I travel quiet extensively between many countries, typically business International travel. I thought I would share some travel tips, I have encountered, as we are going through some interesting times. I hope to save the traveler some time and headaches, as each country, or airport for that matter is changing security measures in many different ways.
Now , I typically go on International Travel , so I experience changes between countries. When taking any domestic flights, I even experience different security measures implemented within the same country, but at different airports. So time travel can be challenging, and I hope these simple steps can save you from a bit of frustration, understanding, everything is focused on passenger safety right now as 1st priority.
Step 1. In the Beginning :
From many years of International Travel, I found it best to book my own ticket online. This allowed a far better price. American Express Travel offered a nice insurance coverage as well.
Now, I have switched back, and use my original travel agent in Los Angeles for all World Travel. He has access to far greater information than I could get online. The reason is simple, I can use my cell phone, direct call from Hong Kong, have him check or make any latest Airline Travel changes on his PC, confirm connecting flights, delays, etc., and even make real time changes, plus all travel services.
You may think the cost of a international cell phone call is expensive, but actually not for information , time saved, and general safety. I am on a 1st name basis, he understands clearly any questions in under a minute, and done in a few brief minutes. So, possibly a $6.00 call, compared to a bottle of Aspirin at $5.00, your choice.
Now, sounds the same, but here is the trick, he receives so much feedback on different flights, airports, extended security time in different countries, I may have missed a connecting flight in many cases if I did not know this before hand. It is not all about Discount Travel any more.
For example typically your check in for International Travel is 2 hours in advance. I check in 4 hours early, and then have leisure time after customs, check in bags, etc. Also travel light, have a carry on with one extra shirt, small things in case your bag gets delayed, this is now more sensitive, and can happen, consider some simple needs to get you by for a day.
Step 2: Know Your Connecting Flights :Make sure you understand all connecting flights prior final destination point. Here is what can happen, first stay with the same airline company, and the same plane, since probably just a flight crew change, and refueling, . That means the Jet is already there, verses pending another incoming Jet, with possible unforeseen delays. Avoid changing Airlines for any connecting flights if at all possible. Greatest chance for delays, and missed connecting flights.
Example ; I depart from LAX for International Travel, with a stop over in Narita, Japan, which is a very common route .
Today, if they tell me it is only a 1 hour stop over at Narita, I get very concerned, as when you arrive, you are in transit, but are required, and routed back through a full security line, which may not make that 1 hour stop over, and you miss the connecting flight.
Usually you will have 2 hour lay over. Now your agent should be aware of recent changes, tightening of security checks, and may help you book a longer , say 4 hour lay over, 2 for the added security check, alone, for International Travel. Now that sounds painful, but if you miss the connecting flight, you may have to spend the night, a 15 hour delay.
I hope this makes sense, its already happened to me, and you are under tight security spending the night, not allowed in the city since considered a transit passenger, and have not actually entered the country formally.
Step 2: How to Fly: Well, sounds odd, but simply what class to fly in. When on a business trip, like most, take the Business Class on International Travel if allowed. The reason for this, is not the extra food, I usually eat very light while flying , however do work while flying with my Laptop, need a connection for a battery charge, and in some cases there are internet connections in addition for a fee. This offers a larger space to spread out my work, books, papers, etc.
Flying on vacation, I am over 6 foot, so the thought of an economy class seat, no knee space is painful. However, most airlines have improved, I now have a much more comfortable seat, leg room, and typically get the isle seat, or by emergency exit when possible. One simple statistic to remember; if a jet was to go down, the back of the plane has the best chance for survival, just something to consider.
Step 3: Travel Destination Safe: First off, take an airline that is well known, good history record, and follows FAA regulations. This sounds so basic we tend to take this for granted, as if standard practice for all, but not true in many cases, there are many new startups, or foreign companies that tend to cut corners to make profit.
Why would I mention this simple advise, well I experienced a near fatal crash with my wife, who was very scared to fly, and to date will not fly. We took a very large twin turbo prop, on a simple one way 45 minute domestic flight. Perfect day, blue skies, no clouds, flight was full with business people, a variety of travelers retuning home in the big city. Note, Turbo props usually level off at 20,000 feet, Jets, 35,000 feet or more with calm air allowing a smoother ride.
The pilot in his own language, which I can understand, stated there was a brief stop over in another city, lots of mountains, and wind. This was never mentioned, nor written on the ticket ? Briefly, he took us head on into a typhoon, nearly crashed due to shear wind conditions, well, that is all I am going to state, I think you get the message.
Point made is this, fly with someone who follows FAA regulations, invests into maintenance requirements, and follows guidelines that conform to safety requirements, especially passengers. This sounds simple, but once out of the USA, not everyone follows these guidelines, so it may save your life. There are airlines out there, real low cost, but I just will not fly with them, as many of my business associates likewise, with extremley bad experiences. Last, the airline I almost crashed in, went out of business in less than 6 months from startup.
I hope these important Tips help give you some inside info on how to safely plan a trip, and avoid unexpected delays, things that may even save your life, especially on long International Travel adventures. Times are changing now for travel everywhere.
How To Travel Asia
Travel Asia: Pullman Carabobo Festival
You'll probably never see a water buffalo adorned quite like this! If you travel to Pullman in the second week of May, you'll witness the homage to the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro Labrador. Families take their prized water buffalos, scrape away the dirt, shave them, anoint them in oils, and then parade them around the city square dressed as kings. The priests of the Asian city then kneel and ask the buffalos to bless them, promising health and good wishes for the upcoming year to all, including visiting travelers.
Travel Asia: Parade of the God of Medicine
On the 15th day of the third lunar month, the city of Taiwan is taken over by this world-renowned Asian festivity ? a must for travelers in the area because of its spectacular parade. At the nucleus of the 160 temple celebration are Palo Shang in Taipei and the Temple of Chin Tzu in Hseuhchia. Spearheaded by a group called the Centipedes, worshippers attending the city-wide parade throw themselves on the ground to be stepped upon, as a symbolic exorcising of their demons.
Travel Asia: Basotho Rocket Festival
In the middle of May, things get very noisy for Asian travelers to the Playa Thane Park in Thailand. Historically, the festival started as an offering to the gods of the sky, exploding beautiful rockets to encourage rainfall for rice crop growth. Nowadays, event has become something more of a sport, with competitions to see whose rocket can fly the farthest, and whose explodes the most.
Travel Asia: Asikis Samba
Tokyo's version of the Rio Carnival happens every August, in the Asikis district. Travelers to Asia and natives alike are amazed by the colorful sequined costumes and feathers of the dancing Samba girls, along with their full bands marching down the street alongside them.
Travel Asia: The Festival of the Hungry Ghosts
Hong Kong hosts this unusual yearly event, held on the 14th day of the seventh moon (sometime in August, during a full moon). Legend says that the gates of Hades were opened on this day, and the dead who cannot rest were left to run the streets mischievously. The Yuen Land Festival, as it is known in Chinese, has natives of the city putting up odd paper monuments all over the streets, which are then ceremoniously burned on the last day.
Travel Asia: The Monkey God Festival
The Monkey God first appeared in Chinese literature during the Ming Dynasty in the book, ?Pilgrims to the West?. Since then, this deity has been celebrated during the month of September at Kowloon's Saul Mau Ping Temple, by recreating a bizarre attempted execution by other the other god's ? which includes such things as a ladder of knives, and charcoal set on fire. Travelers to this strange Asian celebration need not be concerned, though ? the Monkey God lived, and so do the participants in this celebration.
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