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TRAVELERS STRUGGLE WITH MASSIVE AIRPORT BACKLOG
(source: MSNBC.com)
Airports trying to shepherd a backlog of planes churned snow plows through the night, kept snack bars open late and scrubbed teeming terminals ceaselessly in an effort to return thousands of passengers stranded by a weekend snowstorm to their homes.
By morning, most flights at New Jersey's Newark Liberty Airport were taking off and landing as scheduled. Continental Airlines said on its website that its hub there was nearly normal but that some cancellations and delays remained.
In snowbound neighborhoods in New York, where hundreds of buses and dozens of ambulances got stuck in the snowdrifts, unplowed roads still hampered bus service Wednesday morning. Officials, while making no promises, had said they hoped to have streets cleared by later in the day.
General delays were reported Wednesday morning at New York's Kennedy airport, where at least three airliners were stuck for more than seven hours Tuesday while they waited for an open gate.
More than 5,000 flights were canceled at the three main airports in New York — 1,000 on Tuesday alone — after the storm dumped 20 inches over a 17-hour period on Sunday and Monday.
On Tuesday night the airport remained filled with passengers on cell phones and laptops, trying to rebook flights, make hotel reservations or figure out alternate plans. Lines at counters for rental cars, ground transportation and lost luggage remained long throughout the day.
Airlines were dispatching planes to JFK without lining up gate space first, causing backups on the ground, said Steve Coleman, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport.
In New York, Times Square was mostly cleared in preparation for Friday night's New Year's Eve celebration. Warmer and mostly sunny weather was forecast until then.
Boston, Philadelphia and other cities on the East Coast also got pummeled with similar snowfall and crept back to life after an extended holiday hiatus when garbage went uncollected, offices stayed shut and shoppers stayed home.
In Boston, tens of thousands of customers were left without power after 18.2 inches of snow fell, 10th most since the National Weather Service started keeping records in 1892. The state of Massachusetts lifted its state of emergency and public transit operated with only minor hitches.
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75% SAY 'THERE HAS TO BE A BETTER WAY' FOR SECURITY
(source: USA Today)
Three in four fliers believe "there has to be a better way" to conduct air travel security screening, says a survey released by the U.S. Travel Association last week. It was compiled based on responses from 1,000 travelers.
Eight in ten support a trusted traveler program that would provide alternative screening measures for American citizens who submit to a background check and meet other risk criteria, it says. Travelers also dislike having to remove shoes more than the new pat-down body searches by checkpoint security personnel, it says.
Respondents would take an average of two to three more trips a year if the security hassles were "reduced," it says. The additional trips would add $84.6 billion in travel spending, USTA estimates.
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CITING TERROR THREAT, AIRPORT SECURITY FOCUSES ON INSULATED CONTAINERS
(source: CNN.com)
The Transportation Security Administration signaled its intention to closely check insulated beverage containers, noting growing concerns that terrorists might conceal explosives inside such items.
Passengers can still carry insulated beverage containers through security and onto flights, the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement.
But, the agency added, airport security officers alerted passengers that they will observe "additional security measures ... in the coming days" on such items. That includes X-ray screening, checks for trace amounts of explosives and close physical inspections.
The agency said that the new approach was brought about because it is "carefully monitoring information related to terrorist tactics and working without international partners to share information."
Still, the statement did not offer any details on what, specifically, provoked the change.
The ban on liquids more than 3.4 ounces (100ml) bottle or less (by volume) remains in effect, meaning the new focus pertains to the material that makes up items like thermoses and similar containers.
An advisory put out by the Transportation Security Administration notes that the alert applies only to insulated drink containers, meaning some will types may not get extra screening.
The move is the latest in a series of recent moves affecting air travel security, many of them applying to bomb or otherwise dangerous material potentially being hidden in standard items like shoes, hats and more.
The most controversial came shortly before the Thanksgiving holiday rush, when the TSA implemented new security procedures involving full-body scanning machines and "enhanced" pat-down procedures. The TSA requires that anyone setting off a metal detector and then refusing to be screened in the scanner be searched manually by one of its agents. Those who refuse risk a $11,000 fine.
And on November 30, the Department of Homeland Security announced that all passengers on flights within and to the United States were being checked against government watch lists.
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BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD FOR U.S. TRAVEL INDUSTRY
(Source: TravelDailyNews.com)
From a social science perspective, the travel planning and purchasing habits of the 2011 traveler will continue to be characterized by a "new resourcefulness." Although the trading down phenomenon we have observed over the past 18 months will begin to abate, travelers will continue to demand more in exchange for their travel dollar: more leg room, an upgraded guest room, a more bountiful breakfast included with their hotel room rate, and, yes, free Internet.
Much has been written and spoken about the return of demand from business travelers, fueled by anticipated economic growth in the year ahead. According to the Ypartnership/Harrison Group Portrait of American Travelers and travelhorizons national surveys, the majority of the lift is coming from business meetings (primarily corporate) more so than individual business travelers. In fact, according to a national survey of (U.S.) corporate and association meeting planners, 41 percent of corporate meeting planners expect to book more off-site meetings in 2011 versus 2009 (an average of 23 more meetings); 21 percent of association meeting planners expect to book more off-site meetings in 2011 versus 2009 (an average of 8 more meetings).
The outlook for demand from individual business travelers is more modest, however. Specifically, as of October of this year, only 17 percent of U.S. adults were planning a trip primarily for business purposes through the second quarter of 2011, essentially unchanged from the 18% who expressed the same intention precisely one year prior. It is not expected for the incidence of business travel to grow any meaningful degree in the months ahead. What may grow, however, is the average number of trips taken by adults who travel for business (both individual and group). This, in turn, is likely to drive a modest increase in mid-week demand from individual business travelers for air travel, lodging accommodations and car rentals.
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
ALDEN-HOUSTON
1117 Prairie Street
Houston
The Alden-Houston will appeal to anyone who understands that life is more than just 'getting by' and who believes that a hotel is more than just a place to lay down a head at night. Located in the heart of downtown Houston, the Alden is an ideal destination for business or pleasure. The Alden-Houston is the epitome of modern luxury offering an array of amenities including complimentary wired and wireless high-speed internet access, complimentary transportation service within a 3-mile radius, gourmet in-room mini-bar, 24-hour room service, 24-hour fitness center, complimentary wine and cheese evening receptions on Monday – Wednesdays, and much more. The critically acclaimed restaurant *17 is sure to tempt, offering distinctive New American cuisine complemented by an extraordinary wine selection and an array of decadent desserts.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Alden – Houston is $155 (compared to a corporate rate of $169).*
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THE LAWYERS' TRAVEL SERVICE PREFERRED HOTEL PARTNERS PROGRAM
OMNI BERKSHIRE PLACE
21 East 52nd Street
New York City
The newly-renovated Omni Berkshire Place embodies modern elegance and sophistication in Midtown Manhattan's most sought-after location. Located on Madison Avenue just steps from 5th Avenue shopping, museums and Broadway, this is the perfect destination for the leisure traveler, while our services and amenities appeal to those looking for a world-class business hotel in New York.
The residential design of the spacious and newly-updated Midtown Manhattan accommodations surrounds travelers with a peaceful ambiance and modern design in the heart of New York City. Featuring contemporary artwork, a sleek new English Sycamore feature wall complete with a 37-inch LCD HDTV and mahogany furnishings, the rooms are ideal for tending to work or taking a moment to relax.
Join the complimentary Select Guest Loyalty program to add an extra personal touch to stays. With benefits such as morning beverage delivery service, pressing of 2 items of clothing, complimentary wireless Internet and green options, this will enhance what is sure to be an already enjoyable stay.
The Omni Berkshire Place is located just moments away from New York's best shopping. One block from St. Patrick's Cathedral, two blocks from Rockefeller Plaza and Radio City Music Hall, three blocks from the Museum of Modern Art, and walking distance to Central Park and countless New York attractions and businesses.
The Lawyers' Travel Service Preferred Hotel Partners Program rate at the Omni Berkshire Place is $399 (compared to a corporate rate of $429) through December 31, 2010 and $269 (compared to a corporate rate of $299) through April 4, 2011.*
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* All rates are subject to availability.
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The Lawyers' Travel Service
www.lawyerstravel.com
info@lawyerstravel.com
800.431.1112 |
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