Preparing for Air Travel

Are You Ready to Take to the Friendly Skies Once Again? 

These tips will help guide you through the process. We'd be happy to answer any questions you might have as well.  Be sure to watch the video from Alaska Airlines as they do their safety dance.

But First - Is Air Travel Safe?

We recognize that before you decide to travel, you need to address your health and safety concerns.  Latest research indicates that the risks of air travel may be significantly lower than those in your daily life, due to the health and safety measures which have been put in place by the travel industry.

Highlights of Health & Safety Measures:

• Frequent Air Exchanges in airports and onboard
• Implementation of HEPA Filtration
• Forward-facing seas create transmission barriers
• Use of masks

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Top Travel Preparation Tips

• Travel only if feeling well
• Keep contact information updated with your travel professional & airline
• Complete Flight check-in via app or online
• Use self-service kiosks at airport
• Arrive early
• Minimize carry-on luggage
• Bring food for flight if desired
• Bring extra hand sanitizer (can be up to 12 oz)
• Pack extra masks

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Expect Changes at Airport & Terminals

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Don't Forget Your Masks

At the time of writing, there seems to be some confusion on which mask offers the best protection.  There has recently been some suggestions of doubling your masks with a surgical mask first and a cloth mask on top.  Follow recommended CDC guidelines at the time of your travel.   Be sure to note the types of masks which are not allowed (see graphic).   Wear your masks properly !

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Life Onboard Your Flight Will be Different

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And Now - Let's do the Safety Dance with Alaska Airlines

 

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Where is Chris - National Air Traffic Control Day

National Air Traffic Control Day was first held on July 6, 1986, on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the air control system in the United States.  On National Air Traffic Control Day, we thank all those who work to keep the airways safe as part of the National Airspace System, and we work to make the system stronger.

Where is Chris in this photo?  Hint:  it's one of the busiest air traffic routes in the country.  The skies might be a bit quieter these days, but hopefully they will be filled with planes again in the near future.

Learn about the air traffic controller's job.   #KeepTheKidsEngaged


Where is Chris

Where is Chris    Learn More

Here is today's destination  can you guess where we are? As promised, we've updated yesterday's post, Where is Chris - National Parks Month, with the answer to the puzzle.  Revisit that post and just scroll over the image to reveal the answer.  You can also click on the link below the picture to read more.    

Make sure to follow us on our social media, so you don't miss any destinations. 

If you can't wait for tomorrow for the answer, you can take my quiz in my Instagram story.

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat  

Each week we post images from our trips and participate in several travel chats on Twitter.

Take advantage of these resources to assist in you in planning your dream vacations.  Of course, we are always available to answer any questions you might have about travel and the industry.

Melbourne Arrival - Know Before You Go

Pre-Cruise in Melbourne

As we arrived in Melbourne on Valentine's Day 2020 the sun was just rising.  We were able to watch from the comfort of our seats since our Quantas jet had an exterior camera.  It was  around 10 AM when we landed.   We were in row 87 so it took awhile to deplane.

Passport control Passport control can get busy, so make sure you allow enough time if you are arriving the same day as your cruise (which we strongly advise against).

Incoming passenger card 

On your flight, you’ll receive an incoming passenger card to fill out with your personal details and flight information. You’ll need this for your arrival into Australia. Note that you must use either black or blue pen. 

SmartGate  

Certain travelers can use the arrivals SmartGate. Simply place your passport into the scanning device for your information to be processed. You can then step into the SmartGate and look into the camera so that your face can be matched with your passport. When successfully processed, the gate will open. If you are unsuccessful or require special assistance, there will be officers to help manually process your passport. More information.  

We stopped to use the restrooms and headed to Passport Control.  We didn't get landing cards on the plane, because they ran out, but we were able to use the SmartGate so it didn't take too long to get to baggage claim.

Luggage was starting to come off the conveyor belt by the time we arrived at baggage claim.  There are free trolleys there for you to use.

It's a good thing, since you can see from the picture here that we next got into a very very long line to head to the final checkpoint to clear customs.   In fact, it wound its way through most of the baggage claim area.

Customs and biosecurity

Once you have your bags, the last step before you can exit the airport is passing through customs and biosecurity. Note that you do not need your passport at this point.

SmartGate and incoming passenger card 

Present your SmartGate ticket and incoming passenger card to one of the officers so you can pass through Customs and Border Protection and the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.

Declaring goods – Remember to declare any necessary items at this point. This includes things like animal or plant goods. More information here.

Leaving the airport  (we opted for Taxi)

Consider how you’re going to leave the airport. There are transportation options to suit all budgets.

Taxi – A taxi to Melbourne City takes approximately 35 minutes and costs around $55–65, though times and fares can vary. Taxis can be caught on the ground floor outside T1, and between T2 and T3. 

SkyBus – The SkyBus operates three services 24/7 to Melbourne City, St Kilda or Frankston. To the city, this journey takes 30–45 minutes. There is a SkyBus booth to assist with tickets and related services on the ground level of T2.

Public transport – Public buses arrive and depart from Melbourne Airport near the At Terminal T4

Car hire – There’s a great selection of rental car companies available at Melbourne Airport. You'll find them located across the forecourt from T2.

Our pre-cruise stay was at Crowne Plaza Melbourne in the Central Business District.  It was 15 minutes away from the airport and 15 minutes away from the cruise terminal.  

We'll talk more about our first day in Melbourne in another post.  For more images, see our Shutterfly Photo Page.
Hopefully, you've followed us live on our social media channels as well.  Don't worry if you didn't, as our anchor post will tie everything together for you.  Just click the image (left) to our diary post.

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat  

Each week we post images from our trips and participate in several travel chats on Twitter.

Take advantage of these resources to assist in you in planning your dream vacations.  Of course, we are always available to answer any questions you might have about travel and the industry.

Travel to Melbourne

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ORD - LAX - MEL

Our Southern Australia to Singapore adventure began on February 12th with our evening flight from Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX). We had friends take us to the airport a couple hours early, as we normally do. Just as we arrived at the airport, it started snowing.

We went thru security and headed to our gate. Since we had a four hour flight, we picked up salads from the food court so that we'd have some dinner on the plane.

Our flight boarded on time, but due to the snow, the plane needed to be de-iced which caused us to be delayed for about an hour. Despite the late departure, we still arrived in LAX on time. We had a two hour lay-over in Los Angeles before our next flight.

Connecting Flights

To expedite security screening, we'd packed all our electronic items (laptop, iPad, DSLR camera, Kindle) and 3-1-1 bags in a separate carry-on bag.  This made going through security in Chicago much easier than it would have otherwise. I say easier, because my knee brace always requires extra screening, which this time was quite involved, and took some time.

You may be wondering if we needed to go through security all over again in LAX?

Fortunately, the answer to that question was no. Upon debarkation in LAX, we asked someone for directions to the connecting flights. At the end of the terminal, there was an escalator that took us to an upper level. You can see from the picture above that we are above the security screening and flight check-in stations.

Getting Comfortable

Another thing that we had in our separate carry-on bag was a change of pants. We took turns changing into our lounging pants prior to heading to our gate. This way, we didn't need to attempt to get comfortable in the small onboard restrooms. We wanted to be comfortable for the approximate 15 hour flight from there to Melbourne.

We also suggest a comfortable neck pillow.  Even though the airline provides pillows on long-haul flights, you might want to have your own to add to your comfort.  Also consider compression socks to prevent DVT (clots) and some slipper socks so that you can keep your feet warm if you remove your shoes.

Next Stop - Melbourne

We boarded the flight about 10:30 PM Pacific time which was 12:30 AM at home.   We were already tired, but we needed to stay up a little longer.   Dinner was served around 1:30 AM and then it was time to take a long nap.   A couple hours before we landed, breakfast was served.

If you are like me, I can't  fall asleep easily on planes.  My husband on the other hand has no problem.  This time, however, I was out before my husband and skipped dinner.   Throughout the flight we both got up and took restroom breaks, allowing us to stretch a little.  It is a good idea to do so as well as some plane exercises to be sure not to get clots.

We'll talk more about our arrival in another post.  For more images, see our Shutterfly Photo Page.
Hopefully, you've followed us live on our social media channels as well.  Don't worry if you didn't, as our anchor post will tie everything together for you.  Just click the image (left) to our diary post.

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Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat