Catty's Travel Blog: 2012

Sunday, November 4, 2012

My Hurricane Sandy Travel Experience

Before I share my experience traveling through the storm, I would like to direct your attention to my other blog, which is not travel-related, on information about how to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

http://cattym.blogspot.com/2012/11/please-help-hurricane-sandy-victims.html

The Friday before Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, I was planning to spend my weekend in NYC as usual weekends. My travel is typically flying out on Friday night and returning Monday morning, then make it to the office right on time. However, this time the storm did look like my travel was going to be impacted.
After calling American Airlines (AA), they told me that they could not change my entire itinerary because there weren't flights impacted on Friday, and I could only change the Monday return flight. Therefore I chose the Sunday night return, even though the storm was schedule to hit on Tuesday morning. Following the storm news closely, I realized that they would be shutting down subway services and grounding flights on Monday. Even though the entire weekend was only cloudy, I knew I could not take a chance against the city plan.

On Sunday, I headed to the airport early, because whenever there's a change on the itinerary over the phone, the check in would be at the agent's desk. Also there would be lots of travelers trying to get on to the earlier flights last minute, which can lengthen the wait. Of course, the line was unusually long, maybe 50 people on the main line.
I was lucky to just qualified for AA gold, which I lined up in a much shorter line. A gentleman in front of me was very upset that AA had canceled his flight without notice and refused to pay for his cab ride home. In this situation, it really wasn't the airline's fault. If you want to be notified for any changes or cancellations to your flights, you would have to opt in with your email/phone #, it's privacy reason that the airlines would not automatically opt you in. For weather related reason, normally the airlines would not offer meals, transportation, nor free changes to or refunds from the affected flights if your ticket is non-refundable. Travel insurance should have covered that. Anyway, I was lucky to check in on time (Long line at the TSA checkpoint too, since the TSA agents had to go home before the public transportation shut down) and boarded on time. There were 100+ people on stand by for my flights and I really did feel lucky to change it earlier and avoided the hassle.

My flight took off and landed safely. On my way back home, the scenes of the streets in NYC before the storms were still very vivid to me. I kept my prayers for the people in my most beloved city.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Weekend @ St. Louis

Went down to St. Louis for two days, despite the long drive, we loved the city! The Memphis-style BBQ that we had at Pappy's Smokehouse was shockingly good! That smokey and sweet dry rub on a full slab of ribs...YUM! Tried the Jilly's cupcake and had great burgers in Bailey's Range. People were super nice. Will definitely be back for more :)

Gateway Arch

View of downtown from Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Gateway Arch

St Louis Cardinals @ Busch Stadium

Mexicali Burger @ Bailey's Range

Carolina's Burger @ Bailey's Range

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Tips on TSA Checkpoint

Last Friday afternoon I was on my usual travel back to my lovely hometown, and for holiday weekend travels, there are usually higher traffic of travelers, frequent and non-frequent. As I went through the TSA checkpoint, I was waiting for my turns to pick up bins for baggage/personal item checks. In front of me there was this trendy lady, probably on her holiday travel, scrambled things out of her luggage and threw them onto the bin, and oops she forgot her laptop, took it out and placed it on another bin, and finally got everything on the belt. She stood in front of the scanner, the TSA agent asked her to take off the sunglasses on top of her head, and to remove the scarf. She did them. The agent asked to check her pockets, there were her keys, she ran over to the moving belt, tried to throw it to the bin and missed it. "Anyway" she said, she finally walked over the scanner and it went off!!! She was wearing too many jewelries - oversized earrings, ring that made a statement, beaded necklace, etc. I felt bad for her, the TSA checkpoint must not be her friend that day!

Checkpoint doesn't have to be a hassle, and you could get everything on the bins and belt within seconds! Here are my simple steps:

While waiting, start untying your shoelace. Remove heavy jewelries (always keep your engagement ring/wedding band) and put them in the handbag and be sure to zip up the bag
Take 1 (2 with laptop) bin(s).
Place the carry-on luggage to go on the belt first
Place the laptop in the first bin
Place your shoes in the second bin, remove liquids in a transparent bag and place the bag next to the shoes
Place your handbag over the shoes

The order sounds weird because most people want to put the heavy item last, and want to pick up the shoes first, but always remember to make you valuables (wallet, money, jewelries) go last. NEVER put jewelries on the bin and make it go first. Someone on the other side could have a chance to pick it up before you get there.

Pack all the liquids in a bag is always easier. Refer to http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm for the liquid requirements.

Happy Travel!