Winter Weather Preparation

Winter Weather Preparation

The upcoming winter weather is sure to disrupt a few flights across the country and certainly at the Dayton International Airport.  Below are a few winter preparation tips to help you prepare out while traveling.

Some of the obvious things to have when traveling in bad weather would be a full tank of gas, a cell phone with a charger, dressed appropriately for the weather, and some common sense. But what else should you take into consideration when bad weather hits and you have to travel?

Tires

Tires that are worn or not properly inflated can be disastrous when traveling in bad weather. Worn tires can slide easily on slick roadways and over or under inflated tires can be just as bad.

Check your tire pressure before heading out. It's a good habit to get into anyways. Cars today even have features in them that will alert the driver to tire pressure issues. Don't pass on these alerts, especially during bad weather.

A great way to check the treads on your tires is with an upside down quarter. If you can see George's head, it's time to get some new tires.

Wiper Blades

Rain, snow or fog. It all makes driving difficult if your wipers don't do their job. Even the best wiper blades will need replaced after several months. Make sure you change yours regularly, along with the product Rain X as your windshield wiper solution which greatly improves visibility. 

Emergency Kit

All vehicles should carry this! Bandages, road flares, blanket, tire sealant, emergency numbers (such as your AAA or roadside assistance company), water, etc. You can make this kit on your own and keep it somewhere that is easily accessible.

We hope this helps you on your way to travelling smarter this winter, but travel starts well before you cross through the terminal doors. Westwind Airport Valet will store and protect your vehicle while you are away. Our airport valet service is the most efficient, safe and affordable way to arrive at Check-In door when parking and flying out of the Dayton International Airport.

Pack Smarter

At Westwind Airport Valet we travel quiet frequently and we’ve learned a few things along the way about how to pack more efficiently and prepare for the unexpected. First and foremost, please make sure you’re familiar with your airlines policy for checked and carry-on baggage – it will make things smoother and you will avoid unexpected extra expenses. Here are a few more tips that we hope will help make things easier and get you on your way.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Overhead bin space is always limited, so please keep that in mind if you’re bringing a carry-on. There is occasionally a chance you may need to send an optimistically packed carry-on into checked baggage. Be prepared by packing important necessities in your personal carry-on in case you are separated. For example, you should pack medication, credit cards, cash, ID, passport, cell phone and charger along with a few essential toiletries like deodorant in your smaller personal carry-on bag.

STAY SMART WITH THE RIGHT BAG

First, regardless of if you’re planning to check your bag or bring it as carry-on, make sure your bag doesn’t exceed the allowed size. Next, find a bag that’s the optimal combination of strong and light. Light is critical, as you don’t want most of the weight allowance to be taken up by your suitcase.

BLUE IS THE NEW BLACK

Pick a color scheme for your trip, and pick the skirt(s), pants and tops according to that palette. A few smartly chosen items mean you can mix and match for a lot of great looks. And you can always accessorize with different little items.

THIS IS HOW WE ROLL

Forget everything you know about packing clothes; try rolling, as opposed to bundling, folding or getting the kids to stand on the suitcase while you try to zip it shut. Tightly rolling clothing items makes them more compact, meaning you can pack more items more efficiently.

YOU’RE LEAVING HOME, SO LEAVE HOME THERE

Most comforts of home belong there—at home. If you’re going on a trip, it’s often a good idea to leave a few of your “necessities” behind. For example, your hotel will likely be equipped with bedding, clothes irons and hairdryers so you are probably safe  to leave such items behind.  

AVOID LITTLE SURPRISES

Wrap your toiletries in sealed airtight bags, or go a step further and put a layer of plastic wrap under the caps to keep your shampoos, mouthwashes, or body wash from flooding the inside of your bag. Don’t forget, if you’re packing these items in a carry-on bag, the security screening process regulates the size and packaging of all liquids, gels and aerosols.

TAKE A LAST LOOK—THEN TAKE SOMETHING OUT

Do you really need to bring four belts? Until you’ve reached the most exalted rank of Packing Ninja, you’ll almost always find something you can take out of your bag, making your trip just a little bit easier.

MAKE YOUR OWN STATEMENT

By creating a unique visual marker on the outside of your checked bag, you can avoid confusion and save time at the baggage claim. We think this is yet another great use for duct tape, but embroidery, strings or ribbons will do the trick as well.

We hope this helps you on your way to travelling smarter, but travel starts well before you cross through the terminal doors. Westwind Airport Valet will store and protect your vehicle while you are away. Our airport valet service is the most efficient, safe and affordable way to arrive at Check-In door when parking and flying out of the Dayton International Airport.

The Fast Lane | TSA PreCheck

There is nothing more frustrating for air travelers than a seemingly endless line at airport security. Fortunately, ditching the extra-long wait (and cumbersome task of unpacking nearly all of the contents of your carry-on) is slowly becoming a trend of the past. In 2011, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) launched the TSA PreCheck program as an intelligence-based approach to expediting airport security.

What is TSA Pre✓?

The Transportation Security Administration manages and operates an expedited security screening program, allowing certain travelers to move through security more quickly and easily when departing from participating airports in the U.S.

What does TSA Pre✓mean for travelers?

TSA PreCheck allows low-risk travelers to experience expedited, more efficient security screening at participating U.S. airport checkpoints.

• If you have a TSA PreCheck indicator on your boarding pass, proceed to the TSA Pre✓lane
• Present your boarding pass and Government-issued ID to the Travel Document Checker
• Have the TSA Travel Document Checker scan your boarding pass barcode
• Remember, your children age 12 and under may go with you
• Keep on your shoes and belt, your laptop in its case, and your 3-1-1 compliant bag in your carryon.

Experience:

• Quicker transit through airport security screening
• Faster moving lines
• Improved travel experience

No Removal of:

• Belt
• Shoes
• Light outerwear/jacket
• Compliant bag and laptop from carry-on

How does TSA Pre✓work?

Travelers can become part of the TSA PreCheck program in one of three ways:

• Pre-enrolling on the TSA.gov site 
• By invitation through an airline's frequent flier program
• Admission into another Department of Homeland Security Trusted Traveler program (Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI) 

Learn more about the four Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Traveler programs that include TSA Pre✓Eligibility

Here at Westwind Airport Valet the goal is to provide our clients with safe and convenient travel arrangements. Don’t forget you can book your parking reservation online quick and easy by visiting www.westwindairportvalet.com.

The Best Vacations Have No Plans

You have a week of unused paid time off at work which you do not want to go to waste. Your mission is clear. You’re going on vacation!  Have you ever considered NOT planning for vacation? The majority of us plan every day down to the minute filled with activities, dining, traveling, and lodging. Try vacation planning by not planning your vacation for a truly exciting and memorable trip.

If you want to take a leisurely, non-planned vacation, plan on doing so during non-peak travel times. Impromptu vacations during peak travel times could mean hotels without vacancy, sold out venues and very expensive airfare.

Lodging

It is a good idea to secure the first two nights of lodging arrangements ahead of time. This will give you an edge on visiting an unfamiliar area. Consider booking a room at a Bed & Breakfast so you can visit with the owners and get ideas of where you should go next.

Transportation

Rental cars are an option in most destinations and allow you to take control and go off the beaten path. An alternative is public transportation via bus or railway. This allows you to enjoy the scenery or even maximize your time by traveling overnight to your next destination.

Meeting Locals

A successful spontaneous trip will require that you meet locals at their local restaurants and bars. Avoid chain restaurants where you’ll likely mingle with other tourists. Local eateries and pubs will show you the true color of the city and give you an informal way to meet locals.

Activities

Some vacation planning you may need to do ahead of time. You need to determine what it is you are going for and what you want to see when you are there. Once you’ve selected a city, region or country, visit their tourism website to find out more about what there is to do. You will often find maps of the area, information about public transit and current events. Social networking sites like Facebook or Pinterest and travel focused sites, also have many recommendations from real travelers on vacation planning.

Here at Westwind Airport Valet, we strive to provide our clients with safe and convenient travel arrangements. Even if you are not making an itinerary for your next trip, we plan to take care of you and your vehicle so you can enjoy your next adventure. Contact us today to Ride The Wave!

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube to join the conversation and get the latest travel tips and savings!    

Sun Safety Tips

It is officially summer and time to start planning your beach vacation, weekend lake getaways and countless days at the pool. You deserve this time to relax and take in the season, but do not let your guard down when it comes to your skins health.

Most kids get much of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18, so it's important for parents to teach them how to enjoy fun in the sun safely. Taking the right precautions can greatly reduce your child's chance of developing skin cancer.

In an effort to help reduce the startling spike of skin cancer due to overexposure from the sun, we have listed sun safety tips below, which you and your family should practice whenever you are outdoors.

• Wear sunscreen with an SPF 15 or greater. The level of SPF indicates the length of time you will be protected from UVB rays, compared to the time it would take for you to sunburn without protection. So if your skin would normally redden in 20 minutes, sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will protect you 15 times longer, or for 5 hours.

• Look for a product that provides both UVA and UVB protection. Sunscreens should include at least one of the following ingredients: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone.

• Wear sunscreen all year long. Harmful rays are always present, even on cloudy or snowy days.

• Apply sunscreen liberally at least 30 minutes before your exposure to the sun. Reapply every 2 hours and after swimming.

• Always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, especially while you are near a body of water as UV rays reflect up off the water's surface.

• Wearing a SPF lip balm helps prevent skin cancers and pre-cancers which occur frequently in the lip, an area often forgot about when applying skin protection.

• Pre-wash bathing suits in Rit Sunguard. This provides more SPF without the extra application.

• Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when exposure to ultraviolet light is highest.

It doesn't take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D they need. And repeated unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. Even people in their twenties can develop skin cancer.

Moderate exposure to the sun can be good for you, as long as it provides your body with vitamin D, but too much can and will cause damage. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays, which penetrate your skin. A sunburn results when exposure is more than your body's protective pigment (melanin) can handle. UVB rays are the most harmful and are the main cause of sunburn and skin cancer. 

Going on vacation and being outdoors should be fun and relaxing, but a painful sunburn can quickly end a good time. With the right preparations, you can help prevent skin issues from arising and enjoy beautiful skin and beautiful days!    

Here at Westwind Airport Valet we strive to provide our clients with safe and convenient travel arrangements. For your next trip, let us take care of you and your vehicle so you can relax while you are gone. Contact us today for more information and make your reservation to Ride The Wave! 

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube to join the conversation and get the latest travel tips and savings!    

Tips From The Insiders

There's no place more reliable to get inside information than from the people who actually work there. Valet parking is no different. When it comes to getting the most out of your experience, especially at Westwind Airport Valet, the employees are the one's who know what to do, and what not to do, to get the best experience possible.

Vehicle Issues

When you valet your car, make sure you mention any issues, such as a door handle not operating properly, or a window that will not roll back up once down, to the valet. We take every precaution with your vehicle, but we simply do not know it like you do. Mentioning things like this will not only ensure we do not further complicate your vehicles issue, but will also help us in parking and retrieving your vehicle when you return.

Reservations

While Westwind Airport Valet does not require a reservation, we strongly recommend you make one. This however, does not include calling 10 minutes away. A reservation is 24 hours or more in advance of your arrival time.

This does several things. It guarantees you a spot, locks in your price, and allows us to be properly staffed for certain times.

We will always have a spot for you to park, but with a reservation we can get information from the reservation, that you may not have time for when pulling in.

Did I mention that reservations are FREE to make? If you have several trips already booked, you can make a reservation for each one and put your mind at ease about where and how you'll get to the airport. You can make one through several different channels. You can call us, visit our webpage, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, even this blog has a reservation portal on it! All of these ways to make reservations are also mobile friendly!

Reservations are also very important during the winter months for indoor parking. While we have room to accommodate outdoor valet, our indoor valet spots are limited. This is a great example of how a reservation would guarantee you a spot.

Cutting It Last Minute

We understand that time escapes us all. Whether you got stuck at the office late, an accident clogged traffic up, or it was a last minute flight, things get rushed once in a while.

The way we operate is "customer service on demand." When there is a customer who needs transporting, we go. We try our very best to be fast and efficient but there may be times that you show up while we're "in transit."

We cannot get in your car and go to the airport, we cannot magically make another driver appear. We cannot leave the building unattended, and we cannot make others wait, because you are running close. So please understand there is not much we can do, and do not take it out on us. We are doing the best we can to provide our world class service to every one of you every time.

Not The Weather Man

We provide excellent white glove services. From a hand wash, to a steam clean, from an oil change, to light body work, we try to help with your automotive needs while you are gone. This does not include predicting the weather.

When you arrive at our facility, we politely ask that you give us a yes or no answer. "If it doesn't rain" simply leaves too much room for the unpredictable, and could wind up leaving a car washed when it rains, or dirty when it doesn't.

Think of this. You say you want a car wash only if it's not raining when you return. The weather says it is supposed to rain all day. It is raining all morning. You are due to return at 1pm. It stops raining at 12:30 pm. You return to a dirty and say it's not raining, but yet it was raining earlier and was supposed to rain all day.

Help us help you by deciding on yes or no. We'll take care of the rest from there.

Never A Bad Question

We offer a variety of services. We also try to help out with what we can. If you have a special request, please ask. While we cannot do everything, we will certainly check into our ability to help you out with something while you are away.

Please Respect Other Customers By Following The Directions

Here at Westwind Airport Valet, we run "on demand." We do not run on a loop, or at certain times. The airport is also not fond of us sitting curbside and waiting on passengers. That is why we politely ask that you have you luggage IN HAND AND BE AT THE EXITS before giving us a call.

We do this because we know luggage gets lost, planes can take a while to unload the passengers, and the terminals can be congested during certain times.

While we do our very best to be all places at all times, it's just not possible. So if you call when you are actually ready to leave, it will only take a few quick minutes for pickup if one of our vehicles is not already over there.

We really do enjoy what we do and value building relationships with those who travel and use our service often, as well as those who trying our world class service for the first time. We believe we have a service that is truly an experience in itself and are proud to show it off. Each and every time we hope that you get the most out of our service and look forward to seeing you next time.

Dayton Airport Among Lowest Fares

In a recent article on Monday June 2, by Rachel Murray of the Dayton Daily News, it showcased part of the reason the Dayton International Airport is growing at the rate it is: low airfare.

The Dayton International Airport is the second lowest in the state, only behind Akron/Canton Airport, and is 37th lowest among the top 100 largest airports in the nation.

Dayton, averaging a price of $371 per round trip ticket, is almost $140 cheaper than the average round trip ticket out of CVG ($510). The competitive market at DAY is what makes these prices among the lowest around.

Some of the downsides of DAY however, is it's lack of non-stop flights originating there. Most trips out of DAY include stops when traveling.

Some of our customers say the short drive from Cincinnati and surrounding areas is well worth the savings.

The affordable airfares, easy accessibility and location, and affordable parking options, such as Westwind Airport Valet, make this airport a favorite among travelers in this region.