Posted by Marshall Jackson on July 10, 2009 under Safety and Security | 
Many of you read my recent post about the downright unnecessary experience I endured at Washington Dulles International last week. The folks that monitor Twitter.com for TSA were kind enough to provide a link to TSA’s website to submit feedback, and I took them up on the opportunity. Today, I received what appeared to be a reply crafted by an actual person. I will post it here in its entirety minus the name of the individual who sent the email.
Dear Mr. Jackson
I am the Customer Service Manager at Washington Dulles International
Airport for TSA. Your message regarding your recent travel through
Dulles was forwarded to me for review.
First of all, let me apologize for any inconvenience you encountered.
Our goal is to provide efficient, effective and courteous screening of
passengers as they pass through our checkpoint. Many of our procedures
can be a hassle for you, and can be looked upon as a nuisance. That is
clearly not our intention. Our main objective is to provide maximum
security for all our passengers, and to do so with understanding and
consideration for the traveling public.
Our screening procedures are specific and do include screening of
insulin pumps. The fact that the process may differ can be attributed
to several factors, including size and location of the device.
Effective December 22, 2005 Transportation Security Officers began
conducting additional screening procedures on randomly selected
passengers. The additional screening procedures created a more complex
and less predictable system for those who wish to circumvent our system.
Passengers are randomly selected for an additional search, even if they
do not trigger an alarm as they pass through the metal detector. This
search could be a hand-wanding, a pat-down, explosives screening or a
search of the person’s carry-on bag. By design, a traveler is not likely
to experience that same search every time he or she files.
We understand and regret any discomfort and inconvenience you
experienced as a result of the additional screening procedures.
Nevertheless, we believe that these security measures are necessary and
appropriate for ensuring the safety and confidence of all air travelers.
Furthermore, TSA continues to develop and deploy new technologies,
including document scanners, trace portals, and backscatter devices to
address the explosives threat.
Again, thank you for sharing your concerns. We take your comments
seriously, and appreciate your feedback . It provides us with an
opportunity to focus our efforts on areas that need improvement and are
of importance to the traveling public.
And there you have it. I’m still not pleased, but at least I received what I feel to be a response that was not computer generated. I did reply to the email, because I wanted to make sure the sender knew that it was very clear to me that I was sent to secondary screening specifically because I was wearing an insulin pump. Perhaps the security officer who performed the additional screening was attempting to fill his quota for explosive trace detection tests for the day, I dunno. The fact that every square millimeter of my belongings, including the palms of my hands, were tested for traces of explosives just because I wear an insulin pump was overkill, plain and simple.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on July 8, 2009 under Celebrity, Cruising, Travel Tips |
Celebrity Cruises has announced major changes to its Captain’s Club loyalty program, and in my opinion, they are big positives for Celebrity Cruisers. (Disclosure: I am a Celebrity Captain’s Club Elite member.) Enhancements include a Captain’s Club Celebration event offering an opportunity for Captain’s Club members to interact with senior officers of the ship, and reportedly will include new things to enjoy such as cooking demonstrations and performances by onboard musicians.
Other enhancements include big discounts on internet access and laundry charges. But my favorite change is the addition of the “Captain’s Club Lounge” which will offer continental breakfast in the mornings and complimentary cocktails in the evenings. These services will be offered in Celebrity’s popular Michael’s Club each morning and evening. I really love the “Diamond Lounge” on Royal Caribbean, and expect a similar experience on Celebrity. Mrs. MJ on Travel and I enjoy socializing with our fellow experienced cruisers and will look forward to enjoying the new Captain’s Club Lounge on our Celebrity Equinox 11-night Mediterranean cruise next year.
According to Celebrity, more changes will be announced throughout 2009. You can review complete details of all the benefits available to Captain’s Club members here.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on July 7, 2009 under Ancillary Revenue, Credit Cards, Travel Agents, United Airlines |
You may have read in the press that United Airlines will soon begin forcing a small group of travel agents to process credit card purchases of United tickets through their own merchant agreement. In other words, when you buy a United ticket from one of these agents, the charge will appear on your credit card statement as a charge from the travel agency and not United. The agency will then have to basically write United a check for the ticket.
The result of this is that United receives all of the cash for the ticket, and the travel agent (and mark my word, ultimately you) will eat the cost of the credit card charge, usually anywhere from 2 to 3 percent (but can be more or less) of the purchase price. Most normal businesses view these credit card merchant fees as a cost of doing business. But in an effort to wring the last possible dollar of savings from its operations, United is shifting these costs onto its customers. Apparently, a limited number of agencies are being impacted by this for now. I would guess that those agencies are ones that don’t sell a lot of United tickets.
No matter what, this is a bad deal for travelers. If this sticks, expect it to be matched by United’s competitors soon and possibly expanded to impact many more travel agencies. If this proves successful in United’s eyes, how long do you really think it’s going to be before they (and their competitors that will surely copycat them) are charging you an extra buck or two when you purchase travel with a credit card directly from them? Keep your eye on this one. It bears watching in more ways than one.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on July 3, 2009 under Safety and Security |
Some readers may be aware that I have Type 1 Diabetes. If you’ve read the “about” section of the blog, you also know that I was a pilot until my diagnosis. Fewer of you know that my day job affords me a certain level of security clearance. Nevertheless, I transit the same TSA security regimen that everyone else does, and that’s probably the way it should be. That said, I think what happened to me on Friday, July 2, 2009, at the Washington Dulles TSA checkpoint warrants mention.
I wear an insulin pump to treat my diabetes. For the uninitiated, the pump is about the size of a pager. It contains enough tiny electronics to control my insulin dose and a cartridge of insulin that I fill myself from vials of prescription insulin. I don’t know a helluva lot about explosives, but I have a hard time envisioning an insulin pump as being something that could be turned into a threat.
On to the screening experience. I transited the walk through metal detector at Dulles in fine shape and did not set off any alarms. Nevertheless, I was directed into the “fishbowl” for a patdown by the TSA agent. I distinctly heard her tell her fellow agent that I was being sent there because I was wearing an insulin pump. The pump was clipped to the waist of my pants since I had removed my belt. I was greeted quickly enough by another agent who went through the usual spiel of confirming which items on the x-ray belt were mine. He directed me to the area by the Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) equipment and then proceeded to pat me down.
On a handful of occasions, TSA has swabbed my pump and tested it with the ETD machine, and the agent did just that. I assumed I’d be on my way once that was cleared, but I was mistaken. The agent then proceeded to test my carry-on and laptop bags both inside and out, my laptop, camera, Bose headphones, and all sub-compartments of each bag. To say that this was more screening than I’ve ever received would be an understatement. I really don’t know how long it took, but it was certainly long enough that I began to wonder what the heck the guy was trying to prove?!
Frankly, I’m perplexed as to why this was necessary. I’ve transited many a TSA checkpoint in my 12 years of wearing an insulin pump and I have never experienced anything like it. I’ll be traveling from Reagan National next week and am anxious to see if the screening experience is similar. Seriously, this was enough to make me avoid traveling from Dulles if this is an airport-specific policy. Any other traveling pumpers out there have similar stories to share, or is this a Dulles-only pheonomena? I’d be curious to hear from you, so please leave a comment on the blog.
ETA: I did not receive the same odd-ball treatment when I returned home the following Sunday. My pump was clearly visible to the security officer. I dunno what the deal is.
You can review my post about TSA’s response here.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on July 1, 2009 under Credit Cards, Delta Air Lines |
Delta Air Lines is offering double bonus miles for all miles flown by its SkyMiles Credit Card customers. Surf over to http://www.deltadoublemiles.com/ to register and review the terms and conditions.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on June 26, 2009 under Safety and Security |
Ed McMahon, Farah, and MJ all in the same week. God rest their souls. Travelers experienced another loss this week as well when Verified Identity Pass, Inc. abruptly shut down all of its Clear lanes in airports nationwide on Monday.
I’ve previously posted on my fondness for the concept of Clear, and specifically how improved the security experience in Atlanta was because of my Clear membership. A number of things contributed to the demise of Clear. TSA never supported the idea even though it was mandated to pursue the concept of a registered traveler program by Congress. TSA’s lack of enthusiasm relegated Clear to something of a line-cut program rather than one where “trusted” travelers could bypass portions of the screening process.
Had Clear lived up to its original vision, I think travelers would have lined up in droves to join, and would probably have paid more than $179.00 dollars per year for the privilege. As it was, heavy metal elite flyers already had access to shorter security lines, and Clear’s inability to provide anything more than a shortcut to the front of the line meant that many travelers had no real incentive to join.
And if all this wasn’t enough, the economy tanked. Fewer people are flying, and the corresponding reduction in lines at security have all combined to make Clear a less than compelling investment for scarce travel dollars. Throw in a handful of well-publicized goof-ups which compromised the personal data of large numbers of travelers, and you have a recipe for exactly what happened.
Clear was good to me while it lasted. Clear, rest in peace.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on June 25, 2009 under Destination DC |
Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the 48th annual Congressional Baseball Game at Nationals Stadium. This is truly one of our favorite things to do in DC during the summer.
I started attending the Congressional Baseball Game when I returned to DC in 2000 to work for a Member of Congress. The game is very much ingrained in Capitol Hill culture for both Members and staff. For Members, it’s a great way to get to know one’s colleagues in a more casual setting, get a little exercise, and raise money for charity. For staffers, it’s an opportunity to socialize with one’s colleagues and cheer for (and sometimes laugh at) their bosses.
This is a good old-fashion, 7-inning baseball game. The teams are established by party affiliation, so the Democrats play the Republicans. Reps. Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Joe Barton (R-TX) manage their respective teams. And they’re serious about it. Both teams start practicing in March or April for the June game. The stakes are high - the coveted Roll Call trophy and a year’s worth of bragging rights.
Both teams roster players representing districts across the country. While the game is open to both House Members and Senators, most of the players come from the House side, and only a few women elect to try out for the teams each year. Although the younger Members are often sought after for their athleticism, there’s no age limit. This year, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ), age 72, helped base coach his team to a victory. Players show their hometown pride by wearing a uniform from a team local to their Congressional district, state, or alma mater.
Even though tickets are only $10, the game typically raises over $100,000 for the Washington Literacy Council and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. The seating is open, so if you get there early, you can usually snag a seat along the first or third baseline, depending on which team you care to cheer for. In my opinion, it’s quite the bargain given the entertainment value.
This year was particularly exciting. It was a high scoring game, and the Democrats beat the Republicans for the first time since 2000. The final score was 15-10.
I’m not a baseball fan. I don’t follow the Nationals, and unless someone gives me a free ticket, I don’t go to the games. But I love the Congressional Baseball Game. I love that a handful of our elected leaders take time to do something most average employees are encouraged to do at their office picnic. I love watching a Subcommittee Chairman bang himself up sliding into a base or going after a fly ball. They strike out, and they get frustrated. They’re not debating policy; they’re just trying to get on base. Most of all, I love the fact that at the end of the game, they shake hands with each other, and tell their rivals it was a good game. If I could bottle up this camraderie and sprinkle it over the House Floor, I would.
If you happen to find yourself in town around the time of the game, you should definitely make it a point to attend. Just buy your tickets on the day of the game at the stadium. And I’m sure your Congressman’s Office would be happy to answer any questions you might have about it. And for area residents, I strongly encourage you to make it a point to go to next year’s game. You may see Congress in a whole new light. This isn’t just a baseball game. It’s the Congressional Baseball Game!
Mrs. MJ on Travel, Deandra Brooks, is the author of this post. Deandra can be reached at deandra@mjontravel.com.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on June 22, 2009 under Safety and Security |
Just caught this…. Clear is shutting down tonight at 11pm Pacific time. Details here.
Edited to add: Here’s a link to Clear’s website. Very little info other than a statement that they were unable to negotiate an agreement with their senior creditor. In other words, they ran out of money. I’ll have an editorial on the demise of Clear very soon. In the meantime, I recommend calling your credit card company and contesting the annual fee, especially if you joined or renewed relatively recently. The worst thing that can happen is you’re stuck with the bill.
Hat tip to Benet Wilson at AvWeek.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on June 20, 2009 under American Airlines, Credit Cards, Travel Tips |
This article, on Smartmoney.com, entitled “Why Airline Cards Aren’t Worth It” prompts a few words from me on the topic. Many readers already know that I use a handful of rewards credit cards to top off my mileage and hotel accounts from time to time, and recommend others do the same on one condition…..that they pay their bills in full and on time every month without exception. Refresh your memory on my thoughts by reading my April 2009 post on the topic.
The article focuses on airline cards, and cites annual fees and difficulty in redeeming miles among several reasons not to bother with these types of credit cards. Granted, these cards typically carry an annual fee, but that is a small price to pay for sometimes sizable signup bonuses. And many, waive the annual fee during the first year. For example, the Citibank Platinum Select AAdvantage World MasterCard offers 25,000 miles if you spend $750 dollars within 4 months of acquiring the card. There’s no annual fee during the first year, and an $85 dollar per year fee thereafter. Not a bad deal if you’re going to spend that $750 dollars anyway. While I don’t necessarily condone “flipping” these cards, a number of people have done it, with no damage to their credit standing. Flipping is the practice of opening an account just to get the miles, then cancelling the account at some point in the future before applying for the same kind of account again and getting another set of bonus miles. If you want more information on the topic, pay a visit to flyertalk.com and search for information.
Maybe I’m the luckiest guy on the planet, but I have never had a big problem redeeming miles. I use them for upgrades on domestic flights and for premium class tickets internationally. That’s not to say that I’ve never had to be flexible with my dates and times, but to make a blanket statement like you must almost always book 330 days out to have a prayer of snagging a seat as this article implies is simply not 100 percent accurate.
That said, I’ve found some programs to have better availability than others. Sometimes much better. And that’s why I continue to stick with American Airlines and the AAdvantage program. I’ve found AAdvantage to offer the best availablity of all the traditional mileage schemes so I continue to focus my mileage accumulation with that program. Your experience may be different, and that’s great for you. No matter which program you choose, don’t ignore the additional accumulation opportunities that mileage cards offer.
Posted by Marshall Jackson on under Destination DC |
Last night, we went on a Seadog Cruise. These 100-passenger speedboats sail from both the Gangplank Marina in DC and National Harbor, Maryland. We sailed from the Gangplank Marina for a monument tour.
Seadog describes itself as a “the most exciting way to see the sites on the Potomac!” But we found it to be a very relaxing, laid-back way to take in the monuments and learn some less common facts about them. Our cruise took us around the channel and up the Potomac to view the Jefferson, Lincoln, and Washington Memorials. Along the way, we also saw Fort McNair, Reagan National Airport, and Arlington Cemetary. The 45-minute tour combines fun with fact: when the tour guide isn’t highlighting the sites, they play rock music. For the best view, sit on the starboard or right side.
A Seadog cruise would be perfect for the business traveler who wants to see the monuments, but doesn’t have the time or energy to trek around them after a day of meetings. For area residents, it’s a great way to feel some ocean-like breezes without sitting in beach traffic.
Either way, combine your Seadog cruise with a stop at Cantina Marina. This open air, waterfront restaurant/bar attracts an eclectic mix of patrons. Serving a number of different beers and strong margaritas, it’s DC’s version of a beach bar. The menu is fairly simple, but the food is always pretty decent. Nothing too fancy, but there is a variety of Gulf Coast-inspired appetizers, salads, and sandwiches to chose from. Because Cantina Marina is an open air bar, smoking is permitted, and so are dogs.
Links:
http://www.seadogcruises.com/dc/
http://www.cantinamarina.com/
Note: This post was authored by Mrs. MJ on Travel herself, Deandra Brooks. Deandra can be contacted at deandra@mjontravel.com.
