Extravigator - Premium Air Travel

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

Rick OShea — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:41:00 -0500

A little less than a year ago, I contributed the following comment to this discussion:

"In addition to all of the problems cited above in this discussion thread, you can add on all the delays and corresponding aggravation associated with bad weather. In particular, the recent heavy snowstorms that have ravaged many portions of the United States lately have resulted in massive delays and cancellations, and hundreds of thousands of frustrated airline passengers. Clearly, flying isn't always as exciting and pleasurable as it used to be."

Well, it's that time of year again and the same thing is happening once more. The mayor of Chicago just indicated that the snowstorm that hit the midwest this week was of "historic proportions" for his city and the delays stemming from cancellations at O'Hare International Airport there are rippling through the entire air travel system today. It's clear to me that traveling by plane in the USA during the wintertime is not just an ordeal. It's getting to be a nightmare!

Jet lag tips

fibonacci — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 18:53:05 -0500

Like others have said, I try not to sleep on the plane and always avoid alcohol and caffeine. On long trips to foreign destinations where I arrive in the late afternoon or early evening, I don't go to sleep immediately. Instead, I have a light dinner, unpack, take a long shower and only then retire for the night. However, before doing so, I take something that will help me go to sleep and hopefully not wake up repeatedly in the middle of the night. But, unlike what Creed and J.L. suggest, I just take a few anti-allergy tablets, such as Chlortrimeton (Chlorpheniramine Maleate) which have always made me sleepy. If I've crossed up to 6 time zones, I'll usually take two 4 mg. tablets and if I've crossed over 10 time zones, I'll usually take three. This approach works well for me, and I almost always wake up the next morning feeling fine.

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

Abbott — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 08:50:34 -0500

Sohcahtoa - you're absolutely right. A lot of people let relatively small amounts of frequent flier miles expire for lack of enough miles to fly somewhere. There are some easy and inexpensive ways to extend the expiration date of those miles, such as buying a small amount of additional miles from the airline, taking a short flight somewhere or using one of the airline's travel partners. But if you don't want to use any of those, then using the miles to buy something through the airline's rewards program is a very good idea. Enjoy that new digital camera.......

Shipping Your Luggage Ahead to Your Destination

hotelier — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:35:49 -0500

When we travel for pleasure, we often find that our luggage is heavier and bulkier on our return trip home than when we're first beginning our vacation. (That's usually because of shopping and purchasing things along the way.) So, at least for DOMESTIC trips within the USA, where there are no customs inspections involved, we find shipping our luggage BACK TO OUR HOME to be just as, if not more, convenient as shipping it ahead to our destination.

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

sohcahtoa — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 22:57:26 -0500

Even though frequent flier miles are becoming less and less valuable every month, they can still be quite useful. I recently found myself in a situation where I had a modest amount of miles in my Mileage Plus account at United Airlines that were about to expire. (I used to fly a lot on United but no longer do.) The amount of miles in my account were not enough for me to take a trip anywhere I wanted to go and, rather than let them expire, I decided to cash those miles in for a high-end digital camera and a small kitchen appliance.

Under normal circumstances, it's apparent that you're not getting much value in cashing in your miles for such items, as you have to use a good amount of miles for things that just aren't that valuable. But, it's a much better alternative than just letting them expire.

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

Nanoose — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:35:30 -0500

I'm a little stunned about the fight for more secure airlines. I recently came back to the states via Istanbul. There were actually 12 different points where someone either searched my bag or asked for my passport and boarding pass.

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

The Rover — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:38:42 -0500

The latest security procedures currently being practiced by the TSA are causing quite a commotion, and the resulting reaction to them from the traveling public is making the situation even more complicated. Flying over this upcoming Thanksgiving holiday four-day weekend promises to be an adventure, to say the least:

http://nationaljournal.com/member/whitehouse/white-house-fights-pat-down-backlash-20101122

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

DonPablo — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 11:46:15 -0500

Writing in the New York Times this weekend, author Douglas Quenqua laments what he calls "...the second biggest fear of flying: sitting next to a screaming, kicking, uncontrollable child. Next to landing hastily on something other than a runway, sharing the cabin with a fussy toddler is about the worst luck many travelers can imagine.":

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/travel/14babies-journeys.html?ref=travel

His article, which can be read by clicking on the above link, discusses yet another ordeal that the seasoned airline passenger may have to endure on a long trip to the other side of the world, with no hope for escape from an excruciating experience.

Many years ago, when I was an undergraduate student at M.I.T., my first electrical engineering professor was an exciting, inspiring young faculty member, Amar Bose, who later went on to found the Bose Corporation, which produces some wonderful products, such as speakers, wave radios and noise-canceling headphones. It is the latter product that Mr. Quenqua sees as the only hope for some peace and quiet when one encounters that horror of all horrors upon boarding an airplane, a screaming child in a nearby seat.

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

fibonacci — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 19:37:46 -0400

As you can read in this article and as everybody probably knows, you can also exchange your frequent flier miles for other types of awards. But, the value you get by doing this is generally even less than what you can get when you use your miles for airline travel.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/travel/31prac-miles.html?ref=travel

Shipping Your Luggage Ahead to Your Destination

bailey — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:51:57 -0400

Just to mention a variation on jewel fiend's approach, try leaving on your trip with two or three days' of clothing that you were going to get rid of anyway, discard all or most of it at your end destination and (especially if the pricing is attractive and the variety and quality of the clothing is top-notch where you're going) buy your new wardrobe there and enjoy! My wife and daughter used such an approach when they would travel to Hong Kong.

Best/Worst lounges?

Trabzon — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 14:54:57 -0400

While it doesn't relate directly to the subject of airport lounges, a very interesting article came out today that discusses how a number of cities are grappling with ways to make a traveler's time spent at airports, while waiting for the next flight, more comfortable and enjoyable:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/travel/24prac.html?ref=travel

Airline with the best food in first or business class?

James Keller — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:50:32 -0400

I fly between The US and Europe and within the EU several times a year and have never had a really bad meal in Air France business out of Paris or, surprisingly, Lufthansa business from anywhere. Lufthansa leans to comfort food which very sensibly does not require extreme calibration of temperature/preparedness from kitchen to cabin, but is still quite delicious. If you complain that your filet mignon is not medium rare on any airline in any class, you are setting your standards much higher than normal cruising altitude.

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

The Rover — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:10:51 -0400

While I'm sure that some of the horror stories we've heard lately about flying in the economy section and on low-cost airlines are true, we've found that our recent flying experiences in first class have been quite pleasurable and very much like they used to be a few years ago.

Airline with the best food in first or business class?

marcie — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 20:16:37 -0400

In my book, by far, it's still Air France and nobody else is even close. The differentiating factors are the food and the wine!

Bumped from a flight

Dex — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:29:49 -0400

Even though air travel is picking up, it's well known that the airlines are currently choosing not to effect any substantial increases in capacity. Fares are going up and the airlines are seeing their profits increase. Also, they continue to overbook their flights. A result of all of this is that many planes are now flying either completely full or close to full and this means that the chances of being bumped are increasing significantly. So, it really pays to get to the airport early and get checked in and get your seats.

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

bailey — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 20:32:14 -0400

In general, most airlines are currently reporting increasing revenues and larger profits. They haven't added very much additional capacity and the planes are much more crowded than they have been in years. So, they've been able to increase prices, especially in first and business class and for international flights. Delta Airlines just reported that its average plane flew with 85% of the seats full last quarter. Needless to say, the airlines are in no great rush to "give away" a seat for frequent flier miles when they can get a revenue paying customer. So it'll probably be even more difficult to redeem frequent flier miles for a flight somewhere over the months ahead.

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

Pieter — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:58:39 -0400

In Europe, taking the train is a very realistic option. The cost is roughly equivalent to flying. You need to book in advance to get the best fares (90 days is the usual booking window) which is the same as for most airlines. Standard class is far more comfortable than coach in the air. The problem is that information is not great, particularly when you are crossing borders. This site about trains to ski resorts in Europe is a useful starting point.

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

Dex — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:30:55 -0400

The results of a survey released yesterday by Travel And Leisure Magazine indicated that New York had absolutely the worst airports in the USA. The rankings were based on on-time performance, food, entertainment, and staff efficiency. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports came in dead last in the survey of 30 domestic airports, while Houston came in first.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/08/30/survey-says-nyc-has-worst-airports-in-u-s/

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

BrittaM — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:08:50 -0400

Well, i don't think it's becoming "too much" of an ordeal, better to be safe, right? Of course one is annoyed occasionally but I'd rather accept that than the opposite option.
I don't travel by plane THAT much but it certainly makes things easier sometimes - and can be less expensive than travelling by train etc. (if that is even an option, regarding the destination)...

Is Flying Becoming Too Much of an Ordeal?

Abbott — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:37:38 -0400

Even though the planes are as crowded as ever, my recent flying experiences have been more enjoyable than they were in past years. Perhaps it's because many of the airlines are profitable again and they aren't cutting as many corners. Those extra fees they continue to impose are still bothersome though.

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

Nanoose — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:59:03 -0400

I just love people that know how to plot and scheme and work systems. I just wish these clever folks would plot to cure cancer or scheme to end child porn or something!

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

jensen — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 20:38:26 -0400

Considering how much space they take up and how heavy all those coins are, I don't think it would be worth it in terms of time and effort to transport all those coins to the bank and to sit there and wait for them to be counted. It's a clever scheme but too much trouble - unless you're out to prove a point that you can generate absolutely free frequent flier miles.

Flight Upgrades in a Weak Economy

loml95 — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 09:10:23 -0400

thanks, cuatros!

Flight Upgrades in a Weak Economy

cuatros — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:18:07 -0400

Ha. Yes, making pie is actually tough work. :) But, it's the other definition of "easy" in 'easy as pie.' It refers to the serving and eating of pie being calm, relaxed, easygoing and comfortable.

Flight Upgrades in a Weak Economy

loml95 — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:58:35 -0400

rover, i was able to book round trip to europe on delta also.
same 100k miles for a trip in march! easy as pie. (though i don't understand that saying) got our seat assignments and everything...

Flight Upgrades in a Weak Economy

The Rover — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:24:11 -0400

After years of finding it more and more difficult to use our frequent flyer miles to get where we wanted to go, just this past week, I was able to get round-trip tickets to Europe, business class, for my wife and me with very little difficulty. We're going to be flying Delta, in May of 2011, and it only cost us 100,000 miles each. (In previous years, we had to use up to 200,000 miles each for comparable tickets in the May time frame.) I'm not sure if this is a trend, or if we were just lucky.

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

bailey — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:52:58 -0400

Marcie - what a fantastic (perfectly legal) scheme! Yes, it's cumbersome, but it works! If only the coins weren't so heavy!

Bumped from a flight

The Rover — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:58:17 -0400

Marty - I know it's been a long time since you had your unfortunate experience. But, this article about how airlines may be forced to compensate passengers bumped from a flight more fairly may be of interest to you:

http://consumerist.com/2010/06/getting-bumped-from-a-flight-may-soon-cost-airlines-more-money.html

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

marcie — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 16:58:43 -0400

I'd say that frequent flyer miles really can't be devalued if they don't cost you anything in the first place. I'm not recommending that people start using this (clever but cumbersome) approach to obtain free frequent flyer miles, but it's certainly creative:

http://kottke.org/09/12/brilliant-frequent-flyer-miles-scheme

Frequent Flyer Miles - Devaluation

bailey — Wed, 19 May 2010 04:50:00 -0400

It seems that every month the airlines make it more difficult to redeem your frequent flyer miles and the number of miles required is continually increasing. As a result, the best thing to do is to redeem your miles as soon as possible because they become less valuable each day.