Post by dpeppar on May 15, 2014 10:01:42 GMT -8
In some of my last lives I flew a lot but since retiring have only flown every couple of years. Regulations around security has changed every time I fly but now they seem a bit better.
First tip - put all things from your pocket in you carry on bag before going into the security line. At LAX yesterday even tissue paper must be removed. I need to buy a slip on pair of shoes or sandals just for travel at US cities.
Second - Carry on luggage has become a big problem for airlines. They want $50 for a second bag so most people take it on the plan. At two airports yesterday (with both United and Air Canada) while sitting in the gate waiting room they encouraged all people with an extra bag to check with them at the gate for no extra charge. I took advantage of this. A recent video that was on U-Tube and the news showed Air Canada employees throwing those bags checked at the gate onto the ground - this got them some bad publicity but I felt it was probably now safe - bag was okay.
Third - I was not having much luck booking cars for Maui and Kauai until I found a site www.discounthawaiicarrental.com But as always there is a trick to using it. When you go to the site and the location you want make sure you pick the car type correctly. My first car was a Nissan Versa which was called a compact by Enterprise. The car was perfect and Enterprise treated us like kings. Car had only 3500 miles. When I booked a car from Dollar at the next island Kauai I also booked a compact but did not check the car type. It seemed that Dollar's compact and Enterprise did not match and we had to upgrade to a mid-size to get an equivalent size to the Versa (all that baggage - see below). Big cost increase and a old Ford with 39,000 miles.
Forth - After packing remove 1/2 of everything and go light. Man that is the last time I will do that! I debated spend $200 for that light travel tripod. If you travel light to a location you now have an excuse to buy some new stuff. I bought some Koa wood and another type of hard wood which added few pounds to my load. Going home heavier with a few new goodies is better than starting heavy.
DaveP
First tip - put all things from your pocket in you carry on bag before going into the security line. At LAX yesterday even tissue paper must be removed. I need to buy a slip on pair of shoes or sandals just for travel at US cities.
Second - Carry on luggage has become a big problem for airlines. They want $50 for a second bag so most people take it on the plan. At two airports yesterday (with both United and Air Canada) while sitting in the gate waiting room they encouraged all people with an extra bag to check with them at the gate for no extra charge. I took advantage of this. A recent video that was on U-Tube and the news showed Air Canada employees throwing those bags checked at the gate onto the ground - this got them some bad publicity but I felt it was probably now safe - bag was okay.
Third - I was not having much luck booking cars for Maui and Kauai until I found a site www.discounthawaiicarrental.com But as always there is a trick to using it. When you go to the site and the location you want make sure you pick the car type correctly. My first car was a Nissan Versa which was called a compact by Enterprise. The car was perfect and Enterprise treated us like kings. Car had only 3500 miles. When I booked a car from Dollar at the next island Kauai I also booked a compact but did not check the car type. It seemed that Dollar's compact and Enterprise did not match and we had to upgrade to a mid-size to get an equivalent size to the Versa (all that baggage - see below). Big cost increase and a old Ford with 39,000 miles.
Forth - After packing remove 1/2 of everything and go light. Man that is the last time I will do that! I debated spend $200 for that light travel tripod. If you travel light to a location you now have an excuse to buy some new stuff. I bought some Koa wood and another type of hard wood which added few pounds to my load. Going home heavier with a few new goodies is better than starting heavy.
DaveP
