Jaunted contributor Judson recently faced this summer's nightmarish airline delays and debacles. His "How I Got a Free Trip" report from the front lines:

Using common sense is hardly a travel tip but phrasing something like advice makes it sound less like bragging. But I do have to brag: I scored a free round trip ticket from US Airways. Yes, in this day and age of constant delays and dropped flights, keeping your travel time flexible can make the frazzled neurotic American air transportation system grovel at your feet.]]> Judson 2007-08-24T12:54:29-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/7/29/165659/513

Manhattanites will tell you that it's easy to find a great cup of coffee, a fun neighborhood bar, or an authentic ethnic restaurant. All you have to do is walk out the door.

What's not so easy? Hailing a cab.

That's why after several failed attempts and some mild frustration, we here at Jaunted have devised a no-fail plan to flagging down a yellow taxi, no matter where you find yourself in the Big Apple.

HOW TO HAIL A CAB IN MANHATTAN ]]> jnaw 2007-07-30T12:12:51-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/6/13/15132/5770

We are sick and tired of travelers worrying that the U.S. government is going to ruin their summer travel plans.

So here it is, the definitive guide to getting your U.S. passport and beating the backlog once and for all:

·Allot 6-10 for Passport Processing
If you are leaving the country, get a passport. Yes going to Canada and Mexico constitutes leaving the country. Let's make this simple. If you are leaving the country, complete the steps below six to ten weeks before you are scheduled to travel.

·Download, Fill Out and Mail This Application
If you are applying for the first time, your expired passport was issued more than 15 years ago, your passport was lost, stolen, damaged, or your name has changed and you don't have legal documents showing that name change, you have to apply in person.

·For $60 You Can "Expedite" The Process
What does this mean? The government will gladly take your $60, but there is no guarantee you will get your passport any faster, so what should you do? Well first, make sure you start this process 10 weeks before you are set to travel, if that is not an option, read on.

·The Government Is Processing Passport Applications Based On Trip Date
Meaning the sooner your trip date, the higher up in the passport triage you are. Keep this in mind when filling out the Trip Date on your application.

·You Can Check Your Passport Status Online
Just like a FedEx package, or a JetBlue flight you can track your passport status online.

·You Can Check Your Passport Status Via Telephone
If you get antsy, and really want to try and talk to someone about your passport application you can call and check your passport status here. Did the message tell you there were too many people on the line for them to take your call? You can press "9", get back in line, and try again.

·You Can Call Your Local Representative
If you are days away from your trip, and applied for a passport following the above steps but have not received your passport, it is time to try and move heaven and earth. Call your local senator or representative office and explain the situation. Obviously, don't do this if you did not follow the above steps.

So there you have it. Now we are going to wait 10 weeks, at which time we expect everyone to have followed the above recipe. At the very least, we expect, now that you all know what is involved we will not hear any more stories about how you went to the airport passportless and airline X would not let you on the plane to Cancun.

Further tips? Success and failure passport stories? Spill them here.

[Photo: hjl]

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·Passport Coverage [Jaunted]]]> markj 2007-06-13T15:19:36-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/