Established in 1984, Delta AirElite has been steadily growing and making money for Delta. While the airline part of the company is rapidly and continually hemorrhaging cash, AirElite continues to make money and grow. Indeed, with a fleet of sought after business jets in its portfolio including the Challenger 300, Gulfstream IV-SP, and Learjet 31A, AirElite is an attractive company for any potential suitor.

Truly, if Delta were to sell AirElite it would only slow the bleeding for Delta, not stop it. With debt totals exceeding $20 billion, a sale of AirElite would likely only fetch the carrier a few hundred million dollars, if that. Last year, Delta sold off its Delta Connection carrier, Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), for $425 million cash to Skywest Airlines. The sale was perceived by industry analysts as a desperate one as ASA was valued to be worth between $700-800 million dollars. The sale took place just before the airline filed for bankruptcy in September 2005, and had no effect in stemming the filing.

So, what should Delta do? In my opinion, get out of the airline business altogether. That’s right, instead of laying off thousands of additional workers and requiring steep give backs in employee wages, Delta might consider selling all of its assets off piece by piece to the competition. This would especially make sense as Delta’s restructuring is dependent on steady fuel prices and, at this point, airlines can expect to pay even more for fuel in 2006 than they did last year. Kiss that recovery plan goodbye!

Once the airline business is sold, AirElite should be all that is left of Delta. The “new” company can thrive as the business aviation market is booming. The writing is on the wall for the airlines as further consolidation, retrenchment, and big time price pressure will remain. Indeed, once Virgin America gets official government approval to fly, its fleet of 105 modern Airbus jets will have much more appeal to passengers than Delta’s aging fleet. One more reason for Delta to get out of the commercial airline business now.

Is my recommendation radical? Yes, it is. Delta, however, is in too much of a hole to ever recover. Better to realize that now when their assets have some value than to wait until what they have slips away forever. By that time, even AirElite may get dragged down and suffer.

Will Delta Sell AirElite? is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

Some people are of the opinion that the nearer one is seated to an emergency exit, the safer one is. Sadly, that is not absolutely true. A fire can start near the emergency exit as in any place within the plane. And if the emergency exit is jammed, then the person sitting nearest it is in as much of the same fix as the one sitting farthest from it.

Regardless of where the passenger is seated inside the aircraft, the risks to one’s safety is greatly minimized by one thing above all else: by being alert and aware of one’s surroundings.

Being alert means being watchful and attentive. Note the location of all exits. Listen to all pre-flight and in-flight instructions. Do not drink too much. Use common sense and try not to do anything that will be detrimental to your own safety, as well as to that of others, such as having too many or too heavy carry-on luggage, spilling hot drinks, being careless with pointed objects or things with sharp edges, and the like. Again, use common sense.

Airplane accidents are rare, despite the fears and misgivings surrounding air travel. But if one does occur during the flight, it is very important for the passenger to stay calm and not to panic. Fear is a highly contagious disease. Many casualties in accidents, even those that happened on land, could have been prevented had the panic been contained. Thus, in case of an accident, take a deep breath, keep the tone of voice down and follow the line.

There is no such thing as the safest seat in the plane. But any passenger can always make his or hers the safest seat if he or she chooses to, wherever he or she is seated. Creating the sense of safety within one’s self, after all, is a mind game.

What is the Safest Seat in an Airplane? is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

A lot of people discuss UFOs as flying saucers – it seems to be the best description that they can come up with. Others suggest, rather dismissively, that UFO simply means unidentified flying object and that the light that someone saw flashing in the sky was either a plane, a helicopter or a reflection of light off of a cell phone tower or another metal object.

Reflections of light from a cell phone tower do little to explain away “mysterious materials” found in Roswell, New Mexico in the late 1940s. While the United States military has always stood their ground that these materials were merely fragments of a research balloon, a top secret test that ended badly, others offer another explanation. They assert that the materials were fragments of a UFO, an alien craft that crashed rather than safely landing. They believe that the “flying disc” – as it was called by military personnel – that was recovered could not be something from this world, and so began one of the most talked about UFO encounters in the world.

Many who believe that the UFO in Roswell, New Mexico deserved more attention than it was being given, believe that it wasn’t something that could just be dismissed. In part, this is likely to have something to do with other stories surrounding the flying saucer. A farmer talked about having found materials miles away from Roswell, and the story was picked up by newspapers, accompanied by photos of the strange find – strips of rubber, something like aluminum foil, sticks. It’s a story that has gained so much attention around the world that it has influenced many people’s sense of alien life and alien visitations to earth.

If the Roswell, New Mexico story had never become so widespread, UFO and flying saucer may not be so common in our language, in our experiences and in novels, television programming and films. How common is it for people to see a UFO?

It’s hard to say, really, because many people who see an unidentified flying object in the sky are reluctant to report it. Either the person who saw a UFO believes that there is a far more logical explanation or merely thinks that no one would believe them if they were to say anything about it. And yet, there are UFO sightings that are shared and that become the topic of conspiracy theories by those who believe that beings from other planets and galaxies have visited the earth.

One such incident occurred in 1980 in Rendlesham Forest in Suffolk, England. Those who saw the UFO all claimed to have seen flashing lights coming from an unidentified flying object that was descending towards the woods – a UFO that was roughly the size of a car and seemed to float on a beam of light. After reports were made about the object, it was discovered that trees were damaged, radio frequencies became nothing but static and soil samples later showed radioactive activity.

Similarly, in Gulf Breeze, Florida in 1987 tales of a UFO began to circulate when a man saw a strange light coming from his lawn. When he saw the flying saucer, he grabbed a camera and started shooting photos as proof of what he had seen. Of course, in this situation, the story was not just of a UFO sighting, but about repeated experiences and of the man’s being beamed up onto the craft.

Though discussions of these UFO sightings continue, and there has been audio recordings and photo documentation, it is still difficult to know whether or not the unidentified flying objects were indeed from space. Many claimed, in regard to the Gulf Breeze, Florida UFO sightings, that the man had manipulated the photographs and fabricated the story.

In each case, both sides – the believers and the skeptics – find evidence to support their claims. Those who believe in UFOs and alien visitations cite facts that they claim cannot otherwise be explained. Those who are skeptical offer their own explanations along with their own supporting evidence. Which side is right? For now, that’s up to you to decide.

UFO Simply Means ‘Unidentified’ Flying Object is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

In the second of our UK airport travel guides, we will focus on the world’s busiest airport. London Heathrow.

Around 90 airlines use Heathrow as their hub, operating flights to over 180 destinations in 90 countries. Heathrow consists of four terminals, with a fifth currently under construction.

Terminal 1

All of Heathrow’s UK and Ireland flights operate from this terminal as well as some flights to long haul destinations and Europe.
Terminal 2

This terminal caters for European destinations as well as some long haul destinations.
Terminal 3

Long haul operators are the bulk users of this terminal, although some flights to Europe also operate from here.
Terminal 4

This terminal is used almost exclusively by British Airways and KLM.

Getting there

Although London by name, Heathrow is not actually situated in the Capital. London Heathrow is approximately 20 miles from the centre of London and this needs to be taken into account when getting to the airport.

Getting to the airport is relatively easy by all means of transport. London Underground (Tube) trains on the Piccadilly line go direct to the airport, taking about an hour and costing approximately £5.

Heathrow Express offer a great direct rail link from London Paddington, with a journey time of about 15 minutes. Heathrow Express operate trains every 15 minutes from Paddington and from Heathrow with a single ticket costing £14 and a return for £26.

Railair operate good coach links from principal areas, including Reading, Woking and Watford.

If you intend to travel by car to Heathrow Airport, sufficient time should be allotted as it is served by the busy M4 and M25 motorways. Sufficient car parking is available at all terminals, but we recommend booking parking in advance. This could also save you money on car parking costs.

If you had planned to stay in a hotel the night before your flight, a Hotel Hoppa bus service operates from most of the major hotels surrounding the airport, priced at £3 each way. Services run every 15 minutes through most of the day.

London Heathrow is truly an International airport and the millions of passengers who use this airport each and every year, represent nationalities from all corners of the globe.

Travel guide – UK airports – London Heathrow is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

A short weekend trip to Niagra falls doesn’t require a passport, or does it. You may want to go into Canada to see the Falls from the other side. You checklist would have covered this.

You want to fly to vegas for the weekend. break out the checklists. First, book a flight. You live in a time when you can now book flight from the comfort of you own home. Book online. Try every site at least once throughout the year. I like to find out of the way consolidator sites. They tend to have cheaper fares because the buy in bulk. the beauty of these sites is, not only are they cheap, they are like have a hidden travel treasure. Sites like http://lowairfares.com or http://aironsale.com have great names that say exactly what they do.

This is an example of why you need to use multiple sites to find airfare. Fares vary from hour to hour and it’s a competative business. That’s good for us.

So here’s my cheap airfare checklist:

* Choose a destination.
* Get to a computer & get online.
* Go to any search engine & type in “cheap airfare.”
* look through the results & choose 10 sites. Bookmark all 10, organize in travel folder. You don’t have to use all ten right away. Just have the reference available for future use.
* get 5 quotes for your proposed flight from 5 different sites. (3 major names, and 2 minor consolidators)
* choose your best fare.
* if you are not in rush, keep looking. Fares change hourly.

Below is a generic Travel checklist. Modify this list to your pesonal needs. Modify it to your types of travel.

Pre-Departure

* Passport
* Visa if needed
* Health Documentation
* Transportation Tickets
* Frequent Flyer Cards
* Emergency Information
* Insurance
* Hotel Reservations
* Traveler’s Checks
* Currency (both local and American)
* Credit Cards
* Guide Books and Maps (X)
* Trip Cancellation/ Medical

Information

* Copies of Passport, ID and Documents
* Special Event Reservations

Travel Gear

* Main Travel Bag (Duffle/Luggage, etc.)
* Packing Accessories (clothes, small stuff and toiletries)
* Security (Passport carrier, luggage locks/ tags)
* Document Organizer
* Everyday Bag

Everyday Basics

* Travel Clothing
* Raincoat/ Umbrella
* Travel Footwear
* Visor or Brimmed Hat
* Camera, binoculars (scopes) (X)
* Radiation Shield for Film
* Video Camera, Tapes
* CD/ Cassette Player
* Electric/ Phone Converters
* Travel Alarms
* Language Books
* Reading Materials
* Address Book
* Travel Journal
* Pen/ Pencil
* Scarf/ Bandana
* Games/ Playing Cards
* Snacks
* Hand Sanitizer/ Towlettes
* Travel Neck Pillow
* Eye Shade/ Ear Plugs
* Portable Door Lock
* Tissues/ Toilet Paper
* Keys

Maintenance Items

* Flashlight Batteries/ Bulbs (X)
* Matches or Lighter (X)
* Extra Batteries
* Sewing/ Repair Kit
* Duct Tape
* Travel Iron or Steamer
* Sink Stopper for Hotel Sinks
* Zip-Close Plastic Bags

Travel Health

* Travel Health Booklet
* Pain Reliever/ Aspirin (X)
* Cold Medicine (X)
* Contact Lens Items
* Diarrhea Medicine
* Motion Sickness Medicine
* Laxative
* Insect Protection (X)
* Sun Protection (X)
* Antibiotic Cream
* Malaria Medication
* Personal Hygiene Items
* Personal Prescriptions

Travel Checklist For Cheap Airfare is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

Why Charter a Private Business Airplane?
The following are four reasons why chartering an executive business aircraft makes good business sense:

In Flight Security – Chartering an executive business jet provides a higher level of personal security that cannot be found on most of the commercial airlines today. Don’t forget that when you fly on a chartered private executive aircraft, you are renting the entire jet, not just one seat. This is why you can be sure of much greater security in terms of the protection of sensitive business information. You won’t have to worry about why the guy in the seat behind you frantically scribbling away in a notebook as your meeting is going on.

Efficiency – Chartered private executive airplane passengers will save more time during departure by having direct access to the aircraft instead of waiting in long lines at the airport security screenings. Not only that, but because it is possible for the jet to wait for you at the arrival location you can depart on your own timetable. It is possible to conduct a meeting in the early afternoon and still be home in time for dinner allowing you to be back to work the following morning.

Simplicity – It is now easier than ever before to charter an executive business aircraft. One of the easiest ways of finding an aircraft charter company is on the internet. However you can also search for aircraft charter brokers who act as your private charter jet liaison and can assist you in locating the best charter company that will suit your requirements.

Status Symbol – One of the biggest bonuses offered to quite a few prized CEO’s is the use of the company jet. Many companies are noticing this, and to remain competitive in recruiting talent they have to offer the best perks. Chartering a private executive business jet has become the trend with several mid-sized businesses that can’t afford to purchase their own company jet. Yet another example why the aircraft charter business is on the increase.

It may sound more expensive at first, but this can be an excellent business decision. The jet will leave when you want it to leave, and depart from, or arrive at, an airport of your choice, while avoiding the stress caused by long security delays. Furthermore, depending upon the amount of passengers, the actual price tag of chartering business aircrafts can be comparable to that of any scheduled commercial flight.

Top Four Things You Need to Know About Executive Jet Charters is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

That’s what happens to me when I’m boarding a plane. I’m wild-eyed, desperate, panicky and not listening to any reasonable thing my flying companion is telling me. When I’m boarding a plane I need a cheat sheet; a quick reference guide of simple statements that I know to be true but am unable to think of on my own. Here are some from my personal list:

1. There are millions of people on thousands of flights EVERY DAY that are very routine and never make the news.
2. The plane was designed to be in the air, that’s where it performs best.
3. Air is a thick fluid, a lot like jello. The plane is being supported by big columns of “jello air”. It has substance even though I can’t see it.
4. Turbulence in a plane is like being in a car going over a bump in the road. It doesn’t hurt the plane. The wings will not fall off.
5. The plane is designed to handle more stress than any normal flying situation will deliver.
6. The pilots and flight crew do this every day, the sky is their office, they are professionals.
7. The pilots go through extensive repetitive training for every possible situation, even ones I haven’t thought of.
8. The plane has many backup systems and is capable of flying safely with several systems not functions perfectly.
9. The sounds I hear are normal and mean the plane is functioning correctly.
10. This flight will not last forever, I will get through it one minute at a time and then I will enjoy my destination.

Sometimes one statement has more meaning than another, it depends on which fear is bothering me the most. It can help to repeat the important points over and over. Focus on them. Make them real. I imagine myself as the pilot just going to his job; a job that he worked hard for, he dearly loves and cares deeply about. He loves to fly, and he’s going to deliver me to my destination and then turn around and take more people to their destination. I am just one of millions of people that will fly today.

Repeating these statements over and over helps me to come back to reality and out of my fog of fear. Your top 10 statements may be different. Some of them may be the same. As a fellow fearful flyer I know how hard it is to remember the facts that gave you comfort while in your living room. That’s why I’m always sure to take my cheat sheet of power statements with me on every flight.

Top 10 Fear of Flying Power Statements is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

1. You should seek for the best fares available for a travel program and because these are very time limited you need to decide fast that which one will be good for you. You can plan in advance for your travel visit and check out the website of the airlines or help guide so as to save many bucks of yours.

2. You can also join the Southwest Frequent Traveler Program whereby if you have to make frequent visits with southwest you can buy tickets for your short trips and use the free tickets that you will earn for your longer and expensive trips.

3. Since Southwest finds that boarding is better and takes less time when they board the travelers in groups, they doesn’t assign seats. You have groups namely A, B and C where A is the best group that gives you a chance to board first. You can also make more seating selection and can also assure a bin for your carry on luggage when you get the A-status. You would get a C- status that will end up you in a middle seat or you have to check your carry on luggage.

4. The pilot of the airlines stands below the Jetway before the incoming flight arrives and you need to queue up before some time the flight arrives. If you stand half an hour before the arriving flight, you should find your place next to a seat in the boarding area but this works when your place in the queue or line happens to be next to a seat.

5. Sometimes you will need to wait to get your pass. You can obtain a pass by paying a small fee to some companies that assist you in reserving your pass in advance.

6. Before the general boarding, children of the age group in between five to eleven who are not accompanied by elders, adults traveling with any child below the age of five and people with physical disabilities are allowed for a pre board. As such, when you make your reservation and check in you should provide your personal or special status.

7. Previously you had to print your boarding pass at home even if it was midnight before you travel but now they have a 24 hour window that provides you with printed boarding passes.

8. You need to weigh your luggage prior you proceed to board in the flight and since there are certain luggage policies you are allowed to carry small personal size briefcase or purse with you and you need to place large items in the overhead bins. In case you had a C status and all the bins are filled up you will have to check your carry on luggage.

9. You should try to reach on time and while you board go directly to your chosen row, set your luggage and sit down instead of chatting with your friends. When the plane fills yup, you can head to back and never backtrack. Don’t carry heavy luggage that you can’t lift up to the overhead bin because at that moment you yourself are responsible for settling down your luggage.

10. You can avail gifts and discounts while you are on the board as you get some discount coupons and can get rapid rewards and credits that you can use in your later travel.

For more information log on to southwest-airlines-guide.info

Tips while you travel through Southwest Airlines is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

You need to keep the following tips in mind before your vacation trip and flights:

1. The best online airfare deals could be found on Wednesdays from midnight to around five in the morning.

2. You need to consider the time of year because summer is a high season and another peak travel period is during Christmas and New Year so if you want to have discounted airfare during this time, it would be hard for you. On the contrary, if you travel during off season you would be able to get airlines tickets at discounted rates because less people are traveling at that time.

3. If you have some flexibility with your dates, choose a later date such as instead of January 2 go for January 4 and avoid holidays would be best for you. The earlier you book the ticket, the more you can save.

4. In case you travel on a major holiday, it would save you a lot for example if you pay for a ticket on the Christmas Day you will get cheaper rates because majority of the people would be at his destination at that time. Online booking with the website of the airlines can save your time and money with ensured advance booking.

5. If you want a one way ticket instead of return ticket then make sure that you check the return rate but in most cases traveling both ways will be cheaper for you.

6. Weekends are also expensive than other weekdays because many people plan short trips during that time.

7. If you are looking for online discounts always check different websites that offer various range of prices and have different policies and approaches. You can also take the help of a travel agent who can make a good deal for you.

8. Try to fly with the same airlines each time because then you can build up flyer points and miles that you can redeem for free airline tickets.

You can get other relevant airlines reservation and travel information from airlines guide and online websites.

For more information, we recommend southwest-airlines-guide.info

Tips to buy discount air tickets is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org

I remember a friend looking to take her husband away for the weekend to Dublin, Ireland and went to a high street travel agent. She was given a quote of £300 for a weekend, including flights and accommodation – book the same flight with Ryanair and a hotel in the centre of Dublin direct with the hotel, and the weekend actually cost her only £190 again including flights and accommodation – a saving of £110.

Here are my tips for searching low cost airline tickets;

Book in plenty of time

The later you leave it the more expensive the flight becomes, most airlines charge more if you book the ticket a few days or even a week before you want to departure, so the earlier you book it the cheaper the flight will cost.

Weekend departures

If you book your flight for the weekend then the ticket will cost you more money, as most people travel at the weekend, so try and book the flight departure during the week, and not only will your flight be cheaper but you’ll probably find that they will be more accommodation special offers

Travel agent flight booking

Don’t book your flight through a travel agent, simply because you’ll be charged more than booking direct with the airline – you have to remember that the travel agents in most cases add on commission to the flight, they have to make a living, but why should you pay more.

Travel out of school holidays

Like weekend departures flight prices increase during the school or bank holidays, so where you can try and book your flight during the school term.

Late night / Early morning flights

To save the most money when booking your airline ticket, book a flight either late at night or in the early hours of the morning, this is where the best savings are made, simply because of the unsocial flying times.

Tips to booking a low cost flight ticket is a post from: Tour And Travel | chefsguildofgeorgia.org