Holiday Travel Reminders/tips

[beccasmom]

Good reminders for holiday travel - from yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer. Some are based on PHL travel, but good tips for all nonetheless. (You have to register to read the article.)

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/2005/12/11/business/13377962.htm

 

[safetymom]

I would add to check on your airlines policy for alcohol if you want it. I know Air Tran only takes debit and credit cards no cash.

Also I disagree with carrying your luggage on board. This time of the year the overheads are very full and you could end up having to gate check your luggage. Or worse have to fight downstream to get to your luggage on the plane. If you have to wait for everyone to get off before you can get your luggage you haven't saved much time.

Be sure to have a copy of your itinerary in your luggage in case it does get lost. Be sure you have local contact numbers in there also.

Also pack lots of patience. Everyone is trying to get somewhere. It doesn't do you any good to be upset or rude.

 

[beccasmom]

I'm not a big fan of carrying luggage onboard, either. It seems to really slow down the process at Security and there never seems to be enough space for them. And some of the bags I've seen are huge! I'm constantly amazed at the size of the bags folks try to stuff into the overhead bins.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I'm not a big fan of carrying luggage onboard, either. It seems to really slow down the process at Security and there never seems to be enough space for them. And some of the bags I've seen are huge! I'm constantly amazed at the size of the bags folks try to stuff into the overhead bins.

Ditto. I've been on a number of rather full flights lately where people have had to gate check their carry-on luggage. It's not a pleasant scene to observe and often ends up delaying the flight's departure. On our flight back from WDW, we were delayed for over a 1/2 hour because of the carry-on nightmares.

On the plus side, when I go to baggage claim, my luggage is usually there before I am because the cargo crew had so little to unload!

 

[CarolA]

Here's my nasty note!
If YOU or someone traveling with you can't lift it into the overhead and get it back out then it is NOT carry on.

FAs are not required to help you and lots of your other passengers won't! Sorry, but I am not throwing my back out to lift your "cement" blocks into the overhead. I am amazed when I see a little old lady assuming that someone will help them...

Also, that 22" is a carryon UNTIL you unzip all the expansion parts and overstuff the outside pockets.. it is then checked baggage.

 

[Julia M]

My suggestion is to take some snacks and water in your carryon.

With traveling at Xmas, there are bound to be delays. Most flights I have been on don't begin beverage service, even if you've been sitting an hour at the gate! I assume that's so a plane could be ready to go at any minute.

Especially traveling with kids, pack a water bottle or capri sun. Take some extra snacks, too, even if you plan to buy something at the airport. Hungry kids are cranky kids!!

Hope everyone has a good trip!

julia

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Here's my nasty note!
If YOU or someone traveling with you can't lift it into the overhead and get it back out then it is NOT carry on.

FAs are not required to help you and lots of your other passengers won't! Sorry, but I am not throwing my back out to lift your "cement" blocks into the overhead. I am amazed when I see a little old lady assuming that someone will help them...

Also, that 22" is a carryon UNTIL you unzip all the expansion parts and overstuff the outside pockets.. it is then checked baggage.

CarolA, you'll get thunderous applause from me on this. ITA with everything you wrote.

I also refuse to help people try to lift or retrieve their luggage from the overhead bins. I've actually told people "You choose to bring it on -- it's your responsibility to stow and retrieve it." The only thing I carry on a plane is a book and occasionally something to eat. Out of hundreds of flights, my luggage has been delayed only twice and has never been "lost." I always check it with the airline.