Iceland – Seismic Activity
Airlines are on high alert over ash cloud fears from Icelandic’s Bardarbunga volcano that could force flight cancellations across the North Atlantic, the busiest international travel market. The aviation alert level of Iceland’s Bardarbunga volcano remains at orange. Increased seismic activity has continued at approximately the same rate since multiple minor tremors, or earthquake swarms, first began early Aug. 16. Although elevated seismic activity suggests that the potential for a volcanic eruption is elevated, there are currently no signs an eruption is imminent. The heightened alert status does not affect air travel, but only indicates an increased potential for disruption. There are currently too many variables to predict the possible impact an eruption might have on air travel, for example the size of the potential eruption, height of an ensuing ash plume, and positioning of upper air currents.
United Kingdom – Partial Closure of London Bridge Station
London Bridge station will remain partly closed to rail traffic Aug. 23-31, as part of a phased project to rebuild the station by 2018. Services from London Bridge station to Gatwick and Luton are suspended. Both airports will be accessible from London Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon, and London St. Pancras stations. Gatwick Express services connecting Gatwick to London Victoria Station will also continue to operate. The scheduled disruptions will likely increase congestion along the underground network’s Circle, District, and Northern lines. Expect overcrowding on trains.
Spain – Madrid Airport Strike Aug 29-31
Staff at Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport have called a strike from Aug. 29-31. On Friday the strike is 3-8p, and on Sunday from 7a-10a and 8p-12a. Saturday’s strike hours have not yet been officially confirmed.
Israel – Tel Aviv Airport Warning
A Hamas spokesperson warned airline passengers, tourists, and visitors of flying to/from Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport beginning at 6:00 a.m. Thursday.
The spokesman urged international airlines to suspend flights. Updates posted on the airport website confirm all activities will continue normally, until further notice. All international flights that were scheduled to depart from Terminal 1 will be transferred to Terminal 3.There will be no change in domestic flights.
Europe – Speed Enforcement Underway
Police forces across Europe commence a week-long speed limit enforcement operation according to information released by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL). Officers will use a number of speed detection methods across all types of roads ensuring drivers respect different speed limits.
How do I inspect a hotel room for bed bugs?
Upon entering the room leave your suitcase and other belongings in the bathroom. Gently remove the sheets and mattress cover and inspect all four corners of the mattress and box springs paying special attention to the seams. Look for tiny brown, tan, or reddish bugs, tiny black spots, or piles of light brown skin casings. Use a small flashlight to peek behind the headboard and any pictures on the walls. Look closely at the nightstand including the nail holes or screw heads and joints, Then move on to the luggage rack and any upholstered chairs, again paying special attention to seams. If you find any evidence of bed bugs return to the front desk, discretely report your suspicion, and ask to be transferred to another room that is not adjacent to the original room. Take heart – bed bugs are usually confined to just one or two rooms!
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- In 1955 Delta pioneered the “hub and spoke” system
- In the 1930s flight attendants were required to be unmarried nurses who weighed less than 115 pounds
- Delta has its roots in a crop-dusting operation in Macon, Georgia
- Chicago O’Hare’s airport code, ORD, stands for Orchard Field
- Southwest’s original route map was drawn on a cocktail napkin and used 3 planes
- Over the years several airlines have operated “Nerd Bird” flights between the Silicon Valley and Los Angeles or Austin
TRAVEL-ON EMPLOYEES MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Throughout Travel-On, our employees are M.A.D ( Making A Difference) to our clients. Many of you have noticed and have told us just how M.A.D they are.
- Recently, Miria Phillips from Travel-On Corporate Team received this note from a client.
“It took us two days to get back from St. Louis, due to cancelled flights and missed connections, but with a few phone calls to Miria, she was able to twist some arms on American Airlines and get us booked on alternate flights that were reported as full. Thanks, Miria!”
TRAVEL WARNINGS
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Boarding from what gate?
At the airport for a business trip, I settled down to wait for the boarding announcement at Gate 35. Then I heard the voice on the public address system saying, “We apologize for the inconvenience, but Delta Flight 570 will board from Gate 41.”
So my family picked up our luggage and carried it over to Gate 41. Not ten minutes later the public address voice told us that Flight 570 would in fact be boarding from Gate 35.
So, again, we gathered our carry-on luggage and returned to the original gate. Just as we were settling down, the public address voice spoke again: “Thank you for participating in Delta’s physical fitness program.