working space and the technical back up one needs away from the office. The hotel provides a business center that will become a remote office with reliable efficient staff and high levels of technology. For entertainment the hotel offers Silks, which is consistently voted as one of the finest restaurants in town and combines the very best flavours of Pacific Rim and American cuisine. Unwind in a warm and elegant atmosphere to the sound of soft piano music. MO Bar is a popular choice for afternoon tea or cocktails. Shops, banks and transport are all within easy reach.
THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
Luxury Washington, DC Hotel in the Land of American Historic Treasures Located in one of the most influential cities of the world, this grand luxury hotel offers a resort atmosphere and a personal taste of politics, culture, art and music at its best. The four-diamond Omni Shoreham Hotel is nestled on 11 acres in picturesque Rock Creek Park in northwest Washington, DC and is only steps away from the National Zoo. Many of their 836 luxury guest room accommodations and suites offer spectacular views of the park. The hotel is just 8 miles from Reagan National Airport and 28 miles from Dulles International Airport.
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