Consumer Traveler Today: March 23

Consumer Traveler Today: Labor disputes at American Airlines and British Airways put travel plans at risk
 
 
Labor disputes at American Airlines and British Airways put travel plans at risk
What we’re reading: Virgin Galactic’s first test flight, Austrian Airlines shift to larger jets, Vegas visitors spend less
Will TSA replace screeners with robots?
Never trash your boarding pass — here’s why
Your e-ticket number — don’t leave home without it.
Labor disputes at American Airlines and British Airways put travel plans at risk
Posted: 23 Mar 2010 03:15 AM PDT
Amanda Scheerer’s honeymoon plans included renting an apartment in Barcelona’s historic La Barceloneta district, visiting the Salvador Dalí museum and touring several famous Spanish wineries. They did not include a strike by British Airways.
       

What we’re reading: Virgin Galactic’s first test flight, Austrian Airlines shift to larger jets, Vegas visitors spend less
Posted: 23 Mar 2010 03:12 AM PDT
Virgin Galactic makes its first test flight, Austrian Airlines to replace regionals with larger jets, Vegas visitors spending less
       

Will TSA replace screeners with robots?
Posted: 22 Mar 2010 08:57 AM PDT
At the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection hearing last week, the focus was on "An Assessment of Checkpoint Security: Are Our Airports Keeping Passengers Safe?" We all know the foregone conclusion, "Yes, of course security is keeping us safe." However, future developments provided a fascinating look at the evolving security systems.
       

Never trash your boarding pass — here’s why
Posted: 22 Mar 2010 07:30 AM PDT
Next time you fly, keep your boarding pass. Especially if you collect frequent flier miles. And especially if your airline is playing the codeshare game.
       

Your e-ticket number — don’t leave home without it.
Posted: 22 Mar 2010 06:30 AM PDT
But while paper tickets aren't necessary anymore, bringing an e-ticket number to the airport doesn't take that much time, especially considering the potential disasters that could be averted.