Travel Tips for Business Travelers

Today, many airports worldwide have increased security measures and rules on what you can and can not carry in your baggage. Every person has their own favorite food. Some passengers like packing their own food when travelling for holidays. Sometimes, it is challenging to identify which type of food and gifts will allowed through various check points. Any packed canned food such as fruits, vegetables, soup, peanut butter and sauces should not exceed three ounces. This also applies to cheese, whipping cream and yogurt.

The fact is that, most food bought at airport cabin is extremely expensive, many people prefer packing their own meal. While preparing your meal, avoid having strong odor in your food. What is ideal for you could be harmful to other persons in the plane. Remember to pack extra food to assist a friend who has nothing to eat in the plane for it is through giving that we receive blessings from God.

If you are a mother with a little baby, you can pack Soya milk, cow milk, breast milk and formula. Any sterilized water should be packed in a baby bottle. It is the responsibility of the mother to ensure that she has packed enough food and drink for the journey. Sometimes, baby food over 100 ml is allowed through various check points. If you are asked to taste the baby food for verification, do so without hesitation.

Liquids bought at the aircraft cabin cafe after passing through the security check points have been pre-screened and can be carried in the plane. This include liquids such as wines and spirits, bottled water, fragrances and cosmetics. If you have a gift in your baggage, make sure it is not wrapped for easier checking and processing. Cake and pies are allowed in the plane but, they have to go through the check points.

Sharp objects such as folks and knives used when eating food are prohibited in the plane and you will have to use your hands when taking your food. Un pealed fruits such as mangoes, bananas and oranges are allowed in the plane but, make sure you do not exceed the required amount.

It is important to contact your airline staff members to confirm which food you may need to pack. The staff members will answer all questions regarding food. When packing your medicines and inhaler, remember to carry prescriptions from your doctor. Sometimes, there is no restriction on the number of medicine a person can carry. In every travel, make sure you carry only what you require. Always try to pack light.

The airline industry has seen better days and currently airline travel is down about 40% in 2009. Our global economic crisis has hit many nations and the world’s GDP is down over 8% on average. No nation is breaking any speed records or sound barriers. Many nations that claim to be doing well like China, whose government says they have a GDP growth of 7% are really fudging the numbers. We do that too in the United States as we try to prove that our economic stimulus plan or our economic levers are helping us through the rough waters of the business cycle.

Still, the proof is in the pudding and in America that has a lot to do with consumer confidence and consumer spending. It also has to do with business buying, layoffs, shareholders equity, and the dubious quarterly profits. When Airline travel is down and the airplanes are not filling up it’s hard for them to make money with their economies of scale. This means they must park airplanes in the desert and pull capacity from the system because it doesn’t make sense to fly an airliner around with only 60% occupancy.

You see, the cost of flying the airplane, fuel, crew, etc, as well as the fixed costs such as servicing the debt for the new aircraft, insuring the aircraft and all the facilities for maintenance, gates at the airport, and such are real costs. When Airline travel is down no airline will be breaking the sound barrier. It is expected by late 2009 or in 2010 that the airline industry will recover, but currently Boeing is not selling any new airplanes to any airlines, and even American Airlines posted one of the biggest losses in a single quarter in their company’s history.

Not only are people not flying in airliners, but air freight is also down to a trickle and UPS and FedEx have also had their profits cut short and their loads dwindle. Please consider all this and let’s look forward to 2010.