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Airline seats: Would you pay extra to board first?

If you hate stomping at the crowded airline gate like horses ready for the race, there’s a way to pay so you can go aboard first. Southwest, the bargain airline with the no-reserve seats, has been doing it for several years. For $10, you can be part of its Early Bird Check-in, go aboard first, get your choice of seats and be first to stash your carry-on in an overhead bin.

Now, some of the reserved-seating airlines are offering the same. American’s Boarding and Flexibility Package permits passengers who buy their tickets online the same privilege. AA charges from $9 to $19 each way for early boarding. Other airlines have similar features. United’s "Premier Line" early boarding service costs $19, and Ryanair’s current early boarding charge is $5.

As with all airlines, the extra payment doesn’t actually mean you’ll be the very first aboard. Passengers with highest class tickets and the handicapped, as with all airlines, still continue to go on ahead of everyone else.
Travel Can Help Ease Transition To Retirement PDF Print E-mail


Q: I retired almost a year ago and not enjoying it. Going from 40 years of working every day to just sitting around is driving me nuts. A friend told me the best thing to solve my problem is just get up off my butt and travel. What do you have to say about it? JKMcC, Pittsburgh PA

A: Your pal is absolutely right! That restless feeling is normal, because you went suddenly from a full daily routine into a do-nothing lifestyle. The solution is to start a regular activity that requires planning, meeting schedules and seeing new sights. In other words, you should really get off your butt and venture out into the world. If you’re uncertain, make the first trips just overnights. Go to New York and/or Philly. See some live theater, tour historic sites, attend a major sports event and dine in upscale restaurants. Then, if that gets your wanderlust started, take some longer trips, such as cruises, group tours and resort weeks.

Another way to get busy again is to volunteer. Try it first with an agency in your community. Then, if that enhances your newly active life, sign up to help somewhere for a week or more in another city, and eventually in another country.

Good luck in your new, active sunset/sunrise years!
 
 
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