Air Travel
Saving Time and Money On Air Travel
Connections:
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.
Gates are not truly assigned until the plane arrives.
Hydrate, Pre-Hhydrate:
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 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. They 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 for carry-on luggage. Image tanks and remote hard drives will not be harmed by the x-ray
inspection. 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, 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.
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 painful 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 take the blush
off the rose but still the price can be attractive.
Zoom Airlines, also offers low rates from JFK to Bermuda and from Bermuda to London's Gatwick.
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 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.
Gates are not truly assigned until the plane arrives.
Hydrate, Pre-Hhydrate:
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 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. They 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 for carry-on luggage. Image tanks and remote hard drives will not be harmed by the x-ray
inspection. 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, 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.
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 painful 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 take the blush
off the rose but still the price can be attractive.
Zoom Airlines, also offers low rates from JFK to Bermuda and from Bermuda to London's Gatwick.
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.
Read Transportation Security Administration guidelines on their website.
How Can you Save Time and Money On Air Travel
I start saving time and money on
air travel by looking over the TSA
Tips To Save Time Through
Security
air travel by looking over the TSA
Tips To Save Time Through
Security
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
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
I start saving time and money 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.
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 |
2. I look at the website below, Seat Guru,
to get the best possible seat assignment.
The site 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
to get the best possible seat assignment.
The site 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
Start saving on Air Travel by parking your car for free at
airport hotels in 60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide.
airport hotels in 60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide.
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.
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 on early flight
tickets.
weeks after a one night;s stay, save on transportation to the airport, and save money on early flight
tickets.
Text and Photos David Hilbert
Some airlines will assign seat to their frequent flyers. Establish an account before your trip. You then
can choose a seat that better suites your needs: aisle, window, front or back.
can choose a seat that better suites your needs: aisle, window, front or back.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
www.softSeatTravel.com
david@SoftseatTravel.com
david@SoftseatTravel.com
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |