Tag: airports

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Have These Happened to You?

We’ve all been around those travelers who aren’t the most aware of their surroundings. Some pet peeves I’ve heard from other travelers include:

Complaining about how the menu isn’t like it is back home doesn’t help. If you’re in Italy…you’re not in America. Things are different.

Crowding the baggage claim carousel. Trust me…the bags will be unloaded. Shoving your way in front of someone doesn’t make yours come out faster.

Taking up the entire overhead bin on the plane. The flight attendants make the announcement to store smaller items under the seat in front of you for a reason.

Hurrying in front of someone to get off the plane. It’s an orderly process and someone crowding ahead of others isn’t appreciated. If you have a tight connection, tell a flight attendant and they can assist you.

This one is always an issue at some point…reclining your seat all the way back. Have you done that? Has someone done that to you?

How about the security line? Have you stood and waited while the person in front didn’t know they had a belt on, their bottle of shampoo was too large, or they don’t know what to do with their phone? I understand if the person hasn’t flown in many, many years. Otherwise, get prepared ahead of time. Those in line behind you will appreciate it.

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May I See Your Medical Insurance Card?

You’re traveling to a foreign country and you have your passport an appropriate visa. Right? It’s probably in your wallet.

You have insurance. Right? Where’s your proof of medical insurance?

When preparing your wallet for traveling, did you clean out your insurance card and leave it at home?

If so…not a good idea.

Did you realize more countries are requiring you to show proof of medical insurance before you enter the country? Right now, Iceland, Ecuador, Turkey, the UAE, Norway, and Switzerland are ones that want to see your insurance cards.

What do you do if you don’t have it? You can buy a policy right there. Or, you can go home.

Neither is a good option. Carry your insurance cards.

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Have You Ever Bought These?

We’ve all been there. You’re at the airport with time to waste and you start looking through the shops.

But, what you’re buying may not be a good deal.

traveling in Heidleburg

Think about these…

Do you think duty free means a good deal? Probably not. It’s best to know what things cost before you rush to spend your travel money on duty free.

You forgot your neck pillow. So, you’ll just pick up a cheap one at the airport. Right? Again…probably not the best use of your money.

You’re in a foreign country’s airport and you need a magazine to read. Not a big ticket item…right? Maybe not. But, be sure to check before you head to the counter to pay. It may cost a lot more than you thought. And, it may be a few months older than you thought.

Wi-fi can be expensive in some airports. It’s best to head to a coffee shop if you really need to use wi-fi while you wait.

How about that bottle of water you’d like to have while waiting for your flight? I’ve seen a small bottle go for as much as $8.00. The solution? Bring a refillable bottle or a collapsible bottle and fill it at a refilling fountain. Some restaurants will even refill it for you.

I’ve mentioned this before. If you can help it…don’t exchange currency at the airport. It will almost always be a higher exchange rate.

Last minute souvenirs can be expensive. Plan ahead and don’t buy them at the airport.

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Can I Bring My Snow Globe?

Flying with Gifts…TSA Rules

Maybe you’re getting ready to fly somewhere this holiday season and have gifts. Or, maybe you’ve been somewhere and want to bring home some souvenirs.

Do you know the TSA rules and guidelines?

Avoid anything that appears to be a weapon. Even a toy weapon. This might be common sense…but TSA says those toys look like the real thing in a scanner.

Instead of putting them in your carry-on…place them in checked baggage.

Also, avoid strong liquors over 140 proof. This means absinthe, rum, or anything with more than 70% alcohol. It doesn’t matter if it’s in your carry-on. TSA will take it.

Speaking of three ounce liquids in your carry-on, this applies to ALL liquids, even bottles of liquor or wine.

I know it seems odd, but don’t gift wrap your gifts. They probably will be unwrapped. Instead, use gift bags, or wait until you arrive to wrap them.

Keep in mind if you are traveling from overseas…international food souvenirs like meats and cheeses will probably be tossed. This isn’t a TSA rule, but a customs and agriculture regulation.

Last…don’t bring home or take as a gift a snow globe. Yep…a snow globe. Especially if it is bigger than a tennis ball. Why? The liquid in them is most likely more than three ounces. Who would have thought?

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Have You Used These Apps?

Airport Apps

Sometimes having the right app makes your trip go easier. Have you ever used any of these?

Mobile Passport: I have not used this, but here is what the U.S. Customs and Border Protection have to say.

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection and San Diego International Airport today announced the expansion of Mobile Passport Control to SAN. Mobile Passport is the first authorized app to expedite a traveler’s arrival into the United States. Eligible travelers may voluntarily submit their passport information and answers to inspection-related questions to CBP via a smartphone or tablet app prior to arrival. Android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

“We continually strive to identify and implement new, more efficient ways of meeting the challenges posed by an increasingly complex mission and growing volumes in travel and trade,” said Pete Flores, director of field operations for CBP in San Diego. “We now have Automated Passport Control kiosks, Global Entry kiosks for our trusted travelers, and the use of smart-phone and mobile technologies to enhance the traveler experience.”

“We’re excited to launch this new program in San Diego just in time for the busy summer travel season,” said Kimberly Becker, President/CEO of San Diego International Airport. “Getting through the Customs process has never been so convenient, which allows more time to enjoy everything San Diego has to offer.”

MPC currently offers U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors a more efficient in-person inspection between the CBP officer and the traveler upon arrival in the United States. Much like Automated Passport Control, the app does not require pre-approval and is free to use. Travelers who successfully use the app will no longer have to complete a paper form or use an APC kiosk. As a result, travelers will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.

There are five easy steps to MPC:

  • Download the Mobile Passport App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store prior to arriving
  • Create a profile with your passport information
  • Complete the “New Trip” section upon arrival in the United States
  • Submit responses to inspection-related questions to CBP through the app to receive an electronic receipt with an Encrypted Quick Response (QR) code
  • Bring your passport and smartphone or tablet with your digital bar-coded receipt to a CBP officer

Eligible travelers arriving at San Diego International Airport can begin using the app on June 1 for CBP processing. The MPC pilot launched in August 2014 for eligible travelers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and has since expanded to 23 airports. For more information on what airports have MPC available please visit, CBP.gov/MPC.

Hotel Tonight: This app provides a shortcut to hotels near your airport. It shows available rooms, in case your flight is delayed or you need a last minute hotel.

My TSA: The MyTSA app provides airline passengers with 24/7 access to the most frequently requested airport security information on any mobile device. Save time and money with our helpful tips for preparing for security, including a searchable database of items that can and can’t go in checked or carry-on bags. With this app you can:

  • Check how busy the airport will be on your specific day and time of travel based on historical data.
  • Check the delay information and current weather conditions at your favorite airports nationwide.
  • Quickly search which items you can bring with you through the checkpoint onto the airplane.
  • Consult the TSA Guide on how to prepare for and get through the security checkpoint quickly.
  • Discover which airports and airlines support TSA Pre✓®, and learn how to sign-up.
  • Request live assistance from TSA through the AskTSA social media integration.

Google Translate: I use this for more than just at the airport. But, it’s handy to have if you need to find the right gate and you can’t remember your Italian.

TripIt and TripCase: These are travel itinerary apps that contain almost all details of a trip, including flight, car rental, lodging, and other details. The air travel information includes flight times, flight and booking numbers, seat assignments, terminal and gate information, and more.

I like to have all my information in one place, so this works well for me. You can set up notifications on your phone. Then 24 hours before your flight, the app will prompt you to check in online.

Gate Guru: This app helps when you need to get through the terminal efficiently. I feel it’s fairly up-to-date and useful in most airports. I’ve also noticed the security wait times tend to be a little off…sometimes longer, sometimes shorter.

Your Airline App: It’s always a good idea to have your airline app. It’s a quick way to see what’s going on with flight information, seat assignments, etc.

To my knowledge, these are available for both Android and IOS systems.

 

 

 

 

 

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Is Your Airport Listed?

I just read an article relating to the 50 busiest airports in the US. These are based on numbers related to on-time arrival data from the U.S. Department of Transportation from 2008 to 2017.

Most of the delays occurred in summer, with last summer having some of the highest increases.

Here are the findings:

Newark Liberty International (New Jersey) was worst for summer delays with an on-time arrival rate of just 67 percent, according to the report. The others in the bottom 10, with an on-time arrival rate ranging from 68 to about 75 percent, are LaGuardia (New York), San Francisco International, John F. Kennedy International (New York), Logan International (Boston), O’Hare International (Chicago), Miami International, Ronald Reagan Washington National, Raleigh-Durham (North Carolina) and Philadelphia International.

The airports with the best on-time arrivals, ranging from 80 to 88 percent, were Honolulu International (Hawaii), Salt Lake City International (Utah), John Wayne Airport (Orange County, Calif.), Phoenix Sky Harbor International, Seattle-Tacoma International, Portland International (Oregon), Minneapolis-St. Paul International, San Jose International (California) and McCarran International (Las Vegas).

Do you regularly use any of those airports? Or, will you be flying into them this summer?

What can you do? These may help…especially if you have choices on flying.

Check the weather. Is severe weather forecast? How about fog or anything else that may delay the arrival?

Try for an early morning flight before delays start to affect the entire day.

Don’t forget to check security regulations if you have questions.

 

 

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You Weigh How Much?

Walking towards the check-in counter at Paris’ DE Gaulle airport last month, I noticed a man kneeling on the floor frantically taking things out of his extra-large suitcase.

Upon looking closer, he was transferring some of those things to another bag and he was tossing other things in a pile. Listening to him mumble to himself, he was cursing the airline for telling him his bag weighed too much.

Apparently, he didn’t think to check the airline’s weight limit for checked luggage.

Do you?

Did you know airlines don’t all have the same guidelines for weight? It’s best to check with the airline you’ll be flying on to find out how much your bags can weigh. If you weigh your bags at home, you may think your scale is accurate. But, that doesn’t count. It’s the airline’s scale where your bags will be weighed that is important.

Or, you could make sure your bag weighs less than the limit…just in case.

If you want to compare airlines, use this site https://www.skyscanner.com/tips-and-inspiration/airline-baggage-sizes-fees-carry-checked-luggage for a quick reference.

Then double check the airline.

Don’t be that man on the floor throwing his shoes and jeans into a pile.