April 20, 2006
Flying is often a person s greatest fear. With the recent Air France crash at the Toronto Pearson Airport, some flier s stress may be at an all-time high. However, it is possible to practice stress management solutions while flying. Hamilton-based Mark McGregor, who is a stress management trainer and consultant, believes that we should use our HEADS (Humour, Exercise, Avoid, Delegate, Seek) to manage our flying stress. Mark comments, Some air passengers unnecessarily worry and become overwhelmed when traveling on airplanes which causes increased personal stress. It s not enjoyable for themselves or the people they travel with. Chances are you will not be able to totally eliminate flying stress. However, with practical stress management solutions, you will be able to reduce your stress and enjoy your flying experience more. The experienced air passenger and two-time stress-induced heart attack and arrhythmia survivor offers some air-travel stress-relief solutions:
Humour is the best medicine. Pack some comic strips, a book that can make you laugh or a funny photo in your travel case. When feeling overwhelmed, pull out your reading material and let the comical content take your mind off of flying.
Exercise is possible on an airplane. You do not require a sweaty twenty-minute workout to gain the benefits of exercising for stress-relief. Be sure to pack a stress-relief ball that you can squeeze away at when things get bumpy. Take a brief stroll in the isle when the cabin seatbelt warning lights are off.
Avoid conversations with toxic people. You know the crash-n-burn type that believes everything about their flying experience is wrong. Tune them out by bringing your own music player and headphone set. Or simply plug in your headphone set into your laptop computer and play all your favorite hits. You may want to avoid playing Spirit in the Sky!
Delegate tasks to the flight attendants. Ask nicely, and you may be surprised what you get. Ask for a warm blanket or a soft pillow to rest with. On longer-haul flights, ask for middle-row seating so you can stretch out on vacant seats on less populated flights.
Seek the right frame of mind. Flying has always been one of the safest methods of travel. Sit back and relax as trained professionals add to the comfort of your flying experience. Know that your pilot has logged in numerous hours of flying time. Feel secure with the fact that security procedures have increased for your protection and safety.
Contact Mark McGregor for his Special Report on Stress Management which includes a section on how to travel with less stress at (905) 297-0805 or from his Web site at http://www.KeynoteTrainer.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_McGregor
April 15, 2006
If you are a frequent flyer, chartering a private jet affords the discriminating passenger options that are not found on any airline. As expensive as this option may sound to some, there are many benefits in chartering a jet that airline travel simply cannot match.
Availability of the aircraft to fly in and out of almost any airport in the USA. Private jets have access to more than 5,000 airports in the U.S. and Europe alone.
Less time lost at the airport, quicker flights, and a more comfortable cabin experience.
Ability to conduct business privately at flight level.
Quick out and back trips to meet with business clients. Can all be done within one day and back in the office the next…try doing that with the airlines!
Executive service with a trained corporate flight attendant waiting on a small group of passengers.
Food that is incomparably better than airline food and on par with food served at high end restaurants.
After one flight most passengers are hooked and decide flying on an executive jet is the way to go. Check with your local business jet charter operator or with a qualified charter broker for information about how you can arrange your next charter trip.
Matthew Keegan is the owner of a successful article writing, web design, and marketing business based in North Carolina, USA. He manages several sites including the Corporate Flight Attendant Community and the Aviation Employment Board. Please visit The Article Writer to review selections from his portfolio.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
April 13, 2006
The recent bankruptcy announcements for Northwest and Delta Airlines has sent a shudder through the aviation industry as expected job cuts loom and possible further bankruptcy filings are considered. These are not good days for many carriers as high legacy costs, pricey jet fuel, and inefficient management practices have worked together to bring down some of the bigger names out there. Fortunately, all is not bleak in the industry and, in fact, many jobs are being created for the opportunistic person. Knowing where to look can present a challenge, but finding the right job can be a rewarding experience. Let s take a look at some options that may be right for you.
Discount Carriers. Led by Southwest Airlines and JetBlue, discount carriers continue to grow stronger while legacy carriers [including American, Continental, Delta, United, Northwest, and USAir] struggle. Many discount carriers were born during a period of deregulation that has gained strength since the 1980s which gave discount carriers a place to grow. Only the fittest have survived and they are the industry job makers today.
Airport Operations. Your local airport is staffed by people who manage the facility on behalf of airport operators. Besides government workers who man the towers and provide security, every airport has a staff of personnel to assist in the management of the facility. Common positions include building and grounds maintenance, marketing, customer relations, and administration. Find out which airports are in your area, who is managing that airport, and then apply directly to the managing company.
Government. The Federal Aviation Administration or FAA is tasked with regulating the aviation industry. FAA jobs are listed on their own site at www.faa.gov and they are always looking for capable and experienced personnel. In addition, many state and local governments manage and regulate airports and are a good source of employment as well.
Private Jet Operators. A segment of the industry not understood by some is business aviation. Private jets carrying individuals, families, business people, and more operate from airports all over the country. These companies have their own staff of flight coordinators, dispatchers, pilots, technicians, flight attendants, administrators, and more. Leading operators include: Netjets, Executive Jet Management, Jet Aviation, TAG Aviation, Atlantic Aviation, Flight Options, Flexjet, Regal Aviation, Pacific Jet, New World Aviation, and more. Apply directly to each company for employment.
Private Companies. Some corporations own and manage their own fleet of jets. In these cases they have their own in house flight department consisting of pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians, flight support personnel, administrators, and more. Jobs are listed through major employment sites including Monster, Career Builder, and the Aviation Employment Board.
If working in the aviation industry is appealing to you, these options present alternatives to the traditional legacy carriers. The world is changing and with it are the opportunities. Keeping your options open by looking in the right places will help you successfully navigate this ever changing and exciting industry.
Matthew Keegan is the owner of a successful article writing, web design, and marketing business based in North Carolina, USA. He manages several sites including the Corporate Flight Attendant Community and the Aviation Employment Board. Please visit The Article Writer to review selections from his portfolio.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan
April 11, 2006
If you want to use a reward credit card for getting free airline tickets, you have a choice of choosing a dedicated airline credit card, a travel reward credit card or a cash back credit card. A dedicated airline credit credit card has hefty annual fees and may not be worth it if you are not a very frequent traveller or do not spend enough on your credit card.
If you decide to get either a no annual fee travel reward or cash back credit card, how would you decide which is better? This article examines how you should go about making this decision.
Let us assume we now have one reward credit card and one cash back credit card to choose from. The reward credit card pays one point for every dollar you spend on purchases. The cash back credit card pays a 1% rebate. Essentially, they both have identical payout formula of 1%. Let us assume both have no annual fee (very realistic) and both have identical apr. Would there be any difference between the two credit cards? Should we be indifferent? How do we decide which is better?
How much does your typical vacation airline ticket cost?
The most important factor that in this decision is actually the average cost of your airline ticket when you take your vacation. Why? Because most travel reward program (in fact, most frequent flyer program) require that you earn 25,000 miles or points to redeem a roundtrip restricted economy ticket within continental US. You are required to purchase the ticket either through the specific airline directly (in the case of a specific frequent flyer program) or through the reward program’s agent. If you have a cash back credit card, 25,000 points will get you a $250 cash rebate (assuming a 1% formula).
But we all know that a domestic economy ticket cost can vary anywhere from about $99.00 to $350.00. If you are flying short haul, you can get a $99.00 ticket from a low cost discount carrier. If you fly from coast to coast, you are likely to have to folk out over $300 for a ticket. If you use get a special deal from expedia or priceline, you may get it cheaper.
Choose a cash back credit card if you airline ticket cost less than $250
Hence, it is very important to know your vacation habits. Where do you tend to go for your vacations? How much does your average airline ticket cost you? If you tend to fly short haul to a nearby place for your vacation and your airline ticket cost about less than $250 (say for example $150), you are better off using cash rebates from a cash back credit card. This is because you only need to spend $15,000 on your credit card to get a $150 cash rebate. Spending $15,000 on a reward credit card only earns you 15,000 points, not enough on most reward program to earn a free domestic economy flight.
Choose a travel credit card if your airline ticket cost more than $250
However, if you fly long distance (New York to LA for example) and your airline ticket tends to cost over $300, then using a reward credit card makes more sense. This is because if you use a cash rebate credit card, you need to earn over $300 in cash rebates (ie spend over $30,000). However, with a regular reward program credit card, you only need to spend $25,000 to earn your 25,000 points.
So if you tend to take vacations that require long haul flights that cost more than $250, use a travel reward card. If your vacation flights cost less than $250, use a cash rebate credit instead. Some reward program only require 22,000 points to redeem a domestic roundtrip flight. In that case, use $220 or 22,000 points as your guide when you are choosing between a travel or cash back credit card.
Nick Lian
http://www.compare-apply-credit-card-online.com
Credit Card Tips, Articles and Reviews for those looking for a credit card
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nick_Lian
April 9, 2006
Have you ever said to yourself I ve always wanted to travel to Europe Well, what are you waiting for? There s never been a better day to travel then today. Take that well deserved vacation and plan out your perfect trip.

Start with getting an idea of where you want to go. Ask yourself what it is that you want to do. Do you enjoy a nice foreign brewed beer? Then maybe you d be interested in seeing what Oktoberfest is all about. If that s not for you, maybe you would prefer to see a show at one of the famous Opera Houses in Paris or finally see the Eiffel Tower with a loved one. Perhaps you d like a gondola ride on the Venice canals. There are so many different cities in Europe that whatever it is you like to do there s a city that will cater to you and your style.
Another factor that will help you decide where you want to travel or what you want to do will be deciding what your budget is. Once you have an idea of what your budget is, begin researching the least expensive way you can travel. Ask yourself these questions when deciding on flights. Are you willing to connect through a few different cities to save money? Are you willing to pay extra for a direct flight? What is the closest major airport to where you live? If you live on the east coast, your best bet for inexpensive airfare would be flights out of New York City or Boston. Both these cities offer hundreds of flights a day to all of the major European cities. Even if you re not close to either of those cities you might be able to find an inexpensive charter that could connect you.
Next thing you need to consider is that there are three seasons that play a large factor in the price of your airfare. The low season begins in November and runs until the end of March (excluding a week around Christmas time when flights are more expensive.) The shoulder season is broken up into two parts and runs from the beginning of April till around the middle of June and then picks up again in the first part of September till the beginning of November (shouldering either side of the high season and the low season.) The rates during this time period are fair, there not as low as they are in the low season, but the are very competitive. The high season or peak season runs from the middle of June until the beginning of September. This time period is the most expensive season to travel, and no coincidence has the nicest weather of all the seasons. This is also the time that most students and families are on break and able to travel. Even in this expensive time it s still possible to find good deals to travel to Europe so don t be discouraged.
Then you have to ask yourself how much work are you willing to put in to find the best fare. If you would prefer to leave the work up to someone else you could consider giving your local travel agency a call. They will take in all the factors of what you want your vacation to include and put together a package for you. They can also help you get a better idea of what you want to do. If you would prefer to save some money then you can do the work yourself by searching for low airfare on the Internet or calling discount flight services. Shop around; find the best price for what you re looking to do. Keep in mind that the longer you wait the harder it s going to be to find flights to your destination and generally the higher the fares are going to be. If you find a fare that you feel is the best you ve found book it. If you wait for something lower you might miss out on what you have already found and in the end have to book something even more expensive.
Don t wait till you re saying I sure wish I had traveled more when I had the chance. You always have the chance so take the initiative and fly to Europe today. You won t regret it.
Duke Dudley has been in the travel business for 3+ years helping people find inexpensive flights, hotels and car rentals. If you need help please feel free to contact him.
Flights to Europe
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Duke_Dudley
April 7, 2006
The A-380 has beat out the Boeing 747 as a target by International Terrorists. The A-380 will become the largest passenger jet in the world holding the largest number of passengers. If and when an International Terrorist Cell gets one, it will become instantly the largest airline disaster in the history of the world, due to the shear number of passengers on board. Luckily bringing down such a large aircraft will not be easy, nor will it be able to be blown out of the sky with a handheld anti-aircraft missile unless it is lucky enough to hit a fuel tank. This of course is unlikely because most handheld missiles are heat seeking and therefore will generally go to where the heat is instead, thus taking out one of four engines.
The A-380 in most of the configurations currently being advertised seems to be able to hold nearly 40% more people. This is why the International Terrorist Cells may target it. Airbus is putting countermeasures for anti-aircraft missiles as an option for those airlines, which order them. The A-380 is quite a bit bigger than the 747 as you can see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mccreath/11209056/
Many airports cannot even take an airliner so large, as the distance to turn it around are significant and the wing tips are wider than that of the runway, meaning the wing tip vortices will dig up the grass on the sides of the runways making ditches on both sides. Think about this.
“Lance Winslow” – Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow
April 3, 2006

Key Travel Tips
Following these tips will help you reduce your wait time at the security checkpoint.
Before you go to the Airport
Do not pack or bring Prohibited Items to the airport.
Place valuables such as jewelry, cash and laptop computers in carry-on baggage only.
Tape your business card to the bottom of your laptop.
Avoid wearing clothing, jewelry and accessories that contain metal. Metal items may set off the alarm on the metal detector.
Avoid wearing shoes that contain metal or have thick soles or heels. Many types of footwear will require additional screening even if the metal detector does not alarm.
Put all undeveloped film and cameras with film in your carry-on baggage. Checked baggage screening equipment will damage undeveloped film.
Declare firearms & ammunition to your airline and place them in your checked baggage.
If you wish to lock your baggage, use a TSA-recognized lock.
Do not bring lighters or prohibited matches to the airport.
Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint. Wrap on arrival or ship your gifts prior to your departure. TSA may have to unwrap packages for security reasons.
While at the Airport
Each adult traveler needs to keep available his/her airline boarding pass and government-issued photo ID until exiting the security checkpoint. Due to different airport configurations, at many airports you will be required to display these documents more than once.
Place the following items IN your carry-on baggage or in a plastic bag prior to entering the screening checkpoint:
o Mobile phones
o Keys
o Loose change
o Money clips
o PDA’s (personal data assistants)
o Large amounts of jewelry
o Metal hair decorations
o Large belt buckles
Take your laptop and video cameras with cassettes OUT of their cases and place them in a bin provided at the checkpoint.
Take OFF all outer coats, suit coats, jackets and blazers.
Marisol Boatwright is an Independent Travel Agent with Global Travel International. She has years of experience in the travel agency business and wants to help people with their travel needs. Whether it be for hotel or air reservations, auto rentals, cruises, or vacation packages, Marisol will be able to help.
http://boatrighttravels.globaltravel.com
mailto:boatwrim@bellsouth.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marisol_Boatwright
April 1, 2006
With easy access to the Internet, the convenience of finding cheap airline tickets is just a few clicks away. As more airline inventory becomes available directly to the public through the World Wide Web, cheap flights are being purchased in record numbers, and nearly everyone hunting for fantastic low cost airline tickets are finding better deals online, than offered at their local travel agency!
If you happen to be wondering why your local travel agency seems to have a hard time competing with all the cheap tickets offered by online travel suppliers, well its a matter of volume. The airlines pass on great savings to the Internet based suppliers and in turn they forward these savings on to you for not going through a travel agent.
Advantages of booking cheap travel online vs. Retail Travel Agencies
So what are the advantages of booking cheap air on line over visiting your local travel establishment? It’s quite simple, with technology and the easy access to home and office computers, convenience would be top on the list.When you go directly to the airline discount suppliers web site, they provide you immediate access to their airfare inventory, and you’re tapped into each airlines seat availability without delay.
You can view all the airline airfares and current pricing for airline companies such as American, United, Continental, and Northwest all conveniently at one time! Unfortunately your travel professional would have to go to each carriers web site individually, and search for the best online fares.
For most travel agencies it’s very time consuming, and they don’t make a lot of commission from booking airfare on the Internet for their clients. Many travel counselors get so backlogged that a lot of times they will put your search on hold, and with hot prices online selling out so quickly, In most cases it’s too late to get the deals you want by the time they get back to you that day.
Another advantage is when you complete your reservation over the Internet, you will receive your departure information, destination details, and all your required flight terms instantly emailed to you. When you complete the purchase of your tickets online, because it’s all electronically processed, you don’t have to worry about leaving your house to fight traffic to pick up physical paper tickets. Now you might say that your agency provides this service as well, and your right they do, but normally for a fee that ranges between $35 – $70 dollars for each booking!
Some reputable companies that offer discount airfare are Orbitz and Expedia! They’re known to be the largest suppliers of airline destinations in domestic and worldwide flights. With the sheer volume they offer, you will easily find great airline discount prices, and a wide variety of excellent itineraries.
About the author: William Lezubski (Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), and Certified Travel Counsellor(CTC) – William is a professional in the Travel Industry and is the owner and author of Discount Caribbean Vacations Web Site available at http://www.discount-caribbean-vacations.com A great source for Cheap Flights to the Caribbean! Find and compare quality travel suppliers offering discount airfare, and the lowest discount airline tickets to the Caribbean, all in one convenient location.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Lezubski