Striking British Airways crew members to lose free travel perks

by Scott Carmichael on

British Airways isn’t messing around when it comes to retaliating against their cabin crew members that decided to go on strike this week.

Those crew members will now lose the one perk that is almost as important as their pay check – free and discounted travel.

Unite – the union that organized the strike called the measure “vindictive” – which is the same way I describe the strike and the inconvenience it has caused thousands of travelers. Of course, the union says the removal of the perk will be challenged in court.

BA’s chief executive, WIllie Walsh had warned striking staff that the perk would be removed if they did not show up for work – so the staff were certainly given enough warning. The airline describes the travel perk as “discretionary” and “non contractual”, so I’m sure they have the law on their side – poorly performing staff members can and will lose the perk.

While I do understand the aggravation over lack of pay rises, British Airways is an airline in trouble, and airlines in trouble simply don’t have the cash lying around to increase the salary of their workers. Resorting to a strike is something that puts the airline in even more financial trouble, and causes major headaches for passengers.

Virgin Galactic VSS Enterprise makes its first “Captive Carry Flight”

by Scott Carmichael on

It was just 4 months ago when the Gadling team visited the Mojave Desert space port to witness the unveiling of the VSS Enterprise – the actual Virgin Galactic plane that will be flying paying guests into space on the first commercial space flight service.

Yesterday was another huge milestone for the team – they took the VSS Enterprise for its first “captive carry flight”. This flight involved flying the mothership and the spaceship, without disconnecting. In future flight tests, they’ll fly both craft, and let the spaceship glide back to earth.

Tests will continue well into 2011, prior to the start of actual commercial space operations. The starting price for tickets is $200,000, with a minimum deposit of $20,000.

Captive audience: crying babies and air travel

by Laurel Miller on

We’ve all been there: the flight with the screaming infant. It strikes fear into the hearts of many to see a baby coming down the aisle.

The issue of crying babies and unruly children on flights divides air travelers. Many say they’re exasperated by parents who seem to do little to quiet or control their offspring, while others counter that fliers should be more patient and understanding.

Even normally well-behaved babies turn into screeching hellions when changes in air pressure hurt their ears. The question is, what to do about it?

Some passengers think airlines should seat families with children in one section of the plane, while others slap on headphones and watch a movie. If a baby on board has you ready to down Valium, it helps to understand the reason for in-flight tantrums.

“Because babies don’t know how to talk, crying is their only way of communicating, and can mean a number of things: I’m hungry, I need to be changed, I’m bored, I’m cold, I’m hot,” says Dr. Jennifer Shu, a pediatrician in Atlanta, Georgia, and a CNN.com Living Well expert.

That doesn’t make it okay for parents to ignore tears. “The other people on the plane do not have to be subjected to your child crying. It is absolutely not something that they should be expected to endure. They can’t leave.”said Dr. Susan Bartell, a psychologist specializing in parenting issues and author of “The Top 50 Questions Kids Ask.”

Tips for parents and passengers

• If a baby reacts to changing cabin pressure, give it something to suck on such as a bottle or a pacifier.

•Always make an effort to quiet a crying baby. “If other people see you trying, even if you’re not succeeding, they will feel at least you’re … doing your best to stop it.” explains Bartell.”You may have to get out of your seat and walk around [with your child].”

• If there is a baby screaming and the parents aren’t reacting, ask a flight attendant to say something to them.

• Glaring at the parents of a loud or unruly child may not always work. “Sometimes the parent is so thick-skinned and they don’t care, so it isn’t helpful,” says Bartell.

• Give parents the benefit of the doubt. Many babies sleep right through a flight. Remember- one day, it might be you trying to soothe an infant in the midst of an angry economy class.

Five ways to keep your luggage safe through the airport

by Grant Martin on

One of the biggest concerns expressed by first time flyers is in regards to luggage safety. Where does my luggage go after I check it at the counter? Who will handle it? Who will look through it? Will it even be on my flight?

All of these are valid questions, and with the wealth of baggage-handling nightmare stories out on the web it’s completely reasonable to have concern. That said, there are a few things that you can do to help make sure that your belongings make the journey safe and sound. Here are five ways to get started.

Using a luggage lock can add an extra layer of security, but it wont prevent the TSA from looking inside. They’re specifically allowed to remove the locks from any bag that they want to search, so unless you have a TSA approved device it’s going to get cut off. Why get a lock if the TSA can simply remove it at free will? Because it prevents access to other people (baggage handlers, ticket agents, etc) in the chain of operation. It’s also a deterrent to anyone who sees your bag on the arrivals carousel at your destination airport.

Speaking of the arrivals carousel, there’s no riskier place for your luggage to sit, so make sure you get to the beltway as soon as you can after your flight arrives — any random straggler can pick up your bags and wander off if they’re not picked up immediately.

To that end, make sure that your bags have distinctive features with which you can track them. We’re not saying that you have to get a hot pink leopard print roll-aboard, but a colored sash or a unique baggage tag will help you identify your bag on the carousel, in a thief’s hands or to a wayward airline agent.Another piece of data that will help keep track of your luggage is the baggage receipt. When the ticket agent at the departure airport prints out the sticker that will be attached to your bag, he or she will also print out a receipt that will often be attached to your boarding pass (or its jacket.) Hold onto this — airline representatives can use it to track your bag.While you’re in the process of filing away your receipt at the ticket counter, by the way, make sure to look over the shoulder of the ticket agent to check the destination of your bag. It should be printed in large characters next to the bar code. Hint: if it says SJO and your actual destination is SJU, ask the agent to double check the route.

Naturally, many of these tips are rendered null if you opt to carry on your bags. In addition to saving a load of extra fees, your bags will travel by your side for the entire duration of your trip, drastically reducing any risk involved and saving a little bit of time to boot.

Either way, it’s important to remember that baggage loss or theft happens to a minuscule volume of air travelers, less than 8 in 1000 on average. Keep those statistics in mind and use the above security tips, and at the very least, your mind will be more at ease.

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Where to dine in Sydney: VAustralia employees dish on their favorite joints

by Melanie Nayer on

Virginia Woolf said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” So, where does one dine when in a new city? What’s the best cuisine the city has to offer and where can you find it? Where do residents go on a Saturday night when they need to break free from the week and still feel the comforts of home?

The tourist attractions, museums, tours and of course, the shopping, are all great ways to see a new city, but if you really want to experience the flavor of a new city, dine with the locals and indulge in the delicacies that make each restaurant special in its own right.

On a recent flight to Australia, I caught up with the men and women who spend their down time down under at Sydney’s best restaurants and bars. Next time you find yourself in Sydney, take these suggestions from the flight attendants of VAustralia (and a few from me), and don’t forget to let us know your favorite spots.

Breakfast
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Jo from VAustralia recommends the following three places: Bill’s, Surrey Hills; Barzura, Coogee Beach; and Jed’s Cafe, Bondi Beach.

Lunch
After a long day of beach walks and surfing, VAustralia’s flight manager, Annie, recommends Cafe Sydney in Circular Quay.

Annie also suggests Icebergs, along the Coastal Walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach and Hugos at Manly Beach.

If you find yourself in the Blue Mountains, make sure to stop by Common Grand.
Dinner
Sally-Ann’s favorite restaurant in Sydney is Ripples, located directly under the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Milsons Point. “It’s an institution,” she says. But be warned: Ripples is BYO, so if you go, go with your drink of choice.

Seafood
Among other things, Australia is known for its fresh seafood. While you’re here, don’t miss Oyster Bar on Circular Quay, Fishface at Darlinghurst and the Raw Bar at Bondi Beach. My first night in Sydney I stopped into the recommended Fish at the Rocks, located in The Rocks, and treated myself to dinner and wine – fresh Mulloway and a glass of Shiraz.

You can’t beat the nightlife in Sydney. The girls at VAustralia suggested the following must-stops for late-night cocktails, and I can confirm that these picks were prime:

Head to The Horizon Bar on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel at dusk. Watch the sunset over Sydney with a champagne cocktail and you’ll feel first-class the rest of the night.

The Ivy is five floors of nightclub and a great place to spend the evening after drinks at Zeta Bar, located on level four of Hilton Sydney.

For those wanting a cold beer (or a few), head to Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel in The Rocks. Lord Nelson brews its own beers and has, at minimum, a dozen to taste at a time. I recommend the Three Sheets and a side of potato wedges for a mid-afternoon break.