August 23, 2011
CAROL: This is Carol Margolis from SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com and I’m here at the Global Business Travel Association Meeting in Denver and about to go in to a session with Jeff Smisek, CEO of United Continental Holdings, Inc. There is picketing going on outside by United Pilots and Flight Attendants. I’m here with Garth Thompson, a pilot from United Airlines.
Garth, want to tell us why you’re out here and what your message is?
GARTH: Well certainly. Thanks for coming out to meet us. It’s been 15 months since United and Continental announced their merger and although the senior managers took large compensation increases immediately after the announcement, the rest of the employees have yet to receive a contract that covers the integrated workforce.
We’re out here to say that the foot dragging needs to stop, the buzzwords such as “working together”, “changing the culture” and these kind of things need to stop and we need to have earnest negotiations at the table.
CAROL: And how does this impact business travelers sitting behind you at the back of the bus?
GARTH: Well it never bodes well for a service industry to have labor disputes between management and worker bees, and it’s gotten pretty contentious and only promises to grow unless we see some movement at the table.
CAROL: So is there anything that we can help with as business travelers?
GARTH: Certainly. Jeff.Smisek@United.com is, I believe, our CEO’s email address. I would love for our most frequent flyers to send him a message today that he took care of himself, and now it’s time to take care of your employees.
CAROL: Garth, your message is getting across and you have an audience out here. Thanks for your input today.
GARTH: Thank you for your time.
To receive a free copy of our ebook, 70 Secrets to Safe Travel — Because Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat, and for more travel savvy info to help you travel smarter, safer and with more enjoyment, visit SmartWomenTravelers.com and PearlsofTravelWisdom.com.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Travel |
July 28, 2011
This Wall Street Journal article focuses on American Airlines’ efforts to speed up the boarding process. In a two year study, the airline found that randomizing boarding can actually reduce boarding procedures and get you in the air faster.
You’ve been boarded by row numbers from the back of the plane to the front and you’ve waited for your zone to be called (or your lights to blink at Southwest), but have you been boarded by window or aisle? American found that boarding windows seats first, then middle and aisles, can shave a few minutes off of the boarding time.
No more getting stuck behind that one passenger trying to cram their oversized bag in to the first available space they see because they’ll be more likely to easily move forward to their own seat area. When you randomize and spread out the boarding, studies show that the traffic flows better and faster.
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Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Travel |
May 2, 2011
What’s the impact on your business travels following the news that Osama bin Laden has been killed? Hopefully nothing at all. However, the State Department has warned Americans worldwide of “enhanced potential for anti-American violence” so be prepared.
If you are traveling internationally, register your itinerary with the State Department‘s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Hopefully no acts of terrorism will occur but be safe and let the State Department know of your international travels. I am out of the country as this news is unfolding and have updated the State Department website with my itinerary information. It only takes a few minutes to do this and there is no cost. You can also have the latest travel updates and security information emailed to you.
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Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Safety |
April 14, 2011
Traveling for business this week? You may think you don’t have time to volunteer, or that volunteering is something you do when you’re at home. I used to think that. But there are thousands of organizations who would greatly appreciate even a few hours of your time.
Volunteering helps put perspective on all the hours spent traveling and doing business in other cities. Instead of groaning at the next flight delay, instead you’re grateful for the opportunity you have to travel at all.
For ideas on volunteering, even when away for business, read Enhance Your Travels: Volunteer at my companion site smartwomentravelers.com. The ideas are gender neutral!
And I’ll be meeting with a Make-A-Wish child this week – for what may be his last trip.
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Giving Back |
March 10, 2011
I attended the New York Times Travel Show on February 26th at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. While the show was three days long, my travel schedule got me there on day 2 after flying back to the States from Scotland. My daughter Jenn flew in from Chicago to join me.
It was great to listen to presentations by Arthur and Pauline Frommer, Rick Steves, National Geographic TV personality Julia Dimon, friends from TBEX Kim Mance, GoGalavanting.com; Andrew Evans, National Geographic; Robert Reid, Lonely Planet; and Jen Leo, LA Times Web Buzz.
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Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Favorite Cities and Towns, Travel |
February 5, 2011
I love cruising and have taken many cruises to many wonderful places. I do have a collection of on-desk sunset photos and a book on how to create towel animals, but I wouldn’t put me in the category of World’s Best Cruiser (yet!).
So if you’re a frequent cruiser, you may be interested in this contest by Budget Travel. Good luck and Happy Cruising!
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: WORLD’S BEST CRUISER
Budget Travel is on the look out: Have your readers taken more cruises than they can count? Do they have a collection of on-deck sunset photos? A shrine to towel animals? Tell them to prove it!
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Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Travel |
January 11, 2011
The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is always a great source for new cutting edge travel products. This year the 2011 show did not disappoint.
Wireless technology is only getting better. Much more communication is coming between computers and smartphones/cameras/tablets. Added this year is wireless connectivity between appliances and cellphones but really, do you want to know that your refrigerator door is open when you are a thousand miles away from home?
Very big news is the exciting 4G technology for cellphones. Verizon had an impressive demonstration of just how blazing fast it can be. Well, in optimal circumstances, of course. But even in general usage, 4G promises significantly improved reliability. Hands-on at the show, 4G will give us flawless access to websites. The demos for live TV were flicker-free and fresh.
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Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Shopping!, Travel, Web/Tech |
November 29, 2010
When I board my flight in the next few minutes, I’m on my way to a whole other world, and I can’t believe I’m doing this!
The day started with coffee on my patio this morning. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining. Temps were in the mid-70′s.
A quick check of the headlines for today’s destination – Aberdeen, Scotland – and Yikes! “Road, rail and air chaos as Scotland shivers in snow.”
I expected cold, maybe a bit of snow, but this? I immediately cancelled my car rental in Scotland. I’ve gotten good at driving on the left side of the road, but I sure don’t want to be driving in this kind of weather. And I doubt I’ll be able to rent a car that has automatic snow removal as part of the deal. Do I really need to get on this flight?
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Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Pearls of Travel Fun, Random Thoughts, Travel |
October 5, 2010
Lately, I have a few trips to Scotland, with two more scheduled before the end of the year. While I’m “across the pond”, I’m more worried about driving on the opposite side of the road than I am about any terror incident. So I was a bit surprised when I read about the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory for Europe.
If you have any European travel in the near future, the government is not asking you to cancel your plans. They just want you to use some common sense. Watch out for packages on the subway, don’t be afraid to alert local authorities about suspicious activity, and most importantly, register your trip with the State Department. I wish you all safe travels, but if something were to happen while abroad, the State Department will have an easier time reaching you if you are registered. I just did for my next Scotland trip.
So use some common sense out there, but still have fun. I’ll spend more time worrying about how to exit all of those roundabouts!
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs |
October 4, 2010
The latest edition of Executive Travel Magazine offers up “Tips for Coping from Very Frequent Hotel Guests“. I offered up a few on my favorite tips for hotel living:
Traveling is a lifestyle some can’t imagine giving up. “Even after 25 years of business travel, I still love walking into a hotel that I’ve never been in before,” …
Read the full article on their site …
Posted by Carol Margolis under Current Affairs, Hotel Living, Travel |
