Welcome to the November 2007 Issue of Travology Today

In our last issue, we spoke of Directravel’s commitment to helping reduce travel delays. Chairman and CEO Vince Vitti provided his strategies to Congress, Federal agencies and the airlines (see the Business Travel News, November 19 issue for his Op Ed or click here). This multi-pronged approach includes stressing the importance of understanding how significant the delays are and ranking the airlines accordingly, using secondary airports to offset congestion and mandating that on-time statistics be made available to consumers pre-purchase.

We are looking to gauge the effects of delays on business travelers and have developed a brief survey to gather this information. Please take a moment to give us your opinions by answering these questions today. In addition, please forward this link on to all business travelers that you know.

Travel Delay Survey

We thank you in advance for your feedback.

Travel industry leaders said despite weather-related delays in some parts of the country, overall the Thanksgiving weekend showed that a comprehensive approach to improving the travel experience can work.

“An efficient and secure air travel process is critical to the success of our nation’s businesses, hotels, restaurants, attractions and other members of the travel community,” said Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer of the Travel Industry Association. “We can use this example to put in place systems and processes that give confidence to travelers that they will arrive safely and on-time to their destination with a minimum of hassle.”

Added Jonathan Tisch, Chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Loews Hotels: "Over the busy Thanksgiving holiday, the federal government demonstrated its ability to create efficiencies in our nation's airways. The free flow of travel is vital to America's economy so it is of paramount importance that the FAA focus on expanding capacity, improving efficiency, maintaining safety and allowing airports to meet current and future passenger demand."

Prior to the start of the holiday season, President Bush announced that the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Defense, among other government entities, would take steps to help reduce air traffic congestion and delays at airports over the Thanksgiving travel period.

The Travel Industry Association, National Tour Association and Travel Business Roundtable last week released results of surveys of likely primary voters in Florida and South Carolina which showed that travel is important to voters.

Those surveyed overwhelmingly feel government can do far more to improve the air travel experience, and that presidential candidates have not adequately addressed important travel-related issues thus far during the campaign. Between one-third and one-half said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who does.

For more information, click here.

As the busy holiday travel season approaches, TSA would like to help you get through the security checkpoint quickly and have a safe flight to your destination. Our Transportation Security Officers will be working around the clock to provide an efficient security process. We're asking you to become an active partner in your security experience by knowing the rules and carefully packing your carry-on bags.

Pack smart to get through faster. Keep luggage organized by layering items; this will increase visibility for the security officers. When approaching the checkpoint, be prepared. Boarding pass and ID should be ready for inspection, outer garments and shoes must come off, any loose metal items should be placed in your carry-on, and all liquids must come out of bags.

In addition:

• Arrive on time. Arrival time recommendations vary by airline and day of travel, so check with your carrier. A boarding pass and valid government photo ID are required to enter the security checkpoint. Remember to give yourself adequate time to check your baggage and move through security.
• Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package they may have to unwrap your gift. Please wait to wrap gifts until you're at your destination.
• Pets. Please remove all animals from their carrying cases and send the case through the X-ray machine. Hold your pet in your arms and proceed through the metal detector.
• Dress the part. Metal in your clothing may set off the screening machines. Pack coins, keys, jewelry, belt buckles and other metal items in your carry-on bag. Remember that all shoes must be removed and placed in bins. Passengers also need to remove winter coats, blazers, suit coats and bulky sweaters.
• Film. Undeveloped film should go in your carry-on bag. Declare film that is faster than 800-speed to a security officer for physical inspection to avoid being X-rayed.
• When in doubt, leave it out. Bringing prohibited items to the airport will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. If you're not sure which items are allowed, check TSA's Web site for a complete list: Permitted and Prohibited Items.
• Think before you speak. Belligerent behavior, inappropriate jokes and threats will not be tolerated. They will result in delays and possibly missing your flight. Local law enforcement may be called as necessary.

For more information, click here.

U.S. airlines carried 522.8 million scheduled domestic and international passengers on their systems during the first eight months of 2007, 3.4 percent or over 17 million more passengers than they did during the same period in 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported in a release of preliminary data.

BTS, a part of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, reported that the combined domestic and international load factor of 81.2 percent from January through August was a record for the eight-month period.

U.S. airlines are on pace to carry a record number of passengers in 2007 if growth from 2006 continues for the rest of the year.

U.S. airlines carried 3.3 percent more domestic passengers and 4.1 percent more international passengers during the first eight months of 2007 than during the same period in 2006.

Top Airports - More total system and domestic passengers boarded planes in the first eight months at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International than at any other U.S. airport; more international passengers boarded planes on U.S. carriers at Miami International than at any other U.S. airport.

Flights Operated - U.S. carriers operated 7.1 million domestic and international flights in the first eight months of 2007, 0.9 percent more than were operated during the same period in 2006. Domestic flights increased 0.9 percent from the previous year while international flights were up 0.7 percent.

Domestic Air Travel - U.S. airlines carried 460.7 million scheduled domestic passengers during the first eight months of 2007, up 3.3 percent from the 445.9 million carried during the same period in 2006. The passengers were carried on 6.5 million flights, up 0.9 percent from the number of flights operated in 2006.

For more information, click here.

Zagat Survey announced the results of the 2007 Zagat/ "Today" show Global Airlines Survey – its first since 2005. The survey covered 7,498 frequent fliers who rated 84 airlines and 46 major airports. Each airline was separately rated on its premium and economy service for both domestic and international flights. The typical survey participant took 19.7 flights in the past year aggregating 147,000 trips. The respondents also provided unabashed comments about flying the friendly – or not so friendly – skies. Discontent with the air travel industry is so high that 61% of the respondents favored the enactment of the Airline Passengers Bill of Rights, which, among other things, would ensure that passengers be compensated for bad air travel experiences. Only 5% oppose the bill while 34% still don't know what it is.

Tim Zagat, co-founder and CEO of Zagat Survey stated, "Our results show that the airline industry continues its steep descent in the eyes of the flying public – record delays, cancellations and crowding continue to besiege travelers' experiences.."

Irritants: Delays and cancellations reached near-crisis proportions in the U.S. over the past year – topping surveyor's list of irritants with 35% of the vote. Southwest, Continental and JetBlue do best in this regard; US Airways comes in last. Cramped seats and crowded planes ran a close second at 34%, poor service rated 15%, followed by security delays (5%), and lack of information about flight status (5%). Despite all of this, 44% of flyers say they are traveling as much as they did two years ago. Not surprisingly, they say they're getting less for their money. With gratis snacks and meals becoming a thing of the past, only 19% of flyers say they would purchase snacks onboard; 60% would rather purchase a meal at the airport instead. Surveyors' favorite airports for buying a meal are Minneapolis-St. Paul, Seattle-Tacoma and Houston George Bush.

Outtakes: The surveyors had plenty to say about the current state of airline travel. Below is a sample of their comments that their lawyers say are not suitable to print with the airline's name. For a full list of outtakes and survey results, please click here.

• I'd rather be a package on FedEx
• Their planes make Larry King look young
• The legroom is great if you're a yard gnome
• There's a better chance of talking to George W. Bush than customer relations
• Only good thing about first class these days is that you get to leave the plane first
• When asked what kind of chicken they had, she replied "the dead kind"
• Sitting any closer might constitute marriage in some states
• They fired the last employee found smiling

For the complete survey results, click here.

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) announced that rail fares will increase in the UK as follows, starting Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008:

• Regulated fares (e.g. Season Tickets, Savers and Standard Day Returns) will rise by 4.8%
• Unregulated fares (e.g. Cheap Day Returns, long distance Open and Advance Purchase fares) will rise by varying amounts, according to train operator, with average fare rises of 5.4%

Since 1999/2000, rail fares have risen by just 5% in real terms compared to 12% for bus fares, about 20% for car fuel and 26% for the cost of car maintenance.

The relatively low increase in average rail fares has been a factor in the enormous growth in rail travel seen over the past 10 years, with 42% more passengers using the rail network. Passenger numbers are now higher than at any time since 1946.

Increased revenue is needed to pay for the major new expenditure to further improve the railway. Further investment is being committed to improve stations, including refurbished ticket offices, better waiting rooms, toilets and facilities for disabled people. It also provides for new ticket machines, information systems, closed circuit television and an increased number of car parking spaces.

Revenue from rail fares also pays the costs of running the railway including leasing of train fleets; fuel costs which are rising fast; staffing and staff training; track access charges and other costs such as train maintenance and administration.

For more information, click here.

Continental Airlines relocated its operations to Terminal A at Boston Logan International Airport for all flights …Delta Air Lines moved its ticketing counters, baggage claim area, passenger lounge and gates from Terminal E to Terminal A-East at Philadelphia International Airport. …To offset record-breaking fuel costs, United Airlines announced that it is adding a $5 one-way and $10 roundtrip fuel surcharge that will be incorporated into most domestic fares …US Airways has agreed to terms with Airbus S.A.S. for the order of five additional long-range wide-body A330-200 aircraft, and entered into a letter of intent with International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) for the lease of two A330-200s. These additional aircraft allow US Airways to continue its international growth plans of adding approximately three to four new markets per year between 2009 and 2011.

in September '07 increased to 81.7%, up 8.6 points vs. the running 12 month average of 73.1% and up 10.0 points from August’s 71.7%. To view the USDOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics' (BTS) Air Travel Consumer Report, click here.

The United States Government has posted recent travel advisories and warnings for Afghanistan, Algeria, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Cote d’lvoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, East Timor, Eritrea, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Kenya, Lebanon, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Somolia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Yemen.