What are things you do when you travel that you are surprised others do not do?
Apr 9, 2018, 12:26 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: Hilton Gold Mariott Gold Aeroplan E25K SAS Gold NEXUS
Posts: 1,308
I'm often surprised how many people I know will travel without a little bit of cash and more than one credit card, and also those who pay extortionate roaming fees for their phone (a very Canadian problem). I always have several options for payment and travel with the currency of where I'm going and USD, and get a local SIM.
I like getting to the airport early. Have dodged IRROPS headaches more than once by showing up and "just making" the alternative routing or having more options as a result. I also find it less stressful; hit the lounge for a drink or something to eat, etc. Secondary inspection? No problem, take all the time you need.
I like getting to the airport early. Have dodged IRROPS headaches more than once by showing up and "just making" the alternative routing or having more options as a result. I also find it less stressful; hit the lounge for a drink or something to eat, etc. Secondary inspection? No problem, take all the time you need.
Apr 9, 2018, 1:54 am
#18
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott Ti/LTP
Posts: 1,329
Apr 9, 2018, 3:37 am
#19
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 187
1. When booking a multi sector long haul, pay close attention to the layover times for each option. Sometimes the booking engines serve up options that are crazy tight, even if they are technically legal. Eg, 70 minutes at Dubai or 65 at Heathrow.
No way I'll take one of those, your contingency is gone. Give me a 2.5 hour layover.
2. Long haul overnight J. Don't wait until 1 hour from landing to use the loo. When you have a couple of dozen pax all queuing up to change back out of their Pajamas all at once...
No way I'll take one of those, your contingency is gone. Give me a 2.5 hour layover.
2. Long haul overnight J. Don't wait until 1 hour from landing to use the loo. When you have a couple of dozen pax all queuing up to change back out of their Pajamas all at once...
Apr 9, 2018, 5:39 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 70
I am surprised that people can't:
1. Just sit down and shut up so that others can do the same. Read, put on headphones, but please just sit down and shut up, help the plane depart on time, and help make it less miserable for all of us.
2. Don't download stuff before hand, so that you can access it in airplane mode.
3. Use the bathroom 10-15 minutes before boarding, not tyring to do it while boarding
4. Don't recline your seat, or at least when you are eating a meal, move it back up.
1. Just sit down and shut up so that others can do the same. Read, put on headphones, but please just sit down and shut up, help the plane depart on time, and help make it less miserable for all of us.
2. Don't download stuff before hand, so that you can access it in airplane mode.
3. Use the bathroom 10-15 minutes before boarding, not tyring to do it while boarding
4. Don't recline your seat, or at least when you are eating a meal, move it back up.
Apr 9, 2018, 5:57 am
#21
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,717
Two immediately come to mind:
- Open passport to photo page when it needs to be checked at the gate
- Step to the side in busy corridors or walkways when you want to stop and chat/ look at something
I'll add myself as another mobile pass only person. I actually rarely have access to computers, and it's a pain in the ... when I need to go print something. Much better to have dynamic access to an up to date boarding pass on my mobile at all times.
- Open passport to photo page when it needs to be checked at the gate
- Step to the side in busy corridors or walkways when you want to stop and chat/ look at something
I'll add myself as another mobile pass only person. I actually rarely have access to computers, and it's a pain in the ... when I need to go print something. Much better to have dynamic access to an up to date boarding pass on my mobile at all times.
Apr 9, 2018, 7:02 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 85
Travel habits depend on context, for work travel I never check in a bag but try going on a skiing holiday without checking a bag.
I never rely on the airplane food even in F and will always eat beforehand, being starving on a plane with hours to go before the destination is pretty miserable and easily avoided.
I never rely on the airplane food even in F and will always eat beforehand, being starving on a plane with hours to go before the destination is pretty miserable and easily avoided.
Apr 9, 2018, 7:55 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,265
I am proactive as heck in IRROPS rebooking. I'll get an announcement while I'm awaiting departure at an outstation (ie. no chance of an equipment swap, pretty much everyone's making a connection) and there are times when it seems like 75% of my fellow travelers are just hanging out playing Candy Crush and assuming the airline will take care of everything once they get to Atlanta or Houston.
Which, when the delay was caused by something impacting a lot of flyers like an hourlong ground stop, can send a huge number of flyers chasing after a small number of open seats, and this early kettle can often get far better service recovery than the elite that waits. (Once you get a new seat, the airline has moved you into the Problem Solved column for the day and is reluctant to turn you into a Problem again. I figure there are a handful of very very high value customers that an airline is willing to boot someone from a confirmed seat over, and those VVHVCs are probably not chasing the same seats I am, so I'm good)
Which, when the delay was caused by something impacting a lot of flyers like an hourlong ground stop, can send a huge number of flyers chasing after a small number of open seats, and this early kettle can often get far better service recovery than the elite that waits. (Once you get a new seat, the airline has moved you into the Problem Solved column for the day and is reluctant to turn you into a Problem again. I figure there are a handful of very very high value customers that an airline is willing to boot someone from a confirmed seat over, and those VVHVCs are probably not chasing the same seats I am, so I'm good)
Apr 9, 2018, 8:05 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
Two immediately come to mind:
- Open passport to photo page when it needs to be checked at the gate
- Step to the side in busy corridors or walkways when you want to stop and chat/ look at something
I'll add myself as another mobile pass only person. I actually rarely have access to computers, and it's a pain in the ... when I need to go print something. Much better to have dynamic access to an up to date boarding pass on my mobile at all times.
- Open passport to photo page when it needs to be checked at the gate
- Step to the side in busy corridors or walkways when you want to stop and chat/ look at something
I'll add myself as another mobile pass only person. I actually rarely have access to computers, and it's a pain in the ... when I need to go print something. Much better to have dynamic access to an up to date boarding pass on my mobile at all times.
Apr 9, 2018, 8:06 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,005
Deadbolt/chain/latch my hotel door so I don't have to post a "walked in on naked" thread.
Not be surprised when I get to the front of a line (check-in, security, etc.) that I actually need BP, ID , etc., and need to start rummaging around my belongings to get what has been needed by every other one of the thousands of people in the exact same situation, and by me every single time I travel.
Realize the "remove your belts, remove your watches" isn't really needed, at least for what I've worn through security hundreds of times.
Move to the right, with my bag in front of or behind me so others can walk up the escalator if needed.
Stand right, walk left.
Not be surprised when I get to the front of a line (check-in, security, etc.) that I actually need BP, ID , etc., and need to start rummaging around my belongings to get what has been needed by every other one of the thousands of people in the exact same situation, and by me every single time I travel.
Realize the "remove your belts, remove your watches" isn't really needed, at least for what I've worn through security hundreds of times.
Move to the right, with my bag in front of or behind me so others can walk up the escalator if needed.
Stand right, walk left.
Apr 9, 2018, 8:07 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, National Exec
Posts: 1,357
I am proactive as heck in IRROPS rebooking. I'll get an announcement while I'm awaiting departure at an outstation (ie. no chance of an equipment swap, pretty much everyone's making a connection) and there are times when it seems like 75% of my fellow travelers are just hanging out playing Candy Crush and assuming the airline will take care of everything once they get to Atlanta or Houston.
Which, when the delay was caused by something impacting a lot of flyers like an hourlong ground stop, can send a huge number of flyers chasing after a small number of open seats, and this early kettle can often get far better service recovery than the elite that waits. (Once you get a new seat, the airline has moved you into the Problem Solved column for the day and is reluctant to turn you into a Problem again. I figure there are a handful of very very high value customers that an airline is willing to boot someone from a confirmed seat over, and those VVHVCs are probably not chasing the same seats I am, so I'm good)
Which, when the delay was caused by something impacting a lot of flyers like an hourlong ground stop, can send a huge number of flyers chasing after a small number of open seats, and this early kettle can often get far better service recovery than the elite that waits. (Once you get a new seat, the airline has moved you into the Problem Solved column for the day and is reluctant to turn you into a Problem again. I figure there are a handful of very very high value customers that an airline is willing to boot someone from a confirmed seat over, and those VVHVCs are probably not chasing the same seats I am, so I'm good)
They consider travel to be super stressful and they can't figure out why.
Apr 9, 2018, 9:46 am
#29
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
This random thought crossed my mind
In my case, since I never check bags, I am often shocked when I travel with someone who checks a bag (yes, I admit I simply should be more selective about travel mates). I always have some kind of lounge/sleepwear for bedtime in case the pajamas provided aren't terribly nice (and I'm really shocked when some people say how nice they are, an example being the original AA pajamas), and unless there's a lounge that I really want to spend time in, I tend to arrive at the airport pretty close to departure time (and am dumbstruck when people tell me they are arriving two or three hours prior).
In my case, since I never check bags, I am often shocked when I travel with someone who checks a bag (yes, I admit I simply should be more selective about travel mates). I always have some kind of lounge/sleepwear for bedtime in case the pajamas provided aren't terribly nice (and I'm really shocked when some people say how nice they are, an example being the original AA pajamas), and unless there's a lounge that I really want to spend time in, I tend to arrive at the airport pretty close to departure time (and am dumbstruck when people tell me they are arriving two or three hours prior).
I assume you're a pilot?
Apr 9, 2018, 9:55 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
I always use paper BP. I do not want something that I hold up to my face to talk into dipped into a petri dish. I also agree on the use of the bathroom prior to boarding.