Subscribe: RSSEmailTwitterFacebookFriendFeed

Airport Security – What Travelers Need to Know

October 16, 2009 by  
Filed under Flights

Since the tragic events of 9/11, Airports have taken great strides to ensure the safety of their measures. Many new security measures have been implemented that travelers should be aware of before going to the airport.

The following is a list of important security essentials that travelers should know when they go to the airport:

1. Because of the security measures that have been implemented, one may expect longer security check lines so checking in for the flight may take longer than in the past. Airports recommend that you arrive at the airport about two hours before your scheduled flight.

2. The first checkpoint is registering for your plane seat. You will have to show your boarding pass and a form of identification such as a drivers license or a government issued identification card.

3. When you arrive at the security check point, you will be required to put your carry-on bag through the scanner. There will be a bin for placing your coat that will be scanned before you walk through the metal detector. Before going through the metal detector, you will have to remove any items you are wearing and put them in a bin for scanning. Some airports now have — shoe sniff — devices that analyze your shoes for the presence of explosive materials. If the scanner picks up something unusual, you and your bag will be searched. The security agent may pass a wand with a removable filter that will test for explosive residue.

4. X-ray body imaging machines at airports, called backscatter devices, are being installed in up to 30 airports. The machines are intended to replace the physical pat-down some passengers receive.

5. In August, 2006, rules were implemented to allow passengers on US and European flights to carry only 3 ounces/100 ml of liquids or gels through airport security in a clear Ziploc type plastic bag. Beverages purchased in the airport after clearing security are allowed. You are permitted to bring more than 100ml of baby formula, baby food, milk, or juice prescription and essential non-prescription medicines. You must declare these items at the security check desk.

6. Items that are considered weapons are banned such as knives, tools, pepper spray, and scissors. As well, loose batteries are not allowed on the flight. Lithium ion batteries in cell phones and laptops are allowed. You may not pack loose lithium batteries in your checked baggage, but spare lithium batteries are permitted in carry-on baggage. It is important to check with the airport if you have a concern about what items you are bringing.

7. Other security areas being enhanced include random screening of employees, stronger air cargo security measures, additional canine patrols, more thorough identity verification, deploying more trained security officers in bomb appraisal, and improved screening by observation techniques.

Many travelers do not think they have to worry about security checks, however, if you are caught with a banned item, you could be fined and even prosecuted. The last thing you want to happen is to be prevented from boarding your flight, or even worse, end up on the no fly list.

About the Author:

Lanzarote Flights – Dealing With Delays

June 12, 2009 by  
Filed under Flights

Delays are the bane of every traveller and tourist.  But whilst some airports offer little in the way of distraction Arrecife airport in Lanzarote offers a surprisingly large amount of things to do for anyone hoping to escape the terminal boredom of a delayed departure.  Including some interesting artworks, a museum and a tropical garden tour. 

Arrecife airport is the sole international terminal on the island – servicing around 1.8 million passengers every year.  The majority of whom arrive on flights to Lanzarote from the UK and Ireland.  Either under the aegis of either a travel company such as First Choice or under their own steam as a result of booking their own flights online with low cost operators such as easyJet.

The airport is in fact located some 3km outside the capital city of the same name, close to a conurbation called Playa Honda.  Which is well off the tourist track.  But which in has a delightful seafront promenade, miles of beach and plenty of decent bars and restaurants.  Taxis run from right outside the arrivals hall and Playa Honda is just five minutes away for anyone in need of a total escape.

Many travellers are unable to leave the confines of the airport when dealing with a delay though.  Which is where Arrecife airport comes up trumps.  As it actually offers a few interesting things to do other than just nurse a coffee or stroll around some shops.

The Airport Museum is located just across from the main terminal – and is housed in the original terminal building and control tower that dates back to 1941.  When Lanzarote´s first ever airport (or runway) opened for business.  The Airport Museum first opened in 2002 and houses loads of great old photos and interactive displays and exhibits.  Visitors can even get into the original control tower and play at controlling flights.  The Museum is open every day from 10am to 2pm and admission is entirely free of charge.

Any visitor to Lanzarote will have become familiar with the work of Cesar Manrique.  The island born artist who helped to shape the controlled development of tourism on the island.  Even at the airport his influence is inescapable.  As the entrance way houses a massive sculpture – or wind toy.
Entitled Homage to Pepin Ramirez – who was the former island governor who helped to realise Manrique’s vision for Lanzarote.

Alternatively take a calming stroll around the airport gardens.  With the aid of
the recently launched Botanical Guide.  Which is available from the Information desk in the departures area. This isnt Kew by any means – but visitors can still at least enjoy being outdoors whilst taking a look at over 130 different species of local plant life.

Enjoy Luxury with Meet & Greet Airport Parking at Gatwick

March 28, 2009 by  
Filed under Flights

Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the nation and the second largest after Heathrow. It offers two terminals and has several services and facilities to its travellers from shopping to eating places, airport hotel to meet and greet facilities. This airport is without doubt one of the top ones around the globe, and here is extra information about its meet and greet parking services.

You can book meet and greet parking services at Gatwick online, all you have to do is go to the website and enter your travel details such as date and times and check the prices you are offered. If you like the rates, you can book the service online.

The facility provides many comforts to its customers since it receives and drops you straight to the terminal doors. It also has a cash back assurance if you have to wait at either the departure or arrival place.

Lastly, the prices extended are very economical, and the facility gives you the best prices in the market. This facility is not the most cost effective, but it extends the most excellent service for the price it charges, and gives you with a money back guarantee if they are late in dropping or picking you up.

To reserve, all you require to do is go to the departure terminal or hotel and meet the delegate there. You will then give your car to them and they will park it in a high security parking place. When you get back, the service will meet you at the terminal doors once you have got your luggage and called them. They will then give your car to you. For this service, they require to be acquainted with both your time of departure and arrival time for your voyage.

This parking facility is really helpful since you will no longer have to wait for airport parking buses to remove you to parking lots. You will also not have to park your car yourself or get it back, which implies you can check-in right away upon arrival as well as go instantly upon collecting your luggage.

You can therefore drive away within minutes after you have cleared your stuff at customs. You will also not have to take your baggage all the way to the parking lot or drag your tired offspring there with you. Finally, there is a amazing money back guarantee if the service is late in taking you car or leaving you back.

This service is absolutely great for families, especially for people with young children. It is also perfect for busy business travellers and disabled or older people who do not want to deal with the hassle of car parking. It is also great if you have awkward or heavy luggage you do not want to carry all the way from and to the parking area.

This is a worthwhile service that will make you rejoice your homecoming devoid of dealing with any parking issues or airport bus transfers.

About the Author:

Airport Parking – the Hotel Alternative

March 20, 2009 by  
Filed under Flights

If you are someone who generally parks their car at the hotel car parking, you have to know that there is a better option accessible to you. The alternative is parking in the airport parking as a substitute of parking distant

You can pre-book the parking by visiting online and verifying and paying for it through the internet. All you have to do is print out your parking ticket when you reach the airport. If you can locate a cheaper airport parking, you will either get a repayment or the cost will be matched. You can even reserve your parking place on the day of travel.

You can even find parking places in parking lots in close proximity to the airport, and they are more cost effective than the ones at the airport and are just as handy. Now and then these can be up to fifty percent cheaper. There is no use to be anxious that you will have to get yourself from the terminal to the parking lot, given that there is also the choice of having a transfer bus from the terminal to the parking resource.

In the UK, the most excellent parking areas are at the full-size airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick. All of these extend endless facilities such as security. Most of these airports have protected parking areas which have a round the clock protection team as well as fences to look after the cars from stealing. They also have cameras monitoring the full area.

Another fabulous aspect concerning Airport parking is that everything is structured through technology. Instead of having to depend on manual counting to figure out how much area is accessible and when new ones will be opening up, the computer will now estimate all this instantly, and therefore always ensure the parking lot is utilized in the best possible way.

Another plus that most UK airports extend is valet services for your parking. You can have your car parked when you get to the airport valet, and when you reappear that car will be brought to you at the door. This presents you two advantages; one-it trims down the trouble you have to face to find parking, secondly-it enables the airport valets to best use the space in the car park and return you your vehicle safe and sound.

Airport parking is also convenient as you have the luxury of having your bags dropped off and picked up from the terminal gates instead of having to lug them through various transfer buses to any other parking lot. This is especially useful if you have kids or older people with you who cannot walk that much.

Airport parking is thus a better alternative when it comes to parking your car while you are out of the country or city. It offers many benefits over hotel parking such as valet parking, security, convenience, and ease of use, and not to mention the ability to book the parking spot online prior to your arrival. Therefore, if you are someone who usually parks in the hotel but is looking for an alternative, then the airport is one great option for you.

About the Author:

How to Hire A Vehicle

February 28, 2009 by  
Filed under Car Rental

There’s more to renting the car than just reserving it and paying for it, to make sure that you get the best deal follow these steps and tips.

STEPS:

1.Choose three to four car rental firms that fit your wants and needs, do this either through the phonebook, or through the internet, remember to scan every possible firm before you make a choice, you don’t want to overlook the best car rental because you got bored from looking

2.Contact the agency and ask about their special offers, location, availability, pickup sites, rates, special rates, hotel and airline partnerships, extra charges, insurance, everything you can think of that can help lower what you have to pay for your car rental, or what would make the car rental more convenient for you.

3.Choose a pickup point; find one that is near you so it won’t be a hassle, some car rental companies pay for the cab ride you have to take, some pick you up at your home or at the airport to take you to your rental.

4.Pick a car, depending on your needs, find a car that could fit all the people you’ll have in it, and if you’re alone just use a compact, some rentals charge higher for larger vehicles.

5.The next thing to do, after you’ve totally decided on which to take, remember to reserve it, some car rentals include the reservation fee on the overall rent, some make it out to be an extra fee, you should also look out for this when get a car rental.

TIPS

For the best deals for your money here are some tips when looking, finding and taking out a car rental.

1.When getting a car rental check for available upgrades at no charge, you’d want the best deal so you’d want the best car, to do this, you should go pickup your car early in the morning, when the other cars haven’t been returned yet, this way there would be a shortage on economy cars and the firm might just give you an upgrade for a lower price.

2.Get an internet car rental. These types of rentals offer internet only discounts, and sometimes even accepts find a car at your own price methods where you just give them your budget and they’ll find the best deal for you, plus you wont have to go anywhere to get a rental.

3.Fill the gas tank before you return your car, car rentals will charge you, at an inflated price, the cost of the gas needed to fill the tank.

4.Look for packages like fly-drive-stay or fly-drive, these will get you great discounts on rentals, and what’s more you won’t have to worry about other details like a hotel or an airline, everything’s there. You can find these packages on must travel agencies.

5.If your frequent flyer discount or free flight is about to expire, there are some car rental companies that offer to exchange these discounts to discounts on your car rental, although its more cost effective to just fly with your frequent flyer discount, if its going to expire anyway, why wait?

These are just a few of the things you’ll need to know, but always remember to be pesky, ask questions, ask for discounts, the only reason why people don’t get better value for the things they buy is because they’re too shy to ask.

About the Author:

Getting a Glasgow flight?

February 27, 2009 by  
Filed under Flights

There are many travelling options from Glasgow airport, besides the obvious air travel. Glasgow airport is accessible by car, train, bus, coach and taxi. The airport is only eight miles from Glasgow city centre making it extremely accessible. All information can be found at the Glasgow airport website for your transportation needs.

You can pick up the train at Paisley’s Gilmore Street about two miles from the airport. The station has a shuttle that runs regularly between it and the airport. You can then travel to any port of Glasgow and further by taking the train. Trains run about eight times per hour during weekdays and slightly less on the weekends.

Glasgow has over 450 taxi companies that travel to and from the airport. Travel by taxi is hassle free and convenient. Many companies have special rates for the airport. Information on taxi services can be found online along with a description of all of there services and areas of travel.

Public and chartered uses also make regular stops at Glasgow airport to drop of and pick up passengers. Fare is inexpensive, only about 6.50 for a return ticket and you can be dropped almost anywhere throughout the city. The trip should take around 25 minutes and make sure you check the route for the Citylink and Fairline routes.

There are a few different options if you wish to travel by car. You can hire a car from one of the many companies at the airport. Store your car if you are leaving it at the airport in wither short or long-term parking. Additionally you can be dropped or picked up at specified locations. Traveling from Glasgow airport is easy and you will be sure to enjoy your flight and time spent in the city.

About the Author: