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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
May 6, 2008
/ 1 Iyar 5768
Put an escape hatch in your travel plans
By
Vicki Lee Parker
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT)
Let me just put it out there: Air travel this summer is going to be downright miserable.
If you manage to get through a trip without a major delay, flight cancellation, lost bag or overnight stay in a strange city, consider yourself an exception.
Airlines are cutting flights, raising fees and in some cases, shutting down. Add the usual summer storms and heavy traffic to the mix, and it'll be messy.
Most travelers will benefit from packing a travel contingency plan.
Don't have one?
Here are some tips from those who travel best - frequent fliers.
Marco Fregenal, CEO of Raleigh, N.C., software firm Carpio, racks up more than 150,000 air miles a year traveling to offices in Panama, Mexico and Brazil.
Over the years, he has learned flight attendants' names and schedules, which flights from Newark, N.J., are usually delayed and which seats on American Airline's planes have the least amount of leg room.
He also has figured out some timesaving tricks. One helps him avoid standing in line for hours, waiting to clear Customs on international flights.
Fregenal finds out how many planes are scheduled to land in the country where he has to go through Customs. If there are two or more, he tries to get a seat on the first flight landing there in order to be the first in line.
If his flight is canceled, he doesn't bother to run to the counter to rebook. Fregenal keeps at least two airline numbers on his cell phone's speed dial.
"I'm immediately on the phone, getting a seat on the next flight out," he said. "There is only one person at the counter, but there may be 100 people waiting to take your call."
Before trips, he often goes to the airline's Web site to research his flight. There, he can find out what percentage of the time the flight lands on schedule. If it's less than 80 percent, he might try to find another flight.
Bill Mann, a lawyer at Ragsdale Liggett in Raleigh, said he travels with only a carry-on bag. He estimates that when he was making about 60 flights a year, carrying his luggage on board saved him about 90 minutes per trip. It also saved him from worrying about lost luggage.
Mann said that he knows of frequent fliers who FedEx their bags to the hotel they are traveling to - a common tactic among corporate salespeople who transport stacks of sales brochures and packages. But Mann has never tried it because of the cost. According to www.shippingsidekick.com, it can cost more than $100 to ship an early-arrival, 10-pound overnight package from Raleigh to Manhattan.
The expense might be easier to swallow as airlines begin charging for the second checked bags.
Mann has had so many canceled flights that at one point in his career, he had memorized the toll-free numbers for four airlines, as well as his frequent flier numbers.
Now when he books his reservations online, he prints a list of alternative flights with dates and times so he will have backup flights handy just in case.
Sometimes he uses airline-tracking sites such as www.flightstats.com, www.flightguide.com or www.oag.com. Travelers can also use the sites to check airport delays, set up flight alerts and find out who flies where.
Most airports have wireless Internet connections, so travelers with laptops can hop on the Internet to rebook or track flights.
Tony Maupin, owner of Maupin Travel in Raleigh, suggests that if you book your flight through a travel agency, call the agency first if your flight is delayed or canceled.
An agent can book you on the next available flight. The service is usually included in the fee you pay when you purchase your ticket.
Maupin also suggests:
Try not to book the last flight of the night. If it's canceled, you'll have to stay overnight.
Avoid booking flights on the busiest travel days. The best days to fly are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Use major airlines that will rebook you on another airline. Many charter airlines do not have such arrangements with other carriers.
Have someone drive you to the airport. During the summer, airport parking lots fill up quickly.
Download and print boarding passes before going to the airport.
Check luggage curbside to avoid the ticket-counter line. However, luggage for international flights must be checked inside.
Carry an airline contract with you. Each airline has rules that cover different circumstances. Make sure the airline is providing you with all the services outlined in the contract.
Finally, don't yell at gate agents. If you are calm and understanding, they will serve you better, Maupin said.
Do you have other frequent flier secrets? Send me more if you don't mind me sharing them.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Vicki Lee Parker is a columnist for The News & Observer. Comment by clicking here.
Previously:
Put up or shut up for card companies
Don't fall for rebate check scams
Recall agency needs help
Account can help you save
Gift refund made him feel cheated
7 gifts to build wealth
Dump your bank escrow account, earn some interest
Enticing e-mail may lead to viruses, ID theft, malware
Ask to receive discounts
Learn from a con man
Nitrogen: pricey way to keep tires pumped
Buying private health coverage
Better Business Bureau ramps up
Two beeps, one item: Listen for overcharges
Recalls: What to do next
Do your homework before home repairs
To tip or skip it: Gratuity must be earned
Advice is free, if you look
Hire a cleaner who won't clean you out
Teach children smart money tips that will keep them busy all summer long
Warning: Don't trust the ATM
Reasons to beware of We Buy Homes
Too wise to fall for a scam
Untethering cell phone from carrier
Re-check your credit card rewards
Treasure might be buried in medical bills
Tax-time saving tip: Free filing is available
College money is waiting; don't procrastinate
Extended warranties rarely worthwhile
Too busy for tax planning? It'll cost you
© 2007, The News & Observer Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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