No luxury: five people who have no choice in travel

by Tom Johansmeyer on

It’s easy to see the world only from your own point of view. After all, what choice do you have? Even the best efforts at empathy and telepathy will still leave you unable to truly put yourself in another person’s shoes. In the travel world in particular, it can be difficult to understand why the person with whom you’re jockeying for an armrest is on the plane at all. Try as you might, you’ll never really be able to grasp the whole story.

So, when I see sweeping pronouncements about why people travel, it makes me stop for a second. I ran into a tweet recently that proclaimed, “Traveling IS a luxury!” In some cases, this is doubtless true. While you may need to get out on vacation for a while, do you really need to go somewhere that requires a flight? Or, if you could suck it up and drive, even if it’s bit longer and something of a pain, you certainly aren’t forced to buy a ticket instead. Limit your perspective to these scenarios, and the statement makes sense.

But, what about everyone else?

There are many reasons why people travel, and there isn’t really a choice for some of them. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Let’s take a look at five people who fly of necessity – not to satisfy an unnecessary urge.1. Business travel
Okay, this is pretty obvious. When your boss tells you to get on a plane, that’s what you do. There are legions of corporate folks out there who fly weekly (or more) for sales meetings, client service and other business-related reasons. Their jobs are on the road, and they fly to work the way some people drive. The formula is pretty simple: no travel = no paycheck.

2. Family emergencies
This may be infrequent, and it doesn’t matter until you’re the one going to visit a relative in need. With some families spread out over several time zones, responding to an urgent matter may require a flight. I’m not sure I’d call this sort of flying a luxury … let’s be realistic.

3. Children visiting parents
Visitation is a serious matter, and it’s often not left to chance. There are rules put in place for when separated or divorced parents can see their kids. Complying with a court’s decision is not a luxury … nor is the time that a parent and child spend together.

4. People in uniform
Well, they may not always be in uniform – but if you see great posture, little body fat and a short haircut, do the math. The passenger may be en route to a new duty station or training environment (not to mention parts unknown or undesirable). Flying doubtless is not a luxury for this passenger. Rather, it’s a means to ensuring your ability to move freely. Let’s not forget about the military!

5. Airline employees
Of course, these people aren’t flying recreationally. Realistically, they’re only flying because you are. So, whether you’re in the air for business or pleasure, keep in mind that they are with you strictly for the former.

[photo by The U.S. Army via Flickr]

Virgin America wants your family vacation photos

by Melanie Nayer on

Time to break out the blackmail photo album – Virgin America wants to see your most awkward family photos for a chance to upgrade to the ultimate family vacation.

In celebration of Virgin America’s San Francisco-Orlando flights, the always entertaining airline launched an online promotion with Awkward Family Photos that celebrates family vacations. All you have to do is upload your “most awkward” family vacation photos for a chance to receive four roundtrip tickets anywhere Virgin America flies for your next family vacation. In addition, those who submit a photo or vote on their favorites will score a 33.3 percent discount off their next family booking on the airline’s Orlando flights.

Travelers can enter their awkward family vacation photos and access the special discount on Orlando flights by visiting the airline’s Facebook page or http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/virginamerica starting today through October 5, 2010. Awkward Family Photos and Virgin America will then select the top 20 photos and allow the public to vote on their favorites from October 6-13, 2010. The awkward family vacation photo with the most votes as of October 13, 2010, will receive four roundtrip tickets anywhere Virgin America flies for their next family vacation. In addition, one lucky California entrant will score the ultimate Orlando family getaway – flights, hotel stay and the chance to attend Virgin America’s celebration of its new Orlando service on October 13, 2010.

Let’s go, travelers. Dig deep into those photo albums and look for the best embarrassing photo you can find. Big winners always include a mouth full of braces, teased-and-sprayed bangs from the 1980s and, of course, family photos that include animals.

Daily Pampering: Chauffeured rides ensure royal treatment at Napa’s Milliken Creek Inn & Spa

by Melanie Nayer on

Why worry about getting from point A to point B when your luxury hotel can do that for you? Milliken Creek Inn & Spa, an intimate luxury boutique hotel in Napa Valley, is offering “Your Carriage Awaits” package – a romantic, two-night travel package that allows guests to tour the region without having to lift a finger.

Upon arrival, guests will be taken to one of the Inn’s 12 individually designed, spacious suites where oversized hydrotherapy bathtubs await. After a quick soak and change, roundtrip chauffeured transportation to dinner in downtown Napa will be provided. Upon return, indulge in the chocolate-covered strawberries, candles and rose petals that complete your turn-down service.

Spend the next morning at the spa before hopping into the chauffeured four-hour wine tour to visit three Napa wineries before heading off to dinner.

The cost of this pretty pampering? A mere $930 per couple per stay. For full details, visit Milliken Creek Inn’s website or call 800.822.8418 and request offer code “CARRIAGE.”

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

China Airlines fined for price fixing

by Sean McLachlan on

China Airlines is the latest carrier to get fined for price-fixing air cargo rates. The Taiwan-based airline plead guilty and now faces a $40 million fine. Northwest Airlines has also plead guilty.

A total of 18 airlines have been snared by the Department of Justice in an ongoing investigation. Eight airline executives have also been charged. The Department of Justice has imposed a total of $1.6 billion in fines and given four executives jail time for a conspiracy that reaches back to early 2000. China Airlines was conspiring with other airlines to fix cargo rates to and from the United States, a violation of antitrust laws. Rates are supposed to be subject to the free market, but the airlines secretly agreed to set a rate in order to maximize profits.

For a complete list of the airlines and executives involved, click here.

Immigration law costs Arizona hotels a bundle

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The cost of closing down the borders may be higher than you think. At least, that’s what the Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association is saying. Tourists have cut back their visits to the state, the association believes, because of the recent controversial immigration law. Tourism and travel companies claim they’ve lost millions of dollars because of how the state is being perceived.

According to ABC 15 in Arizona:

“I think any time there’s something controversial that would even cause a group to think there’s something negative it’s an easy choice when you have so many other destinations to choose from,” said Debbie Johnson, President and CEO of the association.

Of course, there are claims that the economy – not immigration laws – is responsible for the drop in Arizona tourism business, and to a certain extent, this is true. Some hotels have sustained 40 percent drops in call activity, and hotels are saying that some groups are backing out of tentative bookings because of the immigration law.

[photo by Fibonacci Blue via Flickr]