Flying

kddani · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 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_ · #4 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.

honeychile · #5 09-25-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Lisa_

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.

I'm only saying that because I took that route last year. I think there were 12 people on the plane...

kddani · #6 09-25-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

I'm only saying that because I took that route last year. I think there were 12 people on the plane...

I checked last night.. it's a 50 passenger plane each way I think.

honeychile · #7 09-25-2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kddani

I checked last night.. it's a 50 passenger plane each way I think.

Then they probably will be able to check you in as I stated. Unless you're going cross country, chances are good that you'll be in a smaller aircraft. Makes for interesting conversation!

AlphaFrog · #8 09-25-2006, 01:10 PM

I *hate* puddlejumpers. They make me so nervous.

_Lisa_ · #9 09-25-2006, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

Then they probably will be able to check you in as I stated. Unless you're going cross country, chances are good that you'll be in a smaller aircraft. Makes for interesting conversation!

Or for a better opportunity to take a nap!

I hate small talk on the plane.

"So, are you from ____? I'm from ____! Who were you here to visit? Where are you going? I hate flying, don't you? It makes me so nervous! Do you want some gum? I have some gum, I hear it helps!"

blah blah blah blah blah!

jhujenn · #10 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 · #11 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 · #12 09-25-2006, 11:19 AM

Don't bring any snakes.

kddani · #13 09-25-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valkyrie

Don't bring any snakes.

Damn. Go and ruin all my fun

If people can bring their dogs on planes, I should be able to bring some snakes!

Thanks for the info, KSig RC, very useful!

jhujenn, I figured Louisville would be like that, it looked like a smaller airport.