Airline passengers get a chance to be heard on proposed regulations
Hidden airline fees had a bad week in Washington
Why do airlines want to hide their fees and make air travel as complicated as possible?
No more lawsuit limits for passengers under proposed government rules
Airlines offer chance to cut in line -- for a fee
Airlines see multiple advantages to hand-held technology
Rental car mystery – How do I start the car?
Don’t let too many car rental surcharges keep you from checking your bill
6 immutable luggage rules I always follow
Controversy over airports' full-body scanners grows
The 3M Computer Screen Privacy Filter
Air New Zealand is inaugurating the SkyCouch. How soon will other airlines follow?
Ultra-High Density Seating
FAA approves flying car, here’s the video

Airline passengers get a chance to be heard on proposed regulations
If you’ve ever complained about air travel — and who hasn’t? — then here’s your best chance in a generation to do something about it.  Tell the government what you think of its proposed new passenger rights rules. You can do it right now, thanks to a new project called Regulation Room. (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

Hidden airline fees had a bad week in Washington
Hidden airline fees had a bad week as politicians, travel agents and consumers all took a swing at airlines for not revealing their fees through the basic central reservation systems and "hiding" them on their own websites to be revealed "at the time of purchase." (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

Why do airlines want to hide their fees and make air travel as complicated as possible?
Why, for the life of me, do airlines insist on keeping their fees as secret as possible? Almost 70 percent of the American public purchase airline tickets through travel agents and online. Airlines are effectively hiding their fees from these passengers. (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

No more lawsuit limits for passengers under proposed government rules
The Transportation Department may consider limiting the restrictions on venue provisions to ensure that airline customers have the ability to file claims in their state of residence, the state in which the ticket was purchased, or the state of the flight‘s origin and destination. (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

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Airlines offer chance to cut in line -- for a fee
Columnist Scott McCartney explains how a number of airlines are offering passengers the opportunity to move to the head of the line by paying a fee of as much as $30 per flight. From convenience to ensuring space in the overhead bins, there are a number of reasons for passengers to want to skip to the front of the line, and many are doing just that. (The Wall Street Journal)  Read more

Airlines see multiple advantages to hand-held technology
At airports around the country, U.S. airlines are increasing their use of mobile technology to shorten passenger waiting times -- and, potentially, to increase sales of ancillary offerings. Hand-held devices allow roving agents to confirm gate changes, issue baggage tags and more. The devices are seen as a way to personalize customer service, but the investment could pay off in other ways, making it more convenient for passengers to upgrade their seats, pay for oversized bags and so forth. "A number of airlines are looking at not just queue-busting, but maximizing opportunities for up-sale," says Gregory Ouillon of aviation technology firm SITA. (USA TODAY)  Read more

Rental car mystery – How do I start the car?
After you sign your rental car's paperwork there is much more you should do before driving off the rental car company's lot. Ned Levi has a checklist for you to follow which will minimize problems for you as you drive down the road. (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

Don’t let too many car rental surcharges keep you from checking your bill
If you've ever looked closely at a final rental car bill, there's everything from a seemingly endless list of taxes to various "recovery fees." Most even have a small frequent-flier-mileage surcharge. None of these are even the optional fees such as insurance, damage waivers, extra drivers and fuel. (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

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6 immutable luggage rules I always follow
Lost luggage is the bane of the traveler, happening far too often. Ned Levi offers some tips and his own personal rules to help you prevent your luggage from being lost, and minimize the impact if it is. (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

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Controversy over airports' full-body scanners grows
Many frequent fliers are opting for a pat-down search by a security agent and a metal detector screening to avoid stepping into the full-body scanners as concerns and opposition to the technology grows. Concerns include the amount of radiation used by the machines and its long-term effects, the increased time the machines take to screen passengers and issues with privacy. (USA TODAY)  Read more

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The 3M Computer Screen Privacy Filter
If you're like me, and you're on a long boring flight with nothing much to do, and a person nearby starts using their laptop, you probably find the temptation to have a peek at what they are doing almost overwhelming - not because you're nosey, but just because you're bored. (The Travel Insider)  Read more

Air New Zealand is inaugurating the SkyCouch. How soon will other airlines follow?
Air New Zealand is the pioneer and is inaugurating the SkyCouch, which is scheduled to make its in-flight debut in a fleet of new Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300s (Consumer Traveler)  Read more

Ultra-High Density Seating
From various media reporting we understand that some airline companies would even want to go for a “Stand-Up Cabin”? We are proposing a 23-inch pitch or less; the “SkyRider”. (Air Transport News)  Read more

FAA approves flying car, here’s the video
Flying car takes off. Wonders never cease! For only $194,000 you can have the flying car of your dreams. (Consumer Traveler)  Read more