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Pro tip for LAX: there are tunnels. You can walk to Terminal B international aka Bradley from any terminal on the south side (4 to 8), and you're inside of security the whole way. The airside shuttle bus goes from T2 and T3.Quote:
Originally Posted by hutash
Sad indeed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Benny Profane
Poor dog, right?
Yeah.
Adding to this: if you fly to LAX on Southwest, it goes to Terminal 1 -- which does not connect airside to any other terminal currently. You have to leave and re-clear security again.Quote:
Originally Posted by pisteoff
Here's a map and more info:
https://onemileatatime.com/connect-terminals-lax/
I think packing cubes are an unnecessary extra step, and whichever rolling thing for a carry-on you pick will have some compartments, (I use mesh for clean, non-mesh for smelly used clothes), etc. Although my smelly items don't smell so much anymore since I switched to mostly wool, (but cashmere may be to $ for you). You need to be quick and efficient, like in the movie "Up in the Air", (I wouldn't screw the married chick, but maybe that's OK for you). (Post a TR).Quote:
Originally Posted by Parvo
I recently did a trip to San Jose and I did it all from my phone, watch, and my passport, (no credit cards or cash were injured in this experiment). Hotels with room choices and "door keys" from the apps, food from Uber/Lyft trips or hotel restaurants, coffee at the Marriott Starbucks in the morning, co-worker drove to meetings, Lyft back to airport.
could just shorten that to never take a flight out of LGA. That place sucks (but I realize it is sometimes unavoidable).Quote:
Originally Posted by St. Jerry
I have experienced the misery that is LAX customs and security. Their customs was bad enough, but TSA is also the WORST I've ever encountered. So obnoxious that I had to totally re-clear with never leaving the airport. Those idiots put me through the ringer (long story). I vowed never again if it can be helped. Caught my flight within seconds but many were not so lucky. WTF is wrong with LAX? That place rates down there right behind LaGuardia, which Joe Biden famously compared to a 3rd world country. Lol. So true.Quote:
Originally Posted by hutash
LGA is easily the worst major airport in the US and possibly in the developed world.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danno
^^^ definitely
yep. sucks that it's the best airport for visiting my family.Quote:
Originally Posted by mall walker
Great thread.
- I've been booking on Hotels.com lately so I can use all of the free nights for personal use without limitations at practically any hotel. I find I like that more than the frequent rewards perks at a single chain.
- +1 to looking for recreational options. On most work trips I'm able to squeeze in a mountain bike ride or round of golf. Yeah, the one day bike rental fee kind of sucks but I've never regretted it after the fact.
- Try not to drink too much, it's really easy to fall into when traveling on the road and your company is picking up the tab.
- Always Uber (or Wingz) to and from the airport back home. With parking fees on longer trips sometimes you'll actually save your company $$ and it's so nice not having to drive, deal with shuttles, parking, etc.
- Global Entry for sure.
Agreed. I couldn't believe how crappy that place was when I last flew there. I mentioned it above but I love this quote from former VP Biden:Quote:
Originally Posted by mall walker
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/poli...icle-1.1604900
Oh snap! That place is a freaking embarrassment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Biden
Dulles is my least favorite airport
Fucking hate that pile of shit
Booner and others,
For the ultimate in airport experiences you should try Pyongyang Sunan International Airport. Upon arrival you will be greeted with a smile in a spacious modern airport devoid of lines and rude airline employees. Visit one of our many duty free shops or get a quick bite to eat from our selection of domestic and imported foods. We have a saying in Korean
감옥에 가면 빼고는 선을 찾을 수 없을거야
Which loosely translated means you won't ever wait in line during your visit here. The DPRK embraces the concept of Juche where man is the ruler of his world. I welcome you to visit our wonderful country in your travels abroad.
Sincerely,
Kim Jong-un
Supreme Leader
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuEZNgxrJ-Y
So I had some time. Right now:
Hotels.com, Milpitas Embassy Suites, 10/30/18 one night/one adult = $292, (1 left at this rate, WTF?)
Hilton website, same dates, etc. = $276 with Honors discount, lots of rooms.
So I guess if your company doesn't check this stuff, which most don't, the perks from hotels.com make this $16 worth it?
Dulles does blow. There's literally nothing good about it. Plus they still have those retarded people mover bus things that were built for temporary use in the early '60s, you have to be shitting me with those things.Quote:
Originally Posted by booner
Isn't LaGuardia in the middle of like a $10bn remodel/reconstruction? has there been any improvement?
My company, with 50K global employees sure doesn't. I booked a room for a few nights in SF last week through the travel portal that were 500 per night. I called up the hotel and then rebooked at 350. If my boss ever gets snippy about a limber bar tab, I remind him that my expense reports could be much higher.Quote:
Originally Posted by plugboots
If we are bitching about airports then I feel compelled to add that Philadelphia's is a fucking bus depot.
JFC, most airports, suck. By definition. You usually have no choice anyway.
So, after some research, I think hotels.com doesn't work for my needs. Here's one of many articles, this one from Feb. so at least kinda recent.
https://thepointsguy.com/2018/02/can...gh-hotels-com/
I'm out of the points game, but if you are going to play the points game for tangible prizes (some people just play to "win") figure out what your goal is first. I worked with some salesguys who spent so much time travelling, and didn't like pleasure travel, they ended up using all the points on things like holiday trips to Hawaii (which was a really expensive use of points at the time). some of them instead did things for better airline status which made their lives easier. a few people who liked pleasure travel really got good value of their points/miles and put together fun trips. if you don't give a shit about that stuff, figure out a way that pays you cash back.Quote:
Originally Posted by El Chupacabra
once you figure out a goal, there are all kinds of websites to maximize your progress towards it.
The full La Guardia experience needs to be completed with the M60 bus to 125th station in the rain at night. Now you are living.
It is actually faster the get to mid town with the AirTrain and the E or A
Travel Tips - what works for me
Airports - be comfortable, take your own food, https://flightaware.com/ If you need to rebook, any gate agent with your airline can help - you don't need to wait in line at your gate
Entertaining - if you are in sales and you have to entertain so be it. That said, casual hanging out...fuck that. Every industry in and situation is different but generally, there is no benefit to going to every lunch, happy hour and dinner has no benefit.
Health - stretching/yoga, going on walks, good food, moderated booze, sleep etc. It is really easy to let this get away from you.
Beginning/end of trips - try to leave with shit in order and have something to do when you get home. For example, if you get home Friday night, do what ever is needed to make Saturday your day to forget about work. Not sleeping in, hangover, laundry bullshit.
When I lived in Astoria I took that bus to the airport when flying, but I also took it every day to 125th street to the Metro North. I've seen some of the funniest things in my life on that bus. Not recommended sober.Quote:
Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles
While the M60 does have it's charm, I have to give props to the 15 Limited in Denver.
Regarding rebooking, if your flight is cancelled, it's often worth calling the main airline booking line, especially if you have any status. Then you're talking to someone with the same rebooking powers as the overwhelmed gate agent who might have time to work out more creative solutions to your problems. The only catch is that sometimes food vouchers need to be printed by someone in the airport if you're staying overnight.
Or the website. Or the agent two doors down doing her nails. Be creative. Standing in the end of the line at the gate where the flight was just canceled never works.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cravenmorhead
The flightaware app was a great call in this thread. It will help you track where the hell your flight is. I was in NY a few months ago during the storms and they kept pushing my flight back by an hour at a time at the gate. Got on the app and noticed that the plane I was taking had just taken off from the west coast so I knew it would be more like half a day before I would get moving, rather than sitting at the gate while they squeaked out minor delays for 5 hours. Also good to check the app before even leaving for the airport.
Parvo, this will help strategize booze intake. And its time's like these that we need the wisdom of Bmills. I bet that guy has some awesome stories about travelling and whisky.
flightradar24 as well
In a word, no. It's a fucking disaster.Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman
And not a word about compression socks? You all are gonna die.
lolQuote:
Originally Posted by huckbucket
A year ago, I flew into LGA to attend a wedding. We had to rent a car. It took 2 shuttle buses to get to the car rental place (as in, get on a rental car shuttle which takes you somewhere, and then wait for another shuttle bus to actually take you to your car rental company). When we got there, the line went out the door, took 2+ hours in line to get our car. LGA is an abomination.
That can cut both ways [granted i'm status-less]. I was heading to San Diego, JH-SLC-LA-SAN, and in SLC i noticed a direct flight to SAN that would save me a couple hours and another connection. Grabbed the courtesy phone, was told I didn't have enough miles to change my flight to that one. I saw a lone agent at a gate, stopped by with a big smile, explained what I'd been told. She shook her head, said a curse word or two, and asked if an exit window was ok on the direct flight...Quote:
Originally Posted by Cravenmorhead
This goes back to my post about the person behind the desk. Also, when it really gets shitty, and it will, have stamina, and don't give up. Don't settle for the 3 connections and a red eye. Call again, ask again to someone else. Even nicer this time, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tye 1on
There's really nothing better than flying out of Vegas at 6am still high on coke and laying over in Laguardia with kids practically crawling on you, screaming in your ear in Spanish while you contemplate hanging yourself in the bathroom
Never trust a fart in Mexico
9AM or earlier you're fineQuote:
Originally Posted by Danno
Lots of great stuff in this thread. I'm sitting at 120K flown miles on Delta this year...gotta figure out how to get 5k more to hit Diamond.
Don't think I've seen this mentioned yet, but many airlines / companies offer some sort of status challenge. Basically it is a condensed period for earning status (fly X miles/segments in Y months and you earn Z status). This strategy got me Delta Platinum last year when I was just getting back on the road. Use the challenge wisely though, you want to keep it for a stretch when you will be traveling a lot.
I'll also add that at least on Delta, the fare class you book is pretty important (e.g. H, B, Y, etc.). The higher the fare class, the better your upgrade priority and flexibility to same day confirm a change. I used to book my flights early, but have recently been a bit slower to book so I end up with a higher fare class.
One other thing....I'm a huge fan of keeping a pair of jeans and a flannel in the top of my suitcase. Assuming I've got a few extra minutes, I'll do a quick change so I don't have to fly in my work clothes. Definitely more comfortable, but also a nice mental refresh.
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My buddy that used to be my boss changes into pajamas on flights overseas.
Then he pops pills and drinks whiskey
I'm a pen/gummy guy. No thanks on the pills and I never have more than 1 or 2 drinks on planes
Maybe in the " things I learned when I got old thread"? I'm old and at an age when flying can lead to stocks and death. I now wear compression socks. My FIL, stroked years ago after a flight, not a pretty sight.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkiBall