Flight Attendant Top Ten List for Passengers going to Europe!
Oct 10th, 2004, 08:19 AM
#21
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
REDD-
I wonder if it was because you flew BA. I have flown both United and American and have had no problems at all traveling overseas with my knitting. I have even flown in the US with my knitting. Most of the time the flight attendents stop by to chat on where I get my yarn or ask what am I knitting. I am going next year to Barcelona on Lufthansa and I am going to check on it prior.
I wonder if it was because you flew BA. I have flown both United and American and have had no problems at all traveling overseas with my knitting. I have even flown in the US with my knitting. Most of the time the flight attendents stop by to chat on where I get my yarn or ask what am I knitting. I am going next year to Barcelona on Lufthansa and I am going to check on it prior.
Oct 10th, 2004, 11:07 AM
#24
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am a veteran of about 50 overseas flights in all classes. Yes, it does get cold on some of these flights and yes, it does get hot....you just don't know in advance.
We try to carry limited bags on board. We have never lost one and need to leave space in the overhead for all the first time travelers that think they need to carry everything onboard and then wonder about their back pain. Some people are amazing with what they bring on board and I have real sympathy for the airlines.
The airline pillows in coach are flat. Bring a blow up pillow if you need one.
Put a small travel compass in you bag. If you rent a car (we always do) you will find this helpful...very helpful.
One item we have used a few times is a travel cable that you can run through all the handles of your bags while waiting in the airport. If someone tries to pick up one bag they end up dragging ALL the bags...and this will not work. Great for security if you are not waiting in one of the airline lounges.
A good Map! Get one in the US. This will really help.
Sense of humor? No question...we laugh daily while overseas....it is not like home and that is why we travel so much. Just have fun.....and don't forget...carry 100% of your bags on board! Something might get Lost!
We try to carry limited bags on board. We have never lost one and need to leave space in the overhead for all the first time travelers that think they need to carry everything onboard and then wonder about their back pain. Some people are amazing with what they bring on board and I have real sympathy for the airlines.
The airline pillows in coach are flat. Bring a blow up pillow if you need one.
Put a small travel compass in you bag. If you rent a car (we always do) you will find this helpful...very helpful.
One item we have used a few times is a travel cable that you can run through all the handles of your bags while waiting in the airport. If someone tries to pick up one bag they end up dragging ALL the bags...and this will not work. Great for security if you are not waiting in one of the airline lounges.
A good Map! Get one in the US. This will really help.
Sense of humor? No question...we laugh daily while overseas....it is not like home and that is why we travel so much. Just have fun.....and don't forget...carry 100% of your bags on board! Something might get Lost!
Oct 10th, 2004, 02:25 PM
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,614
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dearest dutyfree,
I had more than 1 pen, and would have happily shared if NWA flight #65 had HAD the damned customs forms in the first place to distribute to their passengers! Their lack of planning made a long flight even longer, and I'm somewhat surprised not one of us passengers jabbed their pens into any extremities of any of the flight crew after that overhead announcement had been made!
BC
I had more than 1 pen, and would have happily shared if NWA flight #65 had HAD the damned customs forms in the first place to distribute to their passengers! Their lack of planning made a long flight even longer, and I'm somewhat surprised not one of us passengers jabbed their pens into any extremities of any of the flight crew after that overhead announcement had been made!
BC
Oct 10th, 2004, 06:41 PM
#27
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bob1---you are very fortunate to have never had luggage lost in 50 overseas flights. On our very first trip to Rome in 1999 our luggage went to Paris and we lost a day. We now travel light and carry on one small suitcase and have one less thing to think about.
Oct 10th, 2004, 07:51 PM
#29
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is a little off-topic, but -
Is it just me, or is there any agreement that the TSA rules are a joke? The knitting needles discussion above reminded me that the airlines were directed to remove the metal butter (dull, blunt) knives from the meal trays and substitute ridiculous picnic ware. <u>But they left the metal forks.</u>
The <i>jihadists</i> have already proved that they aren't stupid, because they took down two skyscrapers with utility knives. Does the government think they won't notice that a lethal weapon is served with every rubber chicken dinner?
Is it just me, or is there any agreement that the TSA rules are a joke? The knitting needles discussion above reminded me that the airlines were directed to remove the metal butter (dull, blunt) knives from the meal trays and substitute ridiculous picnic ware. <u>But they left the metal forks.</u>
The <i>jihadists</i> have already proved that they aren't stupid, because they took down two skyscrapers with utility knives. Does the government think they won't notice that a lethal weapon is served with every rubber chicken dinner?
Oct 10th, 2004, 08:29 PM
#30
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dear TOPMAN- just an FYI for you. I have two days of FAA mandated jet recurrent training every year along with a FAA mandated safety review every 6 months. As to forms-there are some countries that one still has to fill out forms..France comes to mind! Drinks in economy are being charged by most of the major USA international airlines.I was just trying to be helpful and to get to the "basics" of what I thought that most people sitting in economy should have in their bags.
Oct 13th, 2004, 10:33 AM
#33
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 526
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just flew from Philadelphia to Prague and back on USAir, and drinks were NOT free over the Atlantic. Only on the Lufthansa/USAir code share connection between Munich and Prague were drinks complimentary. Fantastic service by Lufthansa, BTW. On an hour-long flight (which was full), we got two rounds of drinks along with some food service. While pillows and blankets were provided, there were no eyeshades or socks for those in coach, neither was there a little toiletry kit like you get in envoy class. As for movies, only the Airbus equipment has the PVS (personal video system). If you're on a 767, it's still the old-fashioned full-cabin movie.
Oct 13th, 2004, 11:51 AM
#35
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, my list for overseas flights has already included what "dutyfree" suggested plus things perhaps mentioned by others: eye shades, ear plugs, a book, crossword puzzle, pills for relaxing, snacks, travel socks (sometimes provided by airline). Wonder what they do with all those confiscated pocket knives and clippers?
Bill in Missouri
Bill in Missouri
Oct 13th, 2004, 12:18 PM
#36
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great list! Most I already do for domestic flights, but a few I hadn't thought of.
Too bad drinks aren't complimentary anymore. So many cut backs these days, I wonder if we even get a meal on our flight to Rome next week that leaves the US at 6 pm. (I will bring snacks!)
I guess the plus side of drinking non-alcoholic beverages (as well as skipping caffeine) is that you won't have to use the tiny lavatories on the plane often!
Too bad drinks aren't complimentary anymore. So many cut backs these days, I wonder if we even get a meal on our flight to Rome next week that leaves the US at 6 pm. (I will bring snacks!)
I guess the plus side of drinking non-alcoholic beverages (as well as skipping caffeine) is that you won't have to use the tiny lavatories on the plane often!
Oct 13th, 2004, 02:52 PM
#37
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding the knitting needles . . .
There was a thread several months ago about knitting needles. Apparently the FAA has them on their "allow" list but other countries may not have them on theirs. You would think the "allowed" and "not allowed" items would be the same world wide, but alas, it seems they are not.
I think the best thing to do is to go armed with a list of "allowed" items and show it to a flight attendant if one gives you a problem.
There was a thread several months ago about knitting needles. Apparently the FAA has them on their "allow" list but other countries may not have them on theirs. You would think the "allowed" and "not allowed" items would be the same world wide, but alas, it seems they are not.
I think the best thing to do is to go armed with a list of "allowed" items and show it to a flight attendant if one gives you a problem.
Oct 13th, 2004, 03:55 PM
#38
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmm, interesting. This advise sound like a flight attendant who doesnt want to offer customer service. I started a new thread. Its called, Passengers Top Ten List for Flight Attendants on flights to Europe!
Oct 13th, 2004, 04:24 PM
#39
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,548
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's funny about "enough toys to keep your child happy". What could possibly keep a child happy on a cramped, 10 hour flight! I did my best, but I also did a lot of giving in (discipline is a touchy subject--you get to choose between standing your ground and treating the other passengers to the 20 minute crying fallout or just figuring you will "de-brat" the child upon your return). As far as kicking the seatback, I did my best to stop that, but I would suggest to any person whose seat is being kicked to turn and ask the child politely to stop. If the person in front of my daughter had done that it would have made a far greater impression than all of the threats I was making.
