Jetiquette @ The Sky Steward  

On our 2/5 show we have the honor of speaking to members of Black Flight Attendants of America (BFAOA) to hear the important story of the first courageous women who fought for a place in the cabin -- and history -- by becoming the first black stewardesses in America. As early as 1941, New York State had laws on the books banning discrimination. It was not until black women trying to enter the airline work force, insisted on their rights, that the airlines relented. Patricia Edmiston- Banks was only 20-years-old in 1956 when she filed an historic case against Capital Airlines (now UAL) when they turned down her application based on race. She won the case in 1960. By the time the Court ordered Capital to accept Banks (or face contempt of court charges), TWA and Mohawk had already hired black flight attendants — probably to avoid the litigation they saw in the Capital case. This delay caused by the court case has hidden Patricia’s status as the first black flight attendant. While Patricia was waiting for the outcome of her case, Mohawk, a regional airlines, hired a young black woman named Ruth Taylor. The show will also feature Jacqueline Jacquet-Williams, Shaakira Edison and Louise Greenwood Phipps. Jacqueline is Founder-National President, BFAOA, Inc., National LAX. She has worked for Continental Airlines as a flight attendant since1974. Shaakira Edison is Founder-President of Detroit Chapter of BFAOA, Inc. She is also Chairperson for the 36 Annual Convention to be held August 4-6, 2010 at the Marriott Memphis, Memphis, TN. Louise Greenwood Phipps, flew for United, and is currently teaching English and Math at Navy College, NAS Lemoore California.

There's no question: overpacking tops the list of biggest travel mistakes. On today's show we are joined by Doug Dymant, called "the go-light guru" by Time Magazine and pronounced the "Carry-On Maven" by the Wall Street Journal. Doug will share with us his "One Bag" method, and share secrets of packing efficiently. Call in with your questions, comments -- and share your own packing tips! ALSO: Today we welcome @RAYMONDSTAR from Twitter to our Jetiquette team. Based in the Netherlands, Raymond is our European Correspondent and will be posting his excellent videos to our website as well as providing on-the-scene reports here.

Recent tragic events in Haiti spotlight how suddenly travelers can meet with disaster. On our 1/29 show we are joined by James N. “Jim” Grace III, President and CEO of InsureMyTrip.com, the largest and most popular travel insurance comparison site in the world. InsureMyTrip.com has gathered praise across the travel industry, is endorsed by legions of satisfied customers, and has earned the BBB Accredited Business A+ rating. Find out the right way to protect yourself and your family on your next trip. Statistics show that, even though travel insurance is important, only about 30 percent of travelers buy it. The problem is that, when it comes to purchasing travel insurance, even the savviest traveler can feel overwhelmed by choices. Jim solved the problem when he designed his site. Customers need only fill in a few crucial bits of information about their trip and the search engine compares policies and brings up a list of best options. In addition, InsureMyTrip.com offers customer support, and the site contains a wealth of useful information. This is a golden opportunity to hear about travel insurance from a leader in the industry. If you have questions for Jim, or comments to share, please call in to our listener number, (917)889-3203. In the second half of our show we talk about Haiti with Airline Ambassadors International (AAI), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization affiliated with the United Nations and recognized by the US Congress. It began as a network of airline employees using their pass privileges to help others and has expanded into a network of students, medical professionals, families and retirees who volunteer as "Ambassadors of Goodwill" in their home communities and abroad. It provides a way for members to share their unique skills and talents to care for others and bring compassion into action. They provide humanitarian aid to children and families in need as well as relief and development to under-privileged communities worldwide.

Nothing ruins a trip more thoroughly than having your belongings stolen, or finding out at the last minute you will be paying a fortune to check your bag. On our January 26 show we are joined by Evan Wert of PacSafe to discuss preventing theft while on the road, and Luke Dudley, founder of luggagelimits.com, a website that allows users to know ahead of time what the baggage policies are for their flights. Since its founding in 1997, PacSafe has produced high quality travel gear that prevents theft and protects travelers’ possessions and valuables. PacSafe is a company that makes an outstanding effort to stay close to customers and their needs. They produce a regular newsletter and encourage customer feedback. PacSafe’s anti-theft product categories include women’s, adventure, urban and leisure, computer bags, motorcycle gear and travel accessories such as straps, cables and locks. Luggagelimits.com founder Luke Dudley, noticed the increasingly puzzling system of baggage fees in 2008 while working as an Algebra teacher at a boarding school. “Seeing the students travel to and from school on a regular basis with numerous items of baggage, and at a time when jet fuel and airline hidden fees were rapidly increasing, gave me the idea for an online resource that can help travelers avoid, or at least prepare for, these extra costs.” He developed an easy-to-use interface that allows travelers to know ahead of time their airlines’ baggage policies and fees. Have you been the victim of theft while traveling? Have you been shocked by a surprise luggage fee? Do you have a story, question or comment to share? Call in! (917) 889-3203.

Have you ever wondered where the best restaurant, nearest ATM, manicure, or airline club is located at the airport? GateGuru is the easiest way to find it and check reviews of other travelers. The GateGuru iPhone App is available now.

On our 1/22 show Matt Daimler, creator of Seatguru.com, joins us to talk about his choices for "The Top 5 US Airports to Get Stranded in" and more! Also on the show will be Dan Gellert, CEO of GateGuru, one of the “Best New Travel Apps” that allows you to be savvy about any airport you are in. We will pick their brains about what makes a best or worst airport. Callers to today's show have a chance to win airline lounge passes, gift certificates to the Sky Steward Travel Store and more so don't be shy -- join us and share your opinions!