TRICKS TO DEAL WITH IN-FLIGHT FATIGUE
by Allison Ford, tripatlas.com

Do Some Air-obics
Sitting for long periods of time isn't good for circulation; it can contribute to swollen limbs and leave you feeling lethargic. Long flights can also put passengers at risk for deep vein thrombosis (called DVT), a blood clot that usually occurs in the deep veins of the legs. For most people, the risk of developing DVT is small-about one in a million-but since the clots could shake loose and cause a pulmonary embolism, they are severe enough to warrant immediate hospitalization. Keeping circulation steady is a good way to prevent a clot from forming. 

People who are under forty, of normal weight, and without any pre-existing health conditions shouldn't worry too much about DVT, but it's good to do onboard exercises anyway because they keep you alert and energetic. Qantas, an Australian airline that offers many long-haul flights, recommends that on any flight longer than four hours, passengers should do easy exercises for a few minutes each hour. Try stretching and making circles with your ankles, lifting your knees up to your chest, rolling your neck and shoulders back and forth, and doing easy forward reaches. Periodically getting up and walking down the aisles is another a good way to relax stiff muscles and re-energize the body. If you need a little bit more room to do stretches, flight attendants will often allow you a few feet of space near the galley. Even an exercise as simple as curling and releasing your toes is enough to stimulate blood flow. The American Council on Exercise even recommends these exercises to decrease the effects of jet lag.

Beauty at 36,000 Feet

Plenty of companies make them, but I've never quite understood the point of spending upwards of a hundred dollars on a special "flight beauty kit," especially when it only contains Lilliputian-sized products. If you know what your go-to essentials are, it's easy to construct your own arsenal of the beauty products you need in order to step off the plane looking fresh. It may not seem like a big deal if you're arriving at night, but when you have to go right from an airport to a meeting or interview, the preparation can definitely come in handy. A little bit of primping can also mentally revive you in the middle of a long trip. Read more›››

 

HOW WILL THE HST AFFECT YOUR TRAVEL PLANS?

HST is coming! - Effective May 1, domestic airline tickets, pre-paid hotel or car rentals, etc. will be assesed at the rate of 13% for departures on or after July 1, 2010.

Call us for more information or clarification.

WHAT ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT CAN YOU CARRY ON BOARD IN YOUR LUGGAGE?
Here is a list of items that are permitted and not permitted by CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority)

ITEM YOU WANT TO PACK					CARRY-ON		CHECKED
1			Batteries carried for personal use Batteries must be individually protected and each spare battery must not exceed: - for lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries, a lithium content of 2 g; or - for lithium ion batteries, an aggregate equivalent lithium content of 8 g. Lithium ion batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of more than 8 g but not more than 25 g may be carried in carry-on baggage if they are individually protected so as to prevent short circuits and are limited to two spare batteries per person.
2			Batteries for wheelchairs Passenger must show to the Screening Officer the air carrier's approval. Air carriers may permit provided certain conditions are met.
3			Battery-powered mobility aids (personal) Passenger must show to the Screening Officer the air carrier's approval. Air carriers may permit provided certain conditions are met.
4			Camcorders We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on baggage. Check with your air carrier for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic devices during your flight.
5			Camera equipment We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on baggage. Check with your air carrier for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic devices during your flight. We recommend that you put undeveloped film and cameras containing undeveloped film in your carry-on baggage or take undeveloped film with you to the checkpoint and ask the screener to conduct a hand inspection.
6			Cameras We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on baggage. Check with your air carrier for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic devices during your flight.
7			Digital cameras We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on baggage. Check with your air carrier for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic devices during your flight.
8			E-reader We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on baggage. Check with your air carrier for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic devices during your flight.
9			Global positioning system (GPS) devices We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on baggage. Check with your air carrier for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic devices during your flight.
10			Laptop computers We recommend keeping fragile or expensive items with you in your carry-on baggage. Check with your air carrier for restrictions on the use of these and other electronic devices during your flight.

For the full list click here

CUBA: INSURANCE PROVIDERS APPROVED

REPORTS from Havana have highlighted a tentative list of health insurance providers for Canada.

All visitors to Cuba must have medical insurance to enter the country from May 1. This travel insurance must cover medical expenses with coverage in Cuba.

The insurance policy should be purchased in the traveller’s home country but tourists arriving without proper coverage will be required to purchase an appropriate policy from a Cuban insurance company at the airport, port or marina where they arrive.

Travel assistance services in Cuba are provided by Asistur S.A, available 24 hours all year round.

All travellers shall present an insurance policy, certificate or traveling assistance card valid for the time they will stay in Cuba.

Here is the list of approved Canadian insurance providers as of April 2:
ACM
ASSURED ASSISTANCE (e.g. RBC)
CANASSISTANCE
DESJARDINS (SIGMA-ASSISTEL)
FOX FLIGHT
GLOBAL EXCEL
HEALTH INSURANCE DIVISION
ICMS-WORLDWIDE EMERGENCY ASSIST (TORONTO)
JOHN INGLE INSURANCE
KEEWATIN AIR
MAGNUS POIRIER
MEDICAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION
MONDIAL ASSISTANCE
POLTRUTT & SMITH
SIGMA ASISTEL
SKY SERVICE-FBO INC
WORLD ACCESS, CANADA
WORLD TRAVEL PROTECTION
WORLDWIDE MEDICLAIM

To see the full list of approved health providers for other countries check out http://havanajournal.com/travel/entry/list-of-approved-cuba-health-insurance-providers-402a/.

TRAVELLERS CAN TAKE TWO CARRY-ON BAGS AND PERSONAL ITEMS WITH THEM ON A PLANE

Canadians flying to the U.S. can take two carry-on bags and personal items with them on a plane. Restrictions on carry-ons were imposed after a botched Christmas Day terror attack on a flight to Detroit from Amsterdam. Canada quickly banned carry-on luggage, then allowed U.S.-bound passengers one carry-on bag and some personal items in January. Transport Minister John Baird said "more robust air security measures" have removed the need for temporary carry-on restrictions.