Do Airlines Have Loaner Outerwear for Walking to Outdoor Planes in Cold Weather?
Dec 10, 2012, 5:16 pm
#16
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If I'm going on a 2-week tropical trip, usually with carry-on only, I'm heading to the airport in a long-sleeve t-shirt and linen pants, even if it's the middle of February.
People who would lug a jacket to, say, Thailand and back, just to avoid 15 minutes of cold on the return are the silly ones.
Dec 10, 2012, 5:41 pm
#17
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Do Airlines Have Loaner Outerwear for Walking to Outdoor Planes in Cold Weather?
I can hear the complaints now. "They discriminated against me - they didn't have my size.". Or the only one in my size was dirty, how much compensation am I due?
Dec 10, 2012, 6:04 pm
#18
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You should also consider the time of day of your connection.
Last year, I was on the first flight for a plane out of Nashville in January. I think the plane had sat on the tarmac overnight and was probably 30F inside for a very long time - they just couldn't get it warmed up.
In this case, it would have been more than just the "outside" time that was COLD!
Last year, I was on the first flight for a plane out of Nashville in January. I think the plane had sat on the tarmac overnight and was probably 30F inside for a very long time - they just couldn't get it warmed up.
In this case, it would have been more than just the "outside" time that was COLD!
Dec 10, 2012, 6:14 pm
#19
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I remember reading a sad tale about a honeymoon, a tropical destination, the Chicago airport, winter storms, and a multiple-day unexpected layover at ORD. In short, the couple was unable to leave the airport due to the lack of winter gear.
Dec 11, 2012, 1:22 pm
#20
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Not quite on point, but a few years ago I was traveling from MAD to PIT via EWR (CO) in the winter. There was snow in EWR and the EWR-PIT leg ended up being delayed a few hours (which was actually a blessing in disguise as an on-time departure would have caused me to miss the connection). After boarding, we sat for another 45 minutes waiting for a mechanic as there was a plane in PIT that needed to be fixed. Once we got to PIT (about 130 AM), it turned out that CO had no gates available, as the broken plane was taking up one of them, so we had walk outside to get to the terminal. The only problem was that while it was 59 F and sunny when I left MAD, in PIT it was 3 F with a windchill of -17 F. I only had on a light sweatshirt. I don't think I've ever moved quite as quickly as I did getting after getting my gate checked bag.
Dec 11, 2012, 1:25 pm
#21
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Not quite on point, but a few years ago I was traveling from MAD to PIT via EWR (CO) in the winter. There was snow in EWR and the EWR-PIT leg ended up being delayed a few hours (which was actually a blessing in disguise as an on-time departure would have caused me to miss the connection). After boarding, we sat for another 45 minutes waiting for a mechanic as there was a plane in PIT that needed to be fixed. Once we got to PIT (about 130 AM), it turned out that CO had no gates available, as the broken plane was taking up one of them, so we had walk outside to get to the terminal. The only problem was that while it was 59 F and sunny when I left MAD, in PIT it was 3 F with a windchill of -17 F. I only had on a light sweatshirt. I don't think I've ever moved quite as quickly as I did getting after getting my gate checked bag.
Dec 11, 2012, 1:43 pm
#22
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At some point, you just gotta cowboy up and get on the train to the city. Buy a couple of those cheesy sweatshirts they sell in any airport shop. Then buy decent winter gear in the city and make the best of your couple days' layover.
Dec 11, 2012, 1:50 pm
#24
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I think part of the problem is people who are not from climates that get so cold really don't know that the limits are.
By way of example, I've lived in NYC. It rarely goes into the single digits (Fahrenheit), and only goes below zero Farenheit once every few years or so.
Other than my stint in NYC, I've lived in California.
When I posted the original post in this thread, I'm thinking yikes, 20 below in MSP, doesn't flesh freeze immediately or something like that? Apparently it doesn't. But, I have no idea how long I (or anyone else) could go with only a gift shop sweatshirt in that kind of weather.
(BTW, being from Northern California which is the home of the coldest indoor temperatures in the nation, I find the indoor temperatures on the East Coast in winter way too hot.)
By way of example, I've lived in NYC. It rarely goes into the single digits (Fahrenheit), and only goes below zero Farenheit once every few years or so.
Other than my stint in NYC, I've lived in California.
When I posted the original post in this thread, I'm thinking yikes, 20 below in MSP, doesn't flesh freeze immediately or something like that? Apparently it doesn't. But, I have no idea how long I (or anyone else) could go with only a gift shop sweatshirt in that kind of weather.
(BTW, being from Northern California which is the home of the coldest indoor temperatures in the nation, I find the indoor temperatures on the East Coast in winter way too hot.)
Dec 11, 2012, 1:54 pm
#25
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If the OP is concerned about DL connections through MSP or DTW, I haven't seen DL planes not use jetways, at least since the new terminals were built. However, at MSP DL uses a little outdoor bridge for about three feet from the jetway onto RJs.
Using the shuttles from the airport to airport hotels similarly only requires walking outside about twenty feet at the airport and maybe five feet at the typical airport hotel, so even being standed overnight wouldn't be a huge problem unless you wanted to leave the hotel for dinner, explore downtown, or shop at the MOA.
Using the shuttles from the airport to airport hotels similarly only requires walking outside about twenty feet at the airport and maybe five feet at the typical airport hotel, so even being standed overnight wouldn't be a huge problem unless you wanted to leave the hotel for dinner, explore downtown, or shop at the MOA.
Dec 11, 2012, 1:57 pm
#26
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Personally I don't understand how anyone can sit on a plane in:
-shorts
-a tank top
-a mini-skirt
-half-naked
Between cold planes, germs/dirty seats and less desirable seatmates (I once had my seatmate swap seats with someone else who wanted a "better look"), I think it's better to wear more rather than less clothes
And flip-flops on planes are nasty. Those are probably the people who walk into the bathroom with their *bare feet*!!!
I always bring a cardigan/pashmina, even in the winter, and wear long pants. Planes are freezing. So I would never have that problem.
-shorts
-a tank top
-a mini-skirt
-half-naked
Between cold planes, germs/dirty seats and less desirable seatmates (I once had my seatmate swap seats with someone else who wanted a "better look"), I think it's better to wear more rather than less clothes
And flip-flops on planes are nasty. Those are probably the people who walk into the bathroom with their *bare feet*!!!
I always bring a cardigan/pashmina, even in the winter, and wear long pants. Planes are freezing. So I would never have that problem.
Dec 11, 2012, 1:58 pm
#27
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I have NEVER in my life been cold on a plane.
On the other hand, I am frequently too hot on planes. But, I never wear shorts.
On the other hand, I am frequently too hot on planes. But, I never wear shorts.
Personally I don't understand how anyone can sit on a plane in:
-shorts
-a tank top
-a mini-skirt
-half-naked
Between cold planes, germs/dirty seats and less desirable seatmates (I once had my seatmate swap seats with someone else who wanted a "better look"), I think it's better to wear more rather than less clothes
And flip-flops on planes are nasty. Those are probably the people who walk into the bathroom with their *bare feet*!!!
I always bring a cardigan/pashmina, even in the winter, and wear long pants. Planes are freezing. So I would never have that problem.
-shorts
-a tank top
-a mini-skirt
-half-naked
Between cold planes, germs/dirty seats and less desirable seatmates (I once had my seatmate swap seats with someone else who wanted a "better look"), I think it's better to wear more rather than less clothes
And flip-flops on planes are nasty. Those are probably the people who walk into the bathroom with their *bare feet*!!!
I always bring a cardigan/pashmina, even in the winter, and wear long pants. Planes are freezing. So I would never have that problem.
Last edited by BigFlyer; Dec 11, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Dec 11, 2012, 2:02 pm
#28
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I'm just thinking if my flight was canceled and the airline said "You're rebooked for 3 days from now", I'd find a way to make something happen. Start talking to airport people, figure out where the nearest mall is, get a cab there, etc. (As it turns out, one of the largest malls in the U.S. is right down the road from ORD in Schaumburg.) Then I'd go spend the time doing something interesting/fun.
Obviously there could be other circumstances. In my 1K years, I might've considered sticking around to play the standby game, especially if I had also nabbed a room at the Hilton...
Dec 11, 2012, 2:10 pm
#30
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