Travel woes

[FarminCy]

I travel internationally regularly for work and fun. Luckily I don't have any horror stories outside of the usual delayed flights or staying overnight in an airport, etc. Over the last 10 years I've got my system dialed in after talking with other travelers and tweaking what works for me. Most of it is just trial and error considering my first two week overseas trip for work I packed almost two weeks worth of stuff in a giant suitcase since I didn't know any better!!!

TSA precheck is well worth it if you travel a lot. If only the occasional vacations a year probably not.

I only do carry on duffels or travel backpacks for my clothes. This is for many reasons. Most of the 30-40L bags can carry enough for a week long trip, anything longer just use laundry services. A backpack or duffel will always fit in any of the International regional planes where larger hard carry ons won't. I'll also gate check them with no issues either. Another big reason for going backpack or duffel is it forces me to carry my clothes which means I pay more attention to what I pack and when I am in the process of traveling my stuff is attached to my body at all times. For work stuff I'll use a small computer backpack if I'm doing a duffel or a sling pack if carrying clothes in backpack.

When packing clothes learn what a capsule wardrobe is. I've done multiple week+ long trips in Europe, Africa, and South America with very minimal amounts of clothes. My main focus is on bringing larger amounts of underwear, socks, v neck t shirts, etc and lower numbers of pants, sweaters, button downs, jacket. Most of the time my go to is a nice pair of jeans, chukka boots, and a sweater which works for work meetings, being in fields, or wandering around. doing touristy things.

In regards to tourists getting targeted my advice is don't look like an obvious tourist. That can mean many things but in all my travels globally that is always the top advice. And when you see an "obvious tourist" you quickly realize why they are the ones targeted. I always use a "passport purse" which tucks under a sweater of fleece while in the process of traveling. Use the passport purse for a credit card as well. I keep my wallet in my personal carry on item. I only use a small front pocket wallet and bring my ID, 2 credit cards, and insurance card. I back all those up in my wallet app on my phone as well.

These are just a few of the main themes that have worked for me on my many overseas trips over the years.

 

[ZRF]

Finally flew out of the new KCI airport last week on a trip to the Big Easy. Definitely a much better experience than the piece of trash it replaced.

Some thoughts:

- If parking in economy, the bus wait, both from the lot and from the terminal (back to the lot) is typically less due to the lot consolidation as well as having the single terminal structure. Definitely a plus.
- Much better amenities (obviously) with the food options, bathrooms, etc. being vastly better than they were before. Good riddance Pork and Pickle!
- Many locals talked about the fear of losing the "curb to gate" quickness the old airport offered. If you aren't checking a bag it's not really much different. The big exception is when flying SW or another airline that has "B" gates, you will definitely encounter a longer walk, ergo more time to your gate. If flying economy the bus difference more than negates this, at least from this experience.
- One minor quibble is they didn't install the bid returns you see in some airports. I much prefer them to the stacks and find it creates less of a cluster once reaching the xray belts.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Not really a warning that someone could heed, more of a story.

My wife (then girlfriend) and I went to Rapid City, and she booked an all day tour. It went from 8 in the morning until about 6 at night, and the day we went was 105 degrees. The tour bus was barely air conditioned. We were exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel, and just after we got back, my wife noticed that she forgot her purse on the tour bus, so we had to drive to the Wyoming border and meet the driver to get her purse.

 

[4theCYcle]

San Francisco is notorious for smash-n-grab crime. It's become so common that the police won't even do anything beyond take a report for insurance purposes). I have told people for years that if you're visiting SF or any urban part of the Bay Area, do not leave so much as a nickel in the cup holder between the seats because someone will smash your car window, grab anything they can and be gone in ten seconds or less. Either take nothing with you when driving around or take it ALL with you when you leave your vehicle. I've seen video of dudes who stopped their car at a freeway offramp traffic signal, smashed out the back window of an suv that had video equipment visible in the window - WHILE THE DRIVER WAS IN THE SUV at the light - then sped off in another direction. They must have spotted the gear in the window while driving next to them on the Bay Bridge into the City and saw the opportunity when the victim got off the freeway.

In the fall of 2021, I was in SF with three friends, about to do an Alcatraz tour. We'd stopped at the Palace of Fine Arts for some photos, returned to the vehicle and the back passenger window was smashed in and the bag of camera lenses under the seat were gone. While I'd said not to bring anything with (two of them were leaving the next morning, so we'd already dropped off their stuff at the hotel), but didn't see the one carrying the lens bag. Then it took a minute to get it to fit under the seat before we walked away. Little did I know we were being watched the whole time. Gone less than ten minutes, we returned to the vehicle, then had to deal with the consequences (calling the police, calling the car rental place, getting to the closest rental location for a new vehicle, etc). Needless to say, we missed our Alcatraz tour (and were out the $240-ish it cost for the four of us) and the group was shook that it had happened for the rest of the day.

It's especially important to remember this tip if you're driving your own vehicle in SF. Out of state plates, especially in tourist areas are the FIRST thing criminals will look for as a target. They know you're much more likely have some valuables with you when you're sightseeing. It really makes me not want to spend any time in SF anymore (which I rarely do when I travel to northern California anymore anyway), just so I don't have to worry about it and be paranoid every time I walk away from my vehicle. I had a friend who lived in Haight-Ashbury for over 40 years and he'd said how disappointing it was that San Francisco wasn't the city it used to be. It's definitely not the place I used to love visiting even 10 years ago. It's sad, because it truly used to be such an incredible place. I guess it still is, but it's lost the shine it once had (to me).

I was just about to post that I've heard from several photographers have their equipment stolen out from under them several times while reading your beginning part of your post. 1 said they were out on the beach photographing the golden gate bridge and was set up and was taking photos and left their bag not very far behind, went back and it wasn't there. Another said they had their window smashed out and their gear was stolen.

It's crazy to me that people would have that stuff done to them WHILE driving. That is insane. I've heard the amount of homeless people in that city is astronomical and that it affects the safety of others. I've been to Cali a couple times, but not SF. What sucks is, it does look photogenic.

 

[4theCYcle]

I have 300k+ miles on AA and always choose DFW instead of ORD if at all possible. Never problems in DFW but have had weather issues in ORD more than once.

Funny how individual experiences can vary so much.

I have issues at O'Hare almost every single time I fly in or out of there. It is the worst airport out of the many I have been to.

 

[cycloner29]

Flew out of DSM in January for a 6:30 flight. We had to wait on the plane 50 minutes for a mechanic to show up to start the engines.

 

[cyclone13]

I was traveling with a group once in Italy, taking the bus from Ostia to Rome. One of the ladies in our party got off the bus and discovered that her wallet was missing out of her bag. She said, "But there was only a nun behind me!" to which the tour guide replied, "Most likely, it was a person dressed as a nun."

When traveling abroad, dress poor. Leave the bling at home. Never pack more than you can carry. Men should keep their wallets in a Money belt or Pouch Enjoy the sights but keep your eyes open, especially on subways or in a crowd. Lock your suitcase if you have to leave it in your room while out and about for the day, and always use the hotel safe if it's something really important that you can't afford to lose.

FIFY. Front pocket is still vulnerable and these pickpockets are so tricky.

 

[cyclone13]

Get a global entry if you frequently travel overseas. Saves a lot of time and energy (and you get TSA precheck automatically)
Getting the pre-approval electronically is quick, getting the interview spot can be tricky but if you want to drive to Grand Portage, MN, that'll be nice as they have a lot of open spots 7 days a week. And it's a nice drive along the North Shore & Lake Superior.

 

[pourcyne]

FIFY. Front pocket is still vulnerable and these pickpockets are so tricky.

But better than the back pocket, since if someone taps you on the left shoulder, you stop paying attention to the right. That said, front pocket is so much closer to where you also keep the family jewels, so there's that.

 

[BACyclone]

I'll also advocate for TSA Pre-check. I balked at the cost for some time because as a family, we honestly don't travel by air that much, PLUS at least flying out of Iowa, it's rather pointless to jump the security line in CR or DSM that rarely has more than 5 people standing in it.

BUT flying home is a whole different story. We fly home from Denver somewhat regularly, and it's a huge benefit. Recently we did spring break in Florida and were forced to fly into Orlando -- which is a hell-hole to fly out. Security lane is a mile long (outside the snake line) even early in the AM. Even flying home at 7am I think we saved AT LEAST 45minutes in security -- a huge snake line versus 5 people in TSA+; PLUS I had forgotten a pocket-multi-tool in my carry-on bag so I went back and checked it into another bag, and came back through security AGAIN and had plenty of time to spare.

$85 for 5 years is probably the best money I've ever spent for travel. Kids under 12 are free (don't need a number) as long as the rest of your party has it. Even if you only travel occasionally, there's a very high chance you will appreciate it on the return trip home.

 

[4theCYcle]

This is part of the reminder we get from the MPD every year or so. When parking in a ramp, lot or streetside make sure you not only stow any valuables out of sight, but make sure you do the stowing BEFORE you get to your destination. They may be watching you when you arrive to park.

A coworker from New York swears by never locking his car. He leaves nothing in it and gives thieves no incentive to smash his windows.

Lol, still won't deter them from stealing the actual car haha, but at that point it wouldn't matter.

 

[TitanClone]

I used to avoid checking bags at all costs. Have only had luggage not make it once due to the first flight being delayed an hour and a short layover that turned into walking off the first flight and getting in line to board the connection immediately. It ended up being a non issue outside of spending an hour or so in the airport to get the airline my hotel information. Bags were delivered to my room at like 1 AM. That made me a little less hesitant to check luggage going forward.

Anyone going to Maui in 2024, look into the Alaskan airlines credit card. $95/year fee but it comes with a companion pass that's $100 + taxes for any flight. Usually get the first year free so just taxes for the second ticket. Buy 1 get 1 free is a steal for a round-trip to Hawaii.

 

[isucyfan]

And just a note that if you have a Capital One Venture card, you can get TSA Pre-Check for free.

 

[ianoconnor]

And just a note that if you have a Capital One Venture card, you can get TSA Pre-Check for free.

Yep, many cards have this great perk. I know my IHG Premier card does. Definitely worth looking into your card benefits.

 

[NickTheGreat]

I have only flown out of North American 3 times in my life. But I swear to using a travel agent.

WE checked in to DSM and got word that our Flight from Ohare to London was cancelled. I called the agent, she did some maneuvering and told us to get on the flight to Chicago. By the time we landed she had new flights for us via Paris to where we were going.

I don't think Expedia would have worked so easily. And it doesn't cost you any extra either. Expedia is just cashing in the Travel Agent fees.

 

[laminak]

One of my travel woes was when I flew for work, had a carry-on luggage, flew out of CR, forced to gate-check the luggage, then when connecting through Detroit, they lost my carry-on luggage. I was reassured that it would be at my final destination, however that didn't happen, too. So my coworkers had to take me to the store to get extra clothes, toothpaste, etc for the trip, where I finally got it two days later. I always have a personal item carry on with my normal carry on when I fly.

 

[4theCYcle]

And just a note that if you have a Capital One Venture card, you can get TSA Pre-Check for free.

Is this where they cover the $100 expense of it? Does that just cover 1 persons or multiple? I have the venture card, but we haven't used that perk. I also have IHG card too. Wonder if I can work around a family of 3 to get these covered, would save a lot of time at airports, not that we travel as often as we used to.

 

[cytor]

I have had terrible experiences with American Airlines... I will NEVER use them again. I had 1st class tickets on a flight and missed the connection by 1 minute. They put me on the next plane (24 hours later) on the very back of the plane against the bathrooms. They also never refunded me the difference on my 1st class tickets. They didn't even say they were sorry.

Don't use cheap airlines (Spirit, Frontier, etc)... pay the few extra bucks and get a better airline.
I flew Iceland air out of MSP and they were awesome! Clean planes, great service and hot flight attendants.

Don't travel with me... I was very lucky to avoid two major experiences:
1) I was in Madrid Spain and missed the train bombings by 1 week. Yes, I was in that train station.
2) I was in India in 2008 and left 3 days before the terrorists took over that hotel in Mumbai near Thanksgiving time.

Other than that, all is well!

 

[isucyfan]

Is this where they cover the $100 expense of it? Does that just cover 1 persons or multiple? I have the venture card, but we haven't used that perk. I also have IHG card too. Wonder if I can work around a family of 3 to get these covered, would save a lot of time at airports, not that we travel as often as we used to.

Yeah, you use your card to pay for it and then they credit it back to you. I think it's per cardholder on your account. Both my wife and I got it reimbursed.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

I have 300k+ miles on AA and always choose DFW instead of ORD if at all possible. Never problems in DFW but have had weather issues in ORD more than once.

Funny how individual experiences can vary so much.

All of my DFW issues have been thunderstorm related, especially in the spring. A good thunderstorm in the metroplex will absolutely wreak havoc on that airport. I'm with you though, I've had way more issues connecting through ORD.