I was actually told to visit this site some time ago by my sister (who has a knack for sniffing out extraordinary sites), but never got around to doing so until today.

Airline Meals is a site entirely dedicated to (surprise, surprise), Airline Meals. It has 8,484 images of airline meals from 534 airlines, gives you the latest news and trends on airline meals and even has a forum for those who want to discuss the meal from the skies which people (more often than not) love to hate.

Quirkiness aside, the site actually has a lot of interesting and relevant information, especially if you find yourself on airplanes a lot, or planning your next trip (which means you’re probably OC though). The creator of the site says in the FAQ, that his mission for this site is not purely for entertainment, but also to inform the Airline Industry about their own products.

And rightly so. I became even more impressed with this site, the more I explored. How could he have turned such a mundane subject into something actually…dare I say it, fascinating?

There are categories on crew meals, special meals, 70’s 80’s and 90’s meals, meals in movies, even lounge food and much, much more. Or you can just browse through the thousands of photos by airline or history.
Truly fascinating stuff and a great interactive site, which is actually so much better than most of the websites out there today.

You gotta see this one.

1. If you are able to fly first class, go for it — more room and lot more enjoyable. If not, try to get the first bulkhead seats; they are closer to the front of the aircraft and they give you more room if you should have spasms.

2. If possible, book a nonstop flight. You’ll have fewer problems with a wheelchair. If you can’t, always allow at least 45 minutes for connecting flights. Some wheelchair travelers prefer to have a change of aircraft for an hour or so. It gives them time to relax, get something to eat, stretch or use airport restrooms.

3. If possible, travel with an attendant to help with transfers, your meals or to shift your weight around. Carry an “emergency bag” on the airplane; it should hold daily necessities, a change of clothing, medication, tools for your wheelchair and any other items you would need if your baggage doesn’t arrive when you do.

4. If traveling in a power-driven wheelchair, be sure that you have gel-cell batteries. They’re less hassle. Some airlines refuse to carry wet-cell batteries — too dangerous — and they will ask. They may require a form to be filled out.

5. Wheelchair passengers are the first to board and the last to get off. You can stay in your wheelchair until you get to the gate; you’ll transfer to an “aisle chair” — a narrow high-back chair with no sides and straps to hold you in. If you have assistance and were able to snag the first bulk-head seat, you can be carried from your wheelchair to the seat.

6. Your wheelchair will be loaded into the baggage compartment. Be sure airline personnel know how to handle it. Are there detatchable parts? Remove them and put them in a carry-on bag. Or tape a list of instructions on the wheelchair. Always put the wheelchair in manual for easier pushing and less danger to your power unit. Many wheelchair travelers remove the power unit since it is the most important part of the wheelchair.

7. Before the aircraft leaves the ground, ask the airline attendant to make sure your wheelchair was loaded in the aircraft. If you make a connecting flight, ask that your wheelchair made the same change.

8. If you are connecting to another flight and have a few hours, tell airline personnel you would like to have your wheelchair brought to the gate for the layover. You will be much more comfortable in your own wheelchair.

Enter Pet Airways, the airline that promises to give your pet the care and attention they deserve while up in the air. Some may think that this is excessive, but if you actually think about it, your pets probably get so scared when they fly. Humans get terrified of flying – how much more for pets? And, imagine if they are cooped up in a cage and stuck in a dim crowded cargo area…

Pet Airways was created exactly for this purpose: to make sure pets fly safely and comfortably in the cabin and not the cargo. As a matter of fact, they are exclusively for pets – no humans allowed!

Of course, it is going to cost you to fly your pet via Pet Airways. Depending on the destination, you will have to pay at least $149 to have your pet transported. Still, if you really cannot go without your pet, that can be considered a reasonable amount to ensure that he or she gets to your destination without a problem. Me, as much as I love my turtle, I would rather leave him at home and have someone look after him while I am gone.

Wi-Fi Finder
So why is this app cool? Well, if you’re going to another country, you’ll be trying to avoid using 3G (or even EDGE). Roaming charges are outrageous, aren’t they? So your best bet is to look for Wi-Fi hotspots! With this app, you can find information on Wi-Fi access points in more than 140 countries. No need to walk around waving your iPhone – just check the app and go where you need to go.

TripIt
If you’re like me, you might have some problems keeping track of your itinerary and other travel details. That’s why I always did best when there was someone with me to pay attention to these things. With TripIt, you can input all the data that you need – and then forget about it. You can store information and access it offline; you can even access maps and directions so you won’t get lost!

AroundMe
This app, I can surely use. Say you find yourself in some street. You don’t know anything about your surroundings. Use this app and find information on practically everything there is in the area – gas stations, ATMs, stores, and more. You can also get maps and directions.

All these apps are FREE. Now all I need is an iPhone.

For those who have difficulty falling asleep while on long haul flights, though, the problems can be serious. The last thing that you would want is to feel dead tired because of lack of sleep all throughout your vacation. Here are some tips on how to get that much needed sleep in-flight.

Make sure the seat reclines.
Of course, this is not a problem for those who fly first class, but for those of us who normally fly coach, it is an issue. Seats in the back row and in the exit area normally do not recline so avoid them if you can.

Get the window seat.
Most people like this because of the view, but there is the added advantage of having a wall to snuggle up to. More so, this seat leaves you undisturbed – as you would be if you were in the middle or aisle seat.

Bring a neck pillow along.
This is the best thing that you can bring with you. It helps support your head and helps avoid that awful jerking movement it makes whenever you nod off. The soft material also helps make you feel more comfortable.

Other things to bring along: mp3 player to drown out the ambient noise and covering for your eyes (most airlines provide this but you can never be sure).

Happy snoozing!

Be a couch surfer. What in the world is this? If you’re a budget traveler, then you probably have heard of this. I am not into couch surfing, but my friends who are swear by it. The idea is to join a community composed of likeminded people who travel like you do. When you travel, you can look for a host who will offer his “couch” for you to sleep in, and vice versa. I think I shall write more about this in a separate post. Bottom line: you get free accommodations.

Look for last minute deals. This can be risky as you may not be able to score cheap rooms, but if you’re adventurous enough, you just might get the biggest break of your hotel-hunting life. There are several web sites specializing in this, but from what I hear, www.lastminute.com is pretty reliable.

Take advantage of your credit card. Every so often, I would receive promos with my credit bill. More often than not, discounts for hotels are included – if the credit card is used to pay the bill, of course. Keep those discounts in mind as most of them are valid for a year anyway.

Power Distance Index and its effect on aviation safety was discussed by Malcolm Gladwell in his book “Outliers“. There he explained why a plane manned by a crew hailing from countries with low PDIs have a higher chance of crashing than those with a crew from countries with high PDIs. PDI has such a big impact on a crew’s performance because it affects the crew’s ability to be proactive and assert themselves, which is very important during an emergency. To better understand PDI let me give it’s definition. PDI is a measure of the extent to which the less powerful members of organizations and institutions (like the family) accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. What this means is that if you have a low PDI you are more likely to be submit to authority and less likely to assert yourself, whether or not the person in power is right or wrong. What this means in aviation is that even if the captain makes mistakes a co-pilot with low PDI will likely not be able to make himself correct the pilot, which could lead to disastrous results.

The good news though is that airlines have come to realize the importance of PDI and so has conducted trainings to mitigate this problem. However, personally I would just feel safer flying on an airplane whose co-pilot I know comes from a place where culturally PDI is high.

Get close and personal. My camera only has 3x optical zoom – maybe that’s why. An expert photographer told me, though, that you should get as close to the subject as possible. And when you can, use your zoom lens. This will make the shot more striking.

Try going black and white or sepia. This is something I played around with two trips back. I should have thought about it last weekend, but I didn’t. Anyway, you can easily see how using sepia or black and white can make your shots more dramatic. What I will try is to take one each using the different settings and see which ones turn out the best.

Pay attention to the foreground. Perfect examples would be trees that frame a house. The idea is to look out for natural elements that will show your main subject as the center of the photo. This will add depth to the final “product.”

I have another trip coming up in two weeks. Let’s see how my shots fare then! In the meantime, does anyone have tried and tested photo tricks?

Prepare yourself mentally. Tight security means longer waits. It also means you having to put up with pat downs, open bags, taking your shoes off, and more. Even before you leave for the airport, get yourself mentally ready for this. Your attitude will make a whole lot of difference!

Prepare your bags in such a way that you’ll find it easy to open and close them. As much as possible, bring one bag. If you have to have more than one, then use bags that are easy to manage. Also take note of the size of your carry on luggage. It seems that the trend these days is that if your bag does not fit in the plane’s overhead compartment, you’ll automatically have to check it in.

Do research! You know which airports you are going to. You know what airline you are taking. Go online and check their restrictions before you start packing. This way, you will know what a certain airport/airline will not allow. Perfect example: during my last trip, I had rubbing alcohol in my carryon bag. I was not flagged going to the provincial airport. On my flight back, though, it was confiscated. It will be useful to know information like this.

In an effort to halt the spread of this virus, the American Red Cross has released some tips on how to stay safe against the swine flu. Common sense dictates that if you are feeling under the weather, your best defense is to stay at home and cancel travel plans. That may not be an option for you, but it is the most effective way of avoiding the illness.

If you absolutely have to travel, here is what the Red Cross has to say:

Frequent hand washing continues to be critical to help stave off illness. It is also a good idea to use sanitizing wipes to disinfect surfaces like airplane tray tables, luggage, seat armrests and door handles…

Forget the bottles of isopropyl alcohol as you will probably have to give it up at check in – airport security might not allow you to take them on board.

Here’s more:

Avoid the usual kisses, hugs and handshaking greetings. If someone in the host household becomes ill, keep them clear of others, or move the celebration. Wash hands before, during and after food preparation. Have plenty of hand soap or sanitizer for guests and use disposable hand or paper towels instead of fancy towels. Use plastic cups, identify guests drinks and don’t share drink cups. Use serving utensils for every dish, including snacks; allowing people to spoon out portions without placing hands in the food.

Extreme? Maybe. Then again, if it’s going to help you stay healthy and swine flu-free, then it’s all good, isn’t it?

Lots of luggage? Why not use a courier service? Not many people go this route when traveling, but if you think about how much the airlines charge for baggage these days, it might be cheaper to just send your bags to your destination ahead of time. This is even more appropriate for big families who have LOTS of things to lug along. Send your bags three days ahead of time and don’t check in anything at the airport. You’ll love the convenience!

Here’s an additional tip for packing those bags – do not wrap gifts or anything of that sort; same thing with your carry on bag. With the security measures that they employ today, the chances are the airport people will just open packages up anyway. Save yourself the trouble and wrap your presents when you get to your destination.

If you follow the first tip, you will have a blast at the airport. Once you reach your destination airport, you do not need to go to the baggage area. Instead, ask your friends or relatives to pick you up at the departure area. At this time, there will practically be no people around, lessening your stress.

Look for refunds.
If you’re flying Southwest, there is good news for you. If you’ve already bought your tickets and then later on you find lower priced fare, you can ask for a refund! Also check out JetBlue and Priceline, as they have similar offers.

KNOW the rules for baggage.
You can get hit HARD by the fees for excess baggage, and with the trend today, you just never know what “excess” means. If I were you, I would make sure – absolutely sure – what the fees are for check in baggage. This way, you can pack accordingly and avoid unnecessary fees.

Go to the airport EARLY.
Yeah sure, this has always been a tip for travelers, and not everyone pays heed to it. Still, these are the holidays that we are talking about. Airports are going to be packed and you need to check in way earlier than usual. With a lot of passengers looking for chance seats, latecomers have higher chances of getting bumped from their flights. Don’t risk that.

Go somewhere warm.
Your circumstances may not allow this, but if you have a choice, avoid the snowy destinations. The weather has been so unpredictable and the chances of it ruining your trip are just way up there. If I were you, I’d go to the beach! But that’s just me.

With this kind of environment, is it advisable that you continue with your travel plans? Think about it. Even if you do not travel, you still might catch the flue – swine flu or otherwise. With that in mind, you might as well go ahead with your plans and enjoy yourself! What you just need to do is to take certain steps to lessen your chances of getting bitten by the bug. I posted something similar to this last month, but it never hurts to have more tips, right?

One, do away with the face mask. It might look protective, and yes it does filter the air, but it gives you a false sense of security – especially the disposable paper types. Instead of placing your “trust” in that face mask, make it a habit to wash your hands as often as you can. Never mind that you might feel as if you had a disorder – this habit is your best bet against the flu.

Two, take your hygiene habits to the next level. I already mentioned washing your hands, but why not take sanitizer or alcohol with you – an ample supply, I might add. Wipe tables and other similar objects you come into contact with before touching them. Again, never mind the crazy thoughts. You’ll be safer for it anyway.

Photo courtesy of TradeVV

Naturally, traveling alone might take a little bit more careful planning. The beauty of it, though, is that you do not have to consult anybody else with regard to what you want to do, when you want to do it.

One thing you might want to do is to get a guidebook that is geared towards solo travelers. You may not believe it, but there are LOTS of people who travel solo these days, and the guidebook writers are not ignoring this fact. From accommodations to restaurants to other hangouts – you will find practical information for the solo traveler.

Another good idea is to know exactly where you’re going and staying – at least for your first night. While adventure is exciting, it is safer to have set plans for your first night in a strange place. Give yourself time to get your bearings and then do whatever strikes your fancy.

Choose your destination wisely. If you are traveling alone because you are trying to get away from something unpleasant – say a failed relationship – then avoid destinations which are geared towards honeymooners! If you are traveling alone to meet new friends, choose a destination geared towards single travelers. If you just want to be alone, go to a remote beach island where no one will bother you.

At the end of the day, planning will get you a long long way.

Photo courtesy of smh.com.au

In fact, a lot of agencies in various states have been starting their awareness programs for winter travel – especially in those states where snow has started to fall. So what are some winter travel tips that can help keep you safe on the road?

First, preparedness is of utmost importance. You ought to check your cars now, and make sure that they are ready to withstand the rigors of the elements. Get snow tires, have your car tuned up, and the like. You have to make sure that your vehicle is in top condition before using it, especially for medium to long distance trips.

Second, get together a winter survival kit. If you’re travelling in the middle of winter, then you know that sometimes, blizzards hit and you just might get stuck in the middle of nowhere. Best be ready with a kit that will keep you warm and fed just in case. Some things you should include in your kit are blankets, water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a shovel, and flares or flags.

Third, make your travel plans carefully. Always check the weather reports, and if necessary, postpone your travel plans. Your safety should be priority. Also try to plan your trip during the day, especially if the weather is less than favorable.

Travel safely!

So who are most likely to get the flu? In general, young children and the elderly are at risk. If you have children aged 5 and below, you might want to postpone your travel plans. Same thing applies if you are 65 years old and above. Pregnant women are also at high risk for complications arising from the flu.

According to the CDC, though, healthy individuals should not really postpone their travel plans as they are not that much at risk. However, they should still take precautions. Some of these include:

• Be aware – know which areas are affected. If your destination is a high risk one, you will know to take extra precautions.
• Keep vaccinations up to date. While the flu vaccine has proven to be ineffective in SOME cases, it still is considered to be good protection against the illness. If you are going to a high risk area, then make sure you do get the vaccine.
• Stay healthy. Your immune system is your best bet against the flu. If you get even slightly ill before you trip, then you may want to postpone it.

Travel safe!

Here’s another bulletin from travel experts – after this weekend, you will be hard pressed to find fares that are reasonable and your chances of getting seats on the flight that you want will be very very low. This, obviously, is about Thanksgiving travel.

How about Christmas travel? You have about until November 10 or 15 to book your tickets for that holiday. After that, the same thing applies.

You may be thinking that you might be able to get your hands on some cheap tickets at the last minute. After all, we do have sites which specialize in last minute bookings. However, you have no guarantees that you will be able to get this chance, and if you don’t, then you will end up paying an arm and a leg – maybe even more – for tickets that you could have gotten at way cheaper rates if you had booked much earlier.

If you are still vacillating, then you should really stop and think about it now. Of course, this is all a gamble – you may or may not get affordable tickets at later dates, but if I were you, I would take this advice and go make solid plans without delay.

I’ll be home for Thanksgiving…
…rather than Christmas, that is. The travel editor seems to be right. If you look at various web sites, you’ll find that the ticket prices for Christmas travel are considerably higher than the prices for Thanksgiving travel. If I were you, I’d consider going home for the turkey holiday.

Be flexible!
If you have already planned out your travel dates, you might want to be a little more flexible. The fact is that airlines are charging surcharges for certain dates – those that are closer to the holidays. If you can arrange to leave a day or so earlier, you will be able to save on the surcharge.

Pack light.
The trend is for airlines to give discounts to those who do not have check in luggage. I have learned this trick and have learned to pack light. Just bring essentials and leave those that you don’t really need for your trip. Even if you’re going on a 5-day trip, you can make your stuff fit into one carry on!

If I were to tell you that there are certain things that you can do to get your way, would you be interested? I bet! Well, here are some tips that can help you do just that.

Keep calm.
Believe it or not, staying calm works wonders. Some people think that shouting and screaming does the trick, but believe me, being FIRM but CALM works even better. Try it, but don’t be surprised at how far being nice can get you.

Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.
Travel agents, airline employees, and hotel clerks have to deal with irate customers day in and day out. It can get pretty tiring. The thing is, not all travelers understand this. All they can think of is their situation. Try putting yourself in the shoes of the person you’re dealing with and you might be able to put tip #1 into effect more easily. Then, they will probably cut you more slack.

Treat other travelers with consideration.
Case in point: a couple with a child has been seated separately on the plane. Naturally, they would want to sit together. Offer your seat if it means they can sit together. The airline crew will certainly take notice and treat you more kindly for it.

Remember, courtesy and consideration will get you a long long way.

Contrary to what you might expect, there are actually good deals to be found during this season. More often than not, you would expect hotels to jack up their prices during peak season, right? The good news is that many hotels in the country are actually offering lower prices, especially for package deals. The Hindu Business Online reports:

“Average room rates have declined by approximately 30 per cent. However, the decline at leisure hotels has not been that significant,” said a spokesperson for Oberoi Group of Hotels.

On the occupancies, the leisure hotels are expected to see a 15-20 per cent increase over Dussera last year. “More so, this year with Dussera falling on a Friday, there is the advantage of a long weekend,” she added.

To capture the festive mood at luxury properties of Oberoi you could head for a 2-night stay at The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur priced at Rs 35,000 exclusive of taxes. The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra and The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur would cost Rs 36,500. The offer will be valid till September 30. Some offers extend up to December 31 too.

Perhaps the reason for this is that the travel industry has been hit by the recession as well. Hotels and airlines have been forced to adjust to the difficult times and offer more attractive rates than they did before. Whatever the reason, here’s something that travelers can take advantage of!