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Family travel predictions for 2010
I predict that in 2010, TSA will open family security check lanes year round.
Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for making Family Travel Suite the number one resource for family travelers in 2009. Here’s to a fabulous 2010!
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USA Today|Travel News
NEW YORK (AP) — The travel gurus are reading their crystal balls for the new year, and here are some of their predictions.From Travelocity.com’s Genevieve Shaw Brown:
• Airfares are going up, but hotel rates are going down.
• Resorts in popular destinations dependent on air travelers — Caribbean, Hawaii — will be particularly good values.
• All-inclusive resorts will gain popularity with budget-conscious travelers.
• Booking early is the best way to get the lowest airfare. Capacity cuts means airlines have more pricing power than 2009.
• Vacation packages will be the best overall value. Hotels are not keen to lower their standalone rates, but will do so as part of a package. Travelers who bundle flight and hotel will save the most.
From Hotwire.com’s Clem Bason:
• Travel sales will remain flat; travel deals will continue to improve.
• Hotel prices will continue to drop. Deal-hunters should watch markets such as Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles and San Francisco, where Hotwire expects unsold inventory could be sold at up to 55% off.
• Air prices will stay flat, as capacity cuts offset the slow recovery in business travel, leading to price stability.
• Car rental prices will be high, with few deals and some sold-out locations. Use less-expensive brands such as Payless or Advantage and rent from off-airport locations to save money.
• Get savings from vacation packages, with discounted deals online.
• Price differences between five- and four-star hotels will get smaller. (READ MORE)
Terrorist attack gets you one free ticket from airline
All jokes aside, overall, I think this is a nice gesture. I mean, what else could the airline do to illustrate that they really 
do care about passenger safety. Delta Airlines, the carrier who owns Northwest, is even showing its gratitude to the passenger who subdued the Nigerian bomber. Exactly what that package includes has not been disclosed.
What do you think? Is a free plane ticket enough? What would you expect in a case like this one?
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Associated Press | Harry R. Weber
ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines Inc. is offering travel credits to passengers on the Amsterstam-to-Detroit flight that a terror suspect tried and failed to blow up on Christmas.
Spokeswoman Susan Elliott told the Associated Press today the world’s biggest carrier is notifying passengers about the vouchers. The amount wasn’t disclosed.
According to authorities, a Nigerian man who said he was an agent for al-Qaida tried to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253 as the plane was preparing to land in Detroit on Friday. It was carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members.
Delta is offering its gratitude to one of the passengers who subdued the suspect. Elliott declined to say whether that passenger would receive additional compensation beyond the travel voucher. (READ MORE)
Nigerian bomber story is in the lead
In an attempt to keep this blog fair and balanced, I’ve put forth the effort to ensure that I review other stories.
However, my news feeds have been coming in all day with coverage about the recent terrorist attempt. I’ve been skimming through the headlines, trying to find the latest developments. To keep it exciting, I thought it would be neat to just list all of the headlines surrounding the story and let you pick and choose which angle interests you. Consider this your family travel blog buffet.
N’joy!
1. Obama calls airline security breach totally unacceptable’ |Margaret Talev | McClatchy Newspapers
2. Politically Correct War on Terrorism Continues | NewsWax | Jim Kouri…| World Bulletin
3. Do tightened airport security measures protect us or distract from the problem? |Los Angeles Times blog
4. No Fear Of Flying? Makes Perfect Sense, Experts Say | NPR
5. Airline Security Or Threat To Privacy? | ABC News
6. Airport security always one step behind |Christian Wolmar | BB News
7. Police search for Detroit bomb accomplice | ABC News Online
8. U.S. official admits security failed in air scare | Ottawa Citizen
Blogger puzzled by recent terrorist attack and the state of flight safety
And he’s not alone.
Last Friday’s attempt to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight has left me scratching my head as well. I’ve flown with my family within the last six months and from what I remember, security was hectic. They checked every nook and cranny of my diaper bag, and they asked me and all of my children to step aside for a special screening. It took all that I had to take long, deep breaths and count to 10, in my head, to keep from losing it. With all that harassment from TSA, a terrorist still managed to board a plane, armed.
I digress. I realize that this flight was inbound from Amsterdam, which makes it clear that there was a slip up on the international security front. Looking back at my experience, I really don’t think the bomber would have made it past the American TSA.
I stand firm that we are not safe. I encourage family travelers not to rest their faith in airline security, there’s evidentally too much human error involved. I like to think that when me and my family make it to and from our destinations safely, it’s not because of heightened security, it’s simply by God’s grace that we made it, alive.
Radical Development
Last Friday’s terrorism attempt was just another horrible reminder that there are evil people in the world who have nothing better to do other than cause heart ache and destruction. Over the last few months I have done a lot of flying as well as my family has taken a handful of trips and I must admit that while terrorism is always in the back of my mind this recent event has raised the question just how secure are we in the air? I know airline security is much more complicated that one would like to think but how can something like this recent event happen? CNN has reported:
The father of a man suspected in a botched terror attack aboard a Northwest Airlines flight contacted the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria recently with concerns his son was planning something, a senior U.S. administration official said Saturday.
The father — identified by a family source as Umaru Abdul Mutallab — contacted the U.S. Embassy “a few weeks ago” saying his son, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, had “become radicalized,” the senior administration official, who is familiar with the case, told CNN.
If in fact the father of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab had in fact contacted the U.S. Embassy, how was this individual allowed to board any aircraft much less one bound for the United States? It maker one doubt that our government has policies and guidelines in place that actually work. I for one am outraged and concerned over the holes in our security system that should prevents attacks such as this. Thanks to brave men and women on this flight the terrorist was not able to carry out his mad plan and was quickly arrested and charged. (READ MORE)
Increased delays and limited cabin service has spiked private jet bookings
I’ve always thought that booking a private jet for long haul flights is the way to go for families. I’m hearing that the rates to book a private plane are more affordable than ever.
In today’s report, it clearly states that the recent terrorist act isn’t the direct reasoning behind more private flights. Passengers simply want more control, like, knowing that their flight will get to its destination on time and there will be meal service. You know, typical things that we’ve come to expect when we fly.
Elite Traveler.com
December 27, 2009 – NEW YORK, NY — Winter storms combined with late travel plans and increased marketing efforts have spurred a spike in private jet flights over the Christmas holiday. However, executives of several private jet companies contacted by Elite Traveler said that Friday’s terrorism attempt against a Delta Airlines’ flight operated by subsidiary Northwest Airlines has not specifically led to new bookings.
With reports of delays due to increased security procedures, including additional screening for international flights bound for the U.S., plus new limitations on cabin service, commercial airlines are once again facing the difficult situation of making air travel less convenient.
Among the new policies being implemented is making passengers remain seated during the final hour of their flight and turning off inflight moving maps showing an aircraft’s location. The latter, according to various news reports has resulted in some flights operating without inflight entertainment, and combined with airport delays, making holiday family travel more difficult.
“That incident (the Northwest flight from Amsterdam to Detroit) just reinforces the differences between private and commercial travel,” Woody Harford, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer of CitationAir told Elite Traveler. However, he added, his company’s increase in business has been “a result of our relaunch more than any commercial incident.” In the Fall the operator changed its name from CitationShares to CitationAir by Cessna followed by a major marketing blitz. (READ MORE)
Northwest Airlines Flight 253 passengers explain
As expected, airport security has been tightened since the attempted terrorist attack. Interesting, I thought security was already tight at the airport. Makes me wonder just how prepared TSA officials are when it comes to potential threats.
Whether you are on a return flight home or are leaving for the New Year, be prepared for the extra time it will take to get through security. Talk to you kids, if possible, before you head to the airport so that they know what to expect and to be on their best behavior :/.
Passengers on the Northwest flight say the noise sounded like firecrackers. I’m shocked to see the smiles on the faces of the people in this video. It’s almost as if they don’t realize that their plane could have been blown up.
Here’s video from AP…
BREAKING NEWS: Nigerian man tries to ignite powder on a Northwest flight
The White House says that the Northwest Airline Flight 253 from Amsterdam, was an attempted terrorist attack and they are looking into it. Apparantely, the man, 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, has ties with al-Qaeda and tried to blow up the plane upon its descent into Detroit on Friday.
Family travelers, you can expect tighter security on your return flight home. When you pack your carry on, be mindful of deeper searches through your bags and be especially careful if you are traveling with powder baby formula. You may want to take it out, in advance, for TSA to inspect.
The FTS team will have more updates on Monday, unless, something breaking happens, we’ll bring it straight to your inbox before then. Subscribe.
Merry Christmas!
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
The Associated Press
A Northwest Airlines passenger from Nigeria, who said he was acting on al-Qaeda’s instructions, tried to blow up the plane Friday as it was landing in Detroit, law enforcement and national security officials said.Passengers subdued the man and may have prevented him from detonating the explosives, the officials said.
“We believe this was an attempted act of terrorism,” a White House official said.
Federal officials imposed stricter screening measures after the incident.
Rep. Peter King of New York, the ranking Republican member of the House Homeland Security Committee, identified the suspect as Abdul Mudallad, a Nigerian. King said the flight began in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit. There were 278 passengers aboard the Airbus 330.
There was nothing out of the ordinary until the flight was on final approach to Detroit, said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory. That is when the pilot declared an emergency and landed without incident shortly thereafter, Cory said in an e-mail message. The plane landed at 11:51 a.m. ET.
One of the U.S. intelligence officials said the explosive device was a mix of powder and liquid. It failed when the passenger tried to detonate it.
The passenger was being questioned Friday evening. An intelligence source said the Nigerian passenger was being held and treated in a Michigan hospital.
All the sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing.
One law enforcement source said the man claimed to have been instructed by al-Qaeda to detonate the plane over U.S. soil.
The official said an official determination of a terrorist act would have to come from the attorney general.
The official added that additional security measures are being taken without raising the airline threat level.
The official declined to describe what additional measures law enforcement was taking. (READ MORE)
Beijing creates “Happy Snow World” to lure family travel during the Olympics
Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing
I read this press release and immediately began looking for flights to Beijing. I really love the fact that they are taking the time to invest in special activities for families. Love it.
The China Guide
BEIJING, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-Asia/ — For travelers looking to have some winter fun in Beijing this season while visiting the site of recent Olympic glory, the Bird’s Nest Olympic stadium will be converted into a “Happy Snow World”. As a country of mainly one child families, the Chinese rarely miss a chance to show their kid a good time, and this is another classic example.
Happy Snow World is open from December 19th to February 20th and includes a variety of winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, winter games and skating. There will also be performances and a scenic area.
The China Guide ( http://www.TheChinaGuide.com ), a Beijing based travel company, is happy to include a stop at “Happy Snow World” as part of a Beijing private tour. With their own children to entertain in Beijing, The China Guide staff are experts at what Beijing has to offer the little ones.
“We do a lot of family tours and are always on the lookout for the most exciting things China has to offer foreign visitors. Family travel is not the same as group travel, we keep the schedules flexible and do things the local Chinese do with their kids. It offers foreign children the chance to mix with Chinese children, who are always interested to meet and play with them,” comments Judy Huang, travel manager of The China Guide. (READ MORE)
FlightStats offers accurate flight tracking
Major storm in the Midwest affects holiday travel
If you have not made it to your final destination by now, there’s a highly likely chance that you’re not going to make it by Christmas. According to reports, there’s another winter storm affecting the Midwest and it’s causing several cancellations and delays among airlines. Roads are slick and icy so stay off of them, if possible.
I know that this is a frustrating time for you and the family. My advice to you, stay positive, realize that Christmas is coming regardless and the family’s safety comes first.
Here’s the latest story…
USA Today|Associated Press
OMAHA (AP) — Holiday travelers battled slick, icy roads and scattered flight cancellations and delays on Wednesday as a major winter storm began to spread across much of the nation’s midsection — and the worst of the weather was still expected to come.The storm was likely to intensify by Thursday, bringing heavy snow, sleet and rain to a large swath of the Plains and the Midwest. A foot or two of snow was possible in some areas by Christmas Day.
“It’s an usually large storm, even for the Plains,” said Scott Whitmore, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Topeka, Kan.
In northwest Kansas, snow started falling before sunrise Wednesday, after freezing rain had already iced up roads. Part of Gove County saw 8 inches of snow, though it was far lighter elsewhere, said Albert Pietrycha, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Goodland.
A stretch of Interstate 70 in western Kansas was snowpacked by mid-afternoon, although it wasn’t closed — yet. The state Department of Transportation warned that travel would be almost impossible in northeast Kansas by Thursday afternoon.
”It’s kind of hard to stay on the roads. You’ve got to go slow,” said Jason Juhan, a clerk at the Love’s truck stop in Goodland, Kan. “People are just trying to get through and get to where they need to as fast as they can.”
Still, he saw an upside to the weather: “It’s been a few years since we’ve actually had a white Christmas out this way.” (READ MORE)
