Search Results for: blog the puffer

The Puffer

It’s being called the latest and greatest way to “breeze” through airport security lines. If you plan to fly out of major airports in New York, Chicago or California in the near future you could be one of the first passengers to take advantage of the new invention. It’s called “the puffer” and members of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) say that it will vastly improve security measures at the nation’s busiest airports. According to TSA representatives, the machine “takes off body samples,” which in turn is supposed to move the security process along quicker. Basically, air pumps dislodge particles … 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 →

Avoiding Air Travel Drama

Let’s face it; unless you are traveling solo without luggage, then flying is not very fun. Since the tragic events of 9/11 and the liquid explosive bomb plot in 2006, air travel has become more of a hassle than anything else. Increased security in airports, the crackdown on carry-on luggage with airlines and the 3-1-1 rule makes flying tedious (albeit safer). Before you jet off on your summer holiday, consider the following tips to maintain your sanity in the airport and airplane: Carry-On Only: If it is possible, consider condensing all of your travel belongings into a couple pieces of … Continue reading →

Maternity Coat Shopping Guide

Looking for a warm coat that will fit over your baby bump? All of these winter coats are available for less than $80. Snag one now just in time for Christmas. (Tell your hubby to wrap it and pretend to be surprised when you open it!) 1. Liz Lange® Maternity Melton Wool Coat in Red – Available at Target for $49.99 (sale) I’m partial to this coat because it’s the one I wore last year and I loved it. It’s incredibly warm and the pleats allow the coat to expand while you grow. It’s also the perfect coat for postpartum … Continue reading →

Would You Allow Your Teen to Do This?

Technology is so advanced these days that I barely blink when I hear what some teens are doing with digital gadgets. However, when I learned what 17-year-old Rachel Harris was doing with the help of the World Wide Web, I must admit, I was intrigued. The Michigan high school senior apparently doesn’t have wealthy parents to help her pay for her college education, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. The honor student has always dreamed of attending the prestigious University of Notre Dame, located in South Bend, Indiana. The problem: Coming up with nearly $50,000 to pay for … 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 →

Cracking Down on Carry-Ons

Weeks ago when American Airlines announced it would be charging passengers $15 to check in their first piece of luggage (and $25 for the second bag) every travel analyst in the country echoed the same comment: Beware of an impending crack down on carry ons. Sure enough a few days ago American Airlines announced it will be clamping down on the size of carry-ons (and you can bet other carriers will follow suit in a timely manner). American is the first airline to issue a statement regarding carry-ons. According to an American spokesperson, the airline usually adds extra staff during … Continue reading →

Pierced Passenger’s Word of Warning

Frankly, I’m surprised this type of story hasn’t made headlines before. If you missed the news today then you probably haven’t heard about the Texas woman who is demanding an apology from airport security agents because they forced her to remove her nipple ring before she boarded her flight. “I wouldn’t wish this experience upon anyone,” Mandi Hamlin said at a news conference today. “My experience with TSA was a nightmare I had to endure. No one deserves to be treated this way.” Hamlin told reporters she was trying to board a flight from Lubbock to Dallas last month when … Continue reading →

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 →