UPS is now competing with greedy airlines for a cut of their baggage fee revenues. I don't know if this will be more economical than checked baggage, but, let's face it, UPS probably can't do a worse job of destroying, losing, or stealing your luggage than the airlines. And anything that sticks it to those baggage fees is okay with me. It's a great idea particularly for business travelers who have to schlep presentations and documents with them. I like the idea of just sticking my luggage in a box and having it delivered to me at the other end.
This is also great for people who are traveling with their pets. Why not ship your luggage so you don't have to lug it around with your pet carrier. You can focus on what's really important - your pet's welfare and comfort - while UPS worries about the other details.
From the article:
UPS' New Luggage Box Wants to Stick It to Airline Baggage Fees
Obviously this isn't it. It will be much larger than this.Almost $800 million dollars. That's how much the airlines got from baggage fees during just the first quarter of this year. It's a huge number, sure, but if you think that most passengers nowadays must pay $25 per bag each way, then that adds up quite quickly. With dollar signs like these in the eyes of the airlines, don't expect baggage fees to be going anywhere but up anytime soon.
At least now there's another option to simply given in and paying the fee: Buy UPS' new Luggage Box. Instead of doing all of the schlepping and all of the paying, UPS will do the schlepping, but yes you've still got to pay. UPS says that rates are competitive with what the airlines charge for checked baggage, so we'd estimate that shipping your luggage box may cost $30, but there is the option to pay extra for return shipping in the same box, for your trip home. No need to visit a UPS store again for that.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
UPS Gives Airline Baggage Fees a Run for Their Money
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Pit Bull Escape Causes Continental to Change its Policy. But is it the right policy?
This story confuses me. A pit bull on a Continental flight escapes from its crate at La Guardia, leads authorities on a chase, and eludes them temporarily by jumping into the bay. The upshot is that Continental decides to change its policy to restrict certain dog breeds from flying the airline after a certain age. But is the dog's breed really the problem here? I can recall an incident a few years ago when a show dog escaped its carrier at a New York airport. What's the central problem here? That the dog was dangerous, or that the dog was somehow allowed to escape? I'm not a fan of pit bulls particularly, but, in this case, it seems to me that a dog breed is being scapegoated because of a human error.
Thought: If certain breeds are so inherently dangerous that they can't be trusted to travel on airlines safely (even ones that follow proper precautions to prevent escapes), then why are then safe enough to be pets in the first place.
Something doesn't make sense here. Maybe someone else can explain it to me.
Not the dog in question
(image courtesy of Dnheinsdorf)
From the article:
A recent incident at Laguardia Airport has caused Continental to re-evaluate its pet policy for transporting certain breeds in cargo through its Safe Pets Plan. On June 23, a pit bull escaped from its cargo crate and caused minor disruption on the runway before jumping into Flushing Bay and eluding New York and New Jersey Port Authority officials for 40 minutes before capture.
As a result of this incident, Continental’s Pet Safe Program will be amended in several ways. They will no longer allow the following breeds in cargo after 6 months of age or 20 pounds (whichever comes first):
Pit Bull Terriers
American Staffordshire Terriers
Presa Canario
Perro de Presa Canario
Dogo Argentino
Cane Corso
Fila Brasileiro
Tosa
Tosa Ken
Hello Kitty Motor Oil
Now your traveling kitty can have her own brand of motor oil. Brilliant idea or licensing executives run amok? You decide.
Hello Kitty Motor Oil: Sanrio Officially Goes Too Far
This can of Hello Kitty motor oil comes from Japan (naturally) and sells for 2980 Yen ($33). From now on Mariah Carey's limo will only emit adorable fumes! [NewLaunches via Boing Boing]
Cool Trends I'd Like to See in America:: The Cat Cafes of Tokyo
Traveling to Tokyo and can't bring your own cat with you this trip. Not to worry! Just visit one of Tokyo's many cat cafes to get your furry feline fix for the day. From Spot Cool Stuff:
The Cat Cafes of Tokyo
SPOT MORE COOL STUFF:
Animal Travel | Tokyo | Unusual Restaurants
Japan’s capital city can be a tough place for a cat lovers to live. Small apartments, long work hours and restrictive housing codes make it difficult for Tokyoians (Tokyoites? Tokyoids?) to keep cats at home. No wonder then that the city is seeing an increasing number of cat cafes—lounges where the felineless can drink coffee and find some catisfaction. Tokyo has seven different cat cafes that we know of (and there are probably many more than that). Here’s a look at our three favorite:
Sunday, June 27, 2010
How Not to Travel with Your Cat, and Tips for July 4 - at my Weebly Website.
I try to give great advice about how to travel with your cat. For a twist, check out my Weebly website for five tips on how not to travel with your cat. Also, use the cat travel accessories around your home to build a stress-free sanctuary for your cat on July 4 at my Weebly Blog.
Posted via email from Cat Travel Accessories on Posterous. Image courtesy of Bubamara
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Alert! Starting Next Year, the EU Will Require Microchips
Starting in July, 2011, all EU countries will require that your pet have a microchip and all documentation supporting the microchip number to permit entry. Some EU countries will accept all major brands of microchips and others will only accept the 15 digit ISO microchips. If your pet is micro chipped with a microchip other than a 15 digit ISO microchip, it is recommended that you carry your own microchip scanner.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Cats On Leashes
Delta Screws the Pooch
Sorry for the colorful title, but this story really gets my goat. Apparently, Delta misrouted a puppy (leading to dehydration and pneumonia), was unresponsive to inquiries from the puppy's owner, and has been unapologetic about its massive error. Feel free to let Delta know how you feel about its conduct, and keep it in mind the next time you decide what airline to travel with your pet.
From the article:
Just a week after Delta Airlines made news for putting two children on wrong flights, and a month after the airline lost a dog that a vacationing couple had rescued, Delta misplaced another passenger: An 8-week-old puppy. The pooch was sent to California instead of Maine, reports MyFoxMaine.com.
Upon arriving at his new home, the puppy cowered, then vomited and had diarrhea -- he was later diagnosed with dehydration and pneumonia by O'Brien's vet. O'Brien says Delta has been unable to answer whether he was fed, watered, walked or kept company for any portion of the ordeal. She has yet to receive an apology from the airline.
Alert! Iams Recalls Proactive Health Cat Food
This article reports that the Iams ProActive Health canned cat and kitten food is being recalled due to low levels of thiamine, which can lead to thiamine deficiency. If you have any cans of this food, please throw them out. I know the recall is limited to certain "best if used by" dates, but based on my observations of past recalls, I wouldn't trust that information. It often turns out that the problems are more wide-spread than originally believed.
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Getty
From the article:
Iams Issues Voluntary Cat Food Recall
Iams ProActive Health canned Cat and Kitten Food is being recalled due to low levels of thiamine. . . . According to Iams, "early signs of thiamine deficiency may include loss of appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. In advanced cases, signs may include ventroflexion (downward curving) of the neck, wobbly gait, falling, circling and seizures. If treated promptly, thiamine deficiency is typically reversible." Contact your veterinarian immediately if your cat is displaying any of these signs or if you are concerned about your cat's health.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Evil (but Hilarious) Email Exchange Between Co-Workers About a Lost Cat
Even though I am a devoted cat-lover, I could not help but chuckle at the pure evil brilliance of this designer’s response to his co-worker’s request for a Lost Cat poster. Although his insensitivity is a bit appalling, I can understand his annoyance at her somewhat hamfisted approach. Note to all: this is not the way to convince a co-workers to use their professional skills to do you personal favors on their work-time. The Cat's Meow aptly describes it as an "exercise in malicious compliance."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sleepypod: An Attractive and Versatile Mobile Pet Bed
This Sleepypod Mobile Pet Bed
is a great cat travel accessory that provides a stylish, safe, and comfortable traveling experience for your cat.Designed for a pet up to 15 pounds, its best strength is in its versatility. A curious cat that likes to look out at the view can be just as easily accommodated as a more private kitty. It converts into a standard pet bed by removing the top and the sides can be adjusted to provide varying levels of security and privacy, by unzipping the center zipper and adjusting the sides.
Because your cat can already be living in the Sleepypod, traveling will become much easier and less stressful for everyone. To safely transport your pet in the car, simply wrap the seat belt around the base of the Sleepypod and pull the shoulder belt through the top handle. The Sleepypod is designed for road trips and is not certified for use on commercial air planes.
Sleepypod comes in two sizes and a variety of colors:
Product Features:
- Mobile pet bed, carrier, and car seat lets you travel anywhere with your pet
- Made from luggage-grade nylon outside and ultra-plush polyester inside
- Contoured to fit pets up to 15 pounds
- No assembly required
- Includes padded shoulder strap, mesh dome top with carrying handle, washable bedding, water-resistant foam liner, and instruction card