Mail call December 2022

Q&A with Haley Fogarty, Advertising Manager

We are pleased to announce the winners selected by you, our readers, for the 2022 GT Tested Reader Survey Awards. Did your favorite brands make the winners list?

tell us Email us at [email protected]

Time for questions and answers

In our November 2022 issue we asked: do you prefer to stay closer to home over the holidays or use the break to visit a new place? A few readers wrote:

Since my family is spread across the United States, seeing family on vacation is a vacation in itself. With some families in Minnesota, some in Florida, and some in Arizona, we like to alternate our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations so everyone has a chance to escape the cold (or Florida heat). However, it would be nice to go somewhere completely different for a change, but we’ll have to wait until the kids go to college for that to happen!

DAISY UNDERWOOD, BY EMAIL

Holidays are my favorite time of year as my wife and kids love to travel to a new place every year. We’ve never really had traditional family holiday meals since most of them live outside of the United States. Last year we went to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. This year we plan to visit the Oregon Coast. The only catch with traveling during the holiday season is staying off the roads the day before and after Thanksgiving and the few days before and after Christmas, as traffic can quickly back up.

DANIEL GAMBLE, BY EMAIL

© Richair | Dreamstime.com

United Airlines threatens to suspend JFK service

In the September 14 issue of eFlyer, we informed readers that United Airlines has announced its plans to stop flying from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport unless the airline is granted more slots. We asked: How might this affect your travels should the airline pull out of JFK? Which airport do you prefer for international connections: New York (JFK) or Newark (EWR)? Two readers wrote:

Since reading this message when it originally broke, I have learned that United Airlines has officially announced its decision to temporarily leave JFK. As someone who lives in Manhattan and travels frequently on business, I have fewer options. I have flown United Airlines many times at JFK, so this change means I have to turn to other airlines at JFK or venture to Newark. I prefer JFK for international flights as I experience fewer delays than Newark, and United Airlines’ loss at JFK will no doubt affect many others like me.

ANTONY SANTOS, BY EMAIL

When I first heard the news that the airline might be pulling out of JFK should it not be given more slots to compete with other domestic airlines, I figured either United Airlines or the Federal Aviation Administration would relent, so to speak to prevent something. I hope it’s only a temporary departure and United will return to JFK soon.

KACY WILKINSON, BY EMAIL

Japan opens borders without severe COVID-19 restriction

In the September 28 issue of eFlyer, we informed readers that Japan has officially opened its borders for the first time in two years since the pandemic began. We asked: Are you planning a trip to Japan now that the borders are open? A reader wrote:

I had planned a two-week vacation in Japan for 2020. Of course I had booked this trip in early 2019 and little did I know that a pandemic would ruin those plans and the plans of countless other travelers. I contacted some of my family and friends when I heard that Japan was reopening its borders.

Having had a two week itinerary planned for more than three years, I will stick to it as best as I can. I expect some places on my itinerary to be closed or have limited access as the country slowly adjusts to post-pandemic life, but I’m overjoyed to be traveling to Japan next summer. Fingers crossed the COVID pandemic is not planning a return!

EMILY COCHRAN, BY EMAIL

© Wachiwit | Dreamstime.com

Will airlines ban tracking devices in checked baggage?

In the October 19 issue of eFlyer, we informed readers of a recent mix-up in Lufthansa’s claims regarding the use of checked baggage tracking devices. We asked: Do you use trackers like AirTag for checked baggage? A reader wrote:

Yes, I recently completed my first trip using AirTags. We could see our bags were still on the dock near the departing ship. We alerted the ship’s crew and told them exactly where our bags were. A few minutes later our found bags were brought to us.

On the way home, the trackers worked fine, but two of our bags didn’t have trackers. Of course, these were the two bags left at the terminal. A port agent sent them to us after seeing that they were the only pieces of luggage left in the terminal.

do you work Yes, and if we had had tags in our left pockets we would have been notified and had time to turn around and get them before heading to the airport. We are home now and the bags will be reaching us via UPS soon.

TERRI CALABRESE, BY EMAIL