10 Airport Secrets Never Told to Passengers (Avoid this SCAM!)
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- Опубліковано 10 тра 2024
- 10 Airport Secrets that will make you MAD, help you SAVE MONEY and navigate the airport like a PRO in 2024. These are the things airline and airport staff DO NOT want you to know. Stay tuned to learn about hidden airport amenities, sneaky airport travel hacks and tips to save money when you travel.
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Welcome to Portable Professional, where I, Megan, use my experience from over 300 flights to offer you simple, practical and game-changing travel tips and hacks. Our mission is to help you reduce stress and make the most of every trip.
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🐶 Chapters
00:00 Must-know airport secrets
00:13 Secret #1: transportation rip-offs
00:41 Money saving trick
01:11 Secret #2: drop off and pick up zones
02:10 Secret #3: Your items are being SOLD
03:08 Secret #4: Airport lost & found trick
03:49 Secret #5: The cheapest place to eat
05:01 Secret #6: These are hidden away...
06:03 Secret #7: SNEAKY money traps
07:40 Secret #8: Secret free amenities
08:35 Secret #9: Airport slots (they matter!)
09:31 Secret #10: TSA and baggage thieves
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Might not want to recommend using unknown USB devices as that is a popular method of hacking phones and computers. Takes less than 1 second after connection to be hacked.
Delayed gate announcement is not a matter of commercial trap, but of security and safety. Also, 90 minutes in advance is NOT briefly before departure. Heck, in most European countries you can travel from a central city to a border by car in that amount of time.
If people go hang around their gate longer in advance, they clog up the seating area for the flights that will depart from that gate before theirs, they mix in with people from other planes (which increases carry-on switch thefts or chances for terrorist attacks) and they just increase the general number of people in one spot that is usually smaller than the spread out shopping area, and by definition the presence of gates limits the options for evacuation while the shopping areas usually can evacuate in every direction.
So no, it's NOT an "annoying" sneaky trick, but a deliberate safety measure for you as a passenger.
The arrival vs. departure hack is 100%. I traveled extensively for about 10 years, and this was a MAJOR time saver! You get dropped off in arrivals, take an escalator, and BOOM, you're in departures. In many airports, the walk from arrivals is shorter, because they know they can't sell you anything.
Not globally. Only in the US. Fines apply in most countries.
this is not a 100 percent hack. while what you said in terms of being closer may be fact, but many airports will fine the driver for violating those rules. vegas is notorious for this against drivers, usually against the for hire drivers but if you are getting dropped off by a friend or family, they tend to take the "oh im sorry im an idiot and got lost" defense.
I always go to departures and catch a taxi for less than half of the fe
My wife and I use the arrive and picked up at departure, because when you land a 100 to 200 people from your plane will want to get picked up at the same time. Where at departure it would be very rare that everyone shows up at the same time at the airport to take off. I don’t understand the going to arrival to depart because you could show up when a plane just landed and everyone is coming out to get picked up.
As I was waiting for my ride at arrivals LAX, a officer told the driver of a car that he would be ticketed if his passenger did not get back into the car , and take him to departures.
Regular ding busses again at LAX, the bus drivers are asking if you are staying with them. I would not be surprised if they start asking for reservation confirmation
Tsa can do anything they want. They have Unlimited power. I have mobility problems. Iask then to please scan my elastic belt that was on my trousers, i was forced to remove my belt, my pants almost fell down and it took me 15 min to put my belt back on. Tsa officials laughed at me. TSA is untouchable.
That’s horrible! I’d definitely put in a complaint & ruffle some feathers.
What a terrible experience for you! I would like to believe that TSA agent is an exception, not the rule🤔
Did you book mobility help? With them tsa was hassle free.
Not quite. They couldn’t refuse my batteries, they needed to call the airline! Yes, their, tsa, rules clearly said they were allowed! They have however drug things out longer than I thought I should be waiting.
TSA can be real ...ok, noun deleted. My adult daughter needs wheelchair assist to walk long distances. She no longer wears her braces to go to airports (packs them in luggage) because TSA sometimes makes her remove them. This is a pain, especially doing it "in public." Easier to put up with a few rude people commenting that "You look young and healthy. Why do you need a wheelchair?" Of course, packing them carried the risk of a very expensive, valuable item being lost.
I spent a whole day in Schipol during Christmas time one year because of Schengen visa time limits (long story). I felt like that Tom Hanks character stuck in transit limbo. The thing is, I had a wonderful time! They had a free mini-Rijksmuseem with fine art, an indoor "park" with fake trees and chirping birds, a free e-library, a quiet meditation center, observation tower, great shopping and restaurants, a capsule hotel with showers, and a Dutch culture center. I explored every meter of that airport and discovered lots of free stuff.
But now, I am hooked on airline lounges. I use miles, and I tend to get my full value. Food, drinks (incl. beer and wine), snacks, shower, free wifi, and sometimes a snooze on a comfortable lounge chair in the quiet area.
You really made the best of what could have been along tedious wait!
Happy travels!
I've had transfer at Schiphol on my way to and from Asia, and I'd have to say it's the best airport I've ever been to! It's such a relaxing and homey atmosphere and it feels more like a relaxing mall than a massive travel hub. While sitting at Starbucks there to have a coffee and cake before my connection, I even forgot I was at an airport until hearing announcements over the speakers. It felt like I was sitting at a Starbucks along a shopping street or something, and I really enjoyed having a look at the souvenir shop across the path from the Starbucks. If getting stuck in an airport, Shiphol is probably the best one to get stuck in tbh.
Yeah, I agree. There are many beautiful, well managed, and welcoming airports, but Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Copenhagen are always in my top 3 for Europe. I look forward to them like mini vacations.
SFO is my favorite in the US. And, when flying to LA area, l prefer Burbank to LAX or John Wayne. So much more relaxing.
Kansai is my favorite airport in Japan.
Sounds marvellous and I hope to pass through there soon. I spent last Christmas visiting a mate in Bulgaria, near the Black Sea. Whilst returning home, via Sofia airport, I thought I’d splash out €20 and avail myself of the ‘VIP lounge’ facilities. Top tip - don’t.
@@ulvesparker Copenhagen is so beautiful!
TIP: For electronics like laptops Phones or cameras it is always better to send them last through the screening.. if you send them first before you clear the security.. you might give a chance to someone to pick your item and leave 😢
put them at the bottom of your bag
I had a TSA person almost yell at me because I wouldn't let my tray go through the x-ray until I was ready to go through the body scanner. "Ma'am, quit pulling your tray back." "I'm not ready to go through the body scanner yet." "Ma'am that doesn't matter." And for the only time in my life I retorted back to a TSA officer. "I am not... getting anything... stolen. That tray is not going through until I do. I am not an idiot." (I said something to that effect.) Some people actually chuckled and a few nodded knowingly.
I watched a theft happen right in front of me once. Right in front of the person being stolen from even. Why? Because they had insisted that the person let the tray go through before the person was ready to go through the body scanner. Since then I have never allowed them to pressure me to put my tray through until I'm ready to head through the scanner.
When TSA starts barking at you bark right back and demand a supervisor. Remember TSA is not law enforcement and contrary to popular opinion they do not have unregulated power to deny boarding. TSA barks because they often get no pushback and are poorly supervised. They have to actually call the local police to do any form of enforcement.
@@garyjarvis2730 Right, most people think TSA is govt, but they're actually private companies contracted by govt for that function. Big difference.
it was stolen mostly turns into oh I was not patient enough to get all my stuff together....
coode for saving on tickets when traveling around Europe in my name
I alway do that. My tray goes when I do.
Free shuttle to get off airport grounds is a game changer!! Perfect!!
*They've always had this for many decades. It has always been a perk offered by nearly every hotel.*
Don't they wanna see a hotel reservation or something? How do you find out which area they go to and which one suits you best?
Whenever I leave from O'Hare, I park my car at one of the many parking garages that are in surrounding towns around the airport. They have free shuttles to/from arrival and departure and it's about a 10-15m ride in. I've used a few different ones and they all are similarly priced. In 2017 they were around $10-13/day, now they're $20/day the last time I used one in 2023.
@@ClaudiaDolfi LoL, well a bit of theatrics might work. You arrive at Airport in Wonderfulville, but it is usually a mess of traffic and hassle to get somewhere from and the ground transport expensive. So you go to the hotel phone and ask for a shuttle (free and they don't ask for a reservation, or if they do tell em it was last minute travel.) Get to hotel, walk to desk, ask for availability & rates. Then state, "well this is way more than what I can spend." Call Uber/Lyft and you are on your way to the reasonable rate hotel or friends house. You have to research the hotels with airport shuttles & reservation policies online . So time & effort to save paying the extra fare cost.
At LAX you take a free shuttle to a bus depot where you can get a Santa Monica bus for $1.25 to downtown Santa Monica and a free transfer to any other Santa Monica. I used to leave my car at work, walk one block to the bus stop at Bundy and Colorado and rode buses all the way to the terminal.
The first tip: walk "a block" out of the airport to call in a cheaper Uber. Good luck with that; I've never seen "a block" anywhere near the airports I've been too. You'd have to walk quite a ways - with your luggage - to get off of airport property for a cheaper Uber rate. Did I miss something here?
You could take a free hotel shuttle to a nearby hotel and get a taxi from there. But the time spent doing that, I don't know. I'd just rather pay and move on.
@@dttttt Yeah, I agree; it's not something I'd want to be hassling with, whether it's a vacation or business. Pay, move on and forget about it.
That is my issue here, too. I cannot travel with just a carry-on. I am a 100-pound person. How could I drag my luggage a few blocks to catch a cheaper ride? It's not worth the savings. A hotel shuttle has a schedule; you must walk to and from its stop. Again, this and other suggestions are great for people who can travel light. I am yet to read a tip about how to deal with two suitcases and a laptop bag.
No way one can “walk a block.” Right. Lonely, isolated, sketchy. Right. Does this lady actually travel? Especially some “safe” airports, like…JFK, Philly, Detroit, etc. You first.
las vegas airport is not a large footprint, but its still at least 1.5 miles to be "off airport property". do you really want to walk thru a confusing area that you dont know just to save 10 bucks, especially if its summer time? get real. seems like a dumb hack idea.
the free shuttle idea sounds better, however they may require a reservation to get on
if you are seriously trying to save a few bucks when travelling, you shouldnt be travelling you have bigger financial problems to worry about.
My wife’s wallet was stolen at ORD while she was receiving extra “scrutiny” due to her prosthetic hips activating the metal detector. Fortunately, her ID was not in her wallet, so the trip was not delayed. A police report was filed but the perp was never apprehended. Her stolen credit card was used within 30 minutes (to pay for gas near ORD) after it was discovered missing and before the police report was filed. That tells me that the thief’s shift ended shortly after the card was stolen.
That is very unfortunate especially when you are in the middle of what is supposed to be a security area!
@@PortableProfessional I put my ccs and ID in my bra.
Buy one of those flat bags that you can hide under your shirt and put your cards there. If your wife has to get patted down each time, keep her cards in that under YOUR shirt.
Simply request that your belongings be brought to where they are in the line of sight during your screening.
@@elouise5593 You're required to empty everything out of your pockets and on your person before going through the body scanner or metal detector. The only thing your allowed to keep with you is your ID/Passport which you can have in your hand during the scan or pat down. If you try to hide or sneak something by this requirement you'll be treated as someone trying to hide or sneak something through security would be treated.
From a pilot - good stuff
Especially if making a pick up after 6p or so, telling your friend or family that you'll be picking them up at Departures level,
and if dropping prior to 8a, you'll be dropping them of at the Arrivals level.
Food?
Buy huge bags of nuts from Costco, then break down into desired travel sizes/baggies.
Ah, and bring a refillable empty water bottle - plenty of places to fill up for free once past security.
FYI: There is a free bus to LaGuardia airport in NYC. You take one subway train (E) from the stop next door to Penn Station, then get off at the Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av stop. Go up to street level and to the LaGuardia bus bay, ring the bell right before your terminal and it will drop you off right there.
That is not a free bus. The NYC MTA offers free transfers between stations, IIRC for a half hour or hour, for all subway and busses.
This isn't really publicized, but if the are two lines at a connected station, and both go to your destination, you can get a round trip for just the price of one way-- if you use one line each way, and stay in the time window.
@@lyfandeth Q70 from Jackson Heights - Roosevelt Ave to LGA is free. you don't need OMNY or Metrocard to board
also, the free transfer window between other buses and subway is 2 hours from the first tap/swipe, but again, Q70 is free so it doesn't matter
Great tips. Here’s some more to add to those:
On the tray, put your valuables on the very last tray just as you are ready to go through the scanner. I’d even add to put your wallet, watch, any jewellery you may be weeks, your wallet, AirPods etc inside the pouch of your backpack or hand bag 💼 and close them. I also always keep my passport with my boarding pass on my hand as I go through the security screening. Only once or twice was I told I can’t take them and after I told them I will keep them with them with me, 70% of the time, they let me go through the scanning with my passport in my hand.
Safe travels. ❤
I've taken over 80 international flights & have NEVER bought anything at duty free. You can check prices at your local outlets to compare while there. You see plenty of people buying, I guess they just want to be able to brag I bought it duty free on my last trip. I think one "hack" you should mention is to make sure you have the airlines app on you phone as they will send you a message in the app to announce gate changes, boarding & such if your not at the gate. Lets me sit somewhere quite while I wait.
I would recommend going into the Dubai Duty Free store. Things I bought there twenty years ago were definitely lower in price than anyplace else. Friends who have been there recently say the same thing.
I totally agree. Most people don't equate that *duty free* is actually a business name and does not always offer the lower prices one may think would be free of duties. It's a gamble and the house always wins.
@@vanessaleblanc2583 I watched a travel video recently (don't recall which channel) and they compared duty free prices on a bunch of items with local retail prices in in several cases the duty free price was HIGHER. Hardly a "bargain."
Who asked you ?
In Norway and Iceland, alcohol was cheaper at the Duty Free. Ask travel groups ahead of time.
I've done the airport shuttle before. I had a return flight from Las Vegas McCarran cancelled and rescheduled for the next afternoon, so I booked a hotel within walking distance of the rental car garage and took the rental car shuttle.
What happened to "do not sit here?"
Someone has sit over there so not a big deal to explain it to you.
Indeed --THAT WAS SOOO MISLEADING!
@@Fallen_Angel17what are you talking about?! are you able to explain the missing thumbnail allusion, hmm?
Yeah. When that happens, I select "Do not recommend this channel." And in this particular case, is quite appropriate: I will not sit here!
Yup, misleading thumbnail…moving on
The taxi surcharge is also applicable for rental cars. Last time I was in the US I was picked up by my uncle who lives there and I was able to rent a car about half an hour away from the airport. It was half the price for the exact same car (and the same went for the insurances) compared to renting at the airport.
Double check this before you rent. I found this is true most of the time, but not all the time. For example, I'm planning a trip from Detroit to Phoenix. In Phoenix, car rentals are way cheaper just a few blocks outside of the airport, but in Detroit, car rentals are a couple hundred less at the airport. I live about 30 mins away from dtw and for a 9 day rental at any enterprise in my area is $900, where if i pick it up from the airport is $700.
If a city has more than one airport, like NYC, check if renting at one airport and returning at another will save money. Renting in Manhattan was right out, $100 overnight. JFK and LGA were both $60 overnight. Renting at LGA and returning at JFK was $30. They needed cars moved from one to the other and were willing to seriously discount. We had a great day on Long Island and returning the car wasn't that bad. Of course we didn't need a car for the start of our trip because it's NYC.
@@SessaV In Phx, you have to be a resident if you are paying via a bank debit card, but not if you use a credit card.
@elouise5593 I always use credit instead of debit when renting cars. At Detroit you either have to show a return ticket or they charge you double (which is refunded when you return the car) if you use your bank card. I think they still charge like $300 if you don't show a return ticket even if you use credit. Luckily I'm flying back from Phoenix, so I've got a return ticket. I'm getting the car in Detroit and dropping it off at sky harbor.
It was cheaper to rent a car for 10 days and pay for gas and drop it in Phoenix than it was to rent in Phoenix and return there. They must really need cars.
@@SessaVI’m flying into DTW in a couple weeks. I was going to get a rental car just to get me to Ohio where my elderly mother will pick me up, then rent a car again for two days at the end of my trip. For those
One additional point about the European group waiting areas where they post your flight gate is that if the flight is international you will still have to go through a customs check before you get to your gate. I've seen too many people running to, or missing their flight because after going through the security screening they plop down in the group waiting area for their gate to get posted only to discover there is another long customs line they have to go through.
All heroes don't wear capes, thank you so much for your comment!! Traveling to Heathrow soon and 'won't get comfi,' until I get on my connecting flight!!❤☺️
This same process is in place in other countries like Panama, so I just set the expectation that I need more time to go thru the customs processes before boarding.
Yep, it was like that leaving Iceland. We made it bc we planned for the line, but others were running!
I just experienced the delayed boarding announcement situation at London Luton on my way to Dublin. I got to the airport two hours ahead of flight time then the screen said RyanAir Flight X will be announced at 1455. The joke was that my boarding pass said the “gate closes at 1510”! 😳 It’s not a big airport but it was my first time there and I was concerned. In the end it turned out that the walk was not that far AND the boarding was delayed by 20 minutes. Oh well!
That happens when you have to get out or in of Schengen, i.e. within most of the EU you do not have to go through any passport controls etc., but for example going through the UK to and from most EU countries (including Ireland), you'll have to go through passport control. Brexit was a great thing for travellers...
Borrowing a cable is such a BAD IDEA...
There are cables out there specially created to be "found" or "borrowed".
Why ?
Because they have memory and small processor and are made to inject code, install malware into devices you connect to it.
And ohh man, did this so wide spread that some companies have issued Notices to employees not to use any cables and / or USB sticks ( they found or receive from anyone else ) at work.
Very good point!
yea i agree...never use someones stuff if you dont know them personally. or maybe someone left it behind because it was shorting out or broken too. or its some cheap garbage cable that may not be of quality and could damage your device, or not compatible etc.
Like Stuxnet...
Not only that, to charge your mobile phone, use your own charger, and do not use any provided USB charging ports (as these USB "charging ports", behind the scenes, may also have chips containing malware)
@@AnonUserGLB Spot on.
But the biggest issue with those ports is the fact that you have no idea if it's even operating correctly.
I saw a passengers phone literally EXPLODE after he plugged it into one of those ports @ Fiumicino Airport in Rome.
The guy had second degree burns on his left hand and was rushed to the hospital.
I have used the departure/arrival trick for years. It works. One other suggestion. Most big airports have 8 or 10 doors at drop off. Most of the traffic is jammed at the first few doors. Tell your pickup person to wait by the last door. Most time few people and traffic.
I recently flew from Zurich Airport and was bemused by the lack of seating after clearing security. After walking around for ages, past all the shops, I finally decided to walk out of the area and found somewhere to sit. It was obvious that it was the airport authority's strategy to keep passengers actively standing for as long as they could!
You speak very well for someone who is hearing impaired. My sister was deaf and spoke similar. I still sign every time I’m speaking with someone.
Ohhhh…that’s the accent I’m hearing.
I am in Australia and the last few times I flew I flew Virgin Australia. I can tell you that the food at the airports I was flying through (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) was absolutely a better pick than paying the obscene buy-on-board prices on Virgin.
The only item I've ever had TSA take was a bottle of water I'd just purchased. I'd gone through the checkpoint, looked over and there was a little store selling bottled water less than ten feet away. So I bought a bottle of expensive water. When I walked by the TSA checkpoint I was told that I would have to go through security again. What? I was never out of their sight for a moment. I had to throw the full bottle away that hadn't even been opened. It was the most screwed up thing I've ever seen in an airport.
Heathrow is an airport that does not announce the gates for flights until a set period prior to departure. That means you have to wait in a general area with a variety of food services and other shops.
Also, allows each gate to be used for more flights per day. I'm surprised more airports don't do this. I sat in a general waiting area and didn't even notice the shops and food.
And, I almost missed a flight home because I was shopping at Harrods!!!
And even the cheapest cheese sandwich was an arm and a leg.
Happy Easter, Megan! Thanks for looking out for us and giving us these insider tips and valuable advice. It is comforting to know you are on our side.
Thanks you for the Easter wishes and all your support! Have a great day!
A women say "the Husband has no name". Another ones say "the Husband has many names". Some of women "love the Husband in all his manifestations" like: neighbour, taxi driver, coworker...
But, all of those prostitutes say "the Husband is the only".
Then they even talk about "trinity of the Husband"...
In the same way religious prostitutes try to hide their disgusting fornication with different gods.
Here is the God's word spoken through Moses,
Deuteronomy 11: 16-17: "Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you."
So, the God says there are other gods, but blind leaders of blind lead people into trap.
"Jesus" means "Jehovah is salvation". This is the name of Christ real christians are hated for.
"HalleluJah" means "Praze Jah" (Jehovah).
Psalm 83: 18: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."
The problem is Devil runs the world. He is lier and murderer. This is the reason why liers feel so good.
That's why we've got the Gospel about the God's kingdom.
Jehovah would put everything in order. The dead will be resurected and we'll meet our beloved ones again! :-)
I live in Porto Portugal and travel to Madrid occasionally. I always experience the delayed departure gate assignment that I used to attribute to the smaller European carriers, Thanks for the info.
First time I’ve gotten a UA-cam recommendation on your channel. Excellent! I like the pace, the production value and the information. Great job!
Lucky I'm used to regular fasting up to 4 days and see traveling by plane as a good moment to do so. Saves lots of money and preventing me to consume bad food.
I used to do some accounting work for a chain of airport souvenir shops. Their lease charged about 25 - 30% of gross sales with a fairly large fixed minimum amount. So increasing prices/sales simply meant paying even more rent if the store earned enough to pay above minimum. And one of the requirements was to fully refurbish every 3 - 5 years adding a cost of 6 digits plus every time. These costs were much higher than normal commercial costs outside an airport.
Ouch... Over 5 Million Miles flown... 61 countries visited... I appreciate (and acknowledge) all of your points and observations...GREAT point by you about the Departures & Arrivals traffic jams. Funny how people just get funneled without thinking about options... However... Kinda wish you had kept one of these points "our little secret"... And while it is a little bit "manipulative", it can work (if someone wants to save some money, if not time)... Yes, there is very often a cost surcharge as airports charge a fee for transportation (taxis in particular) to get into or away from the terminal(s)... However, hop on a free hotel shuttle and, voila, you're out-of-the-airport, and then summon an Uber or taxi from the hotel... I'm not endorsing this, I'm simply mentioning this... BTW... If you offer travel tips, here's (one of) mine... If someone is flying on a longhaul overnight flight and has booked a window seat in the hope of possibly getting a bit of sleep... BRING AN EMPTY PILLOWCASE... And then take your jacket (a down parka is perfect if you're heading somewhere where the weather might require a warmer jacket) and stuff your jacket into your pillowcase to use as a pillow as you rest your head against the hard plastic fuselage... I'm of the opinion that this is much more comfortable than one of these yoke contraptions... You sleep with a pillow at home, why not on a plane? I have a few others but I don't wish to expropriate your website... Well done, enjoyed your suggestions (FYI, I've worked in the media for 40 years, hence all this travel...)...
My head is too high and rests on the upward curve of that airplane wall, so leaning on the wall doesn't work, and certainly not with an added pillow. I use my jacket as a lap blanket. Warmer and stays in place better than a blanket.
In Orlando, most hotels there don't offer airport shuttles. I don't know why that is.
PLEASE expropriate this media - I love your hack ... !
Are there any shuttles from the airport to anything else?@@elouise5593
Oh yeah, I can really recommend looking out for those free amenities. Recently I was at Ankara Airport for a layover and they had a public library tucked away in the terminal. I was about to pay somewhere to get some work done on the laptop but then figured I can do that for free at the library. Was one of my biggest surprise and best air travel memories ;)
Overseas, passengers are sometimes routed from security right through duty free shops. I remember one where you have to wind your way through to get to the gates.
Yes! It’s always so tempting! Last year during a layover in Frankfurt, though, I was able to buy something for my dad that you can only get in Germany. It wasn’t very expensive, and he was quite happy.
London Gatwick and Heathrow are like that. You can't avoid the duty free shopping areas. I don't buy anything except maybe a magazine for the flight.
We went through TSA in Basel, Amsterdam and Atlanta & found the most pleasant TSA Employees. At one point, despite the number of people in the line, I found it very nice that one TSA person was holding up my bins/bags so I got all 3 at one time. We followed what appeared to be a singe line that bypassed the merchandise by cutting through specific stores. We were fortunate to have missed all the negatives both in Amsterdam and at Atlanta where we had 3+ hour layovers.
When I worked for COEX in the early 2000's my sister and I used a couple of Vacation passes to go to London We were connecting over EWR and our local Sales Rep supplied us with free Day Passes for the Presidents Club! We flew the Headstart out of our Origination 🏙️ City so we had the whole day up in EWR! We could've gone in to Manhattan but we just chilled all day in the P-Club! Our EWR/LGW Leg departed at around 8:00pm ET and we arrived over LGW at 8:00am GMT! So we were better rested to start the day in Merry old London!
I've been taking my own food for quite some time. I get something I like when I want it and don't have to break the bank. I've also discovered that if you put it in one of those small paper bags with a handle, it can be carried right onto the plane and doesn't count as a carry on/personal item.
In the matter of an airport lounge, it costs my husband $40-50 to bring me in as a guest. But it's worth it for the food, a comfy place to sit, free wifi and decent bathrooms. They can be a hike from the gate, so check the gate first and then go to the lounge (this will also tell you how long before boarding you should be leaving the lounge).
I never thought about taking an airport shuttle before hailing my Uber. Great tips, Megan!
I worked for PanAm in the 80's. If your bag opened while being tossed into the hold, it was ripe for picking by about 25% of ground crew. At JFK, your mail was more at risk by serial thieves until they are caught with no punishment, and have their cohorts start working in cargo/mail. I couldn't believe what I saw, and after secretly telling my supervisors, they said they were aware but had to catch them red-handed and even then, the unions would protect them.
These are super helpful! I’ll do the arrivals/departures swap for sure and I’ll keep my eye out for all those airport shopping tricks..it’s so true. I always end up with duty free bags with stuff I don’t really need…
Take snacks with me for airport waits and flights. Buy beforehand and have in carry-on. Things like crackers, nuts, granola, apples and bananas. Also as you said lounges. Always take couple of bottles of water and store in bag for the flight. You've already gone through security. Thanks for tips.
Sounds like you are well prepared for your flight! Thanks for watching!
I brought trail mix with me as a snack for the plan3 and then as we boarded an announcement came on asking us to refrain from eating nuts since a passenger was highly allergic.
They won’t let us bring our own water thru TSA, we need to dump it & buy it afterwords.
@libbylandscape3560 most airports now have the filtered water machines so that you can fill your water bottle
I carry a military canteen (plastic) and fill it after security. On international flights, I can rarely get enough water from the airline.
Some really good tips with the arrivals and departures for drop offs or pick ups being a really good one along with snacks. You can really help yourself by having a travel “must have or don’t forget” checklist. Also, bring an empty reusable water bottle, then you can fill it up on the other side of security.
Megan I have actually been to the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, AL. Mind 🤯 you can not even take it all in… and the bizarre items people travel with and don’t claim are insane! It was a fun adventure and I kinda felt guilty for buying a couple of items. Happy Easter!
The most important secret is that if you don't pay extra for priority-boarding then you won't be able to bring your carry-on suitcase onto the plane with you. The people who pay for upgrades get first dibs on the overhead compartments, meaning that there will be no room for your carry-on suitcase. Instead, you will have to check your suitcase and then pick it up after the flight. These days, people have carry-on suitcases that go right up to the size limits for carry-ons. With the wheels, they actually exceed the limits. These suitcases have hard exteriors, meaning that they will not compress at all, meaning less room for someone else's bags. Often, these people have trouble fitting their large carry-ons into the overhead compartments, delaying the boarding process for other people.
The lost luggage store is one reason exactly why I will not check a bag. I swear they lose a percentage of luggage on purpose just for that reason.
I recently spent 4 weeks travelling in Greece and Bulgaria. The luggage handlers had ropes to tie luggage down to the carts, but threw luggage on top of the ropes. The first cart of luggage was piled far above the top of the cart that was being pulled. There were three more carts being pulled, and only one cart had some luggage----only one layer and not near the top. The other two were were empty. I said to my travelling partner, "Do you think that is why luggage is lost?"
A couple flights later, while on a transit bus at an airport, the bus driver stopped to push to the side two big boxes that had apparently fallen off of a cart.
They'd be wasting their time with mine! I always fly as light as possible and I don't bring home piles of stuff as souvenirs or gifts.
@@jamesbinns8528 ...I had to sceenshot this thread--it sure sounds negligent, even devious.
The food rip off never ceases to amaze me. My wife went to use the airport restroom and came back with two small bags of M&M's. She told me "enjoy them, I paid $12 for them!"
Your wife needs to bring snacks/ candy from home if she doesn’t want to pay exorbitant prices.
Alas, PDX (Portland, Oregon) is not widely used for connections. But food prices within the airport are constrained to be the same as in the city. Also, Oregon does _not_ have any sales tax. That is like a 7% to 10% discount compared to many other states! Another bit of useful knowledge is there are two entrances to TSA inspections at PDX. If one line (a.k.a. queue) is long, go to the other. There is a short route with no obstacles to the other set of gates.
At LAX, the hotels, rental car agencies, offsite parking garages, and other companies that provide a free shuttle got wise to the shuttle hack for getting cheaper Uber rides. Their vans are now marked "FOR CUSTOMERS ONLY".
Thanks for always having great travel trips! Your hair looks super cute, too! 😊
Thanks! Great to know you find the videos helpful!
When traveling from Oregon to Puerto Rico each Dec, I keep shorts and flip flops in my backpack and change 30 minutes before arrival. I also love my puffer jacket because it takes almost no room in my backpack and makes a nice pillow. I love the United Lounges and Houston's even has showers.which is nice for feeling refreshed between flights.
Quality tips and tricks; as always. Megan, your style and content have made you one of my favorite and most recommended travel Vloggers.
Oh, and I like the sassy new hair cut. 😃
I honestly wonder: Do airlines encourage you to arrive at the airport 2 or 3 hours early for "security" reasons...or to *_encourage shopping?_*
Hmmm! A little of both I would think.
Huh! Never thought of that.
Ooooo 😮
The airlines encourage 2-3 hours for a variety of resaons, shopping is NOT one of them. The main reasons are: Possible long lines at the ticket counter. Also possible long lines at TSA. Any mistake on your reservation or on your boarding pass (ticket) could cause you to miss your flight. Why? Because if your reservation is made through a third party outlet (e.g. Expedia) there is only so much the airlines can do for you. IF the name on your ticket doesn't match your ID. The TSA can send you back to ticket counter to have it fixed (yes even for an incorrect birthday).
It's because of lines. If you're not early enough, you could miss your flight
Interesting that you mention theft by airport personnel. On my way through TSA check-in at San Francisco, I mistakenly placed my wallet in the bin instead of in my carry-on. It wasn't there after I got through scanning. Luckily, I noticed it and alerted a TSA once I passed the checkpoint. They said it had dropped onto the floor during X Ray. How convenient! It is possible. But it is also possible someone helped himself to it when it was on top of the bin. Lesson: Never leave valuables outside of carry-ons.
I haven't watched any of your videos in about a month 😢. I have to say I absolutely love your tips and hacks.
Awesome new hair style!! You look great.
Thanks Megan, as always, great information.
Great video. Thank you very much for sharing it! Safe travels
Always appreciate your travel tips. Thank you.
JFK-specific tips: Midtown Manhattan to JFK has been easier since Jan, 2023 when LIRR was added to Grand Central. Just take a 21 min commuter rail trip (always choose the $5 "City Ticket" option at the kiosk), and then hop on AirTrain once at Jamaica Station. Also - the driveway of the TWA Hotel is an underrated place to get picked up and dropped off. It's far less frenetic than terminal curbside, and it's way easier for the driver to spot you. Just remember that it's directly in front of T5, so you'll have to use the AirTrain for other terminals (cost-free to use within the airport). Also - as far as the destination - I agree about the free shuttles, but I've gone further and found hotels that are an easy walk to/from the airport. I was recently at a Hyatt Place in Aruba - it was amazing to just walk there after going through the immigration e-gates. And no stress about missing the return flight - just 30 seconds of foot power to get to the departure hall.
For years, Disneyworld in Orlando offered a free bus to and from airport if staying at a Disney hotel. On my last day, I left my luggage with the bellhop, had a day in the parks, picked up luggage and rode the free bus ALL ALONE to Orlando airport. Then hopped on the hotel's shuttle for my last night in Orlando. Early flight out the next day, as I recall.
European airports do not announce the gate for flights until 30 to 60 minutes before a flight simply FREES UP the seats at the gate. As soon as a gate is announced, people move to that gate and occupy all of the seats. Frankly, I don't go to the gate for my flight any earlier than I absolutely have to. Normally, I sit at an empty gate 3 or 4 gates away or in a more "general" waiting area. It's easier to charge my phone or just relax without the hordes of people all around.
Good point - I get it that people might have anxiety about missing their flight, but all they have to do to avoid being "gate lice" is to sit a few gates away and monitor the one they'll eventually depart from. An alternative is to find the nearest restaurant with seating, and just plant oneself there until it's time to go.
@@finalascentGate lice, hey? LOL, first time I see the term. Wild!
@@malk6277 I'm a tad surprised. "Gate Lice" appears in a lot of travel media. I used it as a term of convenience, but sadly it is kind of pejorative. I think it has two main meanings: people who line up to board ahead of when they're supposed to, and people who just arrive at the gate and sit there, occupying seats for hours. (shrugs) I personally don't care about all of that - if it relieves anxiety to station oneself at the gate well before departure - sure, have at it. And if someone jumps their boarding group - again, it's not my job to enforce that, and as long as they don't try to occupy my assigned seat, it's no biggie.
@@finalascent Well in some ways, I live under a rock now (remote area), and I don't pay as much attention as I used to. Thanks for educating me. Travel also isn't what it used to be, sadly. For part of my life I was a bit of a gate louse because I had equipment I didn't want to end up not fitting in the overhead bins, so I couldn't be the last to board. Now, when I do travel, I prefer travelling light to make up for those past times, but the old habit of wanting to be at the gate early... dies hard.
@@malk6277 You're welcome! Here is what I do: get to the terminal very early (lightweight carryons only). Find my gate. Wander around, people-watch, eat, etc. Check departure boards periodically for gate changes. Find a comfy place to sit, usually close enough to the gate so I can monitor it. When boarding actually begins, I queue up. We all have our individual travel styles and ways of dealing with being in the terminal.
Brisbane, Australia’s airport is aggressive on making you buy something as you have to go through a huge store before & after security to get to your gate or out of the airport 😂
Thanks Megan!! You always have great info!!!
Living in Asia, it's a whole different ballgame. The security is just as good, but sooooo much more efficient than the bloated stateside TSA
Avoid London Stansted if you have expensive luggage my £1500 Zero suitcase was completely destroyed (thrown around like a football it seemed) and they denied liability. Probably because too lazy to fill in necessary forms?
Heathrow announced my gate 10 minutes before boarding. I hate Heathrow. very stressful. nothing is going to entice me to buy in the posh shops I cannot afford. more convenience type stores would have been greatly appreciated.
HAPPY EASTER!! Thank you very much! We don’t travel as much as we used too, info is fantastic 😊!
Concerning tip 4 it's not just airports. Back in the day when every phone maker had proprietary chargers and cords, I worked in L&F at a casino and we had a shelf of boxes for each brand and were more than happy to give them away. Aside from that, I know some casinos that had employee sales of unclaimed L&F every quarter.
the lost luggage auction is despicable. at least if our lost clothes and toiletries were donated to a charitable organisation, we’d feel better knowing they went to someone in need. but the airport industry leeches making extra money off our stuff (that’s often lost in the first place because of their own f*ck-ups), that’s just… heinous.
I think it’s terrible too, that they are allowed to do that instead of finding the rightful owner.
I never rent a car from the Denver airport. I always take an Uber ride to Budget in town 10mi from the airport. This saves me $ hundreds and I always get a cheap or free upgrade to a more expensive vehicle.
Board a block away? What cropduster airports do you use?
Have rideshare pick you up at a hotel and use their courtesy shuttle?
This one is very old. FYI… Most hotels are onto this and will confirm your reservation before you get on the shuttle.
Thanks for sharing these very valuable tips- also, you look fantastic! ;D
Oh thank you! Glad you found it helpful!
Great tip about picking people up from departures and vice-versa. Why didn’t I think of that!
Now you know! Thanks for watching, Andy!
We've used that at LAX, it really works!
Have done it for years.
Great tip
shhhh dont you dare tell anyone!
I’ve been doing this foryears
TSA does not take your items.. they allow you to go out side and check them in , mail them or give to a friend/family member.. 95% of people say no to that "OPTION" and choose to abandon the item and thus not go through security all over again. Most notable item a water bottle with water inside it..yeah a pain but still is one of those things. FOOD- yeah airports are high priced_ yet few ever think of having say pizza delivered to airport- yeah they will and at same fee as if were your house. Food can go with you to the gate~just not the drinks as well liquid. Think about it staff order pizza and wait it out. Ask an airport employee if they know of a good non chain pizza delivery and we will tell you.
Can’t they take stuff out ur checked when ur not there tho
Yo! I totally figured that out on my own and felt like a genius. Now I see I’m not the only one! But yes, I highly recommend doing less as a San Franciscan even getting off of work in downtown San Francisco you face search charges so we’ve always gone a few blocks away from Mission Street or market Street or Gary one of the main streets and then it’s always cheaper and especially when taking the Uber or Lyft from the airport I get on the sky tram whatever it’s called ride it to the hotels, then I order the Uber. I just wait outside of the hotel, best part is some of the hotels have restaurants. Nice way to collect yourself before you go to your destination.
Class A1 video. Terrific knowledge with details. Love your travel courses. Thank you professor Megan from one of your students. 👍
Thanks so much! Always nice to hear my videos are helpful!
When I want to know which gate my flight is gonna depart from, I check the previous history of that same flight on flightradar or other flight tracking site. Even if they are not the same in the past 2 or 3 days, they tend to be in the same area. Eg.: My exact same flight yesterday and the day before departed from gates A1 and A3 respectively. It's going to be near those 2 (could be A2, A4 or A5...). So obviously don't go wandering into B253 and stick with the first As. You may want to analyse the bathroom and charging station situation near your gate before other passengers find out which gate it is.
Better to just drive if you can, obviously driving over the ocean is too difficult but within the limits of the connected land it's just less hassle.
Agree. We usually drive to California from Phoenix. It may be a short time in the air, but by the time you go through the airport rigamarole, you can get to your destination without the hassle.
‘Departure and arrival lanes are just a suggestion’ is true in many airports but not in Singapore Changi Airport. There are enforcers around to make sure you are not driving to departure floor to pick someone up.
TSA does not confiscate items. Some items are prohibited in the sterile area, and they will give you several options to keep the item (check your bag, put it in your car, etc.). The last option is to VOLUNTARILY abandon the item. It costs TSA millions annually to take care of items you shouldn't have had with you in the first place. Trust me - they don't want your item and they don't confiscate your stuff.
I definitely don't appreciate a very small sandwich costing so much. I was in a different part of a terminal and didn't realize this part doesn't have a good court. I was in the same terminal, different part in November and it was great. I will say that in Newark, the United areas are loaded with places to charge your phone at your gate. Since I'm a nervous and new flyer, I'm there many hours early. I'm happy to settle in at a table at the gate and just keep my phone plugged in.
Buy nothing at the airport as in the majority of cases it’s not worth the money, the exception might be to use the lounge. Airport lounges can give you a bit of sanity and a chance to relax a bit. Some have free drink but you have to be careful, get drunk and you might get refused on the plane. A nice drink to stay hydrated is not bad. The food is often good and the WiFi is usually decent too. If you’re on a budget then make a picnic in a bag, do a few sandwiches, a bottle of water and some crisps or fruit and that will probably keep you going until you get on the plane. Remember what you get on the plane you eat on the plane, you might find the bit of fruit costs you more than expected.
In my experience as an aircraft loader at a London airport, short gate announcements of flights are because the plane is physically not there before the announcement! Even to the point it is still in the air from it's inbound flight. Airport operations may require a change of scheduled stand as short notice as after it has landed and is taxiiing to the stand for arrivals. I've waited for several flights at the announced stand to unload it only for it to be at a different one. It's not always deliberate to keep the passengers guessing and spending, although a happy consequence for the airport. A typical narrowbody takes an hour from engines off at stand to pushback for the outbound. What we called a 'spin' (both unload followed by immediate load). Sometimes one team would only one part of the operation each (one unload team, another load team).
I can only imagine the look on their face when I show up at the lost and found asking to borrow a cable! 😅 But the you tube video told me I can.
Last minute gate assignment announcement is very frustrating, especially when I have airport lounge access. 😫
I decided I will never fly again a few years ago. It is easily one of the worst experiences of my life, and I've been in some really shitty situations during 34 years in the Navy.
Disclosure: I'm an uber/lyft driver, 5+ years.
Yes, many airports have a surcharge added. But it's not a hidden secret. If you pay attention to the app it's clearly a disclosed line item.
Also yes, dropping off at "arrivals" in the early AM is an easy hack that many frequent fliers already knjow, especially if you're not checking anything and only have carry on.
I talked to a taxi driver in Las Vegas, and was surprised to hear him say that any trip TO the airport from the Vegas Strip is set at $25.
I found this out after walking all the way to the south end of the strip to make the drive shorter...
walking to the other end of the strip with luggage to make a 4 mile ride a 3 mile ride to save $5 makes total sense....its amazing the lengths people will go to be a total cheapskate.
@@baldisaerodynamic9692 Yeah, the things we do to get by after being robbed in Vegas and having to get home on just the cash in my wifes purse... Thanks for the reminder that people do indeed, suck.
Many airports will give you a citation if you drop off in wrong points. So be careful with that, Being picked up a block away from the airport, some airports are over 3 miles long. ??
Hotel shuttles ask if you are a guest and often check the guest list. You can't just hop on them.
I hope not - nobody other than the woke liberal lunatics expects that everything is free since the world should be blessed to have them to help us spend our money.
And don't you ever expect a thank you They will accuse you of not having received the service they deserve and it would be unreasonable for you to expect a thank you for something that was not worth mentioning it. .
I have never been asked if I am staying at a hotel when taking a shuttle bus! Great tip
I would be spending money at the airport between flights if only airports had arcade rooms, but they never do
I've watched a couple of your videos and subscribed. Thank you for the travel tips. -Marc
Awesome, thank you! Great to have you on the channel!
I am a very proficient traveler. However, I had my passport lost/stolen on my last trip. I’ve noticed a long line at the embassy realizing how common it is. You could talk about it and how to solve it.
When I bought food for the airplane I asked that most of the sauces that make sandwiches soggy be left off. I was given packs of mayo etc to carry in my 311 bag!
The lost and found deals sound good. Others are no so. If you fly that much all around the world then it will cost you. You're on another level.
Thank you for all the Advices Megan! We Live In upstate N.Y. Only Travel Once in A while. Cruise here and there and Fly to Colorado. Our Daughter and Son n' law live out there. We have tickets with S.W. to fly In May...... can't Wait.... HEY, Maybe you can do one On Car Rentals? If you haven't already! Thanks Again.
You’re welcome! Have fun on your trip!
The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone.
On the average, the TSA fires 500 baggage handlers every year for pilfering and stealing. That's secure, right?
And any zippered bag can be opened and reclosed any, even if the zipper tags are locked. Only use "clamshell" bags.
Love your travel tips. Also love your voice. Great UA-cam Travel Channel.
You can forget about the first one about taxis. I've worked for taxi companies for years and I can guarantee you that every taxi driver will ignore bookings that are a block or two away from the terminal. They will just go back and forth between the airport and city. They choose which booking they want to do. They are not obligated to take any booking they don't want to. They will ignore anything that isn't at the terminal rank.
Good video. I particularly liked that arrivals/departures lane tip.
Thank you very much!
Not knowing what gate the flight is at would make me insane... I definitely wouldn't be going shopping.
I spent an overnight layover at SFO. My Priority Pass was useless. Wish my layover was back in Singapore. They had so much free stuff to do., including lounges.