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Los Angeles Introduces reLAXing Improvements

Over the years we’re in and out of Los Angeles International Airport more than any other in the world. We don’t visit LAX because we love it, but it’s just 25 minutes (except during rush hour) from home and necessary for almost all of our air travel plans.

In recent years LAX had been looking a bit shabby, but things are changing for the better. On a flight schedule several weeks ago, we noted the lighting is brighter, the waiting rooms larger and perked up with new seating facilities. The static old signs have been replaced by video-enhanced displays that make everything more inviting. The dingy little shops are being replaced by larger, contemporary retail areas.

There’s now the impressive-looking Great Hall, the Antonio Villaraigosa Pavilion, honoring the recent mayor of Los Angeles. Inside are upscale dining and retail enclaves, as well as indoor and outdoor VIP lounges.

LAX is also improving and enlarging boarding gates and aircraft entry bridges. Many domestic and foreign aircraft arriving at the airport today are larger models that offer more extensive, two-level seating. The new facilities will allow quicker passenger departing and arriving opportunities.

We frequent flyers appreciate the ongoing improvements at LAX, and look forward to enjoying them on future travels.

Buffalo NY: Now A Doggone Friendly Airport

New York State’s Erie County SPCA has started a program of providing a free service to travelers at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Aptly named Paws For Love (PFL), it consists of well-trained dogs that are guided through the airport waiting areas to visit with harried passengers. The canines provide relaxation and friendly companionship while people wait for their flights.

The SPCA PFL airport services is an extension of its traditional programs of sending volunteers and dogs on visits to hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions. The PFL is also operating at other U.S. airports, including San Jose CA, Ft. Lauderdale FL, San Antonio TX, Grand Rapids MI, Los Angeles CA and Miami FL. For more info, go to www.pawsforlove.info

Time Travel: If You Could, What Would You Choose?

In recent news reports, Aussie scientists hinted that some day time travel will actually be possible. In response, we asked several of our very seasoned readers to choose their first return trip to the 1950s:

JJL, Los Angeles CA: I’d go back to Disneyland on opening day, July 17, 1955. I’d be a kid again, and enjoy It’s A Small World, Pirates Of The Caribbean and other rides. I’d also get to meet Walt Disney and the actor who narrated the event on black and white TV, Ronald Reagan.

House Security: Don’t Make Robbery Easy When Away

When making travel plans, request friends, family and/or neighbors to visit your empty home or apartment often while you’re away. Also ask them to pick up telltale signs that you’re absent, such as trash, daily newspapers, flyers, mail and packages. Be sure to notify all services to stop deliveries while you’re away.

Additionally, consider setting up electronics in your home to imitate normal activity. Have lights go on and off periodically at night, as well as recorded music and other sounds of activity. Remember those scenes in the movie, Home Alone?

If you use Facebook or other social media, don’t post anyone-can-read online messages that you’ll be away for a specific period of time. There are numerous cases where clever online thieves scan digital postings to target empty houses and apartments.

Senior Travel Safety: Caught In Street Disturbances

In our travels, we’ve sometimes been where streets are full of noisy people because of a festive holiday or the local sports team had just won a tournament.

Other gatherings were more dangerous, such as angry political, religious or social protests. Unfortunately, stories about dangers of uncontrolled street violence seem to be in the news almost every day.

It Happened In London: At a Piccadilly restaurant one night recently with other senior tourists, we heard shouting. We went outside to see what was happening. Lesson 1: Not a smart idea. A large group of foreign students marched by with signs and banners to protest increased tuition at the nearby British university.

Some demonstrators rushed along the sidewalk handing out printed material to bystanders. In his eagerness, one ran into and knocked me down. Startled, he reached to help the old guy up. Suddenly, two London bobbies appeared and dragged the student away. I yelled it was an accident, but they were gone. Lesson 2: When things may become violent, older tourists should seek safety.