Metal detectors at airports have traditionally been used as a way to identify dangerous objects such as guns and knives which some unscrupulous people may attempt to bring onto planes. Now there is a new weapon in the counter-terrorism arsenal – naked X-Rays.
Using a special low-intensity X-Rays, known as backscatter technology, the system sees through clothing to produce a rendered image of the body. The X-Rays penetrate clothing but bounce off of skin. The manufacturers claim that the X-Rays are so weak that there is no risk of causing damage through frequent use. While this is fantastic for detecting hidden weapons, including plastic explosives, it also means that an essentially naked picture of your body is produced.
Current security measures consist of a metal detector which means that belts, shoes, wallets, watches and other objects must be removed. This takes time and means that security lines are longer for all passengers. The new detectors will not require you to remove anything. Furthermore, plastic weapons, chemicals and drugs that are hidden on the body will be visible. It is claimed that shoe bomber Richard Reid would have been caught using the new technology.
The major controversy that surrounds this device is the ability it has to produce naked pictures of people, including children. The device is currently being trialled at London Heathrow airport where there UK press have had a field day tearing it apart. What none of them seem to mention is that the same device is already on trial by the Transport Security Administration in the USA. There it is claimed that the software blurs out the “private parts” of individuals so that it cannot be seen. This makes the whole thing a lot less controversial, but I suspect privacy enthusiasts will still have their concerns.
It is also worth noting that the images are not saved on any computer and are deleted after use. Furthermore, the person viewing the images is at a “remote” location, meaning there is less embarrassment felt by the passenger. At this stage, there is an opt-out option where passengers can instead choose the regular pat-down search. Personally I find this more intrusive than a photo but that is just my opinion.
Please use the comment box below if you have any views on this matter. Would you prefer a pat-down or a photo?
Due to the overwhelming popularity of the article 5 Facts about Choosing the Best Air Asia X Seat, we are pleased to give you a follow up article about Air Asia X’s much talked about XL seats. The XL seats are a separate cabin at the front of the aircraft which have larger seats but the same service. The current reviews and guides on the XL seats are out of date as things have changed a lot in 2009.
Air Asia X initially used leased aircraft but has since started to acquire its own and to refit all aircraft with a standardised cabin interior. The exception here is on the A340 aircraft which currently serves London – Kuala Lumpur and it has seats which are seats which recline further and are more comfortable. The airline has also said that it has renamed XL seats to be “Premium Seats”.
The Competition
The product is positioned similar to Premium Economy on other airlines – more comfortable seating but with standard Economy service. Well for Air Asia, standard Economy service doesn’t really consist of much so XL seat holders have to purchase meals and drinks as normal. The main advantage of this is that the price is far cheaper than regular Premium Economy flights. Special sale fares aside, the regular Air Asia XL seat fare is similar to full service airlines’ regular Economy fares. What this comes down to is a choice between the comfort of an Air Asia XL seat or the service of a traditional airline. Air Asia is betting that passengers will choose comfort and for the most part, they are correct. The final thing to consider here is that Air Asia X often, but not always, uses secondary airports in some cities meaning that although you have a nicer seat, your journey time to the city centre may be increased.
The Seat
Air Asia has a number of different seats in its XL class depending on which aircraft you are on. On A340 aircraft which serve London, the seating is actually more like traditional Business Class seats. However these may be refitted and very shortly all XL seats may be identical. What you are likely to have though is a 2-3-2 configuration seating which slides forward instead of reclines. Fortunately there is a lot of legroom with a 38” seat pitch so this makes for a comfortable flight. It’s certainly no flat bed, but more than comfortable enough to have a snooze on an overnight flight. In-flight video on demand is offered through individual TV screens, just the same as regular Air Asia X seats.
XL or XS?
Many people fear that the regular Air Asia X seats will be tiny and very uncomfortable on long haul journeys. Much newspaper flack has been directed at Air Asia, but this is largely exaggerated. Regular Air Asia seats have a 31” seat pitch (The same as British Airways, KLM, United Airlines and Qantas) but are slightly narrower, the same as some KLM/Emirates seats. They offer far more room than many charter airlines. The XL seats are more comfortable than any Economy Class seat on any airline. They rival most Premium Economy seats in the space and comfort offered. By all means pay for an XL seat if you want to have a comfortable trip, but do not feel you have to upgrade to avoid a terrible trip.
The Future of the XL Seat
Air Asia have announced through their on board magazine that they intend to replace all the XL seats in 2010 with new “flat” business class seats. Rumours have been going around that the current XL seats are not selling as well as expected and that the airline hopes to have fewer, but more comfortable seats. Whether this will be the traditional angled Business Class seats that many airlines have or something else is anyone’s guess at the moment. I think that there is some definite potential here for something great. There are few details at this time and I guess the more critical factor for the success or failure of the new XL seats will be the price. Another question is what will happen should a clever individual make a booking for the later part of 2010 with the current seats, only to find an airline wide refit has taken place and they now have a ticket for the new flat seats? Will the airline honour such a booking. It is certainly a gamble but there are potential savings to be had here.
Anyone who has taken their cell phone (Mobile phone, handphone, cell) with them abroad will probably have found out that international roaming charges can be pretty steep. Talk for just a few minutes and you could pay over US$20. This is about the cost in most countries to buy a local sim card.
Most countries sell pay as you go sim cards which are easily obtainable, often from local convenience stores and at airports. Credit can be purchased from these stores and most people find that doing this works up considerably cheaper than using international roaming.
The benefits of buying a local sim card include:
A Local Number
Buying a sim card and using it in your phone will effectively give you a local number. Local people can call you on this number relatively hassle free. If you roam with your home country number, anyone calling you will be subject to much higher international rates. You effectively get charged twice as you must make a call back to your home country, then pay international rates back to the country you are in. It sounds ridiculous but that is the way networks are set up.
Making Local/Domestic Calls
If you need to call a local number, for example to call a taxi cab or book a restaurant, then this is going to be very cheap when using a local sim card. International Roaming costs vary but around US$2-4 per minute is average. Local calls usually cost a few Cents per minute, a massive saving.
Receive Calls/SMS for free
Not only does it cost a lot to make a call with international roaming, but it often costs a lot to receive a call. Even if it turns out to be an unwanted sales call, you still end up getting charged to receive the call. Some networks also charge you to receive SMS text messages, again you have no control over whether or not to accept these. If you need to receive calls from home, consider switching back to your home sim card once per day to check voicemail. Then switch back and use your local sim card to call the person back.
Cheaper Data usage
With the increasing use of iPhones and other smartphones, the popularity of cellular data usage has increased dramatically. There have been many news articles recently about people going abroad and unknowingly using lots of data, only to receive bills in excess of $20,000 when they return! Data charges can be up to $10 per Megabyte. That is a crazy amount by any stretch of the imagination. Having a local SIM card will let you use data at regular local rates.
Keep track of what you spend
Perhaps the greatest advantage of using a local sim card is your ability to keep track of what you are spending. Because you will be on a pay as you go tariff and not a contract, you must top up your credit before you can spend it. This means there will be no unexpected charges waiting for you when you return home.
Yes folks you read that correctly! The United States Senate last month voted overwhelmingly 79-19 to impose a $10 fee for all visa-free visitors coming to the US. This would apply to countries such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand and most of Western Europe. Amazingly, the House of Representatives has ratified the bill.
The money raised will then be used to fund a non-profit organisation that will promote the USA to tourists, business travellers and students alike. One of the main goals will be to ensure there is clarity around entry requirements for all visitors.
The irony is that if you don’t need a visa to visit the USA, you must pay $10. Some of this money will then be used to keep you informed of the fact that when visiting the US you must pay $10.
Lawmakers in Washington believe that keeping potential visitors informed about the requirements to visit the US will promote tourism. In reality, it is unlikely anyone is going to stop their trip to the US due to this new “tax”, regardless of how crazy it seems.
It is likely the fee will be paid at the same time as the online Electronic Visa-Waiver form is submitted, meaning that it will only be applicable once every two years.
The EU and Australia have reacted both with disbelief and are now threatening retaliatory measures. This is becoming close to a sort of Visa without being a Visa situation and that goes against previous agreements.
The European Commision’s ambassador to the US, John Bruton, has been one of the most outspoken critics of the new bill. He has warned that the EU may impose something similar on US travellers arriving in the continent.
Bruton didn’t hold back his fury against Washington when he said in a statement: “Only in Alice in Wonderland could a penalty be seen as promoting the activity, on which it is imposed”.
