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Preparing for Holiday Travel

This year’s holidays are quite different from last year, but it will also be different from years’ past. While we’re able to celebrate with friends and family again, for many this will be the first time we’ve traveled in nearly two years.
Are you ready to travel? Here are some helpful tips to help get you back into the travel groove, whether by plane, train or automobile.

• Check your ID’s expiration and Global Entry/TSA Precheck status. Passports and driver’s licenses are the most popular ID forms used when traveling – confirm before you travel that they are up to date and haven’t expired. When traveling internationally, many countries require at least two blank passport pages so be sure to check for that as well.

• TSA Precheck and CLEAR offer expedited services through security. TSA Precheck is managed through TSA and travelers won’t need to remove their laptop and remove their shoes. CLEAR offers a touchless experience through security. It uses your biometrics to confirm your ID and you are able to access security without additional identification. CLEAR is available at over 50 airports, is a paid for service but does offer trial programs – a helpful option when lines are long.

In addition to CLEAR and TSA Precheck, LGA’s Terminal B offers BFast, a paid for service that allows travelers, for $15, to move to the front of the line. Air General Traveler Services has been updating our clientele on this new innovation.

• When you’re ready to pack, remember there are rules about what’s allowed – and not allowed – in your carry on bag. The TSA website provides all the information needed to make sure you can keep everything you packed. The previous rule of 3.4oz (100ml) containers in a one quart bag still applies but they’ve allowed hand sanitizer containers of up to 12oz for the time being.

• Whether by plane or train, make sure to check in online and opt for notifications for any changes to your itinerary. It’s also helpful to follow the airport and train station social media accounts for any updates, particular during the winter months.

• The mask mandate for airports is still in place until at least March 18, 2022.
Some airports offer wipes and sanitizing stations and have introduced cleaner security trays. Air General Traveler Services enhances this service and offers disposable bags and wipes down trays for extra cleanliness measures. More and more shops are opening up again for those last- minute purchases.

• If you’re staying at a hotel or resort, the pandemic has changed much of what you’ve long expected for your stay. Housekeeping and restaurant offerings have changed and it is debatable what services will return. Check with your hotel for any updates and offers.

• Cities all over the US have different policies and mandates. What you know about masks and social distancing in your city may be different in another town; friends, family and city accounts will keep you updated on the latest updates for where you’re traveling.

It’s wonderful to be able to visit friends and family again so let’s do our part to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe and secure. Have a great holiday season and we look forward to seeing you in 2022!

December 23, 2021

It’s An Unusual Holiday Travel Season This Year

Airplane at High altitude above the clouds — Holiday Air Travel

Holiday air travel for 2020 will not be like any other year, but it will still be a time to reflect on the year and anticipate what’s in store for 2021 travel. While many organizations and governments are recommending people stay home and not travel, there are many people that do need to travel, so whatever your reason, here are a few suggestions to help make your travel safe.

Airports are keeping travelers updated on security wait times, providing PPE equipment for purchase and even offering testing sites such as the new one at LaGuardia Airport Terminal B. With sanitizing stations throughout the terminals and plexiglass at check in counters, the airports are constantly cleaning the terminals to make it safe to fly.

Packing your bags will be different this year. For your carry-on, you might want to include extra masks, sanitizing wipes, shoe coverings, even a thermometer – a sign of how 2020 has changed travel. The TSA has temporarily changed its rules on the amount of hand sanitizer you can take to allow larger quantities; check the website and its social channels for any updates and what holiday items (lights, snow globes, etc.) you can take with you. If you’re traveling with gifts, consider whether you should wrap your gifts in advance or at your destination – or have your items shipped to your location. Also be sure to check your airline’s website about what is being offered onboard your flight because drinks and meals may be limited.

Most hotels and resorts allow you to check in remotely; the room cleaning procedures have improved so check their websites for details before you arrive.

Air General Traveler Services has highly qualified Greeters to support you while you travel, even accompanying you to your hotel or final destination to make the journey easier for you. Our Airport Greeters carry additional sanitizing wipes and disposable bags so your items don’t sit in possible unclean security trays and foot coverings in case you have to remove your shoes.

To book Concierge Service for your air travel, call, email or see our website at www.airgeneraltraveler.com

Safe travels! Happy Holidays!

December 9, 2020December 15, 2020

At LaGuardia Airport Terminal B The Future Of Air Travel is Bright

What air travelers want most during this COVID-19 pandemic is improved health and hygiene; LaGuardia Terminal B keeps travelers safe with demand control ventilation and a test UV light system for cleaning escalator handrails and elevator buttons. Hand sanitizer and sanitary wipe dispensers are everywhere for the convenience of all.

At LaGuardia Terminal B, light, air and personal space are the prominent features of the gorgeous four-level, 850,000-square-foot terminal. Along with temperature checks and rapid antigen testing, new anti-Covid-19 traveler testing tools are being deployed to help airports and destinations identify infected travelers.

New signage helps guide the crowds through 16 TSA lanes. A Smart Pad System and Advanced Imaging Technology improve accuracy in carry-on and checked luggage screening. New smart conveyor belts being used in the TSA test lab will soon handle bins filled by up to five passengers at a time, sequencing them as passengers go through the larger scanning portals, using artificial intelligence and robots to separate bins by potential security risk.

Level 4 has seats in a carpeted zone for travelers and families to relax in after clearing security. They then move on to quiet boarding areas with plenty of space for armchairs, a children’s play area, lovely artwork and even an illuminated fountain.

The 17 large restrooms are well- designed with shelves above each sink to place handbags or parcels on, as well as and hands-free toilets, faucets and soap dispensers. Portable Mamavia nursing stations are available as well. Pets can use one of two pet restrooms and several pet relief areas that even include fire hydrant sculptures!

Some of the food establishments are open now such as Junior’s Cheesecake, Eli Zabar, Dos Toros, Dunkin’ Shake Shack, Healthy Gourmet and more. Enjoy your safe air travel!

Let Air General Traveler Services Greeters help you travel as safely and hygienically as possible! Call us at 844-337-9674 or email us to arrange dedicated and personalized traveler concierge assistance.

Air General Greeters are in full compliance with all Covid-19 safety guidance. Our air and land travel concierge agents wear masks, follow health, hygiene and distancing protocols and scope out amenities in advance of passenger arrival at the airport or train station. We provide passengers with meet and greet travel concierge services for a “touchless experience” to the extent possible. Visit our website for more information.

November 9, 2020November 11, 2020

Let Us Keep Your Items Safe While Going Through TSA Security

August 17, 2020

While air travel is still challenging at this time, there are things that can be done to make your journey easier. That’s where Air General Traveler Services can help. Our Greeters stay up to date on the latest airport changes and restrictions and they do everything to make your travel easier from knowing if there is a lounge open in your particular terminal, finding available food options and having amenities on hand for you to use. These amenities include individual hand sanitizer wipes, disposable foot socks (so you don’t need to walk through security barefoot if you must remove your shoes) and reusable bags to protect your carry-on items as they go through the TSA process.

“Plastic trays at airport security have more respiratory viruses than public toilets” according to recently published research. Testing determined that security trays were found to pose the highest potential risk of viral contamination at airports. According to the study, as the trays are used by virtually all passengers, “they have the potential to be especially problematic if a severe pathogen with an indirect transmission mechanism were to pose a threat for international spread.”

Since we don’t know if the security trays are not routinely disinfected, our Greeters will supply you with complimentary disposable linen bags into which you can place your large purse or briefcase, or smaller bags into which you can empty your pocket items thus avoiding any of your belongings touching the tray surfaces. Simply dispose of the bag after completion of security formalities.

Let Air General Traveler Services Greeters help you travel as safely and hygienically as possible! Contact us to arrange dedicated and personalized traveler assistance.

August 17, 2020September 2, 2020

Reducing Risks During of Summer Holiday Travel

The July 4th weekend celebrations were tempered by the lessons learned from Covid-19 compliance challenges we experienced during the Memorial Day weekend activities. This holiday weekend seemed to usher in a new dynamic for beaches, parks, bars, outdoor clubs, restaurants and travel with mixed messages from community leaders. Airlines began to focus on adding more flights both domestically and internationally; some started filling all seats on planes.

Aids to safe travel provided by our Greeters

The holiday uptick in the passenger activity at Newark (EWR) airport, a key international travel hub in the New York region, was partially the result of some international flights being allowed to depart for the first time in month. Some flights required the aid of foreign consulate officials verifying Covid-19 test results, nurses taking temperatures and special transit entry authorization for certain countries before passengers are allowed to complete check in.

As travel continues to evolve during the remainder of this summer season, please remember to seek the latest information from the CDC and to refer to the various travel advisories from local and international organizations such as AAA, the airlines, municipal websites, Consulate or Embassy websites and the State Department. Continue to follow guidelines like wearing a face mask in public places, practicing proper hygiene by washing hands frequently and using sanitizer and keeping six feet apart when communicating or waiting in line for various services. Enjoy the remainder of the summer; it’s never too early to plan a safe and fun-filled Labor Day weekend for you and your friends & family. If you choose to travel by train or by air, let us help you with greeter service & travel aids! Happy Safe Summer Fun!