COMINGANDGOING
COMING AND GOING
Is That Ski Bus Safe?
Sunday, January 21, 2007; Page P01
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SAFETY WATCH
Is That Ski Bus Safe?
Last week's crash of a bus carrying local students home from a ski trip to Quebec might have you asking: How can I know if a bus is safe and the driver properly trained?
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Fact is, you shouldn't assume all is well. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is charged with overseeing the safety of buses that travel interstate, but its budget hasn't increased for years, even though the number of bus companies has exploded. About 700 FMCSA inspectors police 3,800 bus companies.
The FMCSA used to publish safety stats on its Web site but removed them in 2004 because it needed to "improve the timeliness, completeness and accuracy" of the information, according to the site. You can, however, make some checks and look for red flags.
* If a trip is organized by a tour company, transportation is most likely subcontracted. Ask for the name of the company providing the bus. Because bus companies sometimes operate under one name and register with the FMCSA under another, you might also need the company's USDOT number. If the tour company doesn't know that number : red flag.
* Get a "company snapshot" of the bus company at http:/
* At the Web site you can also learn if the bus company has previously reported accidents, whether any of its buses have been ordered out of service, and whether its authority to operate has ever been revoked. You can also find out if it has operating authority and insurance.
About the bus company involved in last week's accident: Quebec authorities said they were not authorized to release the name. The tour operator, Atlantic Sun Tours in Merrifield, didn't answer three phone calls or an e-mail.
UPRIGHT AND LOCKED
Flying Wireless
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall is the latest airport to join the WiFi world. Wireless Internet access is now available in Concourses A and B-- the areas used by Southwest Airlines. The remainder of the airport will be WiFi- ready in coming weeks, said spokesman Jonathan Dean. If you have an account with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or one of five smaller firms, BWI WiFi access is included. Otherwise, it costs $7.95 a day or $21.95 a month. Details: 800-550-5030.
The infrastructure to provide wireless access is being installed at National and Dulles and will be available sometime this year, says spokeswoman Tara Hamilton.
Get WiFi info for more than 200 U.S. airports athttp:/
TRAVEL TICKER
British Airways cabin crews have voted to approve a three-day walkout, which could begin as early as Jan. 31. Talks, however, continue. . . . Beware of a "volatile political and social situation in Bolivia," particularly around Cochabamba, says the U.S. Department of State. Details: http:/
BARGAIN OF THE WEEK
Rocky Ride
United Airlines has sale fares to destinations in the Colorado Rockies. Fly from Washington Dulles to Hayden, Colo., for example, near Steamboat ski resort, for $294 round trip (plus about $42 taxes). Fare on other airlines starts at about $398. Complete travel by March 15; purchase by Jan. 29. A 14-day advance purchase requirement applies. Travel is good all days of the week, and there is no minimum-stay requirement. Blackout dates on Feb. 16, 19 and 25. Buy at www.united.com, or pay $15 more by calling 800-864-8331.
Reporting: Cindy Loose, Anne McDonough
Help feed CoGo. Send travel news, road reports and juicy tattles to cogo@washpost.com. By mail: CoGo, Washington Post Travel Section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.
