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Current Events - August 2008
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Ads on boarding passes to offset fuel prices
Travelers checking in from home can expect to see advertisements appear on their boarding passes in the near future. Delta, American, Northwest, US Airways, Continental, and United have all signed up and will begin using the ads in coming months as one more way to offset high fuel costs. One airline official said he believes this will make many millions of dollars for each airline.
When checking in on a home computer, travelers can view the boarding pass along with destination information including restaurants and attractions. The ad information is designed to download quickly and includes an option to not print. The boarding pass will be limited to one page as it is currently.
Source: msnbc.msn.com
Airport baggage theft on the rise
It has been more than a decade since airports stopped manning baggage carousels with attendants. In that time, at many airports, a crime of opportunity has been on the increase. Because travelers look very similar to people walking on the street, baggage theft off the carousel can be difficult to spot.
Police are often stationed around the baggage claim area, in plain clothes, monitoring the activity there. Sometimes they observe repeat offenders, which makes catching thieves a little easier. Some of the thieves walk straight out the door, while others take bags into the bathroom to remove anything they may find valuable. While baggage thieves will intentionally take another person’s property, there are also instances of simple baggage mix-ups, where one traveler mistakenly leaves with another person’s similar-looking bag.
Checked bags aren’t the only ones at risk of theft. As carry-on baggage is scanned while the traveler’s person is scanned, there is a chance that the traveler could be away from his/her carry-on luggage for a time. It has been noted that thieves take the time, and the distraction, as an opportunity to take items that do not belong to them.
It is always critical to be aware of surroundings, get to the baggage claim as quickly as possible, and make sure bag claim tickets match the bags taken. To avoid a mistaken bag, mark your luggage plainly to be sure that neither you nor anyone else mistakes it. As travelers become more savvy, this crime can be exposed and decreased due to knowledge and awareness.
Sources: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Road & Travel Magazine
