Airline passengers want better security and would be willing to pay more to get it, according to a recent survey.
In research conducted for the American Automobile Association, 59 percent of travelers said they would pay an air security charge added to each ticket.
Given a list of ways to improve airport and in-flight security, the poll showed 93 percent wanted protective cockpit doors installed, 92 percent favored using state-of-the-art technology to screen luggage and to control access to secure areas, and 86 percent said uniform security measures should be enforced for all airports.
Kids fly free
Peter Pan had it right all the time: Kids really can fly–and for free, no less, with Disney Cruise Line. Disney launched a “kids fly free” program that is in effect at select times during low-season cruise periods that fall between New Year’s and spring break.
The free-air offer is in conjunction with the line’s weeklong cruises as well as its seven-day land/sea vacation combos. Two children, ages 2 to 11, fly for free when mom, dad and the kids share the same stateroom.
The offer is valid on 2002 cruises and land/sea combos between Jan. 5 and Feb. 3 and between Feb. 21 and March 21.
For more information, call 888-325-2500.
Cities on sale
Major U.S. cities still reeling have organized deals to woo back tourists:
– In Los Angeles, the visitors bureau Web site lists nearly 100 hotels offering two nights for the price of one. Universal Studios, which is offering one child’s ticket for every adult ticket purchased, is among 85 attractions with deals. Details: 213-624-7300; www.visitlanow.com
– San Francisco has a holiday promotion starting this month, with rooms starting at $63 a night. Romance packages start at $79 a night and include perks like champagne or breakfast in bed. Details: 415-283-0177; www.sfvisitor.org.
– Some Vegas hotels are practically giving themselves away. Bally’s, for example, has rooms starting at $69, with $50 in food vouchers thrown in. The visitors center has set up a discount site, maintained by the hotels, at www.vegasfreedom.com. Or, call 702-892-0711.
Other cities that have organized deals in the wake of Sept. 11 include New York (800-NYC-GUIDE; www.nycvisit.com), New Orleans (504-566-5011; www.neworleanscvb.com) and Seattle (206-461-5840; www.seeseattle.com).
B&B’s online
Organization and easy navigation are the marks of a Web site you’ll want to visit over and over again. Bed & Breakfast Inns Online (www.bbonline.com) excels in both areas, with clearly marked links that lead you to 3,300 B&B’s in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. But the site’s biggest treat may be the 1,700 innkeeper-tested recipes.
