Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with travel and flying

GET ME HOME!!!

chicago2penn — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:41:03 -0800

I WANT TO GET HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!!! Hive-mind, we need your help!

My partner and I are stuck in Philadelphia, and would like to get home to our respective momma's before Christmas. Please help us find ways to do this!

She needs to get to Cincinnati, and I to Atlanta.

We can travel from anywhere within train distance. Baltimore, DC, New York, Harrisburg...
Driving is not an option.

Any ideas are welcome!

All I want for Christmas is my yum smoked meat.

nosila — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:19:12 -0800

I'm traveling to Dallas on Northwest Airlines from Montreal Pierre Trudeau Airport tomorrow morning. I just bought three pounds of smoked meat that is NOT shrink wrapped. Can I take it? Can I carry it on? I just spoke with someone from Travelocity and someone from U.S. Customs at the New York border. Both said to put it in my luggage and it should be fine. I wasn't planning on checking a bag. Obviously, I CAN check a bag, and I will if I have to, but does anyone have any experience doing this, either in checked luggage or carry-on? Thanks!

I know the names don't match, but it's really me! I swear!

arianell — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:22:48 -0800

Someone purchased an airline ticket for me, but booked it under my nickname instead of my legal name. I don't have any photo ID with my nickname on it. Will I be able to fly? (I know there have been previous questions asked about this kind of thing, but none since these new TSA guidelines were implemented.)

Everyone calls me by a nickname that is very different from my "actual" first name. Say my name is Josephine, but I go by Scarlett because of my hair color.

Anyhow, my boyfriend booked a trip for us, and he forgot to reserve my ticket as Josephine instead of Scarlett. We called the airline, and they can't/won't change the name on the ticket. Instead, they kindly offered to let us purchase a replacement ticket for the low low price of $600, which neither one of us can afford.

I know that, until recently, you didn't actually have to show ID to procure your boarding pass or get through security, although the agents at the security checkpoint would flag you for an extra screening. How much has this policy changed? Does it seem likely that I'll be able to board my flight? If not, do I have any other options?

Can you use airport amnesty bins to erase certain crimes?

Damn That Television — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:07:50 -0800

Where can I find the written laws that regulate amnesty bins at airports? (Amnesty bins are the bins right before the metal detectors in some airports where you can, according to signs, throw away anything that you can't take through security without penalty.) And, related, are these actually legally binding, or just a gentlemen's agreement? Could someone hypothetically put a stolen painting in the bin, and be free of legal consequence of having stolen it?

When buying a plane ticket, how do you decide whether to cash in your frequent flyer miles?

inatizzy — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 06:45:49 -0800

When you buy a plane ticket, how do you decide whether to cash in your frequent flyer miles, or pay cash and earn the miles? I have a specific decision to make that's prompting this question:

I've accumulated about 50,000 frequent flyer miles on a major airline over about 5 years of personal domestic travel. I'm going to Buenos Aires in September, one-way, economy, and I can either:

a) buy a ticket for about $450-500 (on two different airlines that I don't normally fly, with 2 stops on the way, about 16-19 hours trip time), or

b) spend 20,000 miles (on "major airline", 1 or 2 stops along the way, 14 hours trip time).

To buy the one-way ticket on "major airline" would cost around $1800 or more and I'd earn 5800 frequent flyer miles. Way too much for me to pay!

How do you decide whether to spend the miles or the money? I've really never been sure when to cash them in, but I'd sort of like to do that now because I could use the $$ to help secure an apartment, settle in, etc. (I'm moving there on my own without a job to pay for moving expenses.) But I'm also a little hesitant because I wonder, is this really getting the best value for my miles? Should I save them for later?

For what it's worth, I'm probably going to be in South America indefinitely after this trip and I'm unlikely to fly the "major airline" to travel between cities and countries there. However, I may use it to come back to the US for visits (such as at Christmas). Thanks for your advice!

Ordering a return ticket Melbourne to Los Angeles with V Australia; can I travel to LA and cancel the return flight for a refund?

Eastgate — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:31:51 -0800

I'm going to be flying one way from Melbourne, Australia to Los Angeles with V Australia. It's cheaper to book a return ticket than a one way ticket. Can I cancel the return flight and get a refund? I'm looking at going via Premium Economy with V Australia and getting a "Premium Deal" ticket from Melbourne to Los Angeles (approx. $923) and selecting a "Premium Flexi" ticket for the return journey (approx. $2500). After arriving in LA, I would want to cancel the return ticket. Is it possible to do this and get a full refund of the $2500 for the return ticket? Has anyone had experience doing this kind of thing before?

Going with a return ticket option was much cheaper than going with one way. I had considered selecting a "Premium Deal" ticket for the return, but I read that there was a $550 cancellation fee, which is why I'm asking about the "Premium Flexi" instead.

How do I get the stamina and health of diplomats, CEOs and politicians?

wingless_angel — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:42:08 -0800

I'm just about to start a new job that will involve a lot of travel, negotiation, and meeting and greeting. How do I get the stamina and health of diplomats, CEOs and politicians? I'm going to be starting a new job in which I have to travel a lot and be on my game, meeting a lot of new people. I hope this job will put me on the path to more NGO work and one day, the EU or the UN.

My health, while not exactly fragile, can be easily upset by sinus infections, asthma, migraines and jetlag. I have read in the past about CEOs who swear by 6am starts, yoga and exercise to stay alert and healthy and I will gradually start to do this. But what can I do for my overall health and resilience while flying a lot and being away from regular routines? Any roadwarriors here in a similar situation?

I have travelled a lot, but predominantly for leisure which means I have more time to do these things, but when I've travelled for conferences etc that's when I've fallen down in the past by not exercising, eating well and succumbing to sinus problems. My main exercise is cycling, and I can't take my bike ont these trips!

I don't want to become superhuman and work 24/7, but I do want to make sure that I am alert, engaged, and healthy on the road. How do I stay healthy and increase my stamina?

Hippest Woman in Seattle

tejolote — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:04:53 -0800

Help me fly to Belgium for surgery next month: I'm scheduled for hip surgery in Ghent on the 29th of April, and I have no idea how to schedule my flight. My leave and return dates are flexible, and I plan to go a few days before surgery to do some sightseeing (my first trip to Europe!), but I'm very, very worried about leg room after the surgery.

Business class tickets from Seattle are looking to be $4000 round trip, which I can't afford, nor can I borrow. Coach is around $670 (Continental Airlines) and up. The money I have to spend on a ticket is around $1500. I've heard there's a possibility of buying an upgrade the day of the flight for something that approaches my total budget, but I don't know if this is a rumor, or if not, what the chances are of space being available to purchase an upgrade.

I'm using ITA software to check prices. Should I call an airline directly to buy a ticket? Should I suck it up, and ask the doc for more painkillers for the flight back in coach? Should I find a travel agent? I've never flown internationally, so I have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm nervous as hell.

I'm so very excited about finally having surgery and about going to Europe and seeing Ghent. Help me get there safely, and get back as comfortably as I can after surgery.

New road warrior looking for the tricks of the trade.

wile e — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:24:53 -0800

New road warrior here! Looking for sites, blogs, toys etc that all you other road warriors use to help ease myself into this lifestyle. With my new position, I will be traveling around two weeks per month flying mostly. All international flights, so not many short runs. I know the usual jazz, drinks lots of water, get up and exercise every hour or two, etc etc. What I'm looking for are the tricks, the websites, the toys that make it easier.

Thanks to all who can offer any help!

and will either give me free Guinness?!

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:32:12 -0800

Should I book a flight with Aer Lingus or American Airlines? The price is the same (~$380). The flight is one way, transatlantic Dublin-Chicago. Probably no checked baggage (though a very slight possibility).

I don't have any experience with Aer Lingus and haven't flow on AA in a loooong time so I don't know which one would be better as far as comfort/food/etc.

Holiday Roo-ah-a-oh-a-ah-oh-oh-oh-oad, Holiday Ro-ah-a-oh-a-oh-oad!

QUHZK — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:27:55 -0800

Please help me plan a vacation for my first spring break in what feels like a million years! I have recently returned to being a full time student this year (2008) and now that spring semester is just around the corner, I realize I get a spring break! Woohoo! Now my wife and I just have to think of some place fun to go! That's where you come in!

Here's all the good info:

1. Preferred time to go is from 3/7/2009 to 3/14/2009, but technically we could leave late evening 3/6/2009 (after my wife leaves work) and return late evening 3/15/2009 (the day before I go back to class, and my wife goes back to work).

2. Ideally, we'd like to fly some place fairly distant (we're in Ohio).

3. No long distance driving (last vacation included a 14 hour drive, never again)

4. We'd need someplace to stay when we got wherever we decide to go.

5. We would like someplace that fills at least one of these guidelines, if it fills more than one - awesome:

a. warm, sandy beaches
b. not a cruise (been on several and we love them, but we're looking for something different)
c. amazing place to go for not particularly experienced world travelers
d. reasonably inexpensive (~$1,000 per person)
e. not filled with "traditional" spring-breakers

Mrs. Quhzk also wants me to mention Alaska.

Where should we go?

I don't want to spend Christmas in Airport Jail.

troika — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:40:28 -0800

International travel with multiple connections: what's it like? And inside: declaring, connection time, and things I will probably get confiscated. I'm flying AKL-BNE-LAX-IAD on Monday. I haven't flown into the US from a foreign country in years, so I am a little nervous.

Auckland to Brisbane: Two hours in Brisbane. Will I have to go through Australian customs? Are my bags checked through to the US? Anything I need to know?

Brisbane to LAX: Two hours, fifteen minutes in LAX. I go through customs at LAX and not IAD, right? What's going to happen? What do I declare? Do you think that'll be enough time (no, I don't either...), especially given that it's December 22 and everyone will be freaking out about the upcoming holiday? I land at 7am LA time.

LAX to Dulles: This flight is probably going to be the worst. No free Qantas booze, just 5 hours of misery in a middle seat. This is not a question, I'm just whining.

Will they confiscate it: hot sauce, cat treats, wine not purchased at the duty-free? How do you travel with wine, anyway?

Anything else you feel like offering about this upcoming trip, even reading suggestions, is welcomed, and when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.

I'm a US citizen, passport up to date.

Traveling Light

netbros — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:59:22 -0800

When packing for two seasons, how can I avoid airline baggage fees on size and weight? In a few weeks, I am flying (Delta Airlines) to an area that will have chilly autumn mornings followed by very warm desert afternoons. As a result, I will have different clothing requirements depending upon time of day. I will be packing for two seasons. The trip duration is six days and I will have no access to laundry facilities. To avoid extra airline baggage fees, I want to keep size and weight to a minimum.

What are your suggestions for what I should take and what I should leave at home, as well as any useful packing techniques? Thanks as always for your assistance.

Get me from Madrid to Lisbon

scribbler — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 18:23:52 -0800

At the Madrid airport, will I be able to get off an international flight coming from North America and then make it on to another flight - different airline, going to Lisbon - in just under two hours (1 hr 50 min to be exact)? If I can't make that transfer then I'll probably have to end up taking a train or bus from Madrid to Lisbon or Porto.

These are both budget airlines so I'm weary of delays, but I'd really like to get to Lisbon as quickly as possible without having to stay in Madrid for a short time and then take a really long, not very much cheaper or even more expensive bus or train ride. Any help... much appreciated. Thanks!

How can I convince my friend's dad she'll be safe to visit me in Israel?

howgenerica — Sat, 24 May 2008 08:39:51 -0800

I'm going to be studying in Jerusalem next year, and I'd really like it if one of my friends could come and visit me. The only problem is her father - he is very resistant to the idea, and undoubtedly gets his concerns from the news - which we know has an awful tendency of sensationalizing things beyond recognition. I was hoping you guys could help me put something together that she could show her father, to hopefully help assuage some of his fears. I mean, we're not planning on road-tripping down to Gaza or anything! I don't know if you need more information, but here goes: I'll be staying at the dorms of Hebrew University in Jerusalem's Mt. Scopus campus.

And I know specifically his concerns are about travel into Israel, and then safety within the country.

I'd really appreciate any help - my friend and I have been planning her trip for a while, and it would be really terrible if it were destroyed by something as small as this misunderstanding! I realize there are some risks, but I'd at least like to be able to provide some perspective.

Thank you!

advice for a first time flyer!

lisawin — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:37:15 -0800

In about two and a half months, I'm going on my first flight. What should I know, or otherwise be prepared for? At 21, I'm not only taking my first international flight, but my first flight, period. (Okay so technically I've been on a plane before, but it was a tiny one and just went over the city, and I was pretty young and only vaguely remember it so I don't really count that.)

So basically, my question is: what kind of advice can you offer, or what sort of things should I know about or be prepared for during my first ever flight? How long before the flight should I arrive at the airport? Will my ears pop? Will there be loud noises that sound like something bad but are actually completely normal? Things that might be a good idea to bring on the plane with me that I might not even think of? I feel pretty confident in saying that I don't think I'll freak out too much, but knowing what to expect will definitely help me out a bit.

Thanks in advance!

Flying with hot dogs

danb — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:27:58 -0800

For a friend: Can I bring a pack of hot dogs on a plane to China? That is, are there any regulations that would prevent me from doing so, and will they still be good after ~36 hours? They're Hebrew National all-beef, and I'd put them in cargo.

I can't go back to coach! There are trolls down there!

awenner — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:04:52 -0800

How the *$ did I manage to get a first-class flight at a discount price from an online travel retailer? Lest it sound like I'm sock-puppeting, I'll refrain from mentioning the exact website.

I just got back from Mexico, having flown on United First for the return leg. I didn't pay anything extra, nor did I request to be placed in first class. How did this happen?

Details: my parents booked the flight for me, and using [#####.com] found a reasonable price for a return flight from Boston to Puerto Vallarta via Chicago. According to them, when the time came to choose seats for the return leg, only four were available, all of them in the single digits, and all first class. At no point were they asked to pay more; if they had, believe me, they wouldn't have booked the flight. I believe the total cost was in the $400 range, though I can find more details if necessary.

Here's the last thing: when I got to the Puerto Vallarta airport and tried to get in the advance checkout line, I was told that I needed to present a K-Card (proof of membership in United's premium club.) What I surmise from this is that somehow my discount flight option gave me first class seats, though I'm completely at a loss over how it came about. I'd love to know how to make it happen again.

I'm happy to provide additional information/proof to speed along this investigation.

Happy 2008, all!

I want to be a flight attendant but need information

its just me — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:03:16 -0800

How important on a long-term basis is choosing an airline to work for? I want to work as a flight attendant for a larger international airline. I live outside of Philadelphia and have easy access to any hirings that may be going on in the city, and am willing to relocate if I need to, but I don't know how important it is to wait to try and be hired by my ideal airline.

I want to work on international flights, and I'm willing to take on a tough schedule (I'm a 20 year old female with lots of energy and gumption to travel), and I'd like to get started in this field soon, but I also don't want to take the first job offer that comes along just because I'm anxious to get started.

Does anyone have any advice? I really want to get into this career, but I don't want to regret choosing the wrong airline, and I need to know how important being particular in making this choice is. Also, are there specific things I need to know about where I am most likely to get hired? I have had two years of college, and I know that I fit the physical requirements and at the very least, the minimal desired communications/customer service criteria.

What to put in a small care package?

philad — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:00:25 -0800

My wife and I are looking to pack a carry-on care package for a friend who is flying to China soon. He will be staying there for a month on business. What kinds of things should I send on the plane with him? Just small things that would fit in say a quart size ziplock (or maybe something more creative than a ziplock). Perhaps stuff to do on the plane or maybe something useful once he gets to China? Just plain fun, stupid stuff is good too. My own personal idea was to put a small, red usb drive in the package since he'll have his laptop on the plane, but I'm at a loss as to what to put on the drive. He's in his 30's, into fitness, motorcycles, and he's gay. Thanks in advance.

Long Island Islip Macarthur Airport to Brooklyn, NY?

brokekid — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 07:51:51 -0800

What is the best way to get from Long Island Islip Macarthur Airport to Brooklyn, NY?

Is one hour enough to make connectons at O'Hare and LAX?

generichuman — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:43:05 -0800

Flying from Toronto to Melbourne, via Chicago and LAX. The "via" is worryingly short! I'm flying from Toronto to Melbourne, Australia via Chicago and LAX. My changeovers at Chicago and LAX are both just slightly over an hour each, and I'm wondering about the potential for an "oh crap, your plane was late, you're screwed" type of moment.

Is one hour at each airport enough time to actually make a connecting flight?

(I think my flights are United, all the way, if that makes a difference.)

I've flown internationally before, but always, always directly. Oddly, I've never actually flown into the United States.

I assume I'll go through the US customs office at Pearson before departure, rather than in Chicago or LAX. I also assume that my checked bags will be cleared all the way through to Melbourne. But, I'm having trouble getting a straight answer out of anybody.

I'm mildly worried that one hour at Chicago and LAX wont be enough to make my connecting flights - especially if I have to check and uncheck baggage, switch terminals or go through security/customs again.

Am I worrying over nothing, Hive Mind? I don't want to worry about anything other than the surely wretched jet lag that will ensue.

An ounce of prevention?

shelbaroo — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 13:57:44 -0800

I'm flying to DC this week, and all of my travel sized containers are four ounces, not the 3 oz. specified in the TSA bulletin. I went shopping to try to find some more compliant containers, and everything I found was 4 oz. as well!!! The bottles are short, I'm only using 2 of them, and they easily fit into the quart-sized baggie. What are my chances, MeFi? Would I be courting trouble to use what I've got? How irritating! I naturally want to avoid hassle at the airport, would really prefer not to have to check my luggage (got to get to my meeting on time), but also don't want to spend inordinate amounts of time scouring the landscape for smaller containers, either. Any recent first- or second-hand experiences both positive and negative with the slightly-out-of-bounds travel container appreciated. I'm flying out of a smaller midwest airport, if that matters. Alternatively, just tell me where you've found spout- or screw-top containers of the right size so I can quit the goose chase.

Should we fly or drive from Indiana to Florida?

web-goddess — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 19:38:36 -0800

Overseas visitors planning to travel from Chicago to Orlando in the US. Which will be less hassle/expense, driving or flying? (Are one-way car rentals *really* that expensive?!) Okay, I'm an American but I've been living overseas for the past seven years (since pre-9/11). I've been home to Indiana a few times since then, and it just seems like the airports are more and more of a trial each visit. My Aussie husband and I are planning our next visit home to Indiana in April. I'd also like to visit my grandparents in Florida as well. Our original plan was to drive a rental car from Indiana, and then fly out of Orlando. We kinda like the idea of a road trip, especially as my husband's never seen that part of the country before. I've been pricing one-way car rentals though and it's just ridiculously expensive (around $100/day). So I've got some questions:

- Is there any way to get a cheaper one-way car rental? I have some sort of vague idea from the Internets that there are websites and message boards in the US where you can potentially find someone who needs a car transported cross-country. Or am I barking up the wrong tree here?

- I've found some great (non one-way) car rental deals with "unlimited mileage." How likely is it that they'd let us drive to Florida and back? If they forbid it, how much trouble would you get in if you did it anyway?

Basically, I guess I'm just torn because friends in the US have said that they prefer to avoid airports and flying whenever they can these days. Given unlimited time (but not unlimited money), what would you do?

Im going to kill him.

fillsthepews — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 16:21:20 -0800

Flying without ID (CA to OR)? So, my boyfriend - bless his heart, grrrrrrr - lost his California ID last night. Cant find it. Doesnt have a social security card, birth certificate, nothin. Only the credit card on which the tickets were purchased, and our itinerary. We fly San Diego to Portland on the 11th. Are we screwed? I'm sure we cant get him a new ID by that time... right?

I called American Airlines, and they said he might get pulled over for a secondary inspection, but if he gets on the plane or not is determined by the airport at the time. Anyone gone through this?

Im so worried. Not being able to get into bars is one (lame) thing, but this is worse.