Travel right now: FAIR WARNING!

[W2R]

Yesterday I went to the Dublin airport 6 hours in advance. Luckily my flight left at 3pm which is a less busy time than between 4-7 am. At 6 am the line was out the door. I flew to Dallas and that’s when the trouble started. I was supposed to be home by 9:30 pm and got home at 12:30 am. I got the pleasure of having my terminal changed 3 times so rode the skylink which was very easy. I was up 26 hours so am exhausted today. So very grateful to get home on a holiday weekend.

To the poster that referred to tourists as locusts in Nevada we appreciate the money they bring in plus when I travel I don’t consider myself a locust. Yes they cause crowds.

What a nightmare that must have been! I am so glad that you are safely home, at last. I guess you can catch up on your sleep now and enjoy the long weekend, hopefully with your doggies once you have had a chance to bring them back home too.

 

[tmm99]

Teacher Terry,

I was wondering how you were doing. I am very happy to hear that you're finally home! I bet your doggies are so happy and relieved to see you. Your travel ordeal is finally over! I hope you can finally get a good night of sleep and start eating the kind of food you may have been craving (as you said the food at the hotel was so bad...)

 

[Teacher Terry]

My son was staying at my house and the dogs went crazy when I got home. I sat up for a hour when I got home and we talked. My other son had picked me up at the airport. The dogs have not left me out of their sight. Last night Max wrapped himself around my neck and I could feel his breath. I slept 9 hours and my son made me coffee and fed my dogs.

I have unpacked, opened my mail and showered. We ate pizza and pasta from domino’s today. It tasted better than usual). I am so tired. I watched all the chaos on the news today at airports and felt very lucky to get home. One family spent 45 hours getting across the country.

 

[NW-Bound]

We recently completed a 7091 mile trip with our travel trailer.

One cancellation of a campground in Arizona due to fire.

$2600 in gas, and some heavy traffic in LA and Denver.

I’ve always preferred Amtrak over airline travel, except for price.

Driving 300 miles per day and staying at campgrounds or Harvest Hosts is my interim preferred travel method, but I still like the train.

How do you log 7100 miles?

Coast to coast is like 5k miles right?

Over what period of time?

First, a60dan was talking about a round trip, not a one-way drive.

Secondly, when RV'ing people don't drive straight from point A to point B, then turn back. They took detour, then zig and zag.

When I do RV'ing, I always have a tow car. I park the motorhome as a base, and use the toad to do excursions to visit the vicinity. The car on its own may log 1/5 the miles driven on the motorhome. Note that with my toad, the odometer does not increment when the car is towed with its transmission in neutral.

 

[iloveyoga]

My son was staying at my house and the dogs went crazy when I got home. I sat up for a hour when I got home and we talked. My other son had picked me up at the airport. The dogs have not left me out of their sight. Last night Max wrapped himself around my neck and I could feel his breath. I slept 9 hours and my son made me coffee and fed my dogs.

I have unpacked, opened my mail and showered. We ate pizza and pasta from domino’s today. It tasted better than usual). I am so tired. I watched all the chaos on the news today at airports and felt very lucky to get home. One family spent 45 hours getting across the country.

Welcome home! The best part of vacation. When I am away from home I try not to think about my own bed

 

[athena53]

TT, I'm so glad you're back home! Three hours' delay isn't TOO awful in the grand scheme of things but not at the end of a transatlantic trp.

I'd read that the crowding at airports is being made worse by people arriving earlier and earlier. That makes sense. The airports in India have a good system, at least in Delhi- you can't go through security until your flight is posted- usually 2-3 hours before flight time. It always allowed plenty of time to get airside.

And back to the OT- why don't the airlines start allowing people to re-schedule without penalty if they're traveling within the next 2-3 months? I bet many would. I'm hoping that the $10K Delta paid people who were bumped recently (by Visa gift card or ApplePay, not a voucher with a ton of conditions) is an incentive for them to stop selling what they can't provide.

 

[Koolau]

My son was staying at my house and the dogs went crazy when I got home. I sat up for a hour when I got home and we talked. My other son had picked me up at the airport. The dogs have not left me out of their sight. Last night Max wrapped himself around my neck and I could feel his breath. I slept 9 hours and my son made me coffee and fed my dogs.

I have unpacked, opened my mail and showered. We ate pizza and pasta from domino’s today. It tasted better than usual). I am so tired. I watched all the chaos on the news today at airports and felt very lucky to get home. One family spent 45 hours getting across the country.

Back when we still had cats, they would do everything possible to keep us from leaving. Upon laying out suitcases for packing, they would jump in the suitcases. Once packed, at least one cat would sleep on the suitcases.

Upon our return, we always speculated on what the cats would have destroyed to get even with us for abandoning them. We long ago had given up on keeping decorative displays (artificial flowers, decorative table displays, etc.) Our one cat, if he could find nothing better, would find a box (a file box was his favorite) and tear it to bits one bite at a time.

When we came in the house, the cats were torn between hiding from us because they knew we'd be "upset" that they had destroyed something and pouncing on us and the luggage to celebrate our return. The pouncing always won out, and we waited until later to clean up whatever mess they had created. It was our "family" ritual around travel.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Athena, Dublin Airport told people to arrive 4.5 hours early for international flights if you were checking a bag. My driver and the tour guide told me 6. One woman said she was going to miss her flight once we got past security but had to show our passport for the US in Ireland. I said stop asking people to let you go ahead one by one and make a run for it. She did and I said to people she’s going to miss her flight and when I yelled that people waived her through and started holding up the rope for her.

One bitchy woman said maybe we should all cut in line. I said maybe we should be kind when someone is going to miss their flight. Others agreed and that was the end. It actually was cool to see so many trying to help.

Koolau, that’s funny about your cats. The dogs sometimes go but they can tell from what we are packing if they get to go. The Maltese are non destructive dogs in general and the worst they do is poop and pee sometimes in the threshold to your bedroom. That means not happy with you.

 

[tmm99]

I imagine our pets don't know if we're coming back at all when we travel, so I can see how traumatic it may be for some of the pets to not see us for many days in a row. Our cats were always good when we travelled (I think they considered us their servants and if the food was served and the litter box was clean, they didn't seem to mind.) I heard of a cat peeing on packed suitcases though.

Teacher Terry,

It's great that you told her to rush and I'm glad to hear most people were helpful. I do understand how frustrated it is for everyone though. I cannot imagine that people have to get to the airport 5 hours before their departure time. Obviously, it's better safe than sorry, and I would do it if I had to, but it's not something I would want to deal with right now.

 

[Scuba]

TT, I’m so happy for you that you’re home with your beloved dogs now. What an ordeal!!

I have to admit that I was really disappointed when DH and I canceled our two month trip to Croatia this year following his heart attack. After stories like yours, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise!

 

[USGrant1962]

Got back from Grenada tonight on AA - was supposed to be last night, as in 12:20 in the morning today. Lost a whole day of travel due to flight disruptions.

Our incoming plane landed in Grenada yesterday a little late, but nothing unusual. After a while though, we had the dreaded delay due to "mechanical issues" announcement. We watched the mechanics show up, open the port engine cowling, work on the engine, close it up, and put all their tools way (they drove up in a hatch-back type station wagon and took tool boxes out of the back, spread them on the tarmac under the wing, and went to work). After a couple of hours watching the mechanics, they announced an engine test. The mechanics and boarding stairs were moved away, pilots started the engines and ran them - looked good to go. Instead of landing at 9:00 pm in Charlotte we were looking at 11:00 pm or so.

Next announcement was "sad trombone". Flight canceled, get your dinner/taxi/hotel/breakfast vouchers; we're departing at 10:00 am tomorrow. Strange because the plane was clearly fixed. Perhaps the crew timed out?

This morning on the 10:00 am version of our 4:00 pm yesterday flight the crew announced the problem. It seems AA was ready to go but CBP has been shutting down immigration/customs early, presumably due to staffing shortages. AA said they even tried to divert to Miami or San Juan last night - no customs/immigration available. So now we have flight delays which seem to be due to airline staffing shortages (on top of routine maintenance issues) exacerbated by government staffing shortages? AFAIK, the Federal government didn't lay anybody off during COVID, so WTF?

 

[Koolau]

So now we have flight delays which seem to be due to airline staffing shortages (on top of routine maintenance issues) exacerbated by government staffing shortages? AFAIK, the Federal government didn't lay anybody off during COVID, so WTF?

Hey, it's the gummint. What do we expect?

Now that it's all blown up, my question would be why the various guilty parties aren't cooperating to fix it. Too busy pointing fingers at each other I guess. YMMV

 

[Freedom56]

CNBC says to expect chaos for those heading to Europe. We don't leave until the end of August so hopefully the crowds will dwindle in size.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/04/eu-...to-find-workers-post-covid-summer-travel.html

 

[MichaelB]

It seems AA was ready to go but CBP has been shutting down immigration/customs early, presumably due to staffing shortages. AA said they even tried to divert to Miami or San Juan last night - no customs/immigration available. So now we have flight delays which seem to be due to airline staffing shortages (on top of routine maintenance issues) exacerbated by government staffing shortages? AFAIK, the Federal government didn't lay anybody off during COVID, so WTF?

I’m no fan of govt regulation and with CBP have had many poor experiences, but what is CBP supposed to do? They staff based on scheduled flights and expected traffic, and when airlines cancel or change routes are left hanging like everyone else.

The airlines have built a business model based on their ability to cancel or reroute flights at the last minute, blame the weather to avoid penalty, and then demand that passengers, airports, and infrastructure react and adjust accordingly. We are seeing system failure and stress everywhere.

 

[athena53]

One woman said she was going to miss her flight once we got past security but had to show our passport for the US in Ireland. I said stop asking people to let you go ahead one by one and make a run for it. She did and I said to people she’s going to miss her flight and when I yelled that people waived her through and started holding up the rope for her.

One bitchy woman said maybe we should all cut in line. I said maybe we should be kind when someone is going to miss their flight. Others agreed and that was the end. It actually was cool to see so many trying to help.
.

I'm glad you helped her get through the crowd. Sometimes we're programmed to be polite to our own detriment. I still struggle with that.

When I left Munich I found kiosks at Border Patrol where you just scanned your passport and went through. Didn't work for me, of course- you had to have downloaded an app. Fortunately the lines weren't bad but I have to look into getting that app. Heathrow also has a Priority Line and you can use it if you're traveling Business Class- that's saved me long waits quite a few times.

ETA: I finally broke down and bought travel insurance to cover COVID quarantine on next month's trip. Wow- be careful out there. I already have a regular travel policy for the trip and my Medicare supplement would cover up to $50K in medical expenses as well. Many of the less-expensive policies that provide "COVID coverage" have generous limits for medical expenses due to COVID and evacuation/repatriation. Given the prevalence of mild cases (thank heaven) that coverage is of very little use. I had to shell out $340 for one that provided only $2,000 max quarantine expenses (plus decent coverage for trip interruption). $2,000 seems to be the max you can get. I'd found similar results for mu Munich trip- had only $2,000 of quarantine expense coverage.

These rates require state approval and I'm guessing they'll have to come down in the future. The data underlying the current rates likely includes quarantines form people testing positive before re-entering the US and that's no longer required.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

I had a recent trip to the UK from 6/8 (ATL-LHR, Delta) to 6/21 (LHR-LAX, Virgin)) and was very happy to have every step of my trip go smoothly.

My luggage got there and back with no problem, no long waits; security and immigration went quickly at each end.

While in a very long line at LAX, I heard an Immigration officer telling us about downloading the MPC app to expedite our process.

Moving through the line, I got that app downloaded, scanned my passport, took a selfie, answered a few questions, and got a QR code and scooted over to the the special line for MPC processing. There were 3 people ahead of me. It was great!

The only real hold ups came from people in the Virgin check-in line at LHR who did last-minute repacking because bags were overweight and they didn’t want to pay fees. I was checked in and my bags on the belt within about 3 minutes.

Security at LHR saw the same kind of repacking of carryons, discarding liquids, things like that.

Airline employees all did their jobs really well. I got lucky, I guess.

 

[athena53]

While in a very long line at LAX, I heard an Immigration officer telling us about downloading the MPC app to expedite our process.

Moving through the line, I got that app downloaded, scanned my passport, took a selfie, answered a few questions, and got a QR code and scooted over to the the special line for MPC processing. There were 3 people ahead of me. It was great!

The only real hold ups came from people in the Virgin check-in line at LHR who did last-minute repacking because bags were overweight and they didn’t want to pay fees. I was checked in and my bags on the belt within about 3 minutes.

Security at LHR saw the same kind of repacking of carryons, discarding liquids, things like that.

Airline employees all did their jobs really well. I got lucky, I guess.

I am DEFINITELY looking into that app. Great of the immigration officer to let you know. And it's really sad that people are carrying overweight bags and coming through security with liquids, holding everyone up. Sometimes when I'm in a hotel gym, people come in with their bags and weigh them on the scale- great idea.

TSA Pre-check has also been a great benefit on domestic flights.

 

[audreyh1]

I hear Global Entry is using face recognition only these days.

You must fill out a form somewhere, but I suppose you don’t have to place passport or fingerprints anymore.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I'm glad you helped her get through the crowd. Sometimes we're programmed to be polite to our own detriment. I still struggle with that.

When I left Munich I found kiosks at Border Patrol where you just scanned your passport and went through. Didn't work for me, of course- you had to have downloaded an app. Fortunately the lines weren't bad but I have to look into getting that app. Heathrow also has a Priority Line and you can use it if you're traveling Business Class- that's saved me long waits quite a few times.

ETA: I finally broke down and bought travel insurance to cover COVID quarantine on next month's trip. Wow- be careful out there. I already have a regular travel policy for the trip and my Medicare supplement would cover up to $50K in medical expenses as well. Many of the less-expensive policies that provide "COVID coverage" have generous limits for medical expenses due to COVID and evacuation/repatriation. Given the prevalence of mild cases (thank heaven) that coverage is of very little use. I had to shell out $340 for one that provided only $2,000 max quarantine expenses (plus decent coverage for trip interruption). $2,000 seems to be the max you can get. I'd found similar results for mu Munich trip- had only $2,000 of quarantine expense coverage.

These rates require state approval and I'm guessing they'll have to come down in the future. The data underlying the current rates likely includes quarantines form people testing positive before re-entering the US and that's no longer required.

I initially thought my travel insurance was covering my expenses but it turns out their Covid promise covered it. My flight was 1k, my driver 1k and my hotel and meals easily another 2k for 8 days.

 

[USGrant1962]

I hear Global Entry is using face recognition only these days.

You must fill out a form somewhere, but I suppose you don’t have to place passport or fingerprints anymore.

No form - just smile at the camera, grab your receipt, and off you go. No more fingerprints or scanning of passport.

Regular immigration/customs is apparently going to to facial recognition too. Yesterday they did not hand out customs forms on the plane. They said you would get one on the jet bridge and only had to fill in your name and date because they were using facial recognition. I'm not sure what your face has to do with how many liters of rum you brought back, but YMMV.

 

[Accidental Retiree]

I hear Global Entry is using face recognition only these days.

You must fill out a form somewhere, but I suppose you don’t have to place passport or fingerprints anymore.

After I finished in the MPC line at LAX, I asked the Officer where I could get my walk-up interview for Global Entry since I am already conditionally approved.

He sent me over to a line that appeared just about as long as the regular border control line! I declined.

Regular appointments are very hard to come by, but I finally got one at the end of July down near our border with Mexico.

I’m not really sure how much different GE will be from using the MPC app. MOC had me upload a selfie and then the officer took another photo of me. I recall also getting a photo taken when I scanned my passport at LHR.

 

[audreyh1]

No form - just smile at the camera, grab your receipt, and off you go. No more fingerprints or scanning of passport.

Regular immigration/customs is apparently going to to facial recognition too. Yesterday they did not hand out customs forms on the plane. They said you would get one on the jet bridge and only had to fill in your name and date because they were using facial recognition. I'm not sure what your face has to do with how many liters of rum you brought back, but YMMV.

So no opportunity to declare anything?

Or were you handed something on the jet bridge?

 

[audreyh1]

I’m not really sure how much different GE will be from using the MPC app. MOC had me upload a selfie and then the officer took another photo of me. I recall also getting a photo taken when I scanned my passport at LHR.

My experience is considerable difference in the lengths of the two lines - pre-passport control and again after picking up luggage to go through customs.

 

[braumeister]

Hasn't the GE kiosk always asked a question about whether you brought in the allowed amount or not?

 

[audreyh1]

Apparently you don’t answer questions at the GE kiosk anymore.