U.S. Airways ranked worst among awards seat availability.

If you’ve been racking up your Delta or U.S. Airways frequent flier miles in an effort to save on that big vacation, don’t get too excited – that seat you’ve been hoping for might not be there for you.

A recent survey by IdeaWorks, a consumer-oriented consulting company, says that Delta Air Lines and U.S. Airways did not have seats available for approximately 75 percent of the requests made. Nevertheless, both companies showed [...]]]>

U.S. Airways ranked worst among awards seat availability.

If you’ve been racking up your Delta or U.S. Airways frequent flier miles in an effort to save on that big vacation, don’t get too excited – that seat you’ve been hoping for might not be there for you.

A recent survey by IdeaWorks, a consumer-oriented consulting company, says that Delta Air Lines and U.S. Airways did not have seats available for approximately 75 percent of the requests made. Nevertheless, both companies showed an improvement over last year’s numbers, indicating that airlines are getting the message that frequent flier seat availability is important to customers.

Despite the low numbers for some airlines, the overall availability of seats increased slightly over last year, to 68.6 percent from just over 66 percent. At the top of the rankings was Southwest Airlines, which had seats available for over 99 percent of searches conducted, and jetBlue Airways, which satisfied over 79 percent of award seat requests.

It’s not news that airlines can be tight with awards miles perks – most carriers prefer to sell seats rather than give them away to awards members. And the increased price of jet fuel only adds to the incentive to shut out frequent flier members. It’s somewhat surprising, then, that the number of successful requests increased at all, considering the economics.

But it seems as if airlines are taking the hint: complaints about awards limitations have increased during the past few years, and carriers realize that satisfying members’ expectations is a big part of their overall image and reputation.

Many airlines have tried to improve availability, realizing that awards miles bring in billions of dollars, and that a reputation for being stingy with miles can risk losing customers, according to the Wall Street Journal, which published a story outlining the changes in the survey numbers.

The Journal also quotes Jay Sorenson, president of IdeaWorks, about the significance of the study: “I think airlines are getting the message that award availability is important. Are airlines where they need to be yet? I don’t think so. But the overall picture is positive.”

Awards usage is also up, as travelers take advantage of frequent flier miles for domestic trips, rather than using accrued miles for international trips, for which using awards miles can be more difficult.

US Airways notes that its shorter flight routes contributes to the lack of availability of awards miles perks, saying that fliers tend to use their miles on flights by its Star Alliance partners that fly longer routes. Delta’s uptick in seat availability was attributed to changes made as a result of its low standing in the survey last year.

The study was commissioned by ezRez Software, a company that works with airlines and travel agents to provide booking tools.

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You’re late, but the flight is delayed. Looks like you’ll have to buy another ticket. Photo: Michele Mossop

When Ansett Airlines collapsed in 2001 I wrote an article about the lessons small business owners could learn about how not to do business from the big airlines. And from recent experiences, airlines are still providing plenty of examples.

Of course, not to be too negative – there are some lessons airlines can teach us on how to actually run a business, highlighted in [...]]]>

You’re late, but the flight is delayed. Looks like you’ll have to buy another ticket. Photo: Michele Mossop

When Ansett Airlines collapsed in 2001 I wrote an article about the lessons small business owners could learn about how not to do business from the big airlines. And from recent experiences, airlines are still providing plenty of examples.

Of course, not to be too negative – there are some lessons airlines can teach us on how to actually run a business, highlighted in the book Moments of truth, written by former Scandinavian Airlines chief executive Jan Carlzon.

When Carlzon took over the airline in 1981, it was losing $17 million a year. But through a single-minded focus on delivering excellent customer service, he turned around the ailing airline to not only make a profit, but be named Airline of the Year for 1983 by New York trade magazine Air Transport World.

Of course some examples of how not to run a business from other airlines also revolve around customer service, or a lack of.

Just over a year ago a family member flew with Tiger Airlines from Melbourne to Sydney. As the designated driver, and aware of Tiger’s strict check-in deadline of at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time, I made sure we arrived early. I had heard horror stories passengers arriving five to 10 minutes past check-in and not being allowed to board, instead being forced to pay for another flight.

By the time we had navigated our way through the long queue and checked in it was 50 minutes before the scheduled take-off time. It was then that Tiger announced over the PA system that the flight would be delayed by an hour.

Not long after this announcement a couple tried to check in for the flight after the 45-minute deadline had expired. Despite the fact that the delayed flight would not be leaving for more than an hour-and-a-half, the couple were told they would have to book a separate ticket for a later flight.

This slavish following of regulations is one of the best examples I have come across of how not to treat a customer. Tiger was not focused on the quality of the customer service, instead treating its customers with contempt.

The other example comes from Qantas and it’s so-called customer loyalty rewards program, Frequent Flyer. These programs are meant to strengthen the bond between a business and their customers by showing they are appreciated. But since Qantas started its offshoot Jetstar, the message delivered to its Frequent Flyer customers is often the opposite.

As most people know Jetstar is a budget airline where you have to pay for almost every little extra.

Qantas over the years has stopped flying some routes and introduced Jetstar flights. This means when a Qantas Frequent Flyer books a flight on a route only serviced by Jetstar it costs them the same number of hard-earned points, but they receive a lesser standard of service than if they had flown Qantas.

Small business owners cannot afford to treat their customers in a similar way. One of the main reasons people change suppliers is because of a perceived attitude of indifference. In other words the customer gets the feeling that the supplier does not appreciate their business.

If you want to succeed in business you must focus on delivering excellent customer service. Don’t tie your employees up in rules and regulations that send the wrong message to your customers, and if you have a customer loyalty program make sure it actually delivers a consistent benefit rather than sending the wrong message.

Questions on small business tax or other issues can be emailed to business@taxbiz.com.au. Tax for small business, a survival guide, by Max Newnham is available in bookstores.

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1. Pack your own alcohol. Be it your favorite cocktail mixings in a cooler in the trunk of your SUV during a road trip or tiny little bottles of vodka & cranberry juice in your checked luggage, it sure beats the cost of paying full price at the resort. Plus, it’s wonderfully convenient to mix a cocktail at your whim…say, inside your resort room after a stressful [...]]]> Tips to keep more cash in your wallet during luxury travel

1. Pack your own alcohol. Be it your favorite cocktail mixings in a cooler in the trunk of your SUV during a road trip or tiny little bottles of vodka & cranberry juice in your checked luggage, it sure beats the cost of paying full price at the resort. Plus, it’s wonderfully convenient to mix a cocktail at your whim…say, inside your resort room after a stressful day at Disney World. Go ahead – let the kids have a meltdown because you wouldn’t buy them a stuffed Minnie Mouse – you have a cold, stiff cocktail to enjoy!  Bring it on.

2. Use a travel agent. A real, live travel agent.  Many times, they have access to unpublished deals.

3. Travel during the off-season. Better rates are always in store if you do. If that means you have to pull the kids out of school for a few days, go for it. They’ll remember a great trip more than they will a lesson on geometry or Ohio history. Seriously.

4. Travel to an all-inclusive resort or cruise line. This is a no-brainer, people. Especially if you enjoy cocktails or wine or champagne. Plus, not being nickeled and dimed to death is so relaxing.  My favorite all-inclusive cruise line:  SeaDream Yacht Club.  My favorite all-inclusive resort:  Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Resort in Riviera Maya.

5. Make friends with the resort staff. This typically equals stronger cocktails, upgrades and fabulous little comps.

6. Utilize last-minute deals. If you’re able to travel at the drop of a hat, you’ll benefit by last-minute deals.

7. Priceline your hotel. I’ve stayed at the Buckhead Atlanta Westin for 89 bucks a night. Packed my own cooler of adult beverages & snacks. Luxury travel for less without sacrificing a thing.

8. Work your frequent traveler programs. Don’t underestimate the power of your travel by not enrolling and “playing the game” to some degree. You could be getting access to easy first class upgrades to your airline seat and hotel room just by being a member and reaching an elite status. Recently, Priority Club (loyalty program that includes Intercontinental, Holiday Inn and many more) offered a promotion that gave you a free night in any hotel including the Intercontinental for each stay at any other hotel, including budget brands such as Holiday Inn Express.

9. Look into an airline club membership. You can use frequent flier miles to purchase these and they add lots of comfort to any trip. They also remove you from overcrowded concourses faster than ‘Ruby Slippers’ ever could. If you find that you don’t travel enough to warrant an annual membership, purchase a day pass if you have a long enough layover or find yourself with extra hours at the airport.

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Bonus: Robert W. Lepisto, President of SeaDream on the Jetiquette Podcast (below article)

I found a cruise that left out of Civitavecchia (near Rome) and we [...]]]> I love to take cruises and my partner and I were looking for a Mediterranean cruise that was a bit on the exclusive side. Well, I found out about SeaDream Yacht Club. They’re based right here in my hometown of Miami, but offer luxury cruises all over the world. I decided to give them a try.

Bonus: Robert W. Lepisto, President of SeaDream on the Jetiquette Podcast (below article)

I found a cruise that left out of Civitavecchia (near Rome) and we were able to spend a couple of days in Rome before boarding a train to the port city. If I had it to do over again, I would schedule a car service from Rome to the ship.

I knew the cruise would be wonderful not only because of the reputation SeaDream has built (with top awards from Berlitz, Conde Nast, and Travel Leisure), but also because of the vessels themselves. SeaDream has only two small ships or yachts. These were formally with Cunard as the Countess I and II. SeaDream took them and completely rebuilt the ships. There is a wealth of information on their website, but I will tell you the ships are delightful. My favorite part was the sundeck and the Balinese sun lounges that you could actually sleep on under the stars if you wished.

The cuisine was remarkable for all seven days with plenty of cocktail receptions in between the fantastic meals. They even offer a trip to the market with the head chef if you wish to pick up some tips from the best.

When going ashore to visit you have use of a Segway Human Transporter to help you cover as much ground as possible. I think it is worth mentioning that SeaDream takes extra care to be sure that plenty of water or other beverage of your choosing is supplied in your stateroom. Also, as you can see, I have found the plush robe to be very comfortable.

Check out more about SeaDream Yacht Club at the SeaDream Yacht Club website

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If you remember, I also had written you about an article I read  “7 Ways to Annoy a Flight Attendant” and to tell you the truth I was a bit put off. Do flight attendants know that there are things they do that irritate the passengers? Let me just name a few:

1. Zombie: Standing there [...]]]> Dear Sky Steward,

Of course, everyone’s talking about passengers not behaving themselves on flights! I have never heard a topic being discussed by so many simultaneously.

If you remember, I also had written you about an article I read  “7 Ways to Annoy a Flight Attendant” and to tell you the truth I was a bit put off. Do flight attendants know that there are things they do that irritate the passengers? Let me just name a few:

1. Zombie: Standing there at the door not looking at anyone with arms crossed and coffee cup in hand is an odd first impression for customers, no? Also, I’ve walked on more than one flight where the crew is having  meeting in the galley completely oblivious to the customers. Heaven forbid, I ask a question!

2. Ax Murderer: Hacking away at the ice in the galley with the back turned to the passengers. They are hitting that ice so hard. Don’t worry, the ice will get broken!

3. Bin Hog: Crew baggage taking up all the best overhead bins in the front of the plane. Isn’t there a closet for that?

4. Iron Jaw: Gum chewing by a representative of a major airline? Who raised you?

5. Prison Guard: Make the announcement for tray tables to be put up, electronics turned off, etc. and then snap passenger heads off as he/she is putting the microphone back in the cradle. Give me just a little more time (remember the song?) Also, what’s with the list of items? ” This means Blackberries, iPhones, Gameboys, Kindles, noise cancelling headsets, cell phones of any kind; in other words anything with an on and off switch!”? How old are we?

6. Iron Curtain Chef: Overcooking the meals to the point of inedibility! (Is that a word?) I know the main duties of flight crew involve safety, but please!

7. Houdini: The moment the last desert plate is picked up, the flight attendants disappear!

Well, as much as I’ve complained please understand that I do appreciate flight crew very much. I just wish many of them could understand how much of an impact they have on the overall flying experience.

Thanks,
F. FC Flyer
Dallas, TX

Dear FC Flyer,

The Sky Steward expresses his most sincere regrets that your travel experience has been impacted by these types of occurrences. He has asked that we disclose that in his early years, he was guilty of many of these infractions himself.

Hopefully, many crew members will read this post and use the information wisely; getting a view through the customer’s eyes, rather than becoming defensive.

He apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused you. (He ends every paragraph with that line)

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Everyone has been wondering just who is the lady that brought about the meltdown of Stephen Slater on a Jetblue aircraft at JFK. The Sky Steward sat down to ask Ms. Teresa Genovese to tell her side of the story. Frankly she’s a bit unstable and as you’ll see unpredictable.

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I believe that anyone who works with the public can empathize with Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who made a quick escape from an airplane full of passengers. Word has it that he had just experienced a heated argument with a passenger that was not displaying Jetiquette and chose to get up and retrieve carry-on [...]]]> Have You Ever Reached Your Breaking Point? I Have!

This Just In: The Woman that Caused Steven Slater to Quit His Job at Jetblue

I believe that anyone who works with the public can empathize with Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who made a quick escape from an airplane full of passengers. Word has it that he had just experienced a heated argument with a passenger that was not displaying Jetiquette and chose to get up and retrieve carry-on luggage during while the aircraft was still moving. Supposedly, the luggage had actually struck the flight attendant and was the final straw that may have ended a 28 year flight attendant career.

So how does this happen? Well, I’ve experienced this and actually have had to remove myself from flying in the past due to stress on the job. As air travel in the US has deteriorated, the employees have been left in a virtual battle-zone; left to deliver the bad news and enforce angering policies. Here is my own story which gives you a unique view of how Steven Slater felt as he slid down the emergency chute taking his career and two beers with him!

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Give these a try:

by Margery Wilson

If you or a loved one suffers from fear of flying you will want to listen to our December 4, 2009 show. Our good friend Marsha joined us – she is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. She talked with us about flight anxiety and treatment options

If you have fear of flying well meaning friends will often tell you things like

“Airline travel is 29 times safer than driving an automobile.”

The problem [...]]]>

by Margery Wilson

If you or a loved one suffers from fear of flying you will want to listen to our December 4, 2009 show. Our good friend Marsha joined us – she is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. She talked with us about flight anxiety and treatment options

If you have fear of flying well meaning friends will often tell you things like

“Airline travel is 29 times safer than driving an automobile.”

The problem is that the risk factor is not the problem. If it was, everyone who has fear of flying would never set foot in an automobile!

Fear of flying is a phobia, one of several anxiety disorders. The “fear” stems more from what might happen than with what is happening. Components might be related to many anxieties, some of which are not specific to airplanes: heights, enclosed spaces, crowded conditions, worrying about turbulence, not feeling in control, the possibility of terrorism.

If you have fear of flying, you are not alone. And, luckily, there are many resources to help you get past your anxieties.

Some people get past their fears by hitting the airport bar before a flight, and making sure the drinks keep coming  once on board. This is one solution, but it probably isn’t the best choice for your health. There are also anti-anxiety medications that your physician can prescribe (and Marsha explains about these). Just make sure you do not mix medication and alcohol, and don’t plan on driving while under the influence of either.

Should you decide to address your anxiety you might consider a group program—sometimes offered through airlines—that might help you find relief from your symptoms. In fact, many anxious passengers simply need the reassurance and information these programs offer. Such group programs offered by several airlines, and are easily found by searching the internet. There are also several video programs you can use in your own home.

You might also want to consider individual treatment from a qualified therapist. You will discover that fear of flying is something that many therapists deal with on a routine basis.

DOES TRAVEL EXHAUST YOU?

Pam Hussey from NAP26™ talks with us about her amazing power nap program that gives you the rest and rejuvenation of a 3-hour nap in just 26 minutes.  Studies show that taking regular, short naps under 30 minutes can do wonders towards improving your mood, work performance and overall productivity throughout the rest of your day, without making you feel groggy or interfering with nighttime sleep. A recent study from NASA showed that 26 minutes was the average time necessary to show marked improvement in productivity and alertness for pilots.

Any traveler knows that getting enough rest while on the road is a challenge. We usually arrive at the airport already tired from rushing to get to the airport, and things go downhill from there, right? Pam will explain how NAP26™ can be one of your best travel accessories.

You can order NAP26™ by calling 1-888-997-NAPS

Jetiquette Upgrade Bag News

We also touch base with our friend Leah Hawthorne about her “Jetiquette upgrade bag” experience on her Delta flight to Italy.  Even flight attendants need love – and Leah’s story reminds us all of why life is better when we are considerate of one another.

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by Margery Wilson

On  our June 12 show we talked with Brian Wilson, co-founder and vice president of marketing for Point Inside, who discussed the development and on-going growth of  Point Inside.

Have you walked around in circles at a mall or airport feeling completely lost, or followed a map only to discover you have gone completely the wrong way? Of course you have — we’ve all been there! To [...]]]>

by Margery Wilson

On  our June 12 show we talked with Brian Wilson, co-founder and vice president of marketing for Point Inside, who discussed the development and on-going growth of  Point Inside.

Have you walked around in circles at a mall or airport feeling completely lost, or followed a map only to discover you have gone completely the wrong way? Of course you have — we’ve all been there! To the rescue:  “Point Inside,” a mobile indoor mapping and positioning platform will allow you to easily locate any restroom, elevator, kiosk in over 500 malls and airports in the US and Canada, and will provide you with store and promotion information as well.

Brian Wilson

Because Point Inside uses your smart phone’s GPS, the maps are dynamic. No more turning a JPEG map this way and that trying to figure out the best orientation. Anyone who has been desperate to locate the nearest restroom would be willing to pay a hefty fee for guidance but, here is more great news — Point Inside is FREE.  To see a comprehensive list of the locations mapped so far, and get your free download, click HERE.

“We have forever changed the landscape for travelers,” said Kevin Foreman, CEO of Point Inside, Inc. “Whether you’re a family who wants to quickly find the nearest restroom with a changing station, or a savvy business traveler who wants to be more efficient, our mobile app can help. It’s extremely easy to use, and we’ve gone to great lengths to provide the most accurate, complete airport maps available anywhere.”

Not only does the Point Inside app have useful and handy interactive smart maps, it also features SmartFix™, which allows users to determine their location on a map to quickly and easily find nearby amenities. Other features include offline “airplane mode” where users can plan layover activities while in the air. Quick keys also make it easy to instantly see locations of all restrooms, restaurants, ATMs, or special promotions highlighted on the airport maps.

The following airport maps are available now for free on iPod, iPad, and iPhone, with more being added very soon:

* Anchorage  (ANC)
* Atlanta (ATL)
* Austin (AUS)
* Baltimore/Wash (BWI)
* Boston Logan (BOS)
* Calgary (YYC)
* Charlotte-Douglas (CLT)
* Chicago – Midway (MDW)
* Chicago – O’Hare (ORD)
* Cincinnatti (CVG)
* Columbus (CMH)
* Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
* Denver (DEN)
* Detroit Wayne (DTW)
* Honolulu (HNL)
* Houston – Bush (IAH)
* Indianapolis (IND)
* Jacksonville (JAX)
* Kahului (OGG)
* Kansas City (MCI)
* Las Vegas  (LAS)
* Los Angeles (LAX)
* Memphis (MEM)
* Miami (MIA)
* Minneapolis (MSP)
* Montreal (YUL)
* Nashville (BNA)
* Newark Liberty (EWR)
* NY – John F. Kennedy (JFK)
* NY – LaGuardia (LGA)
* Oakland (OAK)
* Oklahoma City (OKC)
* Orlando (MCO)
* Philadelphia (PHL)
* Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
* Portland (PDX)
* Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
* Reno (RNO)
* Sacramento (SMF)
* Salt Lake City (SLC)
* San Antonio (SAT)
* San Diego (SAN)
* San Francisco (SFO)
* San Jose (SJC)
* Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)
* St. Louis (STL)
* Tampa (TPA)
* Toronto (YYZ)
* Vancouver (YVR)
* Wash – Dulles (IAD)
* Wash – Reagan National (DCA)

You can follow Point Inside on Facebook by clicking HERE

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By Gailen David, The Sky Steward Have your kids traveled solo?

I remember my first flight alone when I was 6 years old. My parents had brought the idea up to me about taking a flight to visit my Grandparents in South Carolina. I wanted no part of it and expressed my lack of interest in anything to do with airplanes by rolling my eyes. So my parents launched a vigorous campaign to get me excited about [...]]]>

Unaccompanied Minor Adventures

By Gailen David, The Sky Steward

Have your kids traveled solo?

I remember my first flight alone when I was 6 years old. My parents had brought the idea up to me about taking a flight to visit my Grandparents in South Carolina. I wanted no part of it and expressed my lack of interest in anything to do with airplanes by rolling my eyes. So my parents launched a vigorous campaign to get me excited about the idea; starting with a dinner out at The Flagship, a Washington area seafood restaurant just off of the Potomac River directly along the flight path of Washington National Airport. I was moderately impressed by the variety of aircraft twisting and turning as they followed the river approach,  but I was mainly interested in my fried shrimp and hush puppies. BTW, I was a fat but adorable child.

Since wining and dining did not do the trick, they began taking me to picnics at Gravely Point, just North of the main runway of National Airport; a small grassy area offering an amazing view of the airport’s activity. My mother finally cracked the code! She got me to agree to fly alone by telling me that she had spoken to the pretty stewardesses at the airport and they had expressed how excited they were to have me on board. Well, since I always had crushes on older women (yes, it’s true), I was ready to fly and to flirt!

My flight was on an Eastern Airlines DC-9 nonstop from Washington National (DCA) to Columbia, South Carolina (CAE) when Eastern was “The Wings of Man”. In those days the airlines allowed parents to board the aircraft with their children to kiss, cry and say goodbye. Since this was a nonstop flight, there was no chance of me being misplaced by Eastern. I was in love with fly from the moment I sat down in my first class seat (upgraded by the stew) and would have welcomed the adventure of being lost in the Eastern Airlines system, forced to bunk up at the layover hotel with the flight attendants!

Child traveling on Swiss Int'l

For many years there was no nonstop service from DCA to CAE which required a connection through Atlanta or Charlotte on Eastern. The airline personnel always made a point to take extra care of me and my sister, who sometimes joined me on this regular summer getaway. There never seemed to be a shortage of staff at the airlines back then and personnel just seemed much less stressed and able to be available to us as unaccompanied minors. Our connections were fun and easy and I actually enjoyed the extra take-offs and landings!

With the growth of the hub and spoke system at most airlines in the 70′s and 80′s and the full exploitation of the concept  since then; children traveling alone have become very accustomed to making connections. As an airline employee, I have witnessed several mix ups in which children are left sitting in a waiting area while their flight taxies away or are boarded on the wrong flight altogether. This happened recently to a child traveling  on Delta to visit his Grandfather in Boston that was sent to Cleveland by mistake. The airline explained that the incident was due to a switch of unaccompanied minor paperwork.

My first solo flight on Eastern Dc9

The best airline for children traveling alone as unaccompanied minors?

It’s a fact that airlines have less staff than in the past and the personnel used to escort children from one flight to another are usually outsourced. Of course the quality of the service offered varies from domestic to international and from airline to airline. Some airlines such as Gulf Air provide “Sky Nannies” to look after children on flights and during connections but you would be laughed at requesting a Sky Nanny at most airlines. Try it on American and let me know what happens. OK?

Do you have tips for parents of children flying solo?

I think it is absolutely safe for children to travel alone, but here are some tips to help avoid having your kids end up in Kalamazoo when they were actually destined for Kansas City:

• Ask your child to call you when they are at the gate of connecting flights. Once on the phone with them, ask to speak to the agent to verify that they are at the right gate and confirm their arrival time at the final destination. If they are traveling with a cell phone, ask that they turn it on once they land at their connecting city so that you can check in on them.

• Remind your child to pay extra attention to airline personnel and to follow their instructions such as waiting to be escorted off of the plane. You’d be surprised how many kids try to make a break for it; slipping by the flight attendants as they deplane with other passengers only to be lost in a crowded terminal.

• Monitor your child’s flight status as they travel on the Internet or even set up alerts on the airlines website to be continuously updated automatically.

• Wait at the departure airport until the flight departs just in case there is a delay or a cancellation.

I want to hear your tips?

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By Margery Wilson

Dressing animals is not new. Millions of animals are “dressed” in one way or another and have been for years — from horses wearing fitted blankets to dogs wearing coats and boots during cold weather.  I used to fit my goats out in sweatshirts during cold snaps [...]]]>

By Margery Wilson

To say fashion is going to the dogs is an understatement — when it comes to canine couture by Kiki Hamann.

Dressing animals is not new. Millions of animals are “dressed” in one way or another and have been for years — from horses wearing fitted blankets to dogs wearing coats and boots during cold weather.  I used to fit my goats out in sweatshirts during cold snaps (I raised dairy goats years ago in S. California).  My Italian Greyhound, Buddy, who, as is typical for the breed, has little body fat to protect him against New England winter really needs his winter jacket (lined with fleece!)

Kiki elevates clothing for dogs and cats to true fashion. Her clothing and accessories are the sort of things that make Paris Hilton drool.  Kiki’s creations are sold in the top pet boutiques the world over.

If you are planning to take your furry family members along on your travels, you will want to see the practical  yet elegant one-of-a-kind carriers that Kiki has designed that has comfortable interior for your pooch, and plenty of practical and secure pockets on the outside for your items.  She also has a full line of custom designed  collars, winter coats, beds and other accessories.  If you have reason to help your dog “dress to impress,” you will want to visit Kiki’s website.  Click HERE to see her entire line.

Tune in to the show HERE and listen to Gailen and Kiki — both owners of small girl dogs — discuss the many aspects of pet couture.

Our European Correspondent, Raymond, talks about dogs in Holland, and his own dog, David, who wears the colors of his favorite football team.

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By Margery Wilson

If you are an art lover you can save money if you decide to visit  The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.  Book the “A Celebration of Art and History” package and enjoy a self-guided 30-minute podcast tour of the hotel’s 4,200-piece art collection, a three-day/two-night stay in a Deluxe Kallang Bay View room and daily breakfast.  Included in the pachage is admission fee, one-hour guided tour and return same-day transfers to the National Museum of Singapore.  You’ll also come home [...]]]>

By Margery Wilson

If you are an art lover you can save money if you decide to visit  The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.  Book the “A Celebration of Art and History” package and enjoy a self-guided 30-minute podcast tour of the hotel’s 4,200-piece art collection, a three-day/two-night stay in a Deluxe Kallang Bay View room and daily breakfast.  Included in the pachage is admission fee, one-hour guided tour and return same-day transfers to the National Museum of Singapore.  You’ll also come home with a book by award-winning local artist Ong Kim Seng and a visit to his studio (subject to availability).

All this for S$960, (US $690) it will save you about 40 percent off published rates. Valid until 29 December, 2010.

Located at the gateway to Southeast Asia, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore is a Five-Star hotel in one of the world’s most vibrant cities.  Strategically located in the heart of Marina Center, the 32 story hotel has several fine restaurants, a spa and features:

• Unobstructed views of the Singapore skyline or Marina Bay
• The largest guestrooms in the area, averaging 550-650 square feet
• Hotel design by Pritzker prize-winning architect Kevin Roche
• A 4,200 piece contemporary art collection including works by Frank Stella, Andy Warhol and Dale Chihuly
• Award-winning, landscaped gardens featuring tropical plants, rocks and waterfalls around the swimming pool

To book and see full information about this hotel and the various packages visit www.ritzcarlton.com

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In the Netherlands June is the month of “Hollandse Nieuwe” or New Catch Holland Herring, at a time of year when the silver fish gain up to 25% fat from feasting on plankton in the waters of the North Sea.

In the US you can celebrate Hollandse Nieuwe in New York City at the famous Russ & Daughters restaurant.  Perveyors of the highest quality smoked fish, caviar, and specialty foods, Russ & Daughters is New York’s premier appetizing shop. [...]]]> by Margery Wilson

In the Netherlands June is the month of “Hollandse Nieuwe” or New Catch Holland Herring, at a time of year when the silver fish gain up to 25% fat from feasting on plankton in the waters of the North Sea.

In the US you can celebrate Hollandse Nieuwe in New York City at the famous Russ & Daughters restaurant.  Perveyors of the highest quality smoked fish, caviar, and specialty foods, Russ & Daughters is New York’s premier appetizing shop. Since 1914 this New York institution has been run by four generations of the Russ family. The tastes, traditions, and old-world class of this landmark show are a true New York experience.

From their website:

Procured from the waters of the North Sea, the new catch herring are imported directly from Holland by Russ & Daughters, where they’re available for the next few weeks.

At Russ, you can order the herring ($4.94 each) at the counter and eat the them the traditional way, which is coated with chopped raw onions, held aloft by the tail, and lowered into the mouth. Each silvery fish is comprised of two plump fillets that are joined at the tail, and boast a rich, almost buttery texture. Perhaps as a result of their high omega-3 content, consuming the herring is akin to doing a shot of wheatgrass juice — they produce the same immediate salutary high and discernible mental clarity. Most importantly, they’re also delicious.

Russ & Daughters has a blog with the wonderful name of “Lox Populi” and can be read by clicking HERE.

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Jeremy Greenidge Gallery

One of my favorite frequent fliers is based on the beautiful island of Barbados. Jeremy Greenidge is an aviation/IT consultant who is also an award winning photographer. Of course, I was very interested in his aviation photography but was also equally mesmerized by his other works and asked him to put some of them aside for me (I’ll tell you more about that later). Jeremy Greenidge’s fabulous work is displayed in his online [...]]]>

Jeremy Greenidge Gallery

One of my favorite frequent fliers is based on the beautiful island of Barbados. Jeremy Greenidge is an aviation/IT consultant who is also an award winning photographer. Of course, I was very interested in his aviation photography but was also equally mesmerized by his other works and asked him to put some of them aside for me (I’ll tell you more about that later). Jeremy Greenidge’s fabulous work is displayed in his online gallery and is definitely worth a long look.

Have you ever thought of taking up photography? I have, but I have always thought that I’d need to invest in expensive equipment in order to do it right. I was very pleased to hear from Jeremy that he has actually won awards for shots he took with a run-of-the-mill digital camera! Jeremy also shares his passion with others by hosting photography tours on the island of Barbados and beyond. Better yet, he makes it possible for anyone to tag along virtually by following his Facebook fan page  (http://pictureti.me) and you’ll be able to stay posted on when his next photo tour will take place. You can listen in on my chat with Jeremy on the November 27th, 2009 edition of “The Sky Steward Show”.

Jeremy actually enjoys all of the air travel his work requires of him. Originally from England, his first flight was traveling alone on a transatlantic jumbo-jet flight. That’s all it took and when I saw some photos he had taken with his cell phone and posted on the internet I knew we definitely had an interest in aviation in common.

Special Offer from Jeremy

I spent a lot of time in his online gallery and even chose my favorite items which Jeremy is making available to readers of Dear Sky Steward at up to 50% off, plus you’ll be able to order items such as photo mugs that even include gourmet cocoa…what a great gift. Check out my favorites here and receive a special price by logging in with the password: jetiquette

For my own selfish reasons, I wanted to include some of Jeremy’s aviation photography as well!

[flagallery gid=5 name="Gallery"]

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There is no hiding from The Sky Steward! He’s always peeking into [...]]]> PODCAST: The airline industry provides more drama than Y&R and Bold and the Beautiful (TV soap operas) combined! Did you hear about the United Airlines passenger with a first class ticket that was denied boarding because of his track suit attire? The Sky Steward discusses this and much more on this edition of Jetiquette with his co-host and resident frequent flier, “Margery” (No last name you know, like Cher or Madonna)

There is no hiding from The Sky Steward! He’s always peeking into the first class cabins of speeding  jetliners or hiding in dark corners of First Class Lounges of major airports, so be sure you don’t get on his Jetiquette Faux Pas list

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