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Volume 6, Issue 13, April 2, 2008 |
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If you think that having to remove your laptop from your carry-on to go through security is a pain, here’s a surprise: the TSA agrees with you. It is actively seeking to encourage luggage companies to “build a better mousetrap” — more specifically, a carryon that can go through the scanner laptop and all. It plans to test prototypes for a new generation of laptop carriers that may form the basis for new requirements for carry-on luggage.
The reason that laptops currently must be removed from carry-ons is twofold. One, they are so dense that they make seeing what else is in the bag difficult, and two, other stuff in your luggage makes it difficult to ascertain that your laptop is just what it’s supposed to be. The answer, the TSA believes, is a “checkpoint-friendly” laptop design. With an average of 1 in 4 American travelers flying with laptops, the time savings could be significant.
Vendors and luggage designers have until April 17 to submit “white papers” explaining their design concept. If you have an idea, and the ability to get prototypes made, the person to contact is Melissa Conley (email Melissa.Conley@DHS.gov), in the TSA’s acquisitions office. The TSA will then select companies to submit prototypes by the end of May; the prototypes will be subjected to the various types of X-ray screening currently in use to see if they meet requirements for clarity, good resolution and elimination of image overlap.
While designers are encouraged to come up with their own ideas, among those the TSA thinks might work are cases that come apart, leaving the laptop in a separate section; cases that would unfold to lie flat on the conveyor belt with the laptop alone in one compartment; or cases where the laptop would stay standing in a center compartment while other compartments would fall away to either side. Oh, and it can’t be more than 16 inches high and 24 inches wide, and can’t unfold to more than 36 inches long; and no pockets, zippers or straps can get in the way of viewing the laptop.
If you currently own a carry-on that lets you accomplish the mission, don’t be smug; the rules on laptop removal won’t change until, and if, the TSA finishes reviewing the various proposals and alters its current requirements.
The gap between the lowest fares available for business travel on the Internet and the lowest fares available through corporate travel managers has narrowed again for the sixth consecutive year, according to a study by Topaz International. But what’s interesting is that the corporate-agency fares are lower. Topaz, which audits travel expenses, took the best deals found by corporate travel management companies and replicated the trips online with airline and fare-comparison sites. It found that last year, 94.85 percent of the airfares located by the agencies were equal to or lower than those that could be found online. Interestingly, the smallest businesses (spending less than $20,000 a year on air travel) got better deals from their agencies than did midsize companies (those spending between $20,000 and $99,000 a year on airfares), though the biggest companies ($100,000 or more spent on airfare annually) got the bes
t deals, likely because of negotiated volume discounts.
In last week’s eFlyer, we discussed airlines that are lowering their baggage allowances and/or raising their excess-baggage rates; now Northwest Airlines is joining the list. For economy travel as of May 5, it will cost $25 to check a second bag, in each direction. The airline is also increasing its rate for a third and additional bags from $80 to $100, and will charge $50 for bags weighing more than 50 pounds. WorldPerks elite members, SkyTeam elite members, and full-fare passengers (including those flying coach) may still check a second bag free.
The Tuscan Villa Mangiacane, just south of Florence, is a luxury hotel that was once the home of the Machiavelli family. In addition to its history and spectacular city and vineyard views, the hotel just opened a 5-star spa, called Nadushka. Four private treatment rooms, products made from local, natural ingredients, an indoor heated pool, steam room and a sauna combine with a large menu of spa services in a variety of spa packages that include three nights’ accommodations, breakfasts, multiple treatments and optional golf, beginning at $1,350. Combining golf and massages with your business trip to Florence: how Machiavellian of you!
New Orleans is still working hard at bouncing back, and an opportunity to recapture the best of old New Orleans can be yours during the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience May 20-24. Events include a Louisiana chef cook-off, vintner dinners in celebrated restaurants, wine seminars, a live auction for trips and VIP perks, the traditional Royal Street Stroll, and “grand tastings” at the Superdome. A pass with access to all events is $695, but individual event tickets are also available.
Two popular Asian airlines are offering new service from West Coast cities, starting soon. As of May 5, Jet Airways will begin daily service between San Francisco (SFO) and Mumbai (BOM) via Shanghai (SHA), making it the first Indian airline to connect San Francisco with Mumbai, and one of only two airlines flying nonstop between SFO and Shanghai. The flights will use Boeing 777-300ERs, with first-class suites and business-class “pods” as well as coach seats.
On June 2, Korean Air will start flying four weekly flights nonstop between Los Angeles (LAX) and Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU), using Boeing 777-200 aircraft with eight first-class sleeper seats, 27 lie-flat business seats and 225 economy seats. Flights will operate Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Opus One
Radisson Edwardian Manchester
Peter Street , Manchester GB M2 5GP England
tel 44 161 835 8904
www.radissonedwardian.com
If you think “British cuisine” is an oxymoron, think again. I haven’t tried every restaurant in Manchester, but I can’t imagine there could be one any better than Opus One, which makes excellent fare from local ingredients.
Most of the food prepared at Opus One comes from no further than 25 miles away; exceptions range mostly north, to Scotland. The menu includes Cheshire duckling, Skye scallops, Lakes & Dale lamb, and lots of local veggies. The manager told me that the restaurant’s philosophy is “classic British comfort food — but not too homey.” I thought it fulfilled that charter admirably, with good portions served beautifully, but not too fussily.
The restaurant itself has a choice of well-spaced tables and banquettes, all in black-lacquered woods and red upholstery, with the food served on classic white plates. After I placed my order, I was pleasantly surprised by an amuse-bouche of hot melted Stilton over sliced grapes on toast — deliciously simple. My official appetizer was the aforementioned Cheshire duckling, which had many small pieces of duck plus spinach and beets in a timbale shape, yummy and admirably accompanied by the house Merlot.
For my entrée, and with fingers crossed, I’d opted for the highland venison with haggis, which came with a fig tart and pan-fried spinach. The meat was tender and not too gamy, the figs just the right touch of sweetness, the spinach served in a pastry boat, and the haggis had a couscous-like texture. It was all terrific. I had the venison rare, as recommended, and while in color it resembled very rare beef, it had none of the rubbery texture rare beef can have. It went nicely with a glass of 2003 Rioja. The extra veggies I’d ordered on the side — carrots and swede (turnip) mashed together — would have been enough to serve a party of four.
I didn’t have enough room for the many substantial desserts, so I went for the trio of homemade ice cream and sorbet. I tried the apple-champagne and blackberry sorbets, and the marmalade (orange-vanilla) ice cream, which came served on a puff of meringue, and they were perfect too. It was one of those meals where you feel like you died and went to heaven — but aren’t uncomfortably stuffed.
The icing on the cake, so to speak, was really professional yet friendly service, always there when I wanted it, knowledgeable about both the food and the wine. The prices weren’t stratospheric, either.
Score: ••••• Mary Hunt
Book your tickets by April 15 to take advantage of the $580 round-trip introductory fare being offered by Hainan Airlines for its new nonstops Seattle (SEA) – Beijing (PEK). Travel must originate between June 9 and June 30 and return by July 31; minimum stay is seven days. Additional taxes and fees should add less than $70 to the fare. There is no Web site for the airline’s U.S. operations; call 888 688 8813.
Share some info and you could win a guided adventure vacation in Costa Rica. Backroads, an “active travel” tour operator, is looking to learn more about people who are interested in active vacations, so when you enter you’ll be asked a few questions, and then your entry qualifies you for a drawing to win a trip for two valued at about $4,000 (airfare to Costa Rica not included), with lodging and naturalist guides to Costa Rica’s beaches, jungles and rainforest. Entries must be received by May 31 and are limited to one per person.
If you fly L’Avion, the all-business-class airline, between Newark (EWR) and Paris (ORY) by April 15, you’ll get free wheels in Paris: two wheels, to be precise. L’Avion passengers are being given a free one-day bicycle rental from Allo Velo; you can either pick up your bike near Canal St. Martin or have it delivered to your hotel.
Redemption of Marriott Rewards points no longer requires advance planning. If you have enough points, you can decide to use them to book a free night’s stay at Marriott hotels in the United States and Canada while you’re at the front desk ready to check in. Instant redemption can only be used for the highest “Stay Anytime” rates.
Through April 10, you can buy sale fares on BMI (and its codesharing partners throughout the United States) to Great Britain that are good for travel from May 7 through the end of the year. Sales are in all fare classes and begin at $404 round trip for Chicago (ORD) or Detroit (DTW) – Manchester (MAN) in coach, $838 in premium economy (JFK-MAN) and $2,158 in business (also JFK-MAN). Add $46 round trip to continue on to London (LHR), Aberdeen (ABZ), Edinburgh (EDI) or Glasgow (GLA); see the complete list of gateways by visiting FlyBMI.com/specials.
