Taking off Travel blog

Airlines Oppose Philadelphia Airport Extension

From time to time I do a travel news roundup. This week, it’s an airport edition, including some news on airport parking. First up is the news that US Airways has opposed the planned expansion of Philadelphia International Airport, which will include a runway running alongside the Delaware. According to the airline the expansion will not address the key issues of delay reduction and traffic congestion, nor will it attract the international nonstop air service desired by many of those in the business and hospitality industry.

The airlines (other opponents of the scheme include Southwest Airlines, Delta and UPS) and the city differ widely in their estimates of the value and the cost of the scheme. The city says it will cost $6.4bn and bring up to 100,000 jobs; the airlines put the tab at closer to $10.5bn and say the jobs figures have no base in reality. Another key issue is the timing of the construction of the new runway. The city wants to push ahead with it, while the airlines would like to tie their financial commitment to benchmarks including economic improvement or resolving airspace issues.

The two sides remain at loggerheads. Read the full story here and check out our Philadelphia airport parking rates.

New JetBlue Routes and Watertown Expansion

In other news, JetBlue has started a nonstop daily service to San Juan, Puerto Rico from Bradley International Airport, MA. An additional service to West Palm Beach will also start this week. Meanwhile, the expansion of Watertown International Airport’s terminal is nearly complete, with a new passenger waiting area, upgraded baggage claim and plans to install an on-site car rental franchise.

SmartPark Gets iPhone App

Finally, if you’re planning to park at our SmartPark JFK airport parking location, your job is even easier with the facility’s airport parking reservation iPhone app. You can even get parking rewards with the app, so download it today.

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In many parts of the world, there’s an increase in the numbers of holiday makers becoming victims of crime. As a result many people are becoming more and more security conscious when heading off on their holidays.

There are a number of preventive measures you can take to help reduce the chances of becoming a victim of crime while on holiday. This article will cover the most common and most effective methods of protecting yourself and your possessions whilst away on holiday.

Keep Yourself Secure on Holiday

If you want to give yourself a fighting chance against kidnappers, murderers, muggers and rapists, learn some form of self-defense. This may seem a little over the top, and you probably think this type of thing won’t happen to you, but it’s still a very real risk that should not be overlooked. Don’t go wandering off alone at night, especially if you’re in a quiet location that doesn’t have a busy nightlife. If you insist on going out for a midnight wander either take someone with you, or at the very least, let someone know exactly where you are going and what time they should expect you back and make sure you carry a fully charged mobile phone with you.

Self Defence Lesson Image Credit

If you’re out drinking and getting quite tipsy, especially if you’re alone at night and your accommodation is more than a few minutes away, get a taxi. A drunken person is a much easier target for a mugger than a sober person, especially if you are female. If you insist on making your own way back then stick to the main streets, where there are other people around; don’t risk taking a short cut through back streets. Do not attempt to walk back to your accommodation if you are drunk as a skunk, struggling to stay on your feet or cannot remember the way.

Cocktail Image Credit

Keep Your Possessions Secure on Holiday

When out and about, keeping your wallet or purse secure is very important. Professional pick pockets are very good at what they do. No matter how vigilant you are, they can still grab your wallet or purse if it isn’t stashed away securely. The best place to keep your wallet or purse is in an inside pocket on your jacket. This can be made even more secure if you keep that jacket zipped up.

Pick Pocketing Image Credit

If you think your wallet will be fine in your back pocket just because it fits nice and snug and you are convinced you would be able to feel if someone takes it, you’re wrong. Don’t under-estimate a professional pick pocket; they can, and will get it, regardless of how secure it feels. If possible, carry two wallets or purses with you; put the majority of your money and cards in one and a small amount of cash and some old, expired cards in the other. In the worst case scenario where you could be approached, threatened or even attacked and asked to hand over your money, give them your extra wallet or purse with the expired cards and small amount of cash in.

If your holiday accommodation is a cottage or villa then make sure you keep it secure, just as you would your own house. Be sure to lock doors and windows when you go out, especially at night. If you are out on an all-night bender consider leaving the TV and a light on with the curtains drawn to deter a potential burglar.

Locking Door Image Credit

This guest post on Staying Secure On Holiday was written on behalf of Hotel Club; helping you find beautiful hotels in Penang.

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Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP) is the upper Midwest’s largest and busiest airport. It’s also the 12th busiest in the US, racking up 32 million passengers in 2010 and 437,075 landings and takeoffs.

History of MSP Airport

Officially, the airport isn’t part of a city, but provides access to several, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights and Richfield. Dating back to the early 20th century, the airport stands on the site of a former Speedway racetrack and was originally called Speedway Field.

Terminals

The airport has two terminals, one named after Charles Lindbergh, a Minnesotan, and the second, the Humphrey Terminal, after vice-president Hubert Humphrey. The Charles Lindbergh Terminal, constructed in 1962, handles international flights and many major airlines. It was also one of the settings for disaster movie Airport. Low cost airlines and charters are based at the other terminal. There are plans in hand to expand the airport by doubling the size of the Humphrey Terminal, adding a new concourse to the airport and installing a regional jet terminal. This is part of the MSP 2020 vision. Read more »

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I’m not much into making new year’s resolutions. In the past, like many people, I’ve made them and then abandoned the ones that didn’t work for me. A few years ago, I had an epiphany: when I’m ready to change something, I will, at any time of year when it seems right to do so, so there’s no need to pick an artificial date in the year to make that change.

But when it comes to travel, there are several things I aspire to, and I’m going to share some of them with you. These aren’t resolutions, but aspirations. They represent the things I want to do on every trip I make, no matter the length of the trip or the destination. Here they are:

1. Get out of the compound. In my experience, you miss a lot when you stick only to the area around your accommodation, especially if that accommodation is of the luxury or all-inclusive kind. Don’t get me wrong; I love staying in hotels or apartments, but it’s always wise to explore. One of the ways I’ve done that over the years is to hop on a bus and ride to the end of the line. You never know what you will find. Once, I was on a train along the Costa del Sol, when I spotted a beach where there were no deck chairs and no tourists. That became my favorite haunt for the rest of the trip.

2. Take a detour. We all make travel plans but it’s good to be prepared to throw these out if an opportunity presents itself. Read more »

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We’re just about to start a new round of travel blogger interviews. Before we do, I thought I’d share some of the highlights of last year’s series. Here are the 15 travel bloggers we profiled last year, along with a great quote from each interview.

Annabel Candy

Planning is a waste of time in the end because the best thing to do is just get somewhere with no plans. Walk everywhere so you get to know the place properly and ask the locals for help and advice.

Lea Woodward

There are a few things which set us apart – we’re a husband and wife team, we run our business from wherever we are and we truly have multiple income streams from digital products, to professional services, to selling physical goods.

Marina Villatoro

I find guidebooks to be bad and unhelpful. That’s why I’m actually creating guidebooks for families to make it so much easier to plan, especially with kids.

Andy Hayes

I learned an awful lot about the sorry state of the traveling public, how to pack a carryon like a ninja, every frequent flyer mile and seating trick in the book, and what airports have decent food options (answer: none).

Soultravelers3

I think travel is the best education so wanted to pass these experiences onto my child by traveling as a family. She took her first trip and stayed in her first hotel at 2 weeks old and we started our world tour when she was 5.

Read more »

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