6/06/2008-Weekly Roundup: Let Fish Send You Flying; Fish On TV; New Visa Rules; Songs To Bring You Home; New TSA Regulations?; Unstable Airfares

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

6/06/2008-Weekly Roundup: Let Fish Send You Flying; Fish On TV; New Visa Rules; Songs To Bring You Home; New TSA Regulations?; Unstable Airfares

This week has been a week of news for flyers. The industry that takes us where we need to go is slipping further into turmoil. With the rising costs of oil forcing airlines to cut costs, a weakening US dollar and recession curtailing both pleasure travel and business travel, the 'desperation' scenarios for airlines seem to rapidly be appearing one after another.

This week Spirit Airlines announces it's plans close its crew bases in both San Juan International Airport (SJU) in Puerto Rico and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York. Additionally Spirit Airlines will seek to shrink its main hub at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida. In additional cost saving measure Spirit Airlines will seek to lay off 60% of it's flight attendants and 45% of it's pilots.

United Airlines' announcements this week are broad and drastic. United plans to trim its US domestic capacity by 18% through 2009. In addition to slashing domestic capacity the airline will be parking 100 aircraft from it's fleet. With the reduction of the fleet always comes the reduction of employees. United initially announced the reduction of 500 employees and has now changed this staffing cut to 1,500 employees.

In addition to United Airlines cutting its domestic traffic, parking 100 aircraft (of it's 460 aircraft) has announced that it will be closing down "Ted." Ted is United's internal low cost airline. Many United frequent flyers are not fond of Ted, but as a product when competing with other low cost carriers I found its service on par with other low cost carriers. Of course an airline operating a "sub-fleet" with an airline adds additional costs to the operations.

Continental Airlines, one of the last seemingly stable "legacy airlines" in the United States announced that it will slash 3,000 jobs within the company and ground 67 of it's 368 aircraft. The fate of the 85 aircraft Continental Airlines has on order is currently unknown.

British all-business-class airline Silverjet pushed off for possibly the last time. Silverjet however already has investors lined up, and it is trying to put this well respected airline back into the air as soon as possible. I hope to see Silver Jet in the air again soon.

Hawaiian Airlines has gained ground and revenue from the unfortunate recent closure of Aloha Airlines. With the increase in capacity Hawaiian Airlines has actually added four Boeing 717-200 aircraft to meet this new capacity need. But again, this increase in traffic comes from the demise of a long standing, and storied, airline. With a virtual monopoly on Hawaiian inter-island traffic, the passengers have few alternatives and it does not improve the options for flyers.

In a stunning turn for airlines, but not unexpected given the airlines, Southwest Airlines showed a 7% growth in May 2008! Other airlines are dropping routes, parking aircraft, and SWA flew 6.7 billion passenger miles in May 2008, up from 6.3 billion passenger miles in 2007. For the entire start of 2008 Southwest Airlines' passenger loads are up 8% while other airlines are struggling to retain passengers, cutting perks, adding on additional fees for everything from booking with a reservations agents and checking baggage, yet Southwest Airlines once again defies all other US based airlines.


........now that I've sombered the mood a bit, let's move onto the week in review.

This week kicked off with me offering one of you readers the chance to spread your wings and roam the country! Flying With Fish is offering a $100 Southwest Airlines e-gift card, good for travel anywhere Southwest Airlines flies! All you need to do is tell me where you want to go, why you want to go and what you want to see there. Come on, you're reading this right now, which means you're at your computer.......start thinking about this and let Flying With Fish help you get out and see the United States! You can read all the details here : 2/06/2008 - Go Flying On Fish! Tell Me Why You Want To Travel & Win A $100 Southwest Airlines Gift Card!

Did you miss my tips for getting through airport security on ABC News' Good Morning America? Well, if so, watch my appearance on Good Morning America here: 2/06/2008 - Flying With Fish On Good Morning America : The Video Clip!

This week the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the introduction of the new 'eVisa' program for foreign visitors to the United States....and I many of you read the information Flying With Fish hours before it was announced here in the U.S. The new system has its ups and downs, it is more streamlined than then I-94 forms, but the integration and effectiveness of this new program has yet to be seen. You can read additional information on this new registration scheme for those traveling from Visa Waiver nations in this post: 2/06/2008 - New Rules For Foreign Visitors To The United States : Be Prepared

Music keeps us sane on the road. Everyone has their own play lists for various situations. You can find out my play list (and watch some music videos) for reminding me that it's time to end my trip and go home in this entry: 3/06/2008 - Six Songs That Remind Me To Go Home

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has long since discussing changing some regulations and standard operating procedures (SOP). While nothing has been announced, I have posted the changes that seem to be the most credible based on research and verification. If you want to know the potentially soon to be announced changes in the TSA regulations and SOP read this : 4/06/2008 - Are New TSA Standard Operating Procedures On The Horizon?

This week wrapped up with addressing the recent trend of unstable airfares. While I am not an economist by any stretch of the imagination, I offer some suggestion on how to try and potentially hedge your bets when booking flights during these tough and rapidly changing times in the airline industry. For some insights on how to try and beat the system, or at least work with the system, during this time of commercial aviation upheaval you can check here: 5/06/2008 – Unstable Airfares & The Need To Travel : Are There Options?

I'm hoping for a more relaxing and positive week next week!

Happy Flying!

Flying With Fish On Good Morning America : The Video Clip!

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

2/06/2008 - Flying With Fish On Good Morning America : The Video Clip!

I received countless e-mails from people asking if there was a video clip of my appearance on Good Morning America two week ago. Since the segment aired on the 20th of May I had requested a copy of my segment..... and the DVD arrived in the mail today.

With the help of Scott Sheppard, host of Inside Digital Photo (www.insidedigitalphoto.com), who interviewed me a month ago on his show, the segment was edited down to my portion, and uploaded to YouTube......THANK YOU SCOTT!

For you statistics people out there, the Nielsen Audience for the segment was around 4.7 million viewers; the calculated ad equivalency was US$450,000, with a calculated publicity value of US$1,350,000. I'm not sure what any of this means, as it didn't seem to bring in US$1.35mil as all my following flights (even the long-haul flights over the Pacific) were all in economy class......but hey, it's good to know this stuff just in case :0)

Without further delay.......Flying With Fish on ABC News' Good Morning America

Happy Flying!

30/05/2008-Weekly Roundup: 100th Post For 2008; Baggage Security; Visa?; Southwest's Humour; Legroom; Airport Etiquette

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

30/05/2008-Weekly Roundup: 100th Post For 2008; Baggage Security; Visa?; Southwest's Humour; Legroom; Airport Etiquette

This is it, the 100th post on Flying With Fish for 2008. I'm not sure if this is just another post, a milestone, or anything else, but a few readers have been asking what I had planned for the 100th post. Honestly, I have no idea. I didn't know I needed to do something. I didn't plan anything. Do I need to give a speech?

I guess this being the 100th post for 2008 is a semi-milestone for Flying With Fish. Last year, 2007, the first 'real year' Flying With Fish existed I only made 53 entries. This year I am trying to keep Flying With Fish going, not really sure where it's going, but like most US based travel, I'm sure Flying With Fish will make connections in Atlanta (ATL) and Chicago (ORD)......no wait, it's already made connection flights in ATL and ORD :0)

Prior to Flying With Fish hitting 100 posts for 2008 the message of the site has been spreading more than I had ever imagined. From being written up on sites such as David Hobby's "Strobist" (www.strobist.com), Scott Kelby's Blog (www.scottkelby.com), being written up on Popular Photography Online (www.popphoto.com) and being asked to answer reader mail for Pop Photo. Flying With Fish has also had the good fortune to have been written up in News Photographer Magazine and Popular Photography and allowed me to be a guest on two well respected photo radio shows, Photo Talk Radio and Inside Digital Photo and had me appear as an 'expert' on Good Morning America.

Where do I take all this from here? Who knows? I was however interviewed yesterday by The New York Times (www.nyt.com) for an upcoming story on the TSA's new "Self Select" Security Lanes.

When it comes to the new Self Select Security Lane I have a mixed opinion. I think it is a great idea, I think it can speed up security lines significantly, however I think flyers need more education before they get to the TSA checkpoint to determine which lane they are going to get in........but I've discussed this at the start of this month here: 8/05/2008 - New TSA "Self Select" Security Lanes - The Good & The Bad

..........I've rambled enough, so onto The Weekly Round Up

My first post of the week was written early Saturday morning, while sitting at a client's kitchen table in Hong Kong, as I pondered the idea of how checked baggage can be made more secure. You can read my jet lagged ideas here: 24/05/2008 - Security Of Checked Baggage: Is There A Better Way?

It is not often I get humour from passing an immigrations checkpoint. On Sunday I faced a very frustrating situation that in hindsight is really quite funny. What was this situation? I was asked for my "work visa" upon entering the country of my birth, country of residence and country that issued my passport. Interesting in scratching your head, while also laughing, then you should certainly read this entry: 26/05/2008 - Do You Have A Visa To Work Here? Ummm....I Live Here (Humour From Real Life)

Adding to my humour of the week, if you feel like laughing at mockery of the airline industry, you should watch Southwest Airline's ad mocking the 'nickel-and-dime' airlines. I'm not sure if the ad is as funny for people who don't follow the airline industry, but it had me laughing for quite a while. Click here to view the Southwest Airlines' commercial: 27/05/2008 - Southwest Airlines Addresses The Airline "Nickel & Dime" Game

Raise your hand if you want more legroom? OK, put your hands down, no one can see you raising your hand via my blog and if you're at work your co-workers might wonder why your hand is extended into the air over the cubicle wall. Finding legroom on flights can be challenging. While I don't have the definitive answer to this question, I have some basic tips that might help you stretch out and extend your personal space. Click think entry for legroom tips: 28/05/2008 - Airline Passenger Legroom: We All Want It...Is There A Way To Get It?

I ended Flying With Fish's week visiting an old topic.....etiquette. This entry on etiquette deals with wandering 'LPTs" (loud phone talkers). If these people bother you.......or if you are one of these people, you should read: 29/05/2008 - Airport Etiquette : Doing Laps With Your Mobile Phone

That's it for this week.

Happy Flying!

Airport Security Screening System : Get Through Security With Ease & Safety

Web: www.fishfotoworldwide.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

21/05/2008 - Airport Security Screening System : Get Through Security With Ease & Safety

After appearing on Good Morning America yesterday with tips on how to get safely and efficiently get through an airport security check point I received a number of e-mails asking me to detail my process. My process for going through airport security is simple, and starts long before I get to the security area. Following is a break down of my steps

1) After checking in (or entering the airport if i checked in at home), but before approaching the security line, empty my pant pockets of all metal, remove my phone and Blackberry and place them in a zippered jacker/vest pocket. After my items are in my pocket I remove my drivers license from my wallet (unless I am using a Passport for ID) then place my wallet in the same pocket. I use a zippered pocket because my jacket/vest must be removed at the airport screening checkpoint and sent through the x-ray machine.

If I am not wearing a jacket/vest (usually a North Face Denali) I take my items out and place them in a 1-quart sized Ziplock bag and then place this bag inside my carry on baggage.

2) While in line approaching the x-ray and metal detector I remove my shoes and make my laptop accessible. I usually fly with shoes I can kick off with no effort so I am not holding up the line while untying my shoes.

Sometimes I need to wear boots, when I wear boots I have them unlaced at the same time I unload my pant pockets of metal and enter the security line with them loose on my feet.

3) Just before I approach the x-ray 'runway table' I pat myself down to make sure I have not missed anything, such as keys or coins in my pockets.

4) When I get to the x-ray 'runway table' I take two bins, load them, and stack them until I get closer to the x-ray conveyour belt. This allows others to get their bins ready behind me, which speeds up the line for everyone.

5) The placement of my items in the x-ray scanner is an important security system for me.

The first bin through has my jacket/vest, shoes and '3-1-1' bag. By placing these items through first I can quickly grab up my shoes and jacket as soon as I get through the metal detector. While airport thieves will reach into shoes looking for a wallet, a watch or other valuables, they will not stop to pick up my jacket, unzip the pocket and search the pocket. There is no way to do that in a quick slight-of-hand manner. This means my items are rather safe from theft.

The second bin through the x-ray is my laptop. By placing my laptop second, behind my shoes/jacket and ahead of my bags, I create a barrier between the laptop and other items coming through the scanner. I also generally pace myself so I will come through the metal detector around the same time as the laptop comes through and rolls out of the conveyor belt.

The third and fourth items through are carry on bags, which is technically "1 bag + 1 personal item." Since I often travel with bags that are likely to be stopped inside the x-ray scanner and either get a few second looks through the x-ray monitor, or get pulled off for a hand-search, the first bag through is the one least likely to get stopped by the x-ray screener. The last bag in (or only bag if I am flying with 1 bag only) is the one most likely to be stopped. By placing the bags in last I am able to have my shoes on,my jacket on and my laptop in my hand before the bags roll out.

I ALWAYS watch as my last bag enters the x-ray machine. I want to know personally that all my items are on their way to the "air side" of the x-ray machine.

6) As I approach the metal detector, boarding pass in hand, I never take my eyes off the x-ray machine's exit conveyour belt. I don't generally make eye contact with the security screener, I watch my items only. Because I fully pat myself down before I even enter the security line I know i am free of anything that will set off the metal detector and I can walk through quickly and recover my items.

7) If the "air side" area of the x-ray roll-off is crowded I stack my bins, take my bags and walk to the end of the security screening area to carefully put myself back together. By slowly and methodically putting everything back together I can ensure I leave nothing behind, and also leave no opportunity for a thief to steam my items. An additional benefit to taking your items and getting back together away from the conveyour belt you leave room for others to enter this area and claim their items without clogging up the post-security screening area.

8) Grab a newspaper, find a comfortable place to sit and wait for your flight to be called

If you get selected for "secondary screening" insist on being able to claim your items, or insist on a TSA screener collecting your items and placing them in your line of sight. You have the right to do this. If this is refused, do not take your eyes off your personal property and ask for a supervisor immediately.........which will simply cause a screener to collect your personal property and place it in your line of sight.

By using a system, being calm, and knowing exactly what you can and cannot bring through security you'll have no problems getting to your gate quickly.

If you are unsure of what you can and cannot bring through security in the U.S. visit www.tsa.gov The allowed/not allowed lists on the TSA web site are now generally common throughout the airport security check points in many countries.

Happy Flying!

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Mr. Fish Goes To Washington - Good Morning America To Feature Flying With Fish!

Web: www.fishfoto.com -- E-Mail: fish@flyingwithfish.com

15/05/2008 - Mr. Fish Goes To Washington - Good Morning America To Feature Flying With Fish!

This afternoon was spent at Washington DC's Reagan National Airport being taping a piece for Good Morning America for a story on passenger security, while in TSA screening checkpoints. It was an interesting experience to walk correspondent Elisabeth Leamy through the process of how I prepare for an airport security checkpoint and my methodology for placing my bins-and-bags through the x-ray scanner. While I know exactly how I go through security, and I do the same things over and over again, I had never quite explained my process in such detail.

I am not sure how long the total piece will be, and the air date is not yet set, but when it runs I'll let you readers of Flying With Fish know! Hopefully my piece will help less experienced flyers learn to go through the process of an airport security checkpoint more calmly, as well as quickly, efficiently and safely.

Below is a photo of me explaining the process of going through an airport security-screening checkpoint to Good Morning America correspondent Elisabeth Leamy.

Happy Flying!

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