Last night, the newest airline reality show “Fly Girls” premiered on the CW. The show is about the life and times of six flight attendants from the San Francisco-based Virgin America.
There are mixed reviews around the workplace this morning I’m sure, what is your take on it?
Here is an airticle on it – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1260576/Fly-Girls-reality-branded-sexist-demeaning.html#ixzz0jChU7vUK
My very first time to Europe, I had to sleep in the Charles de Gaulle, Paris France (CDG) airport. I had flown from New York-John F. Kennedy, NY (JFK) to London-Heathrow, London England (LHR) on Virgin Atlantic Airways (VS). I was so ecstatic, that I did not check the loads coming back. Well, I paid the price as the return flights were all full. They were also full the next day as well. My best bet was to make it to Charles de Gaulle and fly out the next morning as those flights were open.
As such, I took bmi british midland (BD) across the English Channel to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Once there, I realized that my ATM card would not work and I did not have enough money on my credit card or cash for a hotel. I was in Terminal 1, so I made my way down to the lowest level and asked the operations guys if I could just sleep on the slab outside their office. They said O.K. and I busied myself until the next morning. It was quite a long night indeed.
The next morning, I was very happy to see the Delta Air Lines (DL) tail which would be my ride home back to the U.S. I cleaned up as much as I could in the airport restroom, then made my way to the check-in area; checked in and got on the plane. Boy was I glad to sleep all the way back to the U.S.
This Web site would have been helpful – http://www.sleepinginairports.net, in finding a spot at Charles de Gaulle.
Have you had to sleep in an airport either waiting for an early flight or having been bumped and just can’t afford a night in a hotel? Please share your experiences with us.
Which airport is the best airport to spend the night in your opinion? Which is the worst?
passrider.com
As annoying and sometimes expensive as they are, we have to live with departure taxes. Over the last year or so, many countries have added these taxes. They can range from approximately 20 CAD in Vancouver, B.C. Canada (YVR) to 90 GBP for a First/Business Class ride from the U.K. to the U.S., 45 GBP in Economy class. Ouch!
Most countries in Europe has a departure tax, sometimes it is a tad cheaper if you are transiting within 24 hours. You can usually pay at the airport or pay your airline when you get home. Usually if you are traveling on another carrier than your own, the taxes are in the pass you bought. They sometimes double the cost of the pass! Some countries such as Trinidad and Tobago (100 TT), Dominican Republic (20 USD) and Bonaire (20 USD) have a special booth set up to collect this taxes.
No sense in complaining, just be prepared. Check with your fellow employees on what the tax is for the city you are visiting and how it is paid. Some countries only take cash in local currency while others will take credit cards. Usually they need exact change as well.
Taxes in General
In the U.S. there are quite a bit of taxes as well, but most airlines absorb that for you so you don’t realize it. But when you purchase an OA ticket you realize how much the taxes are. As an example a ticket from say Japan to the U.S. will have a lot of taxes on it, while one to Canada will have none or very little.
The NY Times just did an article on taxes at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/business/02fees.html?ref=travel. This make a very good read so please take a look.
So What?
Be prepared before you travel internationally, you should be prepared before you travel in general. Do your research by checking the airport Web sites, fellow passriders and in person when you visit different countries. Also, just have some cash available for departures taxes before you leave a country where one is necessary. Have a credit card handy or a debit card so you can use a local ATM if necessary. Don’t spend all your money on shopping.
What do you think?
What are your thoughts on all this? Do you have any stories as you were not prepared? Do you have any tips for your fellow passrider? Please share with us.
Have a great trip and plan for the departure taxes.
passrider.com
A popular question we get is about dress codes for various airlines. It seems quite varied from airline to airline. Generally, the rule of thumb is to err on the side of caution and dress in business casual attire. So no tennis shoes (sneakers, trainers), no shorts, no open toe shoes, no exceptionally short skirts, no jeans and wear a collared shirt. So be conservative and professional.
I remember years ago Delta used to make the men wear suits and ties except to Hawaii. Also, no jeans were allowed in First Class.
What is the dress code for your airline? What’s been your experience as you travel?
passrider.com.
One of my colleague’s parents really make use of his travel benefits. They are very industrious in figuring out the routings and even traveling on other airlines. Are your parents travelers? Or if you are the parents traveling, do you travel? If so, please tell us about your travels. Include where you’ve been, what you’ve done, any parents tips you can give, etc.
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