Remember when I told you about the TSA experiment to split the security lines by level of experience?

Peter Kim tweets about the practical result:

New Logan TSA expert line = full. Family line = empty. The real “experts” drop their ego and go through the faster line.

I remember reading an article by Douglas Adams that, he claimed, was composed in the bath tub on his PDA. The wave of the future, he said, as long as the keyboards got better.

I know that even using an iPhone or a Blackberry, my typing speed on anything smaller than a regular keyboard is reduced by a good 300%. What’s the solution? Laser keyboards, of course.

ThinkGeek has this Bluetooth Laser Keyboard, which can also makes clicking noises when you type with it, for $150. Not too shabby.

I’ve heard about these existing, and I’ve never used one (although if they sent me one to try out, I wouldn’t complain), but it does look freaking cool. If you’re looking for a productivity device that will make people ask if you’re from the future and you’ve come back in time to save Sarah Conner, this might be the one.

Milemaven is a Web site that lets you search for bonus mile promotions that are available based on the route you’re taking. I just checked it for a rather obscure flight to remote Idaho that I’m contemplating, and sure enough, no fewer than 8 bonuses on 2 different airlines were displayed.

These included (from Alaska Airlines…) Retain your MVP Status by Flying 4 Segments, Retain your MVP Gold Status by Flying 8 Segments, 1,000 Bonus Miles when Booking Online with Alaska Airlines Card, etc….

Remember when the TSA had their big snafu about not letting a MacBook Air through security?

The official guess from the TSA blog was that the MacBook probably didn’t make it through because it looked significantly different under an X-ray than any “normal” laptop. Screeners are trained to look for irregularities in objects, since that’s usually when something nefarious is going on.

It looks like the folks over at the blog recently got their hands on an actual MacBook Air and ran it through a machine to see if their theory was correct — it looks as though they were right.

The post comes complete with a video. If you’re curious, go check it out.

According to a recent article on Forbes.com, the Denver and Las Vegas airports owe their high placement in the “Wired Airports” rankings to their free wi-fi:

In an increasingly data-dense world, travelers will soon be able to surf the Web from the skies. Until then, however, the next best thing may be to fly out of Denver or Las Vegas: They represent two of fewer than 10 major airports around the world that offer free wi-fi Internet access throughout their public areas. That’s landed them at the top of Forbes.com’s first ranking of Wired Airports.

The fact that there are fewer than 10 major airports in the world that offer free wi-fi is kind of ridiculous.

Increasingly, that will change as cities and airports catch on to the fact that people (I have done this) will route their stopovers through airports where they CAN get online instead of where they can’t.

If I’m flying from SEA to LAX or BUR and I have to sop, I’ll stop in Vegas instead of San Francisco because I know that I can spend my layover online, for free.

Seriously, check out the picture to the right, snagged from one of DealMaker‘s Road Warrior segments.

This is not from your favorite 1960′s Kubrick Classic. This is an actual first-class airport lounge in Sydney, Australia. And you want to talk about luxury? Listen to the description:

The lounge boasts entertainment areas with plasma TVs and a leather-floored library stocked with newspapers and magazines. A captive could play dominoes with those just passing through, or fire up a PlayStation. Wherever you are, the staff will fetch your drinks (gratis, naturally) from two fully stocked bars.

It features a restaurant with a celebrity chef (Neil Perry), leather chairs, floor to ceiling windows, options for massages, etc, etc, and so on.

The next time I fly First Class, I’m totally making a stopover in Australia.

David Willaims, at least, calls it “flight induced brain drain,” and when he says it he means something slightly different than the definition listed in Wikipedia.

The New York Times briefly chronicled his mental meanderings the other day, where he wonders what has happened to the brains of normally intelligent, frequently lonely people:

Recently, while I was waiting to board a flight to Los Angeles, I noticed a young professional man stealing glances at a young professional woman every time he could peel his eyes away from his BlackBerry.

As luck would have it, the woman, also an avid BlackBerry user, was seated next to me on the plane. So I stepped in, hoping to save the day, by offering my seat to this fellow. He accepted my offer, but then was too scared to mumble a “hello” during the entire three-hour flight.

It was unbelievable. I gave up my seat, gave him a shot and he didn’t make the most of it. What was he thinking? He could have at least said, “Nice BlackBerry.”

I guess the lesson here is: productivity on a flight doesn’t always mean hitting the keys. Spare your brain some grueling work-work, and spend some time talking to the people around you, or at least paying attention to what’s going on.

Maybe you’ll end up a little bit sharper at the end of the flight.

In case you’ve missed it over the past few days, the TSA had a bit of a PR snafu when they prevented Michael Nygard from catching his plane because he was carrying a MacBook Air.

It ended up all over the blogosphere (as you would expect) rather quickly.

Over at Blog Business Summit I called on the TSA to respond on their own blog, which they finally did yesterday (and I’m sure they did it just because I asked them to).

The upshot? That TSO’s (the people working the X-ray machine) are trained to look for irregularities. Given that the MacBook Air with a solid state drive X-rays like practically no other laptop, it’s not surprising that it would cause some surprises.

Go read their post for the full response.

But only to the really, really important people.

According to Business Traveller, the German airline Lufthansa is offering PAs to it’s primo customers for assistance through security on departure, and through customs, etc. on arrival—assuming you depart or arrive in London. The site says:

The service – which is available to eligible passengers departing, arriving or connecting at the London airports – has been trialing for three months at Heathrow’s Terminal 2, where an average of 50 passengers per day have been using it.

How do you become eligible for such service? Either fly First Class, or become a HON member on the airline, which requires more than 600,000 miles in a two year period. It’s a snap.

I happen to think this is a pretty cool idea.

There are all different types of travelers, and they all go through security at different rates. There’s the woman who somehow simultaneously empties her pockets, removes her shoes, and places her laptop in a separate bin.

Then there’s the bumbling but kind-looking man who can’t seem to figure out that he’s still wearing sunglasses, two watches, and has a chain linking his wallet to his pants (actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this guy).

The TSA is experimented with segmenting lines based on how “experienced” a traveler thinks they are at getting through security. From BTOnline:

TSA last month introduced the lanes at Salt Lake City International Airport and Denver International Airport, with three separate checkpoint options for families and people requiring special assistance, casual travelers and expert travelers. Screening levels and procedures are identical across all lane types. Passengers are not required to go into a specific lane, TSA spokesperson Carrie Harmon said.

Cool!

The New York Times wrote yesterday about the air shuttles that have traditionally run on the hour (or half hour, depending on the airline) from New York to Boston and Washington.

The two carries that run the air shuttles, US Airways and Delta, have both decided to start offering certain perks to justify the high ticket price and to bring customers back from the trains that travelers have recently defected to:

US Airways now offers a first-class compartment, a change partly born of necessity, since the airline wanted the flexibility to move aircraft between the shuttle and its mainline operation. On the day of departure the airline allows fliers to upgrade from coach for $50.

US Airways also allows fliers to reserve seats in advance, while Delta has an open-seating policy in its cabins. Both offer free wine, beer, coffee and snacks, more generous legroom and dispense free newspapers and magazines in their boarding lounges.

Any which way you slice it, the travel industry has been hurting in various places ever since 2001. Business travel has traditionally remained strong, which may explain why they’re betting that high prices and perks is a better choice than cutting options and ticket costs.

OK, this is genius: StashCard.

I’ve had three laptops, and I don’t think I’ve used the PC Card slot in any one of them (you can get USB adapters for things like the Verizon mobile internet card).

This little cartridge lets you load up a PC slot with SD cards and cash, safely out of sight.

I know, I know: why would you stick your valuables inside of your bigger, more obvious valuable? Two reasons:

1. You’re going to feel like James Bond
2. It won’t get pick-pocketed

Just don’t do it while you’re going through the security checkpoint. It might start some searches you’d rather avoid.

My friend Tris Hussey noted a service called Parking Hunter earlier this month on MapleLeaf 2.0.

In concept, it’s a pretty cool idea. If you’re traveling to a busy city and you’re going to need parking space in areas that are normally pretty expensive, you can use Parking Hunter to rent parking space from local people who’ve got it (driveways, etc.)

Apparently the price varies from free to “what the market will bear.” So a quick google search might be in order, just to make sure you aren’t getting ripped off, but my guess is that it’ll turn out to be cheaper and more convenient than hunting for parking garages in many cases.

Katherine Boehret at the Wall Street Journal writes today about two online travel services that can save you headaches: TripIt and Groopvine.

From what I can tell, the big helper here is TripIt, and the killer feature is being able to e-mail your scrambled-up confirmation itineraries to them for de-scrambling:

I started using TripIt by forwarding an Expedia email reservation to plans@tripit.com. Less than a minute later, I received an email from TripIt that included a link to my itinerary of flights, local weather forecasts for the duration of my vacation and maps related to where I was going.

Their system apparently works pretty well with the confirmation emails from most of the major booking sites – so Expedia is a go, etc.

It also lets you retrieve information via e-mail by sending in commands like “Get Flight Tomorrow,” which apparently works on blackberries (or, for that matter, any phone with e-mail).

According to the New York Times, Southwest and JetBlue, traditionally vacation-friendly discount airlines (although I fly Southwest a lot, anyways) are trying to edge into the larger and more money-making business travel markets by introducing new perks.

Remember when Southwest added their business select boarding option? That was just the first step.

Southwest is also planning to offer discounts to certain corporate travel buyers, a stance that is a reversal from their earlier positioning, and along with JetBlue, offer Wi-Fi connectivity in-flight.

Regardless of whether or not the ticket prices drop for business travelers, or whether or not there are “business class” seats available at all, I think any airline with in-flight Wi-Fi is going to see a significant boost in business travelers.

Last week British Airways sent the word out that they are planning to open a new section at Heathrow airport on March 27th called Terminal 5 (click link for promo site).

Unfortunately, the site copy and the e-mail focus more on how many passengers they can funnel through than on the productivity environment. I shot a few quick questions over to BA, and this is what I got:

—————————————-

A lot of the copy on the terminal5 web site focuses on relaxing, security, and checking in for your flights. What kind of business productivity options are available in the terminal? Will there be free wi-fi in selected spots? Throughout the whole terminal?

There are dedicated work and entertainment zones in the lounges with computers,printers and outlets. Terminal 5 has six areas with internet kiosks. There is also high-speed wireless internet throughout the terminal for purchase, but is complimentary in all of the lounges.

What about stations where people can charge their electronics? Will there be outlets for European and US gadgets, or just the UK plugs?

At this time, there are no plug sockets for customers in the general BAA retail/seating areas for health and safety reasons relating to the need for all appliances to be PAT certified in the UK (Portable Appliance Testing).

I’m also curious about the “Flight Connections Centre” – most of the time I think it’s handy to be able to look up your next flight’s gate right when you exit the plane, rather than having to converge on some particular listings area. Most airports now have the arrivals/departures monitors scattered around near various gates so travelers don’t have to do too much accidental back-tracking. Is this something that terminal5 plans to do without?

Up to 90 per cent of British Airways transfers will take place through Terminal 5. The transfer channels will be highlighted with purple signs making it easy for customers to connect from one flight to another. An underground track transit system has been installed throughout Terminal 5 to transfer customers between the buildings. All passengers connecting through Heathrow Terminal 5 will be directed to the Flight Connections Center located at the center of the terminal building, just a short walk from the gate. In most instances you’ll simply have your boarding pass scanned, before proceeding through security and into our spacious departure lounge ready to board your next flight.

—————————————-

I’ve griped about it before: I’m sorry to hear that Wi-Fi isn’t free and pervasive, but I think it’s only a matter of time before we start seeing that happen. In the meantime, stick to the lounges I guess.

And if you’re curious about the BA highlights, this is according to the e-mail I got:

Key highlights:

* With 96 self-service kiosks and 140 customer service desks, customers will experience little to no queues. Passengers will be through security in less than 10 minutes.
* The layover experience will be far superior with 112 retail stores and restaurants– the largest retail offering of any UK airport– among other amenities.
* The terminal will be capable of handling 30 million customers a year and will have one of the most advanced baggage systems in the world, capable of handling at 12,000 bags per hour at up to 30km per hour. This is possible through the unique system which recognizes where the bags are against the clock, allowing late running bags, in particular transfer bags to be delivered right to the aircraft side by the baggage system. No other major airport has such a system.
* The largest airport lounge complex in the world is made up of six lounges to accommodate 2,500 passengers. They will be available for British Airways’ premium customers and will feature a host of luxurious facilities including a gold leaf bar, private cabanas and Elemis travel spas.

I have often wondered exactly how crushed things end up in the hold where my checked baggage goes.

I’ve done the usual bubble-wrap, packing paper, and soft clothes tricks in order to keep things alive during my trips, but they always take up a bunch of extra space and require a bunch of extra effort.

Which is why these micro cases look so intriguing. Look at what the promo copy on the site has to say:

The Pelican Micro Case Series™ is perfect for your cell phones, PDA’s, pagers and other personal gadgets and items. The new Micro Case Series are crushproof (withstands up to a 5,000 lb. Truck), watertight and have an automatic purge valve. Cases come standard with an impact absorbing inner liner.

I’m not sure that I’ll be checking my cell phone or PDA (OK, I have an iPhone now so they’re the same thing) anytime soon, but for a second camera, mouse, flash drive reader, or any other type of breakable electronics, It’d be nice to know that they’d have to find a truck weighing more than 5,000lb in order to crush it.

The New York Times reported on the 19th that US Airways has decided to stop crediting the industry-standard minimum 500 frequent flier miles for its Dividend Miles program:

The change affects passengers who fly short-haul trips of less than 500 miles, including those who use the US Air shuttle between New York and Boston and Washington. Under the previous policy, passengers were awarded a minimum credit of 500 miles a flight, which is standard practice in major airlines’ frequent-flier programs.

In other words, if you’re shuttling on short business flights and racking up 500 miles a piece, you’re no longer going to be able to do that with US Airways.

The airline has also decided to charge a $25 “quick-ticketing fee” for anyone who uses miles to purchase a ticket within 14 days of their departure.

So if you’re planning to use your miles for a flight, make sure you’re planning far enough ahead.

I know I’ve pointed to one of Kevin Kelly’s “cool tools,” before, but this one also deserves a link. It’s a Balikbayan Box Cover, which is essentially a giant, zippered canvas bag designed to wrap around a 20″ x 20″ x 20″ box:

Why do you care for traveling? Kevin shares:

The beauty of the box cover is that after TSA officials inspect and reseal your box, they can zip up the top flap on the bag closed and your box is further protected from re-opening. The bag also helps guard your box (and its contents) from rough airline baggage handling.

If you’re packing food (or just packing in a box, I guess), it could turn out to be pretty handy. The Balikbayan Gear site has a few more tips on how to effectively pack your box:

1. Pack the heavy items on the bottom first. This includes your canned goods, books, or other flat paper products that can serve as a strong base for the rest of your cargo.

2. Wrap the breakables with your clothes or any other soft material that can take the impact off those perfume bottles.

3. Stuff all empty containers with other items. If you are taking a bowl home, make sure you put something inside it to save precious space.

There’s tons more, but you should go read ‘em over there.

Apparently the two airlines have decided to fit their new B777′s with 10 seats across each row instead of the 9 seats that have existed in the past.

Where does the room for extra seats come from? Business Traveller Magazine tells us:

This new configuration for the B777 is controversial, because although the B747 and the Airbus A380 also feature ten-across seating, they have wider cabins. A B777 has a width of 5.86 metres, whereas the B747 is 6.10 metres wide. On that basis, the A380’s cabin is positively luxurious, with a width of 6.58 metres.

What it means is that passengers occupying a ten-across layout on the B777 will find they have less elbowroom and narrower aisles. Indeed it means that it will be almost impossible for two people to pass each other when moving along the aisle.

Apparently neither airline has yet decided whether or not to retrofit their existing B777′s. I hope that they do not.