Brazil Students Win AirBus Fly Your Ideas Challenge

I always love it when students do good, and a team of students from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil just won 30,000 Euros in the third annual Fly Your Ideas Challenge by Airbus. The team Paulistas took on the challenge of designing a new, eco-friendly and sustainable sustainable technology for airplanes an aviation. For the Paulistas it was a way to find a new use for an old technology - Air Hockey?
Yeah, air hockey, at least the cushion of air provided by the air hockey table. The Paulistas designed a way to use a system using a similar cushion of air that loads and unloads baggage from planes. It promises to be faster, easier and less energy demanding than the current system of moving belts.
Okay, that is so cool.
See the details at the Airbus Fly Your Ideas challenge website.

Review: Tocumen International Airport in Panama City

Both Lisa and I have traveled separately through Panama City the last couple of months. Price-wise, Copa Air is quickly becoming an important low cost airline between North and South America. That means their hub airport in Panama City, Tocumen International Airport, is seeing more of us Gringos heading down to Latin America and back. Here are our impressions, and a few tips, on getting around Tocumen.

First of all. it is located in the north-east outskirts of Panama City about 15 miles (24 Km) out of town, and it is identified by the international symbol PTY. Copa Airlines operates the most flights in and out of Tocumen with connections throughout South America, but KLM, Iberia, Delta, Air Panama, Avianca and American Airlines all have some service to Tocumen Airport as well. Seasonal flights from Canada on Air Transat are also now available.

The airport was last renovated in 2006/2007 with some major expansions and modernizations, and it now has two runways and an updated passenger terminal. All the standard services can be found: ATM machines, several shopping outlets and places to buy a little food if you are waiting for your flight. Prices are considered high by both every day Panamanian and Americans standards, particularly the food, lthough less compared to many major US airports like LAX, O'Hara or others. Prices are mostly listed in the Balboa, but the shops do take US dollars.

High-end shops like La Riviera, Lascoste and Tommy Hilfiger will give you interesting places to browse while you're killing time on your layover. Some of the shops seem a little impractical for most Americans at an airport, such as one store selling large electronics. But a lot of South Americans pass through here, and they are going back home where electronics are harder to get and much more expensive. In any case, browsing does help the time pass when you have a longer layover. There are also duty-free options if you prefer to shop for some luxury items without the added taxes.

The big tip I'll throw out is how to find the food. At Tocumen the food court areas are all on the 2nd floor, which may not be that clear if you don't know to look. There are signs, but they are all a bit small. Many people complain that there is no food, when in fact there is an entire floor of it that they've missed.

Even with the expansions, the terminals are a little small. During busy times, it can get pretty crowded and you'll find long lines at food services and other shops. The waiting areas at the gates tend to the small side too and one big problem both Lisa and I noticed were flights from Panama City to the US require extra security screenings. The Panamanian security staff do these extra screenings at the gate waiting area. First they clear out the whole area, then set up a security checkpoint. Passengers can go back into the area after they and their baggage have gone through the extra screening. So if you are heading back to the States and have a few hours to wait, don't get too comfortable at the gate. Most likely you will have to move you and all of yours out for screening as the time for boarding approaches.

Another downside to the Tocumen Airport is the lack of smoking areas. Those who have to have a smoke after being on a plane for 8 hours. You actually have to go through immigration and customs to get off the premises to smoke. Then go through both areas again to return. Not an ideal arrangement to put it mildly.

Some of the staff speak a little English but you would do better if you spoke enough Spanish to do some basic communication. Additional perks like free wireless Internet are a nice touch as well.

If you are going to be spending any time in Panama, because of a longer layover or simply because that's your destination, you will need either a taxi or a shuttle bus to get to the rest of the city. There really aren't any public bus options.

Don't expect a 5-star resort when you travel to Tocumen Airport, but you can expect a clean airport that is easy to get around with decent services at hand. It should make your trip through Panama a convenient one.

No Room at the Cuenca Monasterio for Me

No, there is no room at the Monasterio for me in Cuenca. In fact, there is no body at all at the monastery. This was one of those sad travel misadventures that fortunately I experienced entirely alone. I have come to Cuenca, Ecuador, one of my favorite places on Earth, to do some decompressing, some photography, do a little research for some travel articles and just have a nice break from the normal.

This time I took a bus from Guayaquil. It was late getting airline tickets so the short flight would have cost $140 round trip. I opted for the bus because it is only $8.25 each way for four hours travel time. Besides, I wanted to view the wonders of the Andes as we climbed from the sea level mangrove swamps of the Ecuadorian Pacific Coast up into the Sierras and past Ecuador's Cajas National Park.

You know, sweeping vistas.

Tumbling streams.

Llamas crossing the road.

Just stuff you don't get when soaring over head in a plane at 18,000 feet.

Anyway I am super excited because I have booked a room at the Hostal El Monasterio. This advertises itself as a higher end hostel located in an old monastery in Cuenca. History nut that I am that equals being way so cool.

I arrived at the monastery, which is in the old town district of Cuenca (El Centro). I find that the hostel is on the 6th floor.

By the way, for those unfamiliar, in Latin America the ground floor is Planta Baja. The next floor above the street is Piso Primero - 1st Floor. The Hostal El Monesterio is on the 7th floor by us Gringo's reckoning. There is an elevator, but it is not working.

Cuenca is at about 2500 meters above sea level, or more than 7500 feet. I am dragging my one pack with clothes, another with camera equipment and my laptop as well as a seperate tripod. By Piso Tercero (3rd Floor) I'm wheezing.

As I get past the 5th floor I begin to hear a TV. I come around the final set of stairs and see a security gate closed. On the other side I see:

Yep its the place. Several signs showing it is the Hostel de Monasterio. But no one here. I set down my bags and wait a minute for my lungs to stop wheezing. Then I call. I bang. I knock. I yell. There I am, one side of a security gate. On the other is nothing but a TV.

For 30 minutes I wait and make noise but no one is home at the Monasterio. Would a clerk be sleeping at 2:00 pm in the afternoon? Finally, defeated, I heft up my bags and clump down the seven flights of stairs.

To find the security gate to the building has been latched and locked. I am now trapped.

I call. I bang. I get out a plastic card from my wallet to try to jimmy the bolt latch but it is too heavy duty for that and I merely manage to shew up an otherwise worthless card. People on the street go buy, looking at me quizzically.

After another five minutes a man comes buy, a locksmith. He had closed the gate because he was working on the lock. As I stood there steaming, he calmly took a file to a large key he had with him and spent several minutes doctoring the key up. Finally he inserts the key and releases me from my prison.

And by the way, still no one at the hostel and no one can tell me if and when anyone will ever come by. The locksmith is working for the owner of the building and as far as he knows everything is closed on this Monday.

So with most of an hour now wasted and the afternoon getting on, I heft my load and stride out, Surely there is someplace in Cuenca today I can lay my head?

Because there is no room at the monastery for me.

Ticket Change Fees Driving Airline Profits

Airlines are getting more income from ticket change fees and it is going straight to profits. At least, that is what some new information from the US Department of Transportation shows in reporting Change Reservation Revenue for the first quarter of 2013. Make a reservation and then need to change your flight? It  is costing more:

Change Reservation Revenue in 1 Q

Rank	Airline	1Q (in millions)
1	Delta	$198.5
2	United	$176.9
3	American	$132.0
4	US Airways	$83.5
5	JetBlue	$36.7
6	Alaska	$21.8
7	Southwest	$9.2
8	Spirit	$7.9
9	Virgin America	$7.7
10	Hawaiian	$4.6
11	Frontier	$3.0
12	Allegiant	$2.2
13	Sun Country	$.46
	All	$685.176

Source: U.S. Department Of Transportation

Charges are becoming more common because domestic airlines have been reducing flights so that planes are fuller. This is a good thing for airlines since they are getting more revenue from their seats. However fewer seats in the air means it is tougher for passengers to find a seat, tickets for those seats are getting pricier. But now it is also getting pricier and more common for travelers to pay fees when they have to change their tickets.

Of course, the big money maker for airlines still are those horrible bag fees. The same report stated airlines captured $2 billion off those fees.

Anyway, the lesson here: when you travel, make sure you are getting the right ticket. Changing circumstances or just changing your mind will cost you in more airline fees.

I Hate Baggage Fees

Coming back home from a short holiday back in the United States I boarded a plane to take me from Las Vegas to Panama City. Copa Airlines weighed all of the passenger carry-on baggage to make sure they were within baggage restrictions. Yes, it is true, the insane baggage fees and regulations are stretching their ridiculous tendrils into Latin American travel.

It's getting to the point where isn't almost tempting to travel empty handed and just buy new clothes at your destination. Well, it's not quite that bad yet, but it's getting there. If you are planning a flight to South America, make sure you know what to expect with baggage fees and regulations.

Of course, with the long list of potential international and specifically South American airlines in business these days, I can't be too specific and list off all the current fees and regulations for them all. That fact alone is a bit of a shame in itself. Travel shouldn't be so complicated.

Many large airlines will now only allow you to check one single piece of luggage for free (you usually still get a little carry-on as well). American Airlines are one good example, though they will allow 2 free checked bags if you are heading to Brazil or Peru. I'm not sure why the specific destinations makes a difference. Delta and JetBlue are the same, only allowing a single bag for free.

More generous airlines let you take on 2 bags before they start to tally up extra costs for you. British Airways, Taca and LAN Airlines allow for 2 checked bags. Copa Airlines is pretty unique. Even though they took the time to weigh and measure all of my bags, at least I was able to take on as many as I needed. They don't have limits on the number of checked baggage items, only on the weights and sizes.

These limits are all based on the standard economy class available with each airline. If you want to pay the big bucks to travel first- or business-class, then you will likely be allowed an extra bag or two.

HINT: Sometimes last minute flights with openings in 1st Class will allow a cheap upgrade. a couple of years ago US Air let me upgrade from economy to 1st class for only $50, which allowed me two extra bags. Ask at the check in desk.

You can sometimes find a bit of a loophole if you are travelling with children. In many cases, airlines allow for 1 piece of luggage for each child under 2. Depending on how much you need to carry for child, this may allow you a bit of extra space for your own stuff.

DANGER! - Since we live in Ecuador, but frequently travel to the States - we run into the problem that domestic US baggage policies are ore restrictive than international. For example, right now my wife flew from Guayaquil to Las Vegas. Later she has to go from Las Vegas to Orlando, then after attending a conference, she goes home (my wife has such a tough life). Well, the flights to and from Guayaquil fall under international rules - ie more and heavier bags and cheaper fees. But that Vegas to Orlando link is considered domestic. That's right, even though it is all the same booking the rules change. 

It depends on where you start and stop that day's trip. If either part is international, then you go by the international rules. However if both ends for the day are all in the States - then you pay more.

What makes it worse is that the fees for your next bag aren't cheap either. They used to be token costs but the price tag is getting serious. You can easily pay over $50 just to check one bag beyond your limit. In many cases, that just means your second suitcase. Similar fees are enforced if your bags (including any free bags) are over-sized or overweight. So, if you had 2 bags and you managed to have them both slightly too heavy, you could be charged $50 just for having a 2nd bag and then $50 each for both being overweight. that's an additional $150 that your flight is costing you.

Before any trip, always consult your airlines website to find out the current regulations. There is always some page hidden amongst the website pages where it lists out the rules in painful detail. These rules change all the time. So do not assume simply because you've flown one on one airline that you know all of the rules. Best to check each time.

And never just guess about the size or weight of your checked luggage or carry-ons. They likely will be weighed or measured and it will be a bit of a shock if you realize your baggage gets disallowed, or costs you a hundred dollars to take with you. Close isn't good enough, keep everything under the limits. My wife picked up a little hand-held weight scale and it always travels where ever we are about.