Skies Soon Friendlier?

There is a report this morning on USAToday.com, explaining new procedures for flying in 2009 that everyone should be aware of. Some airlines may begin instituting these policies as early as January. It seems there are a lot of people out there who still book themselves on flights by using their last name and 1st initial only. Like P. Johnson. That is little or no help to the TSA or Department of Homeland Security, who would like to do background checks to protect the traveling public. It also tends to bring up false "hits" from terror watchlists, where it cannot be determined who the person really is. With the new rules, people will have to book with their legal names, and must be prepared to also provide birthdates, or face being denied boarding at the gate with no recourse. As you might suspect, there's an enormous difference between trying to do a check on P. Johnson versus Paulette Amanda Johnson, born 3-28-57. The latter gives a true picture, instead of just an unrecognizable sketch. There could still be false hits on the most common names and a handful of birthdate matches, but you can see it would be exponentially more rare. It should provide an added layer of security and mental well-being for people who need to fly. It's not a perfect system, but if in fact it is put in place and ID's are checked closely, it has to be better than where we are today. To read the full article:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2008-10-22-secureflight_N.htm

In the same spirit as that article, Mann Travels is trying to assist in making things easier for you to book future travel with us. We have a secure database in-house, where we store full names and birthdates on file for your entire family, as well as your address and contact phone/email information. In fact, on this secure server we can also store your passport information: passport number, when & where it was issued, expiration date, etc. That allows us to contact you with a reminder, before your passports expire and a vacation could potentially be ruined. Also, if by some chance you are overseas and your passport is lost or stolen, you can contact us and we can supply you with all that information in an emergency, to assist in the processing of a re-issue from the American Embassy. The database also allows us to keep you posted when something on your travel "want list" goes on sale! Example: If one of my clients says "Let me know if you ever see any really good deals on a Mediterranean cruise", I can enter that information, and when something extraordinary comes along, he will receive a timely email with all the details. All these are free services from Mann Travels, your partner in seeing the world.

Here's another travel tip. Some people think that booking travel through a travel agent costs them money. They also think they can do better by going directly to a cruise line or tour operator, and booking themselves. In 99.99% of the cases, this is absolutely wrong! If John Doe calls Royal Caribbean and makes a direct booking, he's getting whatever the current promotion is to book an individual cabin. However, Mann Travels often has large blocks of group space on various sailings, and we could have included him in the buying power of a group purchase, saving him money. Even if Mann Travels doesn't have a group, we're part of the American Express Travel Network, so if an Amex agency in Omaha or Phoenix or Seattle has a group, we can also sell into their space - again saving you money. There is almost never a case where you can get a superior rate by going direct. So if you have future travel plans that you have already booked yourself, direct with a supplier, call me. NOW! The likelihood is we can have that booking turned over to Mann Travels to administer (free), and that would allow us to re-price the reservation at our group rate. It's a win/win for the traveler. Plus think about this...if you book direct and a problem comes up, it's between you and the battery of lawyers representing the supplier. You have nobody in your corner. By allowing us to administer the booking, you get the power of Mann Travels as your advocate (free), and the vast reach and power of the American Express Travel Network as well. You're probably asking "How is this possible, for me to get a lower price by having you handle my reservation -- what's the catch?" Are you ready? There isn't one. Almost all cruise lines and tour companies build in a small, behind-the-scenes commission they pay to travel agents as a thank you for handling reservations, allowing them to hold down their overhead and staffing costs. Even though you booked direct, that behind-the-scenes commission isn't being handed back to you. It's just kept internally meaning extra profit for them. So bottom line when we take over a direct reservation, it's THE SUPPLIER who pays us, not you. All our services, expertise, and truthful and unbiased comments are free. If you call any cruise line or supplier, they'll tell you they are better than the other guy. We all know that's not true, and the only way to get an honest appraisal, based on factual historical dealings with tens of thousands of travelers, is by going through a travel agent. You can keep the same cabin you booked, any onboard perks you booked, nothing changes at all, except you get Cap'n Bob for free. As the commercial says, "Getting The Cap'n for free -- PRICELESS."

The Austin Texas American Statesman newspaper had an interesting report this past August. It seems executives of the municipal transit company in Austin decided to invest tax dollars in a new poster program, billed as a rider-education campaign, giving step-by-step instructions in how to stand up on buses without falling over. The introductory frame of the poster featured a harried rider, sweat pouring from brow, exclaiming, "Help! I'll never figure this out". The educational poster goes on to instruct: Lean forward, and put your weight on your front foot. Thank Heaven we have people who are looking out for us, at the highest levels of local government. Someone could have been killed! The only thing I have to say on the matter is that when you're in Austin Texas....take a cab.