Where ever you look today it seems everyone has a smart phone. From IPhone, Droids, to Blackberry people want to stay connected. This seems particularly true for travelers who use apps for everything from checking in to the airlines to playing games while waiting for a cab, or even messaging someone and sending emails. I am no exception to this technological craze having had a quad band Blackberry that I could instant message my wife even when she was in Europe. I am now using an IPhone (mostly so I can message my wife without having a texting plan) but I do so like the deals of the apps while I am traveling. I am new to the apps so my experience is limited but here are my 5 for this trip:
5. Alaska Air check in app - I like the idea that I can check in for my flight while waiting on the plane for the isle seat. This is handy because I am the last one off the plane and that can make it difficult when trying to make the connection.
4. Angry Birds (free edition) - My 2 year old gets squirmy when we have to wait in lines so we discovered this game. He likes the sounds that the birds make when they are tossed into the air, and also yelling "BOOM!!" when the buildings are knocked over. I see us playing this while waiting for Dumbo, or Smallworld.
3. Packing (+TO DO!) by Quinn Genzel - We are list people. A smooth trip starts out with many lists and this is a great one for figuring out what you have and where it is. basically it gives a item by item inventory of your luggage and gives a guesstimating of weight. In this age of pay by the pound luggage and no frills flight it really is nice to have things organized.
2. FlightTrack - Live Flight information by Ben Kazez - This will be great for being able to see departure updates when I am away from the big board, it has great maps that I can zoom in on gives me gate numbers and much more. I figure I will have at least one more big trip in a year and this will be very handy to have for it.
1. Disneyland Magic Guide by VersaEdge Software LLC - I am going to Disneyland with a toddler for the first time so it is very important for me to know where things like "where is the closest bathroom" or "where can I get a kids power pack". This program (which offers a free version) is full of information like ride waits, GPS location tells you where you are, it shows a map with restaurants and restrooms, and has useful things like park hours, and priority dining reservations. All in all I will probably get my three bucks worth out of it on my trip, and future Disneyland trips to come.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
List sharing
So I have mentioned that when our family travels we create some pretty extensive lists. Anything from Things to do, Things to buy, stuff to pack, and places to eat. I thought I would share a few of them so you can see what type of things we put on them. Who knows you may have suggestions for me. Please share.
1. Things to do
Pull out luggage -gets the old closet smell out and lets you see if there is any damage to them
Look through toiletry bag - dump half crusty bottles, replace razor blades, make sure that you have what you need
Clean- nothing worse than coming home to a messy house. Especially after staying at a nice hotel.
Pull warm/cold weather clothing- depending on where you live you don't always get to wear shorts or a coat best to go through them early to see if they still fit
Contact bank and CC company - let them know where you are going so that you don't have your cards turned off for suspicious charges. Really important when going outside of the US.
Stop mail - or arrange someone to pick it up for you. Also a good ideal to put a few lights on timers to discourage anyone who might break in
Get cash & Disney gift cards - always take small cash for tipping and food/magazine vendors, or vending machines it is appreciated. Also if you are going to a place like Disneyland that has gift cards buy some. It is much than juggling cash around and it keeps you on budget.
Pack - aways my job and I am REALLY good at it
Put clean sheets on bed - after a long or short flight it is nice to sleep on clean sheets on your own bed.
Snacks - don't buy a $5 can of nuts out of the mini bar. Leave a little room and take something to snack on. Spend the extra on another trip
Measure Kid- you want to know how tall they are so you can keep them from being disappointed when they are to short for a ride.
Pay bills - in the heat of doing all the travel stuff things can be forgotten. Trust me.
Pack DVD and portable player - I have a kid who is good on planes but can get board after the third hour of flight. This is why you bring some favorites for them to watch.
1. Things to do
Pull out luggage -gets the old closet smell out and lets you see if there is any damage to them
Look through toiletry bag - dump half crusty bottles, replace razor blades, make sure that you have what you need
Clean- nothing worse than coming home to a messy house. Especially after staying at a nice hotel.
Pull warm/cold weather clothing- depending on where you live you don't always get to wear shorts or a coat best to go through them early to see if they still fit
Contact bank and CC company - let them know where you are going so that you don't have your cards turned off for suspicious charges. Really important when going outside of the US.
Stop mail - or arrange someone to pick it up for you. Also a good ideal to put a few lights on timers to discourage anyone who might break in
Get cash & Disney gift cards - always take small cash for tipping and food/magazine vendors, or vending machines it is appreciated. Also if you are going to a place like Disneyland that has gift cards buy some. It is much than juggling cash around and it keeps you on budget.
Pack - aways my job and I am REALLY good at it
Put clean sheets on bed - after a long or short flight it is nice to sleep on clean sheets on your own bed.
Snacks - don't buy a $5 can of nuts out of the mini bar. Leave a little room and take something to snack on. Spend the extra on another trip
Measure Kid- you want to know how tall they are so you can keep them from being disappointed when they are to short for a ride.
Pay bills - in the heat of doing all the travel stuff things can be forgotten. Trust me.
Pack DVD and portable player - I have a kid who is good on planes but can get board after the third hour of flight. This is why you bring some favorites for them to watch.
Friday, March 2, 2012
5 Fave Fridays - Tough Jobs
I know that there are a ton of people that think that there couldn't be jobs in travel that are tough. I am here to say that you would be wrong if you think this. When I fly I see all the jobs that are overlooked when the ideal of airtravel (or travel in general) is thought. So in my opinion and breif knowledge, here are 5 tough travel jobs:
5. Train/Bus station ticket clerk - In larger cities this job gets exposed to amped up customers who may be suffering from being overstimulated, smaller towns this person may be exposed to the elements, or forced to stay in a tiny little booth until they are relieved. Have you ever tried to stay in a phone booth for 8 hours. Sounds tough to me.
4. Hotel/Cruise ship custodial - These under appreciated people have the thankless job of cleaning up after people who (lets face it) are on vacation and therefore not concerned that they left all the wet towels on the floor, or missed the toilet bowel all together. If you work on a ship you not only have to keep your area rooms clean but you have to make a towel animal every night (or people complain). They manage to do all this with a smile, or helpful attitude. Think you could smile at a person who just trashed a room you cleaned up less than 8 hours ago? Me neither.
3. Train Stewards/Flight Attendants - Despite what TV shows us these jobs are not "Pan Am" or "Thomas the Tank Engine". These folks are on the front lines taking abuse from intoxicated and rude passengers, disrespectful kids/teens, unruly seniors. Rarely do you hear a complaint from them (how they don't manage to spill a drink or toss more passengers...looking at you Alec Baldwin...is beyond me). Try to be nice on your next trip, you would be amazed.
2. Customer Service Operators - There are many names that this position goes by but basically they are there to answer your questions and help when something goes wrong (because no one ever calls when they have had a good trip). They have to put up with a ton of crap from people who have legitimate complaints, as well as those people who didn't prepare properly and missed their flight/bus/train/etc. I guarantee that you would cuss someone out if you had to deal with just a fraction of their calls.
1. Baggage Handlers and Support Personnel - These people are out in the elements, work holidays/nights/weekends, NEVER get compliments when they do a good job (when was the last time you heard someone say great job loading the bags into the airplane). As with all of these jobs they do not make a ton of money, and there isn't much job security thanks to the economy.
So if you are fortunate enough to get to travel, and you just happen to run into someone on this list (or someone who is not). Thank them for doing a great job. You will make their day
5. Train/Bus station ticket clerk - In larger cities this job gets exposed to amped up customers who may be suffering from being overstimulated, smaller towns this person may be exposed to the elements, or forced to stay in a tiny little booth until they are relieved. Have you ever tried to stay in a phone booth for 8 hours. Sounds tough to me.
4. Hotel/Cruise ship custodial - These under appreciated people have the thankless job of cleaning up after people who (lets face it) are on vacation and therefore not concerned that they left all the wet towels on the floor, or missed the toilet bowel all together. If you work on a ship you not only have to keep your area rooms clean but you have to make a towel animal every night (or people complain). They manage to do all this with a smile, or helpful attitude. Think you could smile at a person who just trashed a room you cleaned up less than 8 hours ago? Me neither.
3. Train Stewards/Flight Attendants - Despite what TV shows us these jobs are not "Pan Am" or "Thomas the Tank Engine". These folks are on the front lines taking abuse from intoxicated and rude passengers, disrespectful kids/teens, unruly seniors. Rarely do you hear a complaint from them (how they don't manage to spill a drink or toss more passengers...looking at you Alec Baldwin...is beyond me). Try to be nice on your next trip, you would be amazed.
2. Customer Service Operators - There are many names that this position goes by but basically they are there to answer your questions and help when something goes wrong (because no one ever calls when they have had a good trip). They have to put up with a ton of crap from people who have legitimate complaints, as well as those people who didn't prepare properly and missed their flight/bus/train/etc. I guarantee that you would cuss someone out if you had to deal with just a fraction of their calls.
1. Baggage Handlers and Support Personnel - These people are out in the elements, work holidays/nights/weekends, NEVER get compliments when they do a good job (when was the last time you heard someone say great job loading the bags into the airplane). As with all of these jobs they do not make a ton of money, and there isn't much job security thanks to the economy.
So if you are fortunate enough to get to travel, and you just happen to run into someone on this list (or someone who is not). Thank them for doing a great job. You will make their day
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