Posts Tagged ‘interline’

Save Money, Top 10 Free Attractions in Athens

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Athens is the cradle of Democracy and all free people. In honor of these ideas being free, listed are some of the top Free Attractions in Athens. To see all the attractions, go to the NonRev Athens Page.

 Plaka

Athens has some great architecture, but one area is frozen in time. The Plaka has strict zoning laws which forbid any modern architecture so it appears as though it is 19th Century Greece. This area has hardly any cars, and is one of the most picturesque places in Greece. Definitely worth wandering around for a while. To see details on free attractions in Greece, go to the Things to do in Athens Section.  

 

All Men are by Nature Equal…

‘All men are by nature equal, made all of the same earth by one Workman; and however we deceive ourselves, as dear unto God is the poor peasant as the mighty prince.This quote was first said in Plato’s Academy by the master of Philosophy himself. Where would we all be if he did not have the wisdom and courage to say these words? Plato’s Academy is still accessible to the public, and it is FREE.  Plato himself would have wanted this way. The fact that ideas are free is proof enough. To see details on free attractions in Greece, go to the Things to do in Athens Section.    

 

Best Gyros…According to the Greek Prime Minister

I didn’t believe this myself until I went there. I heard the Prime Minister and his followers go to Spiros Bairaktaris. When I found the place I asked a waiter. He pointed to a group and said that was the Prime Ministers Brother, and he has holding court. The price of a Gyro to go was around 1.7 Euro. It was very large and good enough for a meal. If you sit down, the cost is higher. To find more information, go to the NonRev Snacks in Greece section.

  

See more free attractions in Greece at the Greece section of NonRevWebsitecom. To see more free attractions from around the world, go to NonRevWebsite.com

4th of July Free Attractions in Boston

Monday, June 6th, 2011

The ‘One if by land, two if by sea.’ signal is said to have been sent from Christ Church at Boston’s North End. There are so many things about freedom that are free in Boston, that a trip here should not “tax” your visit. There is even a free Tour, Free NonRev Tours in Boston . A few of the free attractions are listed below.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name…
Well, everyone may not know your name, but it is still free to see where one of the best TV sit-coms got its inspiration. Why not have a beer at Sam Malone’s bar and get a souvenir? NonRev Drinks in Boston .

Worlds Oldest Commissioned Warship Afloat
This ship is one of six original frigates authorized for construction in 1794, and was commissioned by George Washington in 1797. The ships were the biggest and best armed for their time. Her first assignment was against the Barbary Pirates of France. Click to find more Free Things To Do in Boston .

Where The Revolutionary War Started
‘Don’t shoot until you see the white’s of their eyes’! Sound familiar? It is attributed to The Battle at Bunker Hill. A giant monolith, the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum is dedicated to those who stood up to fight tyranny and free all mankind from the chains of monarchy. It is an obelisk, like the Washington Monument, because the founders of the US believed it should be patterned after Ancient Greece and Rome. This is why the US calls itself a Republic. See more free attractions in Boston at the Boston section of NonRevWebsitecom. To see more free attractions from around the world, go to NonRevWebsite.com

Ultimate Interactive NonRev Checklist

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

Did you ever have that sinking feeling when you reached your destination that you had forgotten to pack something, and it was a major item? That is why NonRevWebsite.com created the Interactive NonRev Checklist. Several years of travel experience has gone into this tool to guarantee nothing is forgotten. A great feature about this checklist is….it’s interactive. As you put items into your suitcase, you can check them off the list.

The Interactive NonRev Checklist is divided into 5 sections so as to not miss anything. The first section is Must Need NonRev Stuff. As the name implies, these are the tools you must have when traveling standby. It includes links to tools like a NonRev Timetable for all the world’s airlines and most trains. .

The next section is Must Need Stuff. This is also a great checklist if you are working a trip or not NonReving. It includes the basics like passport, drivers license, travel clock, etc. . It even has links to sites that help you get your passports replaced if you lose them, they expire, or you run out of room for stamps

Next there is a section on First Aid Supplies. Items such as Dramamine, Pepto Bismol, asprin….etc. It also contains items active people need on adventure vacations like BandAids and after bite salve.

Then there is the Hygiene Supplies section. All the things you need to stay clean. This includes all the things you would expect, but also includes what you might not think of, but you can’t live without if you go on a safari for example. These include tissues and toilet paper.

Finally there is an Other section. It contains the things you might not have thought of and were not covered in the other sections.

NonReving is difficult enough without forgetting something you really need. This Interactive checklist has been designed to eliminate that problem. There is even a mobile version of the Interactive NonRev Checklist allowing users to take the checklist on their phones. Enjoy this new tool and never have that sinking feeling again.

New Tool: Nonrev Commuting App

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

  Nonrev Website Commuter App

With the difficulty of summer commuting fast approaching, I have been asked to find a web app to help make the struggle home easier. I could not find one with all airlines and all hotels, so I created one. Now when you are at the gate and they cancel your flight to work or to your vacation, all you have to do is pick up your smart phone and go to Nonrev Commuter App  . This web app has three tools to help you.

First is the “All The World Timetable” which has links to every airline in the world with phone numbers in case you need to try to list for a flight. It also has links to US Airports that allow you to view which airlines are on time or cancelled. Finally, it has some train timetables too if the airport is shut down.

Next is the rental car tool. Several Nonrevs I work with in New York are pitching in and renting a car to get home. This has happened so many times that it is becoming a viable alternative to a non-rev flight. Here I give directions on how to get a car without paying too much.

Finally, there is a Hotel Tool to get a room when all your other nonrev travel options have disappeared. This has a search function and instructions to not pay any more than you have to.

Now if there is bad weather or the flight fills up unexpectedly, you will have a tool to help you right on your phone. Remember, the sooner you go to the tool when trouble rears its ugly head, the less numbers in case you need to try to list for a flight. It also has links to US Airports that allow you to view which airlines are on time or cancelled. Finally, it has some train timetables too if the airport is shut down.

Next is the rental car tool. Several Nonrevs I work with in New York are pitching in and renting a car to get home. This has happened so many times that it is becoming a viable alternative to a non-rev flight. Here I give directions on how to get a car without paying too much.

Finally, there is a Hotel Tool to get a room when all your other nonrev travel options have disappeared. This has a search function and instructions to not pay any more than you have to.

Now if there is bad weather or the flight fills up unexpectedly, you will have a tool to help you right on your phone. Remember, the sooner you go to the tool when trouble rears its ugly head, the less of a chance you will have to use the last function of the Web App.

For those of you with phone Scanners, use the bar code below.

Rotation Reroute, Nonrev Negator

Monday, March 14th, 2011

I was just flew to a city where another crew from my airline was laying over. It seems they got a reroute that turned there one day layover into a three day layover. What happened was their flight, which started in the middle of the United States, had low loads for the two days after they took off. The flight from the coast to the same city also had low loads for the next two days. Operations rerouted the passengers that would have departed from the middle of the US to the coast which didn’t affect the passengers much, but hurt the nonrev passengers many ways and here is how.

The most obvious way this effected the Nonrevs who looked at leaving on the cancelled flight for their vacation had there disrupted. They had to scramble for another way to get to their destination. But who else that was effected where the commuters to the coast. Over 200 seats we use to get to work disappeared overnight. Those seats that the nonrev expected to be open, and were verified open on the company site, were not available.

The solution is too be ready the night before by finding all the flights to work. This can be accomplished by going to the NonRev Timetable . And don’t forget to bookmark this site on your phone Then just before you go to work, check your company site. Once you get to work, go right to the gate and see if there are any problems. DON’T WAIT AROUND. If there is, go to the NonRev Timetable you put on your phone.

Why You Can’t NonRev in September

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

I just rode in on Jet Blue and received some bad information for NonRevs. Jet Blue’s All You Can Jet Pass promotion is sold out. That means between September 6th and October 6th the planes will be more than full. I was lucky enough to meet the Senior Analyst for Network Planning and he gave me some great insight on how to NonRev in this difficult period.

With the kids going back to school,  September is known to be a great time to non-rev because the loads are low. This is why JetBlue does this promotion now. That means the demographics of people flying will be those without kids. Without those kids, there won’t be child weights on the numbers and more planes at JetBlue having weight and balance issues. So that empty seat may not be available. Make sure you ask when you sign if it will matter and plan you options accordingly.

According to last years numbers, the worst days to travel is Fridays and Sundays. The don’t have hard numbers for this year because the promotional passes can be booked up to 3 days prior to a flight. And don’t worry about the people booking a seat and not showing up because JetBlue has as ingenious solution, charge them $100 or more if they don’t show up!

The worst city pair was between Chicago and New York. The interesting thing is this is one of the shortest legs they have. It also shows how underserved this market really is. Hey Airlines! This is a hint! More seats between New York and Chicago! And guess what the busiest airport will be? JFK, their hub.

The best solutions to this problem in NonReving to New York I have written in a post “Top 5 Reasons You Can’t Non-Rev to New York.” I have the 5 top problems but more importantly the solution and the ways to avoid the problem. But the best solution to bring chocolate, lots of chocolate. Gate Agents love that stuff. I think it has something to do with their stress level.

Non-Rev Tip Guide

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

There is always confusion on my trips what we should tip. Those I fly with are perplexed that tipping more may mean worse service. They get angry whe they get the “ugly American” lable for trying to show there appreciation. My thought is, if I spend less money and everyone is happy, what’s the problem. So for those who want to save money on tipping overseas, here is the standard which is verified by Travel and Liesure Magazine.

United States and Canada – 15 to 20%, but more for great service especially if you are a regular and want to be treated like a king.
Restaurants – at least 15%, 17%-20% is the norm.
Bars – 10-15% or $1 for a beer, $2 for a cocktail

Central and South America – Service is different. In the US speed is wanted, in Latin America not being disturbed is cherished. If you keep snapping your fingers yelling garcon, well lets just say the service will go down from there.
Restaurants – Check for a service charge. If none, give 10-15%.
Bars – 10% at bars that serve food, none and bars that only servedrinks.

Mexico and the Caribbean – Tip like in the US but expect service like South America.
Restaurants – 15-20% but watch for the service fee.
Bars – 10-15% or $1 for a beer, $2 for a cocktail.

Europe – Wait staff are paid full salaries so rounding up to 5% is accepted. But watch out for the 10% service fee. In eastern Europe, tip in cash if possible.
Restaurants – 5-10% AT YOUR DESCRETION. Check for service fee.
Bars – round up to the next Euro if service is good.

Asia – It’s something new to them. Japan does not expect it and they like for you to pay at the register.
Restaurants -10% charge is already added, round up for great service.
Bars – Not really done.

Africa and the Middle East – Not realy accepted and privacy is considered better service than hanging on the customer.
Restaurants – Check for that service fee, 10% is good enough.
Bars – 10%

To see individual countries, check out the country pages at www.nonrevwebsite.com . And please don’t make us look bad by tipping to much 😉

Travel Tips From a Retired Captain

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

I just received these tips from retired Captain Ron Hale. He flew international for most of his career. This is so comprehensive, I had to print it all.

Money
1. The Euro is about 1.36 per 1 US dollar. Buy a little bit before you go (airport) and get the rest via ATM’s in Europe. The reason is you get the best exchange rate and you don’t have to carry as much cash around. Watch out for the Euro coins. They have $2 Euro coins, which is easy to mistake how much you’re spending!
2. ATM cards…make sure they work before you go. Try them out at a machine in the US. It is best to have two different ones
3. Credit cards, keep at least one Credit Card, ATM card, and a picture ID, (if possible) separate from the others, just in case you get pick pocketed

Communication
1. Cell phones usually need to be activated for use outside the United States. Call your cell phone company. This is usually free, but needs to be done for it to work in Europe. If you don’t know how to text, now is the time. A text is usually much cheaper than voice.
2. Never call long distance from your hotel room. Big surcharges often exist from your hotel.
3. Nice to bring your laptop computer, but beware of the usually large room charge to use in room internet. Most hotels have free “hot spots” in their lobbies for wireless connection.
4. Europe is full of internet cafes. Charge is very reasonable, like 1 Euro for 30-60 minutes.
5. If you are used to using Microsoft Outlook on your home computer, it would be beneficial that you learn to use the web based system for your provider. The first thing you will find is that your address book is missing. Pre-load those important e-mail addresses into your web based address book before you go.
6. Don’t forget that address book. It’s hard to mail postcards to family and friends without it.
7. Practice using humility in your mannerisms, like a smile and eye to eye contact. You may not understand their language, but humble body language speaks for you.
Security
1. Carry valuables, …credit cards, picture ID, cash, in a waist belt or something out of view. For a man, put in front pockets. Carrying a purse, bag, etc is fine, but the real expensive stuff should be protected. I never carry my passport. It stays in the hotel.
2. Passport: Take a picture of the first page and any visa’s that apply, and then keep it separate from the actual passport. This will help should you ever lose the passport.
3. Room safes are fine, but remember to empty them when you check out. An easy mistake to make.
4. Paris, Rome, Barcelona, like most large cities, are prone to pick pockets, or grabbing of purses. When using an ATM, most are exposed to the street. Have you partner “watch your back side” when you are getting your cash. Easiest places for pick pockets are buses and the subways. Keep your guard up.
5. Always re-check airline seat pockets before leaving the airplane. I don’t want to admit how many times I’ve not followed my own advise.

Transportation
1. If you travel by train, always buy a first class seat, with seat assignment. You can buy all of this at the train station. You might consider buying your trains tickets a day before travel. No security lines at the train station, so you don’t need to be there two hours prior like an airport. You will need to identify the train’s car you are getting onto and then load you own bags. There is a lot of overhead space on these trains and for the big stuff, plenty of slots at the end of each car. You can see your bags. Book the least amount of train connections.
2. When you leave your hotel, take something from the room that has the name of the hotel, its address and phone number. Then when you need to relay instructions for directions or for a taxi, just show them that.
3. Always ask if the taxi is going to use a meter. Most all large cities require this now. If not, always inquire as to the price before you start up.
4. I’ve used taxies in almost every major city in Europe. Cost is usually reasonable and affordable when traveling with more than one person. It is also free of pick pockets.
5. Remember that most major cities have taxi staging areas, like Rome. You’ll have to ask where they are or you will be standing for a very long time waiting for a ride.
6. Write down taxi number and operator name in the event you leave something behind.
7. Exception to all of this about taxies is Istanbul.

Electrical
1. Look at all your electric toys: Cell phones, Palm pilots, I-pods, hair dryers, hair curlers, shavers, etc. Most all should be capable of 110-220 volts for recharging (hair dryer and curlers may not) which means you can simply plug into the wall. You will need, however, the two prong adapter for Spain. Carry a long extension cord with three connections. That way you only need one- two prong adapter and plug in. Smile! Europe hotels rarely have convenient electrical outlets by the bed. With an extension cord, your phone, clock, etc. can be bedside.
2. Remember to bring a two prong US adapter for your laptop. Most laptop electrical cords are 3 prongs. Most extension cords only accept 2 prong.

Clothing
1. For clothing, plan on layers. You will get a chill after sunset, rained on somewhere, and hot and humid the rest of the time. Remember, neither bare shoulders nor shorts when entering St. Peter’s Basilica. (Men & Women) It is strictly enforced!
2. I always pack an extra set of glasses and sunglasses.
3. Comfortable shoes. You can’t imagine how much you are going to walk.
Food
1. Eating in Italy. http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/restaurants/index.htm Remember, Trattorias, Osterias, and Ristorantes. Go for the Trattorias first. Here is some info about all of this. Any tour book you buy will have a section on this as well. They will also have a section about the names of food for that country’s language.
2. Understand what you order and how much. Ordering fondue for four might turn out to be four times more than you expected. Been there.

Packing
1. Always pack an extra set of glasses and sunglasses.
2. Bring your actual prescriptions or copies of them.
3. Don’t over pack. Leave room to bring things home you have bought.
4. Check on baggage weight restrictions for your airline. You might leave with a 45 pound suitcase only to find that Alitalia allows only 40 pounds.
5. Put a nametag in each suitcase.
6. Only put TSA approved locks on your suitcases.
7. Roll your cloths as opposed to folding them. A lot less wrinkled.

General Information
1. Get a good travel book with maps. Many times you will find yourself simply reading about what you’re seeing. Some are better than others. Reference Barnes & Noble. Look them over before you buy. The more info, the better, particularly the history. Trust me, you may not read it all, but you will read more than you think. You are spending a lot of money to go to Europe, the more you learn about what you are eating and seeing, the better.

Tactical meets Fashionable, Just ask my Wife

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Back when TopGun the movie came out, I was in Flight School. Before that movie I had a leather jacket and military issue sunglasses I got from a ROTC flight partner. I stood out until everyone wanted to be Tom Cruise and pretend to be a pilot. Even Actors wanted to be like me. I detested the fact they took away my unfashionable fashion that made me stand out and could not wait until I could turn the tables. I thought that day would never come until now.

I was allowed to try a pair of Randolph Engineering Rapture Sunglasses for my trip to Chile. You would expect to find this at page 5 of Travel Essentials at Crew Outfitters. This would have been the perfect time to test them in South America because it was their Summer, if it wasn’t for the 8.8 Earthquake they had. I had to try them out in the jumpseat home and while driving my car. But the biggest test would be the toughest I know, my wife.

The sunglasses I wore before were the aviator standbys that all pilot like and my wife hated. They just were not fashionable enough to wear everyday. The problem is I loved their functionality. When I showed her the Randolph Engineering Sunglasses, she actually said they look good. I was shocked. This is a woman who looks at magazines like ‘Vogue’ and can tell with better accuracy then the writers which style will be in fashion. They were a graphite frame with smoke colored lens. They went well with my clothes and my uniform. Now I started to wonder on how good the functionality was because from my experience you can’t have both, right?

Wrong. The lenses were big enough to cover my whole eye but not look like they cover my whole face. According to my wife I have a long and narrow face and most glasses look huge on me. The lens were rectangles like the old military style but they had a slight curve to them that covered my whole eye. I did use them on a flight to Zurich and they kept the blinding sun manageable and allowed me to read the instruments shaded in the cockpit. When we went into a cloud to a dreary Switzerland, The glasses were not so dark that I had to take them off. The glasses also came with a keychain toolkit and spare screws.

So the tables have turned. Now the tactical Military Sunglasses are on the heals of the fashion conscious. Now us pilot “geeks” have something the runways of Milan will be jealous of.
At 10% off at Crew Outfitters, they are lower then any other place I have found on the web. If you would like to purchase a pair, go to Crew Outfitters and use the promo code LW15.
But don’t take my word this is the best deal on the web, search the web for yourself. Just put in Randolph Engineering Rapture Sunglasses in my custom search engine, programmed to find deals, and see what you get.
Here is a special gift for all those reading. There is a special promotion from Crew Outfitter to get 10% off your next order. You need to find their Action Figure Ted Banks on their site. I can’t tell you exactly where to go, but I can do this. One of the links in the article shows you where to go. Happy hunting!
Want us to send you tips like these that will save you Hundreds of Dollars? Join our monthly Newsletter and every month gets tips to save money on layovers, trips, and travel supplies.

How To Get a Hotel in a Snowstorm

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

If this last snowstorm taught me anything, it would be the vulnerability of the computer reservation system of Hotel Chains. When Atlanta was hit by its last snowstorm, I decided to leave a day early. Cancelling half the flights, which were all the mainline flights, made the decision easy. I called the hotel directly at 3 PM guarantying the room with a credit card. This was to be the best thing I did that night.
When I finally made it to the hotel after an hour waiting for a gate to park the jet, the line was 40 people long. It seems that so many flights were disrupted, the airline started calling the automated systems to find room for the passengers. Unfortunately, the automated systems had crashed and the fail-safe in the computer program was to make a reservation weather there was room or not. There wasn’t any more room, but people were still booking rooms over the phone.

When the people at the hotel waiting in line about the computer glitch, well lets just say it got interesting. The receptionists at the desk were trying to take care of the people and call headquarters to tell them to stop booking people. After waiting for an hour, it was my turn to check in. The person behind the counter had a long face anticipating she was going to have to tell me there was no more room. Her long face turned into one of surprise. She then said I had a room because I call the hotel directly and talked to a human being.
I love technology, but I love it better when it screws up royally and bites the behind of the geniuses that decided to outsource the human jobs. The lesson here is it is better to talk to a human then to trust automation when things are going South, link snowstorms. The second lesson is I say to talk to a human. That person in line with me who shouted “GIRLFRIEND, I know customer service and you are on the loosing end of this deal’ didn’t really understand who was on the loosing end. I hope he enjoyed his sleep outside in the snow.

Want us to send you tips like these that will save you Hundreds of Dollars? Join our monthly Newsletter and every month gets tips to save money on layovers, trips, and travel supplies.