travel
tips
general travel
tips - Everything from security to air sickness
buying
Cheap Airline Tickets – Do they exist and if so where do
I get them?
useful Tips For Getting Your First Class
Airline Upgrades
- How to blag yourself an airline upgrade
jetlag
info – what is it and how to beat it.
tips on surviving a plane crash – be prepared,
where to sit and what to do in the event of crashing
tips for the safety of your passport - take precautions
when travelling with your passport
travel
glossary - get familiar with those travel terms
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general
travel tips (as well as how to get a cheaper
ticket)
Blagging
yourself an airline upgrade is all about getting on the right
side of the check-in staff - assuming they haven't all walked
out on a wildcat strike, of course. Travelling alone, dressing
smartly, carrying a laptop and turning up three hours early
can all work - as has the high-risk strategy of turning up 15
seconds before the flight leaves. Most importantly of all, smile,
say please and don't take it personally if they say no. You
can always try again on the return journey. Read on for further
general tips or click here for details
on upgrading tips.
Targeted
customers -
There are deals, prices and packages targeted at different customers
for flights so make sure you have a look around to see if there
is a deal which applies to you or your situation.
A
few key tips for cheaper tickets - Book online using a quote engine (there
are several on this site), book early as many airlines offer
cheap tickets for a limited booking period, check to see if
certain days are cheaper for flying (week days excluding Monday
and Friday, for example) and book to return using the same airline
as you did to depart. Tuesdays to Wednesdays are best for domestic
fares, and Mondays through Thursday for international travel.
Sign up to a site e-newsletters (e.g. Lastminute.com or bargainholidays)
which will inform you of offers, last gasp escapes or off season
specials. More tips on how to get that cheap ticket here.
Advance bookings
- A seven- or 14-day advance purchase, as well as a Saturday-night
stay, is usually required to get the best deals. With the no-frills
airlines, it’s best to book at least 4 weeks in advance. Gamble
if you can, but succeeding in getting a lastminute flight can
be risky. Book in advance if possible.
Get connected - Routes that include a flight connection
are often cheaper than non-stop flights.
Timing
- When shopping around, experiment with different travel
times. Early-morning or red-eye flights may provide a better
deal - not everyone’s willing to fly at 3AM.
On sale - Small airlines have regular fare
sales every six to eight weeks. If possible, don't buy a ticket
unless it's on sale.
Avoid peak seasons - Plan your travel to avoid your destination's
peak season (e.g. Christmas in Sydney) when fares tend to be
the highest.
Consider alternatives - You may be able to get a much lower
fare if you’re willing to drive an hour or two to a nearby departure
or destination city (e.g. City Airport instead of London Gatwick).
Consider driving or training it instead. Sometimes flying isn't
the cheapest travel option. Consider taking the train, bus,
or driving if it's feasible.
Collect those airmiles - Don't forget to earn miles every
time you fly.
Is
the site trustworthy? Once you've found that bargain
airfare ensure that the site is trustworthy (does it belong
to an online consumer body such as Which? Webtrader? www.which.net/webtrader)
and secure. Check your browser shows a secure link at the bottom
(Netscape shows a key icon whilst Explorer uses a padlock icon).
When it’s gone, it’s gone - When you find a deal you're happy
with, book the ticket right away. If you wait too long, the
deal may disappear.
Allow plenty of time for checking in your bags - A guideline would be one hour for domestic and 2 hours for international flights.
However, do allow for long queues at busy time of years and
check with your booking agent.
You will be asked questions about
your luggage - Make sure that you are absolutely certain
what you have in your cases and bags, especially post 9/11.
Don't create problems by packing unnecessary electricals, solvents
or instruments that might be considered dangerous or weapons.
Make a list of what you pack and keep it on you during the journey.
If you want a particular type of seat,
book early to avoid disappointment - Remember that unless
you are paying for a particular seat you will usually have to
settle with what you are given. To maximise your chances of
the seat that you want don't be afraid to ask and chance your
luck - at the gate ask your agent for a place next to an empty
seat, get hold of an aircraft seating plan and request the seat
number of your choice, tall people might ask for a seat in the
emergency exit rows which usually provide for more space etc.
Travel sickness - Can be alleviated or avoided by
taking travel sickness pills. They should be taken in advance
of feeling sick and not once you feel sick. Along with the traditional
remedies available in high street chemists you might want to
think about herbal options or oils, which you can apply behind
the ears. Check that whatever you buy is suitable for the family
as some products can cause hyperactivity in children (perhaps
something you don’t want on a 22 hour flight to Melbourne!).
Check security - Make sure that you are aware of
the political and security issues of where you are going. There
are a number of links within this site where you can brief yourself
on news etc.
Disabled travel - If you are booking for or as a
disabled traveller check with your travel agent to make sure
they are aware of your particular needs. Make sure that you
volunteer information when booking as agents will not always
ask.
Home alone? Think about what you are leaving
behind when you depart for your flight. Have you cancelled the
milk? Do the neighbours know when you will be back? How will
your plants and garden survive whilst you are away? You might
also consider buying some time switches so that your house lights
come on in the evening.
Travel Insurance - Always consider travel insurance
no matter where you’re travelling. You should also be clear
about what happens if your trip is cancelled as you could loose
your money. Check to see if your policy covers you for cancellations.
Buy your insurance here.
Around
the world travel
- If you are lucky enough to be booking an around the world
ticket, first check to see if there is a deal that suits you.
If not, then plan your route carefully. A good rule of thumb
for keeping the price down is to order your destinations in
a continuous global direction and try to avoid back tracking.
Also, try to time your flight with the seasons and weather that
you prefer - always check for monsoon seasons, for example.
Read more on round the world travel here.
Special food or dietary needs - These need to be made clear to
the booking agent or airline. It is worth considering that some
airlines cater not only for vegetarian tastes but also for low
salt, low fat or high fibre. It does not hurt to reconfirm your
request a day before your flight and also at the check in desk.
E-tickets
- Whether
you've bought a paperless e-ticket or not, print off all the
documentation with reference and confirmation numbers in case
your dog mauls the postman or the tickets don't get sent.
To avoid the risk of losing your ticket, select an e-confirmation
option if there is one.
This
means that there is no ticket. Instead, you are emailed a confirmation
number or reference, which you will use with a valid piece of
ID. If you do have a 'real' ticket, keep a copy of the ticket
number and take it with you. In worst-case scenarios where you
lose your ticket, a replacement is not generally a problem although
you may have to pay again and get a refund later.
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how
to purchase cheap airline tickets
There
is no such thing as cheap tickets (but don’t stop reading just
yet!), there are tickets, which meet your needs and are available
at a price you are happy to pay. It follows that if you need
to fly urgently the same or next day the price of a ticket is
a lot more than one booked for example 14 days in advance, which
in turn may be more expensive than one booked 6 months in advance.
The lower price tickets normally come
with restrictions, which do not apply, to a full price ticket.
A full price ticket can usually be cancelled with a full refund,
or the dates of travel changed. A cut-price ticket is often
endorsed non-refundable and non-transferable. So cut-price tickets
can have the return date changed for a fee but only after the
outward journey has been completed. Not all cut-price tickets
have the same, or all of the, restrictions so it is important
to read the terms and conditions of the ticket and understand
what you are buying.
The
right ticket - There are two basic types of fares. Published fares, which are set by the airlines,
and unpublished fares, which come from consolidators and are
often lower priced. You can buy fares at published prices either
direct from the airline or a travel agent. You cannot buy unpublished
fares from an airline these have to be purchased either via
a travel agent or direct from the consolidator if they deal
with the public. There is now a third option for travel to some
destinations and that are the low cost, no frill airlines. As
a general rule their tickets are only available from the airline
in question.
The
right date - Timing your journey carefully can also help, especially on long flights. Fares
may go up sharply on July 1st, cheap Christmas flights are somewhat
of a 'pipe dream' (though I have previously spotted return flights
to Australia for £90!!) this is ultra peak season, travelling
a little earlier or after Christmas will make considerable savings.
Be as flexible as possible with your dates.
The
right day - Flying on the wrong day of the week can put an extra £30 on the ticket price.
Weekend travel is more expensive for long flights. The fare
tariff applies to the date of the outbound flight and the tariffs
change on the 1st day of the month or in the peak
season even the middle of the month. Be flexible with your dates
if you were planning to depart in the last few days of the month
check to see if the fares drop the following month. In the peak
season the reverse applies going a week earlier may save you
money. At Christmas time you may well save a lot of money by
being prudent on the dates of travel.
Online
Consolidators - If you search on "air tickets" in google
you will get many hits but here is
a selection of online ticket agents, that have I highly recommend,
and who sell consolidator tickets. As in all things it pays
to shop around as prices can vary between them, and each is
not always the cheapest. Think Flights.co.uk?? - formerly
known as Flight Bureau is a consolidator based in Edinburgh.
Consolidators – Although they do not deal with the general public
(only through travel agents).
Go to www.goldmedal.co.uk/consumer/consumerindex.html
to find an agent in your area, who could be cheaper than the
online agents.
Online
Travel Sites - These sites (e.g. Expedia.co.uk, Travelocity.co.uk etc) are worth looking
at but you should be aware that they do not always offer a consolidator
ticket (non-published fare) but often only quote a published
fare, which you could obtain from any agent.
Low
Cost No Frills Airlines - Do not assume that these will always be cheaper than a normal "full"
price airline. The cheapest tickets on these airlines often
are on a first come first served basis, with so many tickets
allocated to each price bracket. It is not unknown that close
to the departure date on a full aircraft they are more expensive
(I once flew to Geneva with BA at a lower price and better travel
times compared to easyJet).
click
here for no frill airlines
Charter
Flights - Some charter companies are now starting to compete against the no frills
carriers and are offering online bookings on their flights.
Independent
Travel Agencies - Do not forget to check you local independent (not one of the high street
chains) travel agent. They have access to all sorts of consolidator
fares and can quite often find a fare cheaper than it is online.
To find the best price ticket takes a little research and don't
assume the old fashioned travel agent will be more expensive.
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useful
Tips For Getting Your First Class Airline Upgrades
Anyone who has flown first class knows how much more comfortable,
roomy and enjoyable an airplane's priciest seats can be when
compared to those in the economy cabin. But with money an issue
on almost all business and pleasure trips, how can one get a
first class seat without paying first class prices? The answer
is a last-minute upgrade, and by following a few tips and guidelines
you can increase your chances of turning your next airplane
flight from crowded and cramped to classy and comfortable. Check
out the following tips on how you can get an inexpensive or
free bump from cattle class to business class or first class:
Sign up for e-mail offers and read your frequent flyer mail - Airlines often advertise upgrade
specials this way.
Follow the frequent flier discussion boards - The
frequent flier discussion boards are usually discussing the
latest airline program news and changes that might affect your
upgrade chances. You can also post questions to these boards
and get specific answers to your questions and concerns.
Find a good travel agent -
Many travel agencies receive complimentary upgrades from airlines
as a reward for sending a lot of business their way.
Don't hesitate to ask
- He who hesitates is lost, especially when it comes to getting
airline upgrades. When you show up for your flight, walk right
up to the airline's first class counter and ask about an upgrade.
Learn about the upgrade policies, find out what the charge might
be, and most importantly, get your name on the list. Seats in
first or business class may be limited, so you'll want to sign
up early. Some airlines upgrade you right away; others automatically
upgrade you at a set amount of time before departure, yet others
require you to call or logon to request the upgrades when the
upgrade window opens.
Dress well -
Many travellers dress down for maximum comfort in crowded cabins,
but if you plan to ask for an upgrade, you should dress professionally
and presentably. If you look the part, they'll be more apt to
put you in the forward cabins.
Ask everyone you see
- Be persistent in asking for an upgrade. When you book the
flight, when you check in, when you've arrived at the gate,
and when on the plane. Each of these people at these different
points may just go ahead and upgrade you. However, be subtle
and discreet. The agent probably won't upgrade you for free
if other passengers are listening in on the conversation. When
at the airport be sure to get on the upgrade 'Waitlist'. Often
times you'll get upgraded when someone doesn't show up on time.
Be polite
- Airline employees have stressful jobs, and the frequent delays
and complications of air travel mean that they often see customer's
worst sides. So if you're cheerful, polite and kind, you could
make a quick ally of the very person who has the power to give
you an upgrade. Conversely, if you're rude or terse, the employee
may give the upgrade to someone else. If you fly a route regularly,
get to know the people servicing these routes.
Be a frequent flier -
Airlines are more apt to offer an upgrade to someone they see
as a loyal customer, so it's in your best interest to stick
with a major carrier and build up frequent flyer miles. Your
frequent flier account could be your most effective tool in
nabbing yourself a class upgrade. These airline loyalty programs
reward members with mileage bonuses and frequent fliers get
more free upgrades, often pay less to buy upgrades, and get
preferred treatment on standby upgrade lists. Once in a loyalty
program make sure you purchase the upgradeable tickets. Some
classes of tickets are upgradeable while others are not.
Avoid regular business hours - Saturdays,
holidays, mid-day and late evenings are times when you won’t
see as many business travellers. You'll have fewer competitors
for first class seats.
Take morning flights -
Many people save their precious few upgrade coupons for afternoon
and evening flights to take advantage of a free dinner. Morning
flights are usually less full, unless its a Monday morning.
Fly on planes with larger first class sections - The more first class seats on an airplane, the better your
chances for upgrading. Get familiar with the aircraft and check
the seat maps on airline and frequent traveller web sites. Monday
morning or Thursday afternoons and evenings are the busiest
times. Airline sites usually have a seat overview map so you
can see which have larger first class cabins.
Take less crowded flights -
This depends somewhat on how flexible your schedules are, but
some flights are more desirable to business travellers. They
tend to prefer the direct flights or those with shortest layovers
and segments.
Avoid airline hub airports - Most
frequent flyers live in hub cities or are connecting though
a hub airport. The more you can avoid flying dominant airlines
going in or out of their hub, the less competition you will
have for a first class seat.
Fly at ‘reverse commute’ times -
If you cannot avoid hubs, try the ‘reverse commute’. Business
travelers may start their trips in the morning or evening, but
will usually come home in the evening. On a trip from Heathrow
to Amsterdam, for example, try to fly British Airways out of
London in the morning and fly back in the morning again on KLM
to minimize competition on both legs of the trip by avoiding
peak travel times for British Airways frequent flyers based
in London and KLM frequent flyers based in Amsterdam respectively.
Get voluntarily bumped -
Those who volunteer to give up their seats in oversold situations
not only get discounted tickets or other compensation, but will
often end up in first class on the next flight out if cattle
class is also oversold on that flight.
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jetlag:
Do’s and Don’ts
Most
people encounter no problems with time zone differences of up
to two hours, but fly further - for example, to and from America
- and you will. Yet according to Dr. David O'Connell, author
of "Jetlag:
How to Beat It "*
with the following measures you could virtually eliminate it.
Here are some popular measures you can take in advance:
Wear
two watches several days before your journey
- one set at home time, the other set to destination time. Begin
living, eating and sleeping in the destination time zone as
much as possible aiming to alter your body-clock by at least
three hours. As it usually takes at least 72 hours to adjust
to a new time zone, for long-haul journeys of three days or
less, try to stick to UK time.
Flight
times - Book flights which arrive during the day or evening at
your destination, not in the middle of the night as that will
slow down your adjustment to the new time zone.
Flight
direction - Travel west if possible - when travelling
East jet-lag is twice as bad because you lose time.
Reset
your body clock - The following techniques can help reset your body clock:
Inducing
sleep - Serotonin: The higher the levels of this mood enhancing brain chemical, the
more likely you are to sleep. Raise levels naturally by eating
foods high in trypopan, an amino acid from which serotonin is
made. These include milk, yoghurt, turkey, tuna and chicken
(sorry vegans!).
Darkness
- Dim the lights or switch them off. The brain associates dark with sleeping
and is more likely to start producing melatonin.
Thermal
comfort zone - People sleep better when they feel comfortable, neither too hot nor cold.
Staying
awake - Light: Research has found that levels of the hormone can be reduced by exposure
to light - equivalent to bright sunshine or a strong lamp. While
natural sunshine might get you through to 6pm, the use of light
visors or portable lamps can help stave off sleep after sunset.
Exercise - On average, half-an-hour of brisk exercise should keep you awake for around
two hours.
Chills - Open the window, increase the air conditioning or take a cold shower. Being
cold makes people more alert.
Stimulants
- Keep your mind active by doing crosswords or listening to up-beat music. Coffee,
tea and other caffeinated drinks prevent sleep by stimulating
the central nervous system.
Homeopathic
solutions - www.glovers-health.co.uk might be worth visiting.
They are a commercial health store. The author is not connected
to them and the info is for your guidance only. A competitor
can be found at www.thinknatural.com
*Jetlag:
How to Beat It
(Ascendent Publishing, £11.99 tel: 020-7584 9779).
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how
to cope with the fatigue flights:
1. LOS ANGELES (8 hours behind)
10 hour flight.
BEST: time
to leave: 8pm, arriving 2pm.
DO: sleep immediately you board for eight hours if possible.
DON'T: have a light lunch on arrival or fall asleep for the
rest
of the day.
2. NEW YORK (5 hours behind) 8
hour flight.
BEST: time
to leave: 11am, arriving 2pm.
DO: go out as soon as you arrive, drink coffee - anything to
stay awake.
DON'T: have a heavy dinner or anything that will tempt sleep
before at least 10pm.
3. RIO DE JANEIRO (4 hours behind)
11 hour flight)
BEST: time
to leave: 10.15am arriving 5.15pm.
DO; sleep for the first two to three hours of the flight.
DON'T: Drink alcohol while flying, or sleep before 10pm. Brazilian
Time.
4. CAPE TOWN (2 hours ahead) 11
hour 50 minute flight.
BEST: time
to leave: 6.20pm. arriving 8.10am next day.
DO: have a light dinner one hour into the flight, then sleep.
DON'T: stay up watching videos or drink alcohol without replenishing
with water.
5. BOMBAY (5-and-a-half hours
ahead) 8 hour flight.
BEST: time
to leave: 10.25pm. arriving 11.55am next day.
DO: sleep on the plane and nap for two hours on arrival followed
by an undemanding evening.
DON'T: immediately fall into a deep, long, sleep, eat a heavy
meal or drink heavily.
6. SYDNEY (11 hours ahead) 20
hour flight.
BEST: time
to leave: 11am, arriving 6pm. next day.
DO: have a big breakfast, put on your eye mask and doze or sleep
for at least 8 hours on the flight. Drink at least 3 litres
of water.
DON'T: stay awake too long - UK day is Australian night so the
faster you adapt the better.
7. BANGKOK (5 hours ahead) 11
hour flight.
BEST: time
to leave: 9.40pm, arriving 1.40pm next day.
DO: stay awake for the first four hours of the flight.
DON'T: have a two hour nap on arrival, stay awake for the rest
of the day.
8. HONG KONG (8 hours ahead) 11
hour 50 minute flight.
BEST: time
to leave: 2. 45pm, arriving 10.35am the next day.
DO: sleep as soon as you can on the flight.
DON'T: brave the next day feeling exhausted; allow yourself
a two hour doze on arrival.
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tips
on surviving a plane crash
Most people don't realize it, but a big percent of all aircraft accidents are
survivable. There are measures you can take to tilt the odds
in your favour. Here are some steps the experts say might save
your life in a crash:
Choose your airline - Your life is in their hands after
all. Certain airlines have somewhat lacklustre safety records
(Check them here AirSafe
or
here Crash Database).
I’m not going to mention them here (Liability and all that!),
but suffice to say the that airlines from the former Soviet
Union should be flown ‘with caution’ and perhaps only if it’s
the last aircraft out of town before that meter strikes!
Wear cotton or wool - Do not wear clothes made of synthetic
fibres, like nylon or polyester; they may melt into your skin
in the event of a fire, natural fabrics; cottons, silks, wool,
suede’s, and leathers do not burn as quickly as polyesters.
For women, trousers provide protection in case of a slide evacuation.
Tights melt to your skin; they are a definite no-no! Men should
wear lace-up, not slip-on shoes, as the G-force will leave you
shoeless. Remember your escape route may involve hot oil and
debris.
Seat yourself as close to the tail as you can!
- This is the portion of the plane with the highest survival
rate. If you're seated in first class or the cockpit, then you've
had it! This part of an aircraft is most likely the first thing
to hit the ground. When
you board the plane, count the number of seat rows to the nearest
exit ahead of you and behind you. If smoke fills the cabin,
you may have to feel your way to the exit.
Just because your assigned seating is in row 23 does not mean
you are 23 rows back from the tourist class divider. On many
airlines, the first row in tourist class may start with row
10! Don't assume anything, count it out and make a mental note.
Take note of the floor lighting - Which side of the row is it on?
Knowing this in a smoke- filled plane where everything is tossed
and turned differently in a matter of seconds will help you
get your bearings. The floor lighting will be a constant, observe
and remember.
Look for a second exit. Your nearest exit may be blocked. Check
out the occupants next to the exits as well. Do they look the
type to panic? Will they be able to open the doors? Luckily
most airlines now ‘coach’ people sitting next to exits, but
be prepared to takeover.
Make sure your seat belt is fastened – It should be snug around your
pelvic area, not your stomach. After take off, you can get
more comfortable, but, initially, make it low and tight! Should
G-forces happen, a burst bladder can kill you as quickly as
anything else!
Pay attention to the flight attendant's safety briefings and instructions
- So what if you know the stewardess' speech by heart? Stay
alert and listen. Do not go to sleep until airborne. Know how
to open regular and emergency doors and windows. If flight attendants
are incapacitated, you may have to do it.
Always leave your window shade open - During take-off and landings, leave
it open so you can assess the outside conditions.
Know the location of life jackets and rafts
- If you're travelling over water, know where the life jackets
and life rafts are stowed, and how to release them. See if there
really IS a life jacket under your seat and try to imagine how
to put it on in the dark. Survivors say this is very hard to
do!
Know how to get into the "brace" position - bending over with your head down and your hands grabbing your knees
or ankles. And be alert for unusual motions that may signal
trouble; getting into the brace position then may prevent severe
injuries (Recently the FAA and the CAA have changed their instructions
for the "crash position" from sticking you head between
your knees to a different sitting position. This isn't so you're
more likely to survive... no, this is so that there is more
likelihood of your teeth surviving intact! They've found that
with the traditional method, a lot of the crash victims had
broken jawbones, so it was hard for them to make dental identification.
Especially important if there’s a fire.)
Staying low in your seat helps to avoid
the fireballs that may shoot through the cabin initially. Sorry,
to be so blunt, but these are the facts that may save your life
Overhead bins do not survive crashes well - That is why stewardesses
politely suggest you never put heavy objects there but store
them under your seat. Think of the times that light turbulence
causes these bins to fall open! A crash will do far worse!
Keep your feet flat - Feet should be flat on the floor
so you can spring fast. Take off any high heels which will give
you extra mobility when dashing for the doors. No point breaking
your ankles as well. Try and refrain from wearing high heals
on aircraft.
Don’t cross your legs - Do not cross ankles or legs as
this may crush your hips.
Remove glasses – Indeed remove everything from your
lap (remember G-forces!). Wine bottles, mobile phones and handbags
can become lethal cabin missiles.
Keep a handkerchief handy - Put a handkerchief in your hand and tuck
hands under your legs to prevent flailing and broken bones in
a crash. Cover your mouth and nose immediately with the handkerchief
or jacket you have in your hand from takeoff and move as quickly
as possible to your known exits. The toxic fumes filling the
cabin are almost as deadly as the gallons of fuel you are sitting
on!
Stay low but do not crawl - Your greatest visibility will probably
be at floor level, but do not crawl, just crouch low and stay
on your feet. You do not need the danger of sharp debris, trampling
passengers, and toxic carpet fumes to deter your chance of survival.
Smoke and filter hoods - In recent months, smoke hoods have
become a controversial topic in the airline industry. Some say
airlines should provide these safety devices, the simplest of
which are translucent bags fitted with filters that fit over
your head. But the FAA has rejected the proposal, feeling that
passengers would take longer to evacuate the plane if they pause
to don the hoods. Filters
in the hoods, which are made of fire-resistant material, clear
toxins from the smoke, including deadly carbon monoxide. They
also let you keep seeing and protect you from burning molten
stuff falling in your head. Costing £40 and up, they are packaged
in a pouch about the size of a paperback book. Buy one here
www.hayes-uk.com/
Just go - In an emergency evacuation, don't
pause to grab personal effects. Just go.
Stay with the plane - If you are ever stranded in the
desert after your plane crashes (not that they do often), the
most important thing is to STAY WITH THE PLANE! Mirrors are
also handy for signalling. There is more on what to do, as my
dad did this teamwork exercise thing, and you have to choose
what to do. If you want to survive after a crash, your best
bet is to stay in or near the plane (depending on the state
of it) and wait for the emergency services to arrive. It's also
essential to stay warm in these conditions, as it'll probably
be sometime before anyone arrives. If you've crashed, then the
chances of the aircraft catching fire are slim. Most good pilots
will ditch most of the fuel if they know they have to crash
land... Otherwise if it's an unexpected accident (mid-air collision
etc...) then you'll probably burn....
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tips on passport safety
Your passport is the most valuable document
you will carry abroad. It confirms your U.S. citizenship. Guard
it carefully. Do not use it as collateral for a loan or lend
it to anyone. It is your best form of identification. You will
need it when you pick up mail or check into hotels, embassies
or consulates.
Protect it - When entering some
countries or registering at hotels, you may be asked to fill
out a police card listing your name, passport number, destination,
local address, and reason for traveling. You may be required
to leave your passport at the hotel reception desk overnight
so it may be checked by local police officials. These are normal
procedures required by local laws. If your passport is not returned
the following morning, immediately report the impoundment to
local police authorities and your nearest embassy or consulate.
Passport fraud - Law enforcement
records show that passports are sometimes used for illegal entry
into developed countries or by criminals abroad seeking to establish
another identity. This can cause embarrassment to innocent citizens
whose names become associated with illegal activities. To protect
the integrity of passports and the security of the person bearing
it, consular officers overseas have found it necessary to take
precautions in processing lost passport cases. These precautions
may involve some delay before a new passport is issued.
Safeguard your passport - Carelessness
is the main cause for losing a passport or having it stolen.
You may find that you have to carry your passport with you because
either you need to show it when you cash travelers checks or
the country you are in requires you to carry it as an identity
document. When you must carry your passport, hide it securely
on your person. Do not leave it in a handbag or an exposed pocket.
Whenever possible, leave your passport in the hotel safe, not
in an empty hotel room or packed in your luggage. One family
member should not carry all the passports for the entire family.
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airline comfort
& safety
Find
out about how arlines measure seat pitch, how they rate in terms
of comfort and more importantly find out about their safety
records!
Airline Eye www.airlineeye.co.uk
- Airline Reviews and Travel Information. The aim of Airline
Eye is to provide you, the traveller with an unbiased collection
of reviews and reports regarding others flight experiences around
the globe. Remember if you have flown with an Airline, that
you want to tell others about, here is the place to leave it.
AirlineQuality.com
www.airlinequality.com
- The global passenger guide to airline product and service
standards - lets you check each airline's quality rating online.
Use their passenger forum sections to read customer feedback
and opinions for over 400 airlines and 425 airports around the
world.
Flatseats.com www.flatseats.com
- The world's specialist site focussing on the "premium"
airline seat market - for suppliers, airlines and passenger
alike. Read customer reviews of airline seats, see the results
of our Seat Surveys and Seat tests, check out the sleep comfort
of seats, find out which airline offers lie-flat seats...
Flyingfans www.flyingfans.tripod.com
- Airliner safety statistics.
Proffessional Pilot's Rumour Network www.pprune.com
- More for airline pilot's, but is of interest for discussions
on safety issues etc. Not one for the faint-hearted perhaps.
Near-misses are seemingly a common occurrence!!
SeatExpert.com www.seatexpert.com
- The un-official site for all your airline best seat selection
needs. They offer advice on the most desirable seats, as well
as which seats to avoid at all cost. With SeatExpert, you will
have the pick of the house.
SeatGuru.com www.seatguru.com
- Employs a powerful combination of detailed seat map graphics,
in-depth remarks and observations, a color-coded system to help
identify superior and substandard seats and icons to denote
amenities such as laptop power and audio/video entertainment.
This blend of features successfully conveys highly specific
seat information such as extra legroom, limited recline, decreased
width and obstructed movie screen viewing. All aspects and features
of the site are displayed in a user-friendly interface and an
easy-to-navigate format.
The Travel Insider www.thetravelinsider.info
- More airline reviews!
travel glossary
I’m in the process of compiling one.
In the meantime try this site www.hometravelagency.com/dictionary
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