This is a hot topic because changes are coming – yet again.  The reason it’s become a hot topic is because of passenger abuse brought on by the extra baggage fees imposed by the airlines.  (Not that abuse hadn’t gone on before this.)

An empty airplane soon to be crammed full with passengers and cary-on baggage

An increase in baggage fees was announced in early January 2010 for tickets bought for travel within the US/Canada and Territories on or after the 5^th of January 2010 for travel after the 12^th January 2010.  The first checked bag will now cost $25.00 ($15.00 old fee).  The second bag is now $35.00 ($25.00 old fee).  (A fee reduction is available if you check your bags in on-line in advance, $23. and $32.00)  For international travel two checked bags are included in the ticket price EXCEPT the second bag in economy to Europe.  Make sure you check with your individual airline before booking or packing for a trip.  On many airlines, these fees are waved with Mileage Program status.  This is yet another reason why frequent travelers need to work on acquiring and maintaining Airline status.

Because of the originally imposed baggage fees and now the increase, passengers are abusing the carry-on policy because they are carrying on bags that are bigger than allowed.

On every one of my recent flights I have seen gross abuses of carry-on bags allowances mainly because airline staff doesn’t enforce it.  Passengers are bringing aboard garment bags that are bursting, plus a carry-on, and a personal item.

Under Seat Space for your Personal Carry-On Bag and this is the Exit Row!

Read on for the policy from United Airlines →

Here are the Delta Airlines Policy for Carry-On baggage:

All Delta passengers are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item that meet the criteria below. See Security Check-in for liquid and gel restrictions.

Size and Weight Restrictions

If your carry-on bag doesn’t meet these size restrictions it must be checked, and all checked baggage rules will apply. Your bag must:

Not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height), or 115 cm.

Fit easily in our SizeCheck® unit (approximately 22″x14″x9″, or 56x36x23 cm).

Fit in an overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.

Personal Items

You’re allowed one personal item from this sample list:

• Purses, briefcases, camera cases, and diaper bags
• Laptop computers (can’t be checked and must be carried on)
• Items of a similar or smaller size to those above

Other Carry-on Items Allowed

You may also bring these items onboard. They do not count toward your personal item.

• Food items for immediate consumption
• Assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches
• One box or bag of duty free merchandise

Carry-on baggage policies for all United travel

For worldwide travel on any United or United Express flight, you may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase or laptop computer. Your carry-on bag…

• must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin;
• should not be more than 9 x 14 x 22 inches (23 x 35 x 56 cm) or 45 linear inches* (114 linear cm); and
• may be required to travel as checked baggage if the bag cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight.

The following personal items are not counted toward your one bag and one personal item limit:

• Assistive devices (canes, crutches, etc.)
• Child safety seats for ticketed children
• Infant restraint devices (infant seat with or without stroller, front pouch or back carrier)
• Outer garments (coats, hats, etc.)
• Reading material (a reasonable amount)
• Umbrellas (one per passenger)
• Food and beverages to be consumed onboard
• One musical instrument not exceeding a size of 45 linear inches*
• A coat, jacket, or umbrella

• Please note that items must be stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. They may not be stowed in the seat back pocket

With so many people not respecting and staff not enforcing the carry-on policies, you need to have a plan before boarding.  Short of tattling on passengers to staff (how tempting) you need to do the following to assure you’ll have space for your items:

Maximize your airline status before booking your ticket.  Check previous Blog Posts for tips on doing this.

At your terminal gate, get in line to board your flight well in advance.

Do not book a bulkhead seat.  There is not space in front of you to store any bags or personal items.  So, they will need to be stored in the overhead bins.

Once boarded, immediately store your items in the overhead bin.  After everyone is boarded and has stowed there carry-on, then remove your items you want with you from your carry-on bag.  But beware don’t turn your back!  We have seen passengers (creeps) jump up and slip their bag in when you’re not looking!  Can you say “confrontation”?

Of course, by now, everyone must know about the “3-1-1” liquid restrictions for carry-ons.  You can find the details HERE.

It may be worth it for you to travel with more outer garments than you need for the flight.  Just make sure that the garment has lots of pockets to store medications, electronic cords, portable external hard drives, jewelry, cameras, etc.  Also, make sure the pockets zip or snap shut so you don’t lose any items in transit.  You can maximize your allowances and work with or around any new restrictions imposed by the TSA or airlines.

Happy Tripping,

Carter

Hey Trippers,

So much has been written about the incredible story of US Air Flight 1549.  One thing that the episode has shown is that experience trumps even the best training.  Experience enabled Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his crew to keep their cool and guide that massive and fragile machine into the Hudson River.  Sully used his glider pilot experience and transferred that knowledge to a multi-ton aircraft.  Miracle?  Call it what you want.  It is fate that that pilot and crew were on that flight under those circumstances.

There has not been a flight I’ve taken where I don’t stop at every take-off and landing and think of those I love and whether they’re all right if something tragic happens.  If disaster strikes, the statistics overwhelmingly show that it will be during the take-off (12%)* or landing (45%)*.

I’ve culled an important testimonial from the preponderance of coverage of this amazing outcome.  I found a useful account by a passenger who was on the flight.  He tells quite a story (if you want the whole story, e-mail and I’ll send it) and I found his final observations the most useful to what I hope I’m accomplishing with this blog and knowyourtrip.com.

(This is from a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles in New York who was on Flight 1549.)

There is a great deal to be learned including: Why has this happened 
to me? Why have I survived and what am I supposed to do with this 
gift? For me, the answers to these questions and more will come over
time, but already I find myself being more patient and forgiving, less
 critical and judgmental.
For now I have 4 lessons I would like to share:

1. Cherish your families as never before and go to great lengths to 
keep your promises.
2. Be thankful and grateful for everything you have and don’t worry 
about the things you don’t have.
3. Keep in shape. You never know when you’ll be called upon to save
 your own life, or help someone else save theirs.
4. When you fly, wear practical clothing. You never know when you’ll
end up in an emergency or on an icy wing in flip flops and pajamas and
 of absolutely no use to yourself or anyone else.

Words to take to heart.  Fitness is important to every aspect of travel and now, first hand, you see a testimonial from someone who lived it.  Clothing is always a consideration.  Every flight I take, I see someone with flip-flops.  Every overnight flight I see someone under 18 in pajamas!  Stop them!  It’s for their own good, their safety – and yours.  You may need their help. And as you travel in foreign destinations, don’t think of what they don’t have but all they DO have.

Word to take to heart, remember all that you do have, and you may be embarrassed . . . .

Happy Tripping,

Carter

*When accidents/fatalities happen, this percentage is based on the overall flight from taxi to landing.

Hey Trippers,

This isn’t a political blog and rarely will I ever go there.  I just returned from a six day trip to witness the Swearing-In of Barack H. Obama as the 44th President of The United States of America in Washington, District of Columbia.  What I can do is provide you a link to a photo gallery from the trip.  If you’re interested, have a peek HERE.

What I will share with you is my preparations.  When you plan a trip to a destination that will have more people visiting then any other time in history, you have to make extra special preparations.

Weather and as a result, clothing, was my biggest concern.  We knew that it was going to be outdoors, the temperature range could be between – 14C (7F) and about 10C (50).  It could be raining, snowing, or dry.

Walking was also a big concern because the Metro Underground train system was going to close stations. There could be unannounced closures because of the 2 to 5 million people visiting the city.  All it would take is someone to fall on the tracks (It happened) and then you’ll end up walking. I was in London attending the Millennium Celebrations and it was a huge fiasco (a story for another time).  I learned from it and applied my lessons to this trip.

The day of The Inaugural Ceremony roadways in and out were closed.  Coaches, Buses, Passenger Vans were only allowed in so far.  The National Mall was fenced off on all sides with temporary fences – starting the day of The Inaugural Kick-Off Concert two days before.  The public could go in an out freely but only at certain gates.  All this meant a lot of walking – miles of it.

Restaurants were busy.  At the popular ones, it was common to have to wait in a long time.  Fast food and Starbucks were mobbed – forget sitting down.

Accommodation was pretty well booked up months in advance. Long waits for Taxis and Cabs to get around.  Our hotel service was exceptional despite being full.  We booked our hotel a distance away from the action.  We wanted to be nearer the airport and yet close enough to walk to and from the District of Columbia Center – in case anything disastrous happened.

Museums were busy but no long lines until the day before and day of The Inauguration. We’re glad that we went a few days earlier.

The guided tours of the U.S Capital Building were available on demand in the days leading up to the The Inaugural Kick-Off weekend, which was very surprising given the amount of people in town.

You have the background, now here’s the preparations for the miles and miles of walking the streets, museums, and the hectares (acres) of the sights:

• Gortex covered well-cushioned running shoes by Adidas. (Fashion was not considered while spending hours outdoors).  I think the gortex waterproof coating kept in the heat.

• Foot Warmers – Oxygen activated pads that adhere to any part of your foot.  They last for up to five hours.  These were needed by everyone in our group except me because my shoes keep my feet warm.  This could be a circulation issue as well.

• Hand Warmers - Chemically activated little pillows that slip into your pocket or gloves and last up to 8 hours.  I brought a case with me and almost used everyone between the members of our group.

• Long Johns ( tights to wear under trousers) – made out of a moisture-wicking spandex skin tight material to keep in heat and wick out moisture.

• Double lined Trousers with many pockets – Many events did not allow back packs.  Okay, we had cases for our digital camera and video, but what about our other necessities?

• A Merino Wool Undershirt to keep warm.  It wicks moisture too.

• A Long John Thermal Top made of cotton.

• A shirt made of moisture-wicking material.

• An Eddie Bauer Rain-resistant Outer Jacket that gathered at the sleeves and the waist to hold in heat.

• Scarf to wrap around face and neck to protect from the wind chill.

• Gloves – double lined, rain-resistant, heat retaining, with enough space to accommodate the hand warmer.

• Hat, double-lined wool or fleece and long enough to stretch over my ear.  I prefer the Nike Hat Phones to listen to music on my iPod and to keep warm at the same time.  The iPod stores on the inside of the hat in a pocket – so no cords.  You may want to consider ear muffs.

• Extra Pockets around my waist (not a fannie pack!)- I bought a set of these brilliant little things at The Portobello Road Market in West London. They are made out of a khaki material and fit securely with velcro around your waist  It adds six extra pockets for you to fill.  The velcro-ed flaps and zippers keep everything in there safely.  I would not use them for to hide wallets or valuables.    I gave up searching for them on the internet, so I’ll just have to go back to the

• Adult Diapers – That’s right, diapers.  It reminds me of when Senator John McCain was asked what kind of underwear he wears while on the campaign trail.  His answer?  “Depends . . . .”  I came up with the idea when I was at The Inaugural Kick-Off Concert (U2, Beyonce, Usher, John Legend, Tom Hanks, Garth Brooks, Jamie Foxx, Steve Carell, Bruce Springsteen, Denzel Washington, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, etc. performed for us)  I was attended by over 500,000 people.  I arrived four hours early and had to stand in a tiny spot being abused from all sides as people tried to get closer, back to their spot, or had to go to the toilet.  Trouble was once you left, there was no way you could get back.  So, in addition to the four hours waiting, I stood another two hours for the show and the aftermath.  I couldn’t imagine what to do during The Inauguration Swearing-In Ceremony when there was supposed to be a couple million+.  So, I wore adult diapers and DIDN”T NEED THEM!  I arrived at 4:30AM with a few hundred thousand others, got as close as possible without a ticket, and waited for seven bitter cold hours for the ceremony to begin.  Once in position, it was too cold to worry about how close you were.  It was about staying warm.  We had plenty of room to get to and from the toilets.  I didn’t regret wearing the adult diapers because they kept me warm.

Hope some of this helps you prepare for hours and hours in the cold, walking around, with only a freezing cold ground to sit on, or a bench if you’re lucky.  I was thrilled to be there because the six days were a memory of a lifetime – if not an endurance test.  I’m glad I was prepared because it made it all that much more enjoyable and bearable.

Happy Tripping,

Carter