Airtravel Infos - Traveling with Sports Equipment

By Tanja Martens

Are you an avid sports fan? If so, there is a good chance that they try to incorporate sport into their next vacation or business trip. If you are about to enjoy a game of golf or a game of baseball, it is likely that you want to bring with you some sports teams. But did you know that there are certain restrictions on those items? If you plan to travel with sports equipment, no matter what sport it is for the team, you may want to familiarize themselves with these rules and restrictions.

As previously mentioned, golf is a sport that many travelers enjoy participating in. If you are planning on traveling with your golf clubs, you will need to treat them as checked baggage. All airlines currently have a ban on golf clubs being used as carryon luggage. Due to the cost of most golf club sets, you will either want to leave your clubs at home or properly protect them. If you are traveling to a golf resort or other popular vacation destination, there is a good chance that you should be able to rent a set of golf clubs. Although they will not be your own, it is nice to know that your set is safe at home.

In addition to golf, baseball is another sport enjoyed by many. Like golf clubs, baseball bats are prohibited from being used as carryon luggage. If you are about to enjoy a baseball game, your next vacation or business trip, you will want to save your baseball bats in a bag to ensure security conditions that can be transported across different airports. While baseball bats are banned from aircraft cabins, there is no mention of other teams, such as detachable, helmets, or baseball. For your convenience, you might want to store these supplies baseball in the same place as their baseball bats in their checked baggage.

Of course, if you are planning to enjoy hunting, when on vacation or a business trip, you will have to keep their supplies in your checked baggage. All bows, arrows, and firearms are strictly prohibited from being in aircraft cabins. In fact, if you try to pass through a security checkpoint with these items, it is an excellent opportunity to be stopped by airport security, for further interrogation. Although it may not necessarily think, bows, arrows, and firearms are not only used for recreational purposes, but also are used to harm others.

Sports items which are prohibited extra to be included in carryon luggage include pool cues, ski poles, lacrosse sticks, or hockey sticks. As with all other issues, if you are concerned about the security of your sports equipment, it is advisable to reconsider your decision to make this equipment long. You can help protect your equipment, making sure that everything is packaged properly and safely, but there are no guarantees. You are also advised against relying on compensation by the airlines, if and when your sports equipment was severely damaged.

As previously mentioned, there are some sporting goods that are outright banned, but other rules are not so clear. If you are trying to decide whether or not you can pack other equipment in your carryon luggage, such as masks or other protective gear, you are advised to ask before heading out to the airport. In the event that these items are banned, you may have to make additional arrangements. Regardless of whether you choose to return the items to your car or mail them to your home, you may end up wasting unnecessary time and money.

Air Travel Tips - Flying With Pets

By Tanja Martens

When it comes to air travel, a large number of individuals hit the skies daily. People fly for all different reasons. Some individuals need to make a business trip, others are visiting friends or family, others are going on vacation, and some are making a cross country move. If you are moving, there is a good chance that you may need to bring your pet along with you. If this is the case, you will find that you are subject to a whole new set of air travel rules. Before leaving for the airport, with your pet or pets in tow, you are advised to formularize yourself with those rules.

The first step in travelling, in the air, with a pet is to make sure that they are even allowed. Certain pets are allowed to be on airplanes, but that does not mean that all airlines will allow it. If you are planning on travelling with your pet, you will need to inform your airline of this information upfront. This is vital because not all airlines will allow you to bring a pet onboard. Therefore, if you do not check with your airline before heading to the airport, you may be unable to board your flight.

When travelling with a pet, you will need to keep that pet contained. That means that if you are travelling with an animal, such as a dog or a cat, that animal will likely need to be in a carrier. When purchasing an animal carrier, it is important to know that not all carriers are permitted onboard. If you will be keeping your animal in the cabin with you, as opposed to having your animal treated as checked baggage, you will need to make sure that your pet carrier will not negatively affect other passengers. Your pet carrier must not block aisle ways or encroach on other passenger's seating spaces. In addition to these general rules and restrictions, you may find that each airline has their own set of pet carrier rules.

Almost all airlines require that your pets have the proper documents before being allowed on their airplanes. These documents most commonly include information on your pet's health. Most airlines require that your pet undergoes a medical evaluation before being transported by airplane. This information is not only used to ensure that your pet is healthy enough to fly, but is also used to ensure that they are protected with the proper vaccinations. Proper vaccinations will not only protect your pet, but other passengers, as well as airline staff.

Once you have received permission from the company that you want to fly out of five purchased the equipment, and obtained the proper health checks for your pet, you should wait until your day of travel. That day, you can arrive at the airport a little earlier than recommended. This will help to ensure that you can recover quickly a problem without having to miss your flight should one arise.

When you and your pet get to the airport, either early or not, that is required to go through security at airports. Your pet will be necessary to pass through a metal detector, like everyone else. If you are using a portable kennel, it is also likely that your pet carrier is under review. This review includes most common despite being sent the x-ray machine with his carryon luggage, however, it is important to note that your pet will not have to go through the x-ray machine, metal detector should be enough.

As previously mentioned, not all airlines allow their passengers to fly with their pets, even in the cabin or below deck. That is why it is advised that you determine whether or not your pet can fly with you, ahead of time. In addition to different air travel rules, you may also find that some airlines charged extra fees for pet passengers. In the event that you are charged, you will be notified of this charge ahead of time.

Holidays Tips - Plan Fun Activities for Family

By Nicole Mendari

It's so easy to get caught up in the preparations for the holidays. Shopping, baking, cooking, packaging, cleaning and chauffeuring to children around the world who need to go. As you make your list of things to do, be sure to include some fun activities that include their friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. After all, the camaraderie and the fellowship is a big part of the holiday season, so make sure you spend some quality time with the fun of it means to most of you.

Christmas caroling is a fun way to not only include people you already know, but a great way to break the ice and meet new neighbors and people. Print up some lyrics, grab a portable stereo with Christmas music, and tour your neighborhood singing Christmas carols. It doesn't matter that you're not the best singer. People of all ages will enjoy this old tradition carried into the modern holiday season. If you don't feel comfortable caroling in neighborhoods or at houses you're unfamiliar with, consider having a mobile caroling bus that goes to the homes of those you know to carol. Take a bucket of candy canes or Christmas candy to pass out to the homeowner as you leave. You might also consider caroling on behalf of a favorite charitable organization. Construct a secure donation bucket or box that clearly shows the name and address of the organization you're helping. Some people might not be comfortable donating to you personally, and that's okay.

Hand them some preprinted slips of paper with the organization's name, address and phone number along with a short statement on what they do, and encourage them to donate directly.

Ice skating is another great activity to do with friends and family. Not only does it promote get some exercise, but it's a great way to spend time outside to enjoy the cool winter air if you live in the right climate. If you do not, most cities have local rinks. Check their calendar in advance and send invitations to several family members or friends and make an afternoon of it.

Consider encouraging your friends and family join you on a volunteer excursion to help out at a local nursing home or homeless shelter this holiday season. You can sing Christmas carols with the nursing home residents, or help dish out hot bowls of soup and pass out blankets for those in need. If you know of a family in need this holiday season, perhaps your friends and family could put together a holiday gift basket and fill a laundry basket full of food, baked goods, and small Christmas treats and gifts for the children of the family. It's a great way to teach children the importance of giving back to their community and helping those that are less fortunate then themselves.

Remember the reason for the season, and spend time with your friends and family, and maybe even help others in the process. Have a great holiday!