US work trip - flights/plans/accommodation etc.

[High-Test]

And then there's me, 1500 miles away from the nearest ocean.

...Sorry. Kansas ain't much better.

West Coast for sure.

 

[phillgt2002]

And then there's me, 1500 miles away from the nearest ocean.

Why I moved away from the mid-west.

Missourians like to improvise with lakes when it comes to not having a ocean.

 

[TB]

Missourians like to improvise with lakes when it comes to not having a ocean.

I've got 10,000 of those at my disposal in Minnesota. I think I've been to 6.

 

[phillgt2002]

I've got 10,000 of those at my disposal in Minnesota. I think I've been to 6.

I've never been to a lake to swim or do anything of recreation. I just look at them and keep going. I don't see what's so appealing about them.

This one in particular is all the rage.. People like it so much because all they do is go get drunk and fight each other.

Maybe I've been spoiled by wonderful beaches?

As such, a trip to Florida or Kentucky this time around seems unlikely. I have family and friends on the West Coast and it might be a better idea to plan to see them instead!

You'll like California much more than Kentucky, but I'm not too sure about Florida.

Which part of California will you be visiting?

 

[Beeblebrox237]

@Touring Mars A couple of tips for you when booking flights:

• Book as early as is possible for you.
  
• Avoid United Airlines at all costs.
• If you can fly BA, do it. Even if it's a longer flight or there are more connections, it's worth it.
• US Airways should be avoided, but they're not as bad as United.
• Delta are average; they're not that luxurious but they're reliable.
• If you use Google flights you can see what aircraft each flight uses. I'd try for an A380, 747, 777, or 787. Flying on something new and/or interesting tends to make the journey more enjoyable. Apparently BA run a LHR to LAX service using an A380.
• Did I mention how terrible United are?

 

[Crash]

Are you flying through LHR for the Transatlantic leg?

And YMMV, but I've never had issues with United. Also, keep an eye out on carriers code-sharing if you do prefer a particular airline.

 

[Touring Mars]

@Beeblebrox237 Unfortunately it's going to be either United or American Airlines, but the AA flight is longer and has two stops - the United flight leaves from Glasgow, is shorter and only has a short stop in New York. I can't really pick my own flights as its all booked centrally, but I've flown to the US with United before and while it's certainly not luxury, I don't really mind so long as I can sleep! I'm hopefully going to pack everything into a small rucksack that I can take on with me - do United have ridiculously small bag limits or something similar? I would love to fly with a better airline, but since it's not my money I can't afford to be too picky!

@Crash Fortunately it looks like it is direct from Glasgow, so I won't be going through LHR for a change - while it's only a 1 hr flight to London from Glasgow, a flight from LHR would add around 5-6 hours to the total journey time, so leaving from my own airport is a huge bonus.

@phillkillv2 I'll be working in Irvine, south of LA. As for visiting, I've been to SF twice before and while I love it, I don't plan to be back there this time around. A couple of my friends are in the US over the summer as well, one in NY and another is working in New Orleans, but is also going to Vegas for a week, so I'd like to meet up with one or both of them while I'm away, but I'll have to wait and see what the work load is like before making too many 'holiday' plans. I haven't ruled out a trip to Seattle either, but I'm kind of limited by the fact that I don't drive - I have a license but haven't driven for a few years, so hiring a car and exploring might be tricky. That said, I know a couple of people in Irvine who should be able to show me around a bit.

edit: Flights are booked

It's United

 

[TB]

do United have ridiculously small bag limits or something similar?

From United's site:

My wife and I were able to fit a weeks worth of clothes in 2 bags that size and since you're no bringing makeup and curling irons (you're not, are you?) you should be plenty good. Don't forget you can bring a backpack ("personal item"), too.

 

[Smurfybug]

Two years ago when I went to Pakistan on Qatar airways, United Airlines had the flight since we took off from JFK airport. But they have some pretty decent weights.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

@Touring Mars Good luck. 👍

 

[Touring Mars]

@TB Cheers for that - I'm always stunned at the amount of stuff other people take on board a flight, but I didn't know that '1 piece' actually means '1 piece of luggage plus a small bag'

since you're no bringing makeup and curling irons (you're not, are you?)

I've been to SF twice before and while I love it, I don't plan to be back there this time around.

 

[Swagger897]

@TB Cheers for that - I'm always stunned at the amount of stuff other people take on board a flight, but I didn't know that '1 piece' actually means '1 piece of luggage plus a small bag'

a small bag can be a decent sized backpack too. Normally I'll carry a suitcase and a backpack like this:

on trips lasting a week or so. Anything else I check my bags but that may cost you on United. Another thing, if your bag has had to be sat on to zip it shut, you might want to shove it into the first overhead you see with room if you have a seat near the back.


I'm now in the looks of possibly going to Munich in the next couple of weeks with my family, and it'll be our first time across the Atlantic. I might start a thread at lunch to see what people think about the place...

 

[Touring Mars]

Munich? I was there when I was 10 and we stayed in a small village near Munich, but I remember it quite well. I'd love to go back - I've been to Germany a few times in recent years and have enjoyed it alot - if you like beer and/or meat, then you can't go too far wrong. I realise there is far more to German culture than that, but hey...

 

[Barra333]

I realise there is far more to German culture than that, but hey...

Such as? I went from beerhall to beerhall in Munich, interrupted only by Glüwien at the Christmas market.

 

[phillgt2002]

Honestly, the easiest way to keep your amount of luggage down is by looking in and seeing what you may not need. I used to pack so much unnecessary stuff when I traveled, but now that I've been traveling so much, I've grown to know what's needed and essential.

Also, I wouldn't worry about United much. Until you actually experience them as an airline, I'd drop any judgment for now. What matters most is if they get you there alive. I'm pretty sure they're capable of that

 

[TB]

I'm always stunned at the amount of stuff other people take on board a flight

You should see when my family flies somewhere - carry-ons for the four of us, plus my camera backpack, my wife's purse and a backpack for each of the boys. And my son's Vest. They keep wanting to check it, because technically it's oversized for a carry-on, but I'll be damned if they're throwing my son's medical equipment around.

I didn't know that '1 piece' actually means '1 piece of luggage plus a small bag'

The carry-on gets put in the overhead compartment and the personal item us for your CD player, Trapper Keeper full of Sudokus and a snack or 3.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

That Swiss Gear is built like a tank. Mine survived a year of my abusive handling of backpacks like no other backpack that I've used. It doesn't look like it got the 🤬 beat out of it when most other backpack I've used would already have holes in it by this point. My dad uses his for work, and his doesn't even look like it gets used hard either. I wound up using the thing as a carry on when I went to Arizona last year, and it was the best move I ever made when it comes to picking a carry on. The laptop pouch is a plus too. I certainly second that backpack.

 

[Pupik]

@TB Cheers for that - I'm always stunned at the amount of stuff other people take on board a flight, but I didn't know that '1 piece' actually means '1 piece of luggage plus a small bag'

Most carriers won't make a big deal out of children's medical equipment if you need extra space. On the other hand, we distribute all eight available carry-ons among the four of us when we fly, so we never really hit that limit.

What astounds me are the folks who put stuff in the overhead container and fumble through it as if nobody else is waiting to take their seat. Along with the special-place-in-hell for those who put three (let alone two pieces if you're not in a bulkhead seat) items in the overhead.

On most American carriers, you get two pieces: a roll-aboard and something about the size of a backpack. The problem is that if you "draw" a high zone/group number, you wind up checking the carry-on luggage (for free). Some carriers give you a free checked piece (or two) for flying internationally, but it varies.

There's two minor US carriers (that I know of) that do charge for any piece more than a single backpack: Spirit and Frontier fly medium-sized aircraft with those rules. Since neither has a code-share agreement with any other airline, it's highly unlikely you'll wind up with them. The others are Cape Air, Great Lakes and Silver, which do have code-shares, but also very unlikely...to be fair, they fly 10-seat propeller planes and you'd only wind up with them if you flew into a really small town airport.

Basically, if it's fragile, electronic, keys, medicine, irreplaceable, or losing it might be worthy of a James Bond novel; pack it in your backpack.

I had a Swiss Gear but the zippers split apart after 2.5 years - but I dog them every day and put them through travel and work abuse on an Abu Gharaib scale of unfairness.

 

[Swagger897]

That Swiss Gear is built like a tank. Mine survived a year of my abusive handling of backpacks like no other backpack that I've used. It doesn't look like it got the 🤬 beat out of it when most other backpack I've used would already have holes in it by this point. My dad uses his for work, and his doesn't even look like it gets used hard either. I wound up using the thing as a carry on when I went to Arizona last year, and it was the best move I ever made when it comes to picking a carry on. The laptop pouch is a plus too. I certainly second that backpack.

yeah, whenever I do get a chance to go flying, I'll see 30+ other people with it. I use it for school, camping, flying, driving... everything. I use to use my camelbak but it was too small..

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I always have a medium duffel bag stuffed full and a backpack with all my gadgets, food, toiletries, and anything else I might want with me. I also check a frankly enormous duffel bag, though I did once forget to weight it and had to move 4 kilos worth of clothes into my carry-on. Make sure you weigh your checked bag(s) at home!

 

[Touring Mars]

I always have a medium duffel bag stuffed full and a backpack with all my gadgets, food, toiletries, and anything else I might want with me. I also check a frankly enormous duffel bag, though I did once forget to weight it and had to move 4 kilos worth of clothes into my carry-on. Make sure you weigh your checked bag(s) at home!

Last time I weighed my rucksack was back in 2008, and I used a scale at the gym - I weighed myself with and without the bag and took the difference.

Come to think of it, that was the last time I was in a gym.

 

[Pupik]

@Touring Mars: with United Airlines, pick a seat near the back and by a window if you want to get on board sooner. They seem to use the "inverted pyramid" method of boarding. If you're connecting into somewhere out in the American (South)west, do whatever it takes to grab a window seat...you won't be disappointed at the view!

My views and experiences on United are about average (about ten round-trips on UA); they haven't done me wrong, and you could do worse (American/US Airways). A bit more of a no-nonsense approach, but without a negative attitude. They stepped up to the plate without argument and gave me a nicer piece of luggage after damaging it in transit.

Sounds like you're going to connect in Newark - the New York skyline will be on the right side of the plane, but might be a bit small since you'll be south of it.

 

[TB]

If you're connecting into somewhere out in the American (South)west, do whatever it takes to grab a window seat...you won't be disappointed at the view!

Agreed. A shot I took somewhere between DEN and LAX:



Gorgeous part of the country. 👍

 

[phillgt2002]

That Swiss Gear is built like a tank. Mine survived a year of my abusive handling of backpacks like no other backpack that I've used. It doesn't look like it got the 🤬 beat out of it when most other backpack I've used would already have holes in it by this point. My dad uses his for work, and his doesn't even look like it gets used hard either. I wound up using the thing as a carry on when I went to Arizona last year, and it was the best move I ever made when it comes to picking a carry on. The laptop pouch is a plus too. I certainly second that backpack.

yeah, whenever I do get a chance to go flying, I'll see 30+ other people with it. I use it for school, camping, flying, driving... everything. I use to use my camelbak but it was too small..

This bag is $230 I'm going to purchase it sometime for hiking and heavy travels.

I think having a good pack is basically essential for living. It's interesting seeing people my age walking around with these knockoff wanna-be 'hiking bags', which have no support, terrible fabrics, and terrible build quality. (Forgot to mention that they're overpriced)

This is the bag that I'm speaking of. (if only this were a vomit emoji.)

Agreed. A shot I took somewhere between DEN and LAX:

View attachment 374961

Gorgeous part of the country. 👍

Nearly every time I fly, I have to connect through Denver or Phoenix, and honestly, it has the best in flight scenery. I can never catch the sunrise, but the sunset.. gorgeous, especially when the sun casts off a reddish tint due to the landscape, and lights up the fuselage.

 

[Swagger897]

This bag is $230 I'm going to purchase it sometime for hiking and heavy travels.

I think having a good pack is basically essential for living. It's interesting seeing people my age walking around with these knockoff wanna-be 'hiking bags', which have no support, terrible fabrics, and terrible build quality. (Forgot to mention that they're overpriced)

This is the bag that I'm speaking of. (if only this were a vomit emoji.)

Nearly every time I fly, I have to connect through Denver or Phoenix, and honestly, it has the best in flight scenery. I can never catch the sunrise, but the sunset.. gorgeous, especially when the sun casts off a reddish tint due to the landscape, and lights up the fuselage.

This is my get-up (obviously without the snow-shoes) normally when I go on a hiking trip and I have to fly. I have a 55 liter REI 2010 limited edition hiking backpack, hybrid framed, and then some two pouch Camelbak.. And a tent too.. (All this below me weighed 70 lbs, I weigh about 125 [I'm a light dude, never been able to gain weight]).

 

[Pupik]

I would also caution passengers to view SeatGuru before spending extra money on a window seat that actually has no window. Which might be okay if you prefer darkness, but there's usually air conditioning lines at those seats, so they can get noisy, cold, or have condensation drip onto you from the ceiling (I stow a small polishing cloth which doubles as a mop for that sort of eventuality).

 

[Beeblebrox237]

SeatGuru is a great site. I use it every time I buy tickets so I know exactly what kind of seat I'm paying for. That said, I'm one of the weirdos who actually buys tickets based not only on the airline and price, but on the airplane used for that flight.

 

[phillgt2002]

That said, I'm one of the weirdos who actually buys tickets based not only on the airline and price, but on the airplane used for that flight.

The type of airplane used can change a whole flight. Domestic US airlines like Southwest are still using the 737-700, and the 700 is just not up to par when you compare to the 737-800. More space, better seats, better lighting, and just a more comfortable ride is what the 800 can give you.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

The type of airplane used can change a whole flight. Domestic US airlines like Southwest are still using the 737-700, and the 700 is just not up to par when you compare to the 737-800. More space, better seats, better lighting, and just a more comfortable ride is what the 800 can give you.

To be honest, I'm generally not fussed about narrow body aircraft. They're all much closer in size so the fittings and space provided by the airline make a much bigger difference than the make and model. With wide body aircraft, however, the fuselage diameter varies much more, so choosing a 772 over an A332 nets much more space and and airier cabin, yielding a more pleasant overall experience.

 

[Crash]

do United have ridiculously small bag limits or something similar? I would love to fly with a better airline, but since it's not my money I can't afford to be too picky!

You get one free checked bag as well as your carry on allowance (carry on bag and a personal item) as you are flying international. Here's United's baggage policy, including max dimensions and weight, which looks pretty standard for all the major US airlines.

but is also going to Vegas for a week, so I'd like to meet up with one or both of them while I'm away

Looks like there are cheap buses from LA to Vegas.

I haven't ruled out a trip to Seattle either, but I'm kind of limited by the fact that I don't drive - I have a license but haven't driven for a few years, so hiring a car and exploring might be tricky.

The public transportation system in Seattle isn't too bad. As long as you have a plan on where you want to go, you can get around to most places by bus.

If you do come up to Seattle, I'll be happy to show you around.

Such as? I went from beerhall to beerhall in Munich, interrupted only by Glüwien at the Christmas market.

That sounds like my time in Munich. Plus BMW.

My views and experiences on United are about average (about ten round-trips on UA); they haven't done me wrong, and you could do worse (American/US Airways). A bit more of a no-nonsense approach, but without a negative attitude. They stepped up to the plate without argument and gave me a nicer piece of luggage after damaging it in transit.

Agreed on this. United isn't the greatest, but certainly better than my experience on American.

The type of airplane used can change a whole flight. Domestic US airlines like Southwest are still using the 737-700, and the 700 is just not up to par when you compare to the 737-800. More space, better seats, better lighting, and just a more comfortable ride is what the 800 can give you.

The 700s are only shorter than the 800s, but same cross-section. Interiors are ordered and outfitted by the airline. Southwest tends to be a bit more spartan about how they outfit their interiors, which is why the 800 seems to be more comfortable.