Contact: Raymond M. Flynt, President
Travelers Aid International
Office (202) 546-1127
info@travelersaid.org

TRAVELERS AID CAN PROVIDE SAFETY NET FOR UNEXPECTED PROBLEMS DURING 2005 HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON

Washington DC, November 15, 2005 – With a record holiday travel season predicted, Travelers Aid encourages travelers to prepare ahead.

Travelers Aid also wants the traveling public to know that the nonprofit network has “help desks” at 23 North American airports, 5 train stations and locations at or near 10 bus terminals, to answer travelers’ questions, provide directions, and assist travelers in trouble. With fewer resources being devoted to customer service by the transportation industry, Travelers Aid expects to help a record number of passengers this season. Last year, Travelers Aid assisted 5 million passengers in transportation centers.

Travelers Aid offers a new feature called “e-help” on the home page of its Web site www.travelersaid.org which allows distressed travelers to type in a description of their problem and receive a prompt, individualized e-mail response from a member of the group’s trained staff.

“There are many organizations and Web sites – including our own – that provide travel tips,” notes Ray Flynt, president/CEO of Travelers Aid International. “We urge travelers to heed these suggestions prior to their holiday trip. However, even with the best of planning, problems can develop beyond the traveler’s control. That’s where Travelers Aid steps in – with high-touch customer service during the traveler’s journey. Should they fall into a difficult situation, Travelers Aid and its 2,000 volunteers under professional staff are the safety net there to help.” Services might include reuniting families who have become separated while traveling, providing food or shelter to people stranded without cash, or even emotional counseling.

TRAVELERS AID’s TOP THREE TRAVEL TIPS

1. PLAN AHEAD. There is no way to fully plan for the unexpected, but you can be prepared for it. If traveling by car, have a map with you and know your route in advance. If traveling on public transportation, make sure you know the route and any interim stops. Allow enough time for your journey, so that you won't feel rushed, and you will lower your stress even if there are minor delays. Have a well-charged cell phone with you, a phone credit card, or buy a pre-paid telephone calling card.

2. NOTIFY FAMILY / FRIENDS OF YOUR TRAVEL PLANS. Make sure you have someone you can contact in case of emergency. If someone is meeting you at your destination, make sure they know exactly when your plane/bus/train arrives. If traveling by air, notify family of any interim stops. For example, if your flight to Atlanta from Los Angeles comes through Chicago, the person meeting you at the airport needs to know that the flight is coming from Chicago. It also helps if they know what airline you are using. This tip sounds simple, but Travelers Aid encounters thousands of people annually who do not know airline, flight number, or transfer city information for their loved ones.

3. BE AWARE OF YOUR OWN SPECIAL NEEDS. Do you routinely take medicine? Are you traveling with an infant who needs special formula? How about a change of diapers in case that short one-hour flight turns into a five-hour weather-delayed journey? If travels are delayed, it doesn't help you if these items are part of your checked baggage.

TRAVELERS AID LOCATIONS IN TRANSPORTATION CENTERS

AIRPORTS
Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson
Chicago O’Hare
Dallas/Fort Worth
Detroit Metro Wayne Co.
Little Rock
Los Angeles (LAX)
Milwaukee
New York City (JFK)
New Orleans (TA office temporarily closed)
Newark Liberty
Newport News/Williamsburg
Oklahoma City
Ontario (CA)
Orlando
Phoenix Sky Harbor
Pittsburgh
San Diego
San Francisco
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tampa
Toronto, Canada
Washington Dulles
Washington Reagan National

(more)
TRAIN STATIONS
Boston, MA
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Toronto, Canada
Washington, DC

BUS TERMINALS (physically present or close proximity)
Atlanta, GA
Charlotte, NC
Montgomery, AL
New Orleans, LA
Oakland, CA
Philadelphia, PA
Pittsburgh, PA
St. Louis, MO
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Washington, DC

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