Zen travelling - why it makes so much sense.

[Forg]

^ Pushing-in (ie. "me & mine over everyone else & I'm willing to kill to achieve that so back off"), rather than queueing (ie. "if we all take turns in an orderly fashion we'll all be better off"), is part of a lot of cultures ... I'm not sure a lot of the perpetrators even consider it rude, and although I don't know the "rules" of such pushing-in I dunno if they'd necessarily be offended if you pushed back in front of them.

 

[JohnK]

I'm not sure a lot of the perpetrators even consider it rude, and although I don't know the "rules" of such pushing-in I dunno if they'd necessarily be offended if you pushed back in front of them.

I'm sure you're right but it makes me feel better if I push back.

 

[mrsterryn]

Been Zen and it paid off
Not been Zen and boy did it back fire
Zen....we were on a JFK to SYD . Major issues flight from Sydney delayed...blah blah blah.
Watched the flight whilst waiting in JFK get medical diverted etc.
eventually landed at LAX wondering how we would go getting home. People were being diverted by new Zealand...Brisbane etc.
We were just hoping to get home. However no big dramas on the delay.
We were pleasant and commiserated with staff.
We were put on the same flight still in business 24 hours later . It was amazing. We could have ended up anywhere..note Mr T and I are both Platinium. Mind you I believe both our flight and the next day flight were quite full
Not being Zen
Had major issues when I booked a quick trip to LAX codeshare on AA as Qantas.
AA have a different method of checking it.
They didn't check in my seat they checked in my comfort seat.
Return flight.. Qantas cancelled my ticket.
It took 3 hours between AA at LAX and Qantas to try and sort out.
I screamed..I ranted...I raved...and I was bitter and yes I asked 'is this how you treat Platinium '
Finally got to the lounge...hot cranky etc and the poor staff member must have been warned because his face paled when I got there.
Anyhow seat I was in on AA didn't have the arm that goes up sooo..very frustrating.
However I realised later they had also booked me on the Qantas flight earlier correctly which would have been lovely but not required buuut as I was such a cranky sod they just sorted out AA and let AA have the cranky customer

 

[Hvr]

Zen experience, I was flying SJU-MIA-JFK-ORD-DEN. Got to JFK ok and it all went to custard.

On the JFK-ORD leg we were on the plane away from the gate awaiting take off. We were there for three hours. I realised that my next flight wasn't happening and that I would be stuck in either New York or Chicago for the night.

I rang my Colorado hotel and advised them I wouldn't make it and that they were free to use the non-refundable room as they saw fit. The hotel person explained it was non-refundable, I calmly acknowledged this and reiterated my point that they could use the room as required.

Just a moment sir said the hotel person, put me on hold. Upon return he said 'thank you for calling, we can use the room and you will be refunded'.

So two of us won because I was zen like.

 

[nutwood]

I find the secret is to consider an experience something to be enjoyed. Whether it be pleasant or totally unpleasant, it is still an experience. If you enjoy all experiences, you can't lose.
If you are internally chuckling at how horrible the day is turning out, you can't really get grumpy with anyone.

 

[ozfflyer]

3 rules of airline travel

1) always be nice & polite to check in staff, they tend to cop a fair amount of abuse

2) ALWAYS, ALWAYS observe rule 1

3) NEVER dress like a slob

If has often got us free upgrades, spare seats beside us etc.

 

[juddles]

3 rules of airline travel

1) always be nice & polite to check in staff, they tend to cop a fair amount of abuse

2) ALWAYS, ALWAYS observe rule 1

3) NEVER dress like a slob

If has often got us free upgrades, spare seats beside us etc.

Although I agree with (1), if you are zen then the rest flows naturally. I have actually been pretty chill in last flights and the results have been not bad