Flying this Holiday Season

Despite high-profile media stories about airlines’ on-time performance over the summer, industry experts are still predicting that Santa will have plenty of company in the skies this holiday season.


On-time performance by the nation’s carriers struggled over the summer with nearly 30% of flights delayed in August. According to federal statistics on the 20 biggest U.S. airlines, service complaints were up as well: 1,717 in July and dipping just 4.8% in August with 1,634 complaints. To compare, there were just 864 service complaints reported in August 2006.

Of course, delays and mishaps will happen, but understanding a little about how the airlines handle certain situations can help ease your travel experience.

It starts at check-in. Airlines can cancel your booking if you don’t arrive at your gate on time, and they are not responsible for delayed luggage if you check-in late. If you are running late, most security checkpoint lines are longest next to airports’ dominant air carrier’s check-in stands; by heading to another checkpoint you’ll often find shorter lines – most gates in an airport are accessible from all security checkpoints, except those with multiple terminals.

If your flight is oversold, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to ask for volunteers to give up their seats in return for compensation. The compensation varies by airline, so talk to the gate agent on what can be expected (negotiating a deal is common). If you’re involuntarily bumped, compensation varies by airline and you’ll receive a pamphlet detailing your rights. Hint: Some airlines bump passengers based on their check-in time so consider checking in online up to 24 hours in advance of the flight. You can do so even if you plan to later check luggage.

Cancellations are another story, since each airline handles these situations differently and compensation is not a DOT requirement, though most airlines do extend some sort of compensation if the cancellation was within their control.

These situations can often leave a traveler feeling helpless, but by booking your travel with a travel expert you’ll have a powerful advocate on your side. While the rest are waiting for answers, a call to your travel expert can help expedite a resolution to your situation by finding another flight option. The other passengers? Well, they’re on their own.

Knowing what could happen and how it could affect you, head to the airport this holiday season with the secure feeling that comes from booking your travel with Travel Travel Carlson Wagonlit.

Travel Tips - Packing your Bags

Author: Darlene Berkel

A vacation is supposed to be a way to have fun, not an army training experience where you lug a heavy pack for miles and end up sore and tired.



It can be difficult to decide what, and how, to pack. Hopefully this guide will help you decide what is important and what to leave at home. Planning in advance can help you remember the useful things, and stop the panic that happens when you forget the essentials.

One of the most basic travel packing tips is to make a list. A list makes for an easy way to make sure you remember everything. Make sure to check your items off the list as you pack your bag. Trying to remember everything will just lead to you either forgetting something or packing something twice.

Selecting Luggage

Picking the right suitcase, or suitcases, will make your journey much easier too. If you want to use a carry-on, check with your travel agent to make sure your suitcase is the right size. If your bad turns out to be too big to carry-on you can always check it with the airline.

When selecting a suitcase, look for one that has a sturdy, pull out handle, and wheels that are made of a durable material. Be wary of ones with small handles that are attached directly to the material of the case, as these can often tear or come loose.




If you need to pack expensive evening wear, or garments that wrinkle easily, some people find that putting them in a garment bag first, then loosely laying it in the suitcase without making any hard folds, can help it survive the journey intact. If you have to cram your suitcase full of clothing, then you may have to make use of an iron at the hotel.

Make sure to have your name and address on your luggage in case the airline happens to lose it. Also, tie a ribbon around the handle of your suitcase. This will make the process of picking up your bag at your final destination much simpler. Many suitcases look alike, with your colored ribbon, your suitcase will be easy to distinguish.

Packing Your Suitcase

Many people find that rolling clothing, instead of folding it, can prevent wrinkles, and also makes the clothes take up less space in the suitcase.






If you are going on a long trip, then you may find that it is better to pack a wardrobe based around one or two colors, so that you can mix and match items to make your wardrobe last longer. Colors such as black, navy and khaki make a good base choice as they 'go with everything'.

Make sure that you take your medication, travel documents, and other essential items in your carry-on luggage. You may need a note from your doctor if you wish to bring liquid medication on board.

If you are stuck for ideas on what to pack, there are lots of web sites that offer tips and advice - you can even download pre-done packing lists and just tweak them to your own liking. Let me know if you need one of these lists.

However you do it, just remember that a little preparation before you leave will go a long way towards making your trip more enjoyable.

What do you think is important when it comes to packing?

Tourism is going green!

Tourism is “Going Green”

It is getting hot in here and according to experts, it is going to get even hotter. By 2100 the earth’s temperature will rise 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit. The numbers may seem small but even the slightest rise will have a tremendous effect on the world.

Travel Travel Carlson Wagonlit in Fargo is proudly celebrating World Responsible Tourism Day (WRTD) on November 14. Tourism is “going green” in order to preserve the world we live in. WRTD is about keeping “our beaches clean, preserving our stunning scenery, saving wildlife and appreciating our historic buildings and precious heritage”.

“There is a lot travelers can do to help preserve our environment,” said travel specialist Katie Rahr. Some of her suggestions for traveling green include the following:
· See the country by train – Train travel harms the environment far less than any other travel
· Take a bicycle tour of an area – Not only will you help your health you will also reduce carbon emissions and have a completely different experience in the area.
· Check your luggage on flights – Checking luggage reduces the waste from thrown away three oz liquid containers that are carried on.
· Give the cleaning crew a break – Don’t have your sheets and towels washed each night of your hotel stay.
· Invest in a Nalgene bottle – Refill one plastic bottle instead of continuously buying and throwing away bottles of water
· Rent a hybrid car

Along with promoting environmental efforts, Travel Travel is encouraging travelers to have a positive impact on the beautiful environments they visit by giving back to the people who live there. Voluntourism involves people from all age groups and all classes traveling globally to give aid to communities and people in need.

Each year Travel Travel Carlson Wagonlit assists several clients in traveling to other countries with the specific intent on assisting the people who live there.

If you would like more information on voluntourism or World Responsible Tourism day please call Travel Travel Carlson Wagonlit at 701-492-5000 or visit us online at www.ttravel.com.