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International Airports versus Domestic Airports
Each year, a large number of Americans fly for the first time. As exciting as it is to be a first-time flyer, many first-time flyers are at a disadvantage. That disadvantage is not knowing everything about the airport that they will be using or the airline that they will be flying on. If you are a first-time flyer, you are advised against going into this exciting experience with unanswered questions. Instead, you are advised to get the answers to your questions.
When it comes to first-time air travel, there are an unlimited number of questions that many have. Some want to know what the best international airports are to fly out of and others want to know exactly what an intentional airport is. If you are planning of flying out of the country, it is advised that you familiarize yourself, not only with local international airports, but international airports as a whole. You will likely find that after doing so you will not only know what you are doing, but you will also have a better appreciation for international travel.
In the United States, there are two main types of airports. These airports are domestic airports and international airports. Perhaps, the best way to learn more about international airports, namely what they are, is to compare them to domestic airports. Domestic airports are more commonly found in the United States, when compared to international airports. This is because essentially any airport is considered a domestic airport.
A domestic airport is defined as an airport, in the United States, that offers flights to and from other cities or states, also in the United States. Since their planes will not be leaving American soil, the flights are considered domestic flights. Essentially, an airport that houses domestic flight is referred to as a domestic airport. On the other hand, there is an intentional airport.
An international airport is an airport that offers flights from the United States to other countries. Although they tend to advertise the fact that they specialize in international flights, most international airports not only have international flights, but domestic flights as well. For that reason, international airports are often larger in size, when compared to most domestic airports.
The size of an airport will also have a direct impact on how you will go about getting around the airport. Since most, but not all, domestic airports are relatively small in size, many only have a few terminals. These terminals are also likely to be connected or be all in the same building. International airports are a different story, in fact, some international airports are so large they have to shuttle their passengers around from terminal to terminal.
Although there are a number of differences between international airports and domestic airports, there are some similarities between the two. These similarities most commonly include the baggage and passenger screening processes. Due to concerns about airport security, namely on international flights, the airline industry has started to follow a number of strict rules. These rules often include bans on dangerous objects and intense screening, such as the removal of all shoes. In most international airports, domestics flights are not always separated from international flights, this means that all passengers will have to go through the same security checkpoints and examinations.
As you can see, it is easy to learn about international airports, especially when comparing them to domestic airports. Now that you know exactly what an international airport is and does, you can now start searching for an international airport that can offer you the services that you need, if you have not already done so.
Traveling at the Right Time of Year Costs Less
The best time to travel is in the holidays, right? Not if you want to make big savings on your traveling costs it’s not. If you travel in off peak (or low season) periods, or even in the shoulder season, you’ll find traveling costs a lot less.
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Where are you traveling? Do you know the peak travel times for this destination? Summer and spring, no matter where you are, are generally considered the peak seasons to travel, unless you are a winter sports enthusiast. In that case, ski resorts will be having their peak season in winter. And what hemisphere are you thinking of visiting? The seasons differ depending on whether you are north or south. For example, the North America summer months are June, July, August but in Australia the summer months are December, January and February. You will need to research your destination to find out the low season times to visit.
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First of all, what type of savings can you expect to make if you travel in the off-peak season?Â
1. Air fares are much cheaper. There are less people wanting to fly so air carriers drop their prices to attract customers. Take advantage of these great savings. If you are traveling in the high season, see if you can book a flight mid-week. These flights are generally cheaper too.
2. Accommodation is cheaper and more readily available. In high season it can be difficult to find a place to stay in popular tourist destinations and when you do find somewhere it can be up to twice as much as when traveling in the off peak.
3. Eating in restaurants can be cheaper too. Owners will be trying to attract patrons so see what sort of deals you can find when eating out.
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There are some other positives to traveling in the off peak season, other than saving money. There are fewer tourists for one, so visiting any cultural sight will be much more enjoyable. You can get more of an idea of what a destination is really like without the thousands of extra people. Experiencing the true culture is a real bonus. Did you know that opera season is in full swing in Europe in winter? Or that winter in Australia is often the best time to visit places in the north when the humidity and heat are bearable. Or how about visiting the best holiday markets in Germany in December? Do some research to find out what your chosen destination can offer in off peak, ones that you won’t experience in high season travel times.
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So what are the negatives of traveling in the off peak? Well there are a few, but if you plan well you can overcome most drawbacks. Off peak usually means traveling in colder weather and that also means less daylight hours. Pack wisely and remember to dress in layers for the cold weather. Some tourist places close earlier or do not open at all in the off peak, so check up before you go so you are not disappointed. You will also find that in some areas the public transport system does not run as often as in peak tourist season. Find out what options you have to get to places and don’t be caught out missing the last bus home in the middle of winter, in the middle of nowhere! Some hotels and museums close down for the winter to re-furbish and get ready for the next high season influx of tourists. You can gamble and bargain your way to a great accommodation deal once you get to your destination, but all your bartering skills will be of no use if the hotels are all closed. It’s best to check what’s open before you go.
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If traveling in the off-peak doesn’t sound attractive to you, then you might like to try the shoulder season and still get some travel price reductions. The shoulder season is considered the period leading up to and away from the high season. Usually in this time you’ll get decent weather, less crowds and lower travel costs – not the great bargains you’ll get in off peak, but lower costs nonetheless.
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This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
www.stuartstravel.com
Trucking and Travel Resources
When you’re hitting America’s highways, life can get a little lonely. There are some resources you’ll want to take with you- no matter what your reason for travel- if you’re going to be traveling far and long.
The Rand McNally Deluxe Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas
The regular atlas or a AAA trip-tick is fine for the novice or the occasional traveler. But if you’re in it for the long haul, you’ll want the luxury of this laminated, spiral-bound monster. You can use it for years without ripping the pages, you can write on it without bleeding through and you can spill coffee on it without affecting it’s readability.
Inside its pages, you will find a wealth of information. The numbers for trucking associations for the US and Canada, for DOT and state police, for national hotel chains, and for state weather and construction information. The regulations for over the road carriers- legal weight limits, restricted routes (though not all-inclusive), low bridges (though not necessarily all-inclusive), inspection procedures, documentation requirements and logbook regulations. If you take the time to read all the information in the front of the Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas, you’ll come away with more knowledge than when you started.
Most locations of weigh stations are relatively accurate, though there are weigh stations in use that are not marked on the atlas. Most trucking regulations are up to date and accurate, though enforcement information is not available. CoopsAreOpen has the most current and complete weigh station scales and DOT rules.
You can buy the Deluxe Motor Carriers’ Atlas at most truck stops or online at the Rand McNally website. The cost will depend on what time of year you buy it. The later in the year, the cheaper the price (because the new editions come out toward the beginning of a new year). Prices range anywhere from $30-$65. It also comes in a large print edition.
The Truck Stop Guide
Any truck stop guide will do- so long as it has locations, phone numbers, and a list of services. A “pocket truck stop guide†is alright if you already know the places and faces. But for the rest of us, a more detailed guide is a good idea. You’ll be glad you spent the money if you need to know where the best places to stop are on the road in front of you.
Truck stops used to mean good food and friendly people. It’s not always true these days, but you have a better chance of finding these at a truck stop (or nearby) than you do if you just throw caution to the wind and hope for the best. Truck stop guides will tell you which truck stops have 24 hour service, repair shops and restaurants. You can usually gauge the size of the truck stop by the size of the lot listed in the guide.
If you need to do laundry, receive a fax, receive a delivery (FedEx, UPS or DHL type), get a shower, or just plain get off the road for a few hours- a truck stop is a safe bet. A truck stop guide will tell you what services the truck stops have and provide the phone number if you want to call ahead to get the fax number or address. (Find out how to get a fax number that sends and receives faxes using your current email address. Try eFax free – instant activation.)
Just don’t be surprised to find that when you arrive, the Heavenly Haven you hoped for is a Roach Ranch instead- truck stop guides do not include quality ratings. And many truck stops will not allow you to use the shower facilities unless you are a trucker.
You can buy a variety of truck stop guides at most truck stops. Prices range from $13-$30.
Electric Cooler
Most rigs and other vehicles are not equipped with refrigerators so a cooler makes sense. The electric coolers (made by Igloo or Kool-a-tron) plug right into your lighter plug- no need to constantly drain water and refill with ice. They are great for beverages and, in the short term, for dairy items. They do not cool to refrigerator temperatures, so foods requiring refrigeration will go bad faster.
Meals at truck stop restaurants and other roadside eateries can get very expensive over time. Being able to keep some staples like milk, lunchmeat and mayonnaise can help keep costs down and make small meals more enjoyable.
The electric coolers double as food warmers, as well. So if you are traveling with prepared foods, you can keep them warm to your destination. Most truckers who don’t have a refrigerator travel with one large electric cooler and use it to keep groceries and beverages chilled.
You can buy an electric cooler at most truck stops or at many super-type stores. Prices range from about $70 to $120 for large electric coolers.
Global Positioning System – Satellite Navigation
Traveling with a map is great, but traveling with GPS can make navigating your course a lot easier. GPS indicates your exact position as it relates to the map and routing software will determine your course and give you turn by turn directions. Magellan, Pioneer, Alpine, Streets and Trips- they all have good maping software. There are plenty of other systems, as well. These are all designed with cars in mind, however, not eighteen-wheelers. So, you’ll want to keep that in mind if you’re driving anything bigger than an SUV.
There is a GPS maping system designed for commercial vehicles called CoPilot Truck. It is designed to follow truck routes and to avoid low bridges and routes that would be unsafe for a trucker to use. However, it is always the driver’s responsibility to know where you are or aren’t allowed and to use your own judgment on the routing you choose.
Never trust your GPS completely. GPS is a wonderful aid, but if you rely on it without using common sense and your own ability to navigate and follow directions you may find yourself in a bind from time to time. Road closures, map inaccuracies and wrong addresses are all concerns when it comes to using computer routing. Be sure you have a handle on where you are and where you are going at all times- just to be on the safe side.
You can buy a GPS system at most truck stops, electronics stores and super-type stores. It’s best to shop around. Most GPS navigation units require a laptop computer to run them- though there are in-dash and hand-held GPS systems. Prices for independent units range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Cell phone
When cell phones first came out they were an expensive investment. Local plans were often 20 cents per minute and roaming or long distance calls could put you in the poor house quickly. These days, you can find a reasonably priced service plan that is tailored to meet your needs.
Cingular, Verizon, Sprint PCS, and Nextel all have good plans and coverage areas. You also have the option of pre-paid cellular- which can help if you operate on a budget (you never buy more than you can afford).
Cell phones are good to have in case of an emergency or break down. But they are also good for keeping in touch with loved ones. You will find it is worth the expense to talk on a cell phone rather than trying to have a private conversation on a payphone in a truck stop- even if it’s in a private phone booth.
You can buy a cell phone at most truck stops, grocery stores, super-type stores, electronic stores and individual cellular company stores. Cell phones range from free with a service contract to several hundred dollars. Plan prices vary largely depending on what your needs are.
Citizen’s Band Radio (c.b.)
The c.b. radio is the cornerstone of trucking. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a trucker who doesn’t have one, though there are truckers out there who choose to travel without the squak box, as it is sometimes called.
Many people get deep into the c.b. (and ham radio) lifestyle. You’ll see cars running around with huge radio antennas and dragging rods that keep the car grounded for good reception- not a good idea in a lightning sto
rm. You’ll see truckers with big antennas with coils on them pointed forward at an angle. A lot of truckers pay big money to get big power in their radios.
Until you’re sure of what you want, you’ll want to start small. You can spend a lot of money and if you don’t know what you’re buying, you may find you spent your money needlessly. Starting out, a Cobra 25 or Cobra 29 will do just fine. You can take it to a radio shop at a truck stop that has a good reputation to get it “peaked and tuned†and “matched to your antenna†and you’ll get good use out of it.
The CB radio is very helpful in bad weather and traffic situations. You can talk to other drivers and find out what the roads are like ahead of you and hear warnings of dangerous situations you may encounter. You will also find that there are a lot of people who use the c.b. as their personal entertainment- talking non-stop and harassing other drivers. At times, it is hard to get the information you’re looking for because there is so much chatter on the air waves. Still, it is a good idea to have a c.b. radio so you can communicate verbally with the drivers around you when you need to.
If you are new to trucking or to c.b. radios, you will find that truckers have their own language. They’ll be able to pick you out as a newbie or a novice, so don’t bother trying to be a smooth talker at first. There are a few drivers who will pick on you until you can “blend in,†but most drivers are helpful and won’t mind talking to a fellow traveler.
You can buy a c.b. at most truck stops and electronics stores. Prices range from $20-$30 all the way up to hundreds of dollars.
Satellite Radio
The birth of satellite radio was a huge milestone for the trucking industry. Most truckers who subscribe to one of the two services (XM Radio or Sirius Radio) can’t imagine trucking without satellite radio- though they did it for years. For most truckers, satellite radio isn’t an option… it has become a necessity.
Hours and hours of driving can lead to boredom. It is frustrating to loose an am or fm radio station you’ve been listening to. Both XM and Sirius have hundreds of talk, comedy, sports and music stations that won’t fade out no matter how far you drive.
The satellites orbit the earth south of the U.S. so the further north you drive, the more likely you are to experience a blocked signal. If you are running through a valley between mountains or through a tunnel, your signal may cut out until you hit clear sky again.
If you are using the small “mouse†antenna that comes with most satellite systems, you will want to be sure it is properly mounted on the top of your vehicle. If you mount the antenna to one side you may find that if you travel east or west and the antenna is on the north side of the truck, your vehicle will block the antenna from getting a signal. If you are parked on the north side of a large warehouse, your antenna may be blocked from getting a signal.
The larger your vehicle, the more likely it is that you may want to switch to a trucker antenna for satellite radio. These are larger and mount more like a c.b. antenna. They will have a stronger signal in situations where the mouse antenna might loose the signal.
Some trucking companies provide satellite radio systems and/or service for their drivers, but for those who have to pay for their own, it‘s worth the expense.
You can buy a satellite radio system at most truck stops, electronic stores, and car stereo stores. Prices range from less than $100 for a plug-and-play type of unit to several hundred for an in-dash radio. You’ll also need to purchase the service from the provider for about $15/month in order to experience satellite radio.
Weekend Getaways
Weekend getaways are perfect for people who might want to get out for a romantic retreat or for families who want to spend time with each other.
Weekend getaways are typically short and sweet trips to a nearby yet idyllic place. These trips are ideal for couples who just want to spend some time alone or for families who want to have a weekend together. Because the trip is just for the weekend, ideal spots are those that are easily accessible yet a little secluded so that they can have the feel of calm and relaxation.
Every autumn a lot of people start walking down hiking trails to get ready for a hibernating winter. Few landscape scenes can equal the magnificence of pine trees covered with fresh snow. Wintertime with its many holidays, and endless opportunities for entertainment and outdoor sports proves to be an attractive time to explore countries and go on a weekend getaway. Getting a rustic cabin somewhere in the forest near a lake is an ideal spot for weekend getaways. Pleasant promenades, skiing in winter, and relaxing in the beautifully landscaped garden are some of the many activities one can participate in.
For couples that want to get away for a romantic weekend, lodging options can include a hotel, resort, motel, inn, cottage, cabin, campsite, or bed and breakfast. If couples are looking for some quality time alone to renew their relationship, a weekend getaway is perfect. Couples can enjoy recreation ranging from skiing to mountain biking. Couples can also opt to join activities that foster arts, culture and the human experience.
For people who want to enjoy the rustic charms of the West, mountain biking in Moab, Utah is a great idea. The town is also a popular base for off-roaders who come for the annual Moab Jeep Safari. Several tourists have been attracted to Utah due to its mild winters and enjoyable summer.
For people who live near Seattle, a guided climb up Mount Rainier can also be considered. Mount Rainier is a very popular spot for hiking, photography and camping. Families or lovers can also go to the Great Lakes, where one can take a charter sailing or fishing trip.
Weekend getaways are very popular for families planning to go on a vacation. There are several family-oriented locales that both adults and children will surely enjoy. Families can partake in activities to help each one reconnect with each other.
Some things to consider for a successful and fun weekend getaway are the proximity of the destination, the means of transportation and any special needs that may be required during the trip. Since the vacation is just for the weekend, it is important that it is easy to go there so that precious weekend time will not be wasted during long travel time. Another thing that should be clear is how to get to the destination. In some cases people bring cars, however that could lead to problems with parking. Another option is using public transportation. As to special needs for the trip, some families bring their pets with them during trips. Provisions should be made for any pets as well at the lodge where tourists decide to say.