Made any travel mistakes lately?

[xen0n33]

A minor one in the scheme of things, but frustrating at the time:

Visiting Paris a couple weeks ago, I was using the Navigo Découverte card on my phone. Went through the gates fine at CDG (for the RER B line). Tapped phone, gates swung open, away I go.

Finally got to my destination (or where I had to change for the tram), which had older looking gates. I tap, and nothing happens. Having not been to Paris in 8 years, I didn't recognize that these were the gates where you need to tap and then push to walk through. So, in my traveler's fog, I tap again and get the message: pass already used.

It's an unmanned station, so I could try the help intercom thing, but my French isn't up to explaining my stuff up. Fortunately, I end up being able to follow someone through the wider exit gates by the elevator and so am not trapped forever!

And thus did I learn a valuable lesson.

 

[RooFlyer]

Landed in HEL from Bangkok. Frozen wasteland. Catching connection to Düsseldorf.

Oh oh. Bus gate and in and I’m in my shirtsleeves alone from all the other passengers in the gate lounge most who are not only jacketed but most of them have beanies etc. Some in furs.

Onto the bus standing by the door to make sure I could be one of the first up the airplane stairs and not have to stand on the stairs in my shirt sleeves.

Freeze for about 10 minutes while everyone boarded the bus with me standing by the open door.

Travel mistake of course was not to bring my jumper on the flight from Bangkok anticipating what was at the other end.

 

[Flashback]

Landed in HEL from Bangkok. Frozen wasteland. Catching connection to Düsseldorf.

Oh oh. Bus gate and in and I’m in my shirtsleeves alone from all the other passengers in the gate lounge most who are not only jacketed but most of them have beanies etc. Some in furs.

Onto the bus standing by the door to make sure I could be one of the first up the airplane stairs and not have to stand on the stairs in my shirt sleeves.

Freeze for about 10 minutes while everyone boarded the bus with me standing by the open door.

Travel mistake of course was not to bring my jumper on the flight from Bangkok anticipating what was at the other end.

Did the same arriving back in HEL from DEL early Jan a few years back, also onto a bus and just shorts and a tee. Didn't bother me though as I always find planes too warm, so it was quite nice!

 

[SYD]

Landed in HEL from Bangkok. Frozen wasteland. Catching connection to Düsseldorf.

Oh oh. Bus gate and in and I’m in my shirtsleeves alone from all the other passengers in the gate lounge most who are not only jacketed but most of them have beanies etc. Some in furs.

Onto the bus standing by the door to make sure I could be one of the first up the airplane stairs and not have to stand on the stairs in my shirt sleeves.

Freeze for about 10 minutes while everyone boarded the bus with me standing by the open door.

Travel mistake of course was not to bring my jumper on the flight from Bangkok anticipating what was at the other end.

I hand carried two huge winter jackets jammed into a seperate foldup carry on bag from SYD-CGK and then CGK-DOH-MUC. Definitely not required in CGK but I unfurled them as we waited to disembark in MUC (and I now expect to wear them every day / night for the next few weeks!

 

[ellen10]

Landed in HEL from Bangkok. Frozen wasteland. Catching connection to Düsseldorf.

Oh oh. Bus gate and in and I’m in my shirtsleeves alone from all the other passengers in the gate lounge most who are not only jacketed but most of them have beanies etc. Some in furs.

Onto the bus standing by the door to make sure I could be one of the first up the airplane stairs and not have to stand on the stairs in my shirt sleeves.

Freeze for about 10 minutes while everyone boarded the bus with me standing by the open door.

Travel mistake of course was not to bring my jumper on the flight from Bangkok anticipating what was at the other end.

This is exactly what happened to us earlier this year.

Landed in Helsinki, snow all around and then raining with icy cold winds. Up the stairs and our seats were row one, right near the open doorway. Plane was held for some late arrivals. Arctic winds blowing through the open doorway. Husband sitting there in shorts and short sleeve shirt.

The FA was very amused

 

[Quickstatus]

I’m in my shirtsleeves alone from all the other passengers in the gate lounge most who are not only jacketed but most of them have beanies etc. Some in furs.

Doesn't the Tasmanian heritage give you cold immunity?

 

[serfty]

Landed in HEL from Bangkok. Frozen wasteland. Catching connection to Düsseldorf.

Oh oh. Bus gate and in and I’m in my shirtsleeves alone from all the other passengers in the gate lounge most who are not only jacketed but most of them have beanies etc. Some in furs.

Onto the bus standing by the door to make sure I could be one of the first up the airplane stairs and not have to stand on the stairs in my shirt sleeves.

Freeze for about 10 minutes while everyone boarded the bus with me standing by the open door.

Travel mistake of course was not to bring my jumper on the flight from Bangkok anticipating what was at the other end.

Learned a similar lesson last a few years ago in the USA.

I flew from MSP to DTW in a Delta Regional Jet, of the sort with no overhead storage bin space for rollaboards.

On boarding you leave your bag in the airbridge where handlers take them and stow them underneath. When you arrive, after leaving the aircraft you wait just outside in the airbridge for your bags to be brought up.

I was lightly dressed with short sleeves. I had my jacket in the bag. This time the wait for the bag was ~¼ hour

It was -6°F.

 

[Quickstatus]

This time the wait for the bag was ~¼ hour

I tend to be the last out of a RJ for that reason (waiting, not cold as I like the cold)

 

[Genji88]

Earlier this year booked airport fast track with Bangkok Airport Fast track VIP Fast Lane service.

Due to dodgy mobile version and not checking documents, I booked return service a month earlier than needed.

Got neither the service nor a refund due to being my own fault.

Lesson learned, always check your travel documents after payment.

 

[p--and--t]

always check your travel documents BEFORE payment.

Fixed that for you

 

[RooFlyer]

Doesn't the Tasmanian heritage give you cold immunity?

Sure, which was why I was able to standard there in my short sleeves without turning a hair while all the locals were had about nine layers on.

As soon as I got my bag from the carousel at the other end out came the jumper and warm padded vest. My Tassie tuxedo is deflated right at the bottom of the bag and I didn’t need that for the next short trip via train to downtown Düsseldorf.

 

[drron]

I always leave home without something. Yesterday though one of my medications. So today I used one of the escript services. to get a supply. $65 to set up your account and a 1 minute doctor consult. But at least I get x5 flybuys points. Chance of finding a GP in Double Bay on a Sunday or indeed any day who charged less was I thought remote.

 

[Flyfrequently]

So today I used one of the escript services. to get a supply. $65 to set up your account and a 1 minute doctor consult. But at least I get x5 flybuys points.

Glad you got your meds @drron
Am not much into Flybuys - so points were for 1 minute doc consult or setting up account?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Sure, which was why I was able to standard there in my short sleeves without turning a hair while all the locals were had about nine layers on.

As soon as I got my bag from the carousel at the other end out came the jumper and warm padded vest. My Tassie tuxedo is deflated right at the bottom of the bag and I didn’t need that for the next short trip via train to downtown Düsseldorf.

Surely a brain fade? I can’t believe a “seasoned” traveler would ever travel to Europe without a coat or jacket in carryons? One has to plan for luggage getting lost and being stuffed without a warm covering in cold, rain, snow at destination, at any time of year, let alone December!

 

[drron]

Glad you got your meds @drron
Am not much into Flybuys - so points were for 1 minute doc consult or setting up account?

that was for both. but they quote $30 for a script which includes the consultation.

 

[RooFlyer]

Surely a brain fade? I can’t believe a “seasoned” traveler would ever travel to Europe without a coat or jacket in carryons? One has to plan for luggage getting lost and being stuffed without a warm covering in cold, rain, snow at destination, at any time of year, let alone December!

Yes, while I should’ve taken the jumper with me (hence travel mistake) I think I was reasonable to think that until I got to the final baggage carousel. I should be in aircon planes or terminals.

If my bag has been delayed, my losing the jumper would have been the least of my worries and I would simply would’ve bought a new one at the airport. All the other stuff - coat gloves beanie etc that I miss more within the day.

 

[SYD]

Yes, while I should’ve taken the jumper with me (hence I posted a travel mistake) I think I was reasonable to think that until I got to the final baggage carousel. I should be in aircon planes or terminals.

Yeah, I’ve passed through HEL many times and don’t recall doing a non air bridge arrival/departure in winter (and maybe only ever once in the past - and I probably thought I’m glad I’m not doing this in winter!)

If my bag has been delayed, my losing the jumper would have been the least of my worries and I would simply would’ve bought a new one at the airport. All the other stuff - coat gloves beanie etc that I miss more within the day.

I had hat, gloves and coats in carry on for that very reason! My jumper didn’t fit but I reckon I’d be ok without it.

 

[Flyerwin]

Last year on a trip to Singapore I got to the airport and realised I had left everyone’s passport at home in my hand luggage that I left in the garage. Found out when we parked and I was handing out hand luggages and mine was missing. Had to race back to get it and returned - one hour and a half hours round trip. Surprisingly we weren’t late as we left 3 hours in airport so it got cut down a bit.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah, I’ve passed through HEL many times and don’t recall doing a non air bridge arrival/departure in winter (and maybe only ever once in the past - and I probably thought I’m glad I’m not doing this in winter!)

I had hat, gloves and coats in carry on for that very reason! My jumper didn’t fit but I reckon I’d be ok without it.

We arrived in HEL this last Feb, regional jet from Stockholm. 1am, blizzard outside, -10C, no air bridge and two feet of snow from the foot of the steps all the way to the terminal.

We had warm weather gear but geez it was hard going! Equally hard on the walk to the airport hilton… which is supposedly undercover… although with horizontal snow it doesn’t help!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thankfully this is not a travel mistake I made, but relishing the fact my sister did yesterday and has accepted accountability.
She was lazing about on the beach at Yorkey's with her daughter before taking her to the airport.
I get the distress call, she's missed her CNS-MEL flight, as Maxwell Smart would say "missed it by that much!" - literally only a few minutes and gate closed, the last direct flight of the day.

My sister had not checked the departure time, nor had the well travelled 20 year old.
To Jet* credit, agent rebooked her on the first flight out today, charging $90, it was a Q CR ticket.