• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Trains in Europe Are Going Smoke-Free

Posted on: Tuesday, 3 January 2006, 21:00 CST

By George Hobica and Kim Liang Tan Daily Herald Correspondents

More good news for nonsmokers (but bad for smokers): Switzerland has become the latest European country to implement a smoking ban on its national rail network, joining Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

The ban will free up more seats, as smoking compartments - typically underutilized - are currently being converted into nonsmoking ones. Within six months, all ashtrays will be removed from Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) trains. Smoking is prohibited in Swiss rail stations except in designated areas and on the outdoor platforms.

Other countries are approaching a complete smoking ban: French TGVs became smoke-free in 2004 and in 2006 all French trains will follow suit.

Finland and Spain only allow smoking on long-distance trains, and the UK's Great North Eastern Railway (up the east coast of England and Scotland) banned smoking last August. (The British rail system is privatized, so each train operator company determines its own rules.) Germany and Austria have made local and regional trains smoke-free, as well as reducing the number of smoking seats on long- distance trains.

For more information on rail travel or to book tickets or passes for trains throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, log on to www.raileurope.com, call (888) 382-7245 or contact your travel agent.

Independence Air drops Chicago flights

Washington, D.C.-based Independence Air, which is operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, will cease flying from Chicago on Jan 5.

Contact Independence Air at (800) 359-3594.

Reminder: Get to the airport early

Even though the holidays are over, and the rush at the airport won't be as bad, keep in mind that with new screening policies at airports nationwide and the airlines' policies about minimum check- in times, you might want to get to the airport early (or earlier).

According to a report in USA Today, wait lines at security checkpoints have become longer because the Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, has raised the number of random searches (up to 15 percent of passengers), each taking three to five minutes.

In addition, the TSA now allows a certain number of sharp objects to be carried into the cabin, which were previously banned, such as metal scissors with pointed blades up to 4 inches; blunt tools less than 7 inches such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers; nail clippers and files; book matches; tweezers; and corkscrews.

Adding to potential hassles, airlines are making it more difficult for last-minute passengers to get on board their flights by imposing the more stringent check-in and boarding time limits. If you miss your flight because you were dawdling, you might have to pay a ticket-change fee, the fare difference, or both.

USA Today included a chart listing the policies of 10 major U.S. airlines. All the airlines listed require passengers to check in at least 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure for a domestic flight, except Alaska Airlines, United Airlines (up to 90 minutes, depending on whether you're checking luggage) and Southwest Airlines (60 minutes).

In addition, airlines require that you be on board the aircraft between 10 and 20 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights (international flights vary, but are often even more stringent).

And if you miss your flight, more often than not you'll have to pony up some kind of fee or fare difference, except on Southwest. On America West Airlines, United and US Airways, you won't be charged if you can get on an alternate flight within two hours of your original flight. Northwest doesn't charge for domestic flights, but does charge $50 to $200 plus any fare difference for international flights. And the other airlines charge a fee of anywhere between $25 to $100 plus any airfare difference.

If the check-in lines are long, you can in many cases use automated kiosks to circumvent the queues, or in some cases check in at home online before heading to the airport. So more than ever it pays to check in and get to the airport with time to spare.

Get free lift tickets in Colorado with United

United Airlines' (www.ual.com or (800) 864-8331) Mileage Plus members going to Colorado will receive a lift ticket at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge or Keystone resorts this winter.

This offer is for qualifying flights from cities in the U.S. on United, United Express or Ted purchased before Feb. 7 and departing through Feb. 10. Last date to redeem lift ticket coupon is Feb. 15.

To take advantage of this offer, first register at www.unitedoffers.com and then purchase your ticket on www.ual.com.

- Reach George Hobica at hobica@@gmail.com, Kim Liang Tan at KimLiangTan@@aol.com or visit www.airfarewatchdog.com.

Source: Daily Herald; Arlington Heights, Ill.

More News in this Category