New frontiers for travelers
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” penned Charles Dickens in his novel, “A Tale of Two Cities,” and so it is with the state of travel during today’s turbulent times.
The combative combination of the airlines unpredictable handling of stranded passengers, blended with fluctuating fees charged for checked baggage is a case in point. Add the Transportation Security Administration’s intimidating searches and the pleasure once associated with travel has now turned to dread.
Yet, there are flickers of hope, such as the new federal regulations that limit tarmac wait times to three hours, after which airlines have to allow passengers to deplane or face steep fines. While it’s not the Airline Passenger Bill of Rights put forward by Senators Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snow, it is a definite step in the right direction. Airlines face a fine of $27,500 per passenger for noncompliance. Check www.FlyerRights.com for details.
As for security, there are now locking devices in place such as Search Alert’s colorful locks that let you know when your bag has been searched, which now has the approval of the TSA (www.cclsecurity.com). That’s another progressive move.
As for getting your liquids and gels through TSA without setting off that dreaded alarm, www.mysmartpac has a TSA-approved assortment of personal care products that comply with the “3-1-1” rule, which means you won’t have to suffer that oversized tube of toothpaste being confiscated at airport checkpoints.
One of the best time-and money-saving solutions is to avoid checking baggage altogether. It is possible and still fashionable if you pack the right clothes and accessories. Here’s the trick: compress a month of clothes into one suitcase.
Jamie Sadock, a New York-based fashion designer and adventure traveler (www.jamiesadock.com), beats the odds when it comes to compressed packing. Her featherweight, climate-control, comfort-and wrinkle-free tops feature cooltron fabrics that can be hand washed as you travel, thus avoiding expensive hotel dry cleaning bills.
Here’s how to make it happen: pack eight tops, two pairs of slacks and a skirt, plus an assortment of scarves and other clever accessories and you are good to go. I did just that on an American Airlines flight, which was “delayed” for no particular reason (that I know of), stranding me for 24 hours at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. Using a Zuca suitcase (www.zuca.com), I strategically packed with Sadock’s wonder wardrobe.
Sadock said, “When you are confined to an airline seat for hours it is important you are wearing comfortable, washable clothing. My collection represents a chic and comfortable style, providing a solution to the challenge of dressing for travel. You can mix and match shirts and pants, and with the right accessories you have at least 25 different outfits that you can wear for any travel event, from sightseeing to a safari.”
And while you’re seated on a long-haul flight, comfortably clothed, there are remedies for jet lag. Try Sunlight 365, a device with a blue spectrum of sunlight to help speed adjustments to different time zones. It even has a built-in clock and countdown timer (www.magellans.com).
Pamela Price is the coauthor of several travel guides including “100 Best Spas of the World.”