Back in June we saw hope when the U.S. Department of Transportation released an early version of rules and regulations that will be put in place to protect stranded passengers. Topics discussed included a bunch of issues from how airline companies repay people that were sold tickets on oversold flights to how luggage fees are displayed on carrier websites. Now it is February, and according to an article in The Baltimore Sun, we are being told that April is when we can actually see a final version released or so they claim. Officials are still in talks over fines and penalties for passengers that are made to idle for 180 minutes or more on domestic flights in small/medium airport hubs. Come April more issues will magically pop up. Cynical? Maybe but lets wait until its actually released. Whatever the talks may be it seems passengers are left stranded once again…
As discussed in a previous blog post the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is under a lot of pressure to implement a program to alleviate unnecessary screenings for trusted and respected travelers. As the TSA works tirelessly on finding a way to create an adequate and efficient traveler trust program, a few articles have already started hinting at some of the procedures and processes involved with the programs logistics. The concept that we have come to know is a 3-tier approach to security. Travelers are classified as either a Trusted Traveler, Regular or Risk.
The Trusted Travelers, would be those who submit to a complete background check, much like those under the previous Registered Traveler program, and similar to the current Global Entry program that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (US CBP)has in place at international airports. US CBP’s Global Entry program allows those who have undergone a background check to bypass the lines at passport control and use a kiosk to enter the country. With the TSA’s projected Trusted Traveler program, a traveler who has been verified would receive a ‘lighter’ search, use a walk-through-metal-detector instead of an Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) scanner and in theory be able to keep their shoes on and their laptop in the bag.”
A “Regular” traveler would undergo the standard security procedures in place today.
A “Risk” traveler would receive a more thorough search of their clothing, baggage and potentially be asked a series of questions.
However, many are skeptical of this approach and feel a lot of roads need to be crossed in order for it to be an adequate and safe system. The same article goes through multiple steps that need to be addressed before a new program is implemented:
Being able to positively identify each traveler and matching them to their boarding pass
“IT issues associated with having a live stream of data of all passenger information coming into each and every TSA checkpoint.”
IT-Hardware needs – “hardware needs a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars … something the TSA does not presently have in its budget.”
Logistics – “The physical altering of security checkpoints at airports to allow for the three-tier screening to be carried out.”
And of course, “Who would perform the passenger background checks for the Trusted Traveler system and who would determine a ‘Regular’ vs ‘Risk’ passenger?” The “Who?” and “Where?” seem to be the biggest issues – government agency or independent contractors? How will the information be secured? How will it be payed for?
These questions and many more are on everyone’s minds considering the TSA has yet to answer any of these questions. It is only a matter of time before any of this becomes a “TSA just talks” game.
Be sure to keep reading the Sundance Vacations blog as we are going to update you as information is released.
According to an article posted on the New York Times website this week, tough airport screening procedures may get a face lift. After much scrutiny over security check point screenings at airports many different organizations (U.S. Travel Association and International Air Transport Association were specifically quoted) are proposing new procedures be put in place to give certain travelers the right to bypass those annoying and sometimes very intrusive airport screenings.
The article states that, “A crucial part of the group’s ‘checkpoint of the future’ proposal, and similar plans under discussion by other industry organizations, is creating a trusted traveler program that would allow passengers to undergo a background check to gain access to an expedited security lane at the airport.” The article goes on to say that travelers that want to be apart of the program will have to go through an application process, which will have certain fees attached to it, but in the end the travelers that are approved will be clear from the intrusive airport screenings.
Even though there are proposals on the table, the risks are not very far away. The fact that every country is different and has their own needs and resources, costs associated with making travelers feel safe and the ability to keep a certain level of privacy and protection of individual rights are all concerns that make changing the current procedures a long process. Making sure every “t” is crossed and “i” is dotted is a big deal when it comes to airport security.
While there are risks about creating a program like this; John Pistole, head of the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), is open to ideas and understands the need for a trusted travelers program. A spokesman from the TSA said, “If people have ideas, [John Pistole] wants to hear them because he’s looking at ways to make changes.” Robert Poole, director of transportation policy at the Reason Foundation finished the article by being quoted saying, “For the first time since 9/11, I think we have the conditions where it might be politically possible to have a serious debate about [airport security]”
Despite travel falling as the largest target for fraud, the industry still deals with it on a daily basis with thousands of people ending up being the victims of credit card fraud. In order to prevent fraud from happening to you while you are on vacation, we put together a researched list of tips that can help you avoid credit card fraud:
Use only one credit card while traveling.
Keep a second one close by but in a safe place just in case the credit card you are using gets stolen.
Keep all receipts!
Check your credit card statements daily (even when you get home too!)
Verfiy every purchase or charge made on your credit card.
If you become the victim of credit card fraud, call the credit card issuer immediately! You most likely will not be held responsible for the attack.
The most important thing is to know what is being charged at all times and to verify those purchases. The sooner you know that fraud was committed the faster you can prevent any more fraudulent charges from happening.
An article was recently published on USA Today Travel titled “Three reasons why airfares are likely to rise” about exactly that – rising airfares! David Grossman, author of the article, writes “According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average domestic airfare (excluding checked luggage and other ancillary fees paid after ticketing) jumped 13% from $301 to $341 in the second quarter of 2010 vs. the previous year. That $341 fare was 3.8% more than the previous quarter and represented the fourth consecutive quarterly fare increase.” This fact alone is scary but the article goes on to discuss reasons why airfares are rising which include: capacity cuts and rising demand, prolonged period of higher oil prices and changing business models for low-cost airlines. It may be obvious that there are more reasons as well but for the sake of the article the author only discussed three. Anyway whatever the case may be it does not look like travelers have much of an option when controlling fees or at least getting fairly cheaper rates than before.
However, as a wholesale travel provider Sundance Vacations offers bulk vacation packages that make saving on vacations similar to the way people save when they buy a case of soda instead of a can. Because of this increase in airfares, budget conscious travelers are seeking cheaper travel alternatives to help them save. In fact, last summer when prices originally spiked we saw a considerable jump in demand for drive to destinations and we predict the same for this summer as well.
Sundance Vacations has a lot of destinations on the east coast in areas such as the Jersey shore, Ocean City, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina and Hilton Head – all of which are within a days drive from any one of our east coast sales offices. When it costs double to fly anymore, consider driving to a Sundance Vacations destination – where you not only save on getting there but you save on the overall vacation as well.
Surrounded by lush, green golf courses, the beautiful GreenLinks property lies within Lely Resort Golf and Country Club, and is conveniently close to the beaches of Naples, shopping, and exquisite dining.
Perfect for an avid golfer, Naples is a wonderful setting for a vacation. Named after the illustrious Italian city, Naples offers 17 miles of beach along the Gulf of Mexico and beautiful blue water, making it the perfect for water sports, sunbathing, and playing in the sand. Naples Municipal Pier gives way to 10 miles of charming white sand beaches. While in Naples, you may also want to take a trip to the Everglades National Park, or the Naples Botanical Garden.
As for amenities onsite, GreenLinks Resort has a conference center, heated pool, jacuzzi, two golf courses, two tennis courts, a fitness room, a clubhouse with a pro shop, fishing, chartered tours, the Flamingo Island Restaurant, barbecue grills, shelling, water sports, and a spa.
GreenLinks Resort condos feature a full kitchen including microwave, living room, dining area, two cable televisions with free HBO, DVD, high speed internet, telephone, a washer & dryer, iron & ironing board, a hair dryer in the bathroom, and a private screened balcony. Both the bedrooms and the balcony have ceiling fans. The condos are approximately 10 miles from the beach with taxi service.
Eagle’s Nest Resort is located in beautiful Branson, Missouri, on Lake of the Ozarks. Lake of the Ozarks is a part of Lake of the Ozarks State Park, the largest state park in Missouri. Located right on the lake, the resort provides many fun outdoor activities, and of course, picturesque views of the lake and surrounding area.
Known as the “Live Music Show Capital of the World,” Branson will always keep you occupied during your stay. There are plenty of outdoor activities such as golf, horseback riding, boat rides, hunting, and fishing. Branson’s Dinosaur Museum, Splash Country Indoor Water Park, Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum, and Silver Dollar City are also places that you will want to visit during your stay. To enjoy all of the natural wonders that Branson has to offer, make sure to visit the caves and caverns in the area. You may also want to visit the numerous theatres and entertainment venues that have made Branson famous.
As for activities at Eagle’s Nest Resort, you can go tubing, golfing, fishing, swimming (in the lake or the pool), boating, waterskiing, caving, go karting, and parasailing. Your accommodations at Eagle’s Nest Resort feature a full kitchen with a dishwasher, a microwave, TV, VCR, telephone, decks with barbecue grills, and air conditioning. Also, laundry facilities are provided onsite for your convenience.
Branson is a beautiful and fun-filled city, with something to offer everyone.
Since we had such a good time giving away six free cruises with the Facebook Cruise Giveaway Contest, we thought it would be a lot of fun to continue the contests and giving. So, we are asking you – our customers, fans and friends – to submit your favorite vacation photo for a chance to win a vacation aboard a fun-filled cruise.
In order to enter the contest, you have to submit a photo along with a brief essay explaining the fun being had in your photo and why should win. You can do this on our “Photo Contest” tab.
The submission period is now open until August 31. We will then open up the voting for a two week period, which will end on September 14th. At that time we will pick the photo with the most votes as the winner. The winner will then have a year to claim their cruise vacation!
The winner will receive the following:
Sundance Vacations voucher for a four-day, three-night cruise for two;
Cruise leaves from ports in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, or Los Angeles;
Round-trip airfare for two (not to exceed $800 total) to port city;
And one night’s stay in the port city.
So, grab your photo albums and pick your best vacation photo for a chance to win!
Winners must be at least 21 years of age. You can read the full Contest Rules eligibility requirements here.
Festa Italiana takes off this week on July 15th with three days of a fun filled celebration. The event is the largest Italian-American festival in America hosting many different concerts on 8 stages, 40 different food vendors and 18 amusement rides throughout Milwaukee’s Lakefront Festival Grounds. To top it off famous jazz trumpeter Chris Botti as well as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons headline the festival.
Along with the festivities, Sundance Vacations will also be there sponsoring a raffle with two chances to win. The winning tickets for three great prizes will be drawn after the fireworks on closing night at the Miller Lite Stage. If that wasn’t good enough, everyone who enters the raffle will be re-entered into a second drawing occurring at the end of the year, in which the winner will receive a 2011 Mercedes Benz automobile or $50,000 cash.
The three prizes people can win on the closing night include:
1st: An Italian-manufactured Vespa S50 Sport scooter. This prize is courtesy of Reina International Auto/Vespa Milwaukee (Joe, Ignazio and Lorenzo Reina).
2nd: A man’s 14-karat yellow gold ring, set with a 1.00-carat champagne round diamond provided by Ted Glorioso of Glorioso’s Gold Imports & Diamond Center.
3rd: Roundtrip airfare for two to any destination where Frontier Airlines travels courtesy of Frontier Airlines.
Because of the major gulf oil leak, some travelers may be leery of traveling these days down near the gulf coast. For fear that the beaches are covered in oil, tourism has been down. Along with the tourism being down, a lot of the fishing businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are currently not in operation as well. How can they fish in oil? Obviously this is effecting the economy in certain spots, but is it all over the gulf like some think?
In an article published on June 14 on ABCNews.com, Miami Beach Rep. Richard Steinberg is quoted saying “People outside of the U.S. look at Florida as one (beach) and don’t understand if there’s a little bit of oil in the Panhandle, they think it’s all over the state.” Despite fears, Sundance Vacations contacted a few of our customers who have been traveling near the Panhandle during this oil leak crisis. Pat Gerdeman, who traveled to one of our locations in Destin, FL ( located on the Panhandle just east of Pensacola, FL) during June 6-10, said that she ran into no problems while vacationing, the beaches were beautiful and tourism didn’t seem to be down. Asked if people were fearful in Destin, Pat felt that the media makes it out to be worse than it really is. Another customer who traveled near the coast said they also experienced a great time without being effected by the oil spill.
Here is a video update from last week about the beaches from Destin, FL:
Even though the Panhandle has had some oil creep onto the beaches, most of the beaches are still clear and clean. In the same article, we learn that “South Florida tourism officials are pushing for [a] campaign to clarify that the vast majority of Florida’s 825 miles of beaches are oil-free.” The article concludes with Steinberg worrying that all the media attention and recent presidential visit will put the wrong image in the heads of tourists. For now most of the beaches in Florida are clear, even in the Panhandle. Pensacola has been the only area to close portions of the beach.
As Florida battles the bad perception the oil spill may be giving it’s beaches and tourist areas, other areas such as Mississippi beaches remain open despite seeing oil on some of their beaches. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Official Website states that “With large amounts of oil and tar balls washing up on South Mississippi beaches Monday, state officials have issued advisories for two areas along the beach in Harrison and Jackson Counties. These beaches are not closed and beach goers may continue to use these beaches, but the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi State Department of Health advise people to be aware of their surroundings while recreating.” Many other areas can not say the same such as in Louisiana, whose beaches have been devastated by the oil.
As the gulf oil leak crisis continues to leak oil without an end in site, gulf officials are doing everything they can to contain the spill and keep our beaches clean. Tourists can also help out by volunteering. Check out the following sites for more information on volunteering for the four northern gulf states:
