Air Travel Consumer Report

Aviation Consumer Protection Home Page Español/Spanish Organization & Functions | Air Travel Problems/Complaints | Air Travel Consumer Report | Rules & Guidelines Travel Tips & Publications | Airline Customer Service Plans | Service Cessations | Safety/Security Information New Horizons Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability Printer-friendly version (in Microsoft Word format) CONTENTS Introduction Planning Your Trip The New Traveling Environment Getting Advance Information About the Aircraft When Advance Notice Can Be Required When Attendants Can Be Required At The Airport Airport Accessibility Moving Through the Airport Passenger Information Security Screening Medical Certificates Communicable Diseases Getting On And Off The Plane The Safety Briefing Handling of Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices Boarding and Deplaning On The Plane Aircraft Accessibility Seat Assignments Service Animals In-Cabin Service Charges for Accommodations Prohibited Personnel Training Compliance Procedures Introduction For years, access to the nation’s air travel system for persons with disabilitieswas an area of substantial dissatisfaction, with both passengers and theairline industry recognizing the need for major improvement.In 1986 Congress passed the Air CarrierAccess Act, requiring the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop newregulations which ensure that persons with disabilities will be treated withoutdiscrimination in a way consistent with the safe carriage of allpassengers. These regulations werepublished in March 1990 and have been amended several times since then. The DOT regulations, referred to here as the Air Carrier Access rules, represent amajor stride forward in improving air travel for persons withdisabilities.The rules clearly explainthe responsibilities of the traveler, the carriers, the airport operators, andcontractors, who collectively make up the system which moves over one millionpassengers per day. The Air Carrier Access Act was amended effectiveApril 5, 2000, to cover foreign air carriers.The rules that implement the ACAA will be amended to reflect thatchange. TheAir Carrier Access rules are designed to minimize the special problems thattravelers with disabilities face as they negotiate their way through thenation’s complex air travel system from origin to destination. This is achieved: By recognizing that the physical barriersencountered by passengers with disabilities can frequently be overcome byemploying simple changes in layout and technology. By adopting the principle that manydifficulties confronting passengers with hearing or vision impairments will berelieved if they are provided access to the same information that is availableto all other passengers. Through training of all air travel personnelwho come in day-to-day contact with persons with disabilities, to understandtheir needs and how they can be accommodated quickly, safely, and with dignity. Thisguide is designed to offer travelers with disabilities a brief butauthoritative source of information about the Air Carrier Access rules: theaccommodations, facilities, and services that are now required to beavailable. It also describes featuresrequired by other regulations designed to make air travel more accessible. Theguide is structured in much the same sequence as a passenger would plan for atrip: the circumstances he or she must consider prior to traveling, what willbe encountered at the airport, and what to expect in the transitions fromairport to airplane, on the plane, and then airplane to airport. Top of document Planning Your Trip The New Traveling Environment THE AIR CARRIER ACCESS RULES SWEEP aside many restrictionsthat formerly discriminated against passengers with disabilities: A carrier may not refuse transportation to apassenger solely on the basis of a disability. Air carriers may not limit the number ofindividuals with disabilities on a particular flight. All trip information that is made availableto other passengers also must be made available to passengers withdisabilities. Carriers must provide passage to anindividual who has a disability that may affect his or her appearance orinvoluntary behavior, even if this disability may offend, annoy, or be aninconvenience to crew-members or other passengers. There are a few exceptions: The carrier may refuse transportation if theindividual with a disability would endanger the health or safety of otherpassengers, or transporting the person would be a violation of FAA safetyrules. The carrier may refuse transportation ifthere are no lifts, boarding chairs or other devices available which can beadapted to enplane the passenger.Airline personnel are not required to carry a mobility-impaired personon or off the aircraft by hand, i.e. to directly pick up the passenger's bodyin the arms of one or more airline staffers and carry the individual up or downstairs. Lifts or similar devices arecurrently required for nearly all flights on aircraft with 19 or more seats atairports with 10,000 or more annual enplanements. There are special rules about persons withcertain disabilities or communicable diseases.These rules are covered in the chapter entitled “ At the Airport .” The carrier may refuse transportation if itis unable to seat the passenger without violating the FAA Exit Row Seatingrules. See the chapter “ On the Plane .” There are new procedures for resolving disputes: All carriers are now required to have aComplaints Resolution Official (CRO) immediately available (even if by phone)to resolve disagreements which may arise between the carrier and passengerswith disabilities. Travelers who disagree with a carrier’s actionstoward them can pursue the issue with the carrier’s CRO on the spot. A carrier that refuses transportation to anyperson based on a disability must provide a written statement to that personwithin 10 calendar days, stating the basis for the refusal.The statement must include, whereapplicable, the basis for the carrier’s opinion that transporting the personcould be harmful to the safety of the flight. If the passenger is still not satisfied, he or she may pursue DOT enforcement action. Getting Advance Information About the Aircraft Travelerswith disabilities must be provided information upon request concerningfacilities and services available to them.When feasible this information will pertain to the specific aircraftscheduled for a specific flight. Suchinformation includes: Any limitations concerning the ability of theaircraft to accommodate an individual with a disability (the carrier shallprovide this information to any passenger who states that he or she uses awheelchair for boarding, even if the passenger does not explicitly request theinformation); The location of seats (if any) with movableaisle armrests and any seats which the carrier does not make available to anindividual with a disability (e.g., exit rows); Any limitations on the availability ofstorage facilities in the cabin or in the cargo bay for mobility aids or otherequipment commonly used by an individual with a disability; Whether the aircraft has an accessible lavatory. Normally,advance information about the aircraft will be requested by phone.Any carrier that provides telephone servicefor the purpose of making reservations or offering general information mustprovide comparable services for hearing-impaired individuals, utilizingtelecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs), or text telephones (TTs).The TTs shall be available during the samehours that the general public has access to regular phone service.The response time to answer calls on the TTline shall also be equivalent to the response time available to the generalpublic. Charges for the call, if any, shall be the same as charges made to thegeneral public. When Advance Notice Can Be Required Airlinesmay not require passengers with disabilities to provide advance notice of theirintent to travel or of their disability except as provided below.Nonetheless, letting the airline know inadvance how they can help you will generally result in a smoother trip. Carriersmay require up to 48 hours advance notice and one hour advance check-in from aperson with a disability who wishes to receive any of the following services: Transportation for an electric wheelchair onan aircraft with fewer than 60 seats; Provision by the carrier of hazardousmaterials packaging for the battery of a wheelchair or other assistive device; Accommodations for 10 or more passengers withdisabilities who travel as a group; Provision of an on-board wheelchair on anaircraft that does not have an accessible lavatory for persons who can use aninaccessible lavatory but need an on-board chair to do so. Anairline that uses a “block seating” approach to provide special seating forpassengers with disabilities is free to require 24 hours advance notice forsuch accommodations. See the “Seating”section later in this booklet. Carriersare not required to provide the following services or equipment, but shouldthey choose to provide them, they may require 48 hours advance notice and a onehour advance check-in: Medical oxygen for use on board the aircraft; Carriage of an incubator; Hook-up for a respirator to the aircraft'selectrical supply; Accommodations for a passenger who musttravel on a stretcher. Carriersmay impose reasonable, non­discriminatory charges for these optionalservices. Wherea service is required by the rule, the airline must ensure that it is providedif appropriate notice has been given and the service requested is available onthat particular flight. If a passengerdoes not meet advance notice or check-in requirements, carriers must make areasonable effort to accommodate the requested service, providing this does notdelay the flight. Ifa passenger with a disability provides the required notice but is required tofly on another carrier (for example, if the flight is cancelled), the originalcarrier must, to the maximum extent feasible, provide assistance to the secondcarrier in furnishing the accommodation requested by the individual. Itmust be recognized that even when a passenger has requested information inadvance on the accessibility features of the scheduled aircraft, carriers sometimeshave to substitute a different aircraft at the last minute for safety,mechanical or other reasons. Thesubstitute aircraft may not be as fully accessible—a condition that may prevailuntil the retirement of the last of the aircraft that were in service beforethe implementation of the Air Carrier Access rules. When Attendants Can Be Required Carriersmay require the following individuals to be accompaniedby an attendant: A person traveling on a stretcher or in anincubator (for flights where such service is offered); A person who, because of a mental disability,is unable to comprehend or respond appropriately to safety instructions fromcarrier personnel; A person with a mobility impairment so severethat the individual is unable to assist in his or her own evacuation from theaircraft; A person who has both severe hearing andsevere vision impairments which prevent him or her from receiving and acting onnecessary instructions from carrier personnel when evacuating the aircraftduring an emergency. Thecarrier and the passenger may disagree about the applicability of one of thesecriteria. In such cases, the airlinecan require the passenger to travel with an attendant, contrary to thepassenger’s assurances that he or she can travel alone. However, the carriercannot charge for the transportation of the attendant. Theairline can choose an attendant in a number of ways.It could designate an-off duty employee who happened to betraveling on the same flight to act as the attendant.The carrier or the passenger with a disability could seek avolunteer from among other passengers on the flight to act as the attendant.The carrier could provide a free ticket toan attendant of the passenger's choice for that flight segment.In the end, however, a carrier is notrequired to find or furnish an attendant. Theattendant would not be required to provide personal service to the passengerwith a disability other than to provide assistance in the event of an emergencyevacuation. This is in contrast to thecase of the passenger that usually travels accompanied by a personal attendant,who would provide the passenger whatever service he or she requests. Ifthere is not a seat available on the flight for an attendant, and as a result aperson with a disability holding a confirmed reservation is denied travel onthe flight, the passenger with a disability is eligible for denied boardingcompensation. Forpurposes of determining whether a seat is available for an attendant, theattendant shall be deemed to have checked in at the same time as the personwith the disability. Top of document At The Airport Airport Accessibility UNTIL A FEW YEARS AGO, ONLY THOSE AIRPORT facilitiesdesigned, constructed, or renovated by or for a recipient of federal funds hadto comply with federal accessibility standards.Even at federally-assisted airports, not all facilities andactivities were required to be accessible.Examples are privately-owned ground transportation and concessionsselling goods or services to the public.As a result of the Air Carrier Access rules, and the Americans withDisabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and implementing regulations, theseprivately-owned facilities must also be made accessible. Ingeneral, airports under construction or being refurbished must comply with theADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and other regulations governingaccessibility in accordance with a timetable established in the ADA.The ADAAGs can be found at http://www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm .Note in particular section 10.4,“Airports.” Thus, while there are stillmany changes to be made, the accessibility of most airports is improving.With few exceptions, the following servicesshould be available in all air carrier terminals within the next few years: Accessible parking near the terminal; Signs indicating accessible parking and theeasiest access from those spaces to the terminal; Accessible medical aid facilities andtravelers aid stations; Accessible restrooms; Accessible drinking fountains; Accessible ticketing systems at primary farecollection areas; Amplified telephones and text telephones(TTs) for use by persons with hearing and speech impairments (there must be atleast one TT in each terminal in a clearly marked accessible location); Accessible baggage check-in and retrieval areas; Jet bridges and mobile lounges that areaccessible (at airports that have such facilities); Level entry boarding ramps, lifts or othermeans of assisting an individual with a disability on and off an aircraft; Information systems using visual words,letters or symbols with lighting and color coding, and systems for providinginformation orally; Signs indicating the location of specific facilitiesand services. Moving Through the Airport Tomake travel easier for an individual with a disability, major airports will berequired to make the following services accessible under new rules being putinto effect in the next several years: Shuttle vehicles, owned or operated byairports, transporting people between parking lots and terminal buildings; People movers and moving walkways within andbetween terminals and gates. Allcarrier facilities must currently include one accessible route from an airportentrance to ticket counters, boarding locations and baggage handlingareas. These routes must minimize anyextra distance that wheelchair users must travel compared to other passengersto reach these facilities. Outbound andinbound baggage facilities must provide efficient baggage handling forindividuals with a disability, and these facilities must be designed andoperated so as to be accessible. Theremust be appropriate signs to indicate the location of accessible services. Carrierscannot restrict the movements of persons with disabilities in terminals orrequire them to remain in a holding area or other location while awaitingtransportation and other assistance. Curbside baggage check-in (available only fordomestic flights) may be helpful to passengers with a disability. Passenger Information Carriers must ensure that individuals withdisabilities, including those with vision and hearing impairments, have timelyaccess to the same information provided to other passengers,including (but notlimited to) information on: ticketing; scheduled departure times and gates; change of gate assignments; status of flight delays; schedule changes; flight check-in; checking and claiming of luggage. This information must bemade available upon request. A crewmember is not required to interrupt his or her immediate safety duties tosupply such information. A copy of the Air Carrier Access rules must be madeavailable by carriers for inspection upon request at each airport. As previously noted, any carrier that providestelephone service for the purpose of making reservations or offering generalinformation shall also provide TT service.This service for people with speech and hearing impairments must beavailable during the same hours that the general public has access to regularphone service, with equivalent response times and charges. Security Screening An individual with a disability must undergo thesame security screening as any other member of the traveling public. If an individual with a disability is able to passthrough the security system without activating it, the person shall not besubject to special screening procedures.Security personnel are free to examine an assistive device that theybelieve is capable of concealing a weapon or other prohibited item.If an individual with a disability is notable to pass through the system without activating it, the person will besubject to further screening in the same manner as any other passengeractivating the system. Security screening personnel at some airports mayemploy a hand-held device that will allow them to complete the screeningwithout having to physically search the individual.If this method is still unable to clear the individual and aphysical search becomes necessary, then at the passenger’s request, the searchmust be done in private. If the passenger requests a private screening in atimely manner, the carrier must provide it in time for the passenger to boardthe aircraft. Such private screeningswill not be required, however, to a greater extent or for any different reasonthan for other passengers. However,they may take more time. Medical Certificates A medical certificate is a written statement fromthe passenger’s physician saying that the passenger is capable of completingthe flight safely without requiring extraordinary medical care. A disability is not sufficient grounds for a carrierto request a medical certificate.Carriers shall not require passengers to present a medical certificateunless the person: Is on a stretcher or in an incubator (where such service is offered); Needs medical oxygen during flight (where such service is offered); Has a medical condition which causes thecarrier to have reasonable doubt that the individual can complete the flightsafely, without requiring extraordinary medical assistance during the flight;or Has a communicable disease or infection thathas been determined by federal public health authorities to be generallytransmittable during flight. If the medical certificateis necessitated by a communicable disease (see next section), it must say thatthe disease or infection will not be communicable to other persons during thenormal course of flight, or it shall state any conditions or precautions thatwould have to be observed to prevent transmission of the disease or infectionto others. Carriers cannot mandate separate treatment for anindividual with a disability except for reasons of safety or to prevent thespread of a communicable disease or infection. Communicable Diseases As part of their responsibility to their passengers,air carriers try to prevent the spread of infection or a communicable diseaseon board an aircraft. If a person whoseeks passage has an infection or disease that would be transmittable duringthe normal course of a flight, and that has been deemed so by a federal publichealth authority knowledgeable about the disease or infection, then the carriermay: Refuse to provide transportation to the person; Require the person to provide a medical certificatestating that the disease at its current stage would not be transmittable duringthe normal course of flight, or describing measures which would preventtransmission during flight; Impose on the person a condition orrequirement not imposed on other passengers (e.g., wearing a mask). If the individual has acontagious disease but presents a medical certificate describing conditions orprecautions that would prevent the transmission of the disease during theflight, the carrier shall provide transportation unless it is not feasible toact upon the conditions set forth in the certificate to prevent transmission ofthe disease. Top of document Getting On And Off The Plane The Safety Briefing FAA REGULATIONS REQUIRE THAT carrierpersonnel provide a safety briefing toall passengers before takeoff. Thisbriefing is for the passengers’ own safety and is intended for that purposeonly. Carrier personnel may offer an individual briefingto a person whose disability precludeshim or her from receiving the information presented in the generalbriefing. The individual briefing mustbe provided as inconspicuously and discretely as possible.Most carriers choose to offer this briefingbefore other passengers board the flight if the passenger with a disabilitychooses to pre-board the flight. Acarrier can present the special briefing at any time before takeoff that doesnot interfere with other safety duties. Carriers may not ‘quiz’ the individual about thematerial presented in the briefing, except to the same degree they quiz allpassengers about the general briefing.A carrier cannot take any adverse action against the passenger on thebasis that, in the carrier’s opinion, the passenger did not understand thesafety briefing. Safety briefings presented to passengers on videoscreens must have an open caption or an insert for a sign language interpreter,unless this would interfere with the video or would not be large enough to beseen. This requirement takes effect asold videos are replaced in the normal course of business. Handling of Mobility Aids and Assistive Devices To the extent consistent with various FAA safetyregulations, passengers may bring on board and use ventilators and respirators,powered by non-spillable batteries.Assistive devices brought into the cabin by an individual with adisability shall not count toward a limit on carry-on items. Persons using canes and other assistive devices maystow these items on board the aircraft, consistent with safety regulations.Carriers shall permit passengers to stow wheelchairs or component parts of amobility device under seats, or in overhead compartments. Carriers must permit one folding wheelchair to bestowed in a cabin closet, or other approved priority storage area, if theaircraft has such areas and stowage can be accomplished in accordance with FAAsafety regulations. If the passengerusing it pre-boards, stowage of the wheelchair takes priority over the carry-onitems brought on by other passengers enplaning at the same airport (includingpassengers in another cabin, such as First Class), but not over items ofpassengers who boarded at previous stops. When stowed in the cargo compartment, wheelchairsand other assistive devices must be given priority over cargo and baggage, andmust be among the first items unloaded.Mobility aids shall be returned to the owner as close as possible to thedoor of the aircraft (consistent with DOT hazardous materials regulations) orat the baggage claim area, in accordance with whatever request was made by thepassenger before boarding. If the priority storage accorded to mobility aidsprevents another passenger’s baggage from being carried, the carrier shall makeits best efforts to ensure the other baggage arrives within four hours. On certain aircraft, some assistive devices willhave to be disassembled in order to be transported (e.g., electric wheelchairs,other devices too large to fit in the cabin or in the cargo hold in onepiece). When assistive devices aredisassembled, carriers are obligated to return them to passengers in thecondition that the carrier received them (e.g., assembled). Carriersmust transport battery-powered wheelchairs, except where cargo compartment sizeor aircraft airworthiness considerations do not permit doing so.Electric wheelchairs must be treated inaccordance with both DOT regulations for handling hazardous materials, and DOTAir Carrier Access regulations, which differentiate between spillable andnon-spillable batteries: Spillable Batteries. If the chair is poweredby a spillable battery, the battery must be removed unless the wheelchair canbe loaded, stored, secured, and unloaded always in an upright position.When it is possible to load, store, secure,and unload with the wheelchair always in an upright position and the battery issecurely attached to the wheelchair, the carrier may not remove the batteryfrom the chair. Nonspillable Batteries . It is never necessaryunder the DOT hazardous materials regulations to remove a battery that ismarked as nonspillable from a wheelchair before stowing it.DOT issued rules that require newnon-spillable batteries to be marked as such effective September 1995. The carrier may remove a battery that is not marked as nonspillable from themobility aid if it cannot be loaded, stored, secured and unloaded always in anupright position. An across-the-boardassumption that all batteries are spillable is not consistent with the AirCarrier Access rules. A nonspillable battery may be removed where it appears to be damaged and leakageof battery fluid is possible. Other provisions concerning electric wheelchairs: The battery of a wheelchair may not be drained. When DOT hazardous materials regulationsrequire detaching the battery from the wheelchair, the carrier shall uponrequest provide packaging for the battery that will meet safety requirements. Carriers may not charge for packagingwheelchair batteries. Carriers may require passengers with electricwheelchairs to check in one hour before flight time. If a passenger checks in less than one hourbefore flight time, the carrier shall make a reasonable effort to carry his orher wheelchair unless this would delay the flight. Carriers must allow passengers to providewritten instructions concerning the disassembly and assembly of theirwheelchairs. Carriers may not require apassenger with a disability to sign a waiver of liability for damage or loss ofwheelchairs or other assistive devices.The carrier may make note of any pre-existing defect to the device. On domestic trips, airlines are permitted to limittheir liability for loss, damage or delay to checked baggage to $2,500 perpassenger. This limit does not apply towheelchairs or other assistive devices, however. When an assistive device is lost or destroyed on a domestic trip,the criterion for calculating the compensation is the original purchase priceof the device. This expanded liability for assistive devices doesnot extend to international trips, where the Warsaw Convention applies.For most international trips (including thedomestic portions of an international trip) the current liability isapproximately $9.07 per pound for checked baggage and $400 per passenger forunchecked baggage, including assistive devices. [1] Boarding and Deplaning Properly trained service personnel who areknowledgeable on how to assist individuals with a disability in boarding andexiting must be available if needed.Equipment used for assisting passengers must be kept in good workingcondition. Boarding and exiting most medium and large-size jet aircraft is almost always by way of level boarding ramps or mobile lounges, which must be accessible. If ramps or mobile lounges are not used, then on most flights using aircraft with 19 or more seats a lifting device (other than a device used for freight) must be provided to assist persons with limited mobility safely on and off the aircraft. On flights on smaller aircraft, passengers with mobility impairments are generally carried up and down the aircraft’s boarding stairs using a "boarding chair." Airlines are not permitted to hand-carry passengers on and off aircraft, i.e., to directly pick a passenger’s body in the arms of airline personnel. In order to provide some personal assistance andextra time, the air carrier may offer a passenger with a disability, or anypassenger that may be in need of assistance, the opportunity to pre-board theaircraft. The passenger has the optionto accept or decline the offer. On connecting flights, the delivering carrier isresponsible for providing assistance to the individual with a disability inreaching his or her connecting flight. Carriers cannot leave a pas­senger unattended formore than 30 minutes in a ground wheelchair, boarding chair, or other device inwhich the passenger is not independently mobile. Top of document On The Plane Aircraft Accessibility PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE AIR CarrierAccess Act of 1986, accessibility requirements for aircraft were verylimited. The rules implementing thatlaw require that new aircraft delivered after April 1992 have the followingaccessibility features: For aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats: At least one half of the armrests on aisle seats shall be movable to facilitate transferring passengers from on‑board wheelchairs to the aisle seat; Carriers shall establish procedures to ensure that individuals with disabilities can readily obtain seating in rows with movable aisle armrests; An aisle seat is not required to have a movable armrest if not feasible or if a person with a disability would be precluded from sitting there by FAA safety rules (e.g., an exit row). For aircraft with 100 or more seats: Priority space in the cabin shall be provided for stowage of at least one passenger’s folding wheelchair. (This rule also applies to aircraft of smaller size, if there is a closet large enough to accommodate a folding wheelchair.) For aircraft with more than one aisle: At least one accessible lavatory (with door locks, call buttons, grab bars, and lever faucets) shall be available which will have sufficient room to allow a passenger using an on-board wheelchair to enter, maneuver, and use the facilities with the same degree of privacy as other passengers. Aircraft with more than 60 seats must have anoperable on-board wheelchair if There is an accessible lavatory, or A passenger provides advance notice that he or she can use an inaccessible lavatory but needs an on-board chair to reach it, even if the aircraft predated the rule and has not been refurbished (see below). An aircraft delivered beforeApril 1992 does not have to be made accessible until its interior isrefurbished. At that time the relevantaccessibility features shall be added. Airplanes in the commercial fleet have their seatsreplaced under different schedules depending on the carrier.At the time when all seats are beingreplaced on an aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats,half of the aisle seatsmust be equipped with movable aisle armrests.This shall be done on smaller aircraft to the extent it is not inconsistentwith structural, weight, balance, operational or interior configurationlimitations. Similarly, all aircraft undergoing replacement ofcabin interior elements or lavatories must meet the accessibility requirementsfor the affected features, including cabin storage space for a folding wheelchair,and an on-board wheelchair if there is an accessible lavatory (unlessprohibited by structural, weight, balance, or configuration limitations). Seat Assignments An individual with a disability cannot be requiredto sit in a particular seat or be excluded from any seat, exceptas provided by FAA safety rules, such as theFAA Exit Row Seating rule. For safetyreasons, that rule limits seating in exit rows to those persons with the mostpotential to be able to operate the emergency exit and help in an aircraftevacuation. The carrier cannot denytransport, but may deny specific seats to travelers who are less than age 15 orlack the capacity to act without an adult, or who lack suf­­ficient mobility,strength, dexterity, vision, hearing, speech, reading or comprehensionabilities to perform emergency evacuation functions.The carrier may also deny specific seats to persons with acondition or responsibilities, such as caring for small children, that mightprevent the person from performing emergency evacuation functions, or causeharm to themselves in doing so. A traveler with a disability may also be denied certain seats if: The passenger’s involuntary behavior is suchthat it could compromise safety of the flight and the safety problem can bemitigated to an acceptable degree by assigning the passenger a specific seatrather than refusing service; The seat desired cannot accommodate guide dogs or service animals. In each instance, carriers are obligated to offer alternative seat locations. Service Animals Carriers must permit dog guides or other serviceanimals with appropriate identification to accompany an individual with adisability on a flight. Identificationmay include cards or other documentation, presence of a harness or markings ona harness, tags, or the credible verbal assurance of the passenger using theanimal. If carriers provide special information topassengers concerning the transportation of animals outside the continentalUnited States, they must provide such information to all passengers withanimals on such flights, not simply to passengers with disabilities who aretraveling with service animals. Carriers must permit a service animal to accompany atraveler with a disability to any seat in which the person sits, unless theanimal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain clear in order tofacilitate an emergency evacuation, in which case the passenger will beassigned another seat. In-Cabin Service Air carrier personnel shall assist a passenger with a disability to: Move to and from seats as a part of theboarding and exiting process; Open packages and identify food (assistancewith actual eating is not required); Use an on-board wheelchair when available toenable the passenger to move to and from the lavatory; Move to and from the lavatory, in the case ofa semi-ambulatory person (as long as this does not require lifting or carryingby the airline employee); Load and retrieve carry-on items, includingmobility aids and other assistive devices stowed on board the aircraft. Carrier personnel are notrequired to provide assistance inside the lavatory or at the passenger’s seatwith elimination functions. The carrierpersonnel are also not required to perform medical services for an individualwith a disability. Charges for Accommodations Prohibited Carriers cannot impose charges for providingfacilities, equipment, or services to an individual with a disability that arerequired by DOT's Air Carrier Access regulations.They may charge for optional services, however, such as oxygenand accommodation of stretchers. Personnel Training Carriers must provide training on passengers withdisabilities for all personnel who deal with the traveling public.This training shall be appropriate to theduties of each employee and will be designed to help the employee understandthe special needs of these travelers, and how they can be accommodated quickly,safely, and with dignity. The trainingmust familiarize employees with: The Department of Transportation’s rules onthe provision of air service to an individual with a disability; The carrier’s procedures for providingtransportation to persons with disabilities, including the proper and safeoperation of any equipment used to accommodate such persons; How to respond appropriately to persons withdifferent dis­abilities, including persons with mobility, sensory, mental, andemotional disabilities. Top of document Compliance Procedures EACH CARRIER MUST HAVE AT LEAST oneComplaints Resolution Official (CRO) available at each airport during times ofscheduled carrier operations. The CROcan be made available by telephone. Any passenger having a complaint of allegedviolations of the Air Carrier Access rules is entitled to communicate with aCRO, who has authority to resolve complaints on behalf of the carrier. If a CRO receives a complaint before the action ofcarrier personnel has resulted in violation of the Air Carrier Access rules,the CRO must take or direct other carrier personnel to take action to ensurecompliance with the rule. The CRO,however, does not have authority to countermand a safety-based decision made bythe pilot-in-command of an aircraft. If the CRO agrees with the passenger that aviolation of the rule occurred, he must provide the passenger a writtenstatement summarizing the facts and what steps if any, the carrier proposes totake in response to the violation. If the CRO determines that no violation hasoccurred, he must provide the passenger a written statement summarizing thefacts and reasons for the decision or conclusion. The written statement must inform the interestedparty of his or her right to pursue DOT enforcement action if the passenger isstill not satisfied with the response.If possible, the written statement by the CRO must be given to thepassenger at the airport; otherwise, it shall be sent to the passenger within10 days of the incident. Carriers shall establish a procedure for resolvingwritten complaints alleging violations of any Air Carrier Access ruleprovision. If a passenger chooses tofile a written complaint, the complaint should note whether the passengercontacted the CRO at the time of the alleged violation, including the CRO’sname and the date of contact, if available.It should include any written response received from the CRO.A carrier shall not be required to respondto a complaint postmarked more than 45 days after the date of an allegedviolation. A carrier must respond to a written complaint within30 days after receiving it. Theresponse must state the airline’s position on the alleged violation, and mayalso state whether and why no violation occurred, or what the airline plans todo about the problem. The carrier mustalso inform the passenger of his or her right to pursue DOT enforcement action. Any person believing that a carrier has violated anyprovision of the rule may contact the following office for assistance: Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division, C-75 400 Seventh Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20590 E-mail: airconsumer@ost.dot.gov [1] As with any passengerbaggage, this limit may be increased through Excess Valuation coveragepurchased through the individual airline.The passenger should also check his or her homeowners or rentersinsurance to determine whether it provides additional coverage. Organization & Functions | Air Travel Problems/Complaints | Air Travel Consumer Report | Rules & Guidelines Travel Tips & Publications | Airline Customer Service Plans | Service Cessations | Safety/Security Information Additional information may be obtained by contacting airconsumer@ost.dot.gov . Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings 400 Seventh Street, SW, Room 4107 Washington, DC 20590 http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov

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Vacations by Merit Travel Group DESTINATIONS -- USA Regions Alabama Arizona, Phoenix Arizona, Tucson California, Palm Springs California, San Diego Florida, Jacksonville Florida, Orlando Florida, S East Florida, S Western Florida, Tampa Georgia Hawaii Mississippi Nevada North Carolina S. Carolina, Charleston S. Carolina, Myrtle Beach S.Carolina, Hilton Head -- Canadian Regions Alberta, Jasper Alberta, Kananaskis Alberta/Banff, Canmore BC, Kelowna BC, Victoria BC, Whistler New Brunswick Nova Scotia, Halifax Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Ontario, Niagara Ontario, Central Ontario, Muskoka Prince Edward Island Quebec, Tremblant Quebec, Montebello -- International Regions Caribbean Ireland Mexico Panama Portugal Scotland MAP IT CONTACT US SIGN up for teeMail Brochure Request Download US Golf Brochure CONTACT US Play world-class championship golf on emerald green fairways, designed by the world's greatest architects. There are courses and packages for golfers of all levels, including seniors, women, families, juniors and professional-level players. Canada Emerald fairways, red-hot par threes and a simply golden history. Here, golf, is as perfect as you dare. Golf in Canada - we'll share your driving passion for the game. US Let us help you plan your perfect golf getaway! We have the perfect Golf Vacation that turns your next vacation into a stroke of brilliance. International There is no one perfect golf vacation. There are many! We'll help you choose the one that's right for you. We'll help you decide. Overview Site Map Privacy Policy Local Offices Contact Us

Family Vacations Ireland Lake

GORP's Family Vacation Saver Destination Forums Parks Forum Gear Forum Food Pets Family Wallpapers Travel Screensavers Slide Show -- Contests Search: from Away.com Related Guides Colorado Vacations Glenwood Springs Vacations Glenwood Springs Hotels Glenwood Springs Flights Glenwood Springs Trips Glenwood Springs Airports Birdwatching Driving Tours Fishing Hiking/Trekking Horseback Riding Nature Observation Paddling Scuba Diving Windsurfing Popular Cities in Colorado Denver Colorado Springs Durango Fort Collins Breckenridge Grand Junction Aspen Crested Butte Telluride Boulder Vail Steamboat Springs Video Gallery Screensavers E-Cards -- Discussion Boards Family Jobs Pets Humor Food/Cuisine Arts & Photos Disabled Hiking Biking Fishing Paddling Wildlife Skiing Gear Climbing Conservation Destinations Family Campfire -- GORP Experts GORP Guests Submit a Trail Rate a Trail Park Poll Rate a Park Club Finder Submit a Club -- Winter Olympics 2006 Classic World Hikes Best Winter Parks Off-Beach Caribbean Ski Guide 2005-06 from Outside Online -- COMMUNITY Summer is kicking into high gear but you say your family's vacation plans are stuck in neutral? Don't worry, GORP has just the resources you need to jump start summer with a family trip that puts the adventure back in your life. To fix your summer, just choose one item from each of the four categories below, then gas up the car, and go. And don't forget to send a few postcards! 1) Pick A Sport Backpacking The hows, wheres, and why of hiking with kids. Stumped? Then Ask Alice GORP's family expert, Alice Cary, can answer your vacation questions and other concerns. Or read her past answers . Canoeing Learn more about the family friendliest outdoor option. Bike Touring Roll down a country lane going inn-to-inn or camping as you go. Horsepacking Saddle up and live out a few cowboy fantasies. Rock Climbing Kids take to vertical rock with surprising ease. 2) Find A Getaway GORP's state-by-state Outdoor Guide Find great out-of-the-way destinations around the U.S. National Parks Guide Follow our insider's advice for seeing parks without crowds, or find out what fellow GORP readers recommend in our Parks Poll . GORP City Weekender Where time-pressed parents find close-by getaways. Lakes and Seashores What better place to cool off than one of our many beautiful national lakeshore and seashore parks? GORP Travel Family Focus Would you rather leave the vacation planning to someone else? Then click over to GORP Travel to review our selection of more than 200 family inspired adventures in the US and overseas. 3) Become a Know-It-All Parent Sun Smarts For Small Fries GORP Family expert Alice Cary informs you about sun-safe strategies for outdoor families. Defusing Ticks A worry-free guide to dealing with little bloodsuckers. Rash Thinking Kids and poison ivy are an unavoidable combo. Here's how to handle the outcome. When Nature Calls Bathroom etiquette when there isn't a bathroom in sight. 4) Get Inspired To Go New Parent's Guide to Getting Outdoors Little creatures are highly transportable, so there's no excuse for being house-bound this summer. Reader Tips on Taking Trips GORP Readers have covered the globe with kids in tow, and they share their getaway tips. Return to Top _default.adp -- RELATED TRIPS [Colorado Trips] Multi-Sport Ski Guide 2005-06 Top North American Resorts // Best Family Skiing // Top Resorts for Beginners // Top Resorts for Experts // Best for Nightlife // Best Snowboarding // Lack of Crowds // Top Scenic Resorts // See All Resorts OUTDOOR GEAR REVIEWS [From Outside magazine] Tents // Sleeping Bags // Backpacks // Hiking Boots // Hydration Systems // Camp Stoves // Road Bikes // Mountain Bikes // Kayaks // Running Shoes // Jackets // Soft Shells // Luggage // Sunglasses // Cameras // Binoculars // Audio Players // GPS Devices [from GORP.com] GORP's full gear guide THE GEAR GUY Is there one boot to hike and climb the Americas? How can I take my two-year-old cross-country skiing? ( Outside ) What runners will keep me upright on muddy trails? 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Disney Vacation Other Disney

MouseSavers.com - Ways to Save for Your Disney Vacation Great deals on all things Disney! Find out how to save on: Walt Disney World Disneyland Disney Cruise Line Transportation for Your Disney Vacation Other Disney Travel Savings Discount Disney Shopping Mall Live Disney Shows Disney Freebies Disneyland Resort Paris Disney Parks in Asia Disney's Vero Beach/Hilton Head Non-Disney Theme Parks & Attractions More information: About MouseSavers Frequently Asked Questions Trip Reports and Articles Links Testimonials Privacy Policy & Legal Stuff Contact Mary Ways to Save for Your Disney Vacation Jump to: Vacation Savings Account Other Ways to Save in Small Increments More Tips and Tricks Vacation Savings Account One of the best and smartest ways to save for a Disney vacation is to open a separate savings account specifically for your vacation fund. If at all possible, jump-start the account with a lump sum, such as a tax refund. Have a certain amount auto-debited from your paychecks and deposited directly into that savings account. That way you never see the money, so there is less temptation to spend it. And of course you'll be earning interest! If you put $25 a week into your vacation account and earn 2% interest compounded daily, you'll have $1337 in the account a year after you start saving, and $2677 in two years. If you're able to "jump start" the account with $500 and then add that $25 a week at 2% interest, you'll have $1847 in your account a year after you start saving, and $3197 in two years. By the way, it is very worthwhile to shop around for the best banking deal . The best I've found is the Orange Savings Account from ING Direct . I have one of these accounts myself. You can open one in 5 minutes or less and transfer money into it electronically. The ING account pays a variable 3.75% Annual Percentage Yield on savings with no minimum deposit and no hidden fees or service charges. (Compare this with what your bank or credit union pays on savings accounts. I predict you'll be amazed.) It's FDIC insured. You can easily set up an automatic savings plan with this account. Other Ways to Save in Small Increments Here are some additional, relatively painless tricks people use to get themselves to save. It's all about setting priorities -- and in some cases, tricking yourself into saving. What works for one person, won't work for another. Try one, or try 'em all. Remember, every penny helps! Buy US Savings Bonds You can purchase them online and spend as little as $25 each time. US Savings Bonds must be held for at least 1 year before you can cash them in. There is a 3-month interest penalty if you cash an EE or I Bond within the first five years from its issue date. There is no penalty for cashing EE or I Bonds that are at least five years old. Bonds pay very good interest compared with a regular savings account and since they are issued by the government, they are an extremely safe investment. Buy Disney Dollars Personally I would never use this method because it doesn't earn interest, but some people find it very helpful because you can't spend Disney Dollars anywhere but Disney! Disney Dollars are "cash equivalents." One Disney Dollar = one US dollar, and you can buy any even dollar amount, so for example if you have $31 saved you can buy that amount in Disney Dollars. You can also give your children Disney Dollars for birthdays and holidays, and ask relatives to do the same, so the kids will have their own spending money for the next Disney vacation. Disney Dollars can be purchased at any Disney Store or Disney theme park, or through Walt Disney World Mail Order at (407) 363-6200. The Change Jar Make a rule that you never spend coins. Save all your pocket change and throw it in a big jar. Label the jar (i.e. "Our Disney Vacation") to remind your of your goal. Periodically you can roll the coins and see how much you have. (This is a great job for kids.) Once it's rolled, put it in your vacation savings account. If you don't want to roll the change, see if your bank takes unrolled change . Some banks have change-counting machines and they'll count your coins for free or for a very small fee. There are CoinStar machines in many grocery stores that will allow you to dump in a ton of change and get a slip redeemable for bills at the cashier, but you'll pay a hefty premium (somewhere around 9%) for the service; if you do this, at least pluck out the quarters and roll those! Variations on the change jar: Never spend quarters , or never spend dollar bills . Put those in the jar. Checkbook Games When writing a check, round up your checkbook entry to the nearest dollar. For instance, if you write a check for $57.12, record it in your checkbook as $58. Not only does this help you prevent overdrafts, it also means you're accumulating a little extra in your account every time you write a check. Another good thing about this method is that you're earning interest on that extra money, assuming you have an interest-bearing checking account. Round down your deposit entries to the nearest dollar. For instance, if you deposit $300.91, record it as $300. Again, you're accumulating a little extra "ghost" money in your account. A variation on the checkbook rounding method: charge yourself a dollar every time you write a check, plus round up . So if the check was for $47.39, round it up to $48 and add a dollar, making the entry in your checkbook $49. Another variation on the checkbook rounding method: round up to the nearest five dollars . So if the check was for $52.23, round it up to $55. If it was for $9.51, round it up to $10. More Tips and Tricks If a payment ends, keep making it -- to yourself! For instance, if you pay off a car or a credit card, keep making that payment, but instead write the check to yourself and deposit it into your vacation savings account. Make a rule that "found" money goes in the vacation fund. For instance, if you get a rebate, tax refund, gift check or work bonus, deposit it in the vacation account. Give yourself an allowance for cash expenditures (i.e. groceries, gas, meals out, entertainment, etc.) and make a game of seeing how much of your allowance you can NOT spend. Anything left over at the end of the week (or month) goes into the vacation fund. Charge everything to Disney's Visa or a cash-back credit card and pay the card off each month. (Only do this if you can handle the temptation to overspend on plastic, and if you really will pay the balance off every single month. If you won't pay it off monthly, this is a bad idea.) Use the Disney Dream Reward Dollars or cash-back bonus toward your vacation. Cut out one small daily expense and put the money you're saving into your vacation fund. The savings can really add up. If you save $1 a day on something you buy at work, and you work 5 days a week x 50 weeks, that's $250 a year! For example: If you drink a cafe latte every morning, buy a travel mug and fill it with strong coffee and hot milk at home instead. If you usually eat lunch out or buy lunch at a deli, try bringing lunch from home at least 2 or 3 days a week. If you just can't get it together to make a lunch, at least try bringing a can of soda from home instead of buying one at the deli or out of a machine. Bring a snack from home instead of hitting the vending machines. Giving up smoking may save you enough money in a year to fund a family vacation. I'm not kidding! If you're smoking a pack a day, you're spending at least $800 a year on cigarettes. In places with high tobacco taxes, you're spending $1600 or more. Ask your family to help you save. Often children aren't very aware of how much small expenses can add up over time. If you point out that every nickel they can save the household will get them closer to seeing Mickey, they may surprise you! Solicit their ideas and suggestions, and then agree to put aside what you've saved for your vacation fund. Be sure you have a plan for keeping the saved money separate, so that it doesn't get spent elsewhere. That might mean writing a check for the amount of money saved and depositing it into your vacation account, or putting that amount of cash into the change jar. Whatever it is, do it consistently. Here are a few ideas your family might consider: Spend less on entertainment. Borrow videos from your public library instead of the video store: most public libraries offer this service for little or no cost. Instead of going to the movies, check the newspaper for free local family entertainment and events, or have a family game night. Eat out less. Face it, cooking every night can be tiring and a drag, and that leads to eating out, which is much more expensive. So find a way to avoid this. Think up something you can make in the crockpot one night a week instead of getting takeout. Or turn cooking into a fun project once a week -- for instance, make a pizza with the kids instead of ordering one. Use grocery store coupons. Particularly if you live in an area like Southern California, where the major supermarkets will double the value of manufacturer's coupons, you can't afford NOT to clip coupons out of the Sunday paper! I do this, combined with buying sale items and seasonal produce, and frequently save 40% or more on my grocery bill. Seriously, 15 minutes of effort and a $5 coupon organizer can save you an amazing amount of money. Kids who are old enough to use scissors can certainly cut out coupons. Older kids can also sort and file coupons in your coupon organizer. Sell your junk. Have a big garage sale. Take still-in-fashion clothes to a consignment shop. Sell unwanted books, CDs, movies and collectibles you no longer want on eBay . You'd be amazed at what your old stuff may bring. Don't assume no one wants it. (I once sold a ratty bathmat the dog had chewed up, which I was using as a rag, for a quarter. It wasn't even part of my garage sale -- someone just noticed it lying on the ground and offered me money for it!) If you are a family of recreational shoppers, start going to garage sales, consignment shops and thrift stores instead of the mall. One person's trash is another's treasure, remember? There is often good stuff to be had at these places! Take a certain amount of cash and don't spend more. You'll get the thrill of the hunt and the thrill of the bargain, but for much less than a trip to the mall. Shop around on your insurance at least once a year. It's remarkable how much you can save. Rates for an identical auto insurance policy can vary from one company to another by as much as 100%! An easy way to shop around is to use an online site such as InsureMe.com , which will get you quotes from several insurance companies. I used this site to shop for life insurance and ended up with a great deal from a top-rated company. Evaluate your spending on cable television and telephone services. Maybe you don't really need extended cable or call waiting. Check rates to be sure you're not paying more than you have to for long distance calls. I've used OPEX as my long distance carrier for several years. I have tried AT&T, Sprint, MCI and others in the past, and this company is just as good... for only 3.9 cents per minute! To compare long distance rates, you can use a site like longdistanceworld.com . Get everyone to turn out the lights when no one is in the room, and turn off TVs, radios and computer equipment when they're not in use. Fix dripping faucets and leaking toilets. These measures may only save you a buck or two a month on your utility bills, but it all adds up. Encourage "gifts of love" instead of store-bought gifts. For instance, give each other certificates for back rubs, car washes, and other kind gestures that cost you nothing but your time and effort. Or set a low limit (like $5) on gifts and see how creative you can get. Back to the home page Back to top Content of MouseSavers.com is © Mary Waring & MouseSavers 2001-2005. No part of this website may be reproduced in whole or in part without permission.

London Vacation

How To Vacation in London Food, Coffee, and People Coffee lovers: relax. Tea may be the morning cocktail of choice for many Britons, but there are plenty of bean havens throughout the city. Also, most hotels offer both at breakfast, but if not, just ask. British hospitality is superb, and it's almost a guarantee that piping hot coffee will be served on request. Another popular misconception is about the food. Yes, some British recipes are simple, maybe even a little on the plain side, but that's not true for the entire gamut of dishes served up, especially in diverse London. As in many other large cities, you'll find a host of restaurants specializing in international cuisine. Lebanese, Thai, Ethiopian, Indonesian, Italian, French, Japanese, Chinese, and the official EuroVacations favorite, Indian, is available all over London, but don't miss an opportunity for fish-n-chips, Scotch eggs, Shepherd's Pie, Ploughman's Lunch, or crumpets with clotted cream. Londoners are generally friendly, talkative folks who will be happy to strike up a conversation about books, history, archeology, or a selection of other topics. In many pubs and restaurants, you may find yourself sharing a table with another patron or even a large group. Settle in for a long chat and get ready to make a few new friends. top of page Going With the Gang Face it: you won't be able to get away without a ride on a double-decker bus if you've got the little guys with you, so whether it makes you look like a tourist or not, you may as well resign yourself to it. But the thrill will pass, and you'll then find all that London has to offer for kids at heart, teenagers, little ones, and even the wee little ones. On weekends, the Victoria & Albert Museum has a fun cart, which has been keeping children busy and entertained for a few years now. The London Eye can be reserved for after they've been extra good, and the Tower of London to teach them a lesson (it's where the Little Princes were hacked by their infamous uncle, but the kids love the place all the same). One note: many pubs in London have special seating areas for groups traveling with children. Ask on entry if the pub allows/serves children and if there's a separate seating area. You Can Probably Skip It Famous Addresses: Elementary! You won't ever find 221B Baker Street. The Abbey National Building Society headquarters takes up the whole block, though you can seek out the Sherlock Holmes museum just down the street. And for those of you who are "looking for the England of English literature" a la Helene Hanff, well, 84 Charing Cross Road is now a Pizza Hut. And, finally, if, like Sabine, you go looking for Griffin at 41 Yeats Avenue, you'll be very disappointed. But maybe he went to find you... top of page Booking a vacation package to London with EuroVacations is easy. Our vacation packages to London offer a great selection of hand-picked London hotels, with free breakfast. Book car rentals, rail tickets and passes, and tours, so you can see more of London at a great value. Click here How to Vacation in London · First Things First · Where to Stay · Getting to Your Hotel · At Your Hotel · Around London · Food, Coffee, and People · Going With the Gang · Top Ten · If You Have Time · You Can Probably Skip It First Things First The land of kings and knights, Shakespeare and Sherlock Holmes, moors and manor houses, Britain is one of those places that is all it's cracked up to be. Fantastic, refined London is the epicenter of all the magical elements of the realm. The unit of currency in the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (£). (Prices below are expressed in U.S. dollars for convenience; check the rate of exchange prior to arrival in Europe.) You shouldn't have any trouble communicating, but remember the hard and fast vocabulary differences (brolly, bobby, banger, etc.). top of page Where to Stay Most of London is at your fingertips via the city's beloved Underground. Nearly the whole of Europe is accessible via the major rail stations. Staying near a rail station is a good idea, especially if you are traveling by rail to more cities than London, and you'll have access to a tourist office, ATMs, and other services t'boot. London is made up of many neighborhoods and districts, each with their own character and flair. Check out: The City: The financial district and real "downtown" London South Kensington, Earls Court: One of the most desirable locations in the city Euston/Kings Cross : The literary area of London Knightsbridge: Home to Harrod's and more fantastic shopping Hampstead Heath/Regents Park: Quaint Georgian neighborhoods Paddington: Excellent tourist-class hotels and access to transportation Victoria: Home to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, the London Eye, Parliament West End/Centre: Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus top of page Getting to Your Hotel ... From London Heathrow Airport Getting downtown from the world's busiest airport is easier than you might think. Most flights from the United States arrive in Terminal 3; the rest in Terminal 4. The best route is the Heathrow Express non-stop rail service between the airport and Paddington Station. It's a 15-minute ride and leaves every 15 minutes from all terminals. Fares are about $16. From 6 a.m. to midnight, you may use the Underground--the Circle Line, which connects to the District Line to downtown London. This will set you back a little more than $6. At the tourist information center in the terminal, ask about bus service between Heathrow and the many bus stations downtown. Of course there are taxis--about $70 for a black cab each way, or roughly $40 for a mini-cab. ...From London Gatwick Airport From the South Terminal, take the convenient, speedy Gatwick Express directly to Victoria Station. This is the most popular way to get from the airport to downtown, takes about 30 minutes, and costs about $18. If you arrive at the North Terminal, take the free shuttle to the South Terminal to connect to Gatwick Express. If you don't have too much luggage and you can spare the time, save a few bucks by taking the regular British Rail service. The trip takes only a few minutes longer and costs a few pounds less. You may also try the Thameslink, regular rail service to Blackfriars, Farringdon, and Kingscross stations in central London. Check the BritRail office in the terminal for more information on both services. And the taxis... about $70 for a black cab each way, or roughly $40 for a mini-cab. ... From Waterloo, Liverpool, Victoria, Kings Cross, Paddington, or other rail stations Rail stations of London are all served by the London Underground. Pick up an Underground map at the information center or tourist center once you arrive. top of page At Your Hotel Free city maps and other information can usually be obtained in hotel lobbies or from the front desk. Check in, freshen up, and, with your bags unpacked, your room key in your pocket, and ready to lose a few pounds, take on London! top of page Around London You have a lot ahead of you. London is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, as well as a pretty well populated city. Sure, you will have a lot of company around, but you won't be bored, not for a second. We compiled a list of things that you absolutely cannot miss, a few more to do if you can squeeze them in, and a few places you shouldn't even look for. Here they are: top of page Top Ten: Tours: It's hard to say which will be the best, but there are fantastic half-day walking tours and, if you don't mind feeling like a tourist, double-decker bus tours of London. It's a great way to get oriented and plan your days ahead. Walking tours are about $7 per person; bus tours vary but start at about $14. MW tours offers a very nice several-hour jaunt through London. While jolly busmasters navigate the increasingly confusing and congested streets on your behalf, very knowledgable guides navigate through history, legend, royalty, and more. Our favorite tour is a little steep but well worth it: start off with a quick tour of the big sights, then head to a traditional pub for lunch (included), then it's off to the Tower of London and a visit to the Crown Jewels. The tour is about $55 and lasts roughly 4 very entertaining hours. British Museum: It's been said that the inspiration behind Britain's centuries-long colonization of lands all over the world was a quest to fill London's museums. It's hard not to consider this among the spoils from the farthest reaches of the globe in the museum's millions of artifacts and more than 2 miles of galleries. The museum is inspiring just for its size. It looks and feels like a good, old-fashioned museum, with enormous, thick walls, high ceilings, massive stone staircases that curve around from here to there, and lots of mummies. The British Museum is also home to the Rosetta Stone and the newly refurbished King's Library. Admission is free; there is a small charge for certain exhibits. The museum is open till 8:30 on Thursday and Friday evenings, the best times to go. Victoria and Albert Museum: Of all the treasures stored at the V&A, some of the most interesting are located in the Fakes and Forgeries gallery--a bona fide collection of counterfeits. Take time to explore the endless other galleries, and consider, as you spend a few hours roaming the halls, that for every artifact you see, the museum has another ten in storage someplace. That means the display is revolving, so this massive space is worth more than one visit. A small donation is requested for entrance. London Eye: The ultimate Ferris wheel is comparatively new to the city and is already quite popular. You may make reservations in advance for a pod "flight" and get a 360° view of the whole kit-n-caboodle. Book online in advance to save a few pounds, or buy a ticket on site (you may not be able to get a ticket for the exact day you wish, though). It costs about $16. Buckingham Palace: Unless you have Windsor someplace in your string of last names, forget hanging out in the royal residence in a smoking jacket with your elbow on the mantle. But informative tours are available at select times of the year. If you're just any old bloke, or if the tours are not available, check out the Changing of the Guard at 11 a.m. Pack breakfast and get there before 10 for a good view. Parliament and Big Ben: The House of Lords and the House of Commons, along with scattered other halls and galleries, make up the Palace of Westminster, otherwise known as Parliament. The lines are longest in the afternoon, as throngs gather to witness Question Time (you've probably caught this occasionally on C-SPAN). As for Big Ben (which is actually just the bell, not the whole tower), views and postcard-perfect pictures are available from the opposite side of the Thames. If you're walking along Birdcage Walk from Buckingham Palace, though, stop a few blocks short of Westminster Abbey and get a great shot of just the clock tower (not the rest of the building). From here, you can manage a nice, vertical shot with old lamposts and, if you time it correctly, cabs and double-deckers. Don't forget to listen for the chimes. Cabinet War Rooms: Churchill and his staff conducted operations from here during World War II. You'll be amazed at what was accomplished with what seems today like so few resources. Reserve an afternoon, at least, for this; if you happen to move through quickly, the Cenotaph, 10 Downing Street, and Westminster Cathedral (not Abbey) are nearby. Admission to the war rooms is about $7. Tower of London and the Tower Bridge: Built as a fortress and used as a royal residence, the Tower became best known in its role as the home of the damned. Sir Walter Raleigh, Anne Boleyn, two little princes, and even QE I were "residents" here. Come to see the royal armory and Crown jewels, among the countless other structures, then walk around to the suicide-proof Tower Bridge, with new exhibits in each tower house at either end. Admission is about $11 to the Tower of London and $7 to the bridge exhibits. Crowds don't show up until about 10:30, but the Tower opens at 9. Get there a little early and see it without the crowds. (See our secret tip below.) Westminster Abbey: Edward the Confessor rebuilt this 8th-century chapel, which has since become a repository of many of England's most famous citizens and a treasure trove of English history. Admission is free and photography is allowed on Wednesday evenings (check for exact times), otherwise admission is about $6 and shutter snapping is verboten. (See our secret tip below.) Trafalgar Square: Get there, then decide what to do... the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (anyone hear a choir?) are all off the square. Climbing up on Admiral Nelson's lions to get your picture taken is technically illegal but popular all the same. top of page If You Have Time: Harrods: Once again, if you don't have a roman numeral after your first name, you can forget buying a lot here, it's very expensive. But it's a great place to browse and get some nosh material to go; eating in the store is a no-no. If you're in London around Christmas time, stopping here to admire the holiday displays is a must. Down the road a piece is the famous Ritz Hotel of London. Just a quick walk through the lobby is impressive enough. Kensington Palace: The former "official" residence of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, the palace is still open to the public. Former state apartments and the Court Dress Collection are included in a tour, which leaves four times an hour and costs about $6. Mayfair: There's a lot here: Marble Arch, Grosvenor Square, Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, Bond Street, the Shepherd's Market, and Berkeley Square. Westminster Abbey: Make sure you save time for Edward's Chapel, the site of the coronation of English monarchs. The coronation chair has been marred by graffiti artists over the past few decades. Although its defacing is unfortunate, take a peek at the chair and its 20th-century "artwork" so you can have a little chuckle when it's finally time for Charles to be crowned on it. Visitors to the Tower of London often miss the eerie Ceremony of the Keys, performed by the guards to lock up the tower at night. Tickets are free but may only be obtained by requesting them in advance by writing, on plain paper (no letterhead) to: The Ceremony of the Keys, Her Majesty's Tower of London, London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom. top of page Home . Hotel . Air + Hotel . Car . Rail . Packages . How To Vacation In . View Shopping Cart Affiliates . About Us . 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