Business Traveler articles from November 2001

Business Traveler archives from November 2001

Editor's letter.
November 1, 2001... THE COMMUNITY OF BUSINESS TRAVELERS was deeply affected by the attacks of September 11. Some lost their lives during the attacks, while others found themselves back on the road again just days later, profoundly shaken and uncertain of their...

Changes. (Letter Of The Month).
November 1, 2001... The horrifying events of Sept. 11 in New York City and the outskirts of Washington, D.C., have dramatically changed the way we in North America, and perhaps others around the world, will treat airport security. During the early 90s I lived...

Taking back the skies. (Letter Of The Month).
November 1, 2001... Weeks have now passed since the WTC attack, and New Yorkers and Americans are trying to get their lives back to normal. Unfortunately, this thing has changed the way we go about our day-to-day lives in this country and the way we will...

In harm's way. (Letter Of The Month).
November 1, 2001... Until now airport security has only been a token gesture, designed to inconvenience those of us who have no intentions of causing harm. As we saw Tuesday, those people that did intend to cause harm were not affected by security and breezed...

Applause. (Letter Of The Month).
November 1, 2001... I want to applaud and commend the American traveling public and the airline industry in the wake of the terrorist attacks last week. Having flown to Atlanta the previous week on a frequent flyer ticket, I was stranded like so many other...

Fear factors. (Letter of the Month).
November 1, 2001... We are all very interested in steps to be taken to improve airport security in the United States. Unfortunately, it has been assumed that inferior airport security has been caused by poorly trained minimum-wage inspection staff. I don't believe...

Travel after terror: what happens now? (Airlines).
November 1, 2001... AS THE DUST SETTLES on a stunned nation after the bombing of the World Trade Center on September 11, the questions begin. How could terrorists armed only with box cutters and knives command four commercial jet aircraft--turning them into...

Heroes. (Hotels).
November 1, 2001... THE WORLD TRADE Center complex was also home to several major hotels. The Hilton Millennium Hotel and the Marriott World Trade Center sustained irreparable damage. The Marriott Financial Center, although damaged and closed for business, is...

Back to business. (Airlines).
November 1, 2001... ALTHOUGH "business as usual" was the rallying cry the week after the attacks, many are wondering how soon business travel will actually return to a semblance of normalcy. "`We have an airline industry model that has been turned on its head."...

Fallout: the worldwide aviation crisis. (Airlines).
November 1, 2001... U.S. AIRLINES were not the only ones affected by the crisis. Most of the larger international carriers who fly to and from the U.S. sustained cuts in service and in jobs. British Airways, Britain's biggest airline, cut about 10 percent of its...

Laying down the law. (Airlines).
November 1, 2001... IN ADDITION TO the new set of security measures in airports and on aircraft, enacted by the FAA and President George W. Bush immediately after the attacks, what other changes can travelers look forward to in the coming months? Paula...

Security under scrutiny. (Airlines).
November 1, 2001... HOW COULD the terrorists have evaded airport screening at Logan, Dulles and Newark airports? Airport security staff are some of most underpaid workers in the industry--some receiving as low as $5.75 an hour. Reports after the attack...

Sign of the times. (Hotels).
November 1, 2001... UNDAUNTED BY industry insiders' predictions of worldwide hotel slumps, the W Hotel group is opening their flagship New York City hotel, The W Times Square, in December. The 57-story W New York-Times Square, designed by Yabu Pushelberg (the new...

SOS for Americans abroad. (Safety).
November 1, 2001... BUSINESSES ALL OVER America are re-evaluating Their need to travel in the coming months. But how can Americans stay safe if their jobs depend on going abroad? SOS, one of the largest medical and security assistance firms in the world,...

Canada. (Hotel Deals).
November 1, 2001... The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is offering a harvest package until December 20. This deal includes a room and a seasonal dinner starting at $166 a night. The Fairmont Empress in British Columbia is a tourist haven until December 31. Guests will...

United States. (Hotel Deals).
November 1, 2001... The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in Ojai, California, is sponsoring special packages until December 20. The golf package provides unlimited golf on its George C. Thomas course, golf cart and other amenities for $170 a night. The spa package includes...

Latin America. (Hotel Deals).
November 1, 2001... The Park Hyatt Mendoza, Argentina is offering a special package for $220 a night during the month of November. Guests receive breakfast, welcome gifts, late checkout and 15 percent off at the hotel restaurant. Call 800 233 1234 or visit...

Africa. (Hotel Deals).
November 1, 2001... November guests at the Michelangelo Hotel on Sandton Square in Gauteng, South Africa, can take advantage of a package that includes a superior room, breakfast and late checkout for $146. Call 27-11-282-7000 or visit www.lhw.com.

Europe. (Hotel Deals).
November 1, 2001... The Hotel Hacienda Benazuza in Seville is offering a similar package during November. Guests stay in either a Jacuzzi or terrace junior suite and receive daily breakfast for $230 a night. Call 34-95-570-3344 or visit www.lhw.com GM

SuReality check. (Hotels).
November 1, 2001... INSTALL YOURSELF AT THE Magritte Suite in San Francisco's Hotel Palomar and become a work of art. The suite is a "permanent installation" and pays homage to the Belgian surrealist master who transformed bourgeois reality into magic. The...

A good cause. (Sites for Sore Eyes).
November 1, 2001... On September 11 the world witnessed horrific acts of terror. This issue's Site for Sore Eyes section is dedicated to the firefighters, police officers and rescue workers who came to the aid of the victims in New York City, Washington D.C. and...

Flight log. (Airlines).
November 1, 2001... EL AL AIRLINES has introduced its new Platinum Club for frequent flyers. Benefits include confirmed space up to 24 hours prior to departure on Coach Class, up to three guests in the lounge, top priority for upgrades and wait lists, an extra 44...

British Airways. (Airline Deals).
November 1, 2001... British Airways has reduced the cost of its "World Traveler Plus" cabin between the U.S. and UK to the same level as its "B2" fare, which is the lowest unrestricted one-way coach fare. For example, NYC to London is now only $663 each way...

Southwest Airlines. (Airline Deals).
November 1, 2001... Southwest Airlines in conjunction with American Express Rewards Plus is offering a free coach ticket for only 15,000 points instead of the normal 20,000, a 25-percent reduction. The free ticket is valid to any Southwest published destination,...

Delta Airlines. (Airline Deals).
November 1, 2001... Delta Airlines is offering SkyMiles members the opportunity to earn up to 10,000 bonus miles when they fly round trip on Delta between the U.S. and Europe, Latin America, the Middle East or Asia through December 31. Purchase any coach fare...

Cathay Pacific. (Airline Deals).
November 1, 2001... Cathay Pacific is giving away a pocket PC and up to 20,000 bonus AAdvantage miles. Fly on a full adult fare from any North American gateway to Hong Kong or beyond or round trip between JFK and Vancouver in first or business class and get a...

Amtrak ups security. (Rail).
November 1, 2001... IN THE WAKE OF the terror of September 11, many travelers have opted to ride the country's rails rather than to fly to domestic destinations. Amtrak's new enhanced security measures put into place following the terrorist attacks require that...

Air Canada. (Reward Roundup).
November 1, 2001... Through November 30, Aeroplan members call earn double miles on the first round-trip or two one-way segments on any fare between Montreal and Los Vegas.

Lufthansa. (Reward Roundup).
November 1, 2001... Through December 31, members of Lufthansa's Miles and More club receive 500 miles and a 20-percent discount when they stay at participating Ramada Hotels and Ramada Treff Hotels in Europe and throughout the Middle East. To reserve your room and...

Swissair & Midwest Express. (Reward Roundup).
November 1, 2001... Through January 31, 2002, Midwest Express Frequent Flyer members flying trans-Atlantic in economy on either Swissair or Sabena from all North American gateways will receive double miles when flights are begun on or after November 1, and the...

US Airways. (Reward Roundup).
November 1, 2001... Through December 31, Dividend Miles members can earn up to a maximum of 500 miles per stay at participating hotels in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. When making reservations...

Culture flubs. (Reader Offer).
November 1, 2001... DO YOU KNOW that asking the simple question "What do you do?" is considered too personal to ask a stranger or someone you just met in France? Do you know that in Brazil, normal conversation lakes place between six and 12 inches apart, and if...

Lockup. (Airline Security).
November 1, 2001... AS AIRLINES across the globe race to implement onboard security improvements, Austrian Airlines has confirmed that there are armed sky marshals on board all of its flights serving North America as well as its subsidiary Lauda Air. ...

Seville short. (Cities).
November 1, 2001... BUSINESS TRAVELER SET OUT TO ASK THE QUESTION "what's new?" in Seville. The response "not much" is part of its charm. With its distinct old-world flavor and the exotic spice of its Andalusian heritage, put away the "shock of the new" for a day...

Miami Restaurants. (Top Of The Town).
November 1, 2001... Rumi 330 Lincoln Road tel. 305-672-4353 This new swanky, supper club, located on South Beach's popular Lincoln Road, offers an interior of plush fabrics, geometric chandeliers and a low-lit intimate dining spaces. The exotic...

New York. (Top Of The Town).
November 1, 2001... Medi 45 Rockefeller Center tel. 212-399-8888 Decorated in hues of yellow and blue and dressed with large sunflowers, this soothing sophisticated new restaurant in New York's bustling Rockefeller center serves up fine Italian and...

Omission.
November 1, 2001... The following information was erroneously omitted from the Business Class Survey in the September issue of Business Traveler. Business Traveler regrets the omission. Scandinavian Airlines Business Class B767-300 # of...

Rome: St. Regis Grand. (Hotel Check).
November 1, 2001... ENSCONCED BETWEEN the Mose and the Najada fountains, the St. Regis Grand Hotel evokes all the drama, myth and passion that is Rome. Its location is central, and its history is impressive. Underneath the turn-of-the-century building, which is...

Tokyo: Park Hyatt. (Hotel Check).
November 1, 2001... ANY HOTEL THAT CLAIMS the likes of Paul Smith, Giorgio Armani and Marc Newson as fans is obviously succeeding in the style department. But there's much more to Tokyo's Park Hyatt hotel than its designer-guru guests. Located on the top 14 floors...

Spot check.
November 1, 2001... We called 10 major airlines to see how long it would take to speak to an operator to book a business-class ticket. Here's what we found: United Airlines -- Two minutes, including the first phone call, which was disconnected by the...

Alitalia Magnifica class. (Flight check: New York JFK to Rome).
November 1, 2001... First Impression: Alitalia's Magnifica class check-in at JFK is a slightly farther hike than its economy-class check-in and is a little difficult to find. However. there was no line, and I was checked in smoothly and courteously. My request for...

jetBlue. (Flight check: New York JFK to Oakland, CA).
November 1, 2001... First impression: I arrived at JFK before dawn and discovered a dim, mostly deserted Terminal Six. The jetBlue line was blissfully short compared to the melee at the neighboring America West counter. I checked my bag, passed through security...

Four hours in Melbourne.
November 1, 2001... Sydney, with its Opera House and harbor pizzazz, has long claimed the limelight as Australia's must-see city, but Melbournians will tell you a different tale. Their city has quietly established itself as the cultural capital of Australia, a...

Philadelphia freedom: as Philadelphia struggles to maintain a foothold in the post-industrial economy, a varied spectrum of sectors holds promise, from tourism to biotechnology. (HomeFront: Philadelphia).
November 1, 2001... ONCE KNOWN AS THE "Workshop of the World," Philadelphia was, during the 19th and early 20th centuries, one of the biggest industrial-producing cities in the U.S., its economy buoyed by industries such as shipbuilding, ironworks and furniture...

Safe passage: securing the skies: airport security is being scrutinized as never before. Business Traveler asks the experts what happened. And what we can expect.
November 1, 2001... THE AFTERSHOCKS OF THE SEPT. 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. rippled across the world, touching everyone to some degree. The attacks shattered the lives of thousands of innocent office workers, airline passengers,...

Gift holiday guide: from high-tech electronics to etoile cuff links, BT searched high and low for the perfect gifts to make everyone's holiday a joyous occasion. (holiday gift guide).
November 1, 2001... INTERMEZZO CHAMPAGNE FLUTE This sleek champagne glass by Orrefors is a celebration in itself, Part of the Intermezzo collection, each glass is individually handblown for a polished finish. $59 per flute at Galleri Orrefors Kosta Boda...

Water colors: devoted divers from around the world flock to a rocky corner where the Suez Canal meets the Red Sea. (Great Escape: Ras Mohammed).
November 1, 2001... FIRST AN ADMISSION: rough water makes me seasick. Having steeled myself for the hour-long boat trip to the cusp of Egypt's Sinai peninsula, from Egypt's Red Sea dive center, Sharm el Sheikh, the white-crested waves breaking on the sea's surface...

Thin Ice? As Belfast recovers control, security measures have been lifted, and the city is enjoying a renaissance. But obstacles to inward investment remain. (Focus: Belfast).
November 1, 2001... THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT ice hockey that has hit a nerve with the people of Belfast. When the Giants first strapped on their skates at the city's new Odyssey Arena, there were those who thought it would never catch on. But in their first games,...

Online booking. (Special Advertising Section).
November 1, 2001... THE RESOUNDING POP OF THE DOTCOM BUBBLE was enough to send everyone from book lovers to pet food shoppers running for the tactile comfort of their humble brick and mortar beginnings. But as in any drawn-out fairy tale, there remain a select few...

Green day: Kyrgyzstan remains one of the poorest countries in the Commonwealth of the Independent States. But a groundswell of construction and foreign investment seems to bode well for the country. (Destination Report: Bishkek).
November 1, 2001... KYRGYZSTAN IS THE TYPE OF COUNTRY many would have difficulty pointing to on a map. I have 2problems even pronouncing it and have to admit I wouldn't have been able to name its capital, Bishkek, even if a million dollars of quiz-show prize money...

American Express celebrates ten rewarding years: since its introduction in 1991, the Membership Rewards[R] program has grown to become the largest program of its kind, earning it Business Traveler's Best Credit Card Rewards Program for six consecutive years. (Special Advertising Section).
November 1, 2001... JOIN THE AWARD-WINNING MEMBERSHIP REWARDS PROGRAM. The Membership Rewards program from American Express celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and its sixth consecutive win for Best Credit Card Rewards Program as voted by the readers of...

Trading up: with GDP growing by about 5 percent a year, the Netherlands owes much of its economic success to the diversity of its industries and its understanding of both Anglo-Saxon and European cultures. (Insider's guide: Amsterdam).
November 1, 2001... THE GOOD PEOPLE OF HOLLAND have every right to feel a little smug at the moment. If the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands were the three little piggies anticipating that wolfish recession which will blow their economic...

Bridge building: U.S.--Mexico relations move forward. (Special Advertising Section).
November 1, 2001... In the past few months the United States has been making concerted efforts to advance its relationships with other countries, in an attempt to build bridges and knock down barriers. In order to maintain positive relations with our neighbors,...

Memorial fund.
November 1, 2001... A note from the Publisher As a business traveler, the terrible events of Sept 11 truly hit home. As New Yorkers, they have hit our hearts. As we try to get back to some state of normalcy, I feel that it is important to address you...

Offer of the month: Fairmont, San Francisco. (Hotels).
November 1, 2001... REDISCOVER THE FAIRMONT SAN FRANCISCO, the ultimate in hospitality following the completion of our award-winning $85 million restoration. The hotel's 591 guest rooms and suites have been luxuriously refurbished, and public spaces, including the...

The Hotel Allegro. (Hotels).
November 1, 2001... The Hotel Allegro is located in the heart of Chicago's downtown Loop area, convenient to theater and retail districts. Just minutes from Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile, Hotel Allegro is also within walking distance of State Street shopping,...

The Halcyon. (Hotels).
November 1, 2001... HERE IS A CONTEMPORARY stylish hotel designed to create tranquil ambience. The Halcyon is found in one of the most captivating areas of London on the edge of Holland Park, minutes away from Notting Hill. The hotel occupies two Belle Epoque town...

The Hotel Nikko. (Hotels).
November 1, 2001... DESIGNED TO CREATE A SOOTHING ESCAPE, Hotel Nikko is located in the heart of San Francisco, walking distance from Union Square as well as theater and financial districts. The hotel's full-service health club provides an atrium-covered pool,...

Hotel Delmonico. (Hotels).
November 1, 2001... THIS PROPERTY IS JUST A SHORT STROLL from the world's best shopping, dining and entertainment. Spacious, elegant and fully equipped apartment suites are designed to be lived in, not just to stay for the night. Old-world charm plus 21st-century...

Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, Sydney, Australia. (Privilege Club).
November 1, 2001... EXPERIENCE THE NUMBER ONE HOTEL IN AUSTRALIA (in the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List for 2001), overlooking beautiful Sydney Harbour. Sir Stamford's is a boutique hotel that has an old-world European charm with original 19th century oil...