Striking while the weather is cold

There is no need to wait for the new series of ‘Ashes to Ashes’ to be transported back in time, you only have to turn on the TV or open the newspaper and here the union rhetoric about need for imminent postal strikes in order to get a taste of the 1970’s. Unfortunately, it looks like nothing else will be transported, particularly not letters or Christmas cards.

Although inconvenient to the majority, it can be a matter of sink or swim for some families and smaller businesses that rely on receiving or sending payments and products by post. Amazon has already made plans to withdraw their business from Royal Mail, Argos and eBay are set to follow suit, and according Post-Switch thirty of the Royal Mail’s largest clients are seriously considering jumping ship, as the general consensus is the service is no longer viable. It can only be a matter of time before we all consider alternative methods of postage that can be relied upon. We could write to complain but who would deliver the letter?

10% increase for 2010 travel

This year the media has been banging on about saving money by taking a ‘staycation’ to use the correct lingo but the fact is that many of us who stayed at home are now feeling pretty sorry for ourselves and are rushing to the travel agent to book up a winter break, desperate for a bit of sunshine.

Travel agents recently reported a surge in autumn and Christmas holiday bookings. The predictable American sunshine destinations such as Las Vegas and not surprisingly the ‘sunshine state’ of Florida are top of the list. There was also a promising increase of 10% in September on bookings for next year, as holiday makers show their determination to take a holiday in 2010. This could be attributed to confidence in the economy, a devil may care attitude to spending or simply because the UK weather wasn’t particularly sizzling this summer.

A bag in the hand is worth two in the hold

With all the recent fuss about airline baggage allowances and increased checked-in luggage charges, it’s easy to get carried away with the notion of travelling light, taking just one item of cabin luggage. This is a great strategy for those wishing to avoid the stress of the carousel, wondering if your luggage has arrived with you or is currently winging its way to another destination, whilst forlornly watching a solitary umbrella go round.

However, in reality many of us confuse the travelling ‘light’ with the number of bags taken, not the weight and the amount stuff we try to pack into your ‘one’ item of hand luggage. Unfortunately, each airline has its own idea as what constitutes the optimum size and weight, which could cause major inconvenience if using two different airlines on the same trip.
The Department of Transport has published guidelines stating the maximum size allowed (22in x 18in x 10in including wheels, pockets and handles). All airlines, with the exception of British Airways, stipulate a smaller size and to be fair this could be dictated by the room available in the overhead lockers.

Some kindly check-in staff may take pity on you depending on how much you have exceeded the limit, but don’t look for any wriggle room with certain low cost carriers. If your bag is too big or heavy, you could pay dearly. It seems size really does matter!
It may be a bit nippy but autumn is a beautiful time to be in the UK. The crunch of leaves beneath the feet and a palette of rich russet brown and tan are a delight to the senses, which is all very well, but the only tan you are likely to achieve, is out of a bottle or by jetting off to sunnier climes.

If you decide to take advantage of some of the great low priced holidays on offer this month make sure that your holiday doesn’t change from a bargain break into an expensive expedition by inadvertently paying for expensive travel insurance surreptitiously added on to your booking by the airline or agent.

Striking while the weather is cold

There is no need to wait for the new series of ‘Ashes to Ashes’ to be transported back in time, you only have to turn on the TV or open the newspaper and here the union rhetoric about need for imminent postal strikes in order to get a taste of the 1970’s. Unfortunately, it looks like nothing else will be transported, particularly not letters or Christmas cards.

Although inconvenient to the majority, it can be a matter of sink or swim for some families and smaller businesses that rely on receiving or sending payments and products by post. Amazon has already made plans to withdraw their business from Royal Mail, Argos and eBay are set to follow suit, and according Post-Switch thirty of the Royal Mail’s largest clients are seriously considering jumping ship, as the general consensus is the service is no longer viable. It can only be a matter of time before we all consider alternative methods of postage that can be relied upon. We could write to complain but who would deliver the letter?

Major airlines introduce new baggage fees

There are many things to take into account when choosing which airline to use least of all is whether they can get you to where you want to go, when you want to get there. And although price is a major factor, it’s also the little things that matter such as complimentary beverages. Plus if taking more than a weekend bag, there is the question of baggage allowance.

It’s the issue of luggage that has recently come under the spotlight as four of the major transatlantic airlines have just announced that they will be introducing restrictions for checked-in baggage and charges for extra items. However, there is no need to panic just yet as passengers will still be allowed one piece of luggage weighing up to 23kg but any additional baggage with charged between £27 and £40 pounds per bag depending on the airline, with discounts available for online prepayment. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will be introducing the charge for a second bag towards the end of this year. Travelling light not only saves hassle but now it also save you money!

BMIbaby increases presence at East Midlands

Passengers disappointed by Easyjet’s imminent departure from East Midlands airport can take heart that BMI baby has already signed up to fill the slot, adding three new aircraft to their fleet.

The company has been a fixture at East Midlands since 1965 and these extra routes only serve to illustrate their continued commitment to the area and airport. With the addition of eight new routes, they will be flying to 24 European destinations by 2010, already introducing new routes to Barcelona, Cork, Corsica, Dubrovnik, Malta, Newquay and Venice. Plus there will be further routes added throughout the winter. In spite of the recession BMIbaby are planning to increase capacity by forty percent.

Clear American Customs on the Emerald Isle

Anyone with a bee in their bonnet about ‘global Americanisation’ could be forgiven for thinking that Ireland has just become the 51st state of the USA. Shannon Airport in southern Ireland is the first airport outside America to provide full US customs and border protection pre-clearance facilities for aircraft en route to the USA.

This is great news for travellers previously put off by the lengthy and sometimes overzealous Customs procedures upon arrival in the USA. For a fee of just 10.50€ per passenger; customs, border and agricultural formalities can be addressed at Shannon Airport thereby pre-clearing passengers to land at any domestic airport in continental America.

Airlines also benefit by pre-clearing customs, allowing the option of landing at any domestic airport which will not only reduces costs but also creates possibilities for new routes. It also enables them to avoid the delays and congestion associated with international terminals and reduces connection times for passengers travelling onwards in the USA.

IMPORTANT: If you would like to visit the USA and take advantage of Shannon’s US immigration facilities don’t forget to apply for travel authorisation on the www.esta.co.uk website (Electronic Travel Services) before buying your flight ticket or booking accommodation!