Up In The Air - The Frequent Flyer

Hi Everyone!

Have you seen the film that is in theaters starring George Clooney called "Up In The Air"?

This is one movie that will give you some great tips on traveling. As cute and talented as George Clooney is, his character in the film, Ryan Bingham, gives some great travel tips we all should follow when traveling.

The premise of the film is Ryan Bingham is a Corporate Downsizing Expert. He works for a company that corporations hire to come in and fire people. Ryan is in more airports and hotels than he is in his own home. He has a personal goal to obtain 10 million frequent flyer miles on his airline of choice.

Ryan has several tips for the frequent flyer.

1. Pick an airline and sign up for their frequent flyer miles program. His airline of choice was American and their Advantage program. Then use credit cards, hotels, car rentals companies and restaurants that partner with the airline's program.

2. Learn to pack everything you need in a carry-on bag. He and my "partner in travel" and on the radio, Ja'Vonne, has this tip down to a science. I'm getting there.

3. Check in on line or at the Kiosk.

4. When going through TSA security, scope out the lines before you get in one. If there are families in a line and you are a single traveler, you might not want to get in that line. It will take time to get the strollers and things through. If there is a line with business travelers, that might be the line for you. They travel often and know what to do to get through security quickly.

5. Take time to know the airport you are traveling out of and in to. If your gate changes at the last minute you won't waste time trying to figure out which way to go.

6. Dress nice when you travel. You won't get that upgrade if you look like you are on your way to a football game.

6. Smile, be polite and look the airline personnel in the eye. You treat them nice...they will remember you the next time you come through.

Ryan's goal was to earn 10 million frequent flyer miles and he would get to fly anywhere he wanted on American, meet the premier pilot, and get his name on a plane. Did he make it? You will have to see the movie to find out.

Until next time, keep your EYE to the Sky!

Bonnie DeShong
Co-host of The Traveling Eye heard on WVON1690, www.wvon.com
Fridays - 11 AM - Noon, Central Time
www.thetravelingeye.com

Traveling Home for the Holidays!

Bonnie DeShong

Hi Everyone!

The holidays are here and like so many of you, Ja'Vonne and Gene Harley and I all went to our hometowns for the holidays. Ja'Vonne and Gene are from D.C. and flew out on different days headed east after the big snow storm. I am sure Ja'Vonne will blog about her trip east for the holidays. My hometown is Champaign, Illinois so I planned to pack up the car, hit I-57 and head home for Christmas.

My plan was to leave the evening of the Wednesday before Christmas Eve and be home in an hour and a half. Mother Nature had other plans and Chicago was hit with freezing rain (which I learned is different from sleet and snow) so it wasn't safe to head out.

What do you do when you plan to drive out of town for the holidays? Here are some tips that I take when I plan to drive anywhere in the winter months.

Winterize the car - I usually go the to good old neighborhood car shop to get my oil changed, fluids, and pressure in the tires checked. Speaking of tires, make sure the tires are in good condition. Don't forget to check the windshield wiper blades.

In the trunk of my car I have my winter pack together. I test things to make sure everything works. I have jumper cables, flares, a blanket, flashlight, a jug of water, kitty litter, windshield wiper solution, and a shovel. In my glove compartment I have a couple of granola bars.

When I get on the road I usually put premium gas in the car, however, whatever grade of gas you use, make sure you begin your trip with a full tank of gas. I find it helpful to fill up the tank along the way when the tank is half full.

With the icy rain in Chicago I postponed my trip until Christmas Eve but before I set out on the road I watched the weather reports, called my uncle in Champaign to ask what the weather conditions were there and I called the Illinois Department of Transportation (800 452-4368) to check the road conditions on I-57. IDOT's recording said that there wasn't any ice or snow on the I-57 from I-294 to Carbondale. GREAT! I felt safe to load up the car and head home for the holidays.

Remember, the best way to travel during the holidays is to do it safely.

What are some of your helpful travel tips?

Until next time, keep you EYE to the sky and Happy Holidays!

Bonnie DeShong
Co-host The Traveling Eye
www.thetravelingeye.com

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Hello World Travelers,

As we approach the Christmas holiday and holiday travel, the weather is already wreaking havoc. A northeast snow storm blanketed Washington, DC (my home town), Philadelphia, New York and up through to Boston. For a change Chicago's weather is better than DC's weather but I don't think that will be for long. The weather forecast is calling for snow on Christmas day in the Midwest! But by then I will be in DC.

The holiday travel season officially kicked off this weekend and Monday the 21st of December the is first day of winter and already somewhere in the US airports were closed and holiday travel was hindered.

I love the Christmas Holiday. I travel from Chicago to DC each year and the last thing I or anyone wants is to spend the holidays at the airport or stranded somewhere. While we may not be able to control this completely there are some things we can do to make things better. Here are some holiday and bad weather travel tips for you.

• Don't travel with wrapped gifts, airport security can ask you to unwrap them. Also, TSA has every right to inspect your checked luggage and unwrap your gifts
• Book morning flights, even with delayed flights you may be able to get out that day and usually flights will take off before or as bad develops
• Try to book non-stop flights when possible and avoid connections in cities where bad weather is likely
• If you are on a connecting flight watch the weather channel and get ahead of weather problems at your connecting city. You may be able to have your flight rerouted before the masses are affected
• Give yourself an extra hour
• Have emergency and important phone numbers stored in your cell phone. The hotel where you will stay, the airline, the car rental company, etc.
• Register your cell phone number with the airline for alerts!
• If you're traveling with children, make sure you bring things to keep them occupied in case of delays. And bring snacks so you won't spend a fortune at the airport
• Be proactive and check the board at the airport
• If at all possible bring only carry on luggage. This will give you more flexibility when it comes to getting on other flights
• If you're traveling by road make sure you have a road emergency kit in your car, it should include a blanket, flare, cables, a spare tire, water, snacks, jack, gas and roadside insurance
• Get a check up for your car to make sure it can make the long haul or the trip you're taking
  Lastly, just be prepared, this is not the time to hit the road without being prepared!

Good News, Now through January 4th most major US airlines have eliminated advance purchase rules for holiday travel. So if you have not purchased that airline ticket yet, there is still a chance to get an inexpensive ticket!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

The Traveling Eye, on The Talk of Chicago 1690 WVON or http://www.wvon.com/

December 18th - On The Traveline Eye

Hello Fellow World Travelers,

Today on the show.

We're talking about Hot Topics in the travel industry.

• Obese passengers and if they should purchase an additional seat
• Airline fees, When is enough enough
• Passenger Rights

Here is the link for USA Todays Airpor Guide for the 25 busiest airports
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/airportguides/index.htm

Travel & Leisures pick for worlds top hotels
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-top-50-hotels-2010/1

Aria Las Vegas Opens. The largest hotel in Begas with over 4000 rooms
http://www.arialasvegas.com/

Should Obese Passengers Pay more?

This picture has been posted on the web but it is not an uncommon site. While it appears to me that the passenger is partially resting on the outer armrest, he is still large and will take up some of the seat of the passenger sitting next to him or hang into the aisle. Now, all armrests are to be down before take off and landing so the other question is can he put down the armrest? If not is this a safety risk not only for himself but for other passengers? You be the judge!

We're going Places

Hello Fellow World Travelers,

Breaking News!. The Traveling Eye will expand it's blogging. We are now blogging on Chicago Now with N'digo. Pay us a visit there and make your comments!

http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/ndigo-traveling-eye/

We will continue to blog on this site!

See ya!