Like
all products in the favored TLS series, there are a number of popular
uses for those traveling frequently with laptop computers. What I
appreciate most is the standard of solid padding, but beyond that, I had
never tested one of their gear items.
The fully padded and lockable laptop compartment of the TLS Professional Slim Backpack
became a great way to protect my computer from eager thieves’ fingers.
Positioned at the bottom for better load balancing, the compartment is
protected and well-placed.
There are contoured backpack
straps for those that like to wear it as a backpack. While I am the
last person to use them (yes, I am looking at you traveler with the big backpack
that swings it around knocking people over unknowingly in the process),
it is certainly an option. I found it easy to simply swing this bag
over my rollaboard bag, which looks more professional and businesslike,
in my opinion. The side handle (in addition to a top handle) make this
easily possible, and since the zipper opens from the side and the top,
it is easy to access the latpop in a jiffy.
Surprisingly, there is limited storage space for other items when a
laptop is carried. Perhaps, just enough for a few magazines, charging
cables, and some books. But, for many, that is the highlight of this
bag, as it is not bulky. Another great feature is the mesh padding on
the back that allows the skin to “breathe” even when the bag is flush
against you. No sweaty backs here when running through the airport.
Those with smaller laptops may find that the compartment is too large
to secure a computer without it moving around. However, my ThinkPad is
just over 15 inches and fits well.
For me, this bag complements my normal carry-on rolling bag well. It is available from Ebags for just over $100 or on Amazon.
We know how it goes at the airport. It’s noisy, it’s crowded, and you’re
just trying to do your thing until it’s time to step aboard and head
out of town. The live terminal entertainment is usually pretty limited,
but thankfully Maan Hamadeh recently stepped up Prague's Václav Havel Airport to take things to the next level.
The pianist performed his take—and takes—on Beethoven's Fur Elise, and then he moved onto that Celine Dion song from Titanic. As wonderful as the performance was we could have gone without My Heart Will Go On—it will be in our head all day long.
Anyway, take a moment to watch the clip from the airport, as it will
likely put a smile on your face—or at least make you want to take up the
piano.
They are regarded as toys of the wealthy elite, but flying on a
private jet could cost less than you think - even beating the price of a
budget airline ticket.
An industry expert has revealed that by
booking a last-minute trip when a plane is 'repositioning',
holidaymakers can snap up a private jet experience for a fraction of the normal rate.
Jet
company PrivateFy is encouraging travellers to buy up 'empty legs',
flying with a jet that would otherwise be travelling without passengers,
when tickets could be available for as little as £138 each way.
Scroll down for video
More and more people are paying for flights on private jets that are often available at competitive prices
By making the most of an empty private jet and negotiating directly
with the owner, the company claims groups can enjoy all the perks of
elite travel, without the sky-high prices.
Adam Twidell, CEO of PrivateFly, explained: 'An empty leg comes about when a private jet is repositioning.
'As the aircraft is flying empty, the owner or operator will often be
happy to sell this one-way leg at a big discount – often a fraction of
the full price.
'Europe’s private jet traffic sees a significant
peak in the summer, so there are many more empty leg flights available,
and amazing deals to be had.'
With
flexibility around what date you travel, and with a group large enough
to offset the one-off chartering fee, everyday Britons are travelling at
rates which can rival or better those of the budget airlines.
A
brief search today on private jet price comparison website Victor
revealed you and six friends could travel from London to Corsica on
Thursday - on board a Hawker 400XP - for just £1,650.
That equates to just £235 per person.
Mr Twidell said: 'Some of
our flights this week beat their airline one-way equivalents. Deals
include London to Cannes for £171 per person and London to Paris for
£138 per person.
'Long
haul empty legs are also available further in advance that can beat
first class fares, including London to Hong Kong in a Gulfstream GIV for
£3,750 per person.'
Star treatment: One company has revealed how tourists can fly for as little as £138 on a private jet
However, Clive Jackson, the chief executive of Victor, told The Sunday Times that empty-leg flights could be cancelled if the plans of the person chartering the plane at full price changed.
He
said: 'It is an unregulated industry and that worries me. There are no
obligations from the person selling you that plane as to what they have
to disclose.
'Beware of the fact that an empty leg can get
cancelled an hour before you are due to fly on it and you have no
redress whatsoever.'
Mr Twidell added: 'If people are prepared to
book last minute and travel as a group, the cost per person can be less
than business class – or even low cost airlines in some cases.
'They
are usually one-way flights and while a return flight can sometimes be
matched up, others enjoy a private jet experience in one direction, and
make their own way home. Private jets don’t have to just be for
billionaires, VIPs and rock stars.'
Having lived in Boston for a few years, I came to appreciate what fresh seafood really can taste like. Being on the coast has major advantages, like fish caught the same morning, lots of availability, and a sustainable mindset. When looking for where to dine on seafood in Boston, there are many places to choose from, which can seem daunting. So take a look at these top 5 options to help narrow your search.
Located near Quincy Market, and known throughout Boston as the best seafood in the city, it is a hard table to come by due to lack of reservations. But if you wait, it will be worth the wait. Along with fresh oysters (a local speciality of the NE), their crude menu and entrees such as the Maine Lobster Roll, will please any seafood palate. This is a cozy and upscale spot, worth visiting for a romantic evening, if you are willing to wait.
Located in Fenway, this is a number two spot on this list, but #1 in my heart. Their menu is extensive and changing, and filled with delicious oysters, a daily crudo, and several delicious entrees. I tend to fill up on oysters, with lemon and mignonette and top off the meal with a delicious buttermilk biscuit drizzled with honey. The drinks are divine as well, pairing several mixology favorites, fresh pressed juice, and bartenders who will mix almost any creations for you. The atmosphere is airy and fresh, with huge oyster-shell filled cages as part of the decor.
If you are seeing an oyster trend here, you are right on. However, along with oysters you can dine on delicious lobster rolls and premium champagne at this intimate bar in South Boston. I prefer a glass of Veuve Cliquot with my oysters at B&G.
Located in the fast-growing Seaport District, this is a Legal Seafood location known for fine dining and casual dining on different floors, and one of the best rooftops in the city. The lines can be long for the rooftop, so head up mid afternoon and take in your fill of fresh sushi and drinks while taking in the view.
Located in the Elliot Hotel, right on the border of Back Bay and Fenway, this upscale restaurant boasts a lovely fine dining and modern atmosphere, with delicious food to ensure your experience is perfect. Feast on the changing menu which boasts local halibut and cod, and bluefin tuna, all which comes and goes with the seasons.
Honorable mentions: Ostra, a new restaurant in the Theater District. Fine dining meets innovative cuisine, in a lovely and vast restaurant. Turner Fisheries, loocated in the Westin Copley Place, right in the heart of Boston; this is an old meets young spot, known for great seafood classics and the occasional twist. They have a wonderful wine selection to go along with your local Black Cod, or other dish of choice, and a location overlooking the lovely Copley Square.
If you are dining on seafood in Boston you will be sure to be pleased wherever you go, but for a special and luxurious experience, be sure to take in one of these delicious choices on your next trip. - A Luxury Travel Blog
Earlier this year, I boarded a United flight from Newark to San Diego. After passing the first few rows, a young boy turned to his mother and asked, "Why aren't there any TVs?"
"It's probably an older plane," she responded -- but that couldn't be further from the truth.
The aircraft, a 737-900 with Boeing's Sky Interior (a Dreamliner-esque recessed ceiling lit with blue LEDs), had only been flying for a few weeks. It looked new, and it even had that "new plane smell" most passengers would only associate with a factory-fresh auto. But despite the plane's clean and bright appearance, the family only noticed the glaring absence of seat-back screens. To them, our 737 might as well have rolled off the assembly line in 1984.
Dozens of other passengers made similar remarks as they walked by my seat, and many more probably inquired with a flight attendant or aired their complaints on Facebook or Twitter. I had a similar experience while flying the same route last week. I was seated next to a corporate executive who normally travels on United's better-equipped international fleet -- he was clearly unhappy about the entertainment situation, and, like the mother I heard earlier in the year, assumed that our brand-spankin'-new 737 predated the 21st century. It's reasonable to assume a new plane would be delivered with the latest technology, but unfortunately that isn't the case.
That new plane smell
The Newark-to-San Diego flight, scheduled for more than six hours from gate to gate, is a prime candidate for airline-provided entertainment. If you don't come prepared, those raggedy catalogs and magazines in the seat-back pocket can occupy an hour or two at best. Unfortunately, airlines don't make it easy to figure out whether you'll have on-demand content, live video or absolutely nothing at all on board. Our flight was equipped with Exede, the fastest WiFi in the sky, provided by the speedy ViaSat-1 satellite and installed by LiveTV, the same company responsible for outfitting United's 737 fleet with seat-back DirecTV. But leisure travelers seem to be most interested in video, as low quality as it may be.
Instead of the DirecTV logo that occasionally appears in the entertainment section of United's flight status page, the flight only listed onboard WiFi, along with a promise from the airline: "Personal device entertainment is coming soon," which will enable you to view content streaming from the plane using your own laptop, smartphone or tablet. Boeing delivers all of United's 737s without entertainment or WiFi -- instead, a third party handles the installation. But since airlines want to get their new planes into service immediately, they usually schedule installations, which take an aircraft out of commission for several days, for a few weeks or months down the line. That means hundreds of bored passengers every day, and a negative perception of the plane and the airline.
Streaming video, like the version United's planning to launch, is very attractive to airlines. Seat-back displays cost carriers thousands of dollars a pop, and outfitting an entire aircraft is very expensive, even before you factor in maintenance and costs to upgrade once a better solution becomes available. Displays at each seat also add significant weight, which causes each plane to burn pricey fuel more quickly. So, instead of installing TVs, many carriers are opting to let passengers use the tablets and laptops they already have to access content on a server in the aircraft's belly.
Bring your own Device
It's a means to the same end. You get to be entertained, and the airline can collect that coveted ancillary revenue. Even though it's rarely in HD, the content you watch on your tablet or laptop will often look much better than what you'd get with an aging seat-back screen, and passengers on red-eye flights won't have to deal with the light from unused displays filling the cabin and keeping them awake. You will be on the hook for power (many planes now have outlets installed at every seat), and your device will likely get in the way during the meal service, if there is one, but the trade-offs are worthwhile, for airlines and passengers alike.
Gogo, the most prolific in-flight internet provider, also leads the market when it comes to streaming-entertainment service. More than 1,500 American, Delta, US Airways and Scoot (an Asian low-cost carrier) planes have Gogo Vision installed, and Aeromexico, Alaska and JAL are scheduled to carry it, too. Most of the planes with Gogo's WiFi have Vision available as well -- the company can use the existing WiFi infrastructure, adding only a content loader in the cabin for maintenance to refresh movies and television shows using a USB flash drive. Alaska Airlines is planning to install a unique version of the system that excludes internet access, so passengers can still stream content on routes without coverage.
A USB flash duplicator copies streaming content onto loader drives at Gogo's Chicago headquarters.
Global Eagle, the company behind the Row 44 satellite internet installed on Southwest's fleet, takes streaming content one step further with live TV. If your plane is connected to the web, you'll also have access to streaming television content. Dish provides that service on Southwest's 737s, where you can choose from 19 live channels and up to 75 recorded TV episodes on each flight. You can also purchase movies for $5 each, with more than 25 titles available on each plane. Like Gogo, Global Eagle can stream content to customers on planes that aren't connected to the web. That product, called WISE, is already installed on some of Philippine Airlines' planes, and it's scheduled to launch with a second Asian carrier soon.
LiveTV is another major in-flight WiFi player in the US. That company was formerly a JetBlue subsidiary, but was recently acquired by Thales Group, a French aerospace conglomerate. Unfortunately, LiveTV executives, who now report to Thales, were unable to detail their future offerings, but we do know the company has been hard at work installing speedy Ka-band satellite WiFi onJetBlue's A320s and United's 737s.
The airlines play a big part in how you use this technology, too. While Global Eagle, Gogo and LiveTV install the systems used to provide content, each carrier sets pricing. Most movies and TV shows available through Delta Studio, a Gogo service, are free for international, First Class and Economy Comfort passengers, for example, though other airlines can charge anywhere from $1 to $7 per program, depending on pricing models and studio arrangements. If you're able to stream content from a third-party site, such as Hulu, you'll likely pay an upcharge for faster in-flight service, so even if you don't purchase programming from the airline, it'll still collect a fee.
Streaming from the web
JetBlue's trying something different with its Fly-Fi in-flight internet. Instead of blocking access to bandwidth-heavy streaming sites, the airline's allowing you to view content (even in HD) from a variety of websites, assuming you're willing to pay a relatively high fee. ViaSat provides the satellite service, which is capable of supporting many passengers streaming video simultaneously. Even if you watch several movies over the course of a flight, however, it probably isn't worthwhile to pay the $9-per-hour fee (that adds up to $45 for a single five-hour flight) -- you'll end up spending less if you download rentals while you're still on the ground.
As for Gogo, Chief Commercial Officer Ash ElDifrawi expects future generations of its service to enable streaming content from outside the plane, be that live television or media already available over the internet, through sites like Hulu and Netflix. Gogo's current air-to-ground service isn't fast enough for HD streaming, but the company's next-generation GTO (ground-to-air) product should support it. That satellite system could also enable the company to offer live TV, like the Global Eagle service you'll find on Southwest's planes, but Gogo's next-generation infrastructure is still a few years out.
"At some point, we see an opportunity for products like IPTV, music and other media content," ElDifrawi said. "We also see an opportunity for streaming through connectivity as more bandwidth becomes available."
Of course, a TV-less future impacts the flight crew, especially just before takeoff -- without seat-back or overhead displays, crews will need to do a live safety demo before each flight. That means reading a script over the PA as flight attendants throughout the cabin show you how to fasten your seatbelt, use an oxygen mask and put on a life vest. It's a time-consuming task and removes flight attendants from other duties, such as checking the cabin thoroughly before takeoff.
While inconvenient for the crew, the pros still outweigh the cons for airlines that barely break even on any given flight. Revenue from streaming services could impact a route's profitability, while a screen-free cabin helps the carrier trim some fat, resulting in a lighter aircraft that burns less fuel. As with in-flight WiFi, it may take a while for streaming services to become a compelling option for all passengers, but the next time you board a plane that doesn't have TVs, know that the future looks very bright.
Everyone that’s taken a long haul flight has at some point wished to be given a free upgrade, or maybe you’ve just taken a fair few short haul flights and wished that just one time the air hostess would beckon you to the front into business class. Either way, if you’ve been passed over for an upgrade you know how frustrating it can be – so what is the best way to get an upgrade? Is it really best to ask outright for one or just wait for it to be offered? Asking can’t really hurt, however it can make you seem overbearing and expectant, there are other ways to make it more likely that the airline will say yes if you request a free upgrade, or even offer you one without you asking. These are outlined below.
1. Check in really early or really last minute
It’s risky. Check in early and don’t get offered it and you have to kill time in the airport; check in last minute and miss the flight and you’ll be kicking yourself for being greedy. However; if you check in first and there are upgrades available on the flight they may offer you the upgrades as you’re the first to arrive. If the flight is overbooked and you’re late but there’s room in business class or above then they might let you on there for the same price. However this only works if you haven’t reserved your seat in economy class on the flight already, and the check in desk are feeling generous as they could also just point blank refuse you entry to the plane.
2. Choose your flights carefully
If you’re serious about trying to get a free upgrade then research your flight carefully. if you’re on a busy commuter flight at rush hour times the chances of you being given a space in business class are fairly low as in all likelihood they will be full. During school holidays economy class on flights to standard holiday locations are usually full but business class is fairly empty; if you’re travelling on these flights and you’re looking for an upgrade; there’s more of a chance you might get one. If you’ve paid a knockdown fare for the flight then it’s also unlikely you’ll be considered for an upgrade; flights can track where you’ve bought your ticket from and for how much, so if you’ve taken advantage of the last minute deal and got tickets to New York for 50 quid then it’s unlikely you’ll be a high priority for an upgrade. Travelling alone also means you’re more likely to be considered for an upgrade; they only need to find one seat in business class rather than two seated together.
3. First class behaviour
So you arrive at the airport dressed as if you’ve just rolled out of bed (admittedly it might be 4 in the morning, but still…) If you’re looking for that upgrade then you need to look and act the part. If you look like you’re used to sitting in first class with the rest of them then you’re more likely to be considered for it; if you look like you’re not really bothered then airline staff will assume you’re not and might not even ask. Along the same lines of dressing the part is also acting the part; being polite and remembering your manners without being overbearing is important; no one likes rudeness or pushiness, especially not during boarding. Expressing too much emotion (i.e. being sad or angry) is unlikely to get you very far; it can create an awkward situation for everyone involved and airline staff might mark you out as a difficult customer. However; if the airline has made a mistake (and by mistake we mean an error which has created a big inconvenience) then you could be considered for an upgrade by making a little bit of a fuss and pointing out the error- this does not mean shouting, making a scene and threatening to give bad reviews on social networks/travel websites, but rather politely explaining the issue and how you feel the problem could be rectified or resolved. Demonstrating flexibility can also be rewarded; so if the flights overbooked and the airline is looking to move people on to the next flight, offering your seat may be rewarded by being given an upgrade. Finally, special meal requirements is a guaranteed way for you not to be bumped up into the next class; flights often don’t have spare meals for people who have specific dietary requirements so the likelihood is that they won’t have your meal equivalent in the other classes and so therefore you won’t get offered the upgrade.
4. The old fashioned way
If you know someone who works for the airline then this is probably the most surefire way to get yourself an upgrade. A lot of airline staff have the opportunity to put family or friends on to flyer lists which means that they can buy tickets for business and first class at a knockdown price. Even if you’re not on their list, if you can persuade them to put a good word in for you then you might find yourself on the upgrade list just by who you know. Another more likely way to get an upgrade is by using Frequent Flyer Schemes (obviously this only works if you are a frequent flyer and not just travelling once a year on your summer holidays). The schemes are often quite complicated to utilise (specifically so people have to pay more money) but even being a member of these schemes may give you an advantage as it demonstrates loyalty to the airline who may choose to reward their customers.
5. Use your title
Whether you’re a doctor, a judge or a diplomat, or maybe just a minor celebrity, using your title might just get you an upgrade. This has become less common in the last few years; however letting the airline know that you hold a title (okay, if you’re a diplomat you’re probably going to be travelling first class anyway) may put you in the running for an upgrade. If it’s on your passport then that’s great but letting the airline know ahead of time that you hold a title will put you in the front running; get your travel agent to give them a call and they might just offer an upgrade.
So there you have it; how to improve your chances of a free upgrade. At the end of the day if none of these work you may as well ask – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
I used to hate renting apartments from websites like Airbnb, Wimdu, Homeaway, or Roomorama. As a solo traveler, I preferred the social atmosphere of hostels. It was simply easier to meet other people. And when I did want something other than a hostel, I used a hospitality network or stayed with friends.
And so after using this method regularly for a couple of years (and now as a host on Airbnb), I wanted to post in detail about how they work, how to pick the perfect apartment, and how to not get cheated. This may be old news for many of you as apartment rental sites have been around for many years (if so, check out something else from the archives!), but they really seem to be hitting the mainstream now and I’ve found they’re still new news to many.
How do apartment rentals work?
Apartment rental sites allow people to rent out an individual room, couch, or entire apartment. The host lists their place online, posts photos, writes a description, and, presto, they make extra money with the unused space.
The booking process is like booking any other type of accommodation. You search online, find a place you like, create an account, and request a booking. When the owner accepts, you are sent a confirmation. (See below on how to find the perfect place.)
As an added bonus, most of the apartments are located away from overpriced tourist areas where hotels call home (rental sites have maps so you can see where your place is in relation to everything), allowing you to get a feel for the everyday rhythm of life and eat at restaurants that don’t just cater to tourists.
Who is this for?
Apartment rentals represent the space between hostels and hotels. If you are traveling on business and want the comforts of home, you probably aren’t going to stay in a hostel. But hotels may be too expensive or too impersonal for you. A rented apartment is the perfect compromise.
If you want to travel the world but aren’t into the hostel scene and can’t afford hotels, this is the perfect compromise. A rental will be a lot quieter and more relaxing than a hostel. You’ll also be able to cook your own food, helping keep costs down on your long trip.
With a big group or a family? This is definitely the option for you. Squeezing a bunch of people into these apartments will be much cheaper per person than a room in a hostel or hotel. Plus, you get space to spread out and relax in. Dorm rooms and cramped hotels don’t give you a lot of “me” time.
How to pick the right host
I’ve been lucky. I’ve never had a bad host on these sites. There was only one space place in London that was a bit smaller than advertised but that’s a minor thing. I avoided bad hosts in part because I use the same criteria for sites like Airbnb as I do for Couchsurfing. This lets me weed out bad listings. Here is what to keep keep in mind when looking for a host:
Is their calendar updated? – While listings only show up in search if they are available, hosts don’t always update their calendar. If someone hasn’t updated their calendar in 30 days, I tend to skip it. There’s nothing worse than going to book a place, only for them to cancel and say, “Whoops, sorry, it’s not available!”
Do they reply often? – You don’t want your inquiry to go unanswered. These sites show the percentage of messages hosts reply to. The higher the better.
Are they an active user? – Active users are good users so see when they last logged on. If it’s been a while, your query might go unanswered.
Are they verified? – Verified accounts are less likely to be people of suspicious quality as the listing site has at least found some background information on them.
Do they have good photos? – Any listing that doesn’t include a lot of photos of the place is probably lying about its quality.
Do they have verified photographs? – Having verified photos means someone has been there, seen the place, and vouched that it actually looks like its photos.
Do they have reviews? – If other people stayed there, had a good time, and found the apartment as advertised, you probably will too.
Have they been someone else’s guest before? – If they were someone’s guest and that went well, it’s likely they aren’t going to be crazy.
Do they have multiple listings? – This is important because many people use these sites to be property managers. They rent a bunch of apartments and then re-rent them on Airbnb. I try to avoid these places because they are usually not as nice as other apartments and lack the personal touch that comes when hosts rent out their own apartments.
These nine rules are helpful guidelines, but at the end of the day you have to go with your gut. I don’t need a listing to meet all nine points. I once had a host who hit only a couple of these points and she turned out to be my favorite host! And sometimes, in places without many hosts, you might have to be a little loose with this list.
But the more points a place meets, the safer I feel.
I’ve never had a bad experience as a guest following these rules.
Are apartment rentals safe?
These sites run on trust. All these companies try to verify both buyer and seller to ensure no one ends up robbing anyone else, but you sometimes hear reports of sex parties, robberies, or creepy hosts.
However, apartment rental companies do provide a window that allows you to get your money back if you get a place that’s not as advertised. Just call their 24-hour hotline and they will set you up somewhere else. They also hold your money in escrow so that if the place isn’t as advertised, you’ll get your money back. You never hand it over directly to the host.
All types of accommodations have risks (maids steal from hotel rooms, dorm mates take clothes from hostels, Couchsurfing hosts get creepy), which is why these rules are important. I don’t think apartment rentals are any less safe than your other options and the benefits greatly outweigh the perceived danger.
If I’m traveling by myself, I tend to stay in a hostel dorm or use hotel points, but I use Airbnb pretty much every time I travel with friends. And many of the hosts have really made a difference. There was the host in Curacao who picked me up from the airport (and drove me around the island), the host in Galway who took me out for drinks (he turned out to be a blog reader!), and the French hosts who left me a cute hand-drawn map and a bottle of wine. You won’t often find such personal service at hotels.
And it’s that personal touch that makes apartment rentals the best budget option for those without hotel points or the desire to stay in a hostel.
If you’ve been on the fence about it, don’t be. It will be a great experience.
