Flying

jhujenn · #1 09-24-2006, 10:37 PM

If you are going to take the MARC remember you can buy your ticket on the train if the lines at the self-serve kiosks are super long. I think there is a $5 fee and you have to pay in cash, but if you think you are going to miss your train it's worth it.

You are going to have to take your shoes off. I even had to take shoes off of the babies.

Also, it's not just liquids, it's gels, lotions, etc. I had to hand over the Eucerin I use for diaper rash cream.

Buttonz · #2 09-24-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DolphinChicaDDD

Bring your own travel pillow/blanket...that just might be my nuerotic thing, but I find it kinda gross. I don't know who used it last.

If I'm on a long flight (2+ hours) i always brng my own...good advice

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhujenn

Also, it's not just liquids, it's gels, lotions, etc. I had to hand over the Eucerin I use for diaper rash cream.

Lipgloss and chapstick also...drove me crazy on my flight from Auckland to LAX....

honeychile · #3 09-25-2006, 01:53 AM

Question: I once checked my laptop, and of course, it was the one time when I had trouble with my baggage (Dulles, fyi). I was told by an airline employee that the airlines are NOT responsible for checked laptops, even though they will cover the cost of everything else when lost. Needless to say, I've carried mine ever since.

Is this true, or (hopefully) is that old information?

Buttonz · #4 09-25-2006, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

Question: I once checked my laptop, and of course, it was the one time when I had trouble with my baggage (Dulles, fyi). I was told by an airline employee that the airlines are NOT responsible for checked laptops, even though they will cover the cost of everything else when lost. Needless to say, I've carried mine ever since.

Is this true, or (hopefully) is that old information?

No clue, but I wouldn't risk my laptop being thrown around like they throw around the stuff...it'sn ot worth the risk.

kddani · #5 09-25-2006, 06:51 AM

Good timing on this thread because I'm flying for the first time in 2 years tomorrow. Short flight, only an hour and a half. I'll be sure to get to the Pittsburgh airport in plenty of time, but i'm a little wary of being able to get to Louisville in timie on my way home because when exactly the deposition will be done is a little shaky. Thankfully it seems like a smaller airport so it may be easier to get through quickly.

Curse those stupid would-be hijackers... I could easily do just a carry on (only there for one night), but of course I have to check everything. I think i'm going to have to put extra stuff in my suitcase to keep everything from bouncing around, I really don't have much to take.

I'll also be renting a car for the first time... any tips on that? (besides the insurance being a rip off)

Munchkin03 · #6 09-25-2006, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

I'll also be renting a car for the first time... any tips on that? (besides the insurance being a rip off)

Fill up the tank at the end of the trip yourself; otherwise, they charge you something crazy like $5/gallon at the rental place. But, if this is a work expense, it really wouldn't matter so much.

honeychile · #7 09-25-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

Good timing on this thread because I'm flying for the first time in 2 years tomorrow. Short flight, only an hour and a half. I'll be sure to get to the Pittsburgh airport in plenty of time, but i'm a little wary of being able to get to Louisville in timie on my way home because when exactly the deposition will be done is a little shaky. Thankfully it seems like a smaller airport so it may be easier to get through quickly.

Curse those stupid would-be hijackers... I could easily do just a carry on (only there for one night), but of course I have to check everything. I think i'm going to have to put extra stuff in my suitcase to keep everything from bouncing around, I really don't have much to take.

I'll also be renting a car for the first time... any tips on that? (besides the insurance being a rip off)

The insurance isn't as big a ripoff as a lot of people say. Someone once hit me while I was in a rental (while PA was "No Fault"), and since I didn't have the car rental insurance, my rates skyrocketed, to say nothing about having to pay the deductible. Same scenario a few years later, I got the insurance, and didn't have to pay a cent.

Expect a teeny tiny plane for Louisville! You can "carry on" everything (that you're allowed to pack), which you'll leave at the end of the walkway, and pick it up when you leave the plane.

_Lisa_ · #8 09-25-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

Expect a teeny tiny plane for Louisville!

It really just depends on where you're going when leaving out of Louisville. If you're headed to a bigger city then you can expect a bigger plane.

jhujenn · #9 09-25-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

Good timing on this thread because I'm flying for the first time in 2 years tomorrow. Short flight, only an hour and a half. I'll be sure to get to the Pittsburgh airport in plenty of time, but i'm a little wary of being able to get to Louisville in timie on my way home because when exactly the deposition will be done is a little shaky. Thankfully it seems like a smaller airport so it may be easier to get through quickly.

Curse those stupid would-be hijackers... I could easily do just a carry on (only there for one night), but of course I have to check everything. I think i'm going to have to put extra stuff in my suitcase to keep everything from bouncing around, I really don't have much to take.

I'll also be renting a car for the first time... any tips on that? (besides the insurance being a rip off)

You can definately get thru Louisville quickly. You can drop off car, check-in, and get to your gate in less than 30 min usually, but I would allot an hour.

The car rental is onsite so you can just walk out to your car from the terminal. I would get gas thru the rental place that way you don't have to worry about finding a gas station before you go back to the airport. Ask for it when you are renting the car and they will give you a rate close to what it is locally.

KSig RC · #10 09-25-2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

I'll also be renting a car for the first time... any tips on that? (besides the insurance being a rip off)

First, the obligatory "don't worry about the dep running long, it's much easier to swap flights 'on the fly' than you'd think" blah blah chow meow - especially with 'linked' airports like the ones you'll be going through (there should be a flight every hour).

Rental car tips:

-No insurance - not just b/c it's a total rip off (of course, it is), but also because your insurance should cover it more than effectively (or your firm's).

-Unless you're killed for time, just fill it up yourself when returning - they'll usually charge about 40% more if you do the 'pre-pay for gas' bit. Obviously you're passing the expense through, but it's still weak.

-You can often 'trade up' for minimal (or no) cost, especially if you negotiate with the counter. This will be easier at some stations than others, but yeah - if you're scheduled for the 'economy', know that you're locked to that rate but they'll often give you a different classification of car depending on space. They'll say something like "Malibu 4-door OK?" then you play the "Oh . . . well, is that all that's available?" card, and work from there. You can also do this the other direction, if you want a smaller car. The exceptions are minivans and SUVs, which usually cost a ton more.

-If they have a key drop, use that and get the receipt up front, that should save some time on the drop - this means you'll have to hang on to everything they gave you, in case they charge for 'phantom damage' . . . I've never had it happen, but there are horror stories.

Past that, almost all rentals are unlimited mileage anymore, and the cars should all be very new (like, if it's not a 2006, you probably shouldn't drive it) - car rentals are sick easy anymore.

valkyrie · #11 09-25-2006, 11:19 AM

Don't bring any snakes.

_Lisa_ · #12 09-25-2006, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

Question: I once checked my laptop, and of course, it was the one time when I had trouble with my baggage (Dulles, fyi). I was told by an airline employee that the airlines are NOT responsible for checked laptops, even though they will cover the cost of everything else when lost. Needless to say, I've carried mine ever since.

Is this true, or (hopefully) is that old information?

I know that Delta has a policy against checking laptops:

http://www.delta.com/traveling_check...ance/index.jsp