The Travelist

Have You Ever Entered a Travel Job Contest Online?

kristyrk — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:00:00 -0700

I'm sure we all remember the genius PR stunt that was the Best Job In The World contest, where one person won the job of a lifetime as Queensland's "Island Caretaker" and travel through the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. But since then there have been a number of contests popping up that offer amazing opportunities to travel - from a cross country adventure to a chilly trip to Antarctica - all while getting paid to blog about the experience. Tourism Queensland is even sponsoring a second contest which wisks you and three of your mates away on a seven week journey through the islands!

Although tempting, these jobs are highly sought after and applicants are fiercely competitive, but that hasn't stopped everyone and their mother (literally) from applying. Have you ever applied or auditioned for a travel job contest?

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The F.A.A. is Putting Your Seatback Pocket on a Diet

kristyrk — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:15:58 -0700

As if it wasn't hard enough to fly with cramped seats, checked baggage fees (not to mention the carry-on baggage fees that are popping up), and expensive liquor charges on-board (don't judge - sometimes you just need a cocktail), now a new F.A.A. regulation keeps you from putting your water bottle, iPod, or even your ticket stub in your airline's seatback pocket while in the air. What's up with that? Well, thousands are asking the same question.

According to new F.A.A "guidance" memos, Flight Attendants are being encouraged to keep the seatback pocket clear for airline-issued materials only, which would amount to all of one in-flight magazine (SkyMall - one of my faves), the safety card, and the barf bag. But why waste good storage space? One speculation is that all those baggage fees are causing people to shove more things into their cramped carry-ons, resulting in passengers using the seatback as storage. According to the F.A.A., that's a big no-no. But there's a silver lining to all this mess. Find out what it is when you read on.

OMG - Every Seat on Southwest is On Sale for Fall!

kristyrk — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:00:00 -0700

If you have a hankering to get outta town, now is the time to plan ahead and buy. And I do mean now: for 48 hours and ending tomorrow, any Southwest Airlines flight you book from September 9 through November 18 is on sale based on how many miles you fly. Kinda like buying candy in bulk. See, if you buy a ticket that takes you 400 miles or less, it will only set you back $30 bucks each way. Travel more than 750 miles and your ticket is $90 each way. What a deal! It makes buying in bulk seem totally necessary.

US Airways Serves Up Free Drinks . . . Again

kristyrk — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:15:18 -0800

After adding a $1-$2 price tag to their non-alcoholic beverages last Summer, US Airways has decided to make them free again after competitors weren't willing to take the dive into the money pool with them. As you can imagine, if sitting in a recycled air tube for x amount of hours isn't enough, having to fish out a few bucks from your carry-on to pay for your customary Ginger Ale caused customers to speak up. And thankfully, it got US Airways' attention. CEO Doug Parker says the company retracted the drink fee because it was taking away from other airline improvements:

...this difference in our service has become a focal point that detracts from all of the outstanding improvements in on-time performance and baggage handling that all of us have worked so hard to achieve over the past year.

Have you ever paid for a non-alcoholic beverage on a flight before?

Which Is Your Favorite Way To Travel?

kristyrk — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 09:51:22 -0800

Although catching a flight can get me from point a to point b in the shortest amount of time, there's just something about taking a train that feels so authentic. Somehow for me, that's the perfect way to travel - you still get to see everything between home and your final destination just outside your cabin window, and you don't have to worry about traffic, gas, or stopping for snaks. It's all included!

Which is your favorite way to get to where your're going?

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Are You Afraid To Fly?

kristyrk — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:21:50 -0800

Since I've been flying consistantly since I was 10, I don't have the same fear of flying that millions of Americans do. I have a friend that literally breaks out in to cold sweats during takeoff. I don't even want to tell you what he does to his wife's hand during turbulence. Yeesh. Although, aerophobia may stem from a number of other fears - like heights, small spaces, or lack of control - it's a serious issue on it's own.

And of course, news of planes virtually falling from the sky, like the US Airways flight that landed in the Hudson River, may just aggrivate fears of stepping onto a plane. But the good news is, you have a greater risk of being struck by lightning than being involved in a plane crash. And how many people do you know that have been struck by lightning? Exactly.

Virgin Extends Go Sale -Ends Jan 27th

kristyrk — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:07:02 -0800

The orignal Virgin America Go Sale was scheduled to end on January 20th, but the super saver promotion has been extended by a week. Get flights as low as $59 bucks from San Francisco to hot places like Vegas and San Diego. Side note: I've been to San Diego a few times, but have yet to see the Zoo. Maybe now's my chance!

Plus if you live in Boston, New York, Or DC, you can get your flight on to SF, LA or Las Vegas (lucky you), for chump change: $139 dollars. It's a great sale, and since now Virgin offers on-board WiFi, a kick-ass entertainment system, and some pretty sweet mood lighting, it's seems that it's time to whip out that credit card for a much needed vacay. You can thank me later.

Get To Australia on the Cheap

kristyrk — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:47:59 -0800

Veteran Australian airline Quantas has been flying for 83 years, so it's no wonder they are on the cutting edge of aeronautics. Not only have they introduced us Bay Area hippies to a greener way to fly, but we can now do it in style and relaxation. The A380 is Quantas' newest jet in the fleet, offering luxury suites complete with lie-flat beds, flat screen TVs and turn down service. Even the folks in business class get those same eye catching amenities, but they're gonna have to suck it up and share the aisle with another person. Darn. In addition to their high tech add-ons like power connections, a business lounge, and an interactive media center, the A380 jumbo jets boast a 10% improvement on fuel efficiency and carbon emissions, and is said to cut down noise by as much as half.

But the best part about this luxury liner in the sky? Well for us in San Francisco - who got it's first Quantas flight into SFO this past week - it means low introductory fares as low as $380 bucks each way. I know, shocking, right? Excuse me while I clear my calendar for September . . .

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