Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Those of us who travel with our laptops for business or even on vacation know the drill: Open bag, remove laptop, place in bin, watch warily as it zips away taking your entire digital life with it. Then rush to pick it up as you put on your shoes and your belt and grab your purse -- all at the same time your flight is boarding.

Well, TSA feels our pain. And they want us to bag that anxiety with a new "checkpoint friendly" laptop bag. These new bags have been created -- with TSA's help -- to allow laptops to pass through X-ray inspection while still inside the case. How it works: the bags have a laptop only compartment that unfolds and will lie flat on the X-ray belt. The bags contain no pockets, zippers or metal snaps. Just the laptop.

The new rules go into effect in about a week. You can see a TSA video on how to pack your laptop bag here. Among the manufacturers selling TSA-approved laptop bags are Mobile Edge (who also have a backpack that will scan), Skooba Design, and CODi.

(Photo: The CODi Phantom CT3 laptop bag is priced at $225 at codidirect.com)

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
                    

It's getting harder to hang on to your laptop at the airport. If you're not having to take it out and subject it to a blue-glove search, then you're leaving it behind in some airport lounge.

Nearly 1,000 laptops go missing each week at Heathrow Airport in London. About the same amount as at LAX. And if some stranger doesn't take it, maybe the government will. Woe is you, if TSA decides your computer could use a closer look. Now federal authorities can seize your laptop for any reason - or none at all - rifle through its contents and not tell you a thing. They may not even give it back right away.

I guess being at the airport is no lap of luxury for your computer.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

The Today in the Sky blog tipped me off to something I missed in my thirst to flog US Airways about its new $2 pop policy. They're also making changes to their Dividend Miles program, including charging fees to redeemed mileage awards. But that's not the most troubling, according to a story in The Times of London. The airline also will stop giving bonus miles to its Preferred elite members. That's right, punish your best customers.

I also forgot to note that as of Aug. 6, the airline is also closing its US Airways Club at BWI Marshall. The good news is there's plenty of seats at the gate. You'll just have to learn to lounge with the peasants.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

I know everyone's sick of airlines, planes and baggage, but still no one wants to get sick at 40,000 feet. That's just what happened yesterday to a California man who had a heart attack on a Southwest flight from Sacramento to Burbank.

That was the bad news. But the good news was the 35 hospital workers on the same flight who jumped into action to resuscitate the passenger. When the plane landed, he was able to walk off to meet the ambulance. Now that's efficient health care.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 3:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
                    

My friends over at Charm City Moms and Dining@Large were having a debate about kids in restaurants. But what about kids on planes? Ack. The kicking is what drives me crazy. Now, I must say there are also those passengers who just act like children. I'd rather have the baby crying than the guy next to me talking my ear off. One of those I can ignore by going to my special place.

But since planes are getting more crowded than ever, a little bit of airplane etiquette is in order. Cheapflights.com has a video series that provides tips on handling your fellow passengers with firm kindness and respect. You can watch the videos at cheapflights.com/etiquette. Also, tell me about the things people do that really bother you on planes and I'll see if I can share some wisdom.

Posted by Michelle Deal-Zimmerman at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)