The dumbest travel-related mistake you ever made?
Apr 12, 2018, 9:45 pm
#1261
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
Have a second one. Flying from PEK to STL via ORD a few years back. At PEK my boarding pass from PEK to ORD had "SSSS" printed on where it normally says "TSA Pre-Check". I didn't know what that meant at the time. My ORD-STL boarding pass was blank, no SSSS, no TSA-Precheck, nothing.
I get screened boarding the plane at PEK, realizing what the SSSS was. I justified to myself the that the other boarding pass was blank because a Chinese system won't necessarily print out a "TSA Pre-Check", since that's an American program.
I get screened boarding the plane at PEK, realizing what the SSSS was. I justified to myself the that the other boarding pass was blank because a Chinese system won't necessarily print out a "TSA Pre-Check", since that's an American program.
Apr 13, 2018, 8:42 am
#1262
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AAdvantage, Skymiles
Posts: 156
The screening at PEK was fairly simple, turn on the computer, etc... It was conducted in the jetway as we were boarding the aircraft.
The SSSScreening at ORD took about an extra half hour and would result in no less than 4 criminal charges if you or I tried it.
Apr 13, 2018, 9:40 am
#1263
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Like everyone I've made a number of minor mistakes when travelling, but I think the dumbest is when I went to DUS when my Ryanair flight was in fact from NRN. Did not occur to me that Dusseldorf had two airports. I read later that a court actually blocked the airport from having Dusseldorf in the name because it was too confusing to passengers, but Ryanair still calls it "Dusseldorf-Weeze".
When I discovered my mistake, I took two trains and a very fast Mercedes taxi to NRN but just missed my flight, had to spend the night in Nijmegen and take the same flight the next day. Oh well, lesson learned.
When I discovered my mistake, I took two trains and a very fast Mercedes taxi to NRN but just missed my flight, had to spend the night in Nijmegen and take the same flight the next day. Oh well, lesson learned.
Apr 13, 2018, 2:43 pm
#1264
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
we don't just let in any riff raff without the right Visa!!
May 8, 2018, 2:57 pm
#1265
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
My dad and I were flying to MIA last week. While in the air he handed me a manila envelope full of mundane stuff. I set it down next to my bag. We got off the plane and were entering the Admirals Club when he mentioned a check that had been mistakenly sent to him instead of me was in the envelope. Thankfully after making up an excuse that I wanted to go for a walk so he didn't think his oldest son was a dingbat, I got back to the plane as they were still offloading it and a gate agent was able to retrieve the envelope.
May 9, 2018, 10:08 am
#1266
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 411
Mine just happened last weekend. My partner's parents live on Coronado, we fly down pretty often and when we do he usually leaves a couple days earlier so he can have some time with them before I come down. We usually fly down on AS because they have a direct flight that allows us to leave right after work, and fly home on WN because they have a direct flight that gets us home at a reasonable hour.
We fly on our separate one-way out bounds, no problem. Next to last day, I quickly printed our return boarding passes and put them aside. The following day, as we're walking out the door to the airport I go to hand my partner his boarding pass, and I realize that both boarding passes have MY name on them. I somehow booked both tickets in my name. Commence panic! I tried calling customer service but there would be a 15-20 min hold. So I quickly went online and bought a last minute ticket for him on WN to guarantee he could fly home with me.
On the way to the airport, I had already conceded that the $400 for the last minute ticket was gone but I was just hoping I could get a credit for my second ticket. When we got to the airport, first thing I notice is that there's not a single person at the WN check-in counters. Not a single person, even with an agent. I'm feeling lucky, so I walk up to the happiest looking agent, tell them my story and say what I think happened. I was using auto-fill in chrome to input my contact info and it somehow overwrote both passenger names. I showed her the two boarding passes with my name on it. Luckily, the DOB for the second ticket was not changed. So, after the agent looked at my partner's drivers license, she changed the name on the ticket (different first and last name!) and handed us new boarding passes. I was elated. I then showed her the last minute ticket I had just booked, she canceled that ticket and refunded the $400!
So, in the end I got very lucky. One of my worst mistakes was on one of the most flexible airlines.
We fly on our separate one-way out bounds, no problem. Next to last day, I quickly printed our return boarding passes and put them aside. The following day, as we're walking out the door to the airport I go to hand my partner his boarding pass, and I realize that both boarding passes have MY name on them. I somehow booked both tickets in my name. Commence panic! I tried calling customer service but there would be a 15-20 min hold. So I quickly went online and bought a last minute ticket for him on WN to guarantee he could fly home with me.
On the way to the airport, I had already conceded that the $400 for the last minute ticket was gone but I was just hoping I could get a credit for my second ticket. When we got to the airport, first thing I notice is that there's not a single person at the WN check-in counters. Not a single person, even with an agent. I'm feeling lucky, so I walk up to the happiest looking agent, tell them my story and say what I think happened. I was using auto-fill in chrome to input my contact info and it somehow overwrote both passenger names. I showed her the two boarding passes with my name on it. Luckily, the DOB for the second ticket was not changed. So, after the agent looked at my partner's drivers license, she changed the name on the ticket (different first and last name!) and handed us new boarding passes. I was elated. I then showed her the last minute ticket I had just booked, she canceled that ticket and refunded the $400!
So, in the end I got very lucky. One of my worst mistakes was on one of the most flexible airlines.
May 9, 2018, 4:28 pm
#1267
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
Mine just happened last weekend. My partner's parents live on Coronado, we fly down pretty often and when we do he usually leaves a couple days earlier so he can have some time with them before I come down. We usually fly down on AS because they have a direct flight that allows us to leave right after work, and fly home on WN because they have a direct flight that gets us home at a reasonable hour.
We fly on our separate one-way out bounds, no problem. Next to last day, I quickly printed our return boarding passes and put them aside. The following day, as we're walking out the door to the airport I go to hand my partner his boarding pass, and I realize that both boarding passes have MY name on them. I somehow booked both tickets in my name. Commence panic! I tried calling customer service but there would be a 15-20 min hold. So I quickly went online and bought a last minute ticket for him on WN to guarantee he could fly home with me.
On the way to the airport, I had already conceded that the $400 for the last minute ticket was gone but I was just hoping I could get a credit for my second ticket. When we got to the airport, first thing I notice is that there's not a single person at the WN check-in counters. Not a single person, even with an agent. I'm feeling lucky, so I walk up to the happiest looking agent, tell them my story and say what I think happened. I was using auto-fill in chrome to input my contact info and it somehow overwrote both passenger names. I showed her the two boarding passes with my name on it. Luckily, the DOB for the second ticket was not changed. So, after the agent looked at my partner's drivers license, she changed the name on the ticket (different first and last name!) and handed us new boarding passes. I was elated. I then showed her the last minute ticket I had just booked, she canceled that ticket and refunded the $400!
So, in the end I got very lucky. One of my worst mistakes was on one of the most flexible airlines.
We fly on our separate one-way out bounds, no problem. Next to last day, I quickly printed our return boarding passes and put them aside. The following day, as we're walking out the door to the airport I go to hand my partner his boarding pass, and I realize that both boarding passes have MY name on them. I somehow booked both tickets in my name. Commence panic! I tried calling customer service but there would be a 15-20 min hold. So I quickly went online and bought a last minute ticket for him on WN to guarantee he could fly home with me.
On the way to the airport, I had already conceded that the $400 for the last minute ticket was gone but I was just hoping I could get a credit for my second ticket. When we got to the airport, first thing I notice is that there's not a single person at the WN check-in counters. Not a single person, even with an agent. I'm feeling lucky, so I walk up to the happiest looking agent, tell them my story and say what I think happened. I was using auto-fill in chrome to input my contact info and it somehow overwrote both passenger names. I showed her the two boarding passes with my name on it. Luckily, the DOB for the second ticket was not changed. So, after the agent looked at my partner's drivers license, she changed the name on the ticket (different first and last name!) and handed us new boarding passes. I was elated. I then showed her the last minute ticket I had just booked, she canceled that ticket and refunded the $400!
So, in the end I got very lucky. One of my worst mistakes was on one of the most flexible airlines.
May 19, 2018, 9:06 am
#1271
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
My dad did that 13 years ago. He was commuting weekly between New York and Raleigh and was alternating between using EWR and JFK. He showed up at EWR one Thursday when his flight that week was booked out of JFK. Cost him $80 for a cab ride.
May 20, 2018, 5:46 am
#1272
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Orlando
Programs: Delta-Million miler
Posts: 1,312
I didn't learn from my past mistakes!
I book my flight to Lisbon on May 4th returning on 8th
I book my flight to Kilimanjaro for August
Send passport to Tanzanian Embassy on April 28th without realizing that I was to fly to Lisbon in a week.
On May 3rd, start packing for Lisbon and realize that I didn't have my passport.
Frantic call to Tanzanian Embassy at 9Am on 4th to see whether i could collect my passport-No answer.
Call US Passport agency but no appointment was available and long lines-no guarantee of a new passport or emergency passport.
cancelled flight, cancelled hotel, lost the registration I paid for the Lisbon meeting.
Still waiting for the passport-from USPS delivery troubles
I book my flight to Kilimanjaro for August
Send passport to Tanzanian Embassy on April 28th without realizing that I was to fly to Lisbon in a week.
On May 3rd, start packing for Lisbon and realize that I didn't have my passport.
Frantic call to Tanzanian Embassy at 9Am on 4th to see whether i could collect my passport-No answer.
Call US Passport agency but no appointment was available and long lines-no guarantee of a new passport or emergency passport.
cancelled flight, cancelled hotel, lost the registration I paid for the Lisbon meeting.
Still waiting for the passport-from USPS delivery troubles
Last edited by Gynob001; May 20, 2018 at 8:14 am
May 20, 2018, 5:46 am
#1273
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,959
I did this some years ago after a redeye into IAH. At the time the machines did not ask you to remove the passport before letting you continue. The newer machines were blue, same color as the passport cover, while the older ones were gray. At the time you also didn't need to show the passport to CBP (you do now in some places). Managed to get it back after quickly realizing the mistake.
May 20, 2018, 7:41 pm
#1274
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: 787
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 1,306
I book my flight to Lisbon on May 4th returning on 8th
I book my flight to Kilimanjaro for August
Send passport to Tanzanian Embassy on April 28th without realizing that I was to fly to Lisbon in a week.
On May 3rd, start packing for Lisbon and realize that I didn't have my passport.
Frantic call to Tanzanian Embassy at 9Am on 4th to see whether i could collect my passport-No answer.
Call US Passport agency but no appointment was available and long lines-no guarantee of a new passport or emergency passport.
cancelled flight, cancelled hotel, lost the registration I paid for the Lisbon meeting.
Still waiting for the passport-from USPS delivery troubles
I book my flight to Kilimanjaro for August
Send passport to Tanzanian Embassy on April 28th without realizing that I was to fly to Lisbon in a week.
On May 3rd, start packing for Lisbon and realize that I didn't have my passport.
Frantic call to Tanzanian Embassy at 9Am on 4th to see whether i could collect my passport-No answer.
Call US Passport agency but no appointment was available and long lines-no guarantee of a new passport or emergency passport.
cancelled flight, cancelled hotel, lost the registration I paid for the Lisbon meeting.
Still waiting for the passport-from USPS delivery troubles
My biggest mess up by far was 2014 Olympics. Had tickets, hotel reservations, plane tickets all the way to Sochi for me and my cousin. 1 month before I was scheduled to fly he tells me to give him my passport info (Im dual citizen and still have my russian passport) so we can get "Fan passport" to enter Olympic venues. I get my passport and bam, slap me hard and call me Sally.. It expired in May of 2013. So I get on a first flight and fly to consulate thinking I can get my passport renewed. ......... looks at my passport, my old birth certificate and tell me since I have been living in the US for most my life and my passport has expired, they will need to research my "citizenship availability" according to were I was born and lived some efing 30 years ago. I said, here's 3 of my passports, including one from ole' USSR and my Birth Certificate saying I was born in Moscow. Nope no good. Tells me they have to send all of my info to main FSB office and do background check. Seriously??? Then I show him my US passport and ask him if I can have Russia visa issued to me. His reply "Russian citizens aren't supposed to have visas and have to enter of Russian passports. We do not recognize dual citizenship either.". I was like - "here we go, you just confirmed my citizenship". He didn't take that smart ... comment very well and I ended up waiting 6 month for new passport and had to cancel all of my reservations
May 24, 2018, 4:47 pm
#1275
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YQR
Programs: Nexus/GE, UA/MPG, Bonvoy Tit, LTP
Posts: 1,294
Mine was just yesterday. Flying ATH-MUC-ORD-YYZ-YQR. 6 am first flight. Cleared security in Athens. No further security in Munich, TSA Precheck in ORD and additional security in YYZ. Arrived home 33 hours after leaving our hotel in Athens. During unpacking I found that my laptop bag has no laptop in it. I figured out it had to have been left at security in Athens, so called Lost and Found and sure enough they have it.
My current problem is how to get it back. The Airport Police have given me a reference number and asked me to email them details of who will pick it up. Called DHL in Athens who sent me a form to fill in, scan and send back. Now just hoping and praying with every extremity crossed. I am a little worried as DHL Canada has replied to an earlier on line request I made, stating that they cannot ship to Canada without an Importation Account. I have also read on line that couriers will not pick up a non packaged item, which it obviously isn't. Oh well I'll just keep on hoping.
My current problem is how to get it back. The Airport Police have given me a reference number and asked me to email them details of who will pick it up. Called DHL in Athens who sent me a form to fill in, scan and send back. Now just hoping and praying with every extremity crossed. I am a little worried as DHL Canada has replied to an earlier on line request I made, stating that they cannot ship to Canada without an Importation Account. I have also read on line that couriers will not pick up a non packaged item, which it obviously isn't. Oh well I'll just keep on hoping.