Holiday Flying- What's The Best Part?

[+ Lucky]

Is it the waiting in line? The taking your shoes off? The peanuts on the plane? The missing luggage? The extra legroom they add for the holidays? The seat in front of you reclining into your face?That fancy new 787 that loses speed in the air? (Yes, that happened yesterday.)

Or is it your missing Ipad? 381 TSA agents were terminated for theft from May 2003 to December 2011, so how many will do their holiday shopping in your luggage?

[bigvalboy]

381 TSA agents were terminated for theft from May 2003 to December 2011, so how many will do their holiday shopping in your luggage?

 

Yet another reason to never check luggage. I haven't in probably 20 years. I know sometimes people just have to check their luggage, but TSA agents stealing, why am I not surprised.

[rvwnsd]

Yet another reason to never check luggage. I haven't in probably 20 years. I know sometimes people just have to check their luggage, but TSA agents stealing, why am I not surprised.

 

The least favorite part of my trip is the idiots who block the aisle because they insist on bringing huge "carry-ons" they can barely maneuver, let alone carry. I always check my luggage because it is far easier than hauling the bags myself. I don't put valuables in my checked luggage. Those get put in my small carry-on.

[bigvalboy]

The least favorite part of my trip is the idiots who block the aisle because they insist on bringing huge "carry-ons" they can barely maneuver, let alone carry.

 

lol..I know. It is so simple really. The rules for carry on are really straight forward, but you always seem to have a handful of people that just insist on 'pushing the envelope'.... they just have to do the two pieces of "over sized" carry on, then there is the shoulder bag, the backpack, a duffel bag, the garment bag, the canvas bag filled with just stuff, and God knows what else. You always hear them arguing with the employees at boarding. They just can't imagine why the backpack and duffel bags count as carry-on also. The last time I flew, the lady sitting next to me in the waiting area, had 2 pieces of carry on and 4 grocery bags full of just stuff. Thank God they made her check the two pieces if carry on.

 

I just look at these people and just shake my head. I have been fortunate enough to fly business or first, so I board first and don't have to deal with all those clogged isles in the back of the plane.

 

I was going on a cruise once and checked my luggage. Lufthansa managed to leave it on the runway. It took 4 days for the luggage to catch the ship. I was livid. Never again for me, but my brother-in-law travels internationally all year round and always checks his luggage, and never had a problem. Go figure.

[adriano46]

For the question of what's the BEST PART of flying -- if I must fly -- the arrival and finding my luggage still relatively intact.

 

For too long I have sat peeved at gates watching the oblivions who have the "slightly larger than allowed" carry-on together with the computer case (which could carry 3 computers), back-pack and other items and then carrying a bag stuffed with pungent fast-food that makes my stomach turn from the odor and from watching them gorge themselves sloppily on a trip of less than 2 hours.... Ugh -- trains and cars are the way to go, or better yet, have the people you are visiting come to YOU!

[+ WilliamM]

I agree with the comments about way too much carry-on. But, I have flown to places like Russia and Bosnia on Lufthansa with a very short time to change planes in Munich. In cases like that, I do use carry-on rather than checking baggage. To be fair, so far I have never had any problems making the connections in Munich. So much credit to Lufthansa.

[jawjateck]

The best part? of flying? Nothing......I don't like anything about it, even when I'm flying in business class. Lines, noise, crowds, rudeness, incompetence........ugh! I'm moving into semi-retirement next year, and I'm happy that I will travel less by air in the coming years.

[EZEtoGRU]

I've been travelling very extensively for more than 25 years. I take it all in stride and don't get stressed out about much anymore (admitedly the crude behavior of some passengers does irritate me sometimes). I also fly in business or first most the time and that makes for a more comfortable journey.

 

One program that has popped up in the last 2 years that is a real game-changer is the TSA Pre-check screening procedure. To qualify you must be a fairly frequent traveller and have a travelling history over a number of years. One must sign-up individually for each airline you use (I applied and was accepted first on AA and then later on UA). If accepted, you can use the dedicated TSA Pre-check line at select airports. A very expedited process that allows you to go through a dedicated TSA X-Ray machine (not a body scanner) and, most importantly: No shoes off. No laptop out of bag. No liquids out of bag. No belt off. No change out of pocket. Honestly, it has made the passenger security process a dream. Its not available at every airport but I find I can use it at at least 50% of the airports I travel to frequently. I used it yesterday at Houston and was through security and on my way to the United lounge in under 2 minutes. Couldn't be easier.

 

Here is a link to the current TSA Pre-check locations.

 

http://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/images/location_chart_12-04-2012.pdf

[+ azdr0710]

if time allows (no connections), I carry on my very minimal luggage (a small duffel), race to the back of the plane (no employer to pay for a first class seat!), take my choice of seats and overhead bin (I usually fly SW), and then proceed to kick back and watch the circus of inexperienced flyers wrestle with their luggage...quite a show and it's fun to listen to the somewhat-irritated FAs tell people to hurry up.....I even once chatted up an FA who said you can always count on inexperienced flyers primarily existing in smaller towns on the weekends....big cities on weekdays are a breeze, she said

[citylaw1]

Is it the waiting in line? The taking your shoes off? The peanuts on the plane? The missing luggage? The extra legroom they add for the holidays? The seat in front of you reclining into your face?That fancy new 787 that loses speed in the air? (Yes, that happened yesterday.)

Or is it your missing Ipad? 381 TSA agents were terminated for theft from May 2003 to December 2011, so how many will do their holiday shopping in your luggage?

 

Loses speed in the air? What happened?

[Racketjock]

I agree with EZEtoGRU, the new TSA pre-screening line has changed the worst parts of travel for me. Along with valet parking at my home airport of Houston, I can park and make it through security in under 4 minutes flat. The added bonus of holiday traveling, is seeking a new destination and making a memory.

[+ Lucky]

Here's the story on the 787 losing speed: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/05/business/united-787-loses-power-and-lands-early.html

[+ Charlie]

The last time I flew anywhere in the US on a holiday was Thanksgiving 1990. It's not worth the hassle.

 

For most trips, I don't take luggage that has to be checked unless I have no choice; instead, I try to pack very carefully, and wear the same outfits for as long as possible; e.g., I wear the bulkiest or most difficult things to pack onto the plane, no matter what the weather, never take more than one extra pair of shoes, and buy basic toiletries at my destination. If I'm staying at a decent hotel or with friends, I can always get my clothes cleaned there, and wear the same things again and again. I often take my oldest underwear and socks, and trash them before I return (sometimes I even do that with shoes). Of course, I rarely go anywhere that I feel I have to impress people with my stylishness, so I can get away with these tactics more easily than a businessman or a younger gay man. I don't take any electronics except a cellphone, and I take newspapers, magazines, or old paperbacks that I can abandon as soon as I finish them. I take Powerbars in case I am hungry on the plane.

 

My next scheduled trip is going to be an unusual one for me: we're flying first class on Virgin Atlantic from LAX to LHR, and I'm hoping that for once I'll be able to sleep lying down.

[jimboivyo]

Is it the waiting in line? The taking your shoes off? The peanuts on the plane? The missing luggage? The extra legroom they add for the holidays? The seat in front of you reclining into your face?That fancy new 787 that loses speed in the air? (Yes, that happened yesterday.)

Or is it your missing Ipad? 381 TSA agents were terminated for theft from May 2003 to December 2011, so how many will do their holiday shopping in your luggage?

 

best part is when the captain asks you when you want to take off. that's when I walk out of the fbo and into my plane

 

the tsa program is fine if you're 'selected' to go through but theres never a guarantee

[instudiocity]

I just look at these people and just shake my head. I have been fortunate enough to fly business or first, so I board first and don't have to deal with all those clogged isles in the back of the plane.

I heard a comedian tell this joke, "God Bless America - where else but America can you pay a little extra to get on the airplane first, sit in a wider seat and get a free drink and all that just in time for the Poor People Parade!"

[bigvalboy]

I heard a comedian tell this joke, "God Bless America - where else but America can you pay a little extra to get on the airplane first, sit in a wider seat and get a free drink and all that just in time for the Poor People Parade!"

 

lol lol....now that was funny. OK OK, I will admit that sometimes, I get just a little full of myself sitting there with a cocktail in hand, slippers on, the seat fully reclined, and a blanket wrapped around me when everyone else starts boarding. Thanks for that joke and a little slap back into reality. lol lol

[EZEtoGRU]

the tsa program is fine if you're 'selected' to go through but theres never a guarantee

I have never not been selected since I enrolled. Maybe you look suspicious or problematic.

 

Just passed through Pre-check again 10 minutes ago at LAX. This is my umpteenth time using TSA Pre-check and I have never been rejected. Already sitting and having my coffee in the lounge. Time from stepping out of the taxi to entering the lounge airside was about 7 minutes. I recommend anyone that travels alot to see if you can enroll. It will change your travelling life.

[Steven_Draker]

Switch to Qatar Airways or Emirates for the holidays.

[Steven_Draker]

But, I have flown to places like Russia and Bosnia on Lufthansa with a very short time to change planes in Munich. In cases like that, I do use carry-on rather than checking baggage. To be fair, so far I have never had any problems making the connections in Munich. So much credit to Lufthansa.

 

+1

 

I've been a Frequent Traveller with Lufthansa for more than 10 years. Never had my luggage misplaced.

Best chances to have your luggage lost is connecting at Heathrow Hell.

[Epigonos]

I'm with jawjatech I absolutely HATE every aspect of flying. I only do so because I must. I also agree with bigvalboy I NEVER check bags. I travel ONLY with carry on.

 

Fortunately I participate in the Global Entry program which operates in conjunction with the TSA. The program has a special express line and I no longer have to remove by shoes etc., etc.

[KMEM]

Couldn't resist. The best part of flying is NOT going from the FBO to the plane for a private flight BUT being in the left seat aka captain OF that flight. The airlines have sucked for many, many years as far as service is concerned, even before TSA and now completely out of control. However, each flight is a story onto itself so experiences may vary.

 

NOW the "secret" is out and I apologize for revealing it.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[RockHard]

I've been a Frequent Traveller with Lufthansa for more than 10 years. Never had my luggage misplaced.

 

I'm beyond 10 years, and I always check two bags. Some flights connect. No problems, so far.

 

I can't even begin to clock my miles: I've been traveling for work for over 30 years. One bag was lost once, by an American carrier. It was delivered to my door a day later and all the valuables inside were still there. Luck has been on my side.

[RockHard]

The best part of flying is...being in the left seat aka captain OF that flight.

 

I'm sure flying a plane can be fun. For me, I hate sitting in a seat too long, and I like to get up and go rather quickly. I'm not really fond of cramped spaces.

 

I never had a calling to be a pilot. I'd rather be in the hands of someone who does have that calling.

[+ Charlie]

Couldn't resist. The best part of flying is NOT going from the FBO to the plane for a private flight BUT being in the left seat aka captain OF that flight. The airlines have sucked for many, many years as far as service is concerned, even before TSA and now completely out of control. However, each flight is a story onto itself so experiences may va

 

NOW the "secret" is out and I apologize for revealing it.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

WELCOME BACK, KMEM! We've missed you.

[instudiocity]

Speaking of horrible airline experiences, a friend asked me to meet his midnight arrival at LAX last night. Using the iPhone's FlightAware app, I was able to see that that particular flight had only been on-time once in the last seven days, so before he got on the flight, I told him I would see him Saturday morning when he landed. He corrected me saying he would land just before midnight Friday night.

 

Well, while he was telling me that, I could hear the PA announcement in his airport delaying his flight by 3 hours. The flight eventually took off with an anticipated arrival time of 3:38 AM. I rolled over at 3:30 AM to see that the flight had been diverted to Las Vegas and I'd received a text message from my friend at 3:20 AM saying, "OMG, we've been diverted to Vegas!"

 

Because is was a weather-related delay, the airline didn't complete the flight, nor compensate him for delivering him 250 miles short of his destination. He was able to share a rental car and drive to LA and I'm expecting him and his new found co-renters momentarily at the car rental lot near LAX.

 

I will trash the airline in Greek, pneumos, because there is nothing concrete about their service.