Travel Tips?

[AdminAssistant]

Okay, I'm getting ready to go on my first solo big-girl trip next week. Specifically, I'm going to an academic theatre conference in Los Angeles. I've never flown or checked into a hotel by myself. The largest city I've gone to alone is Kansas City. Needless to say, I'm a tad bit anxious about this trip.

Airport/Airplane
I'm flying Southwest, and their website has actually be pretty helpful. However, if anyone has tips or tricks, especially concerning the carry-on and check in procedure, I'd love it. One silly question, one friend said that I should wear flip-flops to get through security faster. But, isn't it chilly on a plane? My feetsies get cold easily. Also, I'm taking my mini-laptop, and putting it in my carry-on. Should I use a small suitcase and put the mini in a padded sleeve or would it be better to use my padded computer bag?

Hotel
Basically, I need to call the hotel (a Hyatt, if memory serves) and ask a lot of stupid questions. For example, exactly what toiletries are provided? (if they have shampoo, I'm not bringing shampoo.) Is there a hair dryer? If I get there before check-in, is there someplace I can store my bags? That kind of thing. When would be a good time to call? I don't want to take up someone's time during a busy period.

Also, there is the question of food. I have no idea if there will be anything provided at the conference itself. The hotel has a few restaurants, but they're pricy. And as far as I could tell, there's not a complimentary breakfast. (But with how much I'm paying for the room, I should have a full breakfast hand served to me by Antonio Banderas.) Would the concierge tell me if there are convenience stores nearby? Or other places where I could get a cheap meal? I know there are some LA'ers here, could any of you offer suggestions within walking distance? I'd rather not deal with cabs or anything. My hotel is on the Avenue of the Stars, which I imagine is smack-dab in tourist central.

Thanks for the help, guys!

[Whiskey]

Okay, I'm getting ready to go on my first solo big-girl trip next week. Specifically, I'm going to an academic theatre conference in Los Angeles. I've never flown or checked into a hotel by myself. The largest city I've gone to alone is Kansas City. Needless to say, I'm a tad bit anxious about this trip.

Airport/AirplaneBut, isn't it chilly on a plane? My feetsies get cold easily. Also, I'm taking my mini-laptop, and putting it in my carry-on. Should I use a small suitcase and put the mini in a padded sleeve or would it be better to use my padded computer bag?

I would put it in your carry-on. I've never flown, but there is a bag limit. Also, put a pair of socks in your purse and get a gallon freezer bag. Once you're clear to move around in the plane, put your flops in the bag and the bag in your purse then put socks on.

Basically, I need to call the hotel (a Hyatt, if memory serves) and ask a lot of stupid questions. For example, exactly what toiletries are provided? (if they have shampoo, I'm not bringing shampoo.) Is there a hair dryer? If I get there before check-in, is there someplace I can store my bags? That kind of thing. When would be a good time to call? I don't want to take up someone's time during a busy period.

They usually provide very small bottles of shampoo/conditioner (like 4oz), but its generic shitty s/c. They provide toilet paper and soap. If you get there before check in, you're pretty SOL as far as I know. You'd probably be sitting in the lobby with your bags. There will be no hair dryer. You have your reservations already, right? I would assume calling 2 hours after check in would be alright.
[/quote]

Would the concierge tell me if there are convenience stores nearby? Or other places where I could get a cheap meal? I know there are some LA'ers here, could any of you offer suggestions within walking distance? I'd rather not deal with cabs or anything. My hotel is on the Avenue of the Stars, which I imagine is smack-dab in tourist central.

The concierge should be able to tell you where you can go, however, you can also google that ahead of time. Try yelp.com. Type in the hotel's address and itll show you all the restaurants (and other stores if you want) in a 2mi, 5mi, 10mi or walking distance radius.

http://www.centuryplaza.hyatt.com/hy...escription.jsp that seems to tell you everything thats in the rooms. And in fact, in one of the rooms, there is a hair dryer.

[Greenday]

Not sure how big of an airport you are going from, but get there pretty early. Never know what security is going to be like.

As far as flip flops go, I've always worn shoes. They just make you throw them in a bin like you do your other stuff. No big deal there.

[trailerparkmedic]

I <3 Southwest.

Check in online 24 hours in advance. You'll be assigned a letter (A, B or C) and a number. A boards before B boards before C, and you line up to board in numerical order.

Southwest lets you check two bags for free. Yay!

If you don't mind taking off your shoes, it doesn't matter what shoes you wear to the airport. Wear socks. I don't recommend knee high lace up boots like I did once.

Southwest doesn't provide meals (does anyone now?) but they don't care if you bring food with you. You can bring food through security but not liquids.

Make your carryon bag something that fits under a seat. My mostly full backpack normally fits under a seat with a few kicks. I find the overhead bins to be overly full and annoying to use.

I've never stayed at a nice hotel, but I've never had a hairdryer at a hotel that didn't suck. I'd bring my own. They should provide some shampoo/conditioner/soap and if you ask nicely they can probably give you things like toothpaste or a toothbrush at the front desk. Some really nice places will let you keep your luggage there prior to/after checkout but don't count on it.
The concierge or even the front desk person should be able to help you find cheap places to eat. I can't imagine it's an uncommon question and they're from the area so they probably have at least a general idea of what's available.

If you look through the conference materials, they should tell you what they're providing as far as food-wise.

[AdminAssistant]

I paid extra for the Early Bird thing, so I hope that I'm in A. If that's so, overhead shouldn't be a problem. The other great thing is that both flights are direct, and only one flight is stopping (in NM). My only worries about Southwest have been soothed...multiple people have assured me that I will fit in the seat and to stop worrying about it.

After doing a little research, I found that the hotel is next to an open-air shopping center type-thing with many restaurants (including Subway!) and a specialty supermarket. But, even a specialty supermarket's gotta have granola bars and juice, right?

The hotel seems to be really nice (and dammit it should be *grumble grumble*), so I feel safe trusting their toiletries.

[Magpie]

I recommend against flip-flops. You will have to walk a long way when you're travelling (unless both airports are small), and you want to wear comfortable shoes.

On the academic side: The conference will normally provide lunches and nothing else. If you're lucky there might be a continental breakfast, but I wouldn't count on it. Actually, even the lunch is slightly questionable. Don't expect dinners to be provided except for the banquet. AND budget to go out to the pub for those dinners. If people are going to the pub, you want to go with them, because that's how you get to know these people, and I'm sure I don't need to give you the networking talk.

I've been to two with hot lunches, one of those had the breakfast. One provided no meals at all. However, the one where you had to pay for your meals was probably 10 000 people. Are you able to expense this by the way? If you are, check what the policy for meals is. I know I get a per diem for meals, and it was just easier to claim that. (I also came out ahead). If you're not expensing, or if you have a per diem, consider getting granola bars, or something else that's non-perishable and makes a good breakfast. It's less bother, it's cheap, and it's fast.

If you have to pay out-of-pocket and need lunches, look for a place that does pitas. You can get veggies on a falafel pita, and it's a large cheap meal.

[Seshat]

Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to slip off if you have to.

Wear comfortable clothing in layers on the plane, so you can take things off/put them on as needed.

Don't pack or take anything you'd hate to lose. No heirloom jewelry! EVER! Back up all data on laptops or such.

If you're doing a presentation, have your presentation on your laptop, in a memory stick in your carryon, and in a memory stick in each of your pieces of checked luggage.

All hotels I've been to have had a cloakroom where you could store your luggage if you arrived early, or needed to leave late. Maybe it's just that I asked nicely and politely!

Carry at least two forms of ID, and keep one in a plastic bag in an under-the-clothes travel pouch, and the other where you can show it to hotel staff/airline staff as needed.

Carry at least two, preferably three ways to get money. Cash, maybe a money order or a traveller's cheque, a debit card, a credit card. This minimises the problem if things go wrong. Keep the ones you're not using in your travel pouch.

Get travel insurance.

Keep a record of the numbers of stuff like the money order/traveller's cheque, the debit card, the credit card, your ID, your tickets, your reservation, your travel insurance. Store a copy of this in each piece of luggage. Encrypted if you prefer.

Store an UNencrypted copy of your name, origin, destination, a contact address at each, next of kin and how to contact them, medical conditions and allergies in each piece of luggage and on your person.
Put the private stuff in an envelope in a pocket of the luggage, or in your travel pouch. Label it something like 'Open for medical emergency'.
Choose contact addresses that are 'safe', such as businesses. (Your hotel, your office address.) Make this visible if the bags are opened: this is how the airline will get your luggage back to you if the travel tags are torn off.

Get a tough luggage tag. Put name and public contact information on the outside of the tag. Put more private contact information on the underside of the tag, but still keep it to something 'safe' such as hotel or office address.

[MaggieTheCat]

You can bring food through security but not liquids.

I would check with the actual airports you'll be going through security at about this. In San Antonio, when my husband and I fly Southwest, they do not allow food. If you have something small like a granola bar hidden in your bag, it may get overlooked. But sandwiches? Plastic containers with food in them? McDonalds in a bag that you bought on your way to the airport? All goes in the garbage before you go through security here.

Regarding Southwest, check in AS EARLY AS YOU CAN. I can't stress this enough. If your flight leaves at 8am, be ready at 8am the morning before to check in. My husband and I have flown Southwest many times and even if we check in 15 minutes after we can start checking in, we'll get in the B or C group. The sooner you can check in, the better the seats you can get and you won't have to worry about carry-on space. Also, I recommend sitting as close to the front of the plane as you can; cuts down immensely on how long you have to wait when you arrive at your destination to de-board.

Regarding your laptop, you absolutely must keep it with you at all times. Do not check it. Do not let them put it in the planeside compartments (they might only do this on smaller flights anyway.) Just make sure you always keep it with you, or it could get lost, stolen, or damaged very easily. Keep it in an accessible bag, because you will have to take it out and physically put the laptop itself on the belt to be scanned when you go through security.

You can carry on 2 bags: An actual carry-on bag, and a smaller, personal bag. Laptop cases count as the smaller, personal bag. Purses also count, so if you have both plus an actual carry-on bag, you'll have to stuff one (preferably the purse, but don't forget your ID) into your actual carry-on. I would recommend getting a very large purse (one that you can sling over your shoulders) or a backpack and keep your wallet, money, ID, and anything else you want on the plane in that, and then keep the laptop bag separate.

Never, ever lose sight of your stuff. While you're waiting for your checked baggage once you arrive at your destination, if you want to put your carry-on stuff down on the floor, put it between your feet or resting against your legs. When you see your checked baggage, take your carry-on stuff with you to get your suitcase; even if you only have to walk 5 steps to get your checked bag, do not leave your carry-on stuff alone where you can't see or feel it.

Remember that anything you have on that is metallic has to come off when you go through security. This generally doesn't include jewelry but it does include belts with metallic buckles, and metallic watches, and any loose change in your pockets. If you're wearing a coat, that has to come off too, as well as shoes, of course. They may require you to do a pat-down search; this depends on the airport. I've had it happen multiple times in the small, one terminal airport in my hometown, but never in the larger airports (and I've flown out of LAX.) If they do require this, you'll basically have to stand with your arms and legs spread while someone physically pats you down, and runs a scanner over your entire body.

Regarding LA, I hope you're not planning on driving, because drivers in LA will attempt to murder you. >.> The one time my husband and I were there, we rented a car, and every time we got into it, we feared for our lives.

[Whiskey]

Regarding LA, I hope you're not planning on driving, because drivers in LA will attempt to murder you. >.> The one time my husband and I were there, we rented a car, and every time we got into it, we feared for our lives.

We just happen to be excellent at defensive driving, k?

[AdminAssistant]

I'm not driving. There's a shuttle from LAX to the hotel. Once I get to the hotel, I'm staying there or walking. No cabs, no driving.

[Magpie]

Oh, I forgot about laptop tips: disconnect any external drives, anything that can come out, take it out before travel. I don't know if you're heard the horror stories about security ripping out wireless cards back in the day. ("No, you can't push that button to remove it, pushing buttons makes things blow up").

[Jester]

I don't think you have to go through as much as some other people do, but I will offer my own travel tips from own experiences with hotels and airports.

Needless to say, I'm a tad bit anxious about this trip.

Jester's Rule #1: Relax.

However, if anyone has tips or tricks, especially concerning the carry-on and check in procedure, I'd love it.

Depending on the airport, you should get there 1-2 hours before your flight's departure time. Sometimes getting through security can take a while. From what's been said here, apparently Southwest has pretty cake check-in procedures, but you still have to get through security and to your gate.

Once through security, the very first thing I always do is find my gate. Even if I am stupid early, I do this. Only once I know where my departure gate is do I use the restroom, hit the bar, find a magazine, etc., etc.

Jester's Rule #2: Take as little with you on the actual plane as you can. I used to never check baggage. My experience in my early twenties of sprinting across the Dallas airport with all my luggage cured me of that idiocy. Plus, the less you haul on to the airplane, the less you are going to be burdened with in general until you retrieve your checked luggage from your destination. Definitely bring your lap top with you on the plane, even if you are not going to be working on it. Checked baggage can get tossed around a bit. I have put breakable stuff in my checked bags, but I always pack them surrounded by clothing so they can't break. (Yes, I have even done this with glass bottles of booze.) I generally just bring my backpack on the plane with me, in which I have my sunglasses, a book or two, newspaper (I like to read while flying), and a few other sundry items....whatever you don't want to check and whatever you will need with you on the plane.

Jester's Rule #3: Always have your ticket, boarding pass, and ID easily accessible. The first two you can stow away once you are on your last flight for the day, but remember, you will need your ID to check into your hotel.

Also remember when you are going through security that everything that is metal will set off the detectors. That includes your keys and cell phone. I was reminded of this the one time I forgot that my cell phone was on my belt as I emptied my pockets into the little bin they provide at security, and thus set off the detectors. It was the only time I ever got pulled aside. Best just to empty all your pockets. I make a point of not having change in my pocket when I fly, or trying not to. Also, remember to remove your belt if you are wearing one. Jester's Rule #4: The less metal you have on you, the better.

One silly question, one friend said that I should wear flip-flops to get through security faster.

Nothing personal, but your friend is an idiot. Either that, or their feet are not as sensitive to the cold as yours and mine are. I always wear socks and sneakers, and the sneakers are easy enough to remove and put back on.

The other reason I wear sneakers is if for whatever reason you have to run through the airport, sneakers are much better for it than flip flops or sandals.

Basically, I need to call the hotel and ask a lot of stupid questions.

Hotel personnel are quite used to this, especially in a place like LA. Relax, call them, and ask any questions you may have. If you want to be polite and not hit them when they are most likely to be busy, avoid the times around check-in or check-out.

For example, exactly what toiletries are provided? (if they have shampoo, I'm not bringing shampoo.) Is there a hair dryer? If I get there before check-in, is there someplace I can store my bags?

All hotels provide soap. Some provide some additional toiletries, but it varies from hotel to hotel. Asking is your best bet to find out. Understand that if you are particular about your toiletries, it is unlikely that the hotel will have your brands. Some hotels will also have a mini-store area that sells such things if you need them. Some provide them free of charge. Also remember that airline security now prevents you from taking large containers of any liquid or gel-like material, so check with Southwest for their particular restrictions. I think you can put such things in your checked baggage but not your carry-on, but don't quote me on this. I have seen a lot of hotels have hair dryers, and a lot didn't. Since I don't use them, I can't comment on their quality. And virtually every hotel but the most fleabag ones will allow you to store your baggage with them if you arrive before check-in. However, it never hurts to ask this question, just in case your hotel is one of those exceptions. Remember, the hotel staff is there to help you and make you feel welcome, so ask these questions. My experience is that generally, if I am polite, they are very friendly. (I also tend to start such queries with, "I'm an idiot, but can you answer this....?")

Also, there is the question of food. I have no idea if there will be anything provided at the conference itself.

Ask the conference organizers. You can also ask the hotel, as chances are very good that if there is food provided, the hotel will be the one providing it.

(But with how much I'm paying for the room, I should have a full breakfast hand served to me by Antonio Banderas.)

Welcome to LA!

Would the concierge tell me if there are convenience stores nearby? Or other places where I could get a cheap meal?

Of course he would. That is their job! To help you.

Southwest doesn't provide meals (does anyone now?)

Yes. My last trip with Delta they had food, and it was actually rather good. I was pleasantly surprised.

[QUOTE=trailerparkmedic;764278]You can bring food through security but not liquids.[quote]

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Check with the airport you are using. Don't assume. I have seen people being told to pitch food. The general rule I have seen is that you can't bring food through security, but a lot of times they will let you bring food on that you purchase from one of the shops that is past security in the terminal. But airline policies vary on this. Again, just ask.

Make your carryon bag something that fits under a seat. My mostly full backpack normally fits under a seat with a few kicks. I find the overhead bins to be overly full and annoying to use.

This varies from person to person. Myself, I prefer to put my backpack in the overhead, after grabbing my book and anything else I might need or want from it before stowing it. I hate putting it under the seat in front of me as I like to stretch out while flying, and can't really do that with my backpack in that area--and I am only 5'8"! Do whatever works for you. But if you don't want to do the overhead thing, definitely make sure your carryon is small enough to fit under the seat.

Get travel insurance.

I'm going to disagree with this, as I have never seen the need. I have been lucky, admittedly, in that my luggage only got misplaced once (and then simply delivered late), but even my friends and acquaintances have never had that much trouble. Travel insurance seems to me to be an unnecessary expense to guard against an unlikely event. But that's just my opinion. You may disagree.

Never, ever lose sight of your stuff.

do not leave your carry-on stuff alone where you can't see or feel it.

Absolutely. This includes airport bathrooms. Never leave your luggage until it is checked in, you put it in a hotel locker, or you stow it in the overhead bin of the plane.

Regarding LA, I hope you're not planning on driving, because drivers in LA will attempt to murder you. >.> The one time my husband and I were there, we rented a car, and every time we got into it, we feared for our lives.

You would LOVE driving in Miami!

[Seshat]

Travel insurance is more important when you're spending a lot of money than a little, and when you're going across national borders than when you're not.

One of the biggest benefits of travel insurance is health cover - which you don't need within your national borders, usually, but may well need beyond them.

Other than that, it's a choice: do you take the gamble on losing your airfare and hotel booking fees, or do you pay someone else to? Do you take the gamble on needing to suddenly buy clothes to wear at your destination, or pay someone else to?

[Magpie]

Jester, I have to disagree with your list of what goes in the carry-on. It's a good idea to have one change of clothing, so that if your luggage arrives later than you do, you still have something to wear the next day. (I don't mind buying new toiletries, but that's because I have to buy new ones every few months anyhow.)

[ralerin]

*bookmarks this thread* I might need to refer to this in a year ish time when I can save money for my trip to the UK. Thank you guys.