8 Dirty Secrets Airlines Don't Want You to Know! (#4 is BIG problem)
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- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2024
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Welcome to Portable Professional: your go-to resource for stress-free travel. I’m Megan, and I’m here to share my tips and tricks from 300+ flights to help you feel confident about your travels while making the most of every trip.
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00:00 Top Airline Complaints
00:19 Complaint #1
00:38 Best & worst airlines
01:09 Flight hack!
01:49 Complaint #2
02:39 Airport hack!
02:55 Air Canada experience
03:23 Complaint #3
03:56 Flight essential - pack this!
04:22 Complaint #4
05:10 Packing hack!
06:07 Complaint #5
06:38 Airline compensation hack!
07:14 Complaint #6
07:25 Flight comfort hacks!
08:16 Complaint #7
08:40 Plane food hack!
09:15 Complaint #8
09:47 Flight hack!
10:09 A BIG problem.
10:47 What YOU can do!
*Check out Carl Friedrik's Carry-on X here:* bit.ly/CarryOnX
The reason so many people do carry-on only now is BECAUSE the chance of your checked bag being lost these days is so high. So if they fix that problem they might be able to fix the other, once people have more confidence that their bag isn't going to go missing!
How do they not know exactly how many bags need to be removed from the cargo area?
This might come off as unpopular, but airlines need to enforce size restrictions of carry-ons. On a past couple of domestic US flights, I saw people struggling to put up their carry-ons with their expansion zippers undone. This not only takes up time trying to shoe-horn the luggage, but also makes for less room for other’s carry-ons.
Agree, people are trying to game the system by bringing on larger and larger “carry on”. It’s getting ridiculous tbh 🤷🏻♂️
In the similar vein, this will be another, probably wildly, unpopular idea:
I barely weigh 94 lbs dripping wet. The fuel to transport me is less than that to transport someone heavier. Why do I have to pay the same amount as someone who weighs twice as much, AND I also have to pay for my checked luggage when the combined weight of my body & luggage weighs LESS than the average American? I understand that I take up a full seat, but at least let my luggage ride for free or at a discount.
I agree, some of those so called roller carry ons take up 1 bin alone.
Completely agree. I frequently see people, usually backpacker types, getting on the plane with not one but two massive packs. They then cram them into the overhead bins taking up space that could accomadate 3 or 4 other people. They should be caught at the check in counter and if not then the flight attendants need to put these obviously oversize bags into check-in when the passenger first steps into the plane.
Assign an overhead compartment to each seat.
I miss the leg room, meals, and able to bring my suit bag. The biggest thing I miss is polite passengers.
I miss the smoking in my seat after running straight to the boarding gate from the cab. j/k I've only seen that in old movies.
People quit being polite the more they are treated like csttle.
Well said !! Lol.👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️💞
Fly Private… It’s just planning & $$$$$
Get over it
There is nothing enjoyable about flying. It feels like an stress-induced challenge to get to your destination with your luggage and your nerves intact.
One thing that’s a big part of the no-overhead-bin-space problem is people who put their “personal item” in the bin instead of under the seat. If attendants would tell owners to put those items under the seat, that would increase the bin space.
Not to mention just enforcing the carry-on rules. It’s unbelievable what people try to bring on board with them these days. I strongly support giving more free checked bags, and charging for carry-on-and I’m a carry-on passenger.
Nope. I obey the rules. I measure my bags before I buy them and try to not overstuff them. I have seen one person put an obviously underseat size bag up in one of the bins. I assumed it was his only bag, but if he did not pay for the bag to go in the bin, like the rest of us did, it shouldn't be in there! The airline should give us bright colored tags for our paid for overhead bin suitcases.
@@elouise5593 wait, you guys in the US have to PAY for carry-on luggage now?! Wow. I travel a lot within Asia/South-East Asia, to and from Europe, occasionally, to and within the US too, but I can't remember ever paying extra for carry-on. Although I usually only ever have a small backpack and a purse with me. My main luggage I usually check in. Anyway, one piece of hand luggage below a certain size and one personal item are still standard worldwide. What is happening in the US?
If airlines enforced the carry on size rules and also made sure that passengers only put one bag in the overhead bin then it would be less common to have all the overhead bins full. On every flight I see many people with bags that are obviously larger than the limits plus there is always a minority who put both their carry on bag and personal item bag in the overhead bin.
I was on one flight that let people with just the personal item board first. They were clear about it being for under the seat and not the overhead bin. This was one of the few times I was in the first boarding group and about half of those people had put those personal items in the overheads.
I'm starting to see this. Some are making announcements regarding hard set rules for 1+1 at the gate. Totes, purses, shopping bags, laptop cases, waist bags, and side carry bags count as the personal.
I watched a woman out her hat and her stilleto heels into the overhead bin taking up valuable room. The FA removed them.
YAY for that flight attendant!
@@HariSeldon913 They should have had one or 2 flight attendants stations by those overhead bins to prevent that.
The carry-on problems stared when airlines started charging $35-60 for a checked bag.
If you dont want to pay extra for a checked bag, youre going to have to deal with the lack of carry-on storage.
Although you can't increase leg room per se, one thing I found on a flight recently was that I was able to use a neck pillow I brought as a seat pillow. That raised me up a bit, which in return helped my leg angle at my knees just enough to be much less uncomfortable...
I'm sure more airlines may do what Sunwing has done here in Canada...a checked bag is included in your ticket, however, if you want to do carry-on, you have to pay for it (not the other way around). I can only assume this has reduced the overhead bin issues on Sunwing flights (Haven't done a carryon only in a LONG time, for me it's easier to just check my large bag and pray it gets to the resort lol)
I'd have to say that I've not encountered many of these issues in well over a hundred flights. But I'd also have to say I am often amazed at how messy passengers leave their area. Exiting a plane at the end of a long flight when all the stuff that has been discarded on the floor is visible makes me wonder what peoples homes are like.
I don't wonder...their homes and cars look the same.
The one that drives me insane is when I go to take my seat and the overhead compartment is already filled with people in the back of the planes baggage. This is BS
And airlines like to fill up the last (and front) overhead compartments with their stuff as well.. taking away too much space
Grrrr! It would be nice if this wasn’t allowed…..but not sure how it could be enforced.
One thing that some people don’t know, is that (depending on the plane) there is some overhead space that is reserved for emergency equipment (esp. for seats over emergency exits).
unless you're first, business, or premium, the overhead space is a free for all, and there for anyone to take. first come first served. overhead for premium seating is actually reserved for their use as indicated by signage now.
I have had to take my small carry on to an overhead bin at the rear of the plane, then wait til the plane had landed and disembarked everyone else to walk to the rear to get it. I was so angry that people seated in the rear put their luggage up in the overhead bins in the front of the plane.
Airlines need to ensure that oversized passengers purchase a second seat, so they are not overflowing into the people sitting next to them, which is completely gross. You shouldn’t have to cuddle with a stranger for hours.
I mentioned this in another video but if this is your greatest fear, make sure you get a bulkhead seat. The trays and IFE remote controls and/or IFE itself come out a slot under the armrest. Many of these seats have solid walls between the armrest and the seat cushion meaning there is NO overflowing into your space.
In booking a flight one should now include in the info things such as height, (leg space) weight,and of course measurements. Can you imagine gate agents standing at the bridge with a tape measure? Lol,it’s probably next on the list of hoops. To travel or not to travel,that is the question. Have a great day everyone.🙂
Reagan was such an idiot. He deregulated the airlines.
Yes please, and all too often a couple with a need for another half seat have crowded me into a very uncomfortable position for the length of the flight. Not trying to fat shame, but...if you are a larger than average human, do the polite thing and get two seats. Or find a travel partner who needs extra space and buy that middle seat to let you both breath.
😊😊😊@@littlegoobie
My flight attendant friend decided to retire after 15 years when passengers started to carry one luggage as she says it is so unsafe she was uncomfortable to continue. She says the overhead was designed if there was not enough space under the seat in front for a personal item not a suitcase.
3:56 I would also recommend noise cancelling headphones, I use the bluetooth adaptor with my airpods, and noise cancellation is a game changer.
Early morning flights are a key! After multiple delays/cancellations, I avoid afternoon fights. Not opposed to a standard/consistent ‘Red-eye” flight if it works out with my schedule.
What if checked bags were free (because of the inconvenience of waiting for them to be put on the carousel) and you had to pay for carry-on?
I’m a carry-on flier, and I would absolutely support this. The fights over bin space are awful now, and largely just because of costs. If people could check for free, that would do a lot to relieve the problem.
I regularly fly out of Australia and all my flights have included free checked luggage. This is a trade off because most flights limit the total of your carryon and personal item to 7kg i.e. 15.4 lbs, and believe me they occasionally weigh the bags at the boarding gate. Also the first 6 hours of the flight we are still over Australia.
yeah. add a fee for carryon while still imposing restrictive weight limits on them would push people to move to checked bags. Even making the checked bag cheaper than a carry on would work. $30 for 18lbs carryon and $20 for 50lbs checked. They don't need to get everyone to check bags, only enough to free up some of the overhead. From general people watching over the last decade, I can say without a doubt that the total bagged items people are passing off as their "carry ons" goes well over 50lbs.
Southwest doesn't charge for the first two. More legroom than any coach. No seat selection.
Best safety record compared to other airlines.
Fly Southwest. Besides domestic they fly to Mexico, Hawaii and I believe Puerto Rico.
Here is a concept, don't take a bag that is too large, or so many bags that it does not fit under the seat. Every passenger needs to do this.
I always select the earliest possible flight from RDU when going all the way to the Philippines. Most of the time there are very few delays on my chosen airlines and it allows for more reasonable arrival times at my destination.
FlightAware is an excellent tip for tracking delayed flights. Dressing in layers and bringing ear plugs are good tips. Thanks for all the knowledge you share!😮 yeah, I can't believe the prices nowadays don't even.include carry on luggage.
I just returned from a 3 week international trip with visits to two different countries that do not have places to shop if something is forgotten. I packed all carry on. I had only one bag, no hand bags. I was able to put my bag under the seat in front of me on most of my flights. It took a lot of thought but it can be done. There is no need to pack so much just for domestic or international flights. This came from watching a ton of your videos! Thank you for the tips.
I once spent 17 hours with my head pushed forward about 35° by the non-adjustable headrest, and my legs dangling about 5" above the floor, on an Air New Zealand flight. These planes are not made for smaller people. I requested pillows to help me sit higher and more forward on the seat to avoid the headrest, but because that would mean the seatbelt wouldn't be as secure, I was denied. *17 hours like that.* I arrived in Auckland with painful knees and a neck spasm. Not good for those with arthritis, I gotta tell ya!
So many things would be solved if people would just play by the rules, and not put two items in overhead (you are only supposed to put one item) and put that "personal item" under the seat in front of you. That being said, people are asses and either ignorant or selfish. Allowing a free checked bag would help get people onboard and offboard faster. Why do the airlines not seat the window passengers first, then middle, then aisle?
I've seen studies if what you suggest, alas, in practice it makes negligible difference.
And from back to front
I've seen those too and it's interesting. intuitively the fastest should be back to front and outside to inside. In reality, we don't think of the things that actually end up causing clogged up aisles, so the fastest turns out to be random boarding which spaces out people working their way into into their seats
They used to do it that way!! Soooo much has changed from the days when airline travel was less like a cattle call. Of course, it was more expensive back then and regulated, but a FAR more pleasant experience! Deregulation in the late 1970s changed everything. Then after September 11, heaps more changes. Now, with all the nickel and dimming and “loyalty” program levels….it’s all a bit insane anymore! 🤪
I always choose a window seat, because I am still amazed by flying and I want a view. Also, I just do not have to go to the restroom very often. And with people being overweight, at least I am not being squeezed in the middle surrounded on both sides by oversized passengers.
On our last cruise, our flight down was seamless, no problems. Post cruise, from the time leaving the ship we checked our airline app, on time. Even walking into the airport, on time. We got to the gate, again the app says on time. When we got to the gate the attendant said I'm sorry but your flight has been cancelled. Even showing her it was still showing on time, she told us " I am telling you , you're flight is cancelled" . After talking to other people who were also on our flight, one knew someone who worked at that airline & called them and was told, the flight wasn't full enough to be profitable. So who suffers?
That's awful!
don't trust the apps until you're at the gate shortly before boarding and read the screens at the gate. I've seen the app show the wrong info MANY times. It could be anything from my check-in status, my seat, the boarding gate, boarding time, to flight status. I've also seen airport flight boards showing the wrong gate, you get the gate it had up, and there's a message at the gate telling you it's been moved. The gate display and the people there are the only ones to trust.
Checking in a carry-on bag happened to my daughter recently and came back to her with a bent metal frame on the inside. Having a quality bag is even more important these days.
So true! What happened to your daughters luggage is happening more and more!
I've had multiple checked bags destroyed by airlines. One bag had a solid steel reinforcement bar, the other a high quality plastic bashed in.
You'd need tank armor to survive airline bag handlers.
@@MrVenona
I wonder how much is the bag handlers' fault, and how much is the unrealistic time pressure they are placed under? Are they just throwing bags in? Maybe someday, robots will do it, and will carefully place bags, and not just throw and wedge them in there. And the robots probably wouldn't be losing bags either. Seems to me, like bags could be photographed, and the robots would know exactly which bags need to be taken off and sent to where. Even if the checked tag has somehow fallen off. We order a package from a website, and have online tracking. Why aren't our checked bags tracked?
But by then, perhaps personal cars will fly and be self-fly, and there will be little need to cram in like cattle into some "airplane".
To stop the carry-on crisis, airlines need to:
1) give one checked bag for free,
2) charge a reasonable fee for a carry-on bag,
3) only allow as many carry-ons for spots available at the time of booking.
Or, just don't lose, damage, or delay checked baggage.
Rather than "draft" passengers for a free checked bag *after they have bought a ticket and arrived at the gate,* airlines should offer random lottery *free checked bag* at time of ticket purchase. Perhaps even start with people who *choose a middle seat.*
Here's an idea: at time of booking, passengers have three choices:
1. Check a bag for $50
2. Enter a lottery (10% chance) of a checked bag for $5
3. No checked bag
If the carry-on space is full, the airline takes volunteers for checked carry-on from people who chose (and lost) option #2. If the carry-on space is _still_ full, take volunteers who chose option #3.
@RetroDiver The airlines would have to make checked bags free and charge for carry on bags in order to make any noticeable difference in passenger behaviour.
@@bwillan that's exactly what I'm suggesting
@@djm5687 wherever you suggest a checked bag, change that to carry-on
So many airplane problems are caused by the push to carry on bags. Slow boarding times leading to flight delays, people crowding the gate and jumping ahead boarding zones just to get their precious overhead bin space.
If it won't fit under my seat, I check it. I don't want to deal with the Hunger Games of overhead bin space. Naturally I get frustrated when I see people with giant carry on bags getting their bag checked for free when I had to pay for the same service.
Lately I've noticed underseat areas taken up with some sort of box, thus reducing the underseat area so that something that normally fits underseat will not. The airlines should have this on their seat diagrams.
Airlines in general kind of suck because they are utterly putting profit over people. I hate flying with carry on because I hate lugging my bags through airports. The battle for carry-on space is leading to tensions and fist-fights between stressed passengers. All because airlines have decided to ding people for carrying stuff with them. Ridiculous!
But checking luggage, the other end of it, is ALSO bad because the handlers mash your bags up, and despite the airline industry having decades of experience, they STILL lose bags or route them to the wrong place.
And no one calls them on their sh!t because they can afford lobbyists to woo the government. Screw it! Let airlines fail.
Airlines caused this by charging for checked-in bags. They don't care about the consequences of their actions.
DanOCanI totally agree with you. I check my bag & only take on board what will fit under the seat as I, like you, don't want to get involved in the brawling for overhead space. I just wish staff would stop people putting large / several items in the overhead bins.
Great idea if you can fly with absolutely nothing important. My spouse and I fly for business, and if we arrive without our equipment we may as well not have come, so yes - we buy more expensive tickets (board earlier and better seats) and take max carry-on bags that we will never check. Judge me all you want.
Many international flights have 18lb or 7-8kg restriction on Carryon luggage. It is very difficult to find a carry-on that is inexpensive, lightweight and gate check-in worthy.
Just took a trip. Last time, had one carry-on weighing 7 kilos and a personal bag weighing 4 kilos. Not an issue. This time, different airline (Zip Air) and they weigh *both* items. Of course, I was over by four kilos. The had me put the 7 kilo carry-on bag as a check in bag, and then charged me an extra $40. Of course, these rules always depend upon the different airlines, and are not easily found online.
Last August, I was returning from Europe and my flight from Amsterdam was delayed due to ATC issues in the UK. This caused me to miss my connecting flight in Detroit. Delta did rebook me on the next flight to Las Vegas (without me needing to ask an agent). It was also delayed (I don't know why). I dealt with it like an adult (meaning I sat quietly at the gate, listening to music and reading a book).
I had a petty annoyance on my flight home from Sydney. I'm in first class, and I go to board, and I'm stopped after presenting my boarding pass. It seemed that my pre-selected seat (3C) was damaged, and I had been reassigned to 3D. That wasn't a big deal, but they spent a mess of time trying to issue me a new boarding pass when the ticket printers were inoperable. Finally they just wrote the new seat assignment on the ticket. Naturally, general boarding had begun, and I had a wait to get onto the aircraft after all that.
The flight attendant hadn't been informed of the change, and queried my presence in the seat, but accepted my story.
Now, I've never had a seat assignment changed before at boarding, but here is the kicker. When I was boarding my connecting flight from Los Angeles to Las Vegas... I was also stopped at the boarding, with a new boarding pass issued, two rows back (still in first class). In this case, I was not told why my pre-selected seat was reassigned to somebody else, though my gut tells me as a single passenger, it was easier for me to be moved in favor of a couple who couldn't handle the horror of being separated for the 45 minute flight between Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
So, after a lifetime of never having been stopped at boarding to get a new seat assignment, it then happened twice on the same journey. I just can't help but wonder why I wasn't called before boarding so that the switch didn't happen at the gate. I have a feeling that they prefer these last minute swaps so passengers are stuck with whatever they decide to issue while under psychological pressure to board the plane, rather than give them time to assess the situation and press the agents on it at the counter beforehand.
Oh, and Southwest Airlines... it was NOT cool that you canceled my nice early afternoon non-stop from Orlando to Las Vegas and rebook me on the 6:00 a.m. flight. For one, I will be disembarking from a cruise ship from Port Canaveral that morning and making that flight was impossible. I ended up having to book a flight that goes through Milwaukee of all places. I'll have to buy food in Orlando to carry on with me, as I don't need to change planes, but the longer flight time means I'll have to eat sometime during that trip.
I fly weekly (domestic). The carry-on check-in is indeed common. However, my theory is that checking those carry-ons speeds up the loading & unloading time - ten seconds saved in waiting for a pax to lift & shove one bag times 50.
I always pack my carry-on with the plan to check it to my destination at the gate. My benefit is I don't have to pull an extra bag through ATL or DEN.
times 50, plus factoring in extra time for those who lost the space over their seat and are on the hunt for overhead somewhere else.
I actually have an Airplane Tray Table Cover. Which I purchased recently. It’s a great idea, but be aware that it doesn’t fit well on the larger trays in business class / 1st class. I was able to slip it part way, but it didn’t cover all of the tray. Just an FYI.
They do disinfect those tray tables between flights. Just another FYI.
Because of all those extra fees, it sometimes costs only slightly more to fly Business or First Class, depending on the length of the flight.
I always when booking my flight, make sure that I have 3 to 4 hours between connections. I've been lucky flying United and British airways. And speaking of airports in Canada, my flight was delayed out of Montreal, thanks to the building staff locking all of us, including the pilots out and not able to get to the gate. We left almost 2 hours late. Also had a time where I was forced to check my bag in Paris while on the way to Italy. Sadly, my bag stayed in Paris. It took 24 hours to get it back
After coming back from Israel, my latter flight was on American Airlines, and I like how they handled it better than the first flight out of Israel. Rather than charging me extra fees for making me check a 2nd bag and it being overweight, they did not bother to weigh bags, or tell us if they were too large, told us to just put them onto the conveyor what we wanted to check, like they were in a hurry to get going rather than hassle us with restrictions and fees. I felt treated more like a human and not so much like cattle. Has anybody else experienced that? It was late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. I don't know if that is typical of AA though? And none of my bags were crushed.
Yes,American Airlines got me like that last year. I needed to be at my destination and I was Delayed by 3 hours sitting in Douglas Airport in Charlotte, NC
I only had three flights so far and two of them (both Lufthansa) were delayed. They did however arrive at or even before the sceduled arrival time, which was very neat. If I am given the option because it is a full flight, which two of them were, I'm even choosing to check my carry-on voluntarily because it is in my opinion the least risky checked baggage. It will definitly be loaded into your aircraft, so the worst that could happen is it doesn't arrive at baggage claim. But since it will still be at the same airport than me (talking only about direct flights obviously) it is much easier to locate. Also, I won't forget anything in the overhead bin. I understand that this is probably a very unpopular opinion and also very naive because I'm a new flyer.
Regarding the timing of flights, I never really had an option there because I live quite far away from the airport in a rural area with sometimes very infrequent public transport so the earliest time I can fly is early afternoon. For a 13:45 flight I had to leave my house at 6:15 to catch the earliest bus to the nearest small city which has a train connection to the airport.
Consider staying the night before at an airport hotel. Depending on price, of course: it may be ridiculously high.
Alaska Airlines gave my 1st class seat away that I booked months in advance most likely to someone who was willing to pay more money. It is all about profit on so many levels.
Hi Megan. I’m playing catch-up today as I haven’t been ‘presented’ with your videos in the last few weeks or maybe I just missed them(?). Another winner in this one! I got caught having to check my carry-on bag once and, unfortunately, it came back in less than stellar shape 😢. Thanks, as always, for another great video 🤗
Definitely love morning flights! Thank you for the video👍👍👍
Thank you for your great tips just found your channel and love your spin on the airline biz. They really need to up their game with rising prices. I remember full course meals in economy back in the 80,s and smoking was allowed. What were they thinking then! Cheers! Keep up the good work!
Overhead bin space is definitely an issue these days but I will NEVER check another bag after mine was lost for two weeks of a month long vacation! Not only did I have to buy all new stuff for those two weeks but it took three months to get reimbursed from the airline. Thanks Norwegian Air for the stress! Ok, done venting here 😂
My Swedish American friend flies Iceland Air. He likes it. Maybe try that one instead.
I bad my checked bag lost when I flew to Greece for a cruise and by the time it was located, we were in Turkey and it could not be delivered until we got back to Greece. Took 5 days to get it. I also had my bag lost flying to Switzerland, just for a day. And finally, Quantas lost my bag for several days when I went to Australia. I’m not checking a bag again unless I absolutely have to.
Great video, thanks Meghan.
You are very welcome!
Thank you, Megan. This video is very important. You lay out exactly the problems that are making air travel such a nightmare. My most recent experience was a nonstop flight to Orlando (and return) on Southwest. I was struggling with a sprained ankle that just would not heal, and they were very nice to me (I desperately needed pre-boarding because, in the crush of people, if i tripped and fell it could mean the end of my independence.) I will no longer travel overseas because of all the problems you bring up.
We almost always have at least one checked bag per trip. So we always talk to the gate agent upon arrival and offer to check our carryon bags.
I have both the Carl Friedrik carry on and the Bluetooth wireless airplane adapter. These are game changers. 😊
Ordering a special meal is not always the best choice. I ordered a low sodium meal on an overnight flight on American . Not only was it cold , it was inedible. The tray had butter but no bread and a bag of cheese crackers that had a ton of salt. In the morning everybody’s breakfast included yoghurt but mine didn’t. I’ve never known yoghurt to be high in salt. I strongly recommend avoiding AA low sodium food.
I never fly American. I got the worst service every time!
I've had good luck with the fruit plate. Typically seasonal fresh fruit and a yogurt. Then I always have a trail mix or something in my bag.
@@chiarac3833 On American Airlines? If so, I will try that next time. Thank you.
@@aminor7476 Yes...avoiding American Airlines whenever possible is the answer.
Thank you Megan! 😊👍
My pleasure! Safe travels!
A lot of the problem with meals, leg room, and checking of carry on baggage can be solved by booking business class.
And with cc points, it is often possible to get a free or low price business class flight.
I always book very first flight of the day when leaving: whether from home or returning to home.
We, too, are zealous “first flight out” flyers….even if it’s always a crap-shoot - at least you feel like you’ve got a little bit of a better chance of your flight getting airborne in a timely matter. Uh..weather permitting, of course!!
Yes, first flight out. I started doing that when I had to travel for business. Now that I am retired and more likely to be visiting family, I'm finding it hard to expect family who are still working to get me to the airport at 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning to make those homebound flights. In one case, I booked an airport hotel and had an elderly cousin drop me off the night before. Not rich...makes some trips difficult to afford.
Early as in 6.00 am? My regular commute involves that because of the alternative being late Evie ne and a risk of losing my connection. But a 6.00 flight means getting up at 4.00
@@patrickmccutcheon9361 yes! I’ve been to Ohare before they are even officially “open” to ensure I get out and not get hung up with delays etc. getting up at 3 or 4 am not bad because I get to nap on the flight. 😎
Your doggie is very cute & adorable !! 😍
Thank you for this information .i love your channel.
You are so welcome! Great having you on the channel!
15 minute grace period for being on time? That is ridiculous. As for carry on bags, they should enforce the size rules (before security) as many of them are over stuffed and take up more space than necessary. Also the amount of overhead bin space taken up by airline equipment is problematic. Since passengers are paying for carry on bag space (either in the ticket price or as an upgrade), the airlines should find other spots to store this equipment.
Every point spot on. Traveling out of EWR I always opt for the first flight out.
Glad you think so! Happy travels, Carl!
Your visionary thoughts on a much needed industry disruption puts you in the next level as a youtuber. I liked that. Brilliant, hats off. And certainly the question is who is the disruptor.
Thanks Megan.
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!
Thanks
I always have my Clorox wipes in my purse to wipe my tray table down….and I never get anything out of that back pocket….after to listening to you I think I will buy my son one of those airline covers…..he travels quite a bit for his job….he might really like that….😊
I have one of those covers and use it all the time. I also wipe down the entire area of my seat. People used to look at me as if I was crazy, but not any more.
@@robinmcgann3777 I don't, and still haven't caught anything from flying. I do have a pretty good immune system, though.
@@elouise5593 I hadn't either until a flight from FLL to BWI way to close to Thanksgiving...lots of young children on the flight. Two months of respiratory distress, not sure what virus until I visited DC at Christmas and got COVID. Mild case but...crowded spaces are still "dangerous."
You have a wonderful, clear voice. Great job.
Thank you so much!
I have been flying since 1972. Did my Air Traffic Control training in Toronto. I did avoid travelling through Toronto when I could for a few years. However. I find, in the last 15-20 years, Pearson has improved. If you use common courtesy, I find 95% of the time you get very good service. Now, I cannot say the same for Montreal airport. I have NEVER encountered such rude, arrogant, miserable service as there! And I speak French! I avoid Montreal airport at all cost! And I disagree with you on Paris airport. We were treated with smiles, and VERY helpful staff.
Flight Aware is so helpful.
Air Canada is officially the worst in North America for on time flights. It also seems to have it in for Winnipeg- I've had 2 late evening flights cancelled on return from overseas trips- one from Toronto and one from Montreal. Other airlines are playing the let's change the itinerary game as well. I still have 2 months to go before my next trip and it's been changed 4 times already. Thank the gods I have an excellent travel agent. I love to travel, but the airline industry makes it impossible to enjoy flying as it did even 20 years ago.
I've had the "change the itinerary" happen too often. Once, I paid extra for a direct flight only to have the itinerary change several times to many layovers. When I called to ask for a refund for the price difference, I got nothing.
Canadian laws make it really hard to start an airline to compete with Air Canada and West Jet.
If you don't like Canadian air travel - don't vote for the people in power.
Depending on if I am stopping in the destination city of have an up to a three hour train ride after the flight is dependent on weather I like to travel stay at the airport before first flight in the morning or a later one because if I take the first when I am staying in the city I would arrive at like 8am and have to wait until 14:00 to check in.
I love your content! So interesting and intelligent ❤️
Thanks you so much! Glad you enjoy it!
It's good that EU regulations are relatively advanced on these matters. Still has to be implemented in practice of course. Concerning special meals: I have noticed that vegetarian, gluten free and vegan meals are often merged into one and result into a hideous concoction.
Red eye flights work best for me for flights to Europe because I get there at a reasonable time.
Ms. Megan--your video content and presentation skills are outstanding! I appreciate the manner in which you organize the material, offer truly helpful travel hacks/tips, and experience-based advice. Your on-line persona is both pleasant and professional. You are a quality, pragmatic, and worthwhile influencer! Thank you!
if companies weren't trying to maximize profits cramming tons of flights/day for a plane and actually allowed more time to clean and prep a plane, delays could be mitigated a bit more.
airplanes need to enforce 2 bags carried on, 1 personal and one that is size/weight enforced.
i prefer morning flights. i will actually do overnight in an airport, cause it's less people and i have time to myself and wait for the morning flight.
and attendants need to look at overhead bins more. why are people putting a small bag/coat/etc up top and taking up bin space? i had a guy on a recent flight put 3 bags up top!!
I think more stuff would fit into the bins, if flight attendants would be more helpful, and fold or roll up that coat, put it on top of the person's bag, so that there is not empty voids left in the bins. They would have the experience, whereas many people who fly, either don't do it that much, or are inconsiderate to leave space for other people. There may be a few people who could be asked if they could stow that bag underneath their seat. I prefer mine underneath my seat anyway where I can watch it, or pull my headphones out of it.
I feel load the plane back to front. One medium carry on, one small personal bag, one free check bag. Improve their “lost” baggage issues so people will use the check bag process. Stop over booking that creates unnecessary delays and chaos.
Back to front boarding is a major problem as the those in Back will stuff their crap in business class and forward bins then you have to gate check your carry-on. Take their crap back to them and dump in their laps or throw out the door.
@@danielpearson4972 That depends on if the flight attendants are keeping an eye on them. I was annoyed on one flight I took, because I had to gate check my bag, when there was no one in business class, so the bins had nothing in them! Maybe if they would watch how much some were putting in the regular bins, others wouldn't have to gate check theirs!
Morning for sure😊
One thing that really gets me angry is that I check a small, carry-on sized suitcase and pay the fee, only to find that the airline gives free checked bags to people at the gate. People actually seem to expect this. The airlines should be required, for safety reasons to include a small checked bag in the airfare. This would increase safety by having less in the cabin to cause injury during turbulence, and would allow speedier and more thorough TSA screening, and would allow speedier and less chaotic boarding and disembarking.
But people would still avoid checking. Partly so airlines don't send y8ur bagage to Tokyo, when you are going to Charlotte, NC and partly so they don't have to wait for it on arrival.
Perhaps a lottery system *at time of ticket purchase* and/or discounts on a checked bag for people who *choose the middle seat.*
Here's an idea: at time of booking, passengers have three choices:
1. Check a bag for $50
2. Enter a lottery (10% chance) of a checked bag for $5
3. No checked bag
If the carry-on space is full, the airline takes volunteers for checked carry-on from people who chose (and lost) option #2. If the carry-on space is _still_ full, take volunteers who chose option #3.
Until the airlines do better to stop luggage pilfering and domestic airports sterilize the baggage claim area and reinstate ownership verification for bags, people will still opt to keep their bags with them. I just watched a video about a thief who did all of his shopping at airport baggage claims…just grabbing bags off of carousels and reloading up his pickup outside…not a single security person stopped him until passengers started complaining about missing bags.
Early morning flight always
In all my years of flying I’ve had a couple of times my outbound luggage wa only delayed by one flight. Returning hasn’t been as good. The most recent delays were returning from South Africa. One took 3 days the other was 6 days late. Both were delivered to my home.
That's not bad. I was delivered a full week late during that 2017 "polar vortex" event, if you remember that. I was stuck in airports for a week.
What a cute puppy !!!
8:02, It's similar to my China Eastern, Boeing 777-300ER flight when I flew last June from Shanghai to London on a 11 and a half hour flight, the flight is okay, the cabin is hot because there is no air vent and it's warm and hot in Shanghai.
The last minute checking of carryon is always a hassle so I always have it locked and wrapped just in case…
Hi Meghan, do US rules of lost luggage apply to COPA AIRLINES? It’s been more than 2 months that they lost my suitcase.
Having enough time for the baggage system to move your luggage from one flight to another seems important. A friend returning from Iceland had booked a connection from her international flight to a domestic one at JFK with less than 30 minutes for all of that to happen, much less for her to get to her gate. I encouraged her to change it...she was glad she did after she did some research on necessary connection intervals. There ARE worse things than reading a book for an hour or two in an airport.
I do order special meals every time. Only negative is the time I have the empty tray in front of me before cleanup that usually happens at the same time as the regular meal passengers.
I agree - we ordered vegetarian meals once on an international flight & it came early but it was then in front of us for a very long time. I usually just eat the "extras" now (bread, crackers, yoghurt, cheese, dessert) & bring snacks as well
Well boo hoo. If you want instant service. Book a private jet.
The issue is that North America-based full-service airlines (Delta, United, American Air, Air Canada, AeroMexico) behave like cheapo low cost budget airlines. When you fly in Korea, Japan, Thailand, etc. domestically and book with their full service carriers like Korean Air, ANA, JAL, or Thai Airways, passengers get to check their bags for free (and might even get some decent snack / food), and most people check their bags. (Also it helps that their luggage people are efficient, so your bags come out within 20-30 minutes even for a full Dreamliner)
I find flying in North America to be generally stressful and irritating because I can't even pay to get out of being treated like cattle. But then people don't want to pay for anything, so this is what you have. Full service airlines charge more for domestic, but I pay the fare because I'm treated like a valued customer from check-in to boarding, without agents constantly demanding to swipe my credit card. If you add up all the fees for bags, food, drinks, etc. full service airlines' fare isn't that much more expensive anyway.
Last time I flew on Delta, I loved it! Was treated better than on most US based airlines.
Now, I take the earliest flight with the least plane changes. (Often around 6:30.) When I was working, Tule Fog interfeared with incoming flights. To avoid delays due to Tule Fog, I always took the first flight because the plane came in the night before.
Not only flying out of Toronto, but also flying Air Canada. Amost assured you will be delayed, or worse yet it is totally cancelled, and while you have the booking, changes of time happening over and over.
Air lines need to reduce the number of seats in all planes by 20%.
Well if _not-the-rightful-"President"_ ByeDone would stop blocking proper oil development so that fuel would be cheap as it should be, and rampant government corruption was reduced, maybe so many businesses wouldn't be so hurting to try to remain profitable, and we could afford to fly more airplanes, space the seats a bit father apart, and to treat people like humans and not so much like cattle.
So how long will it take to improve under Trump's 3rd term?
Flight delays are one big reason I tend to avoid any flights that have connections and almost will pay a little extra for a direct flight, or fly at perhaps a less convenient time as it ensures that IF the flight is delayed, I won't have to worry about missing a connection, which has never happened yet to me, but almost did when I had 10 minutes to switch planes BNA (Nashville, TN airport) on my way to Atlanta, GA. Luckily I didn't have anything to do so I just needed to arrive at Atlanta that day (any time) and they had other flights that flew there as well, but I lucked out on that one. Personally I think while I don't care much for government intervention, this may be an exception and they should tighten up the rules on what airlines are required to do when people miss connections or have significant delays (say more than 2 hours) and especially if the plane has already left the gate or is otherwise not at the gate.
BUT IF you must use a connection, I would say try to leave atl east 2 hours between flights, that way if one is delayed, it's not a big deal or if you have to get across the airport (which can take an hour in some cases) you'd be fine. I would say that I prefer to fly early morning but partially because on my travel days , this gives me basically a free day to do what I want -- and some locations I go to this could mean exploring the area or having something like a "1 day" vacation at someone elses expense (usually the client's but they know that they are paying for my travel days and that I don't work on the travel days so it's fine, and I sometimes will take advantage of that particularly if it's a city or state I'm interested in exploring or have been wanting to visit, such as New York City or San Francisco among many others).
Personally, I think that carry-ons should just be an add-on charge, but not a huge charge, maybe $20 more. Many airlines are sort of starting to do this (like United has their Basic Economy which doesn't have a carry-on allowance, but regular Economy does, but regular economy is about $30-$50 more depending on the flight, so you are in effect, paying for a carry-on, which for me, is fine, because $30 is cheaper than the $60 bag fee some airlines charge).
$595 for a carryon? No gracias.
Hey Megan. The dashboard line you link dosen't include Canadian airlines. ???????????????????? You seem to be Canadian can you suggest a site like this for Canadians?
Megan, as I almost exclusively fly to Thailand these days, and use Southwest points to get from KC to LAX, then buy a cheap ticket from LAX to either BKK or CNX, delays do concern me more than the average passenger. If there is a significant delay or cancellation on Southwest, I’m screwed. The airline that I’m using to fly to Thailand has no obligation to rebook my flight. I usually allow 6-8 hours between landing and taking off at LAX. There are at least 10 flights between KC and LAX a day on Southwest; enough to allow me to change to another flight if I have to. This flight in May is the second time that I’m flying Philippines Airlines (PAL), the reason being I can fly economy round trip for $570. It is rated as one of the worst airlines for delays and cancellations. That’s why I’m taking a 10 PM train to Chiangmai after arriving at BKK at 12:15 PM, even though I can’t sleep on a Thai train.
I fully expect all airlines serving the U.S. to Asia route to only allow 1 free checked bag sometime in the next 5 years. They will probably make meals payable separate from the ticket. I can’t think of any Uber type of transformation of the airline industry but can’t wait to see it happen!
We fly with carry-on only, my personal bag is larger but still fits under the seat…I made it from a light canvas & don’t stuff it until it’s tight so it can easily fit under the seat.
I prefer morning flights because then I’m at my destination early enough that I can still enjoy the area or drive in daylight. The only time it didn’t work out, where I had to dive myself to a hotel that wasn’t in the area, was when I gave up my seat for $600 & a later flight. A man needed to get to LA & he looked like something very stressful had happened. I need up taking the flight at the time I would’ve been landing. I needed to drive in LA in the dark but it was worth it.
Every time that I go through security, I get a secondary screening. My shoes and hands get swabbed, my belt line gets inspected, etc. I have a knee and both shoulder replacements. I also had a "Trusted Traveler ID. I tell security, but it doesn't matter to them. Is there any way that I can get through security like a normal person? Thanks.
I prefer evening flights. I dont like staying at airport hotels and getting up at 4am. Ive done it a few times. I dont get any sleep. They are noisy. Its also pretty expensive to stay in airport hotels i dont think its worth the money. I like to travel straight to the airport on the morning of the flight.
Once I had the first flight out from Frankfurt so I stayed at an airport hotel. I still missed the flight because I could NOT find anyone at the airport to help with directions. There was just NO ONE around! When they had to rebook me, it looked as if I had a one-way ticket, so I got treated to many, many extra searches on the way back. Oh, yeah, Granny is a terrorist, for sure.
That sucks. I travel from Manchester Airport its not great either. So chaotic. Yeah it can cost me an extra €200 for a few uncomfortable hours at an airport hotel.
Managing the expectations of flyers would be a huge improvement. Some passengers think that airlines have a supply of spare planes and crew at every airport that can be swapped in when crew or mechanical problems occur..
I travel a ton and don’t have unreasonable issues with “passenger experience”
Not sure if industry needs a “disruption”
Just wish we could teleport, so much easier 😂
_Star Trek_ has not really answered the important questions about their "transporter". How many errors occur with your re-assembly? Is it really safe? Does it make a "copy" of you and "delete" the original? Does it hurt? I suggest that self-fly flying cars are far more likely to be in our near future, and that would solve many of the problems, such as lost luggage or even having to be crammed into an "airplane".
Flying cars likely would be faster than airplanes as well, because they would fly "as the crow flies", straight from where you live to your destination, without all of those delays. No runway needed, vertical takeoff. Like a _Star Trek_ shuttlecraft that just magically levitates. Speed limit in the sky could be 300 or 500 mph, much the same as airplanes. Just below Mach 1 or a bit slower than the sound barrier. Powered by free-energy or by "fuel pellets" which is probably _The Jetsons_ code for nuclear power, you would not have to worry about stopping to refuel. If not that "anti-gravity" beam, then electric-powered turbofan "jet engines" that burn no fuel. Probably not battery-powered but rather free-energy powered. Probably quieter than jet engines. I think that free-energy machines exist already, but if they do, the evil elitists surely are suppressing the technology, because they are evil control freaks.
Flying cars could be personally owned, or rented. Placed in your driveway or garage.
I personally prefer early flights (Toronto Ontario Canada). For weeklong all-inclusive trips this does mean the return flight is also early and you get picked up at the resort before buffet is open but that's a small price to pay to not be sitting around at the resort after checkout for hours with no room anymore. The only kicker is coming home is now rush hour (thankfully we can pay extra for a toll highway so it's not as bad time wise, just an extra expense).
Give advise on travel with your dog. One would be in cabin with you and other is in the hole. What are issues of connections???
It depends where im going but most of the time afternoon flight
My luggage was lost enroute from NJ-Swiss Air-Florence. The Florence airport is small, frankly they couldnt care less. There were at least 13 other people who lost luggage from all over same time. I had to go in and search myself amongst 100s of bags. ONE of my bags was found on the 4th day...the customer service said it was there in Florence. I again searched the giant areas. Nothing. The person said maybe its at blah blah. I had a security agent take me outside, walked all around the airport, to an area that was outside, like a giant loading dock. I started looking...200 bags...luckily, I found the bag that they said was there. It had already been rerouted to my relative's address in suburbs of Sienna. Luckily, sitting right next to my tagged bag was my OTHER bag I checked. It had not been tagged, it was just there. This was the 4th day missing, on a Friday. My relative said 'oh you wouldnt have gotten it on weekend, theyd drive it on Monday..."
My sister had visited Florence a month before, her luggage was also lost! Her daughter in law (lives in italy) had to search a warehouse of hundreds of bags!!! I dont own an apple phone, but ill be buying a Samsung Android tracker. Luckily i had packed underwear and an outfit plus meds...but FOUE DAYS LOST.
I've heard the most complaints about Italian air services and lost luggage.
Have had lost bags in the U.S., but usually get it back quickly. However in Canada on a flight from Montreal to Vancouver my bag was lost. It went to Rio De Janeiro. The Rio airport bag service contacted me and I told the airline. The bag was pilfered and I ended up with full compensation.
Wow, we had a couple wandering but in general they were in the same direction! The pilfering is what I’ve worried about recently. With the new suitcases having built in tsa locks there’s no place to put a “real” lock. Granted in the case of checked bags there would be no time you could do that but after that they would hep a lot!
I flew on an airline with dirt cheap tickets but charged for carry-on, might be the solution for slow boarding and full bins.
Subscribed! Amazing content
Also i see you’ve promoted Nord and Express Vpn, which do you recommend?
Thanks 🙏🏻
Great to have you on the channel! You can’t go wrong with either!
Earliest flight for sure!! I can sleep another time 😝