About Rick Seaney, CEO FareCompare

Rick Seaney

Rick Seaney, co-founder of FareCompare.com - is a world-class air travel expert.

FareCompare.com presides over a kingdom of sophisticated software that searches out fares and destinations at a billion combinations per query - while keeping track of 500 airlines serving more than 270,000 markets around the globe.

And all of Rick's data is updated continuously - in real-time.

No wonder he's the media's go-to guy for all things air travel. He's got the answers. And he loves to share his knowledge.

That's why Rick and the team created FareCompare.com - to help everyone become an air travel expert, and get the best deals first -- every time they fly.

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Myth Busting: Random TSA Swabs Won’t Test for Drugs, Etc.

February 24, 2010 | Posted in: Airport, DOT, Security, Travel Myths | 2 comments

myth busting TSA random swabbing drugs

About a week ago, I told you that TSA officers were starting to move about airport gate areas to randomly swab peoples’ hands for traces of explosives.

Since then, a few myths have sprung up about the Explosives Trace Detection testing machine, and with the help of the TSA blog, I’m going to try to try to separate fact from fiction.

MYTH #1 – If I work with chemicals or munitions and get swabbed, I am in big trouble.

Mostly False. According to the TSA, they are aware of people with professions and hobbies that might set off false-positives and “we have long had procedures in place that help us mitigate real threats while clearing people who pose no threat to travel.”

However, note that the blog also says the TSA must “balance security with convenience” and if you set off the alarm, it is possible you will be inconvenienced – with some questions, anyway. There’s no requirement to do so but if I worked with explosives, I’d carry my employee badge with me.

MYTH #2 – The swabs will be able to detect narcotics.

True and False. The machines can test for narcotics, but the TSA does not calibrate them to do so.

However, the TSA blog notes that it’s possible agents could stumble upon any drugs you might be carrying: “Wherever you can hide drugs, you can hide bombs, so we may end up accidentally finding your stash.” Need I point out that illegal drugs are…illegal?

MYTH #3 – The swabbing takes a sample of your DNA and tests for the H1N1 virus.

False. The machine can’t analyze DNA, and it can’t test for H1N1 (what used to be referred to as swine flu).

Airline Conspiracy Theories: “Miracle on Hudson” Myth?

February 18, 2010 | Posted in: Airlines, News, Pilots, Travel Myths, US Airways | 4 comments

airline conspiracy theories miracle on hudson myth

I’ve done some myth-busting in the past, and will definitely do more in the future, but in the meantime…

Recently I noticed some conspiracy theories presented (and busted) by AOL Travel, and I have to admit, I’d never heard of some of them (maybe because they’re just so crazy?)

The number one conspiracy theory listed in the article was that the “Miracle on the Hudson” landing by US Airways Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger – never happened.

Huh?

One argument is, “How could twenty survivors stand on the wing of a plane without collapsing it?” I don’t know the physics involved, but I know it’s possible because millions of people saw live video of it happening!

Whew – as you can tell, I’m getting a little worked up. Next thing you know, someone will try to tell me you can open the door of a large modern jet in midflight and everyone’ll get sucked out (sorry, won’t happen – the door cannot be opened).

Let’s Clear Up the Latest Myth about TSA Body Scan Imaging

January 14, 2010 | Posted in: Airport, Security, Travel Myths | 21 comments

latest myth TSA body scan

In an earlier post of mine called, “Myth Busting: The True Facts about TSA Full Body Scans”, I told you that images are “automatically deleted” and that they wouldn’t turn up on YouTube.

But maybe you’ve seen recent reports that indicate the machines do have the capability of storing and transmitting images.

Well, a lot of what I’ve read recently includes very little from the TSA, beyond media press releases, anonymous sources and information from the TSA website; so we decided to take our questions to them directly.

TSA spokesman Greg Soule spoke with my editorial team today and said the following: yes, the machines are sent to them – to the TSA lab – in “test mode”, which means the scanners, at that point, do have the ability to store and print images. This allows the TSA technicians to test the machines’ detection capabilities, as well as create a training library. NOTE: None of these training images includes any airline passengers!

However, when the machines are sent to airports, they are in “operational mode” and do not have the capability of storing or transmitting images. Also, security officers who work with this equipment do not have the ability to switch the machine from “operational” to “test mode”.

What about using an image as evidence? Say, if a terror suspect with some questionable substance on his body (like the so-called “Underwear Bomber“) is caught by the body scanner? That question was asked, and the response was the same: “images are not saved”.

I suspect this explanation may not be good enough for some folks, but I think most of us can just relax.

Myth Busting: The Facts about TSA Full Body Scans

January 6, 2010 | Posted in: DOT, Security, Travel Myths, Travel Safety | 40 comments

myth busting facts about tsa full body scans

There are a handful of the so-called full body scanners in the nation’s airports, and according to the Washington Post, we can expect to see another 150 scanners in airports across the country in the next few months.

In the meantime, we’ve heard every kind of dire predition about their use from, “My naked body will end up on YouTube” to “Could this be used as kiddie porn?”

Let’s look at the myths — and lay out the facts about people’s fears.

Myth #1 — You Must Submit to a Body Scan

False. This techonology is optional for everyone. If you decline to submit, however, you will undergo a pat-down procedure (and according the the TSA, most prefer the scan).

Myth #2 — Everyone Will See Me Naked

False. First of all, facial features are blurred, so chances are no one could connect you to your scan image. Second, the TSA screener who actually sees the scan picture is “remotely located” in a separate room and never sees the actual passenger being screened; likewise, the TSA officer assisting the passenger never sees the scan picture.

Keep reading — we have more body scan myths to bust…

Myth Busting: The Facts about TSA Full Body Scans

It’s Friday the 13th – What Row Number are YOU Sitting In?

November 13, 2009 | Posted in: Airplanes, Travel Myths | 0 comments

First, let me just state, I am not superstitious.

But I always enjoy reading about travel myths and legends – and I was delighted to see an article in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer about airlines, and whether they allow their seat rows to be numbered “13″.

According to the paper, AirTran, Continental, Alaska and others do not have a “row 13″ – and Lufthansa doesn’t have a row 13 or a row 17, because in Italy and Brazil, 17 is an unlucky number.

I hate to be the one to point this out but, point it out I must: on these 13-less airplanes, if you are sitting in row 14, you are sitting in 13!

Safe travels…

Internet Hoax: Final Moments of Doomed Air France Plane (Fake)

June 19, 2009 | Posted in: Did You Know, Educate Yourself, Travel Myths | 0 comments

Amazing the time some people have on their hands – by that I mean, time for posting alleged photographs of terrified Air France passengers in their “final moments”. But don’t be fooled.

These photos – which are scary as hell – ought to be, since they were the work of well-paid professionals from Hollywood. Look closely, and you’ll recognize scenes from the TV show, “Lost”.

Why do people do this? Hey, they’ve done it before – remember the famous 9/11 photo of the guy on top of one of the World Trade towers, with the onrushing plane in the background? That was debunked over at Snopes.com – which also debunked this latest Air France hoax.

Anytime you see anything that looks even the least bit “off” – check with the folks at Snopes: that’s their mission, debunking (or confirming) urban legends – or the latest internet crap.

ABCNews.com: Are You a Savvy Traveler? Take the Quiz!

May 27, 2009 | Posted in: ABC News, Favorites, List, Travel Myths, Virgin | 0 comments

Sure, you’re smart – or you wouldn’t be here!

But how much do you know, say, about some of the nuttier nuances of air travel? Take my quiz and find out.

I’ll get you started with the first question, followed by the answer:

1. Graduation time is here – which university did Virgin Atlantic founder Sir Richard Branson get his degree from?

A. Oxford

B. UCLA

C. He didn’t graduate from college

D. He didn’t graduate from high school

ANSWER – D. Richard Branson left school at 16 to start a mail order record business. It eventually grew into Virgin Records and today the Virgin brand is attached to everything from wine, books, mobile phones – and several airlines. The billionaire Brit is dyslexic, but does not believe that has hindered him in the business world.

Want to keep going, and see how you rank? Just click here to see the entire quiz.

Friday Folly: Where Does Lost Luggage Go?

April 10, 2009 | Posted in: American, Bags, Customer Service, Travel Myths | 1 comment

An elaborate joke? A bizarre art project? You decide…

There is a website called, “Is this your luggage?” – featuring photos of various bags and suitcases and the purported contents (everything from parkas to bathing suits to underwear).

The website author claims these bags are “lost luggage” that airlines could not reunite with owners and eventually auctioned off. The author claims he buys these cases specifically to photograph the contents for his “weird voyeuristic passion.”

Well – I can’t speak for all carriers, but a very helpful press person over at American Airlines said he’s never heard of any such auctions. He pointed out that the vast majority of bags arrive at their destinations with their owners, but – in those exceedingly rare instances where passengers and bags cannot be reunited, the bags are kept for several months, then sold to a vendor that purchases unclaimed bags in bulk.

By the way, I was told there are occasions when an airline locates a bag — and the owner more or less says, “Keep it.” The person no longer wants the bag! Go figure.

So, who are these vendors of lost luggage? The airlines won’t say – but the Unclaimed Baggage Center of Scottsboro, Alabama sells lost luggage and unclaimed cargo – everything from clothing to cameras, electronics, jewelry, designer optical, and, yes, luggage.

Back to the weird website: the author says he hopes to find the owners of the bags he photographs. Well — if anyone sees a familiar bag -let me know.

Hat tip to Gadling.

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