Letter from the Editor
November 2006
Dear Friends,
Could the weather be any stranger? Well tornados, hurricanes and blizzards aren't fun either. Even our visits to Maine were surprisingly warm for the first few days and then it settled down into just plain clear blue skies and sparkling water with an ideal mid to upper 70's. We've driven up twice in the last few months and the delays from each states toll booths are really a pain and traffic tie-up for everyone.
I thought it would be nice to buy a place overlooking the water (going back to my Minnesota roots) somewhere between Maine and North Carolina in case I should decide to change this high speed lifestyle but until I win the lottery that isn’t going to happen.
There are several internet sites and newsletters purporting the virtues of buying in Croatia, Panama, Mexico and a variety of other still affordable and friendly to American citizens countries. Malaysia has quite a favorable tax free program and other benefits for those of us that would enjoy making our next residence there. I loved my visit to Malaysia and every other place out of the US but haven’t quite gotten into the mode of moving permanently. Maybe three months of the winter in a tropical location would work well.
It's back to Ireland for us
in a few weeks and some new cities and counties to explore including
my first visit to Northern Ireland and Belfast. It's great to investigate
a destination that spent so many years in the news and is such a part
of world history. I've always been a pacifist and this destructive bombing
of historic, religious and other sites including ancient cities like
Baghdad and now the tiny country of Lebanon is unforgivable in my mind.
I'm glad I wasn't around for World War I and I and that rampant destruction
on both sides. All this death and destruction for money and greed, the
story is the same since the beginning of time.
We keep adding to our roster of outstanding journalists and reviewers like Louise O'Brien and Sherree Bykofsky along with crackerjack editor Shannon Kiltzer all helping to keep Gallagher’s Travels interesting. I personally need to write faster and more furious to cover everything I see.
It does constantly amaze me,
the general cost of living and then on vacation eating out and paying
for entries and attractions can be budget blowing. Frequently there are
less expensive alternatives with just a little investigation. Free days
or evening admission to museums, discount tickets from the local convention
and visito'’s bureau or even grocery stores offer discounts to amusement
parks and early bird dining specials. In Portland, Maine we took the
commuter ferry to Packers Island for a roundtrip cost of about $7 for
two as opposed to the $18 to $30 fee of guided and sailboat tours. I
had to read the history and walk around the island on my own rather than
having a guide but that was an expensive food day so it all evened out.
I don't mind paying for a decent meal but they are certainly getting harder and harder to find. A prominent food and wine critic recently left restaurant review writing with the comment, "I hope I never have to step in one again." Have none of these people gone to Culinary School? Recently on the road in a moment of desperation we stumbled into an Outback Steakhouse. They do frequently have lines out the door. Well with blaring music, multiple TV screens screaming and cooks that didn’t understand medium well from raw and some slimy concoction referred as garlic mashed potatoes our saving factor was an apologetic waitress who replaced everything with more horrible food. At least I know they are consistent!
Unfortunately chains are not the only restaurants suffering from a lack of skills running from the dishwasher to the main chef and 12 year old hostesses. Let's say I eat home when I can.
Some of the all suites hotels offer a pretty full breakfast, and I m getting pretty quick at those do it yourself waffle machines. Usually this is enough food to carry us through the day with a light lunch. If you're two or more people it can be quite a savings as well as a convenience in not having to get into the car and go to a restaurant. Families seem to love it. We stayed at the Comfort Inn Suites in Freeport, Maine and the breakfast room was mobbed with multigenerational families each morning. Then a few weeks before I stayed at the new Marriott Suites near Dulles Airport where not only is breakfast served but they have a free light dinner and full kitchens in your suite. One little boy asked his dad if he could have the tacos (last nights dinner) again for breakfast.
The future of I 95
We've done a lot of driving
over the last few months and made several trips up and down I 95 from
North Carolina to the Northeastern states. Apparently this road, like
many highways, was planned before gazillions had cars. For 24 hours every
day of the week the stretch from Arlington, VA to Fredericksburg, a distance
of 45 or so miles, can take up to three hours. Now that is normal traffic
so I guess you can forget getting out of town in a disaster situation.
Meanwhile Magellan's (www.magellans.com),
the big catalog seller with every conceivable item for us road warriors
and the occasional traveler, had a great article about current travel
advice and I'm going to place it below. Knowing, like we all do, that
sometimes the "security" folk's change their mind every 12 seconds; it's
still best to check with everyone you can think of the day before you
drive to the airport.
I try to be well fed and get lots of sleep ahead of any travel time; it controls my short temper in those situations where the TSA person at an airport like Dulles doesn’t speak or understand English as a prime example.
Happy Trails!
Mary E. Gallagher
MAGELLAN’S
Safety & Security
Easing the Airport Screening Process
Whether you're an occasional traveler or a frequent flier, it's natural to be a bit apprehensive when faced with the prospect of passing through an airport security checkpoint. Will there be a long line? Will the screeners dig through my luggage? Did I leave some small vial of liquid in my purse? Will a long line cause me to miss my flight? While you cannot make the security line any shorter, there is much you can do to prepare to make the process easier for yourself, your fellow passengers and the security screeners.
How Much Time is Enough Time?
As a general rule, you can follow these guidelines: Arrive 60 minutes before your domestic flight if you are not checking baggage, 90 minutes before your flight if you are checking bags, and 2 hours before your international flight. The Transportation Security Agency maintains a web site with average wait times at http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html. Keep in mind that these are average wait times for each hour of each day over the last couple of weeks. Add a bit if you are departing on a peak travel day (i.e. the Sunday after Thanksgiving) which would not be accounted for in the average wait times.
In addition, most major airlines' Web sites offer some form of electronic flight status notification. Simply enter your email address or SMS enabled cell phone number along with your flight number, and the airline will send updates (departure gate changes, delays, etc.) to your cell phone, pager, PDA or any other device. See our related article, Eight Nifty Cell Phone Travel Tips (For example, the difference between a "B" and "C" departure gate at Chicago O'Hare can mean a 20-minute difference of schlepping through the concourse.) If you have been notified of a change, you can adjust your airport arrival time and location accordingly.
What Not to Bring
By now, most of us know that items such as knives and large scissors are no longer allowed in carry-on bags, and reports of the recent ban on all liquids in carry-on luggage received widespread media coverage. Not as widely publicized, however, was the relaxation of some restrictions — for example, small scissors and tweezers, once banned, are now allowed. As a result, the carry-on rules are still confusing for most of us, and TSA inspectors continue to confiscate box loads of items found during security screening. The TSA and airlines have no provision for returning confiscated items to their owners, so they are simply destroyed. In many cases, we fail to carefully consider what may be in our carry-on luggage -- we forget the tool kit in our laptop case, the pocketknife attached to our key chain, or the scissors in our first aid kit. Be sure to examine the contents of your carry-on bags and remove items that may be confiscated BEFORE you leave home. This is especially critical when you decide to carry your suitcase on board rather than checking it in. Your toiletry kit may be full of prohibited items such as liquids, scissors or razors that are easily overlooked since they are packed in your luggage and not your purse or brief case. Thankfully, the TSA has a fairly detailed list of allowed and banned items available at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/Permitted_Prohibited_NEW.pdf At the time of the writing, the TSA had not yet updated this page with the new ban on liquids, gels and creams that went into effect on August 10, 2006. For details on the new security rules, see our related article: New Travel Security Measures—What You Need to Know.
May I See Some Identification Please?
You will probably be asked for your identification several times while at the airport — once when checking in, again at the security check point, and perhaps even prior to boarding on certain flights. Be sure to carry a government-issued photo I.D. (passport, driver's license or state-issued ID card). If you travel with an E-Ticket, check with your airline to make sure you bring the required documentation. You may be required to show the credit card used to purchase the E-Ticket. Confirmation, such as a printed itinerary, receipt or other document acknowledging the reservation, is usually required, and you will not be allowed past the security checkpoint without it. If you separate from others in your party or need to go back to the ticket counter for any reason, be sure to carry your own documents. Keep your identification readily at hand with an I.D. Holder or Travel Wallet.
Waiting in Line
First and foremost, be patient. If you have allowed yourself enough time, you have nothing to worry about. If you didn't, there is not much you can do at this point. Be sure to keep your baggage with you at all times, even if you need to step away for just a moment. (A luggage cart, rolling brief case or rolling carry-on bag can make it easier to maneuver around the airport.) Do not joke about terrorism, weapons or jokingly threaten your companions, another passenger or screeners. You may be detained and miss your flight or even arrested and/or fined.
If you have trouble standing for long periods of time, consider a portable seat or combination luggage/seat. For passengers with disabilities, the TSA maintains a web page with information to help travelers with disabilities move through the security screening process at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/index.shtm.
When traveling with children, reinforce the seriousness of the process. They will most likely be asked their name. Their response should match the name on the ticket. So if little Bobby goes by the nickname Skippy, be sure he recites the name on the ticket. Also be sure they've used the restroom before getting into the security line.
Passing through the Checkpoint
Don't assume that just because you are a wearing your best business suit, traveling with children or are part of a seniors' tour, that you will not be singled out for a more intense security check. We recommend that you pack with luggage organizers such as mesh cube sets, re-sealable plastic bags, transparent toiletry kits and other organizers. These items make it much easier for security personnel to check the complete contents of your bag without exposing your underwear to the world and undoing all your careful folding. You may find it best to choose a bag without lots of small pockets to empty and reload. Even checked luggage is subject to random searches, so be prepared.
Remove your cell phone, pager, keys and change and place them in your carry-on bag prior to setting your bag on the X-ray belt. This will insure that they do not set off the metal detector. A small mesh bag or cube may be helpful here.
Remove any jewelry and place it in your carry-on bag.
If you use a film camera, ask for a hand-inspection of your camera and film to ensure the x-ray machine does not damage it (including the film in the camera). If you use a digital camera, x-rays will not damage the camera or images on a storage card.
If you carry any electronic devices, such as laptops, PDAs, cell phones, personal DVD players, CD players, MP3 players, noise cancellation headphones, air purifiers, etc., be prepared to turn them on for security personnel. Ensure that you have plenty of battery power in case you are requested to do so. Laptops should be removed from their bag and placed in a separate tray.
You are now required to remove your shoes to have them x-rayed. You may wish to wear loafers or other shoes that are easily slipped on and off. If possible, avoid nylons or socks that are easily torn or soiled.
Gifts should not be wrapped. Any wrapped packages may be unwrapped in order to identify the contents.
Prescription drugs and other medical devices must be accompanied with proof of medical need. Be sure to bring along documentation.
Lead-lined film bags should always be carried in your carry-on bag, as higher-power X-rays used on checked luggage may penetrate and damage film. Expect to be asked to present this bag for hand inspection at security.
If you travel with children, discuss the process with them so that they will not be frightened or surprised. Be sure they know that their doll or toy bag will have to go through the X-ray machine but it WILL come out on the other side. Game Boys, iPods, CD players and such should be turned off and placed in their backpack. If two adults are traveling, have one pass through first, the children next and the other adult last. If only one adult is traveling, make sure all the children's items are on the belt ready to be x-rayed then pass through first. That way, the kids can’t toddle off if you need to pass through the scanner a second time. Strollers are currently allowed but should be folded up and passed through x-ray.
Once Past Security
Once you have passed through security, be sure to collect all your belongings. It’s easy to forget something, especially if it is still inside the scanner, so take a brief inventory before you rush off to your gate. Make sure that the children have collected all their items too!
You may be subject to additional security screening at the gate prior to boarding.
Remember that any beverages purchased must be consumed before boarding your plane.
With a little preparation and patience, you'll soon be on your way to your destination. Keep in mind that the security screeners have a very difficult task, so be sure to smile and thank them for keeping us all safe.
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