Search Results for: blog shoescanners and toddlers

What is a Biometric ID Card and Why You Might Need One if You are Traveling Abroad

Biometric ID cards are issued to foreign travelers and contain a digital photo and details of the cardholders’ immigration status, whether they are allowed to work, receive government benefits and how long they can stay. The cards also contain a “biographic footprint” of personal history and “biometric data” such as fingerprints on the cardholder. The information on each card (which is about the size of a credit card) can be read electronically and matched against a computerized National Identity Register that will retain a cardholder’s fingerprints and personal information. If you are an American studying in Britain for more than … Continue reading →

What You Need to Know About the New Homeland Security-Approved Drivers Licenses

For starters the only people who will need to have new Homeland Security-approved drivers licenses are those U.S. residents who wish to use their ID to board an airplane or enter a federal building. If you were born after December 1, 1964 you have until December 1, 2014 to make the switch. Old drivers have until 2017 to get a new ID. You are not being forced to get one. They are no rules that require states to issue the new identification cards to every resident, but if you don’t get one you will not be able to use your … Continue reading →

Travel Warning—-Batteries Not Allowed and Bumping Tragedy

If you tend to travel with loose batteries in your luggage take note—-beginning January 1st the Transportation Department is banning lithium batteries from checked baggage. The new mandate is designed to reduce the risk of fires. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, fire-protection systems in the cargo hold of passenger planes can’t put out fires sparked in lithium batteries. Which means loose lithium batteries can no longer be packed in checked bags. You can still carry lithium batteries in your checked bags if they are installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cellphones and laptop computers. Also, you can travel … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Good News For Sports-Loving and Turban Wearing Flyers

Flights on Denver-based Frontier Airlines may soon resemble the inside of a sports bar now that the Colorado Rockies have made it to the World Series. Airline officials just announced that they are negotiating with DirecTV for permission to show the World Series on its flights following the Rockies sweep of Arizona last night. Frontier Airlines currently offers satellite TV on flights, but its contract does not include Fox, so it is negotiating with DirecTV to get permission to show the World Series. To do so the airline also needs to make sure it has the rights to air live … Continue reading →

Remote-Controlled Toys and Air Travel—What You Need To Know

Talk about timing. Last month my 3-year-old daughter was invited to her pal Chris’ birthday party. A few days before the party we went shopping for a gift. After 2 hours contemplating what constituted as the “perfect” present (for Chris… and my daughter’s next 7 birthdays) we settled on a remote control Jeep. Believe it or not that Jeep turned out to be the hit of the party. Chris ripped it open and let it fly through the backyard. For the next hour or so party guests lined up for their turn to take the Jeep for a spin. That’s … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Pet Airport and Airport Pet Peeves

PET AIRPORT On our last trip to Hawaii my animal loving 3-year-old was delighted to find that she was sharing an airplane with a friendly Terrier. She had a blast playing with the pup in the security line, but couldn’t figure out why the doggy wasn’t going to be sitting next to her during the flight. Well, I just learned that if one company has its way there will be fewer furry distractions in the security line at the Denver International Airport. According to city officials, a boarding facility for dogs, cats and other pets is in the planning stages … Continue reading →

ShoeScanners and Toddlers

Recently, I’ve done alot of bragging about what a wonderful little traveler my toddler daughter is… well, now it’s confession time. There is a part of flying that she absolutely dreads—-removing her shoes at airport security. I’m not exactly sure what causes her such distress (on our recent trip to Hawaii she screamed each time we had to deposit her shoes into the plastic bin and watch them travel through the X-ray machine). We don’t wear shoes in our home—maybe that’s it. Whatever the reason, she had an absolute fit in three different airports. I’m sure the TSA agents there … Continue reading →

Travel Tip: Know Before You Go

When I go through security checkpoints at the airport I am fully aware that I may not be reunited with my carry-on post pat down. Frankly, I am a bit surprised that I have fared as well as I have given that I am typically too busy trying to get my young child through the metal detectors and past wand-swinging TSA agents to keep an eye on our bags. Needless to say, my concern about losing my material possessions while flying only intensified after learning about the recent TSA employee-run robbery ring that was uncovered a few weeks ago. Am … Continue reading →

Know Before You Go

Much has been said about the TSA’s full-body screenings at airports, but now that the busiest travel day of the year is in the books, most people have come to the conclusion that the majority of the hype was due to overzealous media outlets. Still, if you plan to fly anytime during the remainder of the busy holiday travel period (roughly from now until January 3, 2011) there are a few things you should know before you head to the airport. For example, full-body screening is still optional, though the price for opting out is enduring a rigorous pat-down procedure, … Continue reading →

Good News for Laptop Lovers Taking Flight

I can’t count how many times I have been stuck behind an annoyed business traveler at an airport security checkpoint who spends precious minutes complaining to Transportation Security Administration agents about having to take his or her laptop out of its bag. I stand there (holding my carry-ons, my child and her backpack) staring at my watch contemplating how to politely tell my fellow flyer how much quicker we could all make it through the line if he would simply close his mouth and open his bag. It’s the rule. So deal with it and stop wasting other travelers’ time … Continue reading →