Some airline travel advice...

[MaryAnnDVC]

Pack a change of clothes, and some personal essentials in a carry-on.

We always take a direct flight to Orlando, but this past week we went to California/Disneyland, and had a connection in Pennsylvania. On the way home, our flight was delayed in California, and we missed our connection. So, USAir put us up in a hotel last night. BUT, I had no change of clothes, no deodorant, etc., and I was already feeling pretty icky after the long day I had had.

Normally, when we go to Orlando, I pack a change of clothes going THERE in case we temporarily lose our luggage, but I never even worry about it coming home. From now on, I will ALWAYS have a change of clothes, etc, in a carryon!!

 

[BethC]

Good advice MaryAnn!

I always do the same thing - pack a change of clothes on the way down to Orlando, but NEVER pack anything on the way back!

Your story sure shows us the importance of being prepared. Thanks for sharing!

 

[robinb]

So, USAir put us up in a hotel last night. BUT, I had no change of clothes, no deodorant, etc., and I was already feeling pretty icky after the long day I had had.

I thought most airlines provided you with things like deoderan, a tooth brush and tooth paste. I also wonder why they didn't allow you to claim your bags. Weird.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

yes they normally do. and they also can give you a voucher for a certain dollar amount that you canuse to get these essentials.

 

[Beanie]

It is funny because I NEVER even thought of doing this until last week when my Mom called me from Texas (I believe) and told me that they were delayed there from Las Vegas, then called back and said they wouldn't be leaving until midnight, then called back and said they had to stay until 4 in the morning at the airport!! This was Northwest by the way, who gave them vouchers for their next flight because of all the delays...so I told my Mom that when we came down in August, I was definitely packing some deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush and a few "other" things just in case...I guess you never know...


Great advice!!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Well, since this never happened to us before, I'm not sure what "should" have happened. At the hotel, they provided complimentary toothbrushes and horrible tasting toothpaste (just ask my kids ), although I was grateful just to be able to brush my teeth.

They also gave us vouchers for breakfast, but the hotel had complimentary breakfast (which was great...the cook was super nice to us), so we were able to use our vouchers for room service. I had flatbreads with a spicey dip (hence, my extreme gratitude for the toothbrush and toothpaste!).

As far as getting our luggage, I asked and they apologetically told us it was going out on the next plane out (which, BTW, we also were). We got to the hotel after 11:30 PM, so I'm not sure if we could have gotten anything at the hotel store anyway, or if I had asked at the desk, if they would have provided it (my DD noticed the little sign in the bathroom that included complimentary toothbrush, toothpaste, razors, and something else). All in all, it was a 12 hour delay.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Just remembered...they gave us two calling cards too, which expire at the end of November, I think. I only used about 10 units so far (there are 22 on each card).

 

[olena]

I grew up on airplanes and getting stuck here and there became routine. *laughs* The change of clothes is an excellent piece of advice. In the case of a delayed flight, you may be able to claim your luggage. But in the case of a missed connection, chances are that your luggage will make that flight, when you won't. That happened to me in Philly once. I knew my inbound flight was running late and I took off through the terminal at a mad dash. I arrived at my next gate huffing and puffing and I still missed it. Well, darn! I tried. But my bag made it! That luggage handler transfer must be something else.... I wondered if I should have just packed myself in my bag.