Complaint resolution service publishes case studies, recall information and consumer news.

Passports for visiting Canada and Mexico, fees for checking luggage, fees for peanuts! What else will the travel industry and government throw at us? Your best defense against a stressful travel experience is preparation and patience. There are new government time-saving tips for summer travel for recent changes to ID requirements, baggage restrictions and security checkpoint procedures.

The good folks at the FCIC, you know them as sending out information from ‘Pueblo, Colorado’ have put together a wonderful resource that address all these issues. You can read Summer Travel Tips
at their site and even send the information to a friend.

The federal government takes much well deserved criticism for inefficiency. This agency, however, consistently gets the job done.

Posted under Travel

As a peak travel time begins again, some consumers may have forgotten about the “311″ rule regarding liquids in carry-on luggage in an airport.  Infrequent travelers may especially need a reminder about the rules.    Time has traveled fast — this year’s college freshman class was in elementary school when the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C. changed US air travel rules  Those rules  were changed again after a man was arrested while attempting to ignite an explosive concealed in his shoes.

The 311 rule is illustrated below.  If you plan to travel by air this summer, you need to know and follow this rule.  If you do not, you will be stopped at security and you will lose your items there.  Everything in a liquid or gel form counts, even when sealed.

The rule says that you may have 1 quart-sized zippered bag.  That bag can include up to 3 ounces per bottle of as many liquids as fit.    3 ounces, 1 bag, 1 person.  That’s it.  And just like personal computers, that bag has to be removed from your carry-on luggage and placed on the conveyor belt to be X-rayed.

A can of soda or bottle of water won’t be allowed.  Even a to-go cup from a restaurant inside the airport won’t be allowed.  Worse, expensive cosmetics or a perhaps a bottle of wine intended as a gift won’t be allowed through either.  And the TSA employee who stops you from entering the secure area can’t do anything more than sweep those bottles of liquids into the nearest trash can.

Remember this rule applies to carry-on luggage only, but also remember that it is not optional or subject to negotiation.   You’ll be stopped, and you will lose your belongings.  Just remember 311, remember the bag and take the bag out of  your luggage.

Security lines are already reported to be long this summer as airlines attempt to reduce flights to cope with rising fuel costs.  We observed multiple consumers in Chicago and Washington this week not only lose items to the 311 Rule, but also undergo close examination of their identification.  Along with that zippered, clear bag, don’t forget your drivers license, passport or other id.

You won’t be leaving home without them.

Posted under Travel