Any advice with American airline companies?

[surfsama]

This is probably more than you asked for but if it helps save a few bucks...

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/reports/atcr08.htm

As for personal experiences, read my vent.

[godix]

If at all possible mail your shit ahead of you. Find someone in the US who's going that you trust and fedex your crap to them. If you don't trust anyone over here then some hotels will accept and hold packages for you provided you have a reservation but I'd check with the hotel first on that. The hassle of not going through checking in, and losing, your luggage is worth it. It also makes security easier if you just have a small carry on bag without much in it as well. Then there's the fragility issue, fedex is generally kinder to boxes than airlines are to luggage. Do the same on your way back, last stop before hitting the airport and going home should be a fedex store to send all your crap to your home.

Don't pack toothpaste, shampoo, and other crap like that. It's easier to just stop by a walmart at your destination and pick up that stuff. If you think about it some you might even be able to get away without packing a full set of cloths. You planning on buying a t-shirt at the con? That's one less you gotta pack.

[wurpess]

Effective June 15th, American Airlines will be charging for 1st checked bag. Not sure if it applies to you or not. But reading the guidelines on what they do and don't charge for, it sounds like if you went with them, you would at least be paying for checked baggage coming in. (But it sounds like you would be ok leaving. Unless you just put everything in a carry-on. Then you're fine.) I was ok with Northwest, but if they merged with Delta, then I don't know. (Didn't really like Delta. ) I don't think I've ever flown with Continental. Though I think Godix's idea(s) is probably best luggage-wise.

[Kitsuner]

speaking of TSA be sure to look up all the rules on liquids and other items allowed on the plane/carry on... or just buy your shampoo/toothpaste etc at your destination because you are only allowed travel size products in a 1 quart zip lock bag in the usa... make sure you put them in the ziplock too..

I really don't get why someone would bring toothpaste or shampoo or the like ON the plane. Most flights aren't nearly long enough to suggest things like that to be necessary/useful.

[BasharOfTheAges]

speaking of TSA be sure to look up all the rules on liquids and other items allowed on the plane/carry on... or just buy your shampoo/toothpaste etc at your destination because you are only allowed travel size products in a 1 quart zip lock bag in the usa... make sure you put them in the ziplock too..

I really don't get why someone would bring toothpaste or shampoo or the like ON the plane. Most flights aren't nearly long enough to suggest things like that to be necessary/useful.

So they don't have to check a bag and risk having it disappear? I know plenty of people that go on short trips with just a carry-on bag so they don't have to deal with the airlines losing their luggage.

[Orwell]

I'd also advise avoiding a US airline if you can. It doesn't happen often, but they've been known to land on the 101st floor. Quite impractical if you ask me.

[JaddziaDax]

So they don't have to check a bag and risk having it disappear? I know plenty of people that go on short trips with just a carry-on bag so they don't have to deal with the airlines losing their luggage.

thats what I do for cons and such.

[Douggie]

Thanks for the advice/stories, people! I know I probably won't be having enough with one bag as I'm staying 2.5 weeks in the US. And I probably have to bring back souvenirs for people. And yeah, I'll take a sturdy bag!

The problem is that I have to take an American airline company, because I'll be flying from Amsterdam to New York. Then fly from New York to Atlanta (I come one day earlier, because I wanna see the Georgia Aquarium ). Then drive with you guys from Atlanta to Chicago. Then fly from Chicago back to Amsterdam. If don't use an American airline company, it'll cost me at least 1300 EUROs, which I find very expensive to do so - and for flights within the USA, there will be no other choice anyway.

Expedia shows me: American Airlines: 602, Continental: 680, United: 736 and Northwest: 962. Orbitz gives a few other options, including British Airways or BMI mixed with American Airlines. Also Delta for 703. As for now I tend to go with Continental or Delta, because it seems like (mostly) everybody is avoiding American Airlines here and 2 of the 3 flights are non-stop.

It's generally advised that if you fly through the US, you avoid Atlanta and Chicago (lol, ironic considering where the cons are).

Hmmm, that's the two airports I will be using! :O But my trip back to Amsterdam is most likely not going to be non-stop, so I have a choice of a few cities I have to stop to. I heard in the north they are stricter with checking, so there's a chance you might miss the plane (I heard 2 hours is just not enough to transfer planes), so I tend to choose going back through Atlanta instead of Newark or Cincinnati. So I don't know if that's still a bad choice?

(btw, are you flying into Chicago and driving down with us? (Brad, Jay and all of us) or are you flying directly into Atlanta? I can't remember hehe :3)

Hehe, it's both flying and driving with you guys! see up

2) If your checking a bag, use TSA approved locks.

Thanks for the info! I'll check them out! But do they break open each bag or did you have something suspicious looking in your bag? :O


Oh yeah, another question: anybody having experience with Expedia or Orbitz?

[Nessephanie]

otay! I wasn't sure if you were driving down and back, or just back ^^

As for opening your bag, the only times it's happened to me is when I've packed my laptop in my checked bag. I guess a large metal object is suspicious >_>

[Copycat_Revolver]

Screw all that nonsense, I'll be taking a bus to awa.


...uh.