A Smart Move Would be to Attract Parkers On Line

In Portland, Maine, it sounds like someone could make a lot of money offering parking just outside of the airport. That's because right now, there isn't enough parking for the passengers. And Air Trans has announced it is beginning service to Portland on June 7. The Press Herald, where yours truly once was a cub reporter in 1981, had the story.

So what's an aspiring parking mogul to do? Well, airport administrators are trying to convince the City Council to tear down their old lots, a two-story 570 space garage and another with 1142 spaces, and replace it with two newer structures with 2181 spaces. But that takes time. So does floating bonds to cover the $36 million cost. These lots fill up so often that the city "has had to use off-site parking" for the past three months. The Horror!

Forecasts say that 937,000 passengers will leave from Portland Maine in about eight years. That's a lot of cars that will need spaces.

Yep, it's a smart move for a parking lot owner to make a deal to get his lot included on Airport Parking Reservations website. That way they'll get new web customers from Maine, New Hampshire and beyond, and fill up their parking lots.

A Great Little Airport--Except for the Parking

Leonard J. Honeyman writes "Lens Lens," a blog that occasionally veers into the travel space. Here are some comments on a recent trip.

"The last plug will be for Air Tran Airways and the Westchester County Airport. Again, this is voluntary -- I got no discounts, no promises, just want to tell you all about an alternative to the New York airports and even to Bradley International, although I love Bradley.

Air Tran runs nonstop between White Plains (yes, the airport is in Harrison and Rye but the airlines say White Plains) and Orlando. Not having to change planes is wonderful. It's pretty cheap, too, about $200 round trip flying on a Sunday and a Friday. White Plains is a tight, clean little airport. Unlike New Haven, the planes actually go somewhere besides Philadelphia and the Washington area.

The only problem is the parking. There is little of it and if you find a space, it's more than $21 a day, no matter how long you stay. No long-term discounts. Unlike Bradley and the New York airports, there are no off-site parking lots and no scheduled bus service goes there from Connecticut.

If the parking were better, the airport would really take off.

But that won't happen because the county doesn't want it to.
Westchester County Airport is run by Westchester County. So, it's a victim of the same type of politics that keeps Tweed-New Haven Airport from being all it can be.

People bought houses near the airport, probably for a lot less than homes farther from the airport and then discovered (G*A*S*P) that there are airplanes flying low in the area.

So, they set out to have that low flying, also known as taking off and landing, cut out as much as possible. And like New Haven, idiot politicians listen to this and curtail the airport's operations."

Drive or Fly: With Small Children, We'd Choose Fly

A television station in Atlanta did a story comparing the pros and cons of driving versus flying. With gas prices climbing every day, here is a logical conclusion they came to: It's worth it to fly because of the following:

Small Children: It can be more convenient to travel by airplane with small children (especially infants) for several reasons:

1. They ride in the car every day, but a plane trip is special.

2. Less time spent traveling means less chance for a cranky child.

3. There are new locations to play in (at the airport), whereas a drive means the child is stuck in the backseat the entire time. (There are only so many DVDs.)

4. No stopping to "look at stuff" – an airplane trip is a set time and has set stopping points, while a car trip can be detoured for any number of reasons, making even a four-hour trip twice as long.

5. Airport bathrooms all have changing tables. Some service stations don't. Some also don't pay close attention to bathroom cleanliness – at least, not as much as most airports do.

6. For infants, sitting on a parent's lap means the parent can occupy the child; in the backseat of a car, the child is confined to the safety seat.

The thing about airplane versus automobile travel is that airplane travel still has that expensive "feel" to it, while car travel is more something that "everyone" does. However, as gas prices continue to rise with no relief in sight, the time may be growing nearer and nearer when $1,000 for a family trip to Florida by plane is the cheaper option.

Remember Getting Picked Up at the Airport?

There was once a time in my life where I asked friends and relatives to pick me up at the airport. Now, this seems as quaint a notion as spinning another album on the phonograph, or buying a new buggy whip.

Dave Simpson writes in the North Platt Telegraph voicing the same frustrations that lead me to abandon this and park at the airport--every time, every trip.

"Round and round the automobiles go, and where they’ll park, nobody knows.

One of my jobs since abdicating the position of High Editor is picking up relatives — The Two Moms and our globetrotting daughter Blanche — at Denver International Airport, and saving them the cost of flying to the actual town in which we actually live.

This is necessary because The Wife, who I have said here before is as independent as a pig on ice, has specific dollar amounts Above Which She Will Not Go.

If the connecting flight to Our Town costs anywhere close to that of the long distance portion of the flight, and in many instances it does, or even more, her studied response is:

“What, are you NUTS? We’re not spending $200 on a flight when Dave can come and pick you up in Denver!”

Case closed.

Dave (that’s me) has plenty of time.

Problem is, when Dave comes to pick up one of The Moms or our much-traveled daughter Blanche, you never know whether you’re going to be able to park within sight of the terminal when you get there.

If you ask me (but not The Wife), the thing that makes it worthwhile to book a connecting flight for $200 is avoiding the hassle of checking in at a big airport, or getting your luggage and getting picked up at a big airport. It’s a breeze at airports like North Platte, Cheyenne, Green Bay, Peoria and the like."

Then Dave whisks her away. "“Here we are, Mom! End of the line! Chop chop! Step lively! Here’s your Big Suitcase. Give that guy your ticket, and the nice lady with the wheelchair is waiting right over there. Now, don’t miss your flight, because sonny-boy is OUT’A HERE like STUFF THROUGH A GOOSE!

Welcome Back from Your Trip--You've Been Booted

A few months ago, a traveling friend told me about a story he heard from a state cop at Bradley airport. It seems that the cops often go through the airport parking garage with drug sniffing dogs. They also make the rounds through the lots checking inspection stickers and registrations to see if they are expired.

This made me shudder and think 'hey that's an invasion of privacy.' And it also made me realize that this is another reason NOT to park at the airport, besides the fact that it costs twice as much as Bradley parking at Executive Valet or the other lots at the airport.

Then I read this story in the Chicago Sun Times, titled "Airport Parkers are Targeted." Here is the report from May 13.

"Memo to air travelers: Don't even think of parking at O'Hare or Midway if your car could be eligible for booting. The license plate of every car entering an airport garage is automatically scanned and compared to the boot list.

At least once a day booting teams hunt the parking aisles armed with a list of cars they know can be booted. Last year more than 4,000 airport parkers got a nasty welcome home."

Did They Win the Lottery, or Just Find a Parking Space?

Travelers who fly out of Westchester NY airport are having a hard time parking....and when they do get to park close to the terminal, they feel like they've won the lottery or scored a rare seat at a Red Sox game.

The Journal News reported yesterday that there are bouncers at the gate who make the call---if they're traveling for the correct amount of days, the gate goes up...if not, they're forced to "Siberia" a faraway parking lot with no trollies and an annoying shuttle bus trip.

"We could have flown out of La Guardia, but we picked here because we figured it would be easier and faster, and we could both put in a half-day of work," said Rebecca Hunter, traveling with her husband and her two and four-year-olds. They were not amused having to lug car seats and baby equipment from "Siberia."

Jet Blue and AirTran service the small airport but there is just not enough parking nearby. Once again, while officials agree that something needs to be done, 'building more parking is not something we want to do if we can avoid it," said Transportation Commish Larry Selley.

Travelers have begun being beligerent to the gate staff, the article said. They try to argue their way into the garage, before giving up in a huff and having to drive to Siberia.

Funds are not the problem since the airport collects $4.50 each time a passenger departs. "Building any additional parking would be opposed by vocal airport neighbors, who view the construction of any more paved surfaces as expansion and worry that it will encourage more traffic, which could add to pollution that could threaten the adjacent Kensico Reservoir. With the whole Board of Legislators up for re-election, it could be a political hot potato."

Atlanta On-Airport Parking? Nada. Zilch. Zero

Security Incite is a blog written by frequent traveler Mike Rothman. But even this jaded warhorse was staggered by the lack of parking at Hartsfield recently. Just think how much easier his trip would have been if he had made an advance parking reservation!

"Take a mental note. Do not fly out of Hartsfield on a Wednesday afternoon. I figured it wouldn't be a big deal. I know that Monday mornings are pretty nutty, even Monday afternoon. But Wednesday? It seems Wednesday afternoon is the busiest time for airport parking. Who knew? Basically, there was no parking. As in zero. Nada. Zilch. Absolutely none on the airport grounds. So I went to Plan B - off-site parking. And oh crap, I've got about 70 minutes before my flight.

Evidently, I wasn't alone in this idea of off-site parking. Of the 7 or 8 different lots off the airport grounds, the first 6 were full and not taking new customers. Oh, did I mention I now had less than an hour before my flight? I actually had left plenty of time, if parking was normal. But it wasn't. So I went to the 7th lot and luckily got a spot. I think it was somewhere near Tennessee. So with about 45 minutes before my flight, I get on the shuttle bus and basically resign myself to missing the flight, blowing dinner with a friend, and hoping I could get a spot on a later flight.

It was actually pretty liberating. Normally, my acid reflux would be in overdrive, chewing away at my esophagus every time we hit a little traffic. But I figured there was no way I'd make the flight, so it wasn't a big deal. Some other folks where panicked and getting all hot under the collar, but not Cool Hand Mike. I figured I'd park outside of the Crown Room for a while and jump onto the WiFi, while I waited for the later flight."

He made his flight by squeezing through security and "It was a pleasant departure from my normal Type A self-imposed stomach grinding stress. I could get used to this."

Miles Loom as a Threat To Airlines Bottom Line

Airlines in the US face a growing threat...trillions in yet un-redeemed frequent flyer miles that threaten to displace paying customers with those flying for free. Reuters reported on this Sunday.

After 9/11, airlines piled on the offers and offered double and triple miles as well as expanding the program to include credit cards, hotel stays and common purchases. Now that the system has become so ingrained in consumer's mind, there is no way for the airlines to stop awarding miles and flyers pay close attention when deciding which airline to choose.

"It does make a difference in the way that I fly," said one woman.

While many of those miles may never be swapped for trips or merchandise and they expire more quickly than before, that overhang of unredeemed miles represents a risk for airlines.

With planes fuller than ever, granting free trips could displace paying passengers, while unsettled U.S. consumers may be ready to cash in those miles to save money as the economy shows signs of slowing.

"The airlines just can't handle that level of reward redemption," said Rick Ferguson, editorial director at loyalty-program consulting firm Colloquy. "The liability's a big problem."

In Boise, Airport Parking Gets Tough

Idaho Business magazine reports that times are still tough for parking at Idaho's largest city. "No Reprieve in sight for Boise Airport Parking" read the sad headline.

"Maybe you’ve been that guy creeping past the airport parking lot entrance, half-hoping to spot an empty parking space that the red “Full” sign was lying about.

Maybe you were the one clutching the steering wheel while speeding back to the airport shuttle parking lot on Orchard Street, checking the car stereo clock every minute and making a mental calculation: shuttle wait time plus shuttle ride plus baggage check plus security screening, carry the two, subtracted from departure time.

"The city of Boise wanted to build another parking garage at the airport, but hit a legal snag. In the 2006 case Frazier vs. City of Boise, the Idaho Supreme Court denied the city’s request to build a new parking garage at the Boise Airport without approval of a supermajority of voters.

The Idaho Constitution states cities and counties can’t go into debt without a vote except for “ordinary and necessary” expenses. In their majority opinion, the justices determined that the parking garage was not necessary because it was not an emergency – drivers could continue to use the shuttle lot, as they had been doing.

Logan Raises Parking Rates--the Gap Widens!

The Cape Cod Times reports that airport parking rates at Boston Logan are going up again. A quick check with the AirportParkingReservations site once again makes it obvious. You'd have to be a dunce to park at the airport when you can save so much by reserving a space ahead of time at the self park lot in Chelsea.

A week's parking there with a free shuttle to Logan costs just under $80.00. The current fees at Logan in the 'economy' lot are $16 per day. They are being raised to $18 per day. Compare this with the Self park, off airport cost. It's $10.60 a day versus $16, and soon, versus $18.

I doubt that the self park folks in Chelsea are raising their rates. So soon you'll save a lot more, by visiting the APR and booking ahead of time. Plus one nice perk is that they send you very detailed directions to the lot. I remember parking in Boston before I knew about APR. We got lost and just decided to follow a parking van to the lot where it came from. Would have been nice to just know where we were going in the first place!

'When Newspapers Shill,' Cries Rival Paper

The Broward-Palm Beach News ran a story recently declaring a rival paper, the Sun Sentinel, to have 'stepped over the line' when they advocated for an airport expansion in Fort Lauderdale.

The story said that the paper's GM showed up at a meeting declaring that the Sun Sentinel's editorial should be read by every local citizen, and that they should just 'get on with' the controversial expansion.

"Funny, a good perusal of the editorial reveals almost no facts whatsoever. No price tag. No number of homes affected. No numbers on passenger traffic at the airport. No mention of the fact that despite projections of steady growth in traffic at the airport, the number of passengers decreased last year by almost 5 percent.

No, nothing but lines like, "No matter how often, or hotly, it is debated, a runway expansion at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a must. Period."

The presence at the meeting of Greenberg, who has a long history of coziness with the Broward County Chamber of Commerce, and his public speech about the Sentinel's being in favor of expansion rankled the opposition, including Broward County Commissioner John Rodstrom, who also spoke.

"If you read both newspapers [on the airport issue], the Miami Herald is nonpartial and very balanced," he said the day after the meeting. "The Sentinel isn't balanced at all. The two papers have very different views on this issue. The Sun-Sentinel is full-speed ahead."

Rodstrom was especially displeased with the headline over the news story written by the Sentinel on the meeting: "Expansion supporters out in force."

Many of the supporters were senior citizens bused in from Kings Point condominiums in Tamarac, recruited by pro-business groups. Others work for mega-builder Terry Stiles, one of the expansion's chief proponents. (I should note that I found the actual article to be balanced despite the stance of the newspaper's owners.)"

Yahoo Revamps--But Where is the Airport Parking?

Yahoo Travel: Revamped but Still No Airport Parking

"What Netflix has done for movies and what Amazon has done for book recommendations we're doing for travel recommendations," said Jasper Malcolmson, director of Yahoo Travel.

According to ZD Net, the site has just done a complete makeover.Yahoo Travel combines Yahoo FareChase, which finds low-priced air fares, with Yahoo Trip Planner, a social network for travelers and would-be travelers where they can plan trips, create interactive maps and keep online journals and photos, he said. The site will allow people to insert tags, like "romantic" or "family-oriented," so others can find trips with similar themes. A new "Today's Picks" section will highlight 10 destinations, and a "Show Me" drop-down box will let people browse based on categories such as beach, art/architecture and nightlife.

The site also will offer hotel and flight options based on the nearest airport to the traveler and the most popular prices chosen by Yahoo users.

In addition, Yahoo is offering Yahoo Messenger Flight Planner, an instant messenger plug-in that people can use to plan trips together in real time. The site also features new mapping technology that allows other, more detailed maps to be layered over a Yahoo map. For instance, people can see details of the ancient Roman Forum ruins on top of the city map of Rome, parking lots at the San Diego airport, and hiking trails on top of the satellite map of the Grand Canyon.

Research from Harris Interactive conducted on behalf of Yahoo found that of more than 2,300 adults 43 percent had not decided where they want to spend their summer vacation and about 70 percent had not locked down their summer travel plans yet.

"Our intention is to become the site for people who haven't made up their minds about where they want to go," Malcolmson said.

Golfers and Residents Fight Expansion Plans

The Daily Pilot in Newport Beach CA this week ran an editorial against a plan to demolish the back nine holes of a municipal golf course to make way for a parking lot.

Like Joni Mitchell sang in the sixties, "paving paradise and putting up a parking lot," is not the most popular thing to do these days. Apparently the move is being proposed so that the expansion of John Wayne Airport can move ahead and this is where they will park the extra cars. Right on top of the ninth hole!

"Residents near John Wayne and beyond in Newport Beach have for years clamored for and won controls over the airport and its noise...they fought valiantly to convert the closed El Toro Marine Corps air station into an airport to alleviate the pressures on John Wayne, to no avail.

"To lose a valued recreational spot in the golf course to the creep of the airport would be a clear slap in the face to Newport Beach, not to mention the owners of the golf course, who have built a thriving business that would be taken away.

The airport needs to abandon this idea and renew the lease on the golf course--and seek space for more parking elsewhere." Travelers flying out of John Wayne can find plenty of airport parking off site at the APR website.

Another Good Reason Not To Park at Tampa Airport

On the Bay9 News website today, a report about how the Tampa International Airport is raising its parking rates on June 15.

The airport says increased demand makes the fee hike necessary. More operating fees and costs, apparently.

But at least they are making it easier to pay. By next January you will be allowed to use a SunPass lane transponder instead of having to pull out cash or your credit card.

For Longterm parking it will cost $1 for the first 20 minutes (the first hour will still be free) and $15 maximum per day. The old rate was $14 per day and $1.25 per 30 minutes.

A quick visit to the APR site found A-1 Express Services valet parking. A week there would cost you about $6.00 per day. That's less than half the cost of the new rates at TIA's on site lot.

It's No Fun Being an Overseas Traveler in the US

One topic that many of the bloggers I know who travel are bugged about is the lousy reception many foreigners get when they come to the US. Coupled with the fact that the budget has been decimated for any promotion of the US overseas, it is just plain no fun for many citizens of other countries to enter the US.

The Travel Industry of America recently had a meeting for foreign travel reporters in Anaheim, CA. They told horror stories about the protracted visa applications processes they had to endure. They also didn't like the long airport security lines, according to the LA Times.

One reporter from Germany, Rudiger Edelmann, said he spent 95 minutes in a winding queue leading to an understaffed immigration desk in Chicago and, even with a two-hour layover, missed his flight and was separated by his luggage.

The people who run Walt Disney Parks and Resorts acknowleged the problem. "Our process is neither friendly, nor efficient, nor does it welcome foreign visitors. We are leaving an enormous vacuum around the world for other destinations to step into."

It's true. Before Sept 11, there were 51.2 million foreign visitors to the US. In 2006, there were just 51 million. That translates into a $94 million loss to our economy.

It Takes a Village to Park One Million Cars

Congratulations are in order for a milestone. Airport Parking Reservations is coming up on its millionth online airport parking reservation. This announcement went out to the press yesterday.

"If you were to park one million cars end to end, how much room would you need? According to Tom Lombardi,the line would stretch from New York City to Los Angeles.

"When I first spoke to parking lot owners about making reservations online, they thought I was crazy. Who would go to the Internet to book parking?" Lombardi recalls. With a background in travel agency sales and airport parking marketing, he knew that travelers would be happy
to reserve parking at the airport if given the proper delivery system.

The Internet, he realized, would allow for the consolidation of the independent parking lots and provide the means to issue a confirmation as proof of a guaranteed parking reservation.

Pete Carrea, owner of Winner Parking in Philadelphia, was one of the first to sign on. "I jumped at the idea of attracting new customers through the Internet and AirportParkingReservations.com delivered from day one," he says. "If you're online researching airport parking, you obviously don't know where to park. So it's no surprise that AirportParkingReservations.com is my single biggest source of new
customers."