Airport Security and air travel

[sactochris]

I had a great flight from Boston back home to Sacramento on JetBlue last Sunday. I watched the Copa Americana final and listened to my Ipod. 

[Drguano]

Thought an update is in order. I was denied Global Entry last July (for complicated reasons not related to getting 'the letter'). I appealed to the ombudsman (really) and heard nothing back until today when I received word that I've been approved!

[El Presidente]

On 5/31/2016 at 2:46 AM, Fosgate said:

Speaking of Prez's comment of business class vs everything else. Where are you guys booking your flights for business class and how much cost difference are you seeing? I looked a Denver to Manila this last April and Econ was $1700 and Business class was $5300. Looking at October and Econ/Coach is now just $756 But business is still $4k. Also what are the better or less expensive days to fly?

I missed this ....a year ago 

I can get up to 50% off first and business to Europe.Sometimes that to the US. 

The more carriers going into a sector the more fares available to be dumped. it is one of the reasons that there are regular cracker 1st and Bus deals to Europe from Oz. 

Still, the big NY based 1st and business class specialists are the way to go. Downside is you cannot cancel on some fares. 

 

[El Presidente]

12 minutes ago, Drguano said:

Thought an update is in order. I was denied Global Entry last July (for complicated reasons not related to getting 'the letter'). I appealed to the ombudsman (really) and heard nothing back until today when I received word that I've been approved!

They will let anyone in .......

[stogieluver]

On ‎5‎/‎30‎/‎2016 at 2:25 AM, El Presidente said:

Only coming back into Australia have I been strip searched (twice) or been "sought out" for special treatment. Same when leaving the country. The number of times I have been "asked" to have a conversation with customs about "why" I am going somewhere has been too numerous to be a coincidence. 

Then again my passport resembles that of drug cartel honcho 

Someone just revived this old thread, and I came across El Pres' comment.  I just can't resist asking if your passport photo resembles your avatar.  If so, maybe you should rethink that, Rob. 

[gweilgi]

1 hour ago, El Presidente said:

I missed this ....a year ago 

I can get up to 50% off first and business to Europe.Sometimes that to the US. 

The more carriers going into a sector the more fares available to be dumped. it is one of the reasons that there are regular cracker 1st and Bus deals to Europe from Oz. 

Still, the big NY based 1st and business class specialists are the way to go. Downside is you cannot cancel on some fares. 

 

IME, Aussies are missing out on the really good deals, big time.

For the past 15 years, I have been travelling from Europe to Oz and back.  In the last two years, that has reversed ... and suddenly I started noticing how much better the deals are when the flight does not start in Australia.  I can literally get first-class flights from Europe at the same price they are offered from Sydney.  Mostly, they'd be the Middle Eastern carriers such as Emirates and Etihad, but I've had the pleasure of flying Singapore and Cathay at those rates unobtainable Downunder.  This may well be due to the smaller market in Aus, but it still grates...

[SignalJoe]

I see the advantages of TSA Pre Check I just have an issue with paying money not to be groped.  Conversely I can see the benefits of paying to be groped (though not at the airport).  

I can personally attest to the efficiency of the German security at Frankfurt airport.  While flying home on leave the Xray operator took an unnatural interest in my issued back pack.  After the fourth pass through the Xray machine it dawned on me how well and truly f**cked I actually was!  In my shaving kit I had hidden a single 5.56mm tracer round I kept there just in case I lost a round or two for inspection purposes.  I fessed up and was promptly hauled off in full uniform complete with American flag by German police and detained in a small windowless room.  I was then handed off to another German police agency (State? Federal?) who explained me to how deep of a crack my ass was currently residing in.  When the "bad cop" exited the room briefly the "good cop" told me "don't worry it happens all the time, Soldiers end up with belts of ammo, and all kinds of loose ordinance in their bags they forgot about."  He told me the incident would be reported to my chain of command and I would be released after signing a form.  Of course the form was in German so for all I know I may have admitted to the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand and sabotaging the airship Hindenburg.  After confessing in written legally binding form to God alone knows what I was allowed to go on about my way.  I was torn about whether or not to immediately notify my command about the incident, ultimately deciding I would deal with it when it got back.  I spent the next two weeks of leave envisioning the cruel and unusual punishment my demented NCOIC might dream up.  In the end it never made it back to my unit and I got off scott free.  The Germans and their impeccable and eternal record keeping are another matter.  I fear I may discover that I am persona ne plus non grata in Germany should I ever return. 

That said my hat is off to them, they did their job well.  The TSA on the other hand... 

[Fosgate]

3 hours ago, SignalJoe said:

I see the advantages of TSA Pre Check I just have an issue with paying money not to be groped.  Conversely I can see the benefits of paying to be groped (though not at the airport).  

I can personally attest to the efficiency of the German security at Frankfurt airport.  While flying home on leave the Xray operator took an unnatural interest in my issued back pack.  After the fourth pass through the Xray machine it dawned on me how well and truly f**cked I actually was!  In my shaving kit I had hidden a single 5.56mm tracer round I kept there just in case I lost a round or two for inspection purposes.  I fessed up and was promptly hauled off in full uniform complete with American flag by German police and detained in a small windowless room.  I was then handed off to another German police agency (State? Federal?) who explained me to how deep of a crack my ass was currently residing in.  When the "bad cop" exited the room briefly the "good cop" told me "don't worry it happens all the time, Soldiers end up with belts of ammo, and all kinds of loose ordinance in their bags they forgot about."  He told me the incident would be reported to my chain of command and I would be released after signing a form.  Of course the form was in German so for all I know I may have admitted to the assassination of Arch Duke Ferdinand and sabotaging the airship Hindenburg.  After confessing in written legally binding form to God alone knows what I was allowed to go on about my way.  I was torn about whether or not to immediately notify my command about the incident, ultimately deciding I would deal with it when it got back.  I spent the next two weeks of leave envisioning the cruel and unusual punishment my demented NCOIC might dream up.  In the end it never made it back to my unit and I got off scott free.  The Germans and their impeccable and eternal record keeping are another matter.  I fear I may discover that I am persona ne plus non grata in Germany should I ever return. 

That said my hat is off to them, they did their job well.  The TSA on the other hand... 

 

[Fosgate]

I leave on this trip in a week. Pretty good deal. Wound up flying Denver to Manila departure to arrival 18rs for $1000 regular plus seating on United. Four flights in the Philippines for another $600 for two, New 5 star on the bay in Coron and one villa 5 star in Panglao Island, (alona beach) for $800 for 6 days between the two. Just bringing cash for tours, food and booze now. I leave on the 30th

[Drguano]

On 3/23/2017 at 4:38 PM, El Presidente said:

They will let anyone in .......

Ha! We should try traveling together. I'll wait for you in the bar!