London City Airport Introduces Full-Body Scanners PAGE 2
DECEMBER 2016 NEWSLETTER
Surprising Tricks: How to Sleep on a Plane PAGE 3
Stress of Business Travel and How to Beat It PAGE 4 London City Airport introduces full-body scanners PAGE 2
1 INFocus Newsletter London City Airport introduces full-body scanners By Tom Otley
London City Airport has completed an alarm, the location of the object is objects.” the first UK trial of the Quick Personnel marked on a graphic of the human body, Security scanner R&S QPS200 from with a neutral display preserving the Frank Mackel, Managing Director of Rohde & Schwarz. The scanners are now privacy of passengers. Rohde & Schwarz UK, said: in situ to screen passengers. Melanie Burnley, Director of Customer “We were easily able to install the The body scanners differ from existing Experience at London City Airport, said: scanners during a weekend down period. scanners as passengers stand with their They were live and ready for passengers arms slightly away from their body while “Each day approximately 10,000 on the Monday morning. The scanners the equipment completes a full body scan. departing passengers pass through proved completely reliable, working As with existing scanners, the technology our central security search area and we continuously during the trial other than in quickly detects the location of potentially constantly look at ways to improve the scheduled downtime. They integrated well dangerous objects, but the open plan screening experience, including the use of with London City Airport’s processes and design allows for quicker processing of new technology. systems. This pilot scheme demonstrates passengers, according to the airport. that we have a future proof technology “The Rohde & Schwarz body scanner is and, with the expansion of the airport The open plan design of the equipment one of the best in the industry and is easy now approved, we are looking forward to means passengers simply stand in front of for passengers to use, meaning we can working with LCY in the future, trialling the scanner with their arms held slightly keep their time in security to a minimum and testing new techniques and protocols away from the body. If the scanner reports and also quickly detect any prohibited with body scanners. This successful
2 INFocus Newsletter 70 GHz and 80 GHz and there is no health U.S. Passport ... CONTINUED hazard associated with the R&S QPS transmitter, which is hundreds or even thousands of times lower than that of a deployment at a major airport is a mobile phone. springboard for expanding our technology in the UK.”
The security scanners have been certified by the European Civil Aviation A view of the new body scanner at London Conference (ECAC), and are already City Airport. The scanner is unoccupied the preferred choice for security checks and has not just vaporised the person who based on millimetre-wave technology has been scanned. within German federal facilities.
R&S QPS millimetre-wave technology operates in the frequency range between
Surprising Tricks: How to Sleep on a Plane Jenna Schunuer
Oh to sleep perchance to … find a you bought a mattress, you thought about Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at way to arrive after a redeye looking what kind of a sleeper you are, right? Side 35,000 Feet. (Over the last 18 years as a even somewhat alive and ready for your sleeper, stomach, toss and turner? Now flight attendant, she’s watched thousands morning meeting. Trying though it may unless you afford to book a lie- flat seat and thousands and thousands of people be for some of us to catch some shuteye (and, if so, will you adopt us?), you’ll need try to sleep on planes. She knows what during flights, sweet sleep doesn’t have to start thinking of yourself as an on-your- works.) to elude us forever. And, no, we’re not back somewhat-to-the-side sleeper and talking about popping an Ambien with a book accordingly. The big question? Do Information is comfort. bourbon chaser. (Please, don’t do that. you sleep on the left or the right side of Oh, not good at choosing your seat? We don’t want to have to worry about you.) the bed at home? “Get a window seat for Well, we thought everybody knew about We called on some experts and constant night flights. If you sleep on your right side this but … it seems you don’t: SeatGuru. travelers for some help. at home go for the right side of the plane,” com. (Yes, you’re about to hear angels says Heather Poole, a flight attendant sing.) The site details the good, bad and Before the flight for one of the “big” airlines and author non-reclining of every seat on every plane. Choose your side. Now, the last time of Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, You’ll never book without it ever again.
December 2016 3 a thin sleeping bag liner to use on our rollon, and measured how far my backside Surprising Tricks... CONTINUED next flight—and wash immediately after was away from the seat back and also returning home.) measured how high the wedge would need to be in order to fill the gap. This Scent control. While there’s no works great. I am no longer miserable on During the flight guaranteeing your seatmate won’t pull out long flights.” Comfort. Please, for the sake of some stanky Burger King mid-flight, you everybody else’s eyeballs, do not wear can guarantee a bit of a more relaxing Back-up sleep essentials: Bring a adult footie pajamas on the plane (it has scent situation within your immediate nose baseball hat, says Joshua Craven of happened, people – it has happened!) but area. Sam Bruce, co-founder of travel Craven Marketing Group. He says it works do make yourself comfy for that sleep-in aggregator MuchBetterAdventures.com, so well he’ll never board a plane without flight. No need to change after takeoff. suggests spritzing some lavender oil on one. “As soon as I get ready for take-off Wear the nice-and-clean-without-any- your u-shaped pillow. I pull the bill of the ball cap down over my holes-in-them sweats to the airport. Carry DIY wedge. We’ll let Steve Thornton, face. This not only blocks light from my your suit on and change into it when you an advertising photographer and video eyes, but also provides a sense of privacy get off the plane. “It will look as though you director, who’s 6’6” tall explain the custom since the bill of the hat covers my face. just put it on because you did,” Poole says. wedge back pillow he made himself: “I'm Then I pop in some earbuds and I'm sound So spiffy. And refreshed. all about leg room,” he says. “On one asleep for the duration of the flight.” Also: of my long flights I determined that the earplugs, a sleep mask, and lightweight Cradle. Yes, the donut pillow is ugly. seat was never going to be comfortable, bedroom slippers or wool socks (or both). And used as expected, with the U bit at so I positioned my body where I wanted OK, maybe an Ambien, too. But no alcohol the back of the neck, it never really seems to sleep. I then took a tape measure, people. That drinking on a plane sleep? worth schlepping along. But Poole turned something I always travel with, also in my That is never good sleep. the idea on its head (or, well, neck): “The trick is to wear it backwards so your neck stays in place.” That means: no more sudden jerking forward neck snapping wow are you awake and in pain moments. Nope. Gone.
Ergonomics-ish. Poole also advises that you use your carry-on as a leg rest or roll the airplane pillow under your knees. And that sketchy blanket they (sometimes) hand out? “Use it for lumbar support,” Poole says. “It’s better to freeze than risk the potential infection.” (Yes, we’re all grossed out now. And off to buy
Stress of Business Travel and How to Beat It
By Jools Stone
It’s easy to see what attracts people to any weathered road warrior will tell you, embrace work which involves a regular Many people value the opportunity there are definite downsides to travelling amount of travel. The chance to see new to travel for work as being almost as so frequently, which inevitably can take its places, meet new people, experience important as a pay rise or a promotion* toll, once the glitz and novelty of airport new food and cultures – and all on the lounges and free upgrades has lost its company’s tab – can’t be underestimated. But despite the apparent glamour, as lustre.
4 INFocus Newsletter false economy behind flying economy for How to best tackle the backlog, Stress of Business.. CONTINUED long haul trips, citing the chronic impact particularly answering email, jetlag can have on your circadian rhythm and your general health and wellbeing in that accumulates during your business When Business Travel is Just Regu- the longer term. trip is a perennial issue and boils down to lar ‘Work Travel’ personal choice. According to Scott Cohen, one of the Firstly there’s the misapprehension that authors of a report into the Darker Side Putting your out of office on may manage business travel always means travelling in, of Mobility, ‘If you fly just 85,000 miles some expectations from colleagues, and well, business or first class. The reality is a year, which is the equivalent of flying you can state in this that you will only be that’s quite often not the case, especially return from New York to Tokyo seven replying to urgent questions while you’re for SMEs and owner-operators, with most times a year, you've already exceeded the travelling. road warriors having to slum it in economy safe limit for radiation exposure.’ or premium economy if they’re lucky. If you are planning to do some work on There are a number of key stressors the road, make the most of airport lounges According to one recent US study, only involved with regular business travel and for their reliable internet and quiet spaces 4% of business travellers travel in business while some of the biggies may simply to think. or first class on domestic flights. The be beyond your control (such as delays numbers do jump slightly for international and lost luggage) there are others which You can also use productivity tools (6%) and intercontinental flights (33%) but you can prepare for and insure yourself like messaging app Slack, which many the vast majority of traveling managers against maximum impact. business people claim reduce email travel in economy being mindful of cost load in general and also keep business savings.’ These are some of the biggest stress communication restricted to specific triggers for regular business travellers, channels of your choosing. Then there’s The Perils of Hypermobility along with some measures you can take to that other perennial first world problem fight back against business travel stress. to contend with: Flaky or non-existent For many then, ‘business travel’ really internet coverage. just means long distance commuting. The Backlog of Work Some commentators have pointed out the
December 2016 5 due to travelling over the weekend and on long haul flights, not looking after Stress of Business.. CONTINUED departures at unsociable hours. These yourself has a cost too and this needs to can put undue strain on relationships and be factored in. exacerbate symptoms of depression. The Loneliness of Perpetual Travel Here are some more general tips to help Make the most of Skype and Facetime you best manage the range of issues that While some younger business travellers to ensure you get to speak to your loved constant business travel inevitably brings. initially enjoy the accumulation of ones and see the whites of their eyes perceived social status that exotic travel while you're away. Also try to bring back Planning ahead brings - and the inevitable one-up-man- simple gifts from your destination, to show ship encouraged by sharing your latest them that you're thinking of them. Simply being organised and planning glamorous check in on social media. ahead can take a lot of stress out of travel. Health Matters Some things to think about: have you This can be a problem in itself, as organised visas, booked transport to and evidenced by the growth of the #FOMO Frequent travel can put a strain on your from the airport, checked in online, printed (or fear of missing out) phenomenon with physical health too. It’s not always so easy your itinerary, found the best places to travellers seeking to notch up as many to find healthy food choices when you’re eat, contacted any connections in the destinations as they can to boost their on the road. Airline meals often have area, got the right adaptors, had the right social status. a high sugar and salt content to make them as appealing as possible, and while But most will tell you that combating your hotel may have a gym you might not loneliness is one of the biggest battles always get time to use it. they face on a regular basis. This is especially pertinent for those with families It could be worth weighing up the relative and younger children. For parents, some cost of economy vs super-economy / of the key stressors include a lack of premium-economy or business. While family time, a blurring of worklife balance it’s tempting to always try to save money
6 INFocus Newsletter Stress of Business.. CONTINUED Know where you're going and Way Go (specifically for Chinese, Japanese and Korean translations) to give Whether you're heading to a new city you head start. jabs, downloaded books to your Kindle or or one you've been to before, finding your tablet etc? bearings is a great confidence booster. We particularly like the Word Lens tool Check where your hotel is before you on Google Translate, where you point And if you’re a senior executive, which arrive and any restaurants, attractions etc your camera at a foreign word and it's of these tasks might you be to offload onto that you'd like to visit. translated in real time. your assistant?
It's also worth downloading a city map Upload your documents to the Feel refreshed when you arrive at app like Triposo to help you get around. cloud your destination Google Maps is worth considering, but it's not great for offline use. You may feel happier transporting hard Travel is tiring in itself but there are copies of your most important business some easy ways to make sure you feel Knowing how to get around (by bus/ documents with you, but cloud-based ready for a day of meetings wherever you metro/tram/taxi etc) can also be extremely storage – such as Dropbox, Google Drive are heading to. useful. Check your destination airport's and iCloud– is a great way of keeping website or tourist information for local important files safe and accessible from • Catch up with emails, eat and transport options. anywhere in the world and on multiple then relax in the business lounge devices. when you arrive at the airport. City Mapper is a great local transport • Wear comfy clothes, wash your app to consider. It's not available Take some time out to explore face and clean your teeth before worldwide but it does cover 31 well-known the city you’re visiting you board – that way you can go cities, including London, New York, Hong straight to sleep. Kong, Tokyo, Paris and more. More and more business travellers are • Pack some healthy snacks and taking leisure time when they travel for keep hydrated with a bottle of water. Learn some key phrases for your business. It not only can make a difference • Beat jet lag with the Jet Lag destination to productivity and morale, but simply Rooster app taking a couple of days either before • Find the best seat possible with There's nothing worse than arriving or after a trip can also give you time to Seat Guru in a country and not understanding the adjust to time differences, do some sight • And finally, keep toiletries and language. Luckily for UK travellers, seeing, try out local restaurants, build business clothes accessible, English is spoken in most countries but some cultural knowledge which is always so you can freshen up before knowing a few key phrases will not only useful in business – and most importantly disembarking. help you but will also go down well with spend quality time with family, loved ones locals. Try apps like Google Translate or friends.
December 2016 7 Skyteam launches frequent flyer retro-crediting website tool By Tom Otley
Skyteam has launched a new tool on “We are offering a fast, simple and customers and our member airlines by its website which it says allows for almost seamless way to claim missing miles enhancing every aspect of the travel instant retro-active validation of miles’ across the alliance for our more than experience.” claims. 200 million frequent flyers,” said Michael Schutzbank, SkyTeam’s Director for The 20 members of Skyteam are: Skyteam says that the online, Customer Loyalty. “Uncredited flights Aeroflot, Aerolíneas Argentinas, retroactive credit tool is already available can make a difference when it comes to Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, across “most” of its 20 members with the a customer’s status level or being able to Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, remainder being added in coming months. claim an award ticket, but this quick and China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta The airline alliance hopes that the new easy solution ensures our frequent flyers Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya tool will speed up traveller’s claims when benefit from every mile flown.” Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, a Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) number Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, has not been entered into a reservation. “SkyTeam’s new retroactive credit tool TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Post-trip, a traveller will log into their FFP is another example of how our alliance Airlines. account, enter their flight details and the is leading the industry in customer- system validates the request in seconds. centric innovation,” said Perry Cantarutti, There are 17 different SkyTeam FFPs Skyteam says that eligible flights are SkyTeam’s CEO and Managing Director. and over 200 million frequent flyer credited to their account automatically “Loyalty is a key focus for SkyTeam. We members and retroactive requests can be made as greatly value our frequent flyers and little as one week after the date of travel our ongoing investment in technology skyteam.com – the shortest time frame in the industry. will continue to deliver value both for
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