Business Travel Tips

According to a survey commissioned by the nonprofit group Wi-Fi Alliance, most business travelers would choose an airline with Wi-Fi over flights with meal service, free movies or convenient arrival time, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The study found that 76 percent of the 480 frequent business travelers interviewed would choose an airline based on the availability of in-flight Internet service. 70 percent of those surveyed would choose an airline with Wi-Fi over one that provided meal service, and 55 percent said they would shift their flight by one day if it meant getting the in-flight service.

The newspaper quoted Kelley Davis-Felner, marketing director for the Wi-Fi Alliance, as saying: “Staying connected is a thing that business workers are comfortable paying for.”

However according to Virgin America, the first U.S. airline to offer Wi-Fi throughout its fleet, 10 percent to 15 percent of passengers pay for the service — up to 25 percent on transcontinental flights.

Most airlines with Internet service offer a Wi-Fi price schedule that increases with the length of the flight.
The cost of Wi-Fi services by Aircell — the company that provides mobile broadband for eight airlines — ranges from $5.95 for flights lasting 90 minutes or less to $12.95 for flights longer than three hours.(source)

Continental Airlines has introduced changes to its OnePass frequent flyer program. Some of the changes will occur in conjunction with the airline joining Star Alliance on 27 October 2009.

Continental’s OnePass members will enjoy reciprocal mileage earning and redemption opportunities with Star Alliance’s 24 member airlines and will be able to connect to more than 950 cities all over the world.

When Continental joins Star Alliance, OnePass Platinum and Gold Elite members will become Star Alliance Gold members, gaining recognition and rewards across all member airlines in addition to OnePass benefits.

- Summary of Continental’s New OnePass Policies

Effective on Oct. 27, 2009

* With Continental’s entry into Star Alliance, mileage requirements for reward travel will change, effective for (more…)

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is implementing new procedures to prevent passengers to take on board certain types of powders that can be used in improvised explosive devices.
On its blog, TSA has compiled a list of replies to common questions about testing powder at checkpoints.

Q: How will you test my powder?
A: Our officers will be using explosives detection tools including X-ray machines and mobile test kits.

Q: How much powder can I bring?
A: As much as you like as long as it’s not one of the prohibited powders such as black powder or other hazmat.

Q: Is this new procedure going to slow down the screening process?
A: No. Based on the frequency of the inspections during the pilot phase, you stand a very small chance of having your powder inspected. However, some items will alarm which TSA may not be able to clear.

Q: What should passengers do if they are carrying powders?
A: Nothing different. Just be aware that some powders may require further screening. The majority of most commonly carried powders such as baby formula and makeup are unlikely to require any additional screening.

Q: Will my powdered baby formula need to be inspected?
A: Probably not. During the pilot phase, we found that powdered baby formula did not cause any problems, but there is always the chance that it could happen.

Q: Is this new?
A: No. We’ve been looking at various ways to screen powders since late 2008 at several airports: LAX, JFK, DCA, DTW. Also, we’ve been screening powders all along, but now we have a new tool we can use when we need to take a closer look.

Q: Does this timing of this have anything to do with 9-11?
A: No. We’re starting this procedure now because the kits we tested in 2008 are ready to be deployed nationally. What we’ve learned from 9-11 and the UK liquids plot is that those who wish to do us harm are looking to use items that aren’t prohibited, and in the case of August 2006, items that seem harmless, to do damage to planes. This kit allows powders to come through checkpoints without inconveniencing the vast majority of passengers.

Q: Is this an effort to find narcotics?
A: No.

Q: What types of powders can be used as explosives?
A: Certain types of explosives, mixtures of fuels and oxidizers, can come in a powdered form and could be used as components of an improvised explosive device.

Q: Will TSA require passengers to open urns with human remains to test the contents?
A: No. We have procedures in place to screen urns in a very respectful manner without opening them. But there might be a need for an officer to swab the exterior of the urn and run a test using this same kit.

Q: What will officers do if they find a threatening powder?
A: They will follow the same procedures that are in place now. Bomb Appraisal Officers will be summoned to the checkpoint, and possibly law enforcement officers if necessary.
(source: TSA)

Marriott has launched “Global Rate Break”, a promotion enabling guests to get 20% off weekend stays Marriott hotels and resorts around the world.

The offer is available weekends at most participating hotels in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America and seven days a week at select hotels and resorts around the world.

Marriott’s brands involved in the Global Rate Break promotion include: Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, and TownePlace Suites by Marriott.

Reservations must be made between September 10 and 24, for stays between September 25 and December 13, 2009. The promotion code is F5X.

In the effort to prevent the transmission of the swine flu virus on board of the plane, some airlines are putting away the pillows and blankets and rolling out the disinfectant wipes.
However experts say it is a precaution of moderate usefulness.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted William Schaffner, head of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University medical school, as saying: “The seats, and pillows and the blankets are really not very important in transmitting influenza, and the usefulness of masks is not well determined. [...] It is really impossible to prevent the transmission of a virus of the respiratory tract, because you cannot identify who is infected”.

The newspaper cites Victoria Day, spokeswoman for the Air Transportation Association (ATA), as saying: “Airlines do have an obligation to report incidents of suspected communicable diseases and airlines have the discretionary authority and follow well established procedures to deny boarding if they come across a medically unstable passenger with a serious communicable disease, [...] airlines are not medical experts, so we look to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) to provide guidance”.

The ATA stresses: “The air inside an airplane is completely exchanged with outside air 10 to 15 times per hour. The air in the average office building is exchanged only once or twice per hour. We want people to understand that if you do travel there is no greater risk of travelling by air than there is going to school or work using public transportation”.
(source).