Betty In the Sky With A Suitcase

Betty In The Sky With a Suitcase is a podcast I've been listening to for about 6 years.  Betty is a Flight Attendant for a major US airline and she does a (usually) monthly podcast about flight attendant experiences and her travels.

Her podcasts consist of interviews with other flight attendants and pilots about their experiences.  They range from crazy passengers to silly things that the crew does to each other, throw in an occasional bad experience (emergency landing with a happy ending) and she's covering all the bases.

She also tells some stories of her own experiences traveling, and she covers a lot of ground. From Easter Island to well, really after Easter Island do I need to expand on more on exotic places to go?

Betty is an absolute sweetheart, I hope I meet her on my flights one day.  I know she'll take good care of me, and maybe give me a laugh too.

Do You Need More Pockets?

Several years ago I heard about a new travel product, the Scottevest, a jacket or vest with lots of pockets, ideal for travelers.  At the time the products seemed a bit pricey, but I eventually broke down and bought a jacket with detachable sleeves. 



While the idea was great, the jacket didn't quite work for me.  First, I was going to a warmish climate so a jacket wasn't ideal.  Second, I'm not really one to wear a jacket on a plane.  Finally, I tried to stuff as much as possible into my pockets making it feel bulky.  I blame the idea of the scottevest no luggage challenge. 

Bottom line, it didn't quite work for me.  It wasn't the fault of the jacket, just a poor choice for me.  But in my own defense, their offerings for woman back then were a little slim. 

As time went on I kept looking at the woman's line and noticed that it had improved greatly.  This winter I decided to bite the bullet and buy one of the woman's fleeces, I chose the Chloe Hoodie.  I LOVE it!

Chloe Bling Hoodie

*It's soft, fuzzy, and womanly.  It's definitely designed for woman. 
*I love the personal area network, I couldn't believe how easy it was to put my headphones through the hoodie.  Usually, it's a pain in the butt.  And it has loops that keep the headphones in place. 
*Pen pockets, how many times have you been on a plane and needed a pen?  Now I don't have to search through my bag, yea!
*Lots of pockets, but not overwhelming.  I can store my iPhone, money, blistex, sunglasses, and even a kindle.  I could probably get more then that in there too, but then I would feel loaded down.  But really, that's enough to keep me busy. 
*Thumb holes.  I haven't used these yet, but since I'm always cold, I can see them in my future.
*Everyone compliments me on it too! 

Chloe Bling Hoodie Pocket Map

Scottevest jackets, fleece, vests, and pants aren't cheap, but they're a good quality equal to their price. If the price scares you off, look around, Scottevest often offers 20% discounts on their merchandise.  Will I buy more?  I've been eyeing the pants for my next long trip; but, I would prefer to wait until they offer petite sizes.  They have said on their website they are looking into it.  

Travel Tip: Confirmation Numbers

Here is another Disney tip, when making dining reservations bring your confirmation numbers with you.  On my trip in 2011 I found on several occasions that the restaurants didn't have my reservations on their screen.

I'm not sure how they do the reservations in their system, but it seems the easiest way to find them is by confirmation number.  Nope, name doesn't help.  They need your name, phone number and first born to find your reservation without a confirmation number.  Of course now that I always bring the confirmation number with me I haven't had an issue, which means I'll keep bringing my confirmation numbers with me!

Has anyone else had this issue in the past?

Things NOT To Do On A Plane

On my last flight home from Disney World I was sick, so sick I just wanted my bed and the only way I was getting there was on that plane.  This didn't make me feel too charitable.

Before our flight my sister got called up to the podium, they were looking for people willing to change seats to put a family together.  Now, while I am more then happy to help out a family (as long as I keep an aisle or window seat) this case seemed a little silly.  It was 4 adults with 1 child.  The child should absolutely be kept with an adult, maybe even 2 adults.  The rest are ADULTS.  Anyway, my sister said she would move if she could keep her aisle seat and so she got moved from row 16 to 6 and said I would be happy to move too if they needed it and was moved from row 16 to row 10 (an exit row with extra leg room).

Of course this was the wackiest boarding I have ever seen in my flying life.  Boarding took over a half hour. The line stopped for a full 5 minutes early in the process.  Then just before I got on a guy accidentally used is Delta boarding pass from his flight down to Orlando.  This was a Jetblue flight.  Then when I'm in the exit row getting the exit row speech one guy just gets up and moves.  He never came back so I'm guessing he was in the wrong row.  Then they moved a woman from the "family" that had to be together into the exit row.  But that didn't last long as she was not comfortable helping in the event of an emergency.  So, she had to be moved.  I have no issue with people saying they are not willing or able to help, I would rather find out before then during an actual emergency. Amazingly we only landed 5 minutes late.

But when I got to my seat the guy in the middle seat, who was traveling with a girl, had his stuff under the middle seat, but was sitting in my aisle seat.  Not in the mood for this, I immediately pointed out that he was in my seat.  He moved over and offered a weak apology.  Seriously, he couldn't even wait until the plane was boarded before spreading out?  Incase you're wondering, there was 1 empty seat on this flight and there was a hoard of people trying to board before boarding began, it obviously wasn't going to be a roomie flight.

But, that's not what made me want to cough all over him and give him my disease.  Sitting on the aisle, I am happy to give the middle person the armrest; however, that does not mean you can invade my personal space too.  He was a skinny little thing with boney little elbows that kept jabbing into me.

And so, here is what I learned not to do on a flight:
1. If you're a group of adults you do NOT need to sit together.  Buy a book or a magazine or watch the  TV.  Yes, it's nicer to sit with friends and family but you don't need to make the plane into musical chairs right before boarding.  If it's that important to you, pay the money for the seats up front.
2. Don't jump in other peoples seats before the flight has fully boarded, or at least do a good job of playing dumb when you're caught.
3. If you're a skinny little dude in a middle seat there is absolutely no reason to be invading other people's space.  Karma obviously put you next to a sick person for a reason....

Have you had any really bad seat mates?

Tip: Photo Themes

I'll admit it, I'm stealing this idea from Ralph Velasco.  Before your trip pick a theme for your photography.  It could be reflections, doors, windows, street photography, technology, food, etc.  Whatever interests you or a theme that you want to work on.  After concentrating on it for a trip I think you'll find it comes more naturally to you after that. 

String

String, so simple and small.  I bring string with me on medium length trips - over a week to a month or two in length.  The length of a trip where you can't pack clothes for ever day, but not so long that it's easier to just buy an actual travel clothes line.

It goes with my laundry soap to dry my clothes.  While some hotels have clothes line in bathrooms, not all do.  And do you really want to hang your clothes on the furniture of a hotel room?  All you need with string is two points to tie the string to and you have a clothes line, simple!  And since it's cheap you can just leave it behind.  I try to bring enough string to last a few dryings.

One nice spot to hang clothes in the winter is over the heater.  You'll want it a few feet above so it doesn't start a fire, but the warm air will improve the drying time.

Travel Tip - Post It's

Here's a tip for this week - bring Post It's.

They're small and have multiple uses.  You can write yourself notes, use them as book marks.  But, the reason I'm recommending them for travel is because it's a way to write notes to friends you meet.  Whether on a cruise, land tour or just in a hostel traveling on your own.  Post It's are a great way to leave a quick note for someone about where your when to meet for an activity. 

Yes, there are phones, but I find Post It's are quicker and simpler (lets face it, not everyone is good with technology and many phones today are mini computers).  And, they're self sticking!

Travel Tip - Safety, as in the pin

Here's your travel tip - safety pins.

I know a lot of people are very concerned about the safety of purses and backpacks and camera bags when traveling.  There is an easy and cheap solution to this - saftey pins.

Just use the safety pin to close up the zipper on your purse, backpack, camera bag, murse, man bag, etc.

It's cheap, still allows you easy access to your bag and makes a thief look elsewhere for a target - struggle with a safety pin and risk getting caught or find some other unsuspecting victim????

As an extra added bonus you can use your safety pin if your zipper breaks, button falls off, or any other wardrobe malfunction.

This Week In Travel - Podcast review

About 17 weeks ago a new Podcast started, This Week In Travel. I think the Podcast is great. It's hosted by Gary Arndt with co-hosts Chris Christensen and Jen Leo and so far I think every episode has had a guest host. It's an interesting group with a variety of travel experiences. Each week they go over the major and not so major stories in travel. The group is entertaining and fun to listen to. They don't take things too seriously either.

I enjoy the podcast because now I feel like I'm up to date on what's going on in travel. I'm also exposed to a lot of different travel writers and their lives and perspectives on travel. It's opening new doors of places to travel to, blogs to visit, and twitterers to follow. But most of all, it's fun and lighthearted while still being educational!

Travel Tip: Navagating the train

One of the challenges of traveling to a city you don't know, is getting around - depending on the city, the bus or the metro may be the best option. But when you're on a metro it can sometimes be hard to figure out where to get off the train. In London where you speak the language it's not too hard. If you travel to Paris things get a little more complicated since there is a language barrier. A city where they use a different alphabet makes it much harder.

Here is my tip - take a picture of the name of the metro stop. When all else fails you can refer to the picture on your digital camera, and this works anywhere, not just in a city with a different alphabet. If you're drunk in Berlin and can't remember the name of your stop you can refer to your picture, and if you're really drunk you can get a local to help you with your picture.

10 Things not to do in New York City

Having worked in NYC for the past 10 years, as well as being a tourist in the city on several occasions I've noticed some things that tourist do that you'll want to avoid when visiting. These are some tips to keep you from acting too much like a tourist, since I know most of you are trying to blend in at least a little bit.

1. Ask where Times Square is when you're in Times Square. I was standing on 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenue and someone asked me where Times Square is. If all the bright flashing lights don't give away Times Square I don't know what to tell you.

2. Ask where a Broadway show is by the name of the theater. Believe it or not I have no idea where the Minskoff Theatre is, I wouldn't even know where it was if I was standing in front of it. But ask me where the Lion King is and I'll point you in the right direction. Even better, tell me the street address, that's the easiest way for a NYer to tell you where something is located.

3. Wait to cross the street until the the light changes. They seem to do this in other cities, but not in NYC. It's a sure sign that you're not a local. I don't suggest doing what a lot of locals do though, stick your baby carriage into a lane of traffic to see if it's safe to go.

4. Drive, this isn't just about looking like a tourist, but for your sanity and safety. Parking is expensive and while the driving isn't nearly as bad as in other cities I've visited, it's not for the feint of heart. If you do, watch out for the people sticking the baby carriage out into the street to see if you're there.

5. Leave valuables unattended.. Putting your bag on the back of your chair at an internet cafe or at a restaurant and then not pay attention to it. People do this all the time and have their stuff stolen. Anyone who has lost their passport can tell you that you want to be even more careful when your stuff is valuable, like a passport or a camera. People are always losing cameras, passports, drivers licenses and usually you will find that the person left it unattended or just wasn't paying attention.

6. Not know the name and address of the place you are staying. So you're out having some dinner, drinks and in general enjoying yourself and now it's time to find your way back to your hotel. But was the hotel on East 42nd Street or West 42nd Street, hmmmm. Know where your hotel is, maybe take a business card from the hotel. When you're too drunk to remember where it is you can hand the business card to a cabbie and they'll take you home. Otherwise, you'll be wandering around the city for a while...

7. Travel in packs with matching outfits/backpacks/hats. This is a dead giveaway that you're a tourist and you're generally considered on the more naive end of the tourist scale making you a good candidate for pickpockets and scams. The good thing is you're in a big group and hopefully looking out for each other.

8. Go to see the Christmas Tree lighting in Rockefeller Plaza. I plan to do a post on this when the event is closer. But this is a made for TV event and if you're lucky you'll get to see the actual tree, but don't expect to see anything else.

9. Take a Livery Cab. ALWAYS, ALWAYS take a yellow Taxi. Unless of course you previously booked with a livery service. This is particularly important when arriving at the airport, you will find men trying to entice you to hire them. They will typically overcharge you, may not drop you off where they are supposed to and may try to scam you along the way. If they do try to scam you, call the police. The threat might get them to do things right, if not the police will help sort things out. Taxi's either use the meter or if picking up from an airport use a flat rate depending on where you are going. I will cover this topic in another post in more depth.

10. Stay at the Marriott Marquis. I know this sounds crazy, but I stayed here once and unless I got a really good price, I wouldn't do it again. It's a nice hotel with some great amenities, but the elevators are AWFUL! Possibly the worst I've ever dealt with and we have bad ones at work. Any time I am there and need to visit any of the pre-lobby floors (the lobby is on the 8th floor) I take the escalators. There are other nice hotels in Times Square consider some of them first.