Charge! Wirelessly

Okay, I admit it. I can't keep up with the technology. I am constantly finding out my devices can do so much more than I realized. More than half of what they are capable of I probably would never use anyway but now I've discovered one that just might help me out as I travel.

Have you ever noticed all the people surrounding the large poles in an airport that have outlets at the base? The clusters of people plugged into outlets along the walls?  Or people playing musical chairs  in the airports that have made more accommodations at the charging bars where you can plug in and charge your devices? There are even places in many airplanes where you can plug in now.

Along comes wireless charging and many airports are beginning to offer that as well. I'm not sure how much better that's going to be. I checked out the process after I discovered that my iPhone 8 has the capability to charge wirelessly. You can actually buy a wireless charger to use at home and you just set your phone on top of it to charge. The glass backing allows the charging to take place in whatever magical form technology has created there.

Moving on to the airport stations though. I see just as much of a problem since your phone has to rest on the spot where the charging can take place. There would still be a limited amount of space available so overcrowding could still be a problem. Not only that but setting your phone down on the charger will require you to keep a constant eye on it. I have a feeling it would be easier to swipe a phone that's not attached by a cord to an outlet.

My other problem with the whole thing is that I would most likely have to remove the case my phone is in each time that I want to charge it. That's not an easy process for me. (Remember, I'm getting older.) When I checked out the instructions for wireless charging on the Apple help site, it said that there shouldn't be anything between the back of your phone and the charging pad.

I'm an old fashioned girl. I think I'll just find a spot to plug in and charge ahead.

Lounging On A Long Layover -Airport Lounges For Economy Flyers

For a lot less than first or business class tickets you can get into those comfortable airport lounges with a little luck and ingenuity. We get access to United lounges and some of their alliance airline lounges with a credit card that we pay extra for. It still is cheaper than buying those premium tickets and when we have long layovers for our more lengthy trips, we enjoy being able to get out of the busyness of the main airport and enjoy some snacks and beverages as well as WIFI and other amenities.

But you don't have to pay fees for a credit card to gain access. There are day passes that can be bought and would be the way to go if you are not a frequent flyer. Of course those passes are predicated on whether or not the lounge is at capacity. You wouldn't want to try to get into the Ft. Lauderdale United lounge (or probably any other there) on a big turnover day for the cruise ships. Cruise lines drop their passengers at the airport and often there is a long wait before the flight home. We sat in the Orlando airport once when Disney dropped us off seven hours before our flight was due to take off. Thankfully we didn't have any little ones with us.

I ran across a great source for finding lounges in airports all over the world and how much a day pass would cost. I was surprised that they could go for as low as $20 in some cases. The site is actually called Sleeping In Airports and details places to sleep if you are delayed as well as hints for making yourself more comfortable. One of their pages though is all about airport lounges and lists hundreds of possibilities all over the world.

Go to the site and see if your next long layover might be in a spot where you can snag some time in a comfy lounge--maybe even take a shower if you desire. Also do a search online for airport lounge day passes and you will find several companies that will book your lounge time for you or sell you a pass that you can use for a limited time. You too can travel as though you paid first class.

Don's Excellent Adventure

Our youngest son is developmentally handicapped. We knew that when we adopted him. He has been a wonder to watch as he has grown, matured and become his own man. He lives independently with a little help and has a full time job that he loves and has been a part of the company where he works for ten years now. He just turned 39 and a several weeks ago announced to us that he was going to visit his brother in Florida. My first thought was, it will never happen. It can't. There's no way we can go with him right now and he certainly can't fly by himself all that way. Boy, was I wrong.

My Florida son and daughter-in-law and their kids were ready to welcome him with open arms so the only thing in his way was getting to Florida. My husband researched flights to find a direct one to Fort Lauderdale. The airport there is smaller and less complicated than Miami and he would be less likely to get lost. Spirit Airline had a flight at the right price and times and it was direct. We booked it for him.

While researching, Bob also checked on whether we could accompany him to the gate and if our FL son could meet him at the gate down there. It was better than hiring someone else which is what you do for children or others who need help in navigating airports. That would have made him feel less independent and he was so excited about making his own way there. Spirit informed him that one of us could get a gate pass from the ticket counter if we presented an ID. Problem solved.

The big day arrived. Since my husband was away at a church camp for preteens, I was the one to take Don and see him off. Now, I'm a mom, through and through. I didn't sleep well the night before imagining all sorts of things that could go wrong. What if they frisked him in TSA? Would he be upset? What if the plane was forced to land somewhere else? Would he get lost at an unfamiliar airport? What if a stranger befriended him on the plane and then took advantage of him asking for money or stealing his phone--the only connection we would have to him if he wandered off track somewhere? Like I said, I'm a mom.

I picked Don up and briefed him once again on the way to the airport about how the trip through the airport and TSA would go. He had followed instructions so far keeping his backpack free of anything forbidden and only putting his ID in his pocket. We had to hustle to the ticket counter because it took so long to find a parking spot in the garage. There was no problem checking in and in a couple of minutes, I had a gate pass.

We followed instructions in the TSA line and except for a short stop by a TSA agent who checked out anyone with cargo pants including Don we were on our way. Don didn't flinch when the agent checked his cargo pockets. I was proud of him. There was no time for the planned lunch before boarding so I bought him a sandwich, chips and a drink reminding him that he would have to wait until the stewards told him he could turn on electronics and lower his tray table.

And then the big moment. I had to let go. He was on his way.

Not quite three hours later came the dreaded text from the FL son. The TSA line was extremely long and he was stuck in it and had received a message that the plane was early. My heart skipped a beat. Thankfully I could hold on to the thought that I'd told Don to call him if he wasn't at the gate. But then I realized that his brother couldn't answer the phone if he was going through the TSA line.

A little later I got a message from Don. My iPhone printed out the voice message as "I found the bedframe." What it actually meant was Don had found Baggage Claim on his own and eventually his brother found him.

He spent a wonderful five days in Florida, saw his first alligators, went fishing, visited Key West and the Miami Zoo and got to know his nieces and nephew a little better. Then it was time to come home.

Tropical storm Emily decided to slow things down a bit. The plane was almost an hour late but Don still made it home without incident and claimed that the airplane ride was not bumpy. Bob went out to the gate and met him and on the drive to his apartment, all the details of the excellent adventure poured out. So what's the next adventure, we asked? He wasn't sure but I hope he doesn't decide he wants to visit his other brother in Tokyo. My heart wouldn't survive that trip.

Travel: Always An Adventure

When you travel you can't always be sure of what you are going to get, what's going to happen, who you will meet, how you will arrive, etc. As I have always said travel with an attitude, one that will roll with whatever the journey presents. I just hate having to follow my own advice.

We set off for our annual dive trip to Grand Cayman and woke early (5:45 AM) in order to arrive at the airport the suggested two hours early because of the TSA wait recently being so long. Our airline (American) had kindly granted all three of us a Pre-check status so we knew we weren't going to have to go through the procedure of removing shoes, computers, 3-1-1 bags and all. We approached the kiosk for check in with confidence and immediately we were in trouble.

All three reservations were made separately because we were traveling with a minor who was not our son but our grandson. I don't know why the reservations have to be made that way but when Bob calls them directly they do that. His came up first and he proceeded all the way to paying for his checked bag and had his credit card denied. No problem. We'll pay at the desk. My check in went just fine, credit card (same one) and all. Then our grandson's wouldn't even show up. Uh oh.

An attendant noticed we were at the kiosk a little too long and came over to gather us like a mother hen and take us to her station where she quickly put all the information into her computer, pulled up the extra boarding passes, used the credit card to pay for the other bags and send us off to give our bags to security for their x-ray. I was wondering why we even went to the kiosk to begin with but mine is not to question why. . .

Cleveland Hopkins was about to do the ribbon cutting for the new renovations that are pretty much finished except for a few touches here and there. News cameras were already setting up even though it wasn't to be until the afternoon. Perhaps for the morning news shows? It was after all early and my stomach was telling me it hadn't had breakfast. My nerves were screaming for coffee. We soldiered on to the new Pre-check designated area wondering how long it would take us. I blinked. Were there only a dozen people here? In six minutes and a few seconds (Bob timed it) we were through and out the other side and our grandson was looking for a Starbucks.

We wouldn't be so lucky at Starbucks. The line was winding down the concourse. It had to be at least twenty minutes before he finally got his iced caramel coffee. Then it was on to Dunkin' Donuts for our coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Same thing. Long line. Another fifteen minutes. At least we had come early enough that we didn't have to eat on the run.

At our gate, we boarded with the priority group--another gift from American and settled into our seats. It was a commuter plane with only two seats to a side so I sat a few rows behind the boys who were planning to watch a movie. Good thing because at least they were entertained for the time that was to come. As we were to begin our push back from the gate, we felt a big bump. I exchanged what-was-that-? glances with the girl sitting next to me. A few minutes later it was explained that the tow bar had buckled or something to that effect but to be sure there was no damage to landing gear it would have to be checked.

End of the day. Dinner and sunset.

We had to wait our turn for the mechanic. After an hour, the issue was resolved and we were on our way once again but now we were running dangerously close to making our connection in Charlotte. That wouldn't normally be a big deal--more an inconvenience, but there are only a couple of flights a day into Grand Cayman and we knew we wouldn't make another that day if we missed our ride. We touched down and made the mad dash to the other concourse and our Cayman flight. Last ones on the plane, we were greeted with looks of relief as others realized that's who they were waiting for. Now would the luggage (all our dive gear) make it?

Before long we were winging our way to Cayman. Now the worse case scenario would be having to rent dive gear and Bob and our grandson diving in their shorts. I had packed my suit in my carry on with a few other things to save space. Whew!

Touch down Cayman! And there on the carousel after we passed through immigration was our luggage. The only thing missing from our journey was lunch but we knew where to get that. But wait! We needed to get our rental car which, if you haven't guessed on a Murphey's Law day, wasn't ready. Another forty-five minutes and we finally had it all in hand on our way to Wendy's and lunch to be followed by grocery shopping and our arrival at the condo.

Thankfully Murphey left us and the condo was in great shape with all that we will need to rest comfortably after our diving each day. It did come with a maid--me, but that's okay. Bob will make up for it somewhere. I'll make sure of that.

Park And Fly Or Take A Cab?

It's a math problem never seen on one of those tests that asks about the trains leaving in opposite directions, etc., etc. How many days will my parking at the airport cost vs. how much will the cab fare be round trip? For a while, a trip of more than 10 days made it more economical to take a cab than to park but then cab fares went up and now, provided we have a coupon, that extends to about 14-16 days being cheaper than a cab.

Alas, we have heard that several of the out lots have been purchased by our airport (CLE) so we are guessing that prices will go up even more to park since there is almost a monopoly. So we are back to more mathematical calculations to try to save some travel dollars. There are a few creative ideas.

Some hotels near an airport will offer free parking if you stay with them the night before you fly. Ten, fourteen, even thirty days may be in the stay and park package. We've done that twice in the past--once when we drove to Detroit to fly somewhere because the airfare was cheaper
.

Of course all of this leads to more calculations. All airport parking lots are not created equal. I was surprised to hear that Charlotte's only charges $5/day. Most in our area are around $7 to $8 a day. Then there are some I've heard are as much as $15/day.

A cab looks pretty economical in many instances. Ask around to find the most reliable. You don't want them showing up late or not at all. Of course if you have a friend who doesn't mind some of the crazy flight times, you might just get a ride back and forth for the price of a nice souvenir.

Help! I'm Stuck in the Airport!

A few days ago a friend asked me what we do if we get stuck in an airport because of a delayed and/or canceled flight. She and her sister had been stuck in Denver for nine hours and said they hadn't fared well. I'm guessing that high altitude probably didn't help (smile). Fortunately for us, we are retired. Therefore we don't have the pressure to be back to go to work in the morning but here are some ways you might try to pass the time.

Check to be sure there's no other earlier flight available.
This works best with domestic flights but not always. The airline is the one who will decide whether your delay is substantial and whether they can put you on another flight. If your delay is weather related, you will probably have to wait it out. Remember in any situation, honey is always preferred to vinegar so keep your attitude in check as much as possible when dealing with the airline representatives.

On flights out of the country you may be at an even bigger disadvantage. On our way to Ireland a couple of years ago, there was a major hurricane that moved up the coast and caused our flight to be canceled. The frustrating part was that Bob's brother and his wife were able to fly out of Columbus to New York and on to Ireland while we were stuck trying to get out of Akron/Canton just an hour or so later. We ended up having to spend two nights at home before we could get a flight out because of the flights being full. The upside of that (honey-coated approach) was that we were upgraded to first class.

See if you can barter or buy time in an airport lounge or a hotel attached to the airport.

We have a card that gets us into the airport lounges for many of the airlines we travel on. For as much travel as we do, it's worth the extra we pay for it. But there are some airport lounges that will allow you to buy time there and, though I've never tried it, you might ask if they could get you a pass to a lounge for your delay if it's more than a couple of hours.

Airport lounges offer a TV lounge area, some light refreshment, a bar if you are in need, comfortable chairs, and other great amenities depending upon the size of the airport and the airline. They will also announce when your next flight is due to board.

Some airports have hotels attached to the airport or just a minute walk away. If you are sure you're going to be there for a length of time, perhaps getting a room might help. We've done that on occasion when we've had a long time between flights. On our way to Tahiti, we stayed at a nearby hotel in Los Angeles for the twelve hours or so layover that turned into another overnight when our flight was canceled. On the up side, we took time to see Universal Studios.

Become an explorer.

Airports usually have lots of restaurants, snack bars and shops to explore. If you are there when it looks like places are closing up, be sure to grab some snacks and drinks. By the way, even those airport lounges will close around 10 p.m. I posted not too long ago about unusual things to see at some airports. You might even find a massage, a mani/pedi, or some live entertainment. Just be sure that you keep an eye on the status of your flight.

If you must sleep. . .

There are not going to be any comfortable places to stretch out unless it's a major air traffic problem and they roll out cots for passengers. The chairs in the waiting areas are made so that people can't stretch out across them although I've seen some pretty funny attempts. Best spot is, yes yuck, the floor. Be sure to lay your head on your backpack or suitcase and wind an arm through a purse handle. Tuck phones, readers, etc. away in your carry-on. If you can sleep sitting up (Bob can sleep in any position), then be sure to tuck your carry-on between your legs or wrap a strap around your arm. You don't want it "walking off" to a new home.

Relax and enjoy a good book.

Hopefully you have one tucked in your carry-on. Always keep your chargers with you in case you do get stuck like this and you need to charge your electronics. There are usually plenty of places to plug in. While it's often easier said than done, take a deep breath and relax. As Annie always sings, "The sun will come out tomorrow." Who knows you may just make a new friend, find great inspiration in a book, or finally finish all those levels on Candy Crush.