Scott Ahlsmith, CTC's - Roads Less Traveled

Shoes Go Through TSA X-Ray Machines -- Not Babies

We've seen large quantities of gels, liquids, and pastes confiscated at TSA checkpoints in airports around the country.  We've even seen people try to take live shotgun shells and box cutters through these checkpoints.  But, an incident at LAX (Los Angeles International) really got our attention.  Fortunately, it ended without injury or serious side effects.  And, if it wasn't reported on KTLA-TV and written about in the LA Times, we would have thought it was just an urban legend.  Although it would be difficult to make-up a story this good.

Cruise-A-Thon Offers Continuing Education for Travel Professionals

Today's travel professionals understand the value of honing their skills through continuing education.  This afternoon, I had the honor of conducting a workshop at Travel Trade Publication's Cruise-A-Thon in Ft Lauderdale.

Here is a link to the content I presented: How to Separate the Good Guys from the Bad Guys Workshop. 
 

In Honor of Those Who Served

Bob Parsons, CEO and Founder of GoDaddy.com is a character.  You'll find his portrait in some dictionaries if you look-up the word, "character."

Bob is passionate about whatever he does.  He's also a bit edgy.  GoDaddy's Super Bowl commercials and Bob's negotiations with the network's and NFL's censors prior to airing gives you insight into the man, his business skills, and his zest for life.

Today, he gave all of us a gift in the form of this Happy 231st Birthday Salute to the United States Marine Corps!

Enjoy!

Fear of Baggage Handlers

I travel frequently and the only thing I fear more than terrorists are airline baggage handlers.  I have a phobia when it comes to checking luggage. 

Because I fly at least three times every month, my packing and planning skills are finally honed.  I've been known to travel internationally for two weeks out of one carry-on bag.

Facts You Should Know About Network Neutrality

With the assistance of Liz Strauss from Successful Blog, I wrote a post about maintaining Network Neutrality.  If you are not familiar with the Network Neutrality issue, this is a good place to start.  If you know about this issue, please leave a comment at the end of this post.  I am always interested in you point-of-view.

Large telecommunication companies and cable television operators have lobbied Washington very hard to eliminate Network Neutrality which would prevent them from blocking certain content from your Internet account and charging a surcharge for access to other content, like this blog!

Threat to India's Tourism

I don't enjoy publishing travel warnings, but this is an important part of my responsibility as a travel professional.  I want your travels to always be rewarding experiences while you remain safe and informed.

With this as a backdrop, I want to tell you about an outbreak of chikungunya and dengue in several popular tourist destinations in India.  These tropical viruses have so far resulted in over 110 deaths and about 3,300 hospitalizations.  The viruses are carried by the Tiger Mosquito.

The More Things Change . . . The More They Stay the Same

"We're going to build a trench around Baghdad so we can control the exits and entrances so people will be searched properly."
BRIG. GEN. ABDUL KARIM KHALAF, a spokesman for the Iraqi Defense Ministry.

I think this was tried a few years ago.  We called them "moats."  Next year we'll see a new course at West Point - "Trenches, Moats, and Catapults."

Passion for Your Palate

The dining room appointments at Jean-Georges are minimal.  Sparse.  Simple. Zen-like basic.

That means one of two things.  Either the place is overly froo-froo trendy or the menu is the main act and nothing in an 8-mile area even dares to compete with the food.

Please know; it's all about the food at Jean-Georges.  Or, as my son frequently text messages, "OMG!"

Loophole in the Porthole

Over the years, we learned if something appears "too good to be true," it usually is -- especially when it comes to travel promotions.

Well, Maggie Moya of Miami, proved the time-honored adage once again.  She was arrested yesterday by the Miami-Dade Police Department for selling hundreds of deeply discounted cruises.  The catch?

Unencumbered Vacation Time

Timothy Egan wrote a thought-provoking article in Sunday's New York Times titled, "The Rise of Shrinking-Vacation Syndrome."  Mr Egan sites a number of recent surveys conducted by the likes of The Conference Board, the Gallup Organization, and the Travel Industry Association (TIA).  The results of each survey agree that the number of Americans planning a vacation and the duration of those vacations are declining.

The reasons for this shrinkage ranged from the obvious $3-a-gallon gas to