Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with plane

Bronx to Boston: What's the fastest way?

archofatlas — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:10:54 -0800

My question is a simple transportation one - I'll be in the Bronx for an interview near the Albert Einstein College of Medicine on a Tuesday. I'll probably be done around 2 or 3, but then would like to get down to Boston by dinnertime (7 or so). Can anyone suggest to me the quickest way to get there? I'm not sure if I should aim for a plane, or a train, and would love to hear if anyone has suggestions... cost is less of an object, getting down there is the higher priority.

Will my flight have a power outlet for my Macbook?

nitor — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 13:18:29 -0800

Will my flight have a power outlet for my Macbook? I will be flying with KLM on a Boeing (Douglas) MD-11. I don't want to take my bulky charger if I won't be able to use it on the flight. Will I be able to? I have a travel kit. Will I have to use the european adapter or will it have the US standard?

How can I bring a 20-piece dinnerware set on a plane?

Nematoda — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:12:53 -0800

How should I take a 20-piece dinnerware set on a plane? My parents bought me a lovely 20-piece dinnerware set on sale, and will give it to me when I visit them. However, I'm flying up to see them, and I wonder how I should bring the set back on the plane. It will still be packaged in the original box, but I have seen how the checked luggage is literally tossed on the conveyor belts, so I'm worried the dinnerware might become a 100-piece set on the way back. Should I try to bring the box with the dinnerware as carry-on? Or should I check it?

Preventing panic attacks on an airplane flight?

wastelands — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:39:32 -0800

What else can I do to help prevent a panic attack on an airplane? I'm flying next month for the first time in almost five years. I have flown four times before, and I never had a problem with panic. Hell, I enjoyed it. I love planes.

But in 2006 and 2007 I had panic attacks on trains and buses. It's not the mode of transportation that bothered me, it was being crowded into a confined space with lots of people, which would be the same on a plane.

The last couple months I've decreased my caffeine intake dramatically (which seemed to make the panic worse), been able to be in crowded situations (like meetings at work) without panic, and started meditating 10 minutes a day in the morning.

But I'll be going from the west coast to the east coast, so it's not a short hop. It'd really suck to have a freak out when I'm stuck on a plane for hours.

Anyway, does anyone here who flies regularly and deals with anxiety have any tips?

Two things I already did: 1) I requested an aisle seat, so I can get up easily and not feel "trapped"; 2) I have been watching videos on YouTube of planes landing and taking off, from the perspective of passengers.

Thanks!

How to make an object rotate while banking on a path in Maya?

N2O1138 — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:21:01 -0800

How can I rotate an object in Maya while it's on a path and automatically banking? I'm currently making an animation involving a paper airplane, and I have it set to bank automatically, but I would like it to fly upside down at one point, and briefly turn on its side at another. I'm very new to paths in Maya, and whatever I try to do usually ends up making the plane rotated for the entire animation. Ideally I'd like to be able to keyframe a rotation while still having the paper plane following the path and banking normally. Is this possible?

sure it's super 90's but I've never lost my wallet. Ever.

hector horace — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 13:53:58 -0800

Will I be allowed to get on the plane with my wallet chain? I'm flying to London, England this week on my way to Holland. This is my first international flight. Will I be allowed to get on the plane with my wallet chain? I've searched google but I can't find any specific mention of a wallet chain being prohibited. That said I imagine that it probably is.
Anyone have any experience with this?

Also will it be a problem to have a pair of drum sticks in my carry on? I'm not checking any luggage so that solution won't work. I really want to avoid any problems at customs.

thanks

Are there power outlets on International United Airlines flights?

linzenoonoo — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:55:27 -0800

Are there power outlets on International United Airlines flights? My mother is wanting to be able to charge her laptop on a plane ride to Bejing, and wants to know if she is able to either plug her laptop in on the flight, or bring a cigarette lighter power inverter in order to charge it. Does anyone have any input on this that I can tell her?

Why are airplane seatbelts different from car seatbelts?

gleuschk — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:20:39 -0800

Why are airplane seatbelts different from car seatbelts? It seems odd that we would have these two totally different designs for seatbelts. If the airplane one is better (safer, easier to unlatch in a hurry, whatever), why don't we use them in cars? If not, why do we use a design that has to be explained to people? Is there something about the two designs that makes one better in a plane and the other better in a car?

Need help booking travel for two people - different return dates.

Towelie — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:06:32 -0800

Two people traveling, want to travel together, one needs to return on a different day. How to do so? Online? Phone? My GF + I are traveling from Philly to Vegas next month - we need to book our tickets (and soon!) Problem: Online doesn't get you seats next together...nor books both people easily.

We want to travel together on the leg out to Vegas (and sit together!) - she needs to return earlier (several days earlier) for work.

I'm familiar with most of the travel sites (like Kayak) - but I couldn't find a way to book both of our tickets (and get seats next to each other) at the same time (instead of book the first person then the second.)

What's the best way to go about this?

I think I want to use United - they seem to be cheapest - when I called their phone # - it was $25/ticket extra to talk to a human.

Bonus: We're using an Amex to pay for it - should we call Amex's travel services for the best deal? United? Book online?

Where to travel with my mom and sister?

brynna — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:15:20 -0800

Where should I take my mom and sister for a week of family bonding and exploring? For my graduation gift, my family decided to give me an all-expenses paid one-week trip to anywhere. They wanted me to invite a friend, but since it's my last chance to spend time with my family before accepting a full-time job on the opposite coast (in Boston), I've decided that I want my travel companions to be my mom and my 16 year old sister.

So the question is: where to go?

Some caveats:
1) with the added expense of my other family members going (instead of JUST me), the trip has to be a little bit less expensive, especially regarding airfare. Would like to keep airfare under $400 each, although trains and cars are also options.
2) Departing from Sacramento/San Francisco area. Trip can occur any time in June or July.
3) We have Hilton Points, so would be staying at a Hilton or Doubletree somewhere (I know these are all over, so it's not an issue of WHERE rather than just pointing out that accomodations are spoken for)
4) we are into food and quaintness, with an equal mix of relaxing and exploring.
5) some ideas we were considering were Costa Rica (mine), Montreal (my mom's) and North Carolina (my sister)... but we are still exploring other options!
6) If it were completely up to me and I was traveling alone, I would go somewhere like Morocco or Istanbul, but my mom is more of a coast-of-Maine or Carmel-by-the-Sea type.

Where can three women (45, 21, and 16 years of age) go for a unique week of bonding??

How do I get from Atlanta to Indianapolis today?

davidstandaford — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 05:48:29 -0800

I just learned that my 12:45 Delta flight from Atlanta to Indianapolis was canceled and I was rebooked for a flight on Tuesday. This is a giant problem for me and I'm trying to figure out if there is any way to get to Indianapolis today. As of now, the websites for the Atlanta and Indianapolis airports are both showing no delays from weather, but I can't tell if they are projecting stopping flights in the next couple of hours. I'm about to call Delta and try to find out what is going on, but I was curious if anyone has any advice for the best way to talk to them, and if it might be worth it to go to the airport and try to get on another flight from the airport as opposed to over the phone.

If anyone has any advice about getting my travels plans taken care of today as opposed to on Tuesday I really appreciate the help.

Thai on a plane?

um_maverick — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:22:47 -0800

Traveling from Boston to Chicago for Thanksgiving, and want to bring our hostess (my sister) a taste of home - Will I be able to clear security with 4 containers of thai take-out, and what's the best way to travel with the food? My current plan (hope) is to get a small soft-sided cooler, and fill it with ice or ice packs, and about 4 plastic take-out containers. Just before clearing security, we'll dump the ice in a trash can, and hope that the insulation + cold food is enough to keep everything cool for the wait behind security and the trip itself. My sister can then bring some fresh ice when she picks us up at the airport.

Has anybody taken something like this through security before? Am I just asking for trouble? What are the odds that the food will last? Also, will the sauce on the food count against my 3-oz-of-liquid limit? If you're from the South Shore in MA, we're talking about Chatta Box, so I *really* want to make this happen :)

I saw these two articles, but I don't want to freeze the food (with the dry ice), and I'm planning on taking as a carry on. Any additional help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Pain while flying?

Riki tiki — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:32:44 -0800

Why do I get a pain in my torso when I fly? In recent years, whenever I fly, I gradually develop a sharp ache... it tends to be just above my stomach and off-center (on my left side yesterday, can't remember if it's ever been on the right), and the pain ranges from my front under the rib to near my spine. I can get some temporary relief by putting pressure on its location but it invariably returns. Shortly after we land, the pain subsides.

What could this be? I don't think it's a function of the cramped seating, because it happens even if no one is next to me and I can spread out a bit. It happens regardless of my diet that day, so I don't think it's a digestive issue. I may be wrong about either of these points, but my hunch is that it's something specific to air travel.

Anyone have any similar experiences and/or recommendations?

What airlines will get me from Phoenix to New York City with three adult cats?

Optimus Chyme — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:44:11 -0800

What airlines will get me from Phoenix to New York City with three adult cats? Failing that, can you recommend anyone who does live animal shipment? I moved to New York and left my cats with sitters in Phoenix while I found an apartment. I have an apartment now and would like to retrieve my cats. My plan was to a) fly back to PHX and fly them back out to NYC with me or b) have them shipped out here via a live animal transport service.

I know, for instance, that Southwest doesn't allow pets at all. What airlines are the most pet-friendly?

With respect to shippers, I got an eye-popping $1500 estimate from Precious Pet Transport, which I will be happy to spend if there are no other options available. Do you know of better or less expensive pet transport companies?

Flying back and renting a car is out of the question due to time and cost constraints; my research indicates that it would be the most expensive option other than building them a rocketship out of gold.

I am open to any suggestions or advice you may have. Thank you!

was that a UFO?

badish — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:47:39 -0800

was that a UFO!?!?!?!?? i live in garmisch, germany. there are constantly jets flying above heading to munich to land. they always leave jet streams. so just now, i watched something fly overhead (at 6pm, not dark at all) without a jetstream.

does anyone know what that aircraft is?

Where's the best place to watch the Chicago Air show?

nitsuj — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:08:46 -0800

Where's the best place to watch the Chicago Air show?

What's the cheapest way to get from the US to England without taking an airplane?

archagon — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:50:10 -0800

What's the cheapest way to get from the US to England without taking an airplane?

Help the flying dog.

ignignokt — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:50:03 -0800

In a few months, my (former) dog is going to be flying from California to the UK in the cargo hold. How can this be made as safe and comfortable for him? My sister is moving to England for a few years, and she's bringing her dog, our former family pet, with her. He's a beagle and on the the large side for a beagle, somewhere around 30 pounds. There's no way she's going to be able to convince airlines to let him in the cabin.

So, the cargo hold it is. I've read this and this and am still concerned about the potential damage from a ten-hour flight. (This is out of her price range.)

He's healthy and usually genial, but he's also thirteen years old and has been traumatized in the past by being left in a kennel for a couple of days while our family moved. That was when he was five, and he's long since gotten over his separation anxiety and is able to stay peacefully at home without thinking he's been abandoned while people leave for the day. A plane's cargo hold, though - that seems like a terrifying place for a dog. Or am I just building it up in my head?

Does anyone have any tips to ensure his physical and psychological health during this massive flight? Other than getting him used to the kennel he'll be in when he flies (which my sister is doing) and following the tips in the above-linked articles, what can be done?

I realize I may very well be looking for a silver bullet here and should just face the fact that flying is just always going to be horrible for dogs that don't fit in shopping bags, but hey, a few problems really do have silver bullets, it doesn't hurt to look, right?

How/where can I sell an airline/airplane/flight ticket?

harwons — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:58:20 -0800

I bought a plane ticket, I subsequently had to cancel the flight, and now I'm stuck with a Delta voucher. I want to sell it and buy a ticket on another airline, which happens to have a much better flight to my destination. But where can I sell my ticket? I tried eBay and Points.com already.

If we get to live in Vancouver, then so does he dammit!

travosaurus — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:22:13 -0800

Will a bunny survive a 5 hour airplane trip? We will be travelling 5 hours direct to where we live be living, and we want to bring our bunny rabbit. He's calm and reserved, about 2.5-3 years old, named Dave Grohl, and we don't want him to be too scared by the flight.

He won't be flying in cargo, he'll he under our seat the entire time. Treats and hand nibbles will be available in ample amounts.

What food to pack in a cooler for a looong plane flight?

NortonDC — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:34:33 -0800

Food to put in a cooler for a long plane flight. Difficulty: one omnivore, one vegetarian. Onlyconnect and I will be spending most of a day on a plane. The airline will be selling food, but we think that we should be able to do better than buying their fare. We have a carry-on sized soft-sided cooler and want to stock it with tasty food. Plotting what to bring gets complicated due to TSA rules banning containers of liquids bigger than 3 ounces (no hummus?), tray room and personal space on a crowded flight, consideration for our neighbors noses (we will be spending around 12 hours with these folks), and what will be a satisfying mix for both the lacto-ovo vegetarian and the omnivore. What belongs in our bag?

whee, paper plane

divabat — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:07:07 -0800

What fun things can I do with paper planes? I'm thinking of holding a Paper Plane Party and need ideas on what one can do with or surrounding paper planes.

I know of paper plane races (distance, accuracy, time aloft), and you can always design the planes creatively. You could also use the paper planes as advertising/invites, or just toss them off a tall building and watch them float.

What other creative ideas have people done with paper planes?

Will my Copics blow up?

COBRA! — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:28:02 -0800

Will my art pens survive a plane flight? Travelling by air later this week, and hoping to catch up on some inking while I'm gone. But I'm worried about destroying my arsenal of art pens/pigment liners/brush pens by bringing them along... I've had regular pens get messed up by the air pressure on planes, but these function differently and I hope that'll help. Comic-makin' Mefites, have you flown with art pens?

Where should I go (besides the Freak States)?

drjimmy11 — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:46:27 -0800

where should I go in the lower 48, and what should I do when I get there? Last x-mas i got myself bumped from my flight in exchange for a free roundtrip voucher anywhere in the lower 48.

I don't know where to go. The place that intrigues me most in the U.S. is Alaska- but it's not in the lower 48. I am probably limited to two weeks at most in the place I choose, and I'm not sure I even want to waste my vacation for the year going somewhere in the lower 48.

I have been to NYC before and love it, but I'm not sure exactly what I would do when I got there, and I don't want to spend a fortune when I get there. And honestly the idea of spending time there alone doesn't strike me as all that enjoyable. But I am open to any specific events/occasions in NY I could check out.

I live in L.A. Not particularly fond of SF and anyway, a ticket up there would be so cheap it wouldn't be worth using the voucher. Same goes for Vegas.

I grew up in Baltimore/DC area and have had enough of it for several lifetimes.

I've never been to Chicago really, and I know it's a great city, but I don't know exactly what i'd want to do when I got there, besides maybe try to recreate Ferris Bueller's day off.

So, I'm kind of at a loss. I am not particularly keen on standard tourist attractions. Things I do like: music and music history, outdoors and nature, film, literature. I like museums, although I tire of them fairly quickly (and I work within 100 yards of the L.A. County Museum of Art). I would like to see the sights of Utah (Zion, etc), but not sure how close I can get to them in a plane, and if it wouldn't be easier to just drive out there from L.A. anyway.

Sadly, I have no friends or relatives that live anywhere but L.A. or Maryland. Well, maybe happily, since all my friends are near me. But there's no one I could go visit really. I thought about the summer music festivals, Sasquatch has a pretty good lineup, but I'm just not that keen on doing the whole "camp in a muddy smelly field" experience on my own.

so... where do i go? what do I do when I get there? the more off-the-wall your idea, the more i will probably like it. Otherwise I will probably just end up using this thing for a ticket home next Xmas, and that depresses the hell out of me. No one should have to use a free plane ticket to go to Baltimore in the winter. If there was a way to give it to charity or transfer it someone else, i would probably do it, but as far as I know that is not possible.

thanks!

How can I fly?

Cat Pie Hurts — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 08:19:21 -0800

Please help me figure out how to get on an airplane. Due to a possible family emergency, I may need to get on a plane at a moment's notice. The problem? I haven't flown since January 2000. Ever since then, the very thought of flying sends me into a vicious panic attack, full shakes, crying, near-crap-my-pants kind of terror. (Long story short: my Dad died and my mortality circuit got fried - and, no, he didn't die in a plane crash).

The last time I actually attempted flying was early September 2001. I was hopped up (or down) on much Ativan and I still started screaming and crying before even checking in, and had to be dragged out by my best friend.

The majority of my dreams over the last seven years have been related to my fear of flying. I'll be on a plane about to take off and start freaking, I'll see vivid plane crashes, etc.

(Mind you, before my Dad died, I had mild nervousness regarding flying, but all in all I loved it, and flew fairly often - 5-6 times/year).

The inability to get on a plane has had severe effects on my life over the last seven years; missed job opportunities, missed family and friends. And now, at a time when I should be focused on my very sick Grandpa, I'm thinking all about me, and that's just not fair.

What I really need is a B.A. Barracus style shot-in-the-ass service, but I don't think they exist. (Besides, I'd REALLY like to be able to enjoy flying again).

So, Mefites, any tips for a not-just-fearful-flyer-but-crazy-terrified-flyer?