Archive for the ‘Airlines’ Category
Many travelers are aware that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is considered the busiest travel day of the year. However, this year there is the strong possibility of an even longer delay at airports. Several groups have announced plans to encourage travelers on Nov. 24 to opt-out of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) full body scanner machines and opt-in for TSA’s enhanced pat-downs. As a result, security check-point delays may occur at some airports.
The following information has been prepared by Sodha Travel and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) to help ease your passage through airport security:
Background
TSA has recently expedited the deployment of new Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines, also known as body scanners, to help detect concealed metallic and non-metallic threats on passengers. In addition, TSA has recently enhanced its pat-down procedures for passengers that require secondary screening. In response, some consumer groups and bloggers have voiced privacy and health concerns. Yet Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has assured the public in an op-ed article in USA Today that these “machines are safe, efficient, and protect passenger privacy.” She has further noted that these machines “have been independently evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, who have all affirmed their safety.”
Download Airport Security Holiday Travel Tips [PDF]
Airport Security Holiday Travel Tips
Before Arriving:
- Prepare your 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag of liquids before arriving at the airport
- Monitor local broadcasts for announcements of security checkpoint delays at local airports
- Pack all your coats and jackets in your checked baggage when possible
- Do not wrap gifts
- Check-in online
- Check your flight status online
- Review TSA’s Security Procedures for “Getting through the Line Faster“
- Wear easy to remove and replace shoes
- Plan to arrive to the airport earlier than normal
Airport Arrival:
- Approach the initial security check-point with your drivers’ license/passport and paper boarding pass or electronic boarding pass in hand.
- While waiting for the next available security screener / metal detector, remove and place in bins:
- all metal (i.e. belt buckle, coins, eye glasses, etc.)
- plastic, zip-top bag of liquids
- items from your pockets, including mobile phone
- shoes
- laptops from bag and place in separate bin
- coat
- Do not engage in trash talk about security or do anything else to call attention to yourself – this will only make it worse.
- Remember, if you are selected for an enhanced pat-down, you have the right to request it be done in private
Travel safely, enjoy the feast with family and friends, and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Sodha Travel!
To Pack or Not to Pack? Our travelers often inquire about the best way to ”lug their luggage” to South Asia. It truly all depends on the destination, season, and duration of travel.
One of the first considerations is exactly how many bags to bring. Many international airlines allow for two free pieces of checked baggage up to 50 pounds each. However, does your itinerary include flights in India and Nepal? Most domestic airlines allow for one checked bag at 45 pounds (20kg) and one carry-on bag at 22 pounds (10kg). Fees will apply for additional and/or overweight luggage. There is no weight limit if traveling by land, but for ease of travel, we suggest trying to pack everything in one piece of luggage. Remember: There are no trolleys at most train and bus stations, and luggage is carried by yourself or a porter.
Clothing/Shoes: Of course, the season and activity will determine what is packed. A traveler to the Himalayas in fall/winter should pack accordingly, including a heavy jacket, hat, and gloves. Much of India has a patchy climate: Warmer in the days and cooler in the evenings. A light jacket or layering is best to accommodate the varying temperatures. If visiting during the monsoon months, pack a rain jacket, small umbrella, and – most importantly – waterproof shoes. In general, we suggest shoes that are comfortable for walking, including sandals, clogs, crocs, or tennis shoes. I also recommend packing a bathing suit, even in winter months. Your hotel may have an indoor pool, or you may unexpectedly pass hot springs or thermal tubs!
Adventure Gear: If you are participating in adventure activities, remember to bring appropriate gear and accessories. For example: If you will be camping, remember to pack your own sleeping bag. If you reserve your package with Sodha Travel, we will provide a list of what is included and available from the adventure company, as well as required items from home.
Toiletries: The amount of toiletries and cosmetics is dependent on your preferences and length of trip. Many travel-sized items can last for up to ten days, eliminating the need to pack bulky containers of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, shaving cream, hair products, etc. If you don’t need your usual products, consider buying them once you arrive. This not only saves on space and weight in your bag, but also allows you to sample the local products. (I discovered one of my favorite body washes from a shop in Delhi. I now stock up each time I visit!) Most hotels provide hair dryers in the rooms, but if you are bringing your own, remember to check if it has dual voltage.
Money: Cash, credit cards, or travelers checks? And how much? Extra expenses include meals, gratuities, internet access, phone calls, spa services, and souvenirs. Unless otherwise stated, your accommodations include breakfast. Other packages may also include dinner, or all meals. (The houseboat in Kerala and most adventure itineraries include breakfast, lunch, and dinner.) Government regulated shops and retail outlets accept major credit cards, but the markets and bazaars are cash only. *Please be advised of the international fee your credit cards and ATM cards will charge if used abroad. Prior to departure, we recommend contacting your bank and credit card companies to determine the fees. I personally recommend travelers checks as opposed to cash, both for the added protection and to eliminate any ATM fees.
Travel Insurance: Technically this is not something you pack, but it does protect what you pack. Travel Insurance also protects your trip investment, your family, and yourself. Sodha Travel offers a variety of plans, including reimbursement for trip cancellation, flight delay/cancellation, baggage delay/loss, and medical expenses overseas. Please visit our Insurance page for more information.
Attention travelers: Per the latest Indian government guidelines, check-in counters at domestic airports will close 45 minutes before departure. If arranging independent airport transfers, please plan your commute accordingly. Presently, airlines allow passengers to check-in up to twenty minutes before departure. (In some smaller airports, even fifteen minutes is sufficient time.)
Also, a reminder that certain airports have a departure tax for international flights. Most airlines include this tax in the ticket price. Additionally, until March 2012, the Delhi airport is charging an Airport Development Fee (ADF) of Rs 200 for each domestic passenger and Rs 1300 for each international passenger, including children and infants. Payment must be made in INR – no USD or foreign currency will be accepted – and it will be collected at the time of departure from the domestic or international airport, respectively.
In the past ten years, domestic air travel in India has - pardon the pun - taken-off. Traditionally, trains were the primary mode of travel throughout the country – safe, affordable, and reliable. Although the rail system continues to dominate domestic transport, there has been a significant increase in the number of Indian-based airlines. Now more than ever, travelers are relying on the Indian skies and not the Indian tracks to reach their destination. Since 2005, I have witnessed a shift in both the passenger demographic and number of travelers. Airlines are now catering to the masses and making air travel affordable. After all, there are over one-billion potential customers!
Having flown on almost every domestic carrier (with the exception of Paramount), here are my reviews:
Kingfisher Red from Chennai - Cochin
Kingfisher: Ask any traveler which Indian airline is considered the most luxurious, and the answer is unanimously Kingfisher. Kingfisher serves both international and domestic destinations and has received numerous awards, including an accolade for 5-star service. Though the tickets on Kingfisher are usually more expensive, lower fare options are available on Kingfisher Red. Also, based on availability, the airline offers affordable upgrades from economy to business class on domestic routes - and well worth the nominal fee.
Jet/Jet Lite: Like Kingfisher, Jet Airways serves both international and domestic destinations. I enjoy the Jet experience – the seats are comfortable and the planes are immaculately clean. However, I believe there is a significant difference between Jet and Jet Lite (formerly Air Sahara). The seats on Jet Lite have the least amount of leg room that I have ever had on any carrier worldwide. (At only 5’5, my knees were pressing the seat in front of me!) Also, the staff appeared indifferent and the drink cups were very small. Although Jet Lite offers good fares, there is usually another airline that is comparable in price – for a few dollars more, it is worth it to fly another carrier.
Inside Indigo
IndiGo: IndiGo is a low-cost, no frill airline. I believe IndiGo’s mission is to cater to the masses and make air travel accessible. There was nothing that stood out, good or bad, about this carrier. The flight was on time, the crew was accommodating, and the bathrooms were clean. With tickets as low as Rs 900 ($20), I would probably fly this airline again.
GoAir: GoAir serves 15 destinations, including Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Chandigarh, Goa, Guwahati, Indore, Jaipur, and Srinagar. My flight delay was due to weather and not mechanical, and they did pass around juice and water at the gate during the 40-minute delay. I will say that the flight attendants on GoAir appeared to smile more than other carriers, including the usually fun and upbeat crew of Kingfisher.
SpiceJet
SpiceJet: SpiceJet has always been one of my favorite Indian airlines. The tickets are reasonably priced, the staff and crew are friendly, and I have yet to experience a delayed flight. Perhaps most important is their liberal attitude toward overweight baggage. To date, I have never been charged an excess baggage fee, though my luggage almost always exceeds the 22kg limit. Appropriately, each plane is named after a spice: Cardamom, Ginger, Pepper, etc. And yes, I have taken note of how many spices I have flown: 6.
Air India/Air India Express: Air India is the oldest and most established Indian airline, serving international and domestic routes. Air India also has the largest fleet of aircraft and an extensive network of destinations. Recently, Air India and Air India Express launched a campaign to promote their updated image, including a more accessible and user-friendly website. Having flown this airline both international and domestic, I am a satisfied customer.
We are pleased to announce that effective immediately, foreign tourists can now re-enter India up to three times after visiting neighboring countries on a tourist visa in a six-month period. The highlights of the revisions are as follows:
- A Tourist Visa can only be granted to a foreigner who does not have a residence or occupation in India and whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends and relatives, etc. No other activity is permissible on a Tourist Visa. The Tourist Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible.
- A foreign national who wants to revisit India within 60 days after visiting the neighboring countries may be permitted up to three entries.
- The Immigration authorities in all Immigration check post in the country may allow such foreign nationals on a Tourist Visa arriving in India without the specific authorization from the Indian Missions/Posts subject to production of travel itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings). Once a foreign national exits the country after availing the facility of three entries, there must be gap of at least 2 months from the date of final exit.
- A visit within the 2 month gap may be permitted by the Missions/Posts only in emergent situations, including death/serious illness in the family.
- Persons coming for medical treatment and other attendants shall be granted Med Visa and Med X Visa respectively. Such nationals shall not be issued a Tourist Visa.
We are very excited about these revisions, as it alleviates the challenges of coordinating multi-country itineraries with revisits to India. Please let us know if you have specific questions about the new policy.