'Let's get a move on it,' yells the coach driver. "Get out of the way and let the paying customers on." Other passengers rush by until Shawn, my newly wed husband scurries frantically across the road while freeing the straps of a scantily loaded camping bag off my back. The bus conductor holds out his hand and demands thirty five rupees for an hours drive aboard his vehicle en route Murree via Islamabad. His Weather worn face and piercing glare makes me wonder since when transport had become so inexpensive. As if reading my thoughts, he immediately demands another thirty five rupees to accommodate both me and my better half in his wooden slated, barred windowed, decorative coach.

As our means of transportation soared rapidly away from the hustled norm of Pakistan's capital to high mountainous peaks of Murree, We leisurely engross in the surrounding lush forestry portraying huge pine trees. The scenery reflected every travelers delight and inviting valley's swarmed with natural springs at an altitude of 2,240 Meters (7,400 feet) nurtured a sense of adventure and free will opposing my mayhem packed customary urban life.

Upon arrival in the rural city, we were caught up with hawkers competing between themselves and targeting us as potential customers seeking lodging. Tanned, toiling and weather beaten citizenry earned their means of living as shepherds, horse and cattle breeders and within busy market places sold jewelery, medicines, clothes, artifacts, air fares and decorations. Many also ran general stores, banks, churches and schools besides offering tourists rides to attractive sight-seeing places.

Best visited in April- May and September- October, Murree displayed the best of nature with white clouds graciously engulfing mountain crests and towering over green valleys below.

We booked a two-bedroom at the economical President Hills hotel, checked for hot water supply and operational heaters and after unpacking, headed towards a restaurant below to relish on famous local fast food burgers, Shammi kebabs and omelets.

After a hearty brunch, we inquired for camera batteries from a local shopkeeper and were suggested Mall Road as a famous market place above Murree hill tops, between Kashmir and Pindi Point. We decided to hike uphill and paused at a miniature roadside eatery sheltered beside a steel sheeted hut to buy 2 plates full of a locally preferred Chana Chaat. Just as we had begun to enjoy the spicy aromatic savory, a tremendous thunderous blast above our heads made our spines quiver. Our shocked facade brought a smile to the roadside hawker as he coyly informed us that a huge horse chestnut had fallen from a surrounding tree on the steel sheeted hut below which we stood.

At Mall Road, we were greeted by a variety of shops, book stores, souvenir kiosks, internet cafes, pharmacies, banks, post offices and cinemas. Renowned Pakistani restaurants crowded either sides of a lengthy narrow street and the enclosure evoked the British Raj, with its Christian churches, cemetery, spacious bungalows, clubs, cricket grounds and colonial-style hotels. The heart of the bazaar continued further along Kashmir Road and Massey Gate. Numerous routes departed outwards and either followed the contours of the ridge or descended to the principal road. After some necessary purchases, we headed back to our abode to doze away our aching weary limbs.

Awakening to a chirpy cold morning, we freshened up and hastily threw on our garbs to visit Pindi point, a famous tourist spot for riding chair-lifts passing down 1.5 km into the wadis. Upon arrival, our minicab driver bellowed to the chair-lift operator who was none the less pleased to welcome us. Chair lifts from Pindi Point travel from Bansara Gali (below Murree) to Pindi Point or to the top of Patriata Hill (on the road to Karor). Both rides cost approximately rupees fifty and take half an hour with a change from open chair-lift to the enclosed bubble in the middle. Once air bourne, strong fragrance from huge blue pine trees inflated the ambience and breath-taking views with crossroads and vast landscapes enthralled our observance. At our descent we were greeted with shopping kiosks and a children's play area apart from another astounding view of the lush Patriata Hills.

My interest in the eminent Convent of Jesus and Mary failed to seize. We planned to visit it as our last quest but primarily revisited Mall Road to purchase customary souvenirs for our loved ones. After purchases, we once again embarked uphill to discover the extraordinary beauty of the Convent of Jesus and Mary. We swiftly snapped some spell-bounding pictures of the convent and rushed back to the hotel to pack our bags.

Murree is a writer's muse, a city packed with undiscovered and wild adventures. Our journey had been eventful and our overall budget, amazingly inexpensive.

Recalling our hiking in the wilderness when we had painstakingly etched our names on a downwards sloping chestnut tree trunk, we hastly promised to return in winter and unravel our name imprints from the same truck. Our next visit however amidst the winter's snow, would portray a different picturesque of Murree altogether. An adventure not to missed.

If you have been following the news lately then you already know that many airlines are looking for many ways to keep the price of tickets down to a minimum as gas prices rise. This is not an easy task for them. If you want to get a better understanding of what I mean, all you need to do is look towards your own lifestyle. As gas prices have exceeded four dollars per gallon in many parts of the country what have you had to cut back on to make sure you can put fuel in your tank so you can get back and forth to work everyday.

The airline industry is no different. Today most airlines are looking for different yet creative ways to keep prices down. Some airlines have removed the service of all food and beverages while others have removed all unnecessary weight from the airplanes such as too many magazines.

Many of the major airlines have taken it a step further and now restrict the number of bags you can bring and their weight. They have even added a surcharge by as much as fifteen dollars per bag for any bag that you check in regardless of its weight. Before you fly or even before you purchase your ticket, call the airline you intend to fly with and see what kind of extra fees they will be charging you. While you are on the phone ask them how many bags you are allowed to check and what the maximum weight they should be is. The normal number and weight these days are two bags not to exceed fifty pounds per bag, and no you can not bring one bag that will weigh one hundred pounds. Even though it is the same weight, I am sure the airline employees do not want to carry anything that heavy.

Learn how to pack your bags properly and only bring what you absolutely need. If you can purchase it at your destination and it can save you room and weight in your bag then by all means do so. There is no need to drag something along when you can get it where you are going.

I own a hard case piece of luggage. The case by itself weighs twenty pounds and although I absolutely love the case I know in today's world of airline travel it is no longer practical. If you own a hard case switch to a soft case and carry anything that might be breakable with you on the plane (if you can).

Finally, beyond all the new rules and regulations that you will face these days when you travel, you can avoid any undo stress by getting to the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. You never know what issues may arise so by getting there early you will have plenty of time to deal with those issues and still make your flight.

Instead of stressing over whether or not you will be able to find a ride and stressing about having the fare, plan ahead. When you are looking for hotels ask the hotel if they have a shuttle service. If they don't have shuttle service they will probably be able to suggest local services.

Most tourist hotels have a shuttle service. Some services are free but you will want to ask first. Be sure to find out where the service will park, and what time they will be there.

Another problem you may want to clear up in advance is how many bags you will be bringing and how many bags can the shuttle hold. Some shuttle services only offer one bag and one carry on per passenger. If you are on an extended stay luggage may be an issue for the shuttle service, so ask first.

After you make your arrangements finish packing and enjoy your flight. Don't forget to take a tip for the driver.

Questions to ask about shuttle services:

1. Will your shuttle service pick us up and go to the hotel or will we have to sit on the shuttle and wait for more passengers? Shuttle services make money when they are full and may not want to pick up just your party unless the shuttle service is from the hotel you are staying at.
2. How much does the shuttle service cost? If the hotel offers a shuttle service it may be free. If the shuttle service is an outside business they may either charge a flat rate or so much per mile. You will want to ask before you agree to the service.
3. Where will our party meet the shuttle service? If the shuttle service is only picking up your party it might meet you at pickup. They may drive around until they see you and if this is the way they work it you might want to bring a sign with your name on it. Most shuttle services stop in the parking area of the pick-up area. You have to go out and look for the vehicle. This is probably the most stressful part of your vacation so you may want to ask if the shuttle driver will have a cell phone and if you can call to let the driver which door you will be coming out of.
4. How many bags can the shuttle hold and is my party limited to a certain number of bags? The shuttle service may have a limit on how many bags each person can bring. You may want to find out if you are going to be restricted to a certain amount of luggage. If you are going on an extended stay this may be a problem so let the shuttle service know the situation.
5. Will you need to bring car seats for the shuttle service? If you ask this question the shuttle service may already have car seats so you wouldn't necessarily have to have the seats for the ride to the hotel. However if you are going to need car seats while you are on your trip so you will be bringing them anyway, let the shuttle service know you will be bringing car seats.

Although the Whitehouse was oblivious to where or what Afghanistan was, the Kremlin was well clued-in, and as the aircraft carrying me touched down in Moscow on a snowy night the Soviet invasion was launched. My connecting flight out of Moscow to Kabul was just not going to happen.

I was totally ignorant of what was going on. So was the Whitehouse, Greenhouse, Brownhouse and all the other houses who were going to have to get out their maps and magnifying glasses to find this place that only existed because Moscow was after it. Moscow hadn't confided in me either.

With no information about any flights being communicated I at last tracked down a matronly-looking woman and demanded to know where I should go for the flight to Kabul. She feigned ignorance of English, but when I wouldn't let go of her sleeve she gave in and said crossly “Go out that door over there”, pointing at an ominously blank-looking door with her big, stubbly chin.

I obeyed. Outside snow was falling heavily from a very black sky and the air was drenched in fumes of aircraft fuel. A line of Ilyushin jets, about 20 of them, stood in line obviously waiting for take-off. None had a big sign reading Kabul. Officials, passengers, soldiers, snow drifts … what was a 19 year old non-Russian speaker to do?

The solution was obvious - follow someone who looked kind. There were no such people around so I tagged on behind a posse of civilians. Someone said “Kabul” along the line so that encouraged me a bit, but not overly.

At the bottom of the steps passports were checked again and destinations asked about and it was then that I found out that there was a problem with the flight to Kabul and I'd been bumped onto one for Delhi. If I'd picked the next plane in the line as some people had, I'd have been for Karachi, the next for Vienna and so on, but I'd picked Delhi. I was going to India.

India arrived under the aircraft's wheels six hours later and in the baggage hall I discovered that my baggage had not come with me.

Five days later it turned up having travelled from Moscow to Karachi then back to Moscow before following me on to Delhi.

Disaster? No.

It felt rather bad at first and there was no-one available to blame which is always a bit of a disappointment, but it was really no inconvenience at all. My style of travelling lent itself to that sort of thing. All I needed was a blanket. I knew Delhi well and had a great time there and moreover I received $US 20 compensation!!!

The best part however was going to a very upmarket hotel for lunch. What a hotel, what a lunch! The Prime Minister of Malaysia was also there along with diplomats from everywhere (not the Soviet Union though). At the end I walked past the pay desk and said with confidence and command, and without stopping, “Charge that to Aeroflot”.

Second time my baggage was “mishandled” (their euphemism, not mine) was with easyJet on a flight from London to Turin, but I'll tell you all about that some other time when the compensation comes through.

The concept of low cost airfares is not surprising, and it has become a new trend and phenomenon in the world of traveling. This concept has been well received by low and medium income families who can now also fly to their desired destinations. The foremost aim of the low cost airfare concept is to enable even more people to travel a great deal more often.

How Can Airlines Offer Such Low Cost Airfares?

The low-cost airline's main mission is to offer a more inexpensive, convenient and simpler form of transportation to its travelers. To achieve this mission, the airlines have to cut their costs to a minimum by eliminating some unnecessary expenditure.

The main feature of low cost carriers is that their airfares are extremely lower than other big-scale airline companies. In Europe, for example, their airfares are half or less than that the larger airline company's airfares. Many of these airfares are often lower than train tickets. Despite lower airfares, the profits of these airlines are often higher than larger airlines, with their sales profits going as high as 20 to 30%.

Low cost carriers do not use the major airports, instead they fly to and from secondary airports that are not necessarily the busiest. These secondary airports usually have lower operating costs than bigger major airports. Furthermore, the secondary airports are less congested and their “turnaround times” are shorter for the flights. Many European cities have more than one airport and for many small cities that are adjacent to the major cities, they often have their own airports. Because Europe's railways and highways use a very developed network, the passengers do not usually feel any inconvenience if the airports are located a little farther away from the major cities.

Low-cost carriers maintain lower labor costs because they mainly engage in short-distance business trips, and the pilots and crews do not stay overnight. Their wages are much lower than larger airline companies, and yet the average flying time is much longer. As the routes are allocated for only 2 to 3 hours for the short-haul flights, passengers are not usually provided with free meals. All foods and drinks sold are an addition.

No seats are reserved or allocated for passengers and so they will have to take any seats available, but luggage is allowed to be checked-in and taken on board.

The seating space in the plane is usually narrowed to allow more space for accommodating more passengers on board the flight. In this manner, their revenue can help in boosting their profits by at least 10%. Because flights are generally shorter, the passengers can easily accept the narrow distance between the seats.

These low cost airlines usually sell their air tickets via travel agents, travel-based search engines, and the internet, and do not need to rent a huge office space which may incur higher costs. By booking flights via internet or through an airline's call center, you do not have to pay a travel agent any commission, which would otherwise increase the airfares. You will end up saving even more money by not using travel agents to book a reservation.

Most low cost carriers cut their costs because no arrangements are made with any airline companies on flight transfers or connecting flights which would otherwise be reflected in the airfares. They employ pilots, flight attendants, operations personnel and mechanics who are specialized in a single type of aircraft, which saves the expenditure of re-training the staff, instead of maintaining a stock with parts for different types of aircraft. These are some of the reasons why the pricing is more affordable, economic and extremely low.

7 Essential Tips To Getting Low Cost Airfares

1. The low cost airline companies will catch your attention with extremely low airfares banners or advertisements that require you to book the tickets 6 or 9 months ahead of the traveling date. You have to grab these opportunities by making a reservation from their respective websites. These airfares get sold very fast.
2. Once the tickets are sold out, the low-cost seats will not be available anymore and you will have to pay more if you purchase the ticket later. You have to book the ticket immediately as it will last only 24 hours. In other words, you have to plan your trip earlier and book the ticket in advance. By doing this, you may be able to get the best deal that is worth every penny.
3. Now, you need to get a list of low cost airlines. You may use the suggested list attached in this article to choose your desired traveling destinations. E-mail the airlines to obtain some details on when their companies offer a promotional trip package, when the low cost airfares are on sale, and when to look for seasonal or discounted airfares. Once you get a list from them, you can familiarize yourself with the low cost airlines that fly from your local or nearby airport to your desired destination. This information may also be included on your local airports website.
4. With these e-mail lists at hand you will be one step closer to getting to know which new destinations are launched that can generally offer discounted or low airfares as an added promotion to attract tourists to visit those places. They also offer numerous packages which can include car rentals and hotels. This way, you can save money instead of paying for each particular aspect of the flight individually.
5. Browse through the dates on low airfare searches in order to find out how much you can save. You will be surprised to find out that the rates for weekdays, weekends, school holidays, public holidays and seasonal holidays all have different rates. You should try to travel during the off-peak seasons in order to get the discounted or low cost airfare packages.
6. Because flights are usually not fully occupied during the off season, you will receive better discounts. The airfare in general, is also less for morning flights than for evening flights because the airlines want to make sure the flight will be fully occupied before the plane takes off.
7. In some cases, you will have to be patient while you wait for the release of cheap airfares. Some big airlines buy tickets in bulk and resell them at lower rates through the internet. This is because they want to sell as many tickets as they can to make sure that their flights are fully occupied.

It is important to do some research trying various sources while looking for cheap airfares. The information is usually available at sites set up by airlines, travel agencies, or travel-based search engine sites. Internet is by far the best option to let you to search through as many sources in the fastest and most most effective way to let you obtain all the information you want. Search engines like Kayak, Expedia, Travelocity or Mobissimo enable you to search travel sites for the cheapest fares by simply entering the date of travel and the destination. After you hit the Search button, all related flights information will be displayed on the screen. If you are happy with the airfare, you can book your ticket immediately.

Remember, do not make a quick decision. You should always check on multiple search engines like Kayak, Cheapflights, Iwantthatflight, Attitudetravel, Qixo, Whichbudge, Cheapair, SKYSCANNER, Wikipedia or Bookingbuddy to compare the airfares. The travel agencies can have prices much higher or much lower than another. Make sure that you check with the airlines about whether the airfare includes routes (direct flights, stopovers or connecting flights), refunds or extra charges, and if their rules for cancellations before buying the tickets suits you.

A hotel plus air package is often worth buying because the prices are offered at a rate lower than the airfare without the hotel accommodations. Lastminute.com has been found to have some of the the best deals in this field. The Travelocity who owns Lastminute is one of the best options for you to book your last minute travel reservations while still helping you save money.

Always make sure that you keep abreast of the different airfares offered by various airlines companies. The prices fluctuate like the stock market and the airlines may update their domestic fares up to two or three times a day. If you are serious about saving your money, you should really check them out regularly.

Try to combine two separate fares rather than buying an individual airfare which will probably cost you more. Travelocity or another travel-based search engine may provide you with even more information regarding combining fares.

Where to Get an Affordable, Economic and Low Cost Airfare?

The links below offer some of the lowest operating costs for airlines in Africa, Asia, Europe, America, Middle East and Oceania regions and were compiled from various resources.

AFRICA REGION

Morocco

• Atlas Blue
• Jet4you

Nigeria

• Chanchangi Airlines
• IRS Airlines
• Kabo Air
• Sosoliso Airlines

South Africa

• Kulula.com
• Mango

AMERICA REGION

Argentina

• LAPA

Brazil

• BRA Transportes Aéreos
• Gol Transportes Aéreos
• OceanAir
• WebJet Linhas Aéreas

Columbia

• AeroRepύblica
• EasyFly

Canada

• Air North
• Air Transat
• Porter Airlines
• Skyservice
• WestJet
• Zoom Airlines

Mexico

• Aladia
• ALMA de Mexico
• Avolar
• Click
• Interjet

United States

• AirTran Airways
• Allegiant Air
• ATA Airlines
• ExpressJet
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Mesa Airlines' brand Go!
• Primaris Airlines
• Skybus Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Sun Country Airlines
• US Airways
• USA3000 Airlines
• Virgin America

Uruguay

• Aeromas
• Air Class Lineas Aereas
• Lapsa

ASIA REGION

Bangladesh

• GMG Airlines
• Royal Bengal Airline

China

• Oasis Hong Kong Airlines
• Spring Airlines
• Viva Macau

Indonesia

• Adam Air
• Batavia Air
• Lion Air
• Mandala Airlines

Japan

• Skymark Airlines
• Skynet Asia Airways
• StarFlyer

South Korea

• Hansung Airlines
• Incheon Tiger Airways
• Jeju Air
• Yeongnam Air

Malaysia

• AirAsia
• AirAsia X
• Firefly

Pakistan

• Aero Asia International
• Air Blue
• Shaheen Air International

Philippines

• Air Philippines
• Cebu Pacific

Singapore

• Jetstar Asia Airways
• Tiger Airways
• Valuair

Sri Lanka

• Mihin Lanka

Thailand

• Nok Air
• One-Two-GO Airlines
• Thai AirAsia

Vietnam

• Pacific Airlines

EUROPE REGION

Austria

• Niki
• InterSky

Belgium

• Brussels Airlines

Bulgaria

• Hemus Air
• Viaggio Air

Czech Republic

• Smart Wings

Denmark

• Sterling Airlines

Germany

• Condor Airlines
• Germanwings
• LTU International
• Germania Express

Greece

• Aegean Airlines
• Southeast Airlines
• Vanguard Airlines
• Pearl Air
• Safe Air

Hungary

• Wizz Air

Iceland

• Iceland Express
• JetX Airlines

Italy

• Air Italy
• Air One
• Alpi Eagles
• Blue Panorama Airlines
• Evolavia
• Meridiana
• MyAir
• On Air
• Volare Airlines
• Windjet

Latvia

• AirBaltic

Netherlands

• Martinair
• Transavia.com

Norway

• Norwegian Air Shuttle

Poland

• Centralwings
• Direct Fly

Romania

• Blue Air

Russia

• KD Avia
• SkyExpress

Slovakia

• SkyEurope

Spain

• Air Comet
• Clickair
• LagunAir
• Vueling Airlines

Sweden

• FlyNordic
• Scandjet
• Sverigeflyg

Switzerland

• Flybaboo

Turkey

• Corendon Airlines
• Free Bird Airlines
• Inter Airlines
• Izair
• Onur Air
• Pengasus Airlines
• Sky Airlines
• World Focus Airlines

United Kingdom

• Air Southwest
• Easy Jet
• First Choice Airways
• Flyglobespan
• Jet2.com
• Monarch Airlines
• Thomsonfly
• XL Airways

MIDDLE EAST REGION

Kuwait

• Jazeera Airways

Saudi Arabia

• Sama Airlines
• Nas Air

United Arab Emirates

• Air Arabia
• Jupiter Airlines

OCEANIA REGION

Australia

• Jetstar Airways
• Tiger Airways Australia
• Virgin Blue

New Zealand

• Freedom Air
• Pacific Blue

I hope this article will be useful and helpful for those who wish to find the cheapest airfare available. Bon Voyage!

Night Safari

The Night Safari is the world's first nocturnal zoo, which is a popular tourist haunt, with 1.1 million visitors every year. 29% of the 1056 animals housed are endangered. These include the white tigers, Malayan Tapir, the Tahr and many others. For the adventurous family, they can opt an overnight camping experience to spend the night under the stars and the company of the beasts. For all others who enjoy the wonders of wildlife, then a trek through the 40 hectare secondary forest to observe these nocturnal creatures in their vast naturalistic habitats is an expedition not to forgo.

Esplanade

Also known as the Durian, the Esplanade has been constructed in the shape of a tropical fruit, which looks like a fusion between the papaya and the durian. It is set to be a venue for cultural and arts performances, in line with the government's vision of making the art scene in Singapore a vibrant and dynamic one, so that it would be the leading Arts hub in the region. The state of the art amphitheatres and concert halls provide excellent acoustics for ethereal music and concerts to be enjoyed by one and all. There are also outdoor performance spaces for creative and avant-garde artistic expressions by budding and top-notch professional artistes to showcase their talent to the public. The music library themed in 4 clusters of villages that include: music, dance, theatre and film is an excellent resource center for all who seek knowledge about these fields. 

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 was opened on 9 January 2008, with 28 aerobridge gates, it is capable of handling up to 8 A380s at once, increasing the airport's annual passenger capacity by 22 million. Built on a green and open concept, terminal 3 is in itself an experience, which is unforgettable. It boasts of high-level shop fronts with the latest collection of high-end products on offer and state of the art technology, landscape and architecture, which is indeed a sight to behold. For instance, as one steps into the Terminal 3, one would be drawn to the skylight roof that gives an airiness and light to the place. A green wall, 5-storey, 300 metre vertical garden boasts of the lush climbing plants and vines that can be found in our city, watered by 4 separate waterfalls. The shopping and Al Fresco dining cafes and bistros intertwine to provide its clientele an enriching multicultural experience.

The most important tip before leaving home is to write down all of your information. This includes your phone number, destination name, flight numbers, airport name, and other information that may be of importance. If you happen to run into trouble when abroad, someone will be able to properly contact you. Next make sure you know where you are going, especially in airports.

They can be big. You can find layouts of different airports online. This will help you in being able to find your gate number quickly and efficiently. It is manditory that you also look at the airport travel guide before traveling. Many things have been limited and prohibited from being taken with you.

It is a good idea when taking lots of luggage to properly tag them, just in case they get lost. Also mark your bags with something that you can identify them by, such as with a piece of ribbon or tape. Once you arrive to your destination, it is a good idea to call back home and let everyone know you have made it.

• Plan your flight wisely

  If possible, book your flights to land in secondary airports, avoiding the major international airports which are more likely to be targets. Also try to book a nonstop flight to avoid having to changeover in more than one airport.

• Watch for abandoned luggage

  While you're waiting, always keep your eyes open for abandoned luggage or bags. If you see a suspicious looking bag, report it immediately to airport security.

• Dress casually and conservatively

  Don't dress in an outfit that would make it difficult for you to move quickly if there should be a terrorist threat. You also want to dress conservatively so you don't stand out from the crowd. Avoid wearing flashy clothing and high heels.

• Avoid groups of people

  If a terrorist chooses to open fire in an airport, they're more likely to shoot into a large group of people. Stay away from groups of people that are congregating together.

• Avoid potential airport target sites

  Avoid baggage check-in areas and ticket counters since these can be potential terrorist target sites. Sit in an unobtrusive place while you're waiting to board your flight.

• Avoid sites where bombs could be hidden

  Stay away from areas where bombs could be hidden by terrorists such as trash cans or other open containers. Restrooms should also be avoided if possible.

• Don't be afraid to speak up

  If you see anything or anyone behaving suspiciously, don't hesitate to report it to airport security. This is not the time to by shy. Your life could be at stake.

• Prepare your family

  Before reaching the airport, instruct your family on how to protect themselves against airport terrorism.

• Choose an off time to fly

  Avoid flying during the busiest times of day or on holidays. If possible, take a late evening or very early morning flight. Terrorists want to do their dirty work during the busiest travel times.

• Reduce your risk

  By being aware and following a few simple guidelines, you can reduce your risk of being the victim of airport terrorism. Travel safe this year!

After soliciting volunteers (who then joined the throngs of standbys crowding the gate area) I started the boarding process. Soon the lounge cleared out to only those passengers and standbys waiting for a seat. We released the seats of the no-shows about 10 minutes before departure time and discovered we had a handful of seats to dole out in the order on the priority list in the computer. We handed the first seats back to the volunteers, then did some juggling for the couples trying to get seated together, and finally came down to accommodating one revenue passenger who had missed an earlier flight.

It was now about 3 minutes before departure and I had very little time left to get that aircraft door closed for an on-time departure. I told the standbys that we were sorry, but there were no more seats and I'd be right back to "bump" them to the next flight. Immediately one man jumped up and accosted me at the jetbridge door (he was really far down on the standby list if memory serves me well.) "What do you mean there's no more seats - I want my seat now before this plane leaves," he bellowed. "I'm sorry sir, but you're standby and there are no more seats on this flight, I replied." He looked shocked and replied angrily: "Look, I've stood by for over an hour, and now I want my seat so I can get on this flight!"

Luckily a fellow agent ran down to close up the flight, while I took him aside for a stern discussion. As it turned out, he was an employee's brother who hadn't grasped the whole concept of standby as it was explained to him. He actually thought it meant waiting until departure time to find out what seat assignment he'd have on the flight. And for that he thought he could fly free? When I finally got through to him, he became totally irate and just said "I'm never flying this outfit again!"

Sometimes you've just got to laugh and move on to help the next genius in line.

However, since the last two years, a large number of restrictions have been placed ,on what you can carry and what you cannot carry, in your cabin baggage, in particular.

Here are some hints for having hassle free holidays.

Check in early

Gone are the days, when you kind of rushed in balancing your hand baggage just as they were about to deactivate the tunnel leading to the plane. Today, the key words are baggage and security. It can take you as much as an hour, just getting through security, before you can go sit outside the prescribed gate number.

You kind of line up in queues that move slowly under signs that say "Passengers ONLY beyond this point". Kind of reduces the possibility of traumatic goodbyes. The first things they ask you to do is to remove your shoes, keys,wallets etc and place them in a tray. Then you are asked to remove any digital cameras , laptops etc that you may have , and these are placed in another tray. Finally, you place your cabin baggage, in some more trays. (Some tray manufacturer in the US, or should it be China, has probably minted a fortune...)

Women are asked to separate their make up stuff and put it in Ziploc bags . The same goes for water bottles. The Ziploc bag is put in one of the aforementioned trays for x-ray perusal.

All these trays then pass through an X-ray /Infrared type check, across a conveyor belt that kind of passes through a tunnel, so to speak. A trained security officer observes all your belongings with a trained eye, ignoring your clumsy packing technique, and may ask you to open up any piece of luggage , to check what is actually there. They don't actually see the detailed item. Its kind of what you see in a weather report satellite picture; certain areas filled with shapes of certain colors, which indicate something to the officers.

In the meanwhile, you are asked to pass through , what I call a security doorway, which beeps to indicate the presence of something that, shouldn't be there.

I had an Asian Lady on my flight wearing her traditional jewelery, which set off, an almighty beep. They asked her to remove the stuff for checking, and she said that she could not, as per their custom. Sometimes, some of these jewelery items are worn at the time of marriage and never removed, they being a sign of matrimony and family status.

At this point, as a whole bunch of young, old, elderly and fashionable types shuffle along in bare feet, waiting to get to the other side of the tunnel, you hear a booming voice saying "female assistance required !", which results in the Asian lady being asked to stand on some pre-marked sign, and then she is examined by a lady security officer. (This happens on a sort of center stage , affording some entertainment to the waiting passengers, who pass you on either side. ).

Then starts what can only be described as a ballet.

First you hold your arms out, palms upwards, and they move a probe all across you, under your armpits , back and front. A beep elicits a quick look, then a look of relief as they sight your necklace.

You then repeat the thing with palms down.

They then have you stand with each foot forward in turn, and the probe is moved between your legs , below your waist, and at the back of your legs.

I actually saw this happen to an entire family of women, and although they took it very sportingly and co-operated well, I actually asked the officer lady if it wasn't too strenuous doing this , every so many minutes.

It was almost like a cooperative dance effort; the passengers took the positions and the steps, and the officer lady did the ballet, gracefully bending and turning and twirling around the passenger. Several times an hour.

You finally emerge victorious, but semi frustrated on the other side, amongst a bunch of passengers all trying to put on their shoes, and repack their non-objectionable belongings.

This entire process can take as much as a one hour wait, as the flight time approaches, and passenger crowd increases. A friend of mine missed her flight just standing in line for her turn at security. Checking in early guarantees that you make your flight.

Avoid large tubes of stuff

Taking big tubes of sunscreen and moisture lotions in your carry-on baggage is a bad idea. Anything up to 100 mls is supposed to be OK. Anything bigger than that, might see you , offering all those Bath and Body Works goodies, as it were, to the nation. Large toothpastes are out. Someone I know was carrying ready made lemon juice in a small container the shape of a lemon, like you get in the grocery store. The idea was to ask for cold water and make your own sugar free lemon drink during the flight. The quantity of this thing was just 100 mls, within rules; but it had to be thrown away as the security folks got a bit unnerved and objected.

If you are carrying any medication , in either tube form or any other form, you need to carry with you, at all times, a doctor's recent prescription, in original.

If you think the three hour flight is going to give you a good opportunity to do your nails, think again. Nail Clippers, Nail files, scissors etc, are declared a national security threat , and must be checked in with the other baggage.

I traveled back recently from Singapore, and before boarding, was singled out in security and asked to open the toilet case where I had a tiny nail clipper. Actually, it is always in that bag, and I had forgotten all about it.

So they had 3 people, 2 guys and a lady examining my nail clippers, then I was directed to a desk where they did a form in triplicate , with details about my boarding pass,seat, destination , and other luggage tags. I was then given a copy and told to collect the nail clipper with my other checked-in baggage at San Francisco.

That was the last I saw of the nail clipper.

I certainly did not scrounge around for it amongst all kinds of alarming luggage as it circled around on the conveyor belt, on arrival, at San Francisco.

Who knows? The site of a guy, lifting other peoples bags here and there, moving aside luggage belts and sticking is hand under duffel bags in his quest for the eternal nail clipper, would have probably triggered another security check.