Flying

[Munchkin03]

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]

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.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by DolphinChicaDDD

Try to wear as little metal as possible. Sometimes the most random things set off the alarms. Ie- when traveling last year my friend and I had the same victoria secret bra on. Mine didn't set off the alarm, hers did. Who knows.

My aunt once had FOIL GUM WRAPPERS set the stupid alarm off. I think that machine was set to "Overkill".

[Still BLUTANG]

i take the MetroBus to BWI all they time (Greenbelt). they run ON SCHEDULE, i've never had a problem with them. Just be sure to give yourself enough time to get from the bus upstairs to your checkin and through security. The Metro should be the least of your worries.

Originally Posted by ADqtPiMel

I'm actually flying out of BWI, which adds to the nervousness since I don't have a car. So I also have to worry about the Metro bus running on time, etc.

[jhujenn]

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.

[_Lisa_]

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

[KSig RC]

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]

Don't bring any snakes.

[kddani]

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.

[KSUViolet06]

*Most problems and anxiety can be avoided if you get to the airport EARLY.

*DO NOT FORGET YOUR ID. I REPEAT: DO NOT FORGET YOUR ID. You will need to show ID at least 3 different times before you get on the plane (checking in, going through security, boarding the plane).

[jon1856]

Heard on morning news that there is going to be an update of what can/can not be carried on board.

Check out following for news and information:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/index.shtm

Main page: http://www.tsa.gov/index.shtm
Update page: http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/9-25_updated_passenger_guidance.shtm

[_Lisa_]

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.

[Cardinal026]

I saw you're flying AirTran, and I flew with them from the DC area about a week and a half ago. When we checked our big bags at the ticket counter, they still insisted on going through every item inside our bags, running their little wand over every shoe, etc. Except that he didn't repack anything the correct way, put the toiletries I'd had in the outside pocket in the main part of my suitcase, and I got lotion all over everything. I would definitely keep all the shampoos/makeup that you're checking in a ziplock baggie in case you're also randomnly selected.

I wore flip flops to make it easier to take on and off, but I still had to place them in the bin to be X-Rayed, and whoever mentioned having your ID accessible, YES. We got asked for our ID 3 times while in the same line! They just had randomnly posted people in the one line to keep checking boarding passes and IDs.

To Kddani: I know that some insurance companies, like USAA offer great discounts on rental cars at several different companies. Also, when I flew last week, we had a car reserved, but noticed on the back of the inflight magazine a coupon for our particular company right before we landed, and were able to save additional money with that. So keep your eyes open, they let us use both offers at once.

[honeychile]

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]

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.