SFO Riders Hardest Hit By BART Fare Increase

The recently approved BART rate hike takes effect July 1, and that means huge increases for BART riders to SFO. Systemwide, fares will spike 6.1%, an average of .30 cents per ride. But passengers using BART to SFO will be hardest hit. The one-way SFO premium charge currently set at $2.50 will jump to $4.00, that's in addition to the base fare. So come July 1, BART riders can expect to pay about $8.10 from downtown San Francisco to the airport.

See also: SFO officials trying to find ways around BART surcharge (SF Gate)

San Jose Airport Loses 1 Million Passengers

(From NBCbayarea.com)

Mineta San Jose International Airport has told San Jose city officials that passenger traffic fell by one million people in 2008. Airport officials said airline capacity reductions throughout the nation and the deep economic recession have contributed to the drop off.

The passenger traffic numbers dropped from 10.7 million in 2997 to 9.7 million in 2008. That is a 8.8 percent drop. Airport officials said December 2008 traffic fell 14 percent to 689,000, compared to 813,000 in December 2007.

That was the 15th straight month that passenger traffic had dropped compared to one year earlier, airport officials reported. Airport traffic had not been under 700,000 passengers since February, 1995.

Full story

An Invitation to 'Step Back From The Baggage Claim'

How about starting off the New Year with a wonderfully inspiring book titled, Step Back From The Baggage Claim? In this book, author Jason Barger uses different points in a journey, including the dreaded baggage claim, to highlight the inconsiderate behaviors and actions of passengers in airports throughout the country. He then uses these situations as reflection points to achieve greater self-awareness and then ultimately challenges readers to step back from the "metaphorical baggage claim in life."

In one example, Barger humorously writes about the human wall surrounding baggage claim; "Their knees are bent in an athletic stance, ready to pounce on the first bag that dares to look even slightly similar to their own. They do not budge an inch until they get their bags from the spot they earned." Meanwhile others resort to peeking through cracks in the "human wall of entitlement" in a frantic search for their bags lying on the conveyor belt.

What can we learn from this?

Even while the collective conscious around baggage claim may be anxious, frustrated and tired, there is an opportunity to step back and recognize the needs of others. Maybe it's the Mom with two kids running around who needs a bit of help pulling her bag off the conveyor belt. Or a couple just arriving on their honeymoon who just want to get away. Yield to others, help others, be the person in the crowd who takes a step back from baggage claim. It might even become contagious and inspire others to do the same.

Although the airport is a playground of opportunity to carry out these acts of kindness, it is just a starting point. Throughout the book, Barger provides examples on how people, in their everyday lives, have the capacity to step back from the baggage claim and change the world; it all starts at the airport.

Two thumbs up to this enjoyable read!

Visit www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com for more information or to order a copy of this book. While there, read how the author spent seven straight days in airports throughout the United States and conducting roughly 10,000 minutes of observations of people's behaviors.

(Special thanks to Jason Barger for providing a copy of this book for review)

Advantage Rent A Car Files For Bankruptcy

On Monday, San Antonio-based Advantage Rent A Car announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Citing the sluggish economy and a drop in leisure travel, among other reasons, the company says it will explore strategic alternatives, including a reorganization, sale, or merger to maintain operations.

The company said it will layoff 440 employees and close 21 rental locations nationwide, including a few in Southern California, keeping only its most profitable stores.

In most cases, customers with upcoming Advantage reservations at affected locations will have their reservation transferred to Hertz Car Rental. If you have questions relating to the closed locations call: 1-888-846-0808.

Thanksgiving Tradition of Sitting Around At the Airport (Friday Fun)

Americans Enjoying Thanksgiving Tradition Of Sitting Around At Airport

Images from Long Beach Airport

A few pictures I recently snapped of the small, but bustling Long Beach Airport (LGB), in sunny Southern California.

Wine Bar Takes Flight

(Sherman's Travel)

These days, serving time in airport limbo is an expected part of travel. Vino Valo, a wine bar and retail chain popping up in airports around the country, is ameliorating the experience glass by glass. Debuting at Dulles International in 2005, it has since opened outposts in Seattle, Baltimore, Sacramento and New York. Up to 10 more locations are planned for 2008. Wine comes by the glass, bottle, or location-appropriate flight ('Sierra Reds" in Sacramento). Volos are post-security, so customers can bring their favorite bottles on the plane (from $4; vinovolo.com). -BB.

TSA launches 'Evolution of Security' website

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), most notably known as the men and women working airport security checkpoints throughout the United States, have started their own blog. Titled, "The Evolution of Security," the TSA hopes their blog will initiate dialog about issues that effect travelers. Likewise, they plan on using this forum to help answer the "why" questions many travelers have about existing security methods TSA employs. Moderation of the blog is performed by various TSA personnel from around the country.

Visit "The Evolution of Security"

Operation SPOT in progress at airports throughout the country

Behavior detection officers are on active duty at dozens of airports throughout the U.S according to SeattlePI; they're looking for unusual behaviors, facial expressions or questionable emotions and reactions during brief interactions with passengers during the standard screening process.

Screening Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) was designed by the TSA to stop terrorist activity. Carl Maccario who helped design the program said, "We're looking for behavior indicators that show a certain level of stress, fear or anxiety above and beyond that shown by an anxious member of the traveling public."

Since January 06' the program has identified 70,000 people for the secondary screening, and made 600-700 arrests for a variety of charges.

Airport Sighting...

Makeover for Southwest Airlines Gates

Here's a picture of the new gates Southwest is promising to roll out to airports across the country through 2008. (click on pic for better view)
-Business focused area with padded seats, tables with power outlets, power stations with stools, and a flat screen television for news programming
- A family area with smaller tables and chairs, “kid friendly” programming on a flat screen television, and power stations for charging electrical devices.

A race to the finish line: Which U.S airline will offer internet first?

First came Southwest, followed by American, now Virgin America is in the race...the race to see who offers Internet first onboard their U.S flights. But, we've been here before. Sift through your archived Business Week and Technology mags, and you will locate mounds of chatter about how planes are "ready" for Internet service. Many airlines have taken an interest, some have even tested the product since receiving FCC approval back in 2001. But, now in 2007, still no carrier has actually launched the service. That may soon change.

Now a company called AirCell, partnering with Virgin America (and other airlines), has asserted that Wi-Fi will spring to life sometime in 2008. In a press release, AirCell said passengers can "check e-mail, surf the Web, tap into an office network and stay current on the latest news, using either Virgin America’s Red™ in flight entertainment system or their own Wi-Fi enabled laptops, Smartphones, PDAs, BlackBerrys and portable gaming systems - while in flight."

United, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Alaska and American are all somewhere between considering and testing stages for Internet service on their planes. Hopefully with Virgin America advancing to the head of the pack, this will encourage the other carriers to speed up their techie folks and make the Internet an industry standard in the coming years.

Alaska Airlines adds online change tool, raises fees

In a press release today, Alaska Airlines announced the addition of a new online tool which enables customers to make changes to their reservation. More importantly, the tool will immediately provide up to 20 alternate routing's and any applicable fare increase.

Also, in an effort to keep people online for their travel needs, change fees performed by an Alaska Airlines phone or airport representative will cost $75 for tickets purchased after October 2nd; the fee for changing online remains at $50.

Weeekend Fun

SuperShuttle offers door to door shuttle service to/from local airports.

Here's a coupon for $3.00 off each way, when you use your American Express Card for payment. Book online here, and use code 72MMA

Labor Day Weekend - Bay Bridge will be closed. From 8pm Friday through 5am Tuesday morning, massive improvements to the Bay Bridge, including replacing a 350 foot section near Yerba Buena Island.

For those traveling to the local airports, BART will be operating 24 hour a day service through the weekend stopping at most stations on its routes. More info at 511.org

Southwest Airlines: "Helllllo San Francisco"

Hot offer for passengers flying in or out of 'the City by the Bay'
Southwest Airlines is welcoming San Francisco flyers with a special Rapid Rewards promotion.
NEW Members of their frequent flyer program will earn 8 credits (that's half way to a free round-trip ticket within the U.S) and DOUBLE rewards for flying to/from San Francisco between August 26th and October 31, 2007 when booking at Southwest.com.

Southwest Airlines begins flying out of SFO this weekend after a several year "break" from the airport.

Visit this link for more information on the offer.

China Airlines plane bursts into flames, 2 injured

A possible leaky fuel line is the blame for a China Airlines flight which burst into a wall of flames shortly after landing in Okinawa airport Sunday. Amazingly all 165 passengers and flight crew escaped before the plane was engulfed in fire. Details from USA Today.

Here is a Video of firefighters working to extinguish the inferno.

Frontier Airlines connects Bay Area to Puerto Vallarta

Frontier Airlines continues to expand their Mexico service from the Bay Area. In a press release this week, the airline announced flights from Sacramento and San Jose to Puerto Vallarta will commence on December 15th - just in time to plan a winter escape out of state.

To ignite some interest, the airline is offering double EarlyReturns miles and tickets as low as $119 each way. See new routes page. Tickets are available for purchase on the Frontier Airlines website now.

Sacramento - Puerto Vallarta
Departs 3:15 p.m. Arrvies 8:45 p.m.
Monday, Thursday, and Saturday

Departs 7:00 a.m. Arrives 12:30 p.m.
Sunday

San Jose CA - Puerto Vallarta
Departs 7:00 a.m. Arrives 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday and Friday

Departs 10:55 a.m. Arrvies 4:10pm
Saturday

Friday Afternoon Comic Relief