Luggage and Security

No one who has kept even half an eye on the news in the last couple of years could fail to be aware of the increasing need for airports and airlines to be ever more vigilant regarding security. Luggage remains one of the most scrutinized aspects of this security, and information is widely publicized regarding general advice and ways in which the public can help airports to maintain this level of risk reduction.

But although we generally understand the need for tightened security I want to give some tips on getting through security fairly easily as well as getting my bag at the end of my trip.  How many black bags look just like MINE! 

Obviously making your luggage easy to identify quickly saves time at the airline baggage carousel. I’ve seen  a brightly colored tape, available at art or office supply stores, and made into an 8 inch tall initial and stuck to the luggage. Easy to pick out, even from a distance. But over all a little ugly.

And how many times have we seen the handkerchief tied to the handle… to many times and what happens if the airline handlers loose it for some reason??  Not that they’re ever rough.

I’ve seen stenciled paw prints on luggage. I think this is a crafty way to make your bag unique.  You can get original stencils from a craft store and you can pick up some colored paint or ink designed for fabric that you like.

Getting through the security lines you may think there’s no help here… it’s just SLOW!  Well here are some tips from TSA themselves to help move you along:

• Pack an organized carry-on bag using layers – a layer of clothes, then electronics, more clothes, and then any heavier items. This will help transportation security officers see what's in your bag. Innocent items can actually appear to be potential threats in an X-ray image, simply by the way they are packed.
• When possible, do not pack oversized electronics (laptops, full-size video game consoles, DVD players and video cameras that use cassettes) in checked baggage. However, please be advised that these items must be removed from carry-on bags and submitted separately for X-ray screening. Click here for "checkpoint friendly" laptop bag procedures. Small electronics, such as iPods, can remain in carry-on baggage.
• Prepare a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag of liquids before arriving at the airport. For more information on liquid rules: 3-1-1 for carry-ons, click here.
• Pack all coats and jackets in checked baggage when possible. All coats and jackets must go through the X-ray machine for inspection.
• Do not wrap gifts. If a security officer needs to inspect a package, they may have to unwrap the gift. Passengers should refrain from wrapping gifts until arriving at their final destination.  
• Film. Undeveloped film should go in carry-on bags. Passengers will be able to declare film that is faster than 800-speed to a transportation security officer for physical inspection to avoid being X-rayed.
• When in doubt, leave it out. Unsure if an item is prohibited or not? Travelers should place such items in their checked baggage or leave the item at home. Click here to see the list of prohibited items.

I hope this list helps you get through the security check points… Now if only you can arrive on time!  Good luck traveling and we’ll see you here!

Cane Cutters

4 miles away for our hotel is the home of Lafayette’s very own, Cane Cutters! Home field is stationed at Fabacher Field which is a wonderful family-friendly stadium where family and friends can gather to take in some All-American baseball.


In September 2010, Richard Chalmers, with Baseball Ventures of Louisiana, announced the acquisition of the Acadiana Cane Cutters baseball team. The team is part of the Texas Collegiate League, which is a wooden bat league comprised of college baseball players. The team will be owned and run by local people, and the team will own an interest in the league.


The ownership has a real focus on community and it shows in the amount of community events that the team and the field host. If you come to one of the games while you are in Lafayette you may get to see one of their popular community programs in action. The ‘Field of Dreams’ program gives children of the Acadiana area the opportunity to take the field with the players of the Cane Cutters. There is only one ‘Field of Dreams’ team per game but the team chosen gets to accompany the Cane Cutters to their positions during the introduction of the starting line-up and will remain on the field during the National Anthem. After the game the team is invited to stay and take pictures and get autographs from Cane Cutters.


If you are traveling to Lafayette for business or are hosting a meeting with the Homewood Suites we can partner with Fabacher Field to organize a special team building event for you if you’d like. This is a great way to add some fun to your meeting!


We’re really excited about the 2011 roster since they have acquired All-American, former Teurlings Catholic standout and current Alabama Crimson Tide outfielder, Taylor Dugas. The junior was named to the 2011 Preseason National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-America Team.


The 60 league games run from the beginning of June to the middle of August. The Cane Cutters will play their home games at Fabacher Field, which is currently going through an expansion to accommodate the home schedule. Additional information is available at CaneCuttersbaseball.com or the team office at (337)451-6582.

Lafayette Weather

Hurricane season comes roaring in every year and somehow manages to catch some locals by surprise.   I think some people have the “it will never happen to me” mentality, but it only takes one disaster to change that way of thinking.

History teaches us that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster, and it’s still not too late to get prepared.

Hurricane Season starts June 1^st and goes to the 30^th of November with its peak in late August to early October.  Not to worry if you’re traveling to Homewood Suites in Lafayette though, our entire staff will be trained with proper hurricane procedures to ensure your stay with us will be comforting in your time of need. If you are from out of the area and you experience a hurricane, which can be downright scary, do not worry, we are always prepared.

If you and your family find yourself needing to get prepared, I suggest you take a look at couple of the following websites to make sure you have everything you might need.  Here is a list of 10 things you should do before a hurricane.  During a hurricane you should follow this advice.  And here is a list to go through after a hurricane.  Also www.katc.com is the website for the local news station in Lafayette which has a hurricane tracking chart and should have some extra tips for preparedness.

  

A few simple steps will help us to protect ourselves and our families, assure that our children feel safe, and make it easier to recover if and when we have to go through a disaster.  Disasters are familiar to us all. Hurricanes, floods, forest fires, tornadoes, earthquakes and human caused disasters can affect anyone in the United States.

Pre-disaster planning and emergency readiness is a complex issue.  Different types of disasters may require different knowledge and skills. Although each family needs to prepare in its own way, it is important that all members, parents, children and others, are provided with information that will help them handle a disaster.  As you travel it is a fair question that you can ask your airline, hotel or any other service, “What kinds of plans do you have if a disaster strikes?”

Click HERE to get some great in depth information on how to keep you family safe!