Duty-free liquids down the drain

Now, it's no news there hasn't been much international traffic at Pittsburgh International since US Airways terminated its foreign flights, other than to Toronto where passengers clear U.S. customs prior to boarding return trips. Only one airline. USA 3000, offers direct flights each week to and from Cancun, Mexico; Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; and most recently, Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Passengers landing in Pittsburgh on those flights must claim their checked luggage and clear U.S. Customs in the international arrivals terminal. Then, no matter whether they'll be leaving the airport or catching a connecting flight, they must load their luggage on the conveyor belt for delivery either to the main baggage area or their next plane. All passengers must then pass through a TSA security checkpoint before entering the main part of the airside terminal.

That's where the liquid restrictions introduced by the TSA last year can become a trap for the unwary.

As Ms. Zerega noted, travelers who purchased liquid items such as alcohol or perfume in duty-free shops at their departure airport and don't take the step of repacking it in their checked luggage after clearing customs and before loading them on the conveyor belt risk having those bottles confiscated by TSA personnel at the security point. It won't make any difference if that bottle is packed in a sealed carrier bag or box, down the drain it will go.

"Even those of us seasoned travelers who know the drill in Philly, Dulles and Logan were surprised that Pittsburgh has not developed a way to avoid repacking those bottles of liquor," she wrote.

We spoke with JoAnn Jenny, airport director of communications, who says she has signs set up to alert travelers of the need to pack their liquids.

Perhaps one day Pittsburgh International will get back more international service. If so, we hope a way can be found to eliminate this seemingly superfluous security check point. Until then, incoming international travelers must be aware on their own behalf. Although, who knows, by then perhaps this prohibition on carrying more than 3 ounces of any liquid through security may have been rescinded.

US Airways recently notified Dividend Miles members of changes to become effective 10 weeks from now. The airline is eliminating its long-standing policy of crediting members a minimum of 500 reward miles per trip, even if the flight covered fewer air miles.

Instead, starting May 1, passengers on flights operated by US Airways or its various partners will be credited with the actual number of miles flown. (Tickets purchased before March 1 for trips that take place after May will still earn the 500 mile credit.)

In addition, members who book free tickets within 14 days of departure will now be charged $50 per ticket if they make reservations online and $75 if they call US Airways reservations.

These seem minor changes at face value, but many Dividend Miles members will see a significant difference in how quickly their mileage accrues. Frequent fliers on short haul routes, say between Pittsburgh and Chicago, Philadelphia, New York or Washington, will certainly suffer.

For example, a round trip to Philadelphia now earns 1,000 award miles will be good for just 520 award miles after May 1. The free ticket it now takes 25 round trips to earn will require 48.

By comparison, with Southwest's Rapid Rewards program a free ticket takes just eight round trips.

Don't forget, if you book that US Airways ticket within two weeks of departure, it will cost $50 to $75 extra, except for members at the Chairman or Platinum Preferred levels, for whom the charge is waived.

A free ticket may still be something for nothing, but these reductions do seem somewhat contrary considering the myriad other promotions US Airways is pushing at program members to accrue award miles by means other than actually flying, such as renting a car or hotel or signing up for a credit card or taking out a second mortgage.

Let's not forget that this comes when it can be difficult to book any free seats for preferred destinations and dates, no matter how many miles you've accrued.

Perhaps area travelers have become too used to accepting the dictates of US Airways to change, but on the other hand, even with the big reduction in flight schedules, there are usually other airlines to chose from and other frequent-flier programs in which to participate.