The above title of this blog is a comment made by Senator Claire McCaskill with the announcement by the FAA that they were loosening the rules on electronic devices being used by passengers in airplanes.
for many years, travelers were prohibited to have their electronic instruments on because it might interfere with cockpit communications and navigation equipment. Flight attendants became “hall monitors”, and everyone was admonished by the pilot to turn off all electronic devices until the plane reached about 10,000 feet in the air.
A travel writer and critic has been on the FAA’s case for years that it did not interfere with their communication, and so a 28-member committee representing airlines, manufacturers, electronic makers, pilots, and flight attendants delivered a report after careful study that aviation safety would not be compromised at this time by the use of smartphones, e-readers, and electronic game devices.
Senator McCaskill commented that “this is great news for the traveling public, and frankly, a win for common sense”. It will take a while for all the airlines to have all their “ducks in a row” for implementation, but it’s going to take place after all.
On another interesting subject, we have had several folks lately wanting to opt for business class or first class fares, especially when traveling internationally. The big problem when we quote them that rate is trying to get them up off the floor when they fainted after hearing the price!! Occasionally though you get lucky, especially when you shop for rates on a Tuesday or Wednesday each way. What really runs the price up is the tax. For example, on a December Tuesday each way, DFW to London, the base rate for a business class fare was $2,703, but the tax was an additional $1,243. I did find a good business fare rate to Honolulu from DFW. It was $3,271 on American non-stop, but with a stop in Phoenix, you could fly on USAir for $1,754. Not bad!!
How about flying first class to Cancun? If you fly on the right days going and returning, you could do it for as little as $705.08 round-trip plus the service charge. What a deal, plus you get to check 3 bags free, drinks are free, unlimited snacks are available, certainly more leg and sitting room, be among the first to load on the plane and be able to watch all those jealous eyes as they pass by you on the way to the back of the plane.
How do you navigate through all this minutiae of airline faring? Common sense would tell you to just get in touch with your experienced and trusted travel agent at The Travel Factory. You can touch that base at 698-1421 or toll-free 800-760-4040, or pay us a personal visit at 4150 Southwest Drive, Ste. 120. We exist to be of service to our friends in the Friendly Frontier.