How To Eliminate Flight Delays

Within airline circles, on-time performance is measured in four ways, known as O-O-O-I which stands for:

1. Out (of the gate)

2. Off (of the ground)

3. On (the ground)

4. In (the gate)

A "departure" is based on many different parameters: when the passenger and/or cargo doors are closed, the operating beacon has been switched on, the brake has been released, or the airplane actually begins rolling. As you can see the "On Time" records and statistics can easily be manipulated. As long as your flight closes the doors an sits on the tarmack for 30 minutes, it could be considered in-flight and on-time.

Is there anyway to check the reliability of flight schedules of airlines? While an airline could record a inaccurate departure time, in most cases it's impossible to conceal a late arrival (which by the way, the DOT defines as 15 minutes or more). When you research an airline's delay and on-time performance we recommend focusing on arrivals rather than departures.

The reality is that most passengers aren't concerned about leaving on time nearly as much as they are about getting there on time. And the airlines know this too. That's why more and more flights have that little extra wiggle room built right in. -Read more at USA TODAY

As you can see, there is nothing a customer can do to eliminate flight delays, but there a many ways an airlines can. All of our Global Citizen and Travel Gap travel insurance clients can sign up to receive alerts for delays at any international airport. You will know if there are weather conditions, airline problems or cancellations which affect all the airports you will be traveling through. For example, clients traveling to the Greece and Europe who signed up for airport travel alerts would have received the following alert by email or SMS text message today:

June 25, 2009. Air Traffic Controllers Strike in Greece .

SOURCE: Air Security International
On 25 June 2009 Greek air traffic controllers staged a nationwide four-hour strike beginning at 0800 local time (0500 UTC), causing flight disruptions across the country. The air traffic controllers' union called the work stoppage to demand tighter controls to reduce radio interference in the communications systems. At Athens International Airport (LGAV/ATH), at least 78 arriving or departing flights were canceled, while 79 others were rescheduled. Airlines were forced to cancel or reschedule both domestic and international flights across the country. At least 32 Olympic Airlines flights were canceled, including flights to Istanbul, Frankfurt, Milan, Brussels, Budapest and Sofia. Agean Airlines canceled 20 flights and rescheduled 40 others, and eight Cyprus Airways flights from Athens were rescheduled. Another four-hour strike by air traffic controllers is scheduled for 27 June.

If you are concerned about your travel investment and are not confident in the airlines customer service, then we advise trip delay insurance. Trip delay insurance won't relieve you of the headaches, but it will limit the financial risk of missed connections and flight cancellations. We recommend our Trip Protector or Roundtrip trip delay and travel cancellation insurance.

IN FOCUS: PANAMA

Panama has all the potential to hit the big time as a business and leisure destination: a prosperous capital city, natural resources, rain forests, mountains, historical sites, palm trees, beaches, coral reefs, deep-sea fishing, Spanish-colonial architecture and unusual Amerindian cultures. Plus, it has the Panama Canal, a one-of-a-kind business enterprise that’s also a tourist attraction. U.S. Citizen and expatriates are flooding the Latin America country, taking advantage of the many retirement, tax and banking benefits as well as the U.S. Dollar being the most popular currency for business.

With a few breaks, Panama could be a star. And the country is currently striving to make that happen. More luxury hotels are going up. Roads and other infrastructure have been built that are among the best in Central America.

In many respects, Panama is coming close to rivaling its neighbor Costa Rica. And because it's still less known and less popular than Costa Rica, prices and the costs of doing business there are lower. In addition, the government is planning more public works programs, further tax reforms and more regional trade agreements that should further stimulate growth.

Like most Central American countries the the high weather season is mid-December to mid-April, when it rains the least. Nonetheless, Panama, except for the highlands (where there is year-round springlike weather) and the Azuero peninsula (which is generally hot and dry), is nearly always hot and humid, with days in the 80s-90s F/28-37 C and nights not much cooler.
With the aid of air-conditioning and sea breezes, Panama can be enjoyed all year, though you should expect it to rain daily during the May-November rainy season. You'll need a sweater or jacket in the mornings and evenings in the mountains.

Panama is a constitutional democracy. In the May 2009 presidential elections, Ricardo Martinelli, a conservative supermarket tycoon, reversed a recent trend of left-wing victories in Latin America by taking 61% of the vote to his opponent's 37%. Martinelli, the candidate of a right-wing alliance led by his Democratic Change party, said he would work for a national unity government because that was what the country was calling for.

Historically one of the most stable economies in Latin America, Panama has a well-developed services sector that includes the Panama Canal, banking, insurance, container ports, flagship registry and health care. Gross national product growth is expected to be 3% in 2009.
In July 2006 the government approved a plan to widen the canal to allow larger vessels to travel through. The project, due to be completed by 2014, is expected to have a profound effect on the economy, with a boom predicted following an increase in foreign investment and employment in canal expansion and related projects.

Panama has the highest per-capita domestic product in Central America; nevertheless about 40% of its population lives in poverty and, heavily dependent on trade, the economy will always be vulnerable to external shocks. Fiscal deficits and growing public debt in recent years have increased this vulnerability.

Global Citizen Insurance clients receive up to date country, city, health and security updates for virtually any destination. Call or email us for more details.

Combating Swine Flu: Global Citizen Insurance Offers Tips to Travelers

Over one million American businesspeople, expatriates, students studying abroad and vacationers are already in Mexico. For those travelers, the Global Citizen Insurance offers five basic tips:

Do your homework. Smart travelers should take time to understand the nature of Swine Flu, including its symptoms and transmission. (READ MORE)

Know the hospital emergency rooms in your destination. This is a step that people rarely take the time to consider, but understanding the local healthcare landscape in a city such as Mexico City can be important, especially in an emergency. As a client you have online and mobile resoureces to identify reliable emergency rooms throughout Mexico and in Mexico City neighborhoods typically frequented by U.S. visitors. You don’t want to rely on the hotel concierge for a recommendation on a good doctor or hospital.

Understand what medications are needed. Tamiflu® or Relenza® are the drugs of choice. Tamiflu is not available commercially but has been stockpiled by the government in adequate supplies and is being dispensed via large hospitals. Relenza has been commercially available in Mexico but demand may exceed supply. As a Global Citizen International Health Insurance client you have access to drug translations and interpreters via mobile device, web or 24 hour telephone asssitance.

Know the language, at least a little bit. In an emergency situation, a language barrier can be tragic. If you don’t speak the local language, have a translation tool or resource with you.
Don’t panic. The outbreak of Swine Flu has garnered international media attention. Even though the Centers for Disease Control have advised against non-essential travel to Mexico, stay informed and keep you perspective – you might not have to cancel that trip just yet. Sign up for travel alerts, they can be sent via email or SMS Text Message.

“Knowledge is the great equalizer; everyone who is traveling to Mexico City should immerse themselves in facts and not simply listen to the rumors,” said Angelo Masciantonio, director and CEO, HTH Worldwide. “There are numerous technologies and tools that will help you remain informed about the true nature of this outbreak. If a traveler does encounter swine flu or other issues while abroad, it’s critical that they receive high quality healthcare,

Remember as a Global Citizen Insurance client you have access to a global network of more than 5,000 hospitals and English-speaking doctors in 180 countries. This network includes twenty-one hospitals and 84 doctors in Mexico City alone.

World Health Organizations Raises Swine Flu Pandemic Warning

WHO Director-General has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from the current phase 3 to phase 4. Read the Director-General's statement

Before your panic, read the Myths and Mysteries of the Swine Flu at Live Science.

At Global Citizen Insurance we are concerned about the welfare of our clients, local community and international population. Our clients can receive up to date health profiles for any city via email, SMS text message or by calling the 24 hour worldwide assistance telephone number. Receive the most current travel warnings and health alerts for any destination in the world.

When prevention is not enough and you become ill, then you have the freedom to chose any doctor or you can choose from our SELECT International Provider community of English speaking certified doctors who can diagnose, treat your conditions and then direct bill your medical expenses. Take care of yourself, be informed and let us take reduce the financial risk of an unforeseen medical emergency.

Convenient Policy Payments

Global Citizen Insurance.com makes paying for your Global Citizen international health insurance policy convenient. You can choose to pay by check, credit card or bank draft on a month to month, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover credit cards are accepted.

See Page 7 on the Global Citizen Application for payment information or call us at (800) 647-4589 or email us at health@GlobalCitizenInsurance.com for personal service.

Very obese fliers on United may have to buy 2nd seat

United Airlines is requiring extremely obese passengers who can't fit in their seats to pay for a second seat when there is no ... View article from USA Today

But apparently United is not the only airline with this policy. Continental Airlines, American Airlines Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines all have similar policies.

HERE IS AN IDEA.... How about airlines making seats to accommodate the average size traveler. With limited leg, shoulder and hip room along with not being able to stand up and move without being steamrolled by a beverage cart, I think the airlines has a responsibility to keep their passengers healthy while in transit. Cases of Deep Vein Thrombosis due to the lack of blood circulation and blood cots is on the rise for frequent airline travelers. Airline safety is more than just landing the plane and for the cost of tickets and checked luggage, you would think all passengers could fly in comfort and be assured their luggage is handled with care. In the meantime I recommend Seat Guru to help you find the least of the worst seats.

President Barack Obama called Thursday for the U.S. to move swiftly to a system of high-speed rail travel View article...

This might be the best suggestion Obama has had so far. Interstate travelers would not be at the mercy of airlines for high speed travel. Just about any other industrialized country has a high speed train system. If you are traveling abroad and wondering about the cost and availability of local and national transportation or if you just want to familiarize yourself with your destination, then you receive free country and city profiles as a Global Citizen Insurance customer. Find out transportation, health and security issues before you depart.