FW: Haiti Needs YOUR Help

A somber moment from our usual glib. The pictures and news reports coming from Haiti are shocking to say the least. North America's poorest country (indeed, one of the world's poorest countries) has been rocked by a brutal earthquake of epic proportions.

 

I encourage all of our readers to take a brief moment to assess their position in life and consider donating to the Red Cross in order to help the relief efforts in Haiti.

 

American Airlines has announced a mileage bonus tomorrow for all donations to the Red Cross tomorrow at AA.com. If that makes the difference, go for it.

 

I hope that all of us in the travel industry will take a moment to help. Haiti is hardly a glamorous destination of 5 star hotels and private jets - far from it. But the people of Haiti are in their darkest hour - now is our time to shine.

FW: What Are the Odds You'll Catch Swine Flu on Your Next Flight?

We just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a happy National Influenza Vaccination Week. To celebrate, we're letting you know about the latest findings from smarty-pants scientists. They have figured out some kind of formula to determine how exactly the H1N1 virus can spread in a plane during a transatlantic flight. Everything really depends on the length of the flight, but for the most part, two to 17 people could be infected from just one sick passenger.

 

In case you want to run your own test studies, researchers at UCLA used the Wells-Riley equation. Apparently this is the standard when it comes to figuring out the extent of outbreaks in enclosed environments. It considers the number of people exposed, respiratory rates, and the concentration of the virus over time. Interesting information, but we're probably going to leave all the calculations up to the experts.

Port-au-Prince: 7.0 Earthquake Strikes Haiti

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck near Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince today. Details are just beginning to emerge but there is no doubt this is a catastrophic event. There are reports that a hospital has collapsed and the damage is just now beginning to be assessed. The quake could be felt as far away as Cuba and is said to have lasted for over a minute.

Many news outlets are reporting that a tsunami warning has been issued, however the Tsunami Warning Center page appears to show that a Caribbean sea watch was actually recently cancelled. There is no indication that a tsunami has been generated and data suggests there is no threat of one, according to the USGS.
Some of the first photos of the devastation are now making their way online via TwitPic.

Either way, if you are traveling in Haiti, you may want to contact the embassy about the best protocol from here. Here is the link to the US embassy in Port-au-Prince.

Complete Guide To Full-Body Scanning at Airports

There's going to be a lot of talk about full-body scanners in 2010, we can tell. So in an effort to help you understand what airports will have them, what happens when you use them, and your rights, we've dedicated a week to explaining it all in Full-Body Scanners 101.

We're not even a month into the year and already it's already obvious that media will be wasting a whole lot of breath on the issue of full-body scanners in airports. Just to set all the facts out there and help you to be more informed flyers, we looked at everything from the two different types of scanner machines and their radiation levels to whether or not you really have to go through one when the TSA agent tell you.

Catch our four short lessons below on the need-to-knows behind full-body scanning, but more than anything remember one thing: don't let TSA agents or these big humming machines intimidate you.

Flight Search's Full-Body Scanning 101
· What Airports Have Them?
· The Two Types & How They Work
· How Naked Are Full-Body Scans?
· Your Rights

What do you think of full-body scanning? Will you let them see you virtually naked? Drop your thoughts and any questions in the comments!

Full-Body Scanners 101 :: Part 4 :: Your Rights (as of early 2010)

Although this is the final lesson on full-body scanners, it's always a good idea to look back at the past posts before we jump into this last look at your rights when it comes to this new security measure. Here's what we've covered so far:

· Full-Body Scanners 101: What Airports Have Them?
· Full-Body Scanners 101: The Two Types and How They Work
· Full-Body Scanners 101: How Naked is Full-Body Scan Naked?



So let's say you've arrived at one of the airports that has full-body scanners and you're waiting in line to go through security to reach your flight gate. You notice that they are sending the line through the massive machines, and you're concerned about your privacy or radiation or whatever, and you wonder: do you really have to go through a full-body scan? The quick answer is yes and no...
YES you should go through the full-body scanner.
Notice that we used the word "should" there, because going through one of the machines is not compulsory. Still, if you stay in line and don't pipe up and take your turn showing your goodies virtually to the TSA, then the lines move quicker and you get to your gate faster and (hopefully) without arousing the suspicion and alarm of security agents.
NO you shouldn't go through the full-bod scanner.
Currently—because they haven't quite nailed down whether or not to force people to go through a full-body scan where available—it is your right to decline the full-body scan. The TSA cannot make you go into the machine if you say no, and there is an argument for saying no and therefore protesting the use of these machines.
If you say no to a full-body scan, be warned that you are then submitting yourself to a physical pat-down. Usually the TSA will honor your request for a female or male agent based on your gender, but if it's busy and they're stressed and short-staffed and you look suspicious, then don't expect that courtesy. Anyone who denies a body scan is subject to advanced screening, and be warned that if the agent feels that they don't have a great handle on your pat-down, you could be one chosen to the full stripsearch treatment.

Full-Body Scanners 101: How Naked Are Full-Body Scans?

So now that we've told you at what airports to watch for full-body scan machines and how both types of available models actually work, it's about time we discussed the most important question when it comes to this new security procedure: how naked do you look in a full-body scan?

The answer might surprise you, because although many people are really enjoying making a fuss about privacy and morals with this magical way to see underneath your clothes, the resulting images resemble something more morbid than sexual.



What we do know about full-body scanners is that you can wear whatever you want to try and evade the prying eyes of the TSA—heavy wool sweaters, pleather pants, and even the finest vicuña coat—but the machines will display all your naughty bits to whoever is on duty. For this reason, the UK is understandably upset that full-body scanners violate child pornography laws, since they essentially reveal genitalia. Thus, passengers under the age of 18 are exempt from full-body scans while the matter undergoes further discussion by the airport council.

This got us thinking—how dirty are these full-body scan images, anyway? Armed with the full power of Google Image search, we set out to find the nakedest, most revealing full-body scan pictures available on the web—which are probably TSA testers anyways. And below are the results...


Bum pics! Look at those big ol' butts! What's more, look at that big ol' gun and that big ol' knife


Ooo yea, look at how hot and sexy this naked man is! No, he's really not, is he?

To tell you the truth, the above images remind us more of CSI-type stuff, like chalk outlines and autopsy photos than sexy pictures. Going through airport security is not a who's hotter naked contest; it's a who's carrying the most dangerous items contest, and full-body scanners are calibrated to pick out knives and not G-strings (although they will see a switchblade in your G-string). And if it's an issue of making passengers embarrassed and have bad body image, well that's what we have magazines for!

Full-Body Scanners 101: The Two Types and How They Work

In the first part of this series, we told at which airports you'll be encountering full-body scanners, and as our week of focusing on this privacy-busting security measure continues, we're getting into the technical bits.

This second lesson in Full-Body Scanning 101, is exactly how these behemoth machines (which can easily break down, apparently) function, and what technology they're using to locate all your nooks and crannies.

First, we have to say that there are two types of full-body screening machine: The millimeter wave machine, and the backscatter machine. It's easy to tell them apart, once you know how they work...

· The Millimeter Wave scanner This is probably the one you'll find at airport right now, since there are 40 of them scattered around the 19 US airports with full=body scanning technology. It appears like a giant cylindrical phonebooth, with mostly clear glass walls and scanning panels that move around you.

How it works: This machine emits small radio waves that pass through your clothing and returns with images of the body underneath. Human skin is all they want to show up, and anything that is not human skin is cause for alarm. Because the panels move around you, this scan can take up to 40 seconds and there is a zoom option. This is the machine that reveals most bodily detail, but software will blur your face...in case you're George Clooney and worried about TMZ getting ahold on your security scan.

· The Backscatter scanner These are one their way to more US airports, with 150 or more scheduled to show up in US airports in 2010. It's not as cool-looking as the millimeter wave's circular glass contraption; you're effectively standing between two giant boxes, with your hands up. But what those boxes are doing is the cool part...

How it works: Two low-level X-rays of you are taken within twenty seconds. If the electromagnetic waves are absorbed, then you're good to go, but if you're hiding foreign objects, then those items will reflect the rays and be visible in the scan. Radiation is not a concern; the amount you'll absorb is the same you get exposed to during everyday life. Images from this sort of full-body scanner appear more skeletal than fleshy, and you'll probably not be able to recognize your own face.

Full-Body Scanners 101: What Airports Have Them

Full-Body Scanners 101 :: Part 1 :: What Airport Have the Machines (as of early 2010)


Whatever your position on full-body scanners, if you're going to do some heavy traveling, there's always the chance that you might be faced with having to virtually strip down for one. To become fully informed on this security procedure, let's first focus on where exactly these big bad boys hang out...

What airports have full-body scanners in use?:

According to the Washington Post, there are only forty units at 19 airports currently. Although London and Nigerian airports have theirs on order, they aren't delivered yet, so you'll not have to worry about them yet.

You will find full-body scanners at the following airports:
· Albuquerque International Airport (ABQ)
· Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
· Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)
· Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport (DFW)
· Denver International Airport (DEN)
· Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW)
· Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
· Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
· Las Vegas-McCarran Airport (LAS)
· Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
· Miami International Airport (MIA)
· Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
· Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
· Richmond International Airport (RIC)
· Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
· San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
· Tampa International Airport (TPA)
· Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
· Washington DC's Reagan National (DCA)
· Amsterdam-Schipol Airport (AMS)

Toronto: The New Year Brings A New Name And Maybe New Flights To Toronto City Airport

We're barely a couple weeks in and already 2010 looks like a slow year for the travel industry, and airports around the globe are more likely to see reduced service rather than an increase in new router However, the Toronto City Centre Airport has been a hit with travelers on Porter Airlines lately, and the Toronto Port Authority is thinking about expanding things a bit.

The airport’s first big change is a new name. As of November it became known as the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport in honor of the Canadian flying ace from the First World War. The old name will still be around for the next month or so, but just remember the name change the next time you and your friends are playing airport Trivial Pursuit.

Continental's Cost-Cutting Could Include The Free Meals In Coach

While many of us were waiting in line for coffee and pancakes on New Year's Day, there was another slightly more important person with a problem a little bigger than a hangover. As of January 1, Jeff Smisek took over as CEO of Continental Airlines, and he's got a lot of work ahead of him. He replaces Larry Kellner, whose appearance on the in-flight monitors we'll miss—he loved to welcome us aboard his airline each time we took Continental somewhere.

Like most airlines, Continental has a difficult time balancing the whole making money thing while providing quality customer service. The airline has tried to stay ahead of the game, and they are the only ones that are still providing free meals on most of their flights (even domestic) to all passengers. However, 2010 could be the year things begin to get cut, especially with a new captain at the wheel.