Worst part of flying to your cruise port?

[LandlockedCruiser01]

Unlike the lucky ones who live in Florida, as well as other cruise port locations, most of us have to fly to our cruise destination, and stay in a hotel the night before. While the pre-cruise day may be simply boring in the worst case, flying is almost always unpleasant. But what's the worst part of flying? Respond to the poll and post your comments. (Assume, for the purpose of this thread, that you do have checked bags.)

 

I'll start with my own. I say it's the baggage claim. When you're standing there waiting for your bag, there's always that possibility that your bag won't show up. And you're left worrying until it actually does show up. If not, you have no good outfits for your cruise, or at least your pre-cruise day and some port days are filled with clothes shopping, and not the fun kind, either. Not saying other poll options are nice; heck, TSA can be very surly in some airports, although ORD tends to be middle-of-the-road. But I find the baggage claim the most unpleasant of all.

Edited December 14, 2014 by LandlockedCruiser01

[Honolulu Blue]

All right, I'll bite. My flights the past few years actually haven't been too bad - knock on wood. TSA has mostly been efficient enough. Time in the terminal is all right - Kindles are great, and so are smartphones. Even baggage claim wasn't too bad the few times I used it.

 

So I guess that leaves the flight itself. Some have been worse than others, but overall even these haven't been terrible.

[cruisemom42]

None of the things you list bug me much unless there is some sort of human inefficiency involved.

 

In other words -- waiting in the terminal for my flight doesn't bother me. But if my flight is delayed three hours and I have to wait that extra time, then sure it is a pain.

 

Same with TSA. Unless the line is unreasonably long, it is fine.

 

What does bother me about flying? The recent price hikes for overseas flights (most of my departure ports are NOT in the US ;) ) and the constant small changes by the airlines to maximize every nickle of revenue -- such as Delta's recent announcement of changes in cabin categories, putting your basic economy class passenger even further down the food change unless you purchase some type of upgrade....

[FlyerTalker]

I'll start with my own. I say it's the baggage claim. When you're standing there waiting for your bag, there's always that possibility that your bag won't show up. And you're left worrying until it actually does show up.

Can't speak to the capabilities of other airline apps, but the Delta phone app has a feature where you can scan the barcode (or type in the numbers) and it will tell you the status of your bags. For example, it will note when they were checked in and will tell if/when they were loaded onto the aircraft. (DL scans every tag as it enters the cargo hold). Thus, I can use the app even before takeoff to see if the bag is in the hold. And, if it isn't, there will be info on any reroute that it is taking.

 

So...when I am flying, I now KNOW where the bag is. No more hoping.

 

As noted, I don't know if this is true for any other carrier, but you might want to download their phone app for any airline you are flying.

Edited December 14, 2014 by FlyerTalker

[OctoberKat]

The airport, any airport. Which, keep in mind, is suffered twice each way, sigh.

Edited December 14, 2014 by OctoberKat

[calliopecruiser]

You forgot something, which would be my choice: The Cost.

 

I'm a Trusted Traveler, so security isn't a big deal. Waiting in the airport is easy - I've got enough things to keep myself entertained for hours, if need be. Luggage? I don't worry about it - just a little more waiting (see previous answer about waiting). The flight itself? Flying is fine, but I choose my flights carefully. Again, I've got entertainment options to keep myself occupied if I'm not sleeping. But the cost? Ouch - getting to the vacation (i.e. the cruise) can cost more than the vacation itself.

Edited December 14, 2014 by calliopecruiser
typos

[gooch47]

Mine is layovers. I am a nervous traveler and one of my biggest fears is missing a connection. We always go in one or two days early, but I still fret about it. We use Southwest almost exclusively and they are famous (for our itineraries especially) for 30 minute layovers. Throw in a deicing in winter and there goes any hope of landing on time.

[caribsun]

Can I add weather ! I always fly to the port one day early but a few times because of weather I also did not make it.

[Birder1]

Mine was a 17-hr flight (IAD - JNB), during which the South African Airways' flight attendants berated me (anyone) who tried to leave their seats. I showed them my swollen ankles to no avail. Also, the pax in aisle seats (talking economy here) weren't even allowed to have a piece of paper, let alone a purse, under the seat in front. I did appreciate the PA announcement not to sleep on the floor...I never felt more of the bottom-of-the food chain...

[NMLady]

Mine is layovers. I am a nervous traveler and one of my biggest fears is missing a connection. We always go in one or two days early, but I still fret about it. We use Southwest almost exclusively and they are famous (for our itineraries especially) for 30 minute layovers. Throw in a deicing in winter and there goes any hope of landing on time.

 

I agree that layover times can be a real problem, especially when they are short. Where we live there are no direct flights so we always have a connecting flight.

My husband's mobility problems require a wheelchair escort for the long path to the boarding gates. Sometimes a snafu means the escort does not meet the flight and that can be a problem. Even if the escort is there, those 45 minute connections are a real worry, and 30 minute ones are almost impossible. So I try to book flights with a long layover time, even if it means hours in the airport.

[OCruisers]

Cancelled flights and unexpected layovers. :(

[Lionesss]

For us it is trying to get our checked suitcases each under #50lbs.

 

That is why our carryons are so dang heavy:eek:

 

Sea Ya

[navybankerteacher]

Just a few minor things: paying for the flight, keeping bag weights under 50 lbs, getting to the airport, waiting to check in, going through security, waiting to board, finding space in the over-head because so many passengers bring multiple carry-ons, squeezing into ever-smaller seats ith ever-decreasing leg-room, experiencing the toddler behind you kicking your seat, etc., etc. -- wait: just having to fly.

[jamessemaj]

For several years now, there has been nothing pleasant about air travel and I would rather just take a beating if it would avoid the experience.

 

I think the worst part is the stress and anxiety in anticipation that the worst thing will happen at some point. At each increment from getting to the airport until the ordeal is over, inconvenient and discomfort is possible and likely.

 

For longer flights, definitely the flight itself is sure to be the worst part.

[Cashew14]

I've voted for flight itself, but waiting in the terminal and waiting for luggage...all of it is so boring.

 

But the worst for us Europeans must be immigration in Miami. What a nightmare and over the top waiting times. :mad:

[crystalspin]

The planes themselves. I have relatively short legs (30" inseam barefoot), but I can't think when I have been on an airplane in the last 10 years where I had room to cross my legs! Not that I would cross them, but to have that room to move around. My husband, who is of average height and 32" inseam in shoes -- usually has his knees touching the seat in front of him AFTER removing the flight magazines! If the person in front of you reclines the seat, you MUST recline yours, or not be able to move at all. It's basically like being in a coffin, sitting up, for the duration of the flight.

 

We just flew on LAN-Chile's Dreamliners, and with that nickname I sort of thought they might be better, but it was not so. The seats weren't too bad for comfort (not cushy, but not board-hard either); the built-in pillow was so pronounced you couldn't use the extra pillow without forcing your head forward on your chest. We were three-across with me in the middle, so I had the armrest up on both sides during the flight, and I could move my feet about 4" front to back, so it was better than a few trips in recent memory, but no dream!

[Cruisin' Chick]

As I'm one of those fearful flyers, we have avoided flying since 2001. But also because of the cost and other factors. Fortunately we do live an hour's drive from one port. Unfortunately, not a whole lot of different varieties of itineraries at the time of year we can go (which may change in the future once our daughter goes off to college). Fortunately, one of the itineraries (the RT Hawaiian one on Princess) we really like.

 

Our last cruise not from the Port of LA was out of Seattle and we took the train both ways to get there.

 

There are some cruises we'll like to take that require air travel to the embarkation point, but that's where the cost factor comes in (the flights will cost a lot more than the cruise itself).

 

My hubby doesn't mind flying, but hates waiting in lines. So that might factor in his reasons for avoiding flying as much as possible.

[donaldsc]

1) TSA screening. I am on the trusted traveler list. We always walk right through.

 

2) Waiting in the terminal. I have never figured out why people make so much fuss about this. I just take out my Nook and read. I do find the incessant repetitive TV programs annoying. I have to try to find my TV-B-Gone and it will take care of it.

 

3) Flights. They are sort of a pain but I can live with them. Might be a problem if I had to fly to Australia again but if you want comfort in an airline, you have to pay for it. Adjust for cost-of-living, airline travel is cheaper today than it has ever been and you get what you pay for. Also, we always do an aisle and aisle so you know that there will be space on one side of you.

 

4) Baggage pickup. You are worrying about something that is not likely to happen. In all the years that we have been flying, I think that we have had a wandering piece of luggage just once. We have never had luggage lost. Think about the positives of luggage delays. You do not have to deal w your luggage in the terminal and the airline delivers it to your location. Most of the people who worry about luggage are also the people who fly in on the day of the cruise. Fly in on the day or do early and it is almost always not a problem.

 

I am not saying that I love traveling. I would like to be able to afford business class although this would not eliminate 3 of the 4 supposed problems but it is not as bad as many of the CC people make it to be. I would bet that most of the flight complainers would complain even louder if the airlines raised fares $50 or $100 to make the flying experience better.

 

DON

Edited December 14, 2014 by donaldsc

[SPacificbound]

The flight itself.

 

I am not a good long haul flyer, but since the two cruise ports near us don't have ships going anywhere we want to go, the flight is just a fact of life.

 

We both have Global Entry and TSA Pre✓™, so screening is no big deal.

[Scrapnana]

I chose baggage claim because my bags are usually among the last ones off. They usually show up on the carousel about the time I am trying to figure out where I go to report lost luggage!

[iancal]

Multiple flights. Europe I not great for us. SE Asia is worse. Leaving in two weeks for Thailand....24 hours elapsed with two stopovers. YUK.

[MSN-Travelers]

The hacking, wheezing, sneezing who insist they share with you.

 

Idiots with their huge carry-ons that don't fit overhead.

[Lady Chew]

The scariest thing for me is take-off. I just don't see how it's possible ... and I can't relax until we've been up in the air for about 10 minutes. I pay attention to how the flight attendants act ... I figure if they're not nervous, I don't need to panic.

 

I live near Dulles, and can see the planes all day. They always look like they're going so nice & smooth ... but when I'm inside the plane, not so much!

 

Mr Chew is an aerospace engineer and many times has explained to me how it works ... but I still don't see how it's possible!

 

The most annoying thing is waiting for luggage.

 

Sometimes security is annoying and sometimes it is not, but I'm usually pretty relaxed about it.

[samiam0403]

I voted baggage claim because it's the closest to 'dealing with luggage in general' that was listed. After decades of no issues with baggage, I've had my suitcases lost twice in the last year. The first time, they kindly delivered it at 3:00am. :eek: The second time, it took days for them to even find it - and that was on top of the joy of being delayed more than 24 hours for weather. I just can't do a carry on, as I'm picky about hair products, so I always check a bag. Between losing them, them getting damaged, dealing with people who enjoy standing right up at the edge of the baggage claim (with their kids/significant other/etc) and blocking the entire thing, and paying to check a bag, it's all a pain. But the funny thing is, I love flying and traveling. Always have. Spent the 1st 12 years of my Air Force career as a flyer. If only I could bring liquids on board, flying would be so much more pleasant for me! Luckily I'm now assigned to a base in Florida, so I don't have to fly to cruise to the Caribbean. Yay!

[pris993]

The flight is the worst part for me, planes have not been designed for comfort in coach at all, no service, no meals, in some cases no entertainment worth watching, flights that are over booked and delayed while airlines try to get someone to volunteer to be bumped... I could go on....

 

On our last flight a 11 non stop San Francisco to Paris and then on to Rome to catch a cruise, we flew on the new 380 aircraft. My impression, coach is like a greyhound bus, sadly the old greyhound buses were even more comfortable.

 

If I never had to fly again would love it. :eek: