Mexico – Los Cabos Airport Damaged
Cabo San Lucas Airport will remain closed until at least October 10, as it sustained damage from Hurricane Odile. Travelers should contact their airline for updates on their flights. Significant transport, utility, and commercial disruptions continue in Baja California Sur. Air, maritime, and highway travel remain substantially limited in southern parts of the state, especially the Los Cabos municipality, which includes San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. In Los Cabos, food and other basic goods have become increasingly difficult to purchase due to store closures, price hikes, and long lines.
Japan, Philippines, and Taiwan – Tropical Storm Fung-Wong
Tropical Storm Fung-Wong continues to track northwestward toward the Philippines’ northern Luzon, where it made landfall early Sept. 19. Meteorologists predict the storm will turn northward early Sept. 20 after crossing northern Luzon, and will further strengthen as it moves over the Luzon Strait toward Taiwan. Current models suggest the system will make a second landfall in Pingtung County, Taiwan, early Sept. 21. Fung-Wong is forecast to cross the entire island and pass about 215 km (135 miles) east of China’s Fujian Province before turning northeastward in the East China Sea. High winds, heavy rains, and extensive flooding are likely, as well as air and ground transportation disruptions.
London – Bus Strike
Transport for London will strike for 24 hours on September 22. The strike will affect bus routes in southwest London and some routes into central London. Commuters are urged to allow more time to complete their journeys on Friday and Monday as alternate transportation options will likely be crowded.
France – Air France Pilot Strike Through at Least Sept. 22
A strike by Air France pilots that is causing the daily cancellation of 55-60% of passenger flights is slated to continue through at least Sep 22, with a possible extension. Short- and medium-haul routes are most affected. Flight cancellations will continue to be announced approximately 24 hours before scheduled departures. Flights operated by KLM, Air France subsidiary Hop! and code-shared flights operated by Delta are unaffected.
United States – Protests Planned in New York
Activists are planning two separate protest marches in New York City, Sept. 21-22, ahead of the UN’s Sept. 23 Summit on Climate Change. Organizers are expecting more than 100,000 participants. Demonstrators will gather along Central Park West, between 86th Street and 65th Street, before leading a march that will end at 11th Avenue, between 34th and 38th streets. Participants will gather 0900-1100 and begin marching at 1130 with a proposed rally time at the end location at 1630. A second group of activists is calling for a follow-up action of civil disobedience, dubbed “”Flood Wall Street,”" on Sept. 22. Participants will rally at 0900 in Battery Park and stage a protest march to the New York Stock Exchange beginning at 1130. Organizers are calling on demonstrators to stage a massive sit-in outside the Stock Exchange beginning at 1200.
If I get stranded by a hurricane that closes the airport so I can’t catch my flight home, will the airline, airport, or local government take care of me?
Hurricanes, like all weather, are considered an “act of God” and therefore not the responsibility of the airline so technically they owe you nothing. That said, it behooves them to do what they can to ensure that stranded travelers are as safe as possible until they can be reaccommodated. Typically means that a limited number of cots and blankets may be available, and food and water may be provided while the airlines work to get people scheduled onto flights as they resume. If the airport is damaged to the extent that it cannot re-open in a day or two it may be necessary to arrange ground transportation to another airport when it is safe to do so. Often if this is the case the military or national guard will be working with the airlines and airport.
Submit a question
- Locals sometimes refer to Orlando as “O-town”
- The world’s first water park was Wet N Wild in Orlando
- Orlando’s Lake Eola is actually a giant sinkhole with a depth of 80 feet
- Prior to it’s emergence as a theme park magnet Orlando was the center of Florida’s citrus industry and had a large number of cattle farms as well
- As well as tourism, aerospace and electronics are big in the Orlando area
- The only land animal raised at Sea World Orlando is Clydesdale horses, which are owned by the Budweiser Brewing Company, which also owns Sea World
ANNOUNCEMENTS
United to Consolidate Operations at LAX
This month construction on a multi-year renovation of United facilities at LAX will commence with the consolidation of operations into Terminals 7 and 8. To help avoid any confusion for upcoming travel please note the following changes:
Beginning September 24, 2014, the following changes will occur in the check-in lobby:
- Premier Lobby in Terminal 6 will close, and a temporary Premier lobby with Global Services check-in area will be available in Terminal
- Global Services members will be invited to enter LAX curbside through Terminal 7
- Dedicated Global Services security lanes will continue to be available
Beginning October 27, 2014, the following changes will occur in:
- United will no longer use gates located in Terminal 6
- United Club in Terminal 6 will close
- United Club in Terminal 7 location will continue to be available
- United Global First Lounge will convert to a United Club
South African Delays New Under-Age Traveler Requirements
The South African Department of Home Affairs has delayed implementation of the requirement for children under the age of 18 to present an unabridged birth certificate until June 1, 2015. Furthermore, in the instances where children are travelling with one parent, the written permission required under the new regulations will also be postponed until June 1 2015.
TRAVEL-ON EMPLOYEES MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Throughout Travel-On, our employees are M.A.D ( Making A Difference) for our clients. Many of you have noticed and shared your thoughts. Recently, the following note was received from a client.
Meeting Travel Team
“Another year…..another impeccable team you put together for us! I wanted to say a great big huge THANK YOU for going the extra mile…..again. You and the team at Travel-On have been amazing! Each of you worked through the bumps, changes, odd requests, multiple itineraries and what if’s without a problem or question as to why. What I find so interesting about our team at Travel-On is even though all of our contact is via email, I feel like I know each of you personally.
Thank you so very much.”
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