Travel Tips

[Natasha]

I have emails asking for travel tips all the time.
Please check these out, and feel free to add your own.

#1 When possible fly Non Stop.
#2 The least busy days to fly are, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
#3 Do your homework. You can check on time flights and airlines. www.dot.gov/airconsumer
You can also get constant updates on weather and flight delays.
www.fly.faa.gov
#4 Always try to take the early flight of the day. There is a greater chance of suffering from the " Ripple effects" which are delays due to problems on earlier flights.
#5 Back your carry on as light as possible.
These are just my top 5. I have more ..but I'm hoping to hear your top 5 too.

 

[jeffsterinsf]

Based on far too much business travel, here are some additional suggestions:

* Join the airline mileage program. Even if you aren't travelling a lot, the agent will see it on their screen and you may get better service.

* Travel with a Passport as your primary ID at the airport. Again, might identify you as a "professional" traveller, rather than an amateur.

* Avoid shoes with bulky heels in airport security. Watch who has to take off their shoes sometime...

* Make sure there is nothing in your carry-on that is contraband. You'd be surprised about the list.

* Make sure that you have a full-day's worth of clothing, medications, toiletries, etc., in your carry-on!

 

[Louie]

When flying on smaller regional carriers, always check in advance the policy on weight allowances. At checkin, you can get the most unpleasant surprise due to: a) being forced to pay a hefty excess fee; b) an abusive lecture from the airline staff c) not being allowed on to the flight.

 

[jeffsterinsf]

Louie brings to mind an experience I had on my first trip to Australia. Seems as though their carry-on dimensions are smaller than the US ones, and even though I was on Ansett with a United ticket, my US carry-on was overlimit and needed to be checked as baggage!

 

[donacheson]

jeffsterinsf once bubbled...
Louie brings to mind an experience I had on my first trip to Australia. Seems as though their carry-on dimensions are smaller than the US ones, and even though I was on Ansett with a United ticket, my US carry-on was overlimit and needed to be checked as baggage!

Yes, and Qantas and Air New Zealand also impose low limits on carryons - officially 5 kilograms (11 pounds), but they'll sometimes look the other way if it's the only carryon.