Passenger Shaming

Have you ever had another passenger annoy you on a flight? Or maybe just a really rude passenger? With this whole knee defender business and grounding flights because of unruly passengers a website has started to blow up! The site is called passengershaming.com and it calls out all those dirty, gross and rude passengers you can’t believe actually exist!  

{all pics are from passengershaming.com}

I have a few stories to tell you about some characters on a past flight. On our last trip to Hawaii we were boarding and this annoying couple sat behind us. I thought, “oh great, I have to spend the next 10 hours with these people behind me?!” Then a super nice couple came up and told them they were in their seats. The annoying couple said, “no, these are our seats!” The nice couple showed them their tickets and ask to see theirs and wouldn't you know the annoying couple couldn't find their tickets. So a flight attendant had to get involved and remove the annoying couple from the seat behind us and put them in their proper seats…where they started to pretty much get it on! I am not joking! The flight attendant had to tell the woman she needed to be in her seat with both feet on the ground for takeoff!

{2-5-2 seating configuration}

The whole reason they tried to sit in the wrong seats in the first place was so they didn't have to sit in the middle row (we were on a 2-5-2 aircraft).

The second story is one that an old friend experienced. He was flying from Austin, TX to Paris, France and not even half way into the flight the person next to him died! While they were eating their dinner! The flight was full and they could not seat my friend anywhere else…so they covered the deceased with blankets.

Do you have any crazy stories about gross passengers? 

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Confessions of a Flight Attendant

Yahoo! Travel has a series called Confessions of a Flight Attendant and I love it! This week’s article was over the 15 most ridiculous things people say on a plane and some of them you won’t believe! Here are some of the funnier ones; you can read all of them here.

1. “Do they pay for your hotel rooms?” I love this one. Can you imagine if the whole crew was staying in different places and the junior people were grabbing a park bench to sleep on, or couch surfing in their uniforms? Yes, the airline pays for hotels and arranges transportation to and from the hotel. Otherwise, every flight would be late while we figured out where so and so was staying. 

2. Where are the lines between the states? You would be surprised how many people think there are actual lines between the states like on a map. 

3. On night flights we will go through the cabin with trays of orange juice and water. Passengers will look at the tray and say: “Which one is the orange juice and which is the water?”

4. “When do I change the time on my watch or will it change itself as we go?” 

5. “I don’t mean to scare you, but something out there has been following us for hours!”  It’s the light on the wing. 

6. It takes years before you realize you can answer people’s questions with the wrong answer and they never know the difference. When they ask what river they are looking at, I always say Mississippi—no matter where we are in the country.

7. What country is Hawaii in?

8. We point to where the bathroom is and the passenger just stands there. I’ll point to it again and they will say “it’s vacant.” They have no idea what the word vacant means, I guess we really shouldn't use such fancy words like vacant. 

9. “Have we landed yet?” 

10. “How do I move my seat forward?”

11. “When did you guys start wearing uniforms?”

12.  On the customs and immigration form it says: Sex M-F. Passengers will ask if it means how many times they have sex Monday to Friday!!!

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First Class Perks You Covet

Every time I look at pictures of how awesome the first class cabin is I can’t help but feel like Kristen Wiig’s character from Bridesmaids. Her line, “Help me I’m poor.” Cracks me up EVERY-SINGLE-TIME! I love it! So when I saw this article accompanied by ridiculous pictures I couldn't help but think of that movie.

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Here are the perks:

A seat and a bed – If you’re in coach and they close the cabin doors and the seat next to you is vacant is like winning the lottery! JACKPOT! But if you pay enough and fly first class with Lufthansa you get to have both!

Showers – I don’t think I have ever even been on a plane that had a shower

Humidifiers – Now you know that not only will the first classers be sitting and eating better than you they are also breathing in better air!

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A Bidet – Okay, this might not make the “wish” list for some countries (the USA for one), I would bet a large amount of money that over ½ the population of the USA doesn't even know what a bidet is or what its purpose it.

A Chauffeur – Its becoming pretty common that if you purchase a first class ticket you won’t even need to drive yourself to the airport…they’ll do that for you too. Talk about stress free!

A Personal Suite – On Singapore airlines you can have your very own room! And if you want to join the mile high club you can book the 2 suites in the center and combine the beds to make to make it a double…oohh, la, la

Champagne – Well really just free booze in general. When you’re in coach you’ll be lucky if they even give you a full can of soda but in first class champagne, wine, vodka or rum comes with the seat.

Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones – Most airlines are offering these for their first class and business seats. Now you don’t have to hear the people in coach whine. Just kidding!

Toiletries Kit – I have to say, I am pretty excited to see if we’ll be getting one of these on our flight to Europe. I love anything that is in miniature form! I don’t know why but they are so cute!

You can see the full article with pictures here. 

Have you ever gotten to experience any of these?

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How the Business Class Lives

Airlines are starting to do more to attract fliers and keep passengers happy. In business class, airlines are continuing to add amenities and luxuries that will leave commuters feeling relaxed and happy.

I have to say that we are pretty excited to be flying bussines/first class to Europe this year (perk of having a Chase United Plus credit card). I cant wait to blog about it and see what amenitites we'll have!

So what are some things customers can expect from a top-notch business class airline? They'll be treated to luxurious cabins, on-board lounges, personal entertainment systems, and excellent cuisine. See the top 10 airlines that have separated themselves from the rest.

1. Air New Zealand Business Premier

This New Zealand-based airline provides passengers 22-inch leather armchairs, premium on demand audio and video, as well as self-service beverage areas. The amenity kit provides passengers with travel basics such as eye cream, lip balm and moisturizer, socks, eyeshades, toothbrush kit, earplugs and a pen. The chairs can be reclined to a fully lie-flat position, and complimentary noise cancellation headphones that will ensure you will be well rested before you reach your destination.

2. Cathay Pacific

Expect quality lounges, great service, and competitive pricing from this Hong Kong-based airline. Even better is the curved design Cathay uses in its cabins, which make it feel like there’s no one near you, says Inside the Travel Lab. If you have a seat in the center, your cupboard door opens ensuring you have as much privacy as you need. Noise canceling headphones come complimentary, and passengers can help themselves to scented spritzers, lotions, and heated towels. The business lounges have multiple work stations, magazines, TVs, and food prepared on site.

3. Singapore Airlines

Spacious seats, a great cabin crew, and excellent food are all amenities you can expect on this business airline. It’s all in the details: fine china, quality menus, and wine and champagne pairings are all reasons to book a seat. Singapore Airlines is ranked as one of the most expensive flights so book wisely.

{When Singapore Airlines was showing off their Business Class seats at The Galleria in Houston, TX}

4. Qantas

In this Australian airline business suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration giving commuters direct access to the aisle. Their fully lie-flat bed measures 79 inches long and has a seat width up to 26 inches. Each business suite also has a 16-inch screen and plenty of storage space for all your electronics.

5. Virgin Atlantic Airways

Passengers can look forward to a brand new bar and art works onboard on United Kingdom-based Virgin Atlantic. The chair is both spacious and comfortable.

6. Delta Air Lines BusinessElite

Great service starts as soon as you check-in for your flight. There’s accelerated security, priority boarding, and expedited luggage retrieval. There are multiple movies, TV programs, and in-flight Internet service provided to you through United States-based flights. You will also stay full on the multi-course menus with wine pairings. After a great meal, drift off with your noise-cancellation headphones and a full-size pillow.

7. Eva Air

This business class has used mellow tones in its cabins, which will hopefully make you calm and sleepy. You can expect the latest audio and video technologies, amenity kits (that have everything from lotion to a clothes brush), and high-quality comforters. For the foodies out there, there menus are top-notch and even provide healthy choices for the conscientious eater.

8. Etihad Airways Pearl Business Class

This Abu Dhabi airline boasts all of the luxury amenities that one would expect from the oil-rich country. There’s also a food and beverage manager available to recommend dining options and wine pairings. Pearl Business Class passengers also receive complimentary door-to-door limo service with a personal chauffeur included.

9. Oman Airways

This airline provides one of the widest and longest seats available for ultimate comfort. Seats on the Oman Airbus A330 are 77.5-inch long, offer electronically controlled backrests, leg rests and seat-depth adjustors. The dining options include modern, traditional and signature Arabic dishes.

10. Emirates Airlines

This Dubai based airline boasts massaging seats, complimentary Champagne and gourmet meals. Five-course lunches and dinners served on china tableware are the norm, and you can end the evening at the onboard lounge for cocktails. There are 1,400 entertainment channels on your personal TV, and in case you don’t want to miss your show, there’s a built-in mini bar by your seat.

See original article here.



Have you ever flown business or first class?

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Travel RoundUp

I hope everyone had a good January and you're ready for February because its here! And ol' Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow so it looks like we'll have six more weeks of winter. Which I believe because we're just starting to see winter weather here in Houston. How about where you live? 

Below are some interesting updates in the travel world:  

1 – Did you meet your significant other while flying on United Airlines? Did you propose at 30,000 ft. (9,144 m)? United had a Valentines contest for you.

2 – Southwest and JetBlue have bought takeoff and landing slots at Reagan National. Southwest is also starting to sell their first international flights!

3 – With this crazy polar vortex (we even got snow here in Houston) Niagara Falls partial froze! See pictures here.  And planes were sliding off the runways and into banks of snow at JFK.

{Source}

4 – The tallest hotel in America has opened in NYC. The 68 story building has 639 rooms and is 760 feet tall. Floors 6-33 are Courtyard Marriot and floors 37-65 are Residence Inn by Marriot.

5 – Here are 25 reasons why Norway is the greatest place on earth!

From my visit to Norway in 2008

6 – The aviation industry has decided that airliners are safe enough to fly over oceans, no matter how far, with only two engines!

7 – Would an increase in shark attacks keep you from visiting the Hawaiian Islands?

8 – The airlines are going on a major shopping spree! They have ordered more than 8,200 new planes in the past five years!

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When Vacation Attack!

In December 2013 Ferdinand Puentes was taking a short flight from Moloka'I to Oahu when the engine to the plane quit. He was filming the whole thing with his GroPro camera.

You can see all pictures and video by clicking this link.

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Travelers You DON'T Want Sitting Next to You on a Plane

I saw this article and thought that it was a funny/good topic to talk about on a travel blog :) So here is a list of people you might get stuck sitting next to, some funny, some not so funny.

1 - The smelly person - this is the person that doesn't shower and reeks of body odor!!!
2 - The snorer - a snorer...even worse on an over night flight
3 - The sleep talker - I can't imagine sitting next to some that talks in their sleep! 
4 - The sleep walker - Same with this one, I hear that this is a side effect of ambien which many people take to help them sleep on planes! 
5 - The I have the cold/flu person - Unfortunately I became this person mid flight the last time I was coming home from Europe. About 1/2 over the Atlantic I came down with the cold...I'm sure from another passenger! 
6 - The dead person - This one is not meant to be funny. When I was in high school a friend of mine was traveling to Paris on a full flight and the passenger next to him passes away. Since the flight was full, he was stuck there. 
7 - The awkward person - Just someone is a little weird. I sat next to a guy traveling to LAX and he didn't speak a word of English. Every time the flight attendant came buy and asked if he needed anything he would just point at what I was getting. It was just a little strange.
8 - The talker - Having to sit next to someone who is a chatty Cathy is never any fun if you don't like to talk on planes. When we were flying from Kauai to Oahu the young man behind us was talking to his seat mate and asking her all sorts of inappropriate questions like, "how much money do you make as a nurse?", "can you write me a recommendation?", "how much money does your ranch make?" of course she didn't answer and I could tell she was uncomfortable. 
9 - The lovers - Once on a flight there was a couple that was so all over each other that the flight attendant had to tell them to please sit properly with your feet on the floor. (She had her legs propped up on him and was pretty much sitting in his lap...get a room...and not one 35,000 ft in the air!)

Have you ever had to sit next to any of these people?