News Archives - Page 240 of 284 - Sightseers' Delight

Legislation targets airline fees

August 3, 2010 The Travel Trolley

New legislation aims to increase transparency of hidden airline fees. U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., said he introduced the “Airline Baggage Transparency and Accountability Act” in response to passengers’ concerns about hidden fees and mishandled baggage. In 2008 and 2009, airlines reported approximately $7.9 billion in revenues from baggage fees and reservation change and cancellation fees — the two largest sources of fee revenues, according to Webb. “In recent years, airlines have been adding various

Study: Adventure tourism is rapidly growing

August 3, 2010 The Travel Trolley

Could jungle tours, whitewater rafting or birdwatching help a country’s economy? Researchers at George Washington University’s International Institute of Tourism Studies think so. George Washington School of Business researchers found that the adventure tourism is a rapidly growing tourism market and a viable economic opportunity for countries seeking to develop tourism. “Instead of being seen as a small, niche market, the study shows that adventure tourism is a sizable market with the potential for significant

Ga. patrol to start ticketing drivers who text

August 1, 2010 The Travel Trolley

Drivers, don’t even think about texting while behind the wheel.

Obama signs ‘Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act’ into law

August 1, 2010 The Travel Trolley

President Obama last week signed into law the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act. According to USA Today, the new law “requires cruise lines to contact the FBI and the U.S. Coast Guard as soon as a suspicious death or assault of a passenger on a ship is reported.” “The term ‘duty free’ does not apply to the safety of passengers,” U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said in a statement. “Murky lines of jurisdiction are

Travelocity: As temperatures climb, summer hotel rates fall

August 1, 2010 The Travel Trolley

A recent pricing report from Travelocity indicates cheap hotels are still available for summer travel, and while airfare for summer has risen slightly, hotel rates have decreased. On May 20, 2010, summer’s average domestic hotel rate was $140 and international hotel rate was $201, according to Travelocity. As of mid-July, average domestic hotel rates dropped to $131 and average international rates to $182. At the same time, the average domestic airfare rose in price from

FAA: Mexico does not meet ICAO Safety standards

August 1, 2010 The Travel Trolley

Mexico is not in compliance with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Federal Aviation Administration contends, and Mexican airlines cannot establish new service to the United States, at least for now. The agency made the announcement following “an assessment of the country’s civil aviation authority,” it said. As a result, the United States is downgrading Mexico from a Category 1 to Category 2 rating, and with the Category 2

FAA proposes $230,000 penalty against Continental

August 1, 2010 The Travel Trolley

The Federal Aviation Administration said it has proposed a $230,000 fine against Continental Airlines for allegedly operating a Boeing 767 on 22 revenue flights when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

House approves airline safety provisions

July 31, 2010 The Travel Trolley

The U.S. House of Representatives this week agreed to a short-term extension of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs that include airline safety and pilot training provisions. The extension is the 15th extension. Airline safety and pilot training provisions in the FAA extension include: Establishes consolidated database of pilot records for hiring decisions Addresses pilot fatigue concerns within 90 days of enactment Requires prescreening standards for pilots to ensure only the best applicants are hired Requires

Enjoying nature at Pickett’s Mill Battlefield

July 31, 2010 The Travel Trolley

UPDATE: DOT fines Comair for violating ‘bumped passenger’ rules

July 27, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – The U.S. Department of Transportation this week fined Comair $275,000 “for violating federal rules regarding passengers denied boarding” – better known as bumped passengers – “on oversold flights.” “Our bumping rules are designed to protect passengers when airlines overbook a flight,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement. “We expect carriers to comply with these rules and will take enforcement action when they do not.” The DOT’s Aviation Enforcement Office opened