Every week Peter Greenberg takes time to solve your travel problems and answer your travel questions on Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio (click here to find your local station or here to listen to the most recent podcast).
This week Peter tackled everything from seniors and travel, fear of flying, travel vaccinations, and finding the best rate with or without a travel agent.
Do you have a travel question or problem? You can talk to Peter at 1-888-88-PETER (1-888-887-3837) or email peter@petergreenberg.com. (Write “ASK PETER” in the subject line.)
Peter will be standing by to answer your questions live between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 and then again on Wednesday January 25 from 7 a.m until 9:30 am.
Nick in Chicago asked: We are healthy senior citizens of 69 and 70 years old needing no special diets or special help on traveling. When the airlines ask if one is a senior is it to one’s advantage or disadvantage to say yes? Are we required to share that information?
Peter replied: Anytime you can get a discount by saying you’re a senior, tell them that. For example, if you can get pre-boarding by saying you’re a senior tell them. Tell them anytime you get any kind of better service. I’m not asking you to lie about your age, in fact, be proud about it. Now there are certain time where you might not feel like telling anybody. Say you want to go skydiving or rent a car and you’re worried about an age limit, then maybe it’s best not to share your age. Bottom line is: There used to be a time where we actually respected people who are seniors and it doesn’t hurt to try to at least let people know your age. Lastly, congratulations for still traveling as much as you do.
For more information, check out Peter’s travel tip on senior discounts.
Alan in Milwaukee asked: I would love to travel throughout many locations in the world, but I have made my travel world small because I’m a fearful flyer. Ever since getting out of the military in the mid-1980s I’ve restricted my getting on a plane to basically never. If I can’t drive there I basically won’t go. Although I will look at flight details to see which kind of aircraft the carrier will be flying. Is there a site I can go to search by aircraft type to cut down on pulling up all the types of flights and then checking the aircraft type?
Alan, why are you checking the aircraft type when you’re going to get in your car and drive there anyway? What’s the point? Do you realize that for the last 10 years, we’ve had the most remarkable period of air safety in our country’s history and in the history of flying?
If you’re worried about the kind of aircraft, I wouldn’t since we keep getting newer fleets. I wouldworry more about pilot training than the kind of aircraft. I want a pilot who can fly the plane and not just monitor systems. But if you want to know the aircraft type―look the OAG, the official airline guide [OAG.com]. Lastly, flying is still the safest form of transportation. It’s getting to the airport that could kill you. I don’t know what else to tell you, but what I will tell you is: it’s time to make your world a little bigger. Get off your butt get on the plane.
To tackle a fear of flying, check out Peter’s advice.
