This was in an email I just received...

Y2K Update As the U.S. State Department, Dept. of Transportation, and FAA get a better handle on the progress of Y2K bug preparations worldwide, they are continually updating their advisories for travelers.

The latest update came last week in the form of a current roundup of international preparedness, including areas that should be problem-free as well as areas that are likely to be vulnerable to the computer bug.

And again, all involved remind us that the Y2K bug is somewhat controversial and unproven; there could be no problems at all, there could be some shakeups.

What's a traveler to do? Read our latest Y2K/Millennium Update - 10/5/99, with tips, a new airfare survey, a hotel roundup, links to important information, and more. Update: October 5

As likely as not, the Y2K bug might yet end up to be a bust. The likelihood of Y2K problems affecting air travel is still uncertain; no one seems to know for sure what might happen. As the FAA notes, "a lack of Y2K readiness does not necessarily equate or translate into safety problems."

But the preparedness of airlines, airports, and international air control facilities is becoming more clear, and travelers are advised to act accordingly.

In short: major airlines flying in and out of major North American, European, and Japanese airports, over North American, European, and Japanese airspace, should be fine. Additionally, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Jamaica, Ireland, Bahrain, Denmark, Israel, Nicaragua and Singapore are ready. Beyond those countries, there are no guarantees at present, with Asia, Africa, and Indonesia particularly unprepared.

Show Us The Money: Millennium Prices Ease Back In the money, some of the speculative price gouging we saw this summer has abated as travelers failed to take the bait; fares on most of our sample routes have gone down. If you see something you like, move now; I don't expect this trend to continue as folks start thinking about, and buying, their New Year's travel.

See my survey below for July-October asking price comparisons, and current fares.

US State Department Urges "Prudence" As we said back in July, after months of reassurances, public grandstanding, deadline finagling, and no small amount of hard work, airline honchos are finally starting to face facts: the Y2K bug just might bite.

A September 30 statement released by the Department of Transportation indicated that the top three travel destinations from the United States - Canada, the United Kingdom and Japan - reported they will be fully Y2K compliant by the end of the year.

Other places in the top 20 travel destinations considered likely to be ready are Jamaica and Ireland while Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea have already completed their Y2K preparations. The top 20 destinations cover 82 percent of the international air travel market from the U.S. Other destinations where work is reported to be complete are Bahrain, Denmark, Israel, Nicaragua and Singapore.

The Department of Transportation is continuing to seek information about the Y2K status of other destinations, focusing on those destinations with a large number of passengers to and from the U.S.

See more on the DOT Web site: Secretary Slater Urges Travelers to Use Prudence;DOT Releases Information on Y2K Readiness

The DOT has also launched a new Web site specifically for Y2K aviation issues at http://www.fly2k.dot.gov.

For Y2K status in international destinations, you may search the site by country.

Additionally, the State Department's Y2K - Public Announcement July 26, 1999 remains in effect. See also US State Department - Services - Y2K.

The Hype's Dead, But Don't Wait Too Long Travel experts and companies who predicted that airplanes, hotels, restaurants, cruises, ski lifts, spas, mountaintops, resorts, and champagne stocks would be sold out by last March are eating a little crow, and bringing previously inflated prices back down to Earth, as the airfare survey below will show.

So the hype didn't bear true; that doesn't mean you should wait any longer. All of these folks thought that the Millennium would change everyone's travel planning habits, that they'd be buying earlier and more, instead of waiting until a couple months before the fact to make their reservations.

It didn't turn out that way, but now it's a couple months before the fact, and folks are starting to make those reservations. Even if the mad rush to book didn't happen, reservations at hotels, restaurants, and on planes, cruises, trains, and for rental cars are a little ahead of where they would be in a normal year. As more people get off their duffs and start making plans, your options could shrink quickly. ATM's, Banks, Cash, and the Long Weekend The US banking system is likely secure. However, if you are overseas, especially in third world countries, there is a chance that some banks or exchange booths may simply not open immediately, especially if the Y2K bug does create problems. Add to this fact that folks may take Friday off, January 1 is a Saturday, and some might even take Monday off, and you have a very long, uncertain weekend. Most analysts still recommend that you have enough cash and essentials on hand to get through the long weekend.

Links that were in the above article.... http://www.dot.gov/affairs/dot15099.htm http://www.y2ktransport.dot.gov/fly2k/ http://www.y2ktransport.dot.gov/fly2k/International.asp http://www.y2ktransport.dot.gov/fly2k/International.asp

-- Mumsie (Shezdremn@aol.com), October 06, 1999

Answers

Worldwide Caution ..sorry if this has already been posted..OT? maybe

http://www.emergency.com/ennday.htm

-- Just-Browsing (awakeToEarly@work.again), October 06, 1999.

I believe the real issue is going to be fuel, and not this silly Department of State stuff.

dave

-- dave (wootendave@hotmail.com), October 06, 1999.

I thought it seemed a little fluffy too, but also thought it might be of interest to some. Another indicator of how and why people think.

-- Mumsie (Shezdremn@aol.com), October 06, 1999.

Air travel may be no problem...with all the airlines cutting flights (or cancelling altogether) and passengers not making reservations, the friendly skies may be empty!

Later, though, fuel price increases will make mincemeat of ticket prices...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), October 07, 1999.