“Fairmont Fit” program supplies sporty guests with running shoes

by Katie Hammel on

Before every trip I tell myself that in between sightseeing, wine tasting, and multi-course gastronomic feasts, I’m going to get in some physical activity. Then I start packing my carry-on and, when things get tight, the workout clothes and running shoes are the first things to get cut.

Despite my good intentions, I’d rather pack an extra pair of heels or save room for some souvenirs than squeeze my bulky running shoes into my bag. And I’m sure I’m not alone. To make it easier on people like me, Fairmont’s “Fairmont Fit” program provides guests with a gently used pair of running shoes in their size to use for the duration of their stay.

Guests must be members of the Fairmont President’s Club loyalty program and pay $10 per stay for the Fairmont Fit program. The shoes need to be requested in advance; they are cleaned after every use and replaced each season. In addition to use of the use of the shoes (available at 56 Fairmont hotels), guests can also use Adidas workout shirts and shorts or capris, yoga mat and stretch band, and an MP3 player loaded with 1,000 songs.

Who am I kidding? I’m not going to go for a run even if the hotel does lend me some kicks. But for the more dedicated, it’s a great way to pack light and still be able to maintain your workout routine on a trip.

[via Travel+Leisure]

American Airlines employees busted for drug-smuggling

by Katie Hammel on

22 people were arrested Tuesday amidst allegations of smuggling drugs from Puerto Rico into the US on American Airlines planes. Nine of the people arrested were employees of the airline, who allegedly sent over 9,000 kilograms – almost 20,000 pounds – of cocaine to US destinations that included Miami, Orlando and New Jersey. According to the US Justice Department, the ring has been operating since 1999.

The workers are a mix of ground crew and baggage handlers who are suspected of using suitcases to smuggle the drugs onto the planes. According to the AP release, Puerto Rico is a popular entry choice for drug traffickers, as once the drugs reach the island, they don’t have to pass through customs in the US.

Agents from the FBI and DEA arrested the suspects at locations in Miami and Puerto Rico in a joint effort cleverly named “Operation Heavy Cargo”. If convicted, the suspects face life in prison and fines up to $4 million.

American Airlines issued a statement saying, “As a company, we hope that the actions of a few employees don’t reflect negatively on the tens of thousands of ethical American Airlines employees who work hard to serve the public daily.”

Bag too big? Check with Congress

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Every carry-on could become a federal case, so to speak. Rep. Dan Lipinski, D-IL, has proposed legislation that would cap the size of each carry-on. Right now, airlines are left to their own devices, leading to a bit of confusion for fliers who use several carriers throughout the year. Since a de facto industry standard hasn’t emerged, Lipinski feels it’s a job for the folks in Washington.

Lipinski is quoted in USA Today as saying, “It’s clear if anything is going to be done, it’s going to take an act of Congress to do it.” The airlines aren’t enforcing the restrictions that they’ve enacted, he continues.

As with anything regarding Congress – and, for that matter, airlines – the public is divided. Supporters are glad to see a proposal that would keep oversized bags out of overhead spaces, seeing it as a safety measure or simply an increase in available space (they fill up quickly with large bags). Of course, on any flight, you’ll find people on the other side, passengers who refuse to check luggage and would cram a compact car into the overhead bin if they could.

Available space in the overhead compartments has become a problem recently. With airlines cutting flights in an effort to reduce costs, the remaining flights are becoming more crowded – as are the storage spaces.

The Air Transport Association, an industry trade group, doesn’t see overhead storage spaces as a matter for Congress. Instead, he believes it should be left to the airlines to decide.

“Celebrities talk travel” worth the click

by Jamie Rhein on

My initial thought about the celebrity travel interviews at travel.aol.com was “Oh, great. More celebrity gossip. Who cares?” But, after reading “Jonathan Bennet Talks Travel,” I read another interview– and another and another. I found each interview engaging and useful for picking up a tip or two.

What makes these interviews worthwhile and different from other celebrity interviews is that the celebrities are not firmly on the A-list. Their tone does not suggest that if one were a celebrity one could have a truly great life. You know–if you were Brad and Angelina. Or Tom and Katie. Or Oprah. These interviews are not about how much money one can spend for deluxe experiences, but what people do to optimize their travel success.

Even though the celebrities interviewed have had opportunities to see the world at a higher level than most of us, the interviews reflect their sense of wonder at the world and that they are figuring out how to travel with aplomb just like anybody else. After each read, I was left with the feeling of wanting to hit the road or buy an airline ticket myself.

Here are five celebrities and five travel tips.

  • Jonathan Bennet–Take a shower first thing when you arrive in your hotel room. (That’s the first thing he always does.)
  • Antonio Sabato Jr.–Wear comfortable clothing on an airplane or during a long car trip. (He wears sweats.)
  • Kim Wayans–Bring your own sheets and pillow (I often bring my own pillow case and sometimes a pillow depending on the circumstance and location.)
  • Criss Angel (a video interview)–Know about your destination’s climate so you don’t over-pack. (When going to Cabo, his favorite destination, he only brings a few pairs of shorts and leaves the shaving cream at home.) On the flip side of temperatures, know if you’ll need a sweater or a jacket– or both.
  • Bode Miller–Stay positive and be aware that delays and the unexpected may happen.

Avoid high baggage fees – rent clothes from Zero Baggage

by Katie Hammel on

Airline baggage fees just keep going up, and there seems to be no end in sight. With few airlines left that don’t charge for checked bags, travelers who can’t manage to get everything they need into a carry-on bag could end up paying some hefty fees. One Canadian company has come up with a plan to help.

Zero Baggage promises to provide travelers with an “environmentally responsible, anxiety-free way of living and traveling”. How? By renting clothing. Travelers select the clothes they need to rent (either pre-worn or, for more money, brand new), Zero Baggage delivers them upon arrival, and the items are returned when no longer needed. Travelers have access to a wider variety of clothes, at less cost, and without having to pack a larger bag and pay checked-luggage fees.

Or at least, that’s the plan. The company says it will begin offering service in early 2010 in Toronto, Canada and Gold Coast, Australia.

As someone who has, over time, learned to get by with less and now rarely takes more than one carry-on for a trip of 2 weeks, I don’t think I would use the service. And even in an emergency (a fashion emergency), I’d probably just run out and buy something new. But it is an intriguing idea. What do you think?

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