Air Travel Tips
Saving Time and Money On Air Travel
Air Travel Tips, Saving Time: Connections:
When booking your flight, consider your ability to make the connections, often a long walk , especially if you
are flying internationally and will go from a domestic terminal and then to an international terminal.
It is a good practice to build in time between connections: two hours domestically and three hours when
flying internationally. Planes are often late.
When making a connection to another flight, I continually ask as I move through the airport towards my
gate. Airports are disclosing a 30% late arrival and departure rate and very often the gate will change or
does not get assigned until the plane lands. Although I might have been told that the plane will be at a
certain gate or terminal, this could change at the last minute because the systems are stressed and late
planes stack up. Often, gates are not assigned until the plane arrives.
If you are entering a country, you will go through customs and immigration, often this will take at least an
hour.
Hydrate:
As much as I would love to have a glass of Cabernet or a good cup of coffee on a flight, I try to drink water
not tea, coffee, or alcohol before and during a flight. Coffee and tea dehydrate and add to the problem that
the filtered and dried air on the plane can cause. I try to hydrate and pre-hydrate, especially since security
procedures prohibit the transportation of liquids through the gate.
Unless you prefer to look out the window, sit in the aisle seat so that as you hydrate trips to the lavatory will
be more convenient.
Security:
If you wear no metal through security such as that on glasses and in belts, shoes, coins, and keys, you will
not set off the alarm and be subject to delay and possible search. I try to remember to put everything of
metal in my carry-on and pass it through the x-ray.
Film and Digital Storage:
Some airports will hand inspect film others will not. TSA in the States operate on the premise that x-ray will
not hurt low-speed film. ( below ISO 800) Some folks put a role or two of ISO 1600 in their clear plastic
bag with their other film in the hope of validating a hand inspection. Others use the lead-lined shield which
will trigger a hand inspection. TSA claims that films below ISO 800 will survive up to 5 X-rays at the level
used in airports and this is the standard they have adopted.
(Exceptions for pushed film, underexposed film and special films) See Link
Your best bet is to get to the security check early before the rush puts the inspectors on edge. Try for a
hand inspection. Have the film in a clear plastic bag or bags and explain calmly that you have professional
film, that will go through several checkpoints, and that you can not risk damage. You can do no more than
that unless you can buy your film in the country you visit and have it processed there.
On a recent trip through Shannon, three polite inspectors refused to hand inspect my professional medium
format film while at the same time they did not require passengers to remove their shoes.
In any event film, should not go in checked luggage were the x-ray used is much more powerful.
Digital Camera and Storage Media: A digital camera and its storage media can go through the x-ray but
should not go through the metal detector. The equipment could go in checked luggage but might receive
harsher treatment (much harsher) and a possible hand inspection. Laptops should go outside of their
case through the x-ray as part of carry-on luggage. Image tanks and remote hard drives will not be harmed
by the x-ray inspection but should not go through metal detectors. Check this link to TSA for additional info:
Wear No Metal:
It is important that you do not have any metal on your person when going through the check station
because if the inspectors do a body scan you will be separated from your carry-on luggage for a time and
there have been instances where, under the stressful conditions at the security checks, people have taken
the wrong luggage. (bags tend to look similar.)
Attaching a bright red card with your contact info on both your checked and on your carry-on luggage will
distinguish your bags.
Air Travel Tips: What To Wear:
Travel can take its toll on the fashion conscious but our correspondents have some tips.
Keep your wardrobe simple and base it on a few neutral colors like brown and black. Black does not show
wrinkles. Accessorize with colorful scarves. Shopping for them in a foreign country can be fun and it only
takes three or four scarves to add a different accent of color each day. Any color harmonizes with the basic
brown, grey, or black. A scarf can go around the neck, around the waist, or on the head and can add a
lively accent to the simple brown or black.
Men can stick to the basic black or brown also and bring a few colorful sweaters to accent. Have a sweater
or jacket handy on the airliner, the air conditioning systems can be chilly and blankets not always available.
Alternate Air Travel/Low Cost Airlines
Regional airports often offer less expensive alternatives for travelers and are worth a look.
For travel to and from Boston, for example, check out Manchester Airport, now called Manchester-Boston
Regional Airport. www.flymanchester.com
Get the details on free shuttle bus service 24/7 to Manchester from Somerville (Boston) and Woburn.
These low cost alternatives look good on paper but can come with surprises unless you do thorough
research. The above-mentioned Manchester Shuttle bus, for instance, is on a first come first served basis
with no reserved seating. A full bus could mean a two-hour wait until the next one.
In the low cost alternative air category, a new airline out of Canada called Zoom offers $199. one-way
flights to London's Gatwick out of JFK. No reserved seats at that price and limited seating, but still the
price can be attractive.
Zoom Airlines, also offers low rates from JFK to Bermuda and from Bermuda to London's Gatwick.
Three reduced rate bus lines now serve New York from Boston, a four hour trip
Another newsworthy airline for European travelers, Ryan Air, serves dozens of obscure or satellite
European cities and offers $10 and $15 dollar flights. A flight from London's Standsted to Marseilles for
example costs 15 Euros ($20 USD) plus tax and an additional charge for luggage which could make the
total cost an attractive $45 USD. While the price sounds tempting, the flight has unreserved first come,
first served seating and limited daily flights. For independent and flexible travelers, these airlines are worth
a look but for travelers who prefer a level of comfort and a firm schedule and seat assignment, these
offerings could lead to an unacceptable level of anxiety.
Zoom airlines flights from JFK to London's Gatwick cost $199.00. They run daily flights but have limited
seats at the $199. price.
From Gatwick, a shuttle for $35. to the Standsted airport served by Ryan Air could result in significant
savings for those with the stamina to make several changes and those travelers with a flexible schedule.
Other new airlines offering varying levels of service but not necessarily lower rates include Maxjet,
EOS, and Silverjet
Reduced price flights out of Portsmouth New Hampshire are available and the airport offers free long-term
parking
T F Green Airport Rhode Island, pvdairport.com, offers an alternative to Boston's logan Airport. It offers
low cost, long term parking and many flight options.
Not all flights from alternate airports will result in savings, however; convenience, parking, transportation to
and from the airport, and connecting flights all should be figured in to get a good balance between saving
and convenience.
When booking your flight, consider your ability to make the connections, often a long walk , especially if you
are flying internationally and will go from a domestic terminal and then to an international terminal.
It is a good practice to build in time between connections: two hours domestically and three hours when
flying internationally. Planes are often late.
When making a connection to another flight, I continually ask as I move through the airport towards my
gate. Airports are disclosing a 30% late arrival and departure rate and very often the gate will change or
does not get assigned until the plane lands. Although I might have been told that the plane will be at a
certain gate or terminal, this could change at the last minute because the systems are stressed and late
planes stack up. Often, gates are not assigned until the plane arrives.
If you are entering a country, you will go through customs and immigration, often this will take at least an
hour.
Hydrate:
As much as I would love to have a glass of Cabernet or a good cup of coffee on a flight, I try to drink water
not tea, coffee, or alcohol before and during a flight. Coffee and tea dehydrate and add to the problem that
the filtered and dried air on the plane can cause. I try to hydrate and pre-hydrate, especially since security
procedures prohibit the transportation of liquids through the gate.
Unless you prefer to look out the window, sit in the aisle seat so that as you hydrate trips to the lavatory will
be more convenient.
Security:
If you wear no metal through security such as that on glasses and in belts, shoes, coins, and keys, you will
not set off the alarm and be subject to delay and possible search. I try to remember to put everything of
metal in my carry-on and pass it through the x-ray.
Film and Digital Storage:
Some airports will hand inspect film others will not. TSA in the States operate on the premise that x-ray will
not hurt low-speed film. ( below ISO 800) Some folks put a role or two of ISO 1600 in their clear plastic
bag with their other film in the hope of validating a hand inspection. Others use the lead-lined shield which
will trigger a hand inspection. TSA claims that films below ISO 800 will survive up to 5 X-rays at the level
used in airports and this is the standard they have adopted.
(Exceptions for pushed film, underexposed film and special films) See Link
Your best bet is to get to the security check early before the rush puts the inspectors on edge. Try for a
hand inspection. Have the film in a clear plastic bag or bags and explain calmly that you have professional
film, that will go through several checkpoints, and that you can not risk damage. You can do no more than
that unless you can buy your film in the country you visit and have it processed there.
On a recent trip through Shannon, three polite inspectors refused to hand inspect my professional medium
format film while at the same time they did not require passengers to remove their shoes.
In any event film, should not go in checked luggage were the x-ray used is much more powerful.
Digital Camera and Storage Media: A digital camera and its storage media can go through the x-ray but
should not go through the metal detector. The equipment could go in checked luggage but might receive
harsher treatment (much harsher) and a possible hand inspection. Laptops should go outside of their
case through the x-ray as part of carry-on luggage. Image tanks and remote hard drives will not be harmed
by the x-ray inspection but should not go through metal detectors. Check this link to TSA for additional info:
Wear No Metal:
It is important that you do not have any metal on your person when going through the check station
because if the inspectors do a body scan you will be separated from your carry-on luggage for a time and
there have been instances where, under the stressful conditions at the security checks, people have taken
the wrong luggage. (bags tend to look similar.)
Attaching a bright red card with your contact info on both your checked and on your carry-on luggage will
distinguish your bags.
Air Travel Tips: What To Wear:
Travel can take its toll on the fashion conscious but our correspondents have some tips.
Keep your wardrobe simple and base it on a few neutral colors like brown and black. Black does not show
wrinkles. Accessorize with colorful scarves. Shopping for them in a foreign country can be fun and it only
takes three or four scarves to add a different accent of color each day. Any color harmonizes with the basic
brown, grey, or black. A scarf can go around the neck, around the waist, or on the head and can add a
lively accent to the simple brown or black.
Men can stick to the basic black or brown also and bring a few colorful sweaters to accent. Have a sweater
or jacket handy on the airliner, the air conditioning systems can be chilly and blankets not always available.
Alternate Air Travel/Low Cost Airlines
Regional airports often offer less expensive alternatives for travelers and are worth a look.
For travel to and from Boston, for example, check out Manchester Airport, now called Manchester-Boston
Regional Airport. www.flymanchester.com
Get the details on free shuttle bus service 24/7 to Manchester from Somerville (Boston) and Woburn.
These low cost alternatives look good on paper but can come with surprises unless you do thorough
research. The above-mentioned Manchester Shuttle bus, for instance, is on a first come first served basis
with no reserved seating. A full bus could mean a two-hour wait until the next one.
In the low cost alternative air category, a new airline out of Canada called Zoom offers $199. one-way
flights to London's Gatwick out of JFK. No reserved seats at that price and limited seating, but still the
price can be attractive.
Zoom Airlines, also offers low rates from JFK to Bermuda and from Bermuda to London's Gatwick.
Three reduced rate bus lines now serve New York from Boston, a four hour trip
Another newsworthy airline for European travelers, Ryan Air, serves dozens of obscure or satellite
European cities and offers $10 and $15 dollar flights. A flight from London's Standsted to Marseilles for
example costs 15 Euros ($20 USD) plus tax and an additional charge for luggage which could make the
total cost an attractive $45 USD. While the price sounds tempting, the flight has unreserved first come,
first served seating and limited daily flights. For independent and flexible travelers, these airlines are worth
a look but for travelers who prefer a level of comfort and a firm schedule and seat assignment, these
offerings could lead to an unacceptable level of anxiety.
Zoom airlines flights from JFK to London's Gatwick cost $199.00. They run daily flights but have limited
seats at the $199. price.
From Gatwick, a shuttle for $35. to the Standsted airport served by Ryan Air could result in significant
savings for those with the stamina to make several changes and those travelers with a flexible schedule.
Other new airlines offering varying levels of service but not necessarily lower rates include Maxjet,
EOS, and Silverjet
Reduced price flights out of Portsmouth New Hampshire are available and the airport offers free long-term
parking
T F Green Airport Rhode Island, pvdairport.com, offers an alternative to Boston's logan Airport. It offers
low cost, long term parking and many flight options.
Not all flights from alternate airports will result in savings, however; convenience, parking, transportation to
and from the airport, and connecting flights all should be figured in to get a good balance between saving
and convenience.
How Can you Save Time and Money On Air Travel
Dave Hilbert's
www.SoftSeatTravel.com
www.SoftSeatTravel.com
The Transportation Safety Authority publishes a helpful web page listing the latest security
procedures. These tips can save you time and money through security check points. They
have important info on film, digital equipment, storage media and lots of other good tips.
These regulations change frequently.
procedures. These tips can save you time and money through security check points. They
have important info on film, digital equipment, storage media and lots of other good tips.
These regulations change frequently.
You can start saving time and money well before your
flight by looking over the latest information on
transporting film, digital equipment, medicines,
liquids, face creams, perfumes and other normally
carry-on items.
I once lost my favorite Swiss Army Knife because I
left it in my carry-on and recently had a bottle of
cologne taken from me because I forgot to put it in the
plastic bag.
flight by looking over the latest information on
transporting film, digital equipment, medicines,
liquids, face creams, perfumes and other normally
carry-on items.
I once lost my favorite Swiss Army Knife because I
left it in my carry-on and recently had a bottle of
cologne taken from me because I forgot to put it in the
plastic bag.
| Hunting Cheap Air Travel: Check Jet Flights and Commuter Airlines; Check Early Flights, Small Commuter Airlines, Mid-Week flights, and don't overlook Saturday to Saturday flights |
. Look at the website Seat Guru, to get the
best possible seat assignment.
The website gives details on airliners and
their different seat arrangements along
with telephone numbers of airlines.
Your ticket will list the type of airplane that
you will travel on. The website gives you a
diagram of the seating on each airplane.
All seats are not the same; some do not
recline, others have less space due to the
shape of the airplane. Some seats have
more leg room, particularly the ones
located at exit rows. The seats ahead of
exit rows and those at the back might not
recline. All seats are different.
best possible seat assignment.
The website gives details on airliners and
their different seat arrangements along
with telephone numbers of airlines.
Your ticket will list the type of airplane that
you will travel on. The website gives you a
diagram of the seating on each airplane.
All seats are not the same; some do not
recline, others have less space due to the
shape of the airplane. Some seats have
more leg room, particularly the ones
located at exit rows. The seats ahead of
exit rows and those at the back might not
recline. All seats are different.
Save on Air Travel by parking your car for free at airport
hotels in 60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide.
hotels in 60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide.
After one night in the hotel you can park for up to two weeks free. The early shuttle from
the hotel to the airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money on
the airfare. Two weeks of free parking offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not
need to arrange for a limo to and from the airport. Most offer two weeks parking with one
night stay.
the hotel to the airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money on
the airfare. Two weeks of free parking offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not
need to arrange for a limo to and from the airport. Most offer two weeks parking with one
night stay.
Another way to start saving on air travel is to look into airport hotels that allow you to park free for two
weeks after a one night's stay. Save on transportation to the airport, and save money by booking early
flight tickets.
weeks after a one night's stay. Save on transportation to the airport, and save money by booking early
flight tickets.
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Text and Photos David Hilbert
These hotels are not always located at the airport but they all offer shuttles to the airport
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www.softSeatTravel.com
david@SoftseatTravel.com
david@SoftseatTravel.com
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