CNN for the former Clear

My husband had mentioned to me about Clear at the airport shutting down. I didn’t really think too much about it because I am usually working when I travel and wouldn’t be able to use their services. Plus, even for him, their locations really weren’t in enough cities to make it worth it for us.

Now, there’s a bigger issue to worry about and as usual when you think of problems with the airport, at least when I do, TSA is usually involved.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported today about the problem that has the government officials wondering too. What happened to all of the personal information that was collected from the more than quarter million passengers? Verified Identity Pass, who ran the Clear kiosks at the airports, said “it will secure the personal information it gathered…” but the bigger question is what will TSA do with it? If they keep the information too long then it leaves a greater chance for a security leak as in 2007 when they lost an external hard drive containing important information of current and former agency workers.

So where does this leave their now former clients? I don’t suppose that any of these passengers will receive a refund either! I wonder if any of them have heard of LifeLock?

Here’s what the flyclear.com website states about your security.

Pack like this if you want to pay for it. Personally, I’d rather not. I have seen some pieces of luggage large enough to carry a body in it and the airlines have had enough. One thing that no one thinks about is that all of that weight costs money. The weight of the luggage causes more weight on the aircraft, which costs more in fuel and more in injuries to the ramp agents that have to lift the bags. Ok, fine. Sometimes you just need all of that stuff, right?

Wrong! It’s not only a burden on the airlines but a burden on your body (or your spouse).

I made that mistake once. Perhaps more than once but one time in particular comes to mind. In the mid 90′s, I took my first trip to Europe. I carried more than one piece of luggage abroad and wound up leaving one there. Two bags dragging around the city of Paris, up an unbelievable narrow winding staircase and into a room not much bigger than a standard bedroom here in the US.

My back hurt. My feet hurt and I kept tripping over the bags.

Now, any time I go anywhere but especially overseas, I carry a lot smarter. Where a nice, yet comfortable outfit on the plane that can double as an outfit there. What you need to bring will obviously depend on the weather. For the trip I plan to take to Italy in July, I will bring a light sleeveless dress and a light sweater. That can make two different outfits. A pair of wrinkly free khaki pants, a short sleeve shirt and a light long sleeve for night. I usually only wear one pair of shoes but I think that I will bring two this time because I like to dress nice on the aircraft and I would like to have some sandles for some outdoor trips. Plenty of undergarments and small toiletries. I can fit my things in to a back pack! Wrinkle free is your friend.

Europe is not a third world country so you can get anything you need there. They have stores with all of toiletries you could possibly need and some of the best cosmetics and face creams in the world. REMINDER: TSA will take away any liquids or gels over 3oz.

Remember a power converter if you are not sure if your accommodations already have one. One of the hotels that we stayed in, was unbelievable small, with uncomfortable beds and cold showers. Our friends stayed at a HI and had the same accommodations as the US including the typical hairdryer, coffee maker and clothes iron. This reminds me that I still haven’t picked my own hotel. Any suggestions?

I’ve been spoiled by the last two weeks. I haven’t been feeling well so I dropped a couple of trips. This just means that someone else is working those trips and I do not get paid. Unfortunately, sick calls are frowned upon and you only get a certain amount a year. No worries. Until I get my paycheck that is.

So, tomorrow is my only day off this week after hardly working the last two. What will I do?

8am                   Get son ready for camp
9am                   Drop him off to camp
10am                 Doctors appt to see why I’ve been so ill
11am                  Early lunch with hubby
12noon            Chiropractor appointment
1230-430pm Work on the computer, find my camera battery
charger cord, pack for Wednesday, plan dinner,
clean the house, and take a nap? Doubt it!
500pm           Pick son up from camp
530pm            Dinner
600pm            Read a book or three
700pm           TBA
800pm           Get son ready for bed
900pm           Son in bed
1000pm       Put me in bed so that I can go back to
work tomorrow.

This was actually last weeks post that I never got to publish because that one day off proved to be not enough time! I did work that three day trip.

When I got home on that third day (actually night), I made myself some dinner and got a few things ready to go up to Podcamp in Columbus the next morning. Too early in the morning but it was great. Thanks to my friend that went with me.

The next day was Father’s Day, so I cleaned like crazy since my step-children were coming over.

Note to self: PLEASE for the love of God will you remember to take an allergy pill before “de-kittying” the living room!

I got dressed, crafted cards with the younger child, made breakfast and enjoyed some time with all of the kids and my wonderful husband. We then returned the shoes they got him for a different size and then off to Graeter’s. I really do think that is our tradition because we go quite often when they come down. Then, home to rest.

Our youngest child and I went to the library while daddy rested a bit. And of course, that night the sore throat began. ugh. The next day was shot because of my cleaning adventures. Anyone know a cheap housekeeper that can “de-kitty” for me once a week?

I was supposed to go to work yesterday but had to call in [with what voice I had left] yes, sick. That paycheck is really going to be discouraging next month but it had to be done. Do you really want to be on a flight with a hacking runny nose flight attendant?

Now, I have a lot of days off. If only I could enjoy them more. May be next week.

So, I have two blogs. Ok, three, perhaps four? The forth one is for a specialized group and doesn’t get all of my attention and two of them I want to combine into one.

Christina’s Life of Travel and What’s Cooking Cincinnati. I am a flight attendant and get a lot of questions regarding travel tips so the first was born. I love to cook and am always trying new cookbooks and cooking lifestyles to improve my health. This means that I have taken two things that I love to do and made them in to two different blogs. They have a tendancy to run over into each other anyway. So…why not just make them one and save myself a lot of typing.

Done.

What type of posts would you like to see on here?

I just couldn’t bare to put up a pictures of an actual bed bug. Yuck! If you really need to see a picture and get a great “what to do” if you do find bed bugs in your home please visit The Bedbug Blog.

Through some further research, the last actual EPAmeeting was back in April 2009. What this means though is that there is a big enough problem that the EPA needed to meet regarding these nasty little creatures. They bite, leave itchy red marks that can leace a scar. And, just like fleas, they can spread and cause more problems if not cared for properly.

Where does this leave you if you want to travel but are afraid of what might be waiting for you to ruin your trip. Taking a few minutes to follow some simple steps can save your trip and your skin.

When I get into the room, the first thing that I do is to place my suitcase up on a table while I get the stand out of the closet. Put a towel on it if you please and keep your bag up off of the floor and away from the bed.

Then, for more reasons than just bed bugs, remove the conforter and place it back in the corner out of the way. Pull down the sheets and look for signs of bed bugs. Small brownish-black shells or spots smaller than a poppy seed. These small creatures like to live under seams and under the mattress tag so, be extra vigillant about these areas. Check the headboard also, especially if it’s fabric.

It’s a good idea to keep your clothes and bags away from the bed area and off of the floor just in case and wash/dryclean them when you come home. When I get home, I never take my suitcase up to my bedroom. It stays downstairs and gets repacked for each trip.

Have you gotten your Dad (or your husband) anything for Father’s Day? My Father has passed away so I will celebrate him by spending time with my husband and our children. When we get home from Michigan, our youngest son and I will make a card and craft when we get home and I am looking for something perfect. This is a hard decision because the things I would like to get him are too expensive right now.

Father’s day is about celebrating your Dad’s and not spending a lot, right? Save money and celebrate your dad and children’s father on the good stuff page!

I read a great article today that I found while on Twitter. Inspiration comes from all places. The article, found on Girls get away guide talks about different ways that you can eat right and exercise while you are traveling. Simple things like stretching your legs when you can (driving) and healthy snacks to bring. Some of this is harder to do when you are flying thanks to TSA.

I have had a couple of surgeries where I have collected a variety of therapy bands. Each color is a different strength and I use them for different exercises. These are great for when I am waiting for the gate to send out my passengers. I thread one side of a band through a handle in galley and with both hands pull straight back like rowing. I use these in my hotel room on my legs.

Another thing that I do either while on the aircraft or in my room is pretend like I’m sitting in an imaginary chair with my back against the wall. This one I learned from another flight attendant and is very difficult for me. I just need to do it more often.

I really like this new blog and for more than just the sweepstakes! Check it out for yourself and stay healthy no matter where you are.
Girls Getaway Guide

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