TravelCommentator

Category: Opinion

Air Travel / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Items Stolen From Checked Luggage?

Well, when and where can thieves get to your luggage? Most logically when it is unattended and out of sight. I suppose after check-in before ending up in the cargo hold and as they come off the plane before they arrive at the luggage carousel. Basically anywhere while in transit. Where you aren’t around and can’t see them. Should luggage get ripped, broken open or damaged so the contents becomes exposed there’s always the chance someone will see what you have and may be tempted to appropriate your belongings. Obviously grabbing anything of value first. Of course this stuff shouldn’t be in checked-in lugagge in the first place. Checked-in luggage I always advise buying hard-shell framed luggage that have no zips. The ones made...

Air Travel / Airlines / Opinion

A Baby Named Jet Star

Baby born on plane named after the airline…could mean free flights for life or close to it. Timing the birth of babies can be most unexpected. An expectant mother delivered hers on a Jetstar Asia flight travelling from Singapore to Yangon, Myanmar. She went into labour moments after take-off and lucky for her, would you believe, there were three doctors from the one family on the flight. They helped the woman while the crew called for further medical assistance. Passengers on board clapped with joy welcoming the 2.9kg baby boy as the doctors assisted in the delivery. The mother overjoyed by the care she received from the airline then named her son “Saw Jet Star”. The airline has offered the family $AUD1000 worth of...

Air Travel / Opinion

Air Quality Better In Business Class?

The simple answer is no. They breathe the same air as everyone else on board including the crew in the cockpit. What about flatulence? Well, this is something we all do. Some more than others and will depend on several factors: your state of health and your diet. If you’ve eaten something that will exasperate it, then there’s no chance of avoiding it. Since Business Class passengers do get to eat a wider variety of food, mostly the healthy kind during their stays in lounges pre flight and on board, there’s a possibility they’ll contribute more. Passengers in Economy – usually on tight budgets – may have a propensity to save their money during layovers making them more likely to eat less and perhaps...

Airlines / Opinion

Sky High Fashion

Who has the best look in the sky among the cabin crews? Singapore Girl and the sarong kebaya any day, of course! The boys also deserve a mention smartly attired in their suits and ties according to rank. Malaysia Airlines isn’t too far off with their bright coloured sarong kebaya. Garuda Indonesia too uses a batik design. Also should mention Thai Airways. No sarong kebaya and batik, but great colourful uniforms. All round the Southeast Asian airlines get my tick of approval in the fashion stakes.

Air Travel / Opinion

Passengers Fleeing Burning Plane Cop Flack

And so they should…if they take their carry-ons with them! I understand people are too attached to their belongings but in an emergency situation when life – yours and others – is in serious danger the priority is to get to safety as quickly as possible. Carry-on bags should be your last thought. If you really need to take something with you, I’d suggest a bum bag (or as the Americans call it a fanny pack). This is perfect to store smartphone, passport, medications and some cash (but not required if you have credit/debit/travel cards). You should also have PDF copies of important documents on your smartphone. I make copies of all documents including tickets, reservations, insurance, etc. A bag as such is small...

Air Travel / Aircraft / Opinion

Nightmare face to face airline seats revealed

Airline industry seat supplier Zodiac Seats France wants to introduce alternating forward and backward facing seats, placed side-by-side. This seating configuration has been referred to as awkward, nightmarish, hellish and even evil! A lot of hate for these seats and I don’t blame those who’ve made these comments. I’ve got a different take on these. I see them as a safety concern. I really wonder whether they have seriously tested this in an emergency situation. Whether passengers will be disorientated in an evacuation, especially if the cabin is full of smoke. It only takes a few to lose their sense of direction and confusion and panic to set in and we’ll have a disaster. I’m not sold on this idea of people sitting in...

Cruising / Opinion / Tips & Advice

Stress free family holiday? Go cruising!

There was a time when cruising was synonymous with elderly retired couples – But that’s not the case any more, says Travel Weekly. Cruising is a great way to have a family holiday. The unpacking once and getting down to relaxation is one of the best reasons for going on a cruise. Besides the food, entertainment and all the amenities of a luxury hotel, you get to see different ports and countries while you are at it. If you must fly long-haul to get to your cruise port I would suggest not taking toddlers. I don’t see the value of taking kids at that age. They won’t remember anything. Kindergarten age, 4-5 years up is fine. My choice of cruise line? Disney Cruises. They...

Aircraft / Opinion

Airbus touts more seats in superjumbo

The Airbus A380 is such a great jetliner, but it could soon to be ruined by the greedy beancounters. Airbus is thinking about increasing the maximum passenger load. I surely hope no one takes up this option. Let’s also not forget safety. With more passengers onboard it will be harder for them to evacuate within the 90 second time period recommended by safety authorities. Any longer, especially during a fire, it will become harder for anyone to escape without injuries. Our response as passengers should be to boycott any airline advocating the 3-5-3 configuration! In this case I’ve got my sights squarely aimed at Emirates who are the biggest users of the plane. Hope they are listening. Update: So far no airline has taken...

Opinion / Technology

Making tavel easier with smartphone apps, but do they?

There are some apps that are very useful while travelling and make the experience less of a worry and others that are just a waste of space. Traveller.com.au in a recent article mentioned ten apps that should make that easier. Here’s the list: Of all these apps the one that stands out the most is TripIt, which is free. There is also a paid version, TripIt Pro, but the free version has many of the bells and whistles that’s required to keep your travel plans in order. I’ve used TripIt and it’s great, but I’ve come to like another very similar app, TripCase (from Sabre), which is totally free and does not require a pro version. If you travel a lot and in particular...

Air Travel / Opinion

Are aircraft cabins clean?

Michael Gebicki is correct in saying it’s only a quick tidy-up when there’s a short turnaround. The best cleaning is done during the longer layovers in the airlines’ respective hubs. So yes, do take your sanitiser wipes with you into the cabin. You’ll need them sooner or later for the trays, armrests, lavatory door handles, etc. As for the air breathed. I wouldn’t worry too much. There’s no more germs in the air than what you’ll find in any other crowded space. The pilots also breathe the same air as the passengers so it can’t be all that bad! What is noticeable though is the dryness of the air. This cannot be avoided as condensation from humidity can corrode the airframe. Newer planes such...

Airports / Opinion

Security at Australian airports, sensible or neurotic?

Show of force and heavy handed security is not required at airports. Perhaps even paranoid…Anyhow, governments know security can be done covertly, but they prefer to be seen doing something and the best way is to show who’s boss. That’s why you get screened, scanned, x-rayed, proded and body searched. Only foolish terrorists will get caught, just like drug mules and users who think they can import illegal substances through immigration and customs. Terrorists don’t need to board planes to cause mayhem. They can do this anywhere on airport property and not pass any security checks at all. That’s the worrying thing. They will come up with new ways of causing death and destruction. Real security should start way before anyone gets near an...

Airlines / Loyalty / Opinion

Emirates tattoo scores passenger upgrades

A badly dressed teacher has earned himself some perks thanks to the airline’s logo tattooed on one of his arms…Emirates Passenger Scores Free Upgrades If this guy wasn’t a true frequent flyer with status I doubt anyone high up in the airline would’ve given him upgrades. Anyhow, don’t you all go out and do the same as there’s no guarantee you’ll get anything but a few thumbs up from check-in and the FAs. Besides you may end up being stuck with something you may regret later or if you decide to tattoo all your favourite airlines down your arm!! So stick with earning frequent flyer points, status by being loyal, and of course, dressing well! Cheers