As we continue to “live” with the “laptop ban” which disallows all equipment larger than a laptop (including noise cancelling headphones I understand) from cabins on selected routes to the USA and UK, airlines are offering the following options: Emirates- offers a free “handling service” for US flights. Customers hand laptops etc to security personnel at the gate who will box all laptops ready to be handed back to customers on arrival. Free Wi-Fi is also available to all customers. The airline notes only six percent of customers connect their laptops to wifi Etihad –…
Travel Tips (Monday)
Category Archives for Travel Tips (Monday).
US Electronics Ban -what to do if You are a Passenger
As I blogged about earlier today, The United States has announced today that any electronic item larger than a phone will be banned from cabins on all flights from ten airports in eight Middle Eastern countries. Check if you are flying from or through any of the ten affected airports to the USA. It is important to note it only applies at this stage to flights to the USA. So if you are flying New York to Dubai for example, the rules do not apply to you. If you feel uncomfortable or concerned with flying…
Photos en route- showing respect
Picture this (particularly parents) Your 15 yo is sitting at the bus stop outside the corner shop 150metres from the school gates. She is sitting talking to her best friend. Probably gossiping. Probably not talking about homework! The location is a transport hub. Behind the shops is the ferry wharf and about 600 metres (650 yards) away is the train station. From the train station comes a foreign tourist in his late 20s/early 30s and his girlfriend. You can tell he is a tourist. Talking loudly in a foreign language, dressed in holiday clothes and…
Protect yourself: Robbers tell how they snatch
A new video produced by Thong Lor police in Thailand graphically illustrates how easy it is for thieves to snatch phones, bags and valuables. It is useful viewing for tourists irrespective of where your destination is. Based on confessions by real suspects with advice from the police, the video explains how you can reduce the chances of being a victim. It is well worth the first two minutes 22 seconds which are subtitled in English, of the three and a half minute video. There are three things that make a crime possible, according to Thai Police:…
YOU MUST wear your seat belt on a plane- Graphic warning as to why
I noted on my last Air Asia flight, how much disregard was shown for the seat belt sign with passengers chatting in rows and aisles and wandering up and down the plane even while we went through turbulence. If you have any family members or friends who still believe wearing the seat belt in a plane during turbulence, is optional, show them this post. Last week, Canada’s Transportation Safety Board gave a very strong reminder for passengers to wear seatbelts in their report on Air Canada flight 088 . I am always fascinated by air turbulence stories and this…
A place for everything-Pack to Remember
When packing, have the same place for everything. Each time, put everything back in the same place. Having passport, money, in the same place makes things easier. It speeds up packing. It reduces searching and rummaging. If your bag is tampered with, then you will know if anything has been taken -and what it will be. Related Posts 113 of my free Travel Tips! Forgetting stuff Reducing Lost Luggage Problems Great Luggage App– compare luggage between airlines Travel Tip: Don’t Check in baggage
Check the local holidays
One of the most spectacular breakdowns by a tourist I have ever seen, was on the steps of the Mont St Michel. A woman on the “Trip of a lifetime” clung to the stairs wailing hysterically upon finding out that the Abbey was closed for the Labour day holiday. The only day of her visit coincided with one of the three days through the year when the Abbey is firmly fermé. Screaming curses down on her husband, the French and presumably God she demanded that people open up the monastery. I was fortunate enough to…
“I did Europe this week”. Please stop saying this!!
I need to get this off my chest. Please bear with me! Its a small travel tip! Europe has 50 countries and six dependent territories. The smallest country is Vatican City with an area of just 0.44 sq km! The largest is Russia with 3,972,400 sq km in Europe. 743 million people live in Europe, more than double the population of the USA. Yet I continue to hear a phrase that drives me crazy: “Last vacation we did Europe” or “last week we did Europe” or on “the weekend we did France” or “On Tuesday we did…
Airline responses to US Visa freeze
Major airlines appear to be responding with flexibility at the current banning of the citizens of seven countries from entering the USA.If you know people affected they can contact their airline:- Air Canada: waiving change fees and allowing refunds Air New Zealand: Any customer currently booked to travel with Air New Zealand who finds that their travel is impacted should contact them directly to discuss options American Airlines: if your travel is impacted by this regulation, contact Reservations. British Airways: is offering refunds or rebooking options for US travel Delta: “will make every effort to contact…
Make Your Travel Better in 2017- My Seven key tips
“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go! I am obviously a big fan of travel and encourage people to just go explore the world and meet the people of their destinations. My aim is to create friendships and relationships across borders, see the world and grow personally. I do this by combining days off with leave, public holidays and unpaid leave to maximise the opportunities. Work Hard. Play Hard is definitely my motto! Too many people do…
Recent Comments