Removing shoes, retrieving laptops, displaying bags of liquids: all are part of the airport screening process and all are cited by air travelers as top issues with flying.
In a survey by the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), the nation’s largest travel trade group, 600 Americans who traveled in the last 12 months were asked to list their top five grievances with air travel. Four of the five issues named by the majority of the respondents involved the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) security checkpoints.
The survey was released to mark the 10th anniversary of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which created TSA in November 2001.
Top Five Frustrations Cited by Air Travelers:
1.) People who bring too many carry-on bags through security checkpoint (72.4%)
2.) Uncomfortable seats on airplanes (70.4%)
3.) Wait time to clear the TSA checkpoint (68%)
4.) Having to remove shoes, belts and jackets at the TSA checkpoint (62.3%)
5.) TSA employees who are not friendly (42%)
However, TSA also received some positive feedback from the survey. About 66 percent of air travelers said they are somewhat or very satisfied with the organization’s overall performance.
For frequent travelers, that satisfaction rate was 54.6 percent.
Additionally, nearly 75 percent of travelers said they were somewhat or very satisfied with TSA’s recent announcement that it will eventually stop forcing passengers to remove their shoes through the security checkpoints.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Bill would scrap checked baggage fee
Fliers hate baggage fees, and the long lines at airport security screening that are made worse by passengers carrying on more bags than they did in the past.
So just before the the busiest air travel day of the year, Sen. Mary Landrieu has introduced legislation to try to put limits on airlines charging for checking in bags.
Landrieu, a Louisiana Democrat, has two different proposals. One would prohibit airlines from charging for the first checked bag.
The other would allow the fees, but raise taxes on airlines that charge for baggage. That proposal would raise the $260 million that the Transportation Security Administration estimates it needs to handle the extra carry-on bags going through the screening process.
The TSA estimates that the number of checked bags has decreased by 26% since 2009, while carry-on bags increased by 87 million in roughly the same time period.
"Many airlines consider checking a bag not to be a right, but a privilege -- and one with a hefty fee attached," said Landrieu. She said her first legislative proposal "will guarantee passengers one checked bag without the financial burden of paying a fee, or the headache of trying to fit everything into a carry-on."
The second, she added, would at least make sure taxpayers are made whole for the stresses more congestion at security places on the system.
Not surprisingly, the airline industry's trade group objects to both proposals.
The Air Transport Association says its own survey shows only one in four passengers now pay a baggage fee, either by carrying-on bags, choosing an airline that won't charge a fee or having the fee waived due to the credit card they use or the frequent flier perks they receive.
Southwest Airlines (LUV, Fortune 500) doesn't charge for bags and has made the lack of a fee part of its marketing campaign. Jet Blue (JBLU) doesn't have any fees on the first bag. On the other extreme, low-fare carrier Spirit Airlines (SAVE) charges even for carry-on bags.
"Customers do have choice today," said Steve Lott, spokesman for the association. "In terms of fairness, you pay for the services you get. Under what the senator is suggesting, some people would be paying for a service they aren't using."
Airline consultant Michael Boyd said he believes if the fees were banned, fares would rise instead. That could cost customers even more due to the excise tax they pay on fares and not on fees.
"I hate the fees like everyone else," said Boyd. "When American Airlines (AMR, Fortune 500) initiated a bag fee, I thought they were doomed. But the consumer didn't blink an eye, they just got out their wallet."
So just before the the busiest air travel day of the year, Sen. Mary Landrieu has introduced legislation to try to put limits on airlines charging for checking in bags.
Landrieu, a Louisiana Democrat, has two different proposals. One would prohibit airlines from charging for the first checked bag.
The other would allow the fees, but raise taxes on airlines that charge for baggage. That proposal would raise the $260 million that the Transportation Security Administration estimates it needs to handle the extra carry-on bags going through the screening process.
The TSA estimates that the number of checked bags has decreased by 26% since 2009, while carry-on bags increased by 87 million in roughly the same time period.
"Many airlines consider checking a bag not to be a right, but a privilege -- and one with a hefty fee attached," said Landrieu. She said her first legislative proposal "will guarantee passengers one checked bag without the financial burden of paying a fee, or the headache of trying to fit everything into a carry-on."
The second, she added, would at least make sure taxpayers are made whole for the stresses more congestion at security places on the system.
Not surprisingly, the airline industry's trade group objects to both proposals.
The Air Transport Association says its own survey shows only one in four passengers now pay a baggage fee, either by carrying-on bags, choosing an airline that won't charge a fee or having the fee waived due to the credit card they use or the frequent flier perks they receive.
Southwest Airlines (LUV, Fortune 500) doesn't charge for bags and has made the lack of a fee part of its marketing campaign. Jet Blue (JBLU) doesn't have any fees on the first bag. On the other extreme, low-fare carrier Spirit Airlines (SAVE) charges even for carry-on bags.
"Customers do have choice today," said Steve Lott, spokesman for the association. "In terms of fairness, you pay for the services you get. Under what the senator is suggesting, some people would be paying for a service they aren't using."
Airline consultant Michael Boyd said he believes if the fees were banned, fares would rise instead. That could cost customers even more due to the excise tax they pay on fares and not on fees.
"I hate the fees like everyone else," said Boyd. "When American Airlines (AMR, Fortune 500) initiated a bag fee, I thought they were doomed. But the consumer didn't blink an eye, they just got out their wallet."
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
25 "Worst Passwords" of 2011 Revealed
If you see your password below, STOP!
Do not finish reading this post and immediately go change your password -- before you forget. You will probably make changes in several places since passwords tend to be reused for multiple accounts.
Here are two lists, the first compiled by SplashData:
1. password
2. 123456
3.12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. monkey
7. 1234567
8. letmein
9. trustno1
10. dragon
11. baseball
12. 111111
13. iloveyou
14. master
15. sunshine
16. ashley
17. bailey
18. passw0rd
19. shadow
20. 123123
21. 654321
22. superman
23. qazwsx
24. michael
25. football
Last year, Imperva looked at 32 million passwords stolen from RockYou, a hacked website, and released its own Top 10 "worst" list:
1. 123456
2. 12345
3. 123456789
4. Password
5. iloveyou
6. princess
7. rockyou
8. 1234567
9. 12345678
10. abc123
If you've gotten this far and don't see any of your passwords, that's good news. But, note that complex passwords combining letters and numbers, such as passw0rd (with the "o" replaced by a zero) are starting to get onto the 2011 list. abc123 is a mixed password that showed up on both lists.
Last year, Imperva provided a list of password best practices, created by NASA to help its users protect their rocket science, they include:
It should contain at least eight characters
It should contain a mix of four different types of characters - upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters such as !@#$%^&*,;" If there is only one letter or special character, it should not be either the first or last character in the password.
It should not be a name, a slang word, or any word in the dictionary. It should not include any part of your name or your e-mail address.
Following that advice, of course, means you'll create a password that will be impossible, unless you try a trick credited to security guru Bruce Schneir: Turn a sentence into a password.
For example, "Now I lay me down to sleep" might become nilmDOWN2s, a 10-character password that won't be found in any dictionary.
Can't remember that password? Schneir says it's OK to write it down and put it in your wallet, or better yet keep a hint in your wallet. Just don't also include a list of the sites and services that password works with. Try to use a different password on every service, but if you can't do that, at least develop a set of passwords that you use at different sites.
Someday, we will use authentication schemes, perhaps biometrics, that don't require so much jumping through hoops to protect our data. But, in the meantime, passwords are all most of us have, so they ought to be strong enough to do the job.
Do not finish reading this post and immediately go change your password -- before you forget. You will probably make changes in several places since passwords tend to be reused for multiple accounts.
Here are two lists, the first compiled by SplashData:
1. password
2. 123456
3.12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. monkey
7. 1234567
8. letmein
9. trustno1
10. dragon
11. baseball
12. 111111
13. iloveyou
14. master
15. sunshine
16. ashley
17. bailey
18. passw0rd
19. shadow
20. 123123
21. 654321
22. superman
23. qazwsx
24. michael
25. football
Last year, Imperva looked at 32 million passwords stolen from RockYou, a hacked website, and released its own Top 10 "worst" list:
1. 123456
2. 12345
3. 123456789
4. Password
5. iloveyou
6. princess
7. rockyou
8. 1234567
9. 12345678
10. abc123
If you've gotten this far and don't see any of your passwords, that's good news. But, note that complex passwords combining letters and numbers, such as passw0rd (with the "o" replaced by a zero) are starting to get onto the 2011 list. abc123 is a mixed password that showed up on both lists.
Last year, Imperva provided a list of password best practices, created by NASA to help its users protect their rocket science, they include:
It should contain at least eight characters
It should contain a mix of four different types of characters - upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and special characters such as !@#$%^&*,;" If there is only one letter or special character, it should not be either the first or last character in the password.
It should not be a name, a slang word, or any word in the dictionary. It should not include any part of your name or your e-mail address.
Following that advice, of course, means you'll create a password that will be impossible, unless you try a trick credited to security guru Bruce Schneir: Turn a sentence into a password.
For example, "Now I lay me down to sleep" might become nilmDOWN2s, a 10-character password that won't be found in any dictionary.
Can't remember that password? Schneir says it's OK to write it down and put it in your wallet, or better yet keep a hint in your wallet. Just don't also include a list of the sites and services that password works with. Try to use a different password on every service, but if you can't do that, at least develop a set of passwords that you use at different sites.
Someday, we will use authentication schemes, perhaps biometrics, that don't require so much jumping through hoops to protect our data. But, in the meantime, passwords are all most of us have, so they ought to be strong enough to do the job.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
My Blackberry Is Not Working
http://www.flixxy.com/my-blackberry-is-not-working.htm
If your PC or blackberry is not working, check this out. LOL
If your PC or blackberry is not working, check this out. LOL
Monday, November 14, 2011
Airline fined $900,000 for lengthy tarmac delays
The Department of Transportation said Monday it has fined a regional affiliate of American Airlines $900,000 for keeping hundreds of passengers cooped up for hours on planes in Chicago earlier this year, a clear warning to airlines on the eve of the holiday travel season that similar incidents won't be tolerated.
American Eagle Airlines had tarmac delays of more than three hours on 15 flights arriving at O'Hare International Airport on May 29, the department said in a statement. A total of 608 passengers were aboard the delayed flights.
The airline must pay $650,000 of the fine within 30 days, the department said. But up to $250,000 can be credited for refunds, vouchers, and frequent flyer mile awards provided to the passengers on the 15 flights, as well as to passengers on future flights that violate the three-hour rule, the department said.
The department implemented a new rule in April 2010 limiting tarmac delays on domestic flights to three hours. After that, airlines must either return to a gate or provide passengers who wish to leave planes with some other means of safely getting off. Airlines that violate the rule can be fined as much as $27,500 per passenger.
The airline must pay $650,000 of the fine within 30 days, the department said. But up to $250,000 can be credited for refunds, vouchers, and frequent flyer mile awards provided to the passengers on the 15 flights, as well as to passengers on future flights that violate the three-hour rule, the department said.
The department implemented a new rule in April 2010 limiting tarmac delays on domestic flights to three hours. After that, airlines must either return to a gate or provide passengers who wish to leave planes with some other means of safely getting off. Airlines that violate the rule can be fined as much as $27,500 per passenger.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
When Was the Last Time You Wrote Something?
I heard a rumor that schools will no longer be teaching handwriting in classes - no more cursive lessons. I have yet to confirm or deny this, but it really has me thinking. My son is going to be growing up in a world that is totally different than mine.
The way he communicates with friend, the way he learns, the way he views the world, will be totally different thanks to technology. It's not a bad thing, but it's definitely different. I guess there's no need to write when you can type. Call me old fashioned, but I miss the days of hand written letters. There's just something to be said of going to the mailbox and pulling out a letter addressed to you. You know the person that sent it once held the same paper your holding and took the time to sit down and pen a message. It's a person's time and effort for YOU right there in the palm of your hands.
So, this week, I sat down and wrote letters to a few friends. I said the same things I would have said in an email, but on paper. I'm sure they thought I was crazy, but I'm also positive it put a smile on their face to get a piece of mail from me.
Moms, when was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter?
The way he communicates with friend, the way he learns, the way he views the world, will be totally different thanks to technology. It's not a bad thing, but it's definitely different. I guess there's no need to write when you can type. Call me old fashioned, but I miss the days of hand written letters. There's just something to be said of going to the mailbox and pulling out a letter addressed to you. You know the person that sent it once held the same paper your holding and took the time to sit down and pen a message. It's a person's time and effort for YOU right there in the palm of your hands.
So, this week, I sat down and wrote letters to a few friends. I said the same things I would have said in an email, but on paper. I'm sure they thought I was crazy, but I'm also positive it put a smile on their face to get a piece of mail from me.
Moms, when was the last time you sat down and wrote a letter?
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
More smartphone buyers prefer Apple's iOS
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/7444302.html
A latest survey released on Monday showed that iPhone is the top choice for nearly half of North American consumers who plan to purchase a smartphone in the next three months.
According to the survey conducted by ChangeWave Research in June, 46 percent of respondents prefer a device running Apple's iOS, the mobile operating system powering the iPhone. The number increased by two percentage points compared to a similar poll conducted in March.
The survey mainly focused on the North American smartphone market.
Among the 4,163 respondents, 89 percent were from the United States and 11 percent outside the country.
Around 32 percent of prospective smartphone buyers said they will choose a device powered by Google's Android operating system, which is up one percentage point compared to the poll in March.
The gains of Apple and Google's market shares came at the expense of Blackberry phones developed by Research in Motion. Only 4 percent of planned smartphone consumers want to buy a Blackberry, which is down one percentage point since March and the lowest share ever seen in a ChangeWave poll. In September 2008, some 32 percent of consumers said they prefer Blackberry.
The survey also took a look at the potential impact of Apple's iCloud service which will become available this fall. Some 29 percent of Apple product owners said the upcoming iCloud service makes them "more likely" to buy Apple products in the future.
ChangeWave said the result shows the new iCloud service is enhancing existing customer loyalty and will generate customer demand for other Apple products.
Apple's iCloud, introduced in early June, will automatically store music, photos, apps and documents, and wirelessly push them to any Apple device to enable access for uses anytime and anywhere.
For customer satisfaction, iPhone had the highest satisfaction rate in the industry with 70 percent of users "very satisfied" with the iOS.
Some 50 percent of Google Android users said they were "very satisfied" with the operating system. Only 26 percent of Blackberry users said they were satisfied with the system.
Meanwhile, the poll found that 57 percent of consumers using Windows Phone 7 said they were "very satisfied." However, "the higher Windows Phone 7 rating has yet to produce a sustained momentum boost for Microsoft in terms of buyer preference," according to the survey.
A latest survey released on Monday showed that iPhone is the top choice for nearly half of North American consumers who plan to purchase a smartphone in the next three months.
According to the survey conducted by ChangeWave Research in June, 46 percent of respondents prefer a device running Apple's iOS, the mobile operating system powering the iPhone. The number increased by two percentage points compared to a similar poll conducted in March.
The survey mainly focused on the North American smartphone market.
Among the 4,163 respondents, 89 percent were from the United States and 11 percent outside the country.
Around 32 percent of prospective smartphone buyers said they will choose a device powered by Google's Android operating system, which is up one percentage point compared to the poll in March.
The gains of Apple and Google's market shares came at the expense of Blackberry phones developed by Research in Motion. Only 4 percent of planned smartphone consumers want to buy a Blackberry, which is down one percentage point since March and the lowest share ever seen in a ChangeWave poll. In September 2008, some 32 percent of consumers said they prefer Blackberry.
The survey also took a look at the potential impact of Apple's iCloud service which will become available this fall. Some 29 percent of Apple product owners said the upcoming iCloud service makes them "more likely" to buy Apple products in the future.
ChangeWave said the result shows the new iCloud service is enhancing existing customer loyalty and will generate customer demand for other Apple products.
Apple's iCloud, introduced in early June, will automatically store music, photos, apps and documents, and wirelessly push them to any Apple device to enable access for uses anytime and anywhere.
For customer satisfaction, iPhone had the highest satisfaction rate in the industry with 70 percent of users "very satisfied" with the iOS.
Some 50 percent of Google Android users said they were "very satisfied" with the operating system. Only 26 percent of Blackberry users said they were satisfied with the system.
Meanwhile, the poll found that 57 percent of consumers using Windows Phone 7 said they were "very satisfied." However, "the higher Windows Phone 7 rating has yet to produce a sustained momentum boost for Microsoft in terms of buyer preference," according to the survey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
