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Posts Tagged ‘Travel’

We are all interested in cheap ticket air travel when we fly. However, there are not a lot of people who know how to achieve this goal. Even many seasoned travelers make mistakes when flying that cost them lots of money they would not otherwise have to spend. This article reveals one of the cheap ticket air travel secrets-an easy 3 step process to help you get the lowest priced plane tickets.

The first step to cheap ticket air travel is to make sure you book your flight well in advance. Airlines need to plan flights in advance so they know how much food, fuel, & space for luggage will be required on a flight.They will give you a much lower rate for allowing them the opportunity to plan ahead. You should be booking your flights at least one month in advance, & preferably longer to set your self up for the little used step 3.

The second step to cheap ticket air travel is to book your flight at an inconvenient time. Everybody wants to fly between 9Am and 5PM, and businesses are most likely to purchase flights in this time frame, & that drives up the price. By flying at an odd time, competition for tickets will be lower as well as prices.

The final step to cheap ticket air travel is one most people never think about, & it costs travelers millions of dollars a year they would not otherwise pay. It makes plenty of extra money for the airlines, & it is so simple to avoid. Once you book your tickets, continue to monitor the price. If it drops prior to your flight, call the airline & ask for a refund of the difference. This one tip can save you tons of money if you just USE it.

Holidays are all about dreams and expecations. We don’t go on holiday expecting to get sick, have an accident, get our bags stolen, or worse. For most people, none of these things will ever happen, but think of the cost if any of those things did happen to you on holiday. Travel insurance is just that – insurance – for what will hopefully never happen, but if the worst does happen you know it will cover you. Think of travel insurance as a small price to pay for a stress-free holiday!

If anything, the risks, are increasing. Not only do we take more gadgets with us when we travel, but also many of us have older relatives at home. What if you have to cut short your holiday because Mum takes a bad fall? Travel insurance doesn’t just cover your medical costs, but also those circumstances when you would have to return home unexpectedly. Let’s not forget either that liability is also a big risk in many parts of the world, particularly North America. Injuring someone else, say in a car accident, can see you sued for millions of dollars.

It’s surprising, but many people travel overseas every year without travel insurance. A holiday is supposed to be a low stress, fun experience – why take the risk of travelling without adequate travel insurance? Why take the chance of financial ruin if you get hospitalised in the US for a few days?

So why do people hesitate to buy travel insurance cover? Expense is probably the number one reason. Travel insurance is seen as a yet another additional cost, but unlike single traveller hotel supplements and fuel surcharges, one that the traveller can say no to. But this is a false economy as the examples above show.

Sure, if your financial situation is such that you can afford thousands of dollars in medical expenses – or more in litigation – then you might not need travel insurance. For most people though, travel insurance is the only realistic way to travel worry free. Which is not to say you should just take the first travel insurance deal offered to you. Shop around, as often cheap online travel insurance is the easiest way to get the right travel insurance cover at the very best price.

Travel insurance has a bad reputation with some people, for not paying out on claims. To be confident you really are covered by your travel insurance, make sure you insure with a reputable travel insurer who has many years experience in the travel insurance business. You can also ask for the Insurer’s financial rating.

So, bottom line, get the right travel insurance for you and you’ll be able to enjoy a stress free holiday!

For anyone who has not gone on a flight before, his or her first time through the airport can be a puzzling and taxing experience. There are inflexible rules to follow, queues to stand in, and loads of people to move around. If this is the first time flying, some essential air travel tips will make the experience safer, less demanding and will help a person to get from his home to his destination without a problem.  

Reach there early:

One of the most imperative air travel tips, the one that will help a person to make up for any other problems along the way, is to reach the airport before time. Most airports do not let a person get a boarding pass unless he turns up at least 30 minutes prior to his flight. He has to go through the security checkpoint. Most people who fly propose arriving at least two hours earlier to the flight’s departure time. No one wants to get jammed in the middle of the security line when his plane leaves the gate.

Pack Light:

Though every person’s definition of packing light is personal, this is another one of the air travel tips that will make flying experience comfortable. Rather than try to handle the largest carry-on bag one should pack a small bag with a book, some magazines, or whatever one will need through his flight, and pack a second bag that with which one can check. If your bag is small, then you can comfortably fit it under the seat in your front, which makes you getting on and off the flight easier.

Eat Before the Airport:

In this set of tips for air travel; this is one that your wallet will be glad about the most: one should eat before he goes to the airport. Many airports have a superb variety of businesses in their terminals so one can grab a bite to eat while waiting for his flight. However, mostly it has fast foods, which are spicy, greasy and expensive too.
Relax

Of course, above all other air travel tips, is the suggestion that one should relax when flying. All the issues which one has to face at the airport, the check-in process, the long security lines, and so on, add up to a flying experience that is reliable than ever before. Airline employees and airport staff do everything they can to take the anxiety out of a rather busy experience, so be rest assured that accidents will be diminished.

When I was a little boy in the 60s and 70s, the Douglas DC-3, which, like they did in Britain we used to call the Dakota, was all the rage. I used to travel around the country in that aircraft with my mum and dad. It was an awesome experience. I used to love the way the tail dipped when the aircraft was on the ground and how it lifted as it taxied down the runway before take off. A remarkable airplane, and one I couldn’t forget even when the Fokker Friendship came to replace it on domestic routes. As it happens, the DC-3 never really went away. 73 years after the DC-3 first flew, it has remained in the skies in quite a few countries around the world… it is believed there are 400 DC-3 aircraft still in service. In this article, I will discuss retro travel and the opportunity that awaits you to rekindle vintage travel in a remarkable tourist haven and setting that is, Tanzania.

One of the most successful airplanes ever built, the DC-3 made its maiden flight on December 17, 1935. The Gooney Bird, as it was sometimes called, was one of the first airplanes built primarily out of metal, replacing the wood-framed-and-doped-fabric airplanes that had evolved out of the Wright Flyer and the many models of airplanes developed during World War I. In the 1930s and 1940s, this American fixed-wing, propeller-driven aircraft — generally regarded as one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made because of its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II — is still taking to the skies to this day in many parts of the world. Like its land equivalent, the marvels of yesteryear engineering — the steam train — offers a lap of luxury to its passengers to this present day on packaged rail safaris like the Blue Train in South Africa, aviation too brings back the the beauty and luxury of vintage travel to the skies.

Air travel in the 50s was much more regulated than it is today. All fares were fixed by the International Air Traffic Association (IATA). It seems almost inconceivable today, but IATA dictated exactly what could be charged on any particular route. Airlines could compete on standards of service, but not price. Hence a desire to offer the passenger the very best prevailed. In the early fifties there was only one class of travel: first or better than first class. Such luxuries as cocktail bars, and even beds had been provided on transatlantic flights. Fares were expensive and passengers were either very wealthy or claiming the trip on expenses. By the end of the fifties, there were four classes of travel, deluxe (better than first), first class, tourist class and economy class. The Indigo Aviation Dakota plying the Zanzibar, Selous, Pemba and Mafia routes from Dar es salaam, Tanzania, judging from the luxurious cabin alone, takes you back to the early 50s when, literally, there was only one way to travel – first class.

When I saw an ad on the cover of a local magazine (Advertising Dar) back in May 2009, I was thrilled to see the DC-3 back in action. To me, she is the most beautiful bird that ever took to the skies. My plan is to get on that plane to travel to Mafia island, a fascinating island steeped in history, and what I consider to be the ideal destination to fly to to write a series of articles on, in retro style.

 

Air travel and you – Health Tips- ENT Doctor Bangalore – Dr Sonia S V

Air travel has its specific set of health problems and we may have heard of some of them.

The important health issues are:-

Ear  problems

Jet Lag

Deep Vein Thrombosis[DVT]

Motion Sickness

Jet lag

Jet lag is caused when you travel through multiple time zones. These changes in time zones confuse your body’s inner clock and produce biochemical cahnges Inferior turbinate the body. Symptoms of Jet lag include fatigue, insomnia, disorientation, headaches Overeating, smoking and drinking alcohol can  worsen jet lag.

Tips for dealing with Jet Lag:

• Do some gentle mild exercise while airborne and upon arrival .

• Adjust your sleep time before you leave on your trip to match your destination time zone.

• Don’t stay on your home time zone. Change your watch to your destination time zone and try to adjust to the new time zones as early as you can

• Drink enough water.

Ear Pain

The ear is made of 3 parts- outer ear, middle ear and inner ear.During  flights the ears are subjected to changes in air pressure. The middle ear is connected with the back of the nose by the eustachian tube which equalizes air pressure in the middle ear to that in the encironment.

People often have more problems during landing. If the Eustachian tube is not functioning properly due to a cold or allergy the eardrum will be retracted inward due to the negative pressure building in the middle ear, producing ear blockage,impaired hearing and evn ear pain during descent.

Tips for dealing with Ear Pain:

Try yawning wide 

Try swallowing slowly and do this repeatedly

Try chewing gum or suck on a piece of candy

Try the Valsalva maneuver: Hold your nose with both your fingers,close your mouth and blow out gently against it to pop the ears.This valsalva manoeuvre can help push air through the eustachuan tube in to the middle ear  to equalize the pressure. This should not be done if you are suffering from a cold or sinus infection.

Prevention

Avoid flying if you have a cold

DO Not fly if you have a middle ear infection

If you frequently get ear discomfort  or suffer from a sinonasal condition meet your ENT specailist who will examine your nose and ears to diagnose any predisposing condition and prescribe a decongestant nasal drops and advise you on the correct dosing and schedule prior to your flight.

You might try earplugs and cotton in the ear canal during the flight .

Do not sleep during take off and landing

Do not smoke

Do not drink alcohol inflight or prior to flying

Babies and Children:Feed your baby during take off and landing.Give an older child candy to suck on during take off and landing.

 What makes you prone for ear problems while flying?

Children-Young children have immature eustachain tubes and are especially prone for ear pain and other ear problems while flying. Feed your baby during take off and landing.Give an older child candy to suck on during take off and landing.Discourage sleeping during take off and landing.

Ear drum architectural abnormalities- eg thin or retracted ear drums

Sufferers of disease in nose and sinuses, Allergic rhinitis

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) can sometimes occur during long flights due to inactivity. Blood flow slows down, especially in the lower legs, and clots can form. Sometimes there are no symptoms until several days after the flight when DVT can be mistaken for a cramp in the legs. It is a serious medical condition requiring emergency treatment. Overweight individuals are at risk for DVT.

Tips for preventing DVT:

• Flex your legs frequently (at least every 30 minutes) while seated.

• Try compression stockings

• Avoid sitting with your legs crossed for more than a few minutes.

• Drink  enough water.

• Avoid dehydrating beverages such as alcohol & caffeine.

• If you have DVT  risk factors discuss your flight travel plans with your doctor and you may be given a prescription  of DVT preventing medicines

 Motion Sickness

Motion sickness can occur in turbulence, while turning or even in routine flights.At such times inner ear fluid mechanisms can be affected and produce the unpleasant symptoms of dizziness, nausea, increased salivation, sweating and even vomiting

Tips for dealing with Motion Sickness:

• Try sitting near the plane’s wings. This will reduce the motion felt.

• Try over the counter medications or visit an ENT specialist for a prescription before flying

• Try Ginger (capsule form) and peppermint (mint-flavored candies).

• Eat lightly before and during your flight.

• Sit at a window seat.

• Don’t read.

• Open your air vent.

Other  Travel Health Advice

• Try not to fly within twelve hours after dental work because the change in cabin pressure can be painful.

• Avoid drinking  alcohol.

• Carry your health prescriptions and short medical history including allergies. Keep important medications in your hand baggage[ make sure you have your doctor;s prescription orders for these for security reasons]

 Dr Sonia Suprabha Venugopal

Consultant ENT & Head & Neck Surgery,Bangalore

Website:http://drsoniasv.webs.com

ENT Specialist Bangalore