Travel Calendar

Police are warning against all travel in the central belt in an unprecedented move as winds of more than 160mph batter Scotland.

They said the people could be putting themselves in “considerable danger by travelling”.

Association of Chief Police Officers of Scotland (Acpos) told STV News that travel should be avoided in the area between noon and 7pm in the west and 2pm and 9pm and the Central and Lothian and Borders area.

Officers in Strathclyde are dealing with over 500 weather-related incidents.

The Met Office warned of severe weather and gale-force winds on Thursday with councils deciding to close hundreds of schools. Gusts reached 165mph at Cairn Gorm.

Red warnings – the higest level of Met Office alerts – were issued for wind in the Strathclyde, central belt, Tayside, Lothians and Borders areas.

Speaking for Acpos, Assistant Chief Constable Allan Moffat from Central Scotland Police said: “The advice for motorists across the central belt of Scotland is to avoid travel as the severe weather moves across the country from west to east, starting around noon on the west side of the country.

“It is expected that the impact of the weather will affect the east side of the country from 2pm onwards. This advice to avoid travel is not given lightly but is based on the clearest information yet from weather forecasters that there will be high winds with gusts of up to 90mph.

“The time frame for these exceptional conditions is between noon and 7pm and I am being given clear information that a wide area of Scotland will be affected. People could be putting themselves at considerable risk by travelling in these conditions.

“We are receiving continuous updates from the Met Office advising of severe weather which will impact across Scotland.

“The forecast for such extreme weather means that it is probable that we will need to close some or all of the major bridges. This will inevitably cause disruption on major routes and have an impact on other road networks.

“The predicted impact of the wind is such that it may cause structural damage and is a specific danger to high sided road vehicles.

“I would ask the public to pay close attention to weather and road updates and act accordingly to the advice given.

“I recognise that this is a significant statement however it is based upon the premise of ensuring public safety and minimising the risk to road users in the affected areas.”

Red warnings

Chief Inspector Stewart Carle, of Strathclyde Police’s road policing unit, said that all travel on the roads in the region was being advised against.

He told STV News: “We are advising against all travel on the roads due to the disruption that will be caused by the severe weather, such as fallen trees and flooding.

“I have every available patrol car out there monitoring key routes such as M8 at the Kingston Bridge and the M74 will be watched.

“We are advising to avoid travel and stay in and tune in for updates on the situation.”

In North Ayrshire, a school bus was blown over on the A737 near Dalry at around 10am. There were no passengers on board at the time, while the driver was uninjured. Strathclyde Police closed the road in both directions as they tried to move the vehicles.

The Scottish Government issued guidance that schools across the west, central and Southern Scotland should either not open or close early and those in the east close around lunchtime.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ”We can expect very severe gales, at wind speeds not seen for many years, across large parts of western, central and southern Scotland throughout Thursday.

“On the basis of the earlier ‘Red Warning’ from the Met Office, some Councils had already taken the precaution of closing schools early to make sure that parents can safely collect children before the most dangerous weather and travel conditions arrive.

“In light of the latest forecast, and in particular the timings which suggest the severe weather affecting the west-central part of the country earlier than originally anticipated, some of these closure timings may have to change.

“Having considered the updated information received from the Met Office tonight, the police have advised that there is a probability that they will change their travel advice in the coming hours from warning about a high risk of disruption to a position where they will advise drivers to avoid travelling on the roads in the affected areas.

“Given that many drivers and parents will need clarity before leaving home in the morning, and on the basis of the very latest advice from the Met Office and ACPOS, we are advising Councils in all the affected areas to give parents and teachers the earliest possible notice of their intention to either not open schools at all in the west or to close at noon in the east.

“The decision is a matter for individual authorities but the warnings are of the highest level of seriousness and we are clear that safety has to be the paramount issue. Parents should check locally through websites, local radio and with their schools to find out the specific situation with their own schools.

“More generally, it is clear that there will be widespread disruption across the transport network tomorrow, and the real possibility that key bridges will be closed for a time to all traffic. As well as possible bridge closures the authorities are preparing to deal with blown over vehicles and trees.

“All commuters are advised that if they can adjust their working pattern to reflect the latest weather and travel advice or work from home that would be a very sensible step to help avoid possible traffic disruption. The authorities are all working hard to keep Scotland moving.”

ScottishPower confirmed there were as many as 12,000 homes in the Perthshire area without power and similar outages in Dumfries, Central Scotland and the Clyde coast. The company has drafted in engineers from Merseyside and Wales to help repair faults, and said that by 5pm 18,000 customers had been reconnected.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has issued six flood warnings and 16 flood alerts for locations across Scotland. The areas affected are: Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Caithness and Sutherland, Central, Dumfries and Galloway, Easter Ross and Great Glen, Findhorn Nairn Moray and Speyside, Borders, Skye and Lochaber, Tayside, and West Central Scotland. So far, no flood warnings or severe flood warnings have been issued.

Closures

The Forth Road Bridge is to close for four hours between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday because of the stormy weather. At around 10.30am the Erskine Bridge was closed to all vehicles after restrictions had been put in place earlier.

All courts in south Scotland and the central belt were closed on Thursday afternoon during the high winds.

In Glasgow, all schools will be closed on Thursday but the council said staff should report to work as normal. East Ayrshire also announced a complete closure of its schools. South Ayrshire said all its schools would be closed too. North Lanarkshire changed its advice overnight and said all its schools would close. South Lanarkshire also said its schools would not open.

While in Edinburgh, schools will shut at noon. Fife schools will close at lunchtime, as will Midlothian schools. West Lothian schools will close at noon.

Renfrewshire Council announced all schools were closing at 1pm on Thurday after the alert. All special schools, including Hollybush Pre-five Centre, will be closed all day.

Historic Scotland confirmed the closure Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Dunfermline Palace and Linlithgow Palace due to the severe weather. Iona Abbey, Caelaverock, St Andrews Castle and St Andrews Cathedral were also closed.

In Glasgow, organisers of the festive Glasgow on Ice event in George Square have confirmed it will close as the gale force winds are expected to hit the city.

All classes at the University of Strathclyde are cancelled, and while the University of Glasgow will remain open, all classes and exams are cancelled.

Stirling Council has also taken the decision to close all primary schools, nurseries and high schools at 12.30pm on Thursday. East Renfrewshire also said its schools would close from 1pm on Thursday.

North Ayrshire issued a recomendation for parents to “keep children at home” and said its schools would be closing early. Scottish Borders Council said all its schools would close at lunchtime.

The warnings have been described as “highly unusual” by Transport Scotland, which is urging people to pay attention to police travel warnings. Police advise that conditions for travel between 3pm and 6pm on Thursday are likely to be extremely poor and significant delays should be expected.

Police in the Western Isles are asking members of the public to remain indoors and avoid travel as winds on the Isle of Barra and South Uist reach 90mph.

Disruption

The Scottish Government said the wind could lead to all main road bridges being closed and will have a severe impact on Thursday’s rush hour, while disruption to power supplies and property is also a strong possibility.

ScotRail said speed restrictions of 50mph could be put in place tomorrow on trains travelling after 10am.

Steve Montgomery, the train operator’s managing director, said: “We will constantly review weather forecasts and respond accordingly. Our aim is to ensure as robust a service as possible.

“The forecasts are that the peak of the high winds will be in the afternoon and early evening. If that happens, it would be a sensible step to allow more time for journeys, to keep checking our website and where possible leave work earlier to avoid rush-hour.”

Glasgow and Edinburgh airports each cancelled 17 flights and a further four planes had to be diverted from Edinburgh. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight before going to either airport.

Transport

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “Tomorrow looks set to be a major challenge for our transport system, commuters and the public. I can assure them that a lot of work is already underway to ensure Scotland is prepared for any likely transport disruption caused by severe winds.

“We are in regular contact with the Met Office, the police, operating companies, power suppliers and other authorities and agencies to ensure everything that can be done is being done.

“Potentially many of our main road bridges could be closed at some point tomorrow afternoon. According to the Met Office the worst period will be from 3pm to 6pm and they are confident that wind speeds will exceed 75mph. They have issued a red alert, which suggest speeds could even exceed 90mph. As well as possible bridge closures, we need to prepare for blown over vehicles and trees.”

Assistant Chief Constable Allan Moffat, on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “With weather conditions expected to change dramatically over the next 24 hours, I would ask motorists to plan ahead for any journeys by checking travel updates through television, radio and internet sites before they set off.

“If the weather is as severe as currently being predicted, then there will be a significant impact on the roads network with a high risk of disruption.

“As with any conditions that can make driving and travel hazardous, I would ask that people drive with caution, plan ahead to ensure routes are open and safe, and be prepared for any delays or disruption that could affect their journey.”

STV weather presenter Sean Batty added: “A storm system will pass over Scotland on Thursday bringing heavy rain and very strong winds.

“Winds will be strong enough across western southern and central areas, in particular, to cause structural damage.

“The winds may exceed 75mph in places and that could even include parts of the central belt, where it could be particularly disruptive in the heavily populated areas.”

On Wednesday the A939 Cock Bridge to Tomintoul road, the B974 Banchory to Fettercairn road and the A93 between Glenshee and Braemar were all shut due to heavy snow.

A drop in temperatures in Dumfries and Galloway in southern Scotland caused icy road conditions in some areas. The A75 was forced to close at Barskeoch, west of Newton Stewart, due to a road smash involving a lorry and a 4×4 dragging a trailer containing 30 sheep. An articulated lorry was blown over on the A87 at Glenshiel in the Highlands but the driver was uninjured.

The London Olympic Torch will travel to Dublin as part of it’s relay tour, organisers confirmed today.

The Flame will visit the Irish capital on June 6 in a unusual move as it does not normally travel outside the host country in the lead-up to the Games.

Torchbearers will carry the Flame through the city and there will be a celebration event at a city centre location.

Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, said: “The Republic of Ireland is the only country outside the UK to be visited by the Torch and rightly so, given the unique and deep ties between Ireland and the UK.

“I’m sure the Olympic Flame will receive a warm and rapturous welcome in Dublin.”

Meanwhile, more than 6,000 people have been offered the chance to run with the London Olympic Torch.

Organisers contacted inspirational role models who had been nominated to help carry the Flame on the relay tour ahead of next year’s Games.

One of the oldest to be awarded the opportunity was 84-year-old Moira Starkey, who raises funds for breast cancer charity The Haven.

Moira, from Herefordshire, last year completed a the length of a full marathon by walking 2,000 times round her local village hall – despite having to use two sticks to walk.

She said: “It is all very exciting and I’m looking forward to it. I don’t mind how far I walk as long as I don’t drop it.

“I’m not much of a sportswoman – though I used to be excellent at the egg and spoon race – but I’ll be cheering on the British athletes when the Games start.”

During the 70-day relay, an average of 115 people a day will carry the Torch on its 8,000 mile journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony.

Mick Riding, 55, an IT project manager from Newcastle, was nominated after years of being a role model to boys at the North Shields hockey club, which he set up.

He was nominated by his “long-suffering wife” Annette and said: “The whole thing will be fantastic – this is going to be bigger than the 1966 World Cup and it is an opportunity to redress some people’s perception of us and our country.

“There is something for everybody in the Games.”

And Cameron Foster, 16, from Wigan, actually wrote to the Olympics team when London was bidding for the Games six years ago to express his support.

Seb Coe, London 2012 chairman, said: “The journey to the Games really comes alight when the Torch begins it’s journey.

“The sum of the individual stories of our Torchbearers will show the world that the Olympic spirit is alive and well right across the UK.“

Those with an offer have until January 25 to accept the date they have been given, and confirm their uniform size and access requirements.

The relay – sponsored by Coca-Cola, Lloyds TSB and Samsung – will see around 8,000 people in total carry the Flame.

WATERLOO, Iowa — Short’s Travel Management CEO David LeCompte
knows his customers are using online consumer travel websites to
sniff out deals.

Instead of fighting those companies, Short’s Travel has unveiled
plans for new online airfare shopping services that will combine
the speed of those sites with Short’s Travel own resources and
tools.

The new online tool, Bookit, lets travelers use those sites to
search for flights and book through Short’s Travel. Short’s then
manages the travel behind the scenes by keeping track of unused
tickets, miles accumulated, multiple travelers from one company or
finding a lower price flight through a corporate search.

“With those sites, you’re not getting the corporate options,”
LeCompte said.

The service will let the customer search one site once and
either send an email of the results to Short’s Travel or, as the
system gets upgraded, a screen capture of the results. Short’s then
takes that information and replies via email to the original
request and other options. The flight can then be booked through
Bookit with just a couple of mouse clicks.

A survey of Short’s Travel customers showed about 65 percent of
them researched their travel options on meta-search sites such as
Orbitz or Kayak.

“People are searching those consumer sites already and then
coming to us saying, ‘Hey, can I get this flight?’” said LeCompte.
“We’re eliminating that extra step.”

Instead of fighting the online resources, Short’s Travel is
using them as a tool of their own.

“That’s basically what the customers are doing now,” LeCompte
said. “I think we’ve actually done something pretty special that
has got some national attention.”

The service will be available to Short’s Travel online customers
Thursday and to all other customer by the end of the year.

It’s the busiest travel season of the year, and we all have our tricks and games to make it through the uncomfortable tedium of crowded planes and airports.

Apparently even celebrities aren’t immune to the ordeal.

Alec Baldwin was tossed from an American Airlines flight waiting to take off from Los Angeles International Airport this week, with the “30 Rock” actor saying he was booted for playing a word game on his iPad.

“Flight attendant on American reamed me out 4 playing WORDS W FRIENDS
while we sat at the gate, not moving,” Baldwin wrote on his Twitter page
shortly before his fit and subsequent booting.

Baldwin’s spokesman, Matthew Hiltzik, confirmed the airplane-ejection, saying the actor was indeed playing the word game on an electronic device, earning him a boot from the aircraft. “He loves WWF so much that he was willing to leave a plane for it, but he has already boarded another AA flight,” Hiltzik said.

If you can’t play electronic games, what can you do to survive the holiday travel?

Here are a few Survival Tips for Holiday Travel:

Baggage Fees

Most airlines these days charge for checked bags – often upwards of $50. To avoid having to check an extra bag for gifts, consider shopping online, so that your gifts can skip the flight and ship directly to the recipient.

Otherwise, Southwest, JetBlue and Virgin America are the major airlines that don’t charge for checked luggage. Southwest is tops with its policy of allowing passengers two free checked bags as long as they weigh less than 50 pounds. JetBlue allows one free checked bag and charges $30 for the second. Virgin America allows one free checked bag.

If you are traveling with children, most airlines recommend umbrella strollers that can easily be folded and stored. However, most strollers can be checked at the gate and delivered at the aircraft door upon arrival.

If you are traveling with skis or snowboards, some airlines will let you pre-register the equipment online, and you may be able to get charges waived for oversized pieces.

Airlines are reminding customers to pack all their valuables, electronics, documents, medication, car keys, and money in their in carry-on bags instead of checked bags. To speed up the security process, don’t wrap gifts. They may end up being unwrapped by security anyway.

Booking Flights

If you haven’t already booked your flight, you’ve missed most of the deals. Don’t worry. Just stay the course and keep procrastinating. Many airlines offer last minute deals as the holidays approach. It just takes nerves of steel to book a last minute flight. The good news is that flyers willing to fly on the actual holiday can get pretty good deals. LastMinute.com currently lists a nonstop $360 Christmas Eve Flight from LAX to New York.

Check-In

If the Grinch doesn’t steal Christmas, those holiday airport lines sure threaten to. Mobile check-ins are the way to go. Many airlines will let you check in from your computer or smart phone up to 24 hours in advance. If you don’t have luggage to check, make your phone your electronic boarding pass and sail right up to the security gate.

Here is a list of Iphone airline travel Apps and the top ten airline Apps for Droids

On Board Survival Kit

Hand sanitizer – it’s flu season and you’re trapped in a closed plane. Water to stay hydrated, a small bottle of lotion to keep your skin hydrated, and…What’s in your onboard survival kit besides Words With Friends?

December 8, 2011


By: George Dooley


Travel Agent

A new agreement that will speed the border process for Canadian travelers visiting the United States while enhancing security won praise from the  U.S. Travel Association. President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced highlights of joint action plan at a White House ceremony yesterday. The move will help halt  declines in cross-border travel.

“Yesterday’s announcement strikes an important balance between enhanced security and the economic benefits of travel and trade,” said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the association. “A more efficient travel process between our countries will encourage Canadian travelers to visit the U.S., and we commend President Obama and Prime Minister Harper for reaching this agreement.”

As outlined by U.S. Travel the key initiatives that will benefit the  travel industry include:

1. NEXUS members eligible for TSA PreCheck. Canadian NEXUS members will be able to enroll in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) risk-based screening program, PreCheck. Also, Canada and the United States will mutually recognize passenger checkpoint screening measures for trusted air traveler program members. Additionally, other categories of travelers who could be eligible to participate in the program will be considered.

2. Grow trusted traveler program membership. The U.S. and Canada will implement a joint marketing campaign to promote trusted traveler programs, conduct an “enrollment blitz” and implement an expedited renewal process.

3. Expand the passenger pre-clearance model to land, rail and marine modes. A pre-clearance agreement will be created for land, rail and marine modes of transportation to provide the legal framework and reciprocal authorities necessary for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to conduct security, facilitation, and inspection processes in the other country.

4. Improve border wait times. CBP and CBSA will develop a plan to identify reasonable and achievable border wait time service levels at major crossings. Real-time border wait time information will be made available to border and transportation agencies and available on the websites of CBP, U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada, and CBSA and through other electronic media such as Twitter and the Government of Canada’s Wireless Portal. Real time information will be available to the public on websites, roadside signs, and other traveler information systems by the end of 2013.

5. Binational Committees to Improve Travel Facilitation at Airports. Additional committees will be established at the eight international airports in Canada that provide U.S. pre-clearance. Both the existing and new Binational Port Operations Committees will play an important role in improving how to manage travel and trade flows and expedite the processing of travelers and goods.
More than 65 million business and leisure travelers – 178,000 every day – made trips between the U.S. and Canada last year, U.S. Travel noted.

Additionally, Canadian visitors spend nearly $16 billion a year in the United States, and Americans spend more than $7 billion in Canada. However, both countries have seen declines in cross-border travel compared with levels reached in the early 1990s, U.S. Travel said.

Visit www.ustravel.org.
 

“The Highways Agency has set signs across the regional motorway network,
including the M6 to advise drivers of the restriction.”

The East Coast train company said there were extended journey times on its
services north of Edinburgh due to 50mph speed restrictions, while some
services between London and Newcastle were also expected to be slower than
normal.

Services operated by the CrossCountry, First TransPennine Express and Virgin
train companies were also affected by the speed restrictions as well as
flooding which hit services in the Penrith area of Cumbria.

The Erskine Bridge, linking Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire across the River
Clyde, was closed as high winds hit. The Forth Road Bridge, spanning the
Firth of Forth between Edinburgh and Fife, was also shut.

Forecasters expect four inches of snow to fall in the Midlands tomorrow as the
Government prepares to issue its first big freeze warning of the winter.

Blizzards, drifts and black ice are expected, and independent forecasters
predicted snow as far south as the Chilterns.

A new winter promotion depicting Wisconsin as a left-handed wool mitten has neighboring Michigan – long known as the “Mitten State” for its own suggestive geography – unraveling with indignation.

According to the Associated Press, Alex Beaton of the Awesome Mitten website spotted the offending image on the Travel Wisconsin website this week, kicking off a bare-knuckled social media campaign.

“Everyone knows that “The Mitten” belongs to Michigan! Ask anyone to describe the lower peninsula and you’ll be talking to the hand as they point out their location on their palm, as that part of the state is shaped like a hand. Ask about the UP (Upper Peninsula) and you might just get a two-handed gesture,” argues Detroit’s Curbed.com.“Listen, cheeseheads, go knit yourself a new identity and stop tarnishing the mitten with your big fat hands.”

Wisconsin Department of Tourism spokeswoman Lisa Marshall told the Detroit Free-Press her office didn’t intend to stick a finger (or thumb) in Michigan’s eye.

“The mitten was used as a single creative element, you guys still own the mitten,” she said. “We’d much rather our travelers consider us the ‘fun’ state.”

Dave Lorenz, manager of public and industry relations at Travel Michigan, said he was surprised by how many Michiganders expressed dismay over Wisconsin’s mitten. But he understands their sentiment, he told AP, especially after Wisconsin beat Michigan State in last weekend’s inaugural Big Ten football championship game.

“We’re not going to take this lying down,” he said. “Wisconsin already took the Rose Bowl from us this year. They’re not going to take the Mitten State status from us.”

“We understand their mitten envy,” he added, “but there is only one mitten state, only one Great Lakes state.”

A born-and-bred Badger, I can see both sides of the Great Mitten Debate.

Granted, Wisconsin’s scenic Door County peninsula looks a lot more like a bony finger than a thumb.

But I also think jealousy over the Dairy State’s powerhouse football teams (the Green Bay Packers are 12-0; the Detroit Lions 7-5) has clouded the Mitten State’s hand-ling of the matter.

My advice to Michigan: Chill – with or without the mitten.

By
Travelmail Reporter

Last updated at 11:57 AM on 8th December 2011

Britain is bracing itself for travel disruption today as winds of up to 100mph are set to batter the country with snow on the way.

Ferry and rail routes face delays and cancellations with warnings about conditions on the roads. Scotland is set to be worst affected with key travel routes likely to be closed.

Blown away: Two walkers in Southsea, Hampshire, brave the weather as they walk along the coast

And severe gales could lead police to advise against all travel, the Scottish Government said.

The Met Office issued its highest – red alert – warning for winds of at least 75mph in Scotland between 3pm and 6pm today, while it was forecast that strong gales could hit the extreme west of the country from 7am.

Although Scotland will bear the brunt of the bad weather, other parts of the UK could also be affected by strong winds.

Forecaster Lindsay Dovey said: ‘There will be gusts of 100mph in north-west Scotland and over high ground.

‘Gusts of up to 70mph are expected in northern England and north-west Wales.

Snow way: Farmers in the Pennines tend to their flock near Brough in Cumbri

‘Across central England and East Anglia, we’ll have gusts of 55 to 60mph, and up to 55mph in the south of the UK.’

She said temperatures would range between 7C, in Scotland, and 13C, in the south of Britain, but added: ‘It will feel much colder because of the wind.’

A spokeswoman for PO Ferries said the weather was having ‘quite an impact on our Irish Sea services’, advising passengers to expect delays. There was also a problem with a berthing at Hull.

She said people with bookings should keep in touch or keep an eye on the company’s weather line (0845 8328888).

Ice day for a walk: A lone dog walker pops out near Bowes, County Durham, yesterday as the winter weather swept in

Stena Line said that it had cancelled two sailings coming from Belfast due to the adverse weather forecast. It urged travellers to check with the information line (0870 5755755) or call centre (08447 707070) to find out more on sailings affected.

At Edinburgh Airport, a spokesman said that while there had not yet been any cancellations due to the weather, they were ‘monitoring the situation closely’ and would be communicating ‘as and when’.

He asked people planning to fly to keep up with the latest information via the airport’s Twitter feed, website and to speak to their airline before leaving.

Heathrow airport said they were as yet not affected by the gales.

On the roads, gusts are expected to reach 90mph during the afternoon rush hour in the Borders, Strathclyde, Tayside, Fife, the Lothians and central and south-west Scotland.

Fife Police said travellers should expect the Forth and Tay road bridges to be closed to traffic. The force said high winds could further disrupt roads, with fallen trees and other debris.

The Highways Agency advised drivers in the north of England to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they travel today.

Drivers of high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes are advised to take extra care.

Snow was also set to hit Scotland this morning, but it will be quickly followed by heavy rain that will spread south during the day, and stormy conditions are expected.

After a meeting of its resilience committee last night, the Scottish Government said police may raise their warning to advise against travel altogether.

The government said the level of travel warning was ‘unprecedented for high wind situations’.

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Alec Baldwin says he’s sorry, but not really: “The lesson I’ve learned is to keep my phone off when the 1950′s gym teacher is on duty,” he wrote in a Huffington Post article about his recent booting from an American Airlines flight. Baldwin was kicked off for using his phone while the plane was at the gate; he says many other travelers were using their phones, and he put his away once before taking it out again as the plane continued to wait. He says the kerfuffle was the result of declining service standards in aviation: “September 11th was a horrific day in the airline industry, yet in the wake of that event, I believe carriers and airports have used that as an excuse to make the air travel experience as inelegant as possible.” Baldwin did apologize, however, to his fellow passengers.

The upcoming Central Asia Rally organized by gonzo adventure travel operator ‘The Travel Scientists’ ( TTS ) offers a unique opportunity for adventure travelers to explore a part of the world that remains fundamentally unchanged for the past 500 years. Participants race vehicles overland from Budapest, Hungary to Dushanbe, Tajikistan – the goal is not necessarily to have the fastest time, but to have the most memorable adventure along the way.

Budapest, Hungary (PRWEB) December 08, 2011

May 26th, 2012 marks the kick-off of the Central Asia Rally, the latest escapade from notorious adventure travel company The Travel Scientists. From Hungary to Tajikistan and all points in between – including Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, the Silk Road, and the Pamir Highway – participants will be treated to a whirl of stunning vistas, remarkable cultures, and raucous parties. The course is over 7,500 kilometers long and will take 18 days to complete.

Event organizer Aravind Bremanandam, a veteran of similar races in locations around the world, promises an adventure like no other. “The Central Asia Rally is basically managed mayhem that is part road rally, part adventure travel, part social experiment, part gateway into the unknown, part high-octane party.” What type of traveler do they cater to? “It’s not for everyone,” Bremanandam says, “but it is for anyone who wants to step outside the bland boundaries of modern travel and share an experience that is unique, thrilling, and unforgettable. We build a community of like-minded thrill-seekers and set them loose on the adventure of a lifetime.”

Though billed as a rally, the event is not for professionals. Participants come from all walks of life and can choose from three formats. The ‘Competition’ category is the most popular and includes a timed component along with additional daily challenges. The ‘Touring’ category removes the clock and allows participants to compete at their own pace. The ‘Extreme’ category is for the most daring racers and demands that they compete in a unique vehicle: a rust bucket from the ’70s, decommissioned ambulance, hearse, or similar.

The event is billed as ‘minimal assistance.’ Organizers provide help and expertise with necessary documentation, rally preparation, and route planning (and are usually first to welcome racers to each evening’s lively festivities) – it is up to the racers to decide their exact route and get themselves from start to finish each day. Therein lies the fun: participants share goals and destinations, but each journey is unique. The epic stories that result are a highlight of the group celebrations that close each day’s travel.

The Central Asia Rally also includes a charity component, continuing a tradition in which The Travel Scientists give back to the communities they visit. For this event, they have chosen an isolated village deep in the Pamir Mountains; participants are encouraged to meet the villagers, learn more about the challenges they face, and contribute time and money to help alleviate suffering.

The Travel Scientists were founded five years ago to promote adventure travel through some of the world’s most exciting locales. Founders Attila, and Aravind carefully design events for a growing legion of adventure travel enthusiasts who want to share unique experiences that recall the glory days of exploration.

The Travel Scientists have sponsored races in exotic locations across the globe, including the ‘Rickshaw Challenge‘ (Southern India during monsoon season), ‘Caucasian Challenge‘ (through former war zones in Eastern Europe to current ones in the Caucasus), and the ‘Trans-Sahara Run‘ (from the Med to the Atlantic across the world’s most forbidding desert).

Contact:

Aravind Bremanandam

Central Asia Rally

admin(at)cemsglobal(dot)com

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/12/prweb9021838.htm