Author Topic: Air travel questions (Read 1217 times)

Dago · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2005, 10:14:57 PM »

Lots of good advice given.

I always put all my pocket stuff except my wallet in my carry on bag. Never check anything valuable.

DO NOT make any jokes about bombs, terrorists, weapons, crashes etc. It will get you arrested, even if you are joking. Don't even think about making any comments or jokes about that stuff.

You can use computers or other electronic devices on the aircraft after they announce it is okay, and that is when the aircraft reaches 18,000 feet. No cell phones in the air at all. ON the ground, they will tell you when to have them shut off (turned off completely, not just hung up), and when you can use them again.

Your luggage should check through okay, but make sure you ask when checking it.

You should always be able to ask an airline customer service agent, or gate agent about where to catch a connection, and if necessary to change terminals, how to get there.

In the security check, I always take off my shoes and belt, run them through xray with your jacket and carryon stuff. Saves time and hassels in the end.

Have fun, relax, your plane will not crash, and when served a soft-drink, ask for the can.

dago

spitfiremkv · « **Reply #16 on:** January 15, 2005, 11:35:38 PM »

one important detail forgotten by everyone else:

plane is pressurized for a higher altitude (don't remember what exactly)
if you have gas on the ground, it will feel a lot worse in the air.

eat light before you travel. even during flights, avoid all emals that might give you gas!

Jackal1 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 16, 2005, 07:05:30 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by spitfiremkv
avoid all emals that might give you gas!

Whether on the ground or in the air , I always avoid all Emals................Ewoks are even worse. The occasional Emu is OK as long as you don`t make a habit of it.

Monk · « **Reply #18 on:** January 16, 2005, 09:54:59 AM »

Git naked, bring your own glove and always smile.

Dago · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2005, 10:09:57 AM »

Tell the gate agent you want a seat near the bar, perferable one with a lot of legroom and a cushy seat.

When boarding, its a good idea to look into the cockpit and tell the pilot "if you need any help, I have flown flight sims on my computer and would be glad to lend a hand". He will appreciate the offer.

Tell a flight attendant that you want to join the mile high club and ask if she can help you with that. She will be so tickled you will be her favorite passenger afterwards.

One takeoff roll, say real loud "Allah, I will join you soon". It will comfort the other passengers to know there is a religious person nearby.

And my favorite, after landing look around and say to everyone within hearing distance "Cheated Death again".

Those tips will ensure an interesting flight.

dago

Chairboy · « **Reply #20 on:** January 16, 2005, 12:15:16 PM »

If you've never flown in a jet before, you should DEFINATELY ask to join the mile high club.

spitfiremkv · « **Reply #21 on:** January 16, 2005, 02:04:24 PM »

even if you join it alone...

NUKE · « **Reply #22 on:** January 16, 2005, 02:21:46 PM »

Suntracker, what everyone said....plus

Don't worry about clipping the camera to your belt, you have to take everything like that off anyway.

Most airlines allow one carry on bag plus one personal item like a purse or small bag, notebook case etc.

I usually carry on if I can, then I carry my notebook case and put all my little items, like cellphone, keys, small water, a book or magazines etc in it.

The personal item you keep with you and store it under the seat in front of you.

Also, you might want to bring some small headphones so you don't have to buy or rent any for the inflight movie.

Golfer · « **Reply #23 on:** January 16, 2005, 03:31:45 PM »

I'm hard pressed to get any in flight movie. I fly only east of the mississippi and the only meal service is a shot glass of sprite and some stale pretzels. It's very much worth it to just fly myself.

When I fly myself I get:

Not searched for terroist items
Nobody hassles me when I set my shotgun in the seat behind me.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal bars
Sunny Delight
Juicy Juice pouches
To log the time to better my career
Listen to the great AM radio stations out there (Through the ADF)

To rent and fly the Mooney I usually fly from A to B, it costs $0.68/Mile

I can fly it to Jacksonville, FL from Columbus, OH without stopping for fuel.

Flew it from Columbus to West Palm Beach in just over 6 hrs and 1 fuel stop 1/2 way for a pee/leg stretch/get out of the airplane break (Allendale, SC)

Door to door time was 7 hrs. I couldn't do that good flying airlines.

(Fishing through logbook)

12.4 hrs @ 95/hr wet = $1250 after tax.

I knew of the trip about 3 days in advance, so I'll search Expedia for prices...

Using my departure/arrival times (Not compensating for check-in/connection ect) the best price I could find was $818.00

Here is the paste from the trip, one I wouldn't make anyway because of that whole Airbus thing at the bottom on US Airways.

Add 90 min each way for arriving early/security ect.

It looks like 14 hrs of in-system time. Had I had a passenger, I would have kicked the snot out of the airlines in Price, Door-to-door time and convenience due to lack of hassle of security. No parking my car fees (I dropped $90 for this in Palm Beach for one trip) No lost baggage (100% of the time I go through ORD they lose something. Either clothing or Golf clubs) and better cuisine.

1 Review the flight details

Wed 19-Jan-05

Columbus (CMH)
Depart 7:03 am to Chicago (ORD)
Arrive 7:30 am
Terminal 3 295 mile(s)
(475 km)
Duration: 1hr 27mn

Flight: 4154
Operated by: /AMERICAN EAGLE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economy/Coach Class, Embraer RJ145, 60% on time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chicago (ORD)
Depart 8:35 am
Terminal 2 to Charlotte (CLT)
Arrive 11:28 am 599 mile(s)
(964 km)
Duration: 1hr 53mn

Flight: 1158

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economy/Coach Class, Boeing 737-300, 80% on time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charlotte (CLT)
Depart 12:15 pm to West Palm Beach (PBI)
Arrive 2:04 pm 591 mile(s)
(951 km)
Duration: 1hr 49mn

Flight: 848

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economy/Coach Class, Boeing 737-400, 70% on time

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total distance: 1485 mile(s) (2390 km)
Total duration: 5hr 9mn (7hr 1mn with connections)

Sun 23-Jan-05

West Palm Beach (PBI)
Depart 3:00 pm to Charlotte (CLT)
Arrive 4:53 pm 591 mile(s)
(951 km)
Duration: 1hr 53mn

Flight: 2560
Operated by: US Airways

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economy/Coach Class, Boeing 737-400
Please check in for this flight at the US Airways Ticket Counter

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charlotte (CLT)
Depart 5:55 pm to Columbus (CMH)
Arrive 7:12 pm 347 mile(s)
(558 km)
Duration: 1hr 17mn

Flight: 1717
Operated by: US Airways

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economy/Coach Class, Airbus A319

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total distance: 938 mile(s) (1510 km)
Total duration: 3hr 10mn (4hr 12mn with connections)

spitfiremkv · « **Reply #24 on:** January 16, 2005, 04:16:10 PM »

my oh my you're such a patriot for not flying on any Airbus.

The crying Eagle award goes to you, sir!

SOB · « **Reply #25 on:** January 16, 2005, 05:43:16 PM »

If you're able, pack everything in your carryon - but don't overpack it. If it doesn't fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you they may make you check it at the last minute, unless they have room in one of the storage areas in the cabin.

If your airline offers online check-in, do it! I just flew home for Christmas, and it was the first time I've flown since Northwest started offering this. I checked in and printed out my boarding pass before leaving for the airport each time, and got an exit row seat (more leg room) each time. The only people I had to talk to at the airport were security at the checkpoint, then the agent who scanned in my boarding pass as I boarded the plane.

And like everyone else said...shoes, jacket, mobile phone & any other electronics, keys all need to be scanned. Have your ID and boarding pass ready for security to look at before sending you through.

To locate your flight, just locate the bank of monitors for your particular airline...there will be separate banks for arrivals and departures. It'll tell you the gate, time of arrival/departure, and if it's on time. Then, just look up at the signs to find your gate...if you're unable to locate it by following the signs, then leave the airport immediately and buy yourself a helmet, because you're too stupid to fly.

Golfer · « **Reply #26 on:** January 16, 2005, 06:02:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by spitfiremkv
my oh my you're such a patriot for not flying on any Airbus.

The crying Eagle award goes to you, sir!

It has nothing to do with patriotism.

I'd researched extensively AA587 and the reviewed multiple times the transcripts of the CVR. The airplane betrayed the pilots. I would not accept a job flying an Airbus nor would I place myself in a situation where I nor the ones in control of the aircraft (all highly trained professionals) could have no say whatsoever should the same situation arise in the course of normal operation.

I have the freedom to choose to not ride on one and I plan on exercising it.

Creamo · « **Reply #27 on:** January 16, 2005, 06:19:10 PM »

Get a grip Golfer. Good grandstanding for BBS O'lub tards, but there is a few here that know better. You'd take a job flying an Airbus, and post your pictures here on the jet bridge proud as a sum*****. I hate to use the letters, but stfu. You're that out of line.

Golfer · « **Reply #28 on:** January 16, 2005, 06:33:30 PM »

No Creamo, I really wouldn't. Save this bold statement and put it in your pocket if you feel so strongly that I wouldn't keep my word.

I'd fly SIC on King Air B100's making $15/flight hr for the rest of my life before I ever signed a training contract to fly an Airbus.

I don't even want to fly for an airline. Part 91, corporate flight department. The only real reason I'd consider an airline is to fly CRJ's to build experience for a CL-604 job. Cape Air flying 402's would be neat, who didn't like the show "Wings."

(Edit) <2 paragraphs deleted>

I am not telling people "don't fly the Airbus because they're not safe." I'm just saying I'm not going to ride or fly on one given the option. Simply put, again, I don't trust the flight control software. 1-1/2" of pedal deflection at 30lbs of pressure shouldn't be the difference beween 0 and full deflection of the rudder and adios vertical stabilizer.

Again...
I do not trust the Airbus flight control system. I've said it before, but any computer driven flight control program that will allow the pilot to make an input that will cause a structural failure is not an airplane I want to be associated with. That's my personal feeling, nobody has to agree or even think I am right. That is where I stand.

Creamo · « **Reply #29 on:** January 16, 2005, 06:55:23 PM »

Didn't read the beetle wall of text come back, caught the bold highlight though.

Now I know why you're making a pitiful $15 dollars an hour and will for the rest of your life. It makes sense too; but godspeed, and godbless you Golfer. It's rare that awesome safety conscious pilots like you actually heed your own madeup safety creed, and I salute you. I just hope the unfortunate ETOPS crews flying Airbus jets overseas with all those young dunky dunk flight attendants see to donate all their paychecks to the Airbus disaster victims.