Holiday Travel Tips for Safe Holiday Travel
As seen in travelsense.org
The holidays are steeped in family traditions - opening presents at first light on Christmas Day, napping during the football game on Thanksgiving, lighting the menorah during Hanukkah, inching the car through a traffic jam on the interstate and standing in an airport line that just doesn't move.
To maximize holiday travel happiness and minimize coal-in-the-stocking grief, follow these helpful holiday travel tips compiled by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Some of the most travel-wise people in the world, ASTA members know the secrets that will help you and your family arrive at Grandma's house full of holiday cheer.
'Twas the Night Before Christmas - Before the Holiday Travel Begins
Contact a travel agent well in advance of your trip to secure the lowest-priced airline seats, hotel rooms and rental cars that usually sell out quickly for holiday travel. Be aware that prices generally escalate during the holiday season, as demand is higher.
Packing light saves time and energy when it comes to filling the trunk with fragile bags packed with gifts or racing to fill the last empty space in the overhead bin. Some airlines place special restrictions during the holidays and allow only one carry-on, so less luggage is vital. For detailed tips on how to pack wisely, see below.
One holiday travel tip for packing lighter is to ship your gifts to your destination ahead of time. Allow at least two to three weeks for your package to arrive, for the holidays are hectic times for courier services like UPS and Federal Express.
Before leaving, be sure to secure your house. Lock all doors and windows, and don't forget to set the alarm. Also, give your home that lived-in look to repel potential burglars by having a friend collect your mail, setting lights on timers and not leaving details of your trip on the answering machine.
Now Dasher, Now Dancer - Flying During the Holidays
Without a sleigh and eight reindeer, your holiday travel plans will most likely bring you, and millions of others, to the airport. But fear not - with a few precautions and a little Travel-sense, your pre-flight schedule will be absent of anxiety.
First, avoid peak travel days. As your travel agent will tell you, the busiest days to fly are those immediately before and after the actual holidays. Book your flights two days before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.
Your travel agent can secure you a non-stop flight, or one involving the fewest connections and stops. Every time your plane touches the ground during peak travel times, the possibility of delays due to inclement weather or air-traffic problems increases. Also, aim to book morning flights, which tend to be delayed less often than afternoon departures.
If possible, have a friend drive you to the airport, or take a shuttle or public transportation. Shuttle services generally pick up guests early to ensure a timely arrival. If you drive and park at the airport lot, do not leave any valuables, such as CDs, or GPS in plain view. Also remember to put jumper cables in the trunk in case the battery dies during your trip.
Take the worry of getting to the airport completely out of the equation by staying at an airport hotel the night before an early flight. The additional sleep is well worth it. In some cases, hotels will allow guests to leave their car in the hotel lot for the duration of their trip, so make a few calls to discover which hotels offer this valuable service.
As flights are sometimes overbooked during the holidays, it's critical to check in early. Domestic travellers should arrive at the airport two hours prior to departure, while international travellers should arrive three hours in advance. Spending an idle hour in the gift shop is much more fun than missing your flight by ten minutes.
If you do not send your gifts ahead, then do not wrap them before the flight. With safety a priority for all airlines, security personnel will need access to all items. Pack collapsible gift bags to be used as wrapping upon arrival.
Keep a positive attitude, but also be mentally ready for setbacks. Delays happen, and airlines do the best they can to keep their schedules on time. Bring water and snacks, an inflatable pillow and eye mask, a good book, your favourite CDs, MP3 player and a deck of cards. Boredom is the true enemy in these situations, so be prepared to conquer it!
Turkeys Can't Fly - Holiday driving Tips for Navigating the Open Road
Most Americans tend not to stray too far from their family's roots, making long drives on the interstate an integral part of the holiday ritual.
The first step to ensure a smooth car trip is to keep your car in good working order. As temperatures drop during November and December, being stuck on the side of the road while waiting for an overworked tow-truck driver is not the place to be. Before you leave, have a qualified mechanic check all the car's vitals: brakes, battery, fluid levels, tire pressure, light bulbs and any parts that need regular maintenance.
As with all long-distance winter road trips, it's wise to bring emergency equipment, such as a first-aid kit, flashlight, blankets, drinking water and snacks, along with flares and jumper cables. An ice scraper and chains for the tires will also come in handy. While a white Christmas is great for the memories, it's not ideal for winter driving conditions.
Pad your schedule to allow plenty of time for the drive. Like shopping malls, the roads are busiest on the day’s right before and after the major holidays. If possible, take an extra day off to reduce the chances of being lodged in a traffic jam.
Once on the road, drive carefully, patiently and stifle any burgeoning impulses of road rage. Try not to view other cars and traffic signals as personal obstacles. Work with your fellow drivers and not against them. Indicate during lane changes and give everyone plenty of room. Also, be forgiving when someone demonstrates reckless driving.
Don't leave valuables in your car. Pack all items, especially brightly wrapped packages, in the trunk. If afraid of squashed bows, wait until you arrive to wrap the gifts.
Overall, try to make driving fun, and view it as part of the holiday, not as a chore. If travelling with children, get everyone involved by singing or reminiscing about favourite past holidays. The ride will be over before you know it, and you'll actually look forward to the drive back home.
Giving Thanks - Arriving Safely Is Thanks Enough
If Santa can travel safely year in and year out, so can you and your family. Just remember these tips from the friendly travel agents at ASTA. With a little Travel Sense, everyone will be home for the holidays with warm memories to share.
Packing Lists and Packing Tips
Here are two kinds of travellers in the world: those who packed light and those who wish they had. To include everything needed in as little space as possible, follow these helpful packing tips compiled by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). Some of the most travel-wise people in the world, ASTA members know the techniques of efficient packing and packing tips for all types of travel.
PACKING LIST - MAKE A PLAN AND STICK TO IT!
Like an architect planning a building, so must you plan the contents of your suitcase by creating a packing list. A packing list eliminates the panic of last-second packing, serves as a handy guide for repacking at the end of the trip, and can be beneficial in the unfortunate event of lost or stolen luggage.
When planning your wardrobe, consider the events you will participate in both day and night and write down a possible outfit for each activity. Crosscheck this packing list to determine if one piece can cover multiple occasions. Pick clothes that coordinate well together, based around complimentary colours
Check the weather forecast of the destination and plan accordingly. Also, be sure to know the local traditions, where a t-shirt for dinner could be a serious blunder, or bare shoulders may bar your entrance into such places as St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. For almost all outdoor activities, take pieces that can be layered.
Forget dress clothes for every occasion. The world at large has relaxed its dress code, showing almost universal leniency to tourists. Dark colours - a black dress or blue jacket - will get you through most dinners and plays.
PACKING TIPS: TO PACK OR NOT TO PACK? THAT IS THE QUESTION!
Now that the wardrobe is thoroughly planned, stick with it. When packing, lay out the items you intend to take and re-examine your packing list. If possible, weed out single-use items and extras.
Set aside the pieces you intend to bring and ensure that they are clean and ready to be packed. Contact your travel agent about the hotel's in-room amenities - such as a hair dryer, an iron and board, soap, shampoo etc. - so you'll know what to leave behind.
Jewellery - don't take what you don't want to lose, and leave behind the flashy pieces that could attract thieves. Keep makeup to a minimum to save space, and leave the perfume behind when scented lotions will work just as well.
When it comes to the question of toiletries, travel kits are always the answer. Having a travel kit perpetually stocked in a waterproof case will save in packing time before the trip and aggravation after arrival. Most personal toiletry items come in inexpensive travel sizes, so purchase these whenever you see them so as not to arrive with a half-empty bottle of your favourite hair gel. And don't fill bottles up to the very top, for pressure inside the plane may force the contents to expand and overflow.
ALERT: The US Department of Homeland Security is restricting the amount of liquids passengers can carry on an air plane Canada, the United Kingdom and European Union have imposed similar restrictions. Click here for more information
See also: TSA's 3-1-1 on Carry-On Luggage [PDF]With each item you intend to bring, visualize how to make it smaller, like photocopying certain pages and maps from the guidebook instead of bringing the entire book. Streamline your daily habits. Bring only one bottle of all-purpose lotion instead of multiple lotions for hands, face and body. Choose a regular toothbrush or razor over electric models.
Film and other accessories can be purchased globally and often easily, so save packing room by leaving them behind. Create an in-trip adventure and discover more about the area by shopping for a local brand of deodorant or lotion.
When it comes to incidentals, a few items will go a long way. Important items to bring include a first-aid kit, a tin of aspirin, sunscreen and a small bottle of Woolite for emergency, in-room laundering if needed. Also, a Swiss army knife will amaze you with its handiness, whether peeling fruit or uncorking a wine bottle. Remember - it's not allowed on the plane, so pack it in your checked luggage.
Once your travel kit is complete, be sure to pack it in your carry-on bag to avoid a mess in your checked luggage and have on hand during the flight.
THE ART OF PACKING
Now you know what to bring, so let the packing begin. Iron everything before placing it in the suitcase. If it goes in crisp and clean, odds are more in its flavour of coming out the same. Button all buttons and zip all zippers.
Learn to fold. Practice folding like they do in clothing stores - they use that method for a reason. The better the fold, the fewer the creases. All garments can be folded in many different ways - T-shirts, jeans, skirts and sports coats can be rolled up and strategically positioned (i.e. stuffed) in a duffel bag or travel pack.
The interlocking method of folding clothes is ideal for suitcases. Overlap two pieces of clothing flat and then fold them into each other so that each piece cushions the other to aid in defying wrinkles. Placing a piece of tissue paper between each layer of clothing will also help prevent wrinkling.
If using the fold and stack method, try to think chronologically, placing the items to be worn first on the top. This will prevent rooting around the suitcase for a specific item while disrupting the rest.
Always pack tightly. Packing loosely wastes precious space and causes clothes to wrinkle. Eliminate wasted space, such as the insides of shoes, which are perfect for socks or underwear.
Always carry travel documents, medication, jewellery, traveller’s checks, keys and other valuables in your carry-on luggage. Items such as these should never be packed in checked luggage.
Label each piece of luggage, both inside and out, with your name and telephone number, but not your home address. If an address is needed, then put your offices. And remove old claim checks to avoid confusion.
Unpack as completely as possible as soon as you get to the hotel to prevent further wrinkles. When repacking, remember that balled-up, dirty laundry takes more space than carefully folded clothes, so repack your used clothing identically to your original packing method.
ZIPPING UP
The main message: be in control of your luggage and not at its mercy. With a little Travel-sense, a few packing guidelines and some helpful packing tips, travelling light will be an easy plan to follow.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, airlines have imposed strict regulations on the size and the amount of luggage passengers may check. Travellers who fail to check size requirements before their flights may be charged with extra fees in order to bring the bag on board the aircraft. To avoid such issues, ASTA advises you consult with the individual airlines' Web sites or Customer Service lines.
© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises
As seen in the December Issue of Main Street Magazine.
Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises
To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out
www.mainstreetmagazine.net
A Little Inspiration
The Christmas Truce
By: David G. Stratman
From his book We Can Change the World
It was December 25, 1914, only 5 months into World War I. German, British, and French soldiers, already sick and tired of the senseless killing, disobeyed their superiors and fraternized with "the enemy" along two-thirds of the Western Front (a crime punishable by death in times of war). German troops held Christmas trees up out of the trenches with signs, "Merry Christmas."
"You no shoot, we no shoot." Thousands of troops streamed across a no-man's land strewn with rotting corpses. They sang Christmas carols, exchanged photographs of loved ones back home, shared rations, played football, and even roasted some pigs. Soldiers embraced men they had been trying to kill a few short hours before. They agreed to warn each other if the top brass forced them to fire their weapons, and to aim high.
A shudder ran through the high command on either side. Here was disaster in the making: soldiers declaring their brotherhood with each other and refusing to fight. Generals on both sides declared this spontaneous peacemaking to be treasonous and subject to court martial. By March 1915 the fraternization movement had been eradicated and the killing machine put back in full operation. By the time of the armistice in 1918, fifteen million would be slaughtered.
Not many people have heard the story of the Christmas Truce. On Christmas Day, 1988, a story in the Boston Globe mentioned that a local FM radio host played "Christmas in the Trenches," a ballad about the Christmas Truce, several times and was startled by the effect. The song became the most requested recording during the holidays in Boston on several FM stations. "Even more startling than the number of requests I get is the reaction to the ballad afterward by callers who hadn't heard it before," said the radio host. "They telephone me deeply moved, sometimes in tears, asking, 'What the hell did I just hear?' "
I think I know why the callers were in tears. The Christmas Truce story goes against most of what we have been taught about people. It gives us a glimpse of the world as we wish it could be and says, "This really happened once." It reminds us of those thoughts we keep hidden away, out of range of the TV and newspaper stories that tell us how trivial and mean human life is. It is like hearing that our deepest wishes really are true: the world really could be different.
© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises
As seen in the December Issue of Main Street Magazine.
Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises
To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out
http://www.mainstreetmagazine.net/
This information was first published in HR People; it is worth repeating for anyone that did not see it the first time. Donna
6 Illegal Interview Questions You Shouldn't Ask
Need a refresher on which questions you can and can’t ask when conducting a job interview? There’s no shame in reusing the old standbys, such as “Where do you see yourself in five years?” and “What’s your greatest weakness?” And the more colourful questions, such as “What animal best describes you?” and “If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you want to have with you?” that can help you get a better sense of a candidate’s personality.
Regardless of what questions you choose, there are a handful of interview questions you should never ask. Be aware — questions about subjects in these categories violate candidates’ rights:
• Age, National origin, Birthplace, Race, Colour, Religion, Disability, Sex, Marital/family status.
However, don’t assume that personal questions are automatically off-limits. It’s your job to assess whether someone is fit for the job. While you can’t and shouldn’t directly about any of these topics, don’t be hesitant to get the information you need. Given the right context, it’s perfectly appropriate for candidates to discuss their families or religion with a potential employer. It all depends on how the question is phrased.
While it’s important not to ask illegal interview questions, there are legal alternatives. Be prepared and know your options by checking out these six examples of illegal interview questions, and how they can be rephrased to comply with the law.
1. ILLEGAL: “Are you a U.S... Canadian citizen?”
LEGAL: “Are you authorized to work in the U.S./Canada?”
As a company representative, you’re not allowed to ask about national origin, and that includes inquiring about citizenship status. Touchy immigration issues aside, this question makes unnecessary assumptions based on a candidate’s looks and racial stereotypes. On the flip side, you can ask if a candidate is allowed to work in the U.S. By rephrasing the question, you’re avoiding directly asking about citizenship, green cards, and visas, but you’re still getting the essential information you need.
2. ILLEGAL: “How old are you? When did you graduate from college?”
LEGAL: “Are you over the age of X?”
Whether someone looks to be 18 going on 48 or 60 going on 40, you’re not allowed to discriminate against age (which is what the first question implies). However, when asked differently, the question becomes legal. Just make sure you’re asking about the legal requirements to complete the job. Don’t ask, “Are you over the age of 65?” if the job only requires employees to be 18.
3. ILLEGAL: “How much do you weigh?”
LEGAL: “Are you comfortable with lifting heavy objects?”
If there are physical requirements for a job, then you may need to know some details about a candidate’s health. However, asking directly about weight/height and general health is a major HR no-no. Not to mention potentially embarrassing for the person you’re interviewing! But rephrasing the question to ask about a candidate’s ability to perform a specific task is fair game and essential.
4. ILLEGAL: “Do you have any disabilities? Any recent illnesses or operations?”
LEGAL: “Are you able to perform the essential job functions?”
Discriminating against the disabled, whether in a wheelchair or clinically depressed, is a classic example of illegal hiring practices. But you still have a right to make sure candidates can do the job they’re hired for, so be sure to rephrase the question accordingly.
5. ILLEGAL: “Ever been arrested?”
LEGAL: “Ever been convicted of ___?”
A general question about someone’s (criminal) past is off topic, but a more targeted question regarding questionable behaviour — as it relates to the job — is okay. For example, if you were hiring for a job as a magician, it’s appropriate to ask if candidates have ever been convicted of fraud in their line of work.
It’s not so much what the question is asking, but how the question is asked. Federal and state laws prevent you from asking interviewees about subjects unrelated to the job. Before you enter an interview, take into consideration the nature of the job, the context of the situation, and of course, the phrasing of the question. Write out your questions ahead of time and read them directly from your notes or create a form with the trickiest questions so you don’t accidentally ask something that’s off-limits. If you do, candidates could seek legal counsel and your reputation – not to mention your job – could be in danger. So stick to your list, follow the law, and good luck hiring!
6. ILLEGAL: "Are you married? How many children do you have? Who do you live with?
LEGAL: “Can you relocate if necessary? Are you willing to travel as a part of this job? Can you work overtime as necessary?”
Only candidates are being interviewed – not their spouses and families. Anything about living situation, roommates, finances, spouses, children, etc., is off limits. But you often need to gauge how busy candidates are in their personal lives to see if personal obligations will clash with work responsibilities, and it’s perfectly legal to make a hiring decision based on this factor. On the other hand, if a candidate can commit to the necessary work hours and agree to the job requirements, then personal responsibilities shouldn’t matter. A related tip – remember not to ask for a woman’s maiden name. Instead ask everyone if they’ve ever worked under another name. You may need this when checking references – for women and men.
© Copyright, 2010 Main Street Magazine/Rain Enterprises
As seen in the November Issue of Main Street Magazine.
Printed in Canada, ISSN: 1920-4299 by Rain Enterprises
To find out how to receive your free copy of MSM check out
www.mainstreetmagazine.net
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