Comments on: Travel tips wanted–for me http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/ Hardy plants for hardy souls Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:38:06 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Nicole http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18946 Nicole Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:05:26 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18946 Kathy: I worked 8 months last year in another island, so that was one trip home almost every weekend- so that was one flight every Friday evening and another every Sunday evening. Plus I had work travel to Suriname, St Lucia, St Kitts and Washington for meetings and training. I went to Trinidad for Carnival with my husband, and had a trip to Colorado to this big bash in honour of my professor/mentor at the University of Colorado. In November I had a great visit to my friends in San Francisco, then in December a work trip to Laos and a vacation in Luang Prabang and Bangkok after (since I was in the area and the expensive flight was already paid for LOL)-so 50 flights might actually be a conservative estimate! Kathy: I worked 8 months last year in another island, so that was one trip home almost every weekend- so that was one flight every Friday evening and another every Sunday evening. Plus I had work travel to Suriname, St Lucia, St Kitts and Washington for meetings and training. I went to Trinidad for Carnival with my husband, and had a trip to Colorado to this big bash in honour of my professor/mentor at the University of Colorado. In November I had a great visit to my friends in San Francisco, then in December a work trip to Laos and a vacation in Luang Prabang and Bangkok after (since I was in the area and the expensive flight was already paid for LOL)-so 50 flights might actually be a conservative estimate!

]]> By: Kathy Purdy http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18936 Kathy Purdy Fri, 13 Jul 2007 14:23:02 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18936 Nicole, Wow! Fifty flights! That's almost a flight a week. Great tips and thanks for the walk-through, that really helps. Nicole, Wow! Fifty flights! That’s almost a flight a week. Great tips and thanks for the walk-through, that really helps.

]]> By: Nicole http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18910 Nicole Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:26:42 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18910 Kathy Here's a little walk though: 1. Check in at the counter early. I would have a carry on with all necessities for a couple days, and a small checked luggage with the rest of the stuff and room to bring back anything. Confirm the seat you booked eg aisle, close to front etc. 2. Go through the security line right after you check in, Sometimes they may have unforeseen delays. Have your boarding pass and ID ready for inspection. The inspector will then direct you to the queue. 3. When you reach the belt and bins put on your carry-on on the belt, laid flat first, then your handbag and shoes in one bin, then your laptop ( without case) laid flat separately in another bin. If you don’t think you will really need your laptop then don’t carry it, as that complicates things. While your stuff is being conveyed though the scanner, the security will beckon you to pass through the human scanner. After you pass through he/she will ask to see your boarding pass. After this put away your boarding pass/docs. 4. They may ask you to either open your luggage or to secondary search you. If you pack with all zip lock bags except for clothes then the search of luggage is really fast. If they want to secondary search you then simply follow their instructions/answer questions. I think they more do these on international flights. 5. Take up your luggage, handbag, put on your shoes etc. and head to your gate. If there are no clear signs stating the flight at the gate, show the agent your boarding pass to confirm that’s the correct gate. I totally endorse the suggestion to carry on some granola bars, nuts etc. 6. Agent will announce boarding 15-30 minutes before the flight, it’s usually by group or seat numbers-listed on boarding p Kathy Here’s a little walk though:
1. Check in at the counter early. I would have a carry on with all necessities for a couple days, and a small checked luggage with the rest of the stuff and room to bring back anything. Confirm the seat you booked eg aisle, close to front etc.
2. Go through the security line right after you check in, Sometimes they may have unforeseen delays. Have your boarding pass and ID ready for inspection. The inspector will then direct you to the queue.
3. When you reach the belt and bins put on your carry-on on the belt, laid flat first, then your handbag and shoes in one bin, then your laptop ( without case) laid flat separately in another bin. If you don’t think you will really need your laptop then don’t carry it, as that complicates things. While your stuff is being conveyed though the scanner, the security will beckon you to pass through the human scanner. After you pass through he/she will ask to see your boarding pass. After this put away your boarding pass/docs.
4. They may ask you to either open your luggage or to secondary search you. If you pack with all zip lock bags except for clothes then the search of luggage is really fast. If they want to secondary search you then simply follow their instructions/answer questions. I think they more do these on international flights.
5. Take up your luggage, handbag, put on your shoes etc. and head to your gate. If there are no clear signs stating the flight at the gate, show the agent your boarding pass to confirm that’s the correct gate. I totally endorse the suggestion to carry on some granola bars, nuts etc.
6. Agent will announce boarding 15-30 minutes before the flight, it’s usually by group or seat numbers-listed on boarding p

]]> By: Nicole http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18908 Nicole Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:02:28 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18908 I took about 50 flights last year, so I have tons of advice, but I see others beat me to it! Permanently packed and replenished in my carry on are: (1) Tiny sizes of all my medicines and toiletries in the zip lock bag ( enough to get me through 3-4 days) with larger sizes or more sample sizes of what I need for the rest of the trip (eg toothpaste) in the checked luggage. (2) Several pairs of underwear and small pack of panty shields in a zip lock, just in case your luggage gets lost/flight is delayed, and also security wont open and search these when they are in a clear zip lock bag! (3) Travel packets of antibacterial wipes. (4) Another bag with small sizes of the non liquid non gel toiletries and medicines. I can't tell you how many women travelers I have "saved" when they arrived at the hotel for a conference sans luggage, sans clean underwear and sans toiletries. Also, I pack all little things eg cellphone chargers, camera, flash drives in zip lock bags in my carry on, so its faster to zip through a manual security check. I took about 50 flights last year, so I have tons of advice, but I see others beat me to it!
Permanently packed and replenished in my carry on are:
(1) Tiny sizes of all my medicines and toiletries in the zip lock bag ( enough to get me through 3-4 days) with larger sizes or more sample sizes of what I need for the rest of the trip (eg toothpaste) in the checked luggage.
(2) Several pairs of underwear and small pack of panty shields in a zip lock, just in case your luggage gets lost/flight is delayed, and also security wont open and search these when they are in a clear zip lock bag!
(3) Travel packets of antibacterial wipes.
(4) Another bag with small sizes of the non liquid non gel toiletries and medicines.
I can’t tell you how many women travelers I have “saved” when they arrived at the hotel for a conference sans luggage, sans clean underwear and sans toiletries.
Also, I pack all little things eg cellphone chargers, camera, flash drives in zip lock bags in my carry on, so its faster to zip through a manual security check.

]]> By: Kathy Purdy http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18810 Kathy Purdy Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:00:13 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18810 Thank you, County Clerk, for the great walk-through. And my symposium materials do mention that it could easily be 95 outside and freezing (uh, air conditioned) in the hotel. All--I just found some <a href="http://suzette.typepad.com/suzette/2007/07/dashed-expectat.html" title="link to travel tips" rel="nofollow">more great travel tips.</a> Who knew there was a website devoted to the seating plan on every imaginable carrier? Thank you, County Clerk, for the great walk-through. And my symposium materials do mention that it could easily be 95 outside and freezing (uh, air conditioned) in the hotel.

All–I just found some more great travel tips. Who knew there was a website devoted to the seating plan on every imaginable carrier?

]]> By: The County Clerk http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18742 The County Clerk Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:04:56 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18742 Oh... and Late September in Oklahoma isn't exactly the "fall" you might be thinking of. More like LATE SUMMER. September in North Texas can be a scorcher. I'm guessing Oklahoma is no different. To me, August and Sept are the hottest months of the year down there.... well... July is no picnic. Oh… and Late September in Oklahoma isn’t exactly the “fall” you might be thinking of. More like LATE SUMMER. September in North Texas can be a scorcher. I’m guessing Oklahoma is no different.

To me, August and Sept are the hottest months of the year down there….

well…

July is no picnic.

]]> By: The County Clerk http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18741 The County Clerk Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:00:30 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18741 Preboarding? Are you infirm or aged? If you, shouldn't be a problem Otherwise, don't WORRY about it. You stand in the big line when they tell you to stand in the big line. They move everyone through very quickly. You step on board and say this to the flight attendant (who will be at the door of the plane - count on it): "Hello, I'm seat 18C, where is that?" Peice of cake. Preboarding?

Are you infirm or aged? If you, shouldn’t be a problem

Otherwise, don’t WORRY about it. You stand in the big line when they tell you to stand in the big line. They move everyone through very quickly. You step on board and say this to the flight attendant (who will be at the door of the plane – count on it): “Hello, I’m seat 18C, where is that?”

Peice of cake.

]]> By: The County Clerk http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18740 The County Clerk Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:56:18 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18740 Tracy is right on. Here's the big thing: It is GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A HASSLE. It will be fine. But if you EXPECT everything to go easy-smoothly, you will disappointed. There will be hiccups. Check your big bag, carry a SMALL one. Allow plenty of time. Bring something to read. Make sure your Phone, iPod, Laptop etc are fully charged. Checking your big bag is key. These days, no one wants to do it. We all want to speed up the arrival. But... there is rarely enough overhead space and you don't want the hassle. Check the bag. Also... ANYTHING but a middle seat. Aisle seets are great if you wany a little "breathing" room and want to easily get up. But... on the aisle, you get up EVERY TIME anyone else does. Window seats are great for sleeping... you can put your head on the bulkhead. But... you are "tucked" in there. For me, I do AISLE seats for short hops (Chicago to Detroit) and WINDOW seats for everything else. I'll actually take a different flight if I get a middle seat on long hop. Oh... I don't know if you driving to the airport (at home) or not. And I don't know how it is for women, with purses. But, when I part at the airport (at the beginning of the trip) I write a note to myself on the parking ticket that I got when I entered the garage. The note is a clue as to where I parked... what floor what corner, what evelator. It is susually just a few words... or I circle the right stuff on the ticket (floor number, etc). Then... put that ticket IN YOUR WALLET. Do not leave it in your car. You want to have it with you. Then, after you lock your car (it will be fine), put your keys and stuff away. I'm a guy. I norally I have my keys in my pocket. When I travel, I zip 'em into my carry-on. I do this IN THE PARKING LOT. Also, if you smoke, leave your lighter in the car (you can't take it) and put your smokes away (you can't smoke anywhere). Also, put any change (that might be in your pockets) away... somewhere else. You don't need any coins to travel. (The BEST THING to do is get a towncar or a friend to drive you and pick you up.) Get your ID ready. Put your carry-on on top of your rolling "big bag." Extend the handle of the big bag and pull them both to the check in counter. Walk to gate (clear security), sit down, open book, read. Have a great trip. Tracy is right on.

Here’s the big thing: It is GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A HASSLE. It will be fine. But if you EXPECT everything to go easy-smoothly, you will disappointed. There will be hiccups.

Check your big bag, carry a SMALL one. Allow plenty of time. Bring something to read. Make sure your Phone, iPod, Laptop etc are fully charged.

Checking your big bag is key. These days, no one wants to do it. We all want to speed up the arrival. But… there is rarely enough overhead space and you don’t want the hassle. Check the bag.

Also… ANYTHING but a middle seat. Aisle seets are great if you wany a little “breathing” room and want to easily get up. But… on the aisle, you get up EVERY TIME anyone else does. Window seats are great for sleeping… you can put your head on the bulkhead. But… you are “tucked” in there. For me, I do AISLE seats for short hops (Chicago to Detroit) and WINDOW seats for everything else.

I’ll actually take a different flight if I get a middle seat on long hop.

Oh… I don’t know if you driving to the airport (at home) or not. And I don’t know how it is for women, with purses. But, when I part at the airport (at the beginning of the trip) I write a note to myself on the parking ticket that I got when I entered the garage. The note is a clue as to where I parked… what floor what corner, what evelator. It is susually just a few words… or I circle the right stuff on the ticket (floor number, etc). Then… put that ticket IN YOUR WALLET. Do not leave it in your car. You want to have it with you. Then, after you lock your car (it will be fine), put your keys and stuff away. I’m a guy. I norally I have my keys in my pocket. When I travel, I zip ‘em into my carry-on. I do this IN THE PARKING LOT. Also, if you smoke, leave your lighter in the car (you can’t take it) and put your smokes away (you can’t smoke anywhere). Also, put any change (that might be in your pockets) away… somewhere else. You don’t need any coins to travel.

(The BEST THING to do is get a towncar or a friend to drive you and pick you up.)

Get your ID ready. Put your carry-on on top of your rolling “big bag.” Extend the handle of the big bag and pull them both to the check in counter. Walk to gate (clear security), sit down, open book, read.

Have a great trip.

]]> By: Kathy Purdy http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18684 Kathy Purdy Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:44:21 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18684 Tracy, I have been enjoying all the tips immensely. I can stand all people want to share. Come back a second time, anyone, if you think of something you forgot to mention the first time! Number 3 made me laugh, because it is exactly the type of thing I need to remind myself. I usually feel (even when I know better) that if I don't get it right the first time, I'm ruined! And barrettes setting off the security alarms? Ack! Rualway, thanks for the link. It looks like it has a lot of "overview" information that I need to get the big picture. It sounds like just about everything revolves around coping with various security requirements. Keep those tips coming, everyone! Tracy, I have been enjoying all the tips immensely. I can stand all people want to share. Come back a second time, anyone, if you think of something you forgot to mention the first time! Number 3 made me laugh, because it is exactly the type of thing I need to remind myself. I usually feel (even when I know better) that if I don’t get it right the first time, I’m ruined! And barrettes setting off the security alarms? Ack!
Rualway, thanks for the link. It looks like it has a lot of “overview” information that I need to get the big picture. It sounds like just about everything revolves around coping with various security requirements.

Keep those tips coming, everyone!

]]> By: rualway http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/comment-page-1/#comment-18672 rualway Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:49:26 +0000 http://www.coldclimategardening.com/2007/07/05/travel-tips-wanted-for-me/#comment-18672 For the latest up-to-the minute info from the government on seurity issues, see: www.faa.gov/passengers I work in the travel industry and always include this link for my clients. I would also advise you to purhase your ticket sooner rather than later-there is far more demand than capicity for air travel at this time which always translates into higher fares and fuller flights. OKC is not that far away but nonstop flights are not offered from Binghmaton or Syracuse. Remember to bring your patience when you travel! For the latest up-to-the minute info from the government on seurity issues, see:
http://www.faa.gov/passengers

I work in the travel industry and always include this link for my clients.

I would also advise you to purhase your ticket sooner rather than later-there is far more demand than capicity for air travel at this time which always translates into higher fares and fuller flights.

OKC is not that far away but nonstop flights are not offered from Binghmaton or Syracuse.

Remember to bring your patience when you travel!

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