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.

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.

1) You didn’t check the loads – This summer things are very dynamic. Weather, cancellations, cargo, even volcanic ash will effect right up to the last minute. Even if your flight looks wide open, be ready for it to be cancelled or the flight before it being cancelled and being bumped off the flight you are non-reving on.

2) You didn’t check flight to see if it canceled. Cancellations are big issues these days and sometimes the Airline is late getting the information to the passengers through their websites. Going right to the Airport website to check flights are much more accurate. Go to http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/nonrev/travel/timetable.htm .

3) You didn’t have a backup airline – Other airlines might give you an opportunity to get to the city your trip starts from. Always have an idea of other airlines you could use. If you need a timetable with all the airlines on them try http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/nonrev/travel/timetable.htm 

4) You didn’t have a backup airport – Just like a backup flight, you need a backup airport. New York has three to choose from. If a runway closes at JFK, go to LaGuardia. If the seats are filling up in LaGuardia, go to Newark. To see what the loads are for a city, go to http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/nonrev/travel/timetable.htm and use quicktrip for every city around the area. It even displays low fare carriors.

5) You didn’t know how to go from the Backup Airport to your flight. You made it to the city, now how do you get to your airport. There are lots of ways. To see your options, go to http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/CheapUS/nyc.html#airportHotels

6) Bonus Go early to a hotel room. Goto http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/CheapUS/nyc.html#airportHotels to see all the hotels at JFK, LGA and EWR.

This Summer will be very difficult to non-rev. Those interline discounts for travel are going to be almost impossible to use. So much for our free travel benefits we were promised when we were hired. Those deals are long gone. But there are ways to go to those attractions positive space to almost any area in the world. Go to our article at http://nonrevwebsite.com/blog/2010/07/01/advice/when-not-to-non-rev/ to see how.

And if you are commuting to New York this summer, watch this blog. Several of us are commuting there and we will be writing what we find. Remember, if you have run out of options, go to our New York page to get ideas. If you need help anywhere else in the world go to http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/. Just one more thing, try to watch for non-revs and help them when you can. Trust me, they WILL remember you, and it will be when you need there help the most.

When a flight has open seats a day or two before a flight to Europe, the DEEPLY discount them to fill up the seat. The prices are so low, they can’t afford to pay the commission on other web pages so you have to go directly to the airline’s website. How low are the prices? He was told $600 round trip to Italy. But it gets worse.

The person who paid $600 for his ticketed volunteered to give up his seat because the flight was oversold. He received a $200 voucher, accommodations for the night, and positive space, wait for it…, in First Class. Let me beat this dead horse. This person paid $400 round trip to Italy…in First Class. Just throw out those buddy passes now.

So if you are planning to non-rev this summer to Europe, think again. But there is a solution. Go to … to find out.

The Solution to this summer’s Non-Rev Crisis

The  beauty of this is we can use it to our advantage. If you would like to non-rev somewhere and see the flight you want is wide open, watch it like a hawk. If it stays open, the day or two before go to the airline’s public website and check out the prices. If they are rock bottom, buy them.

This next part depends on your flexibility. When you go to airport to catch your flight, talk to the gate agent, show them your badge and see if they are buying people off. And be very nice about it. If they are, tell them you would like to be on the list. If not, you may get the upgrade if there is room and you are nice. My secret is chocolate, works every time.

1. National Air and Space Museum
2. Jefferson Memorial
3. Lincoln Memorial
4. WW II Memorial
5. Vietnam Veteran’s Wall Museum
6. Willard Intercontinental Hotel
7. National Gallery of Art
8. National Portrait Gallery
9. National Zoo
10. Rock Creek Park
11. National Cathedral
12. National Theater
13. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage
14. The Phillips Collections
15. Lunder Conservative Center
16. Smithsonian American Art Museum
17. Library of Congress
18. Arlington National Cemetery
19. Supreme Court
20. Bureau of Engraving and Printing

These are just of a few of the free attractions you can find in Washington DC. Click on the top 5 to find more information To see all the deals we found, go to NonrevWebsite.com .

But since you saved so much money on attractions, why stop there? Why not find out where you can find deals on food and drinks? Like the museums, there are several places to eat cheap to save even more money, and we are not talking McDonalds. You can find these discounts at http://nonrevwebsite.com/blog/category/washington-dc/

To find more deals on all your interline travel, go to www.nonrevwebsite.com.

Your Representative my not be able to get free stuff anymore, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. Why not let the government lobby you for a change? After all, it is your money.

There are several places that have cheap food in DC. The great news is that a few of them are chains located throughout the area, and we are not just talking about McDonalds. Here is a short list of the places to find meals around $5

• Ben’s Chile Bowl - Famous chili half smoke is just $5.20
• Julia Empanadas - Freshly-baked empanadas are served for less than $5
• On the Fly – Eco-friendly SmartKarts. Pulled chicken sandwiches start at just $5.
• Chinatown Express – A big bowl for under $5.
• McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant - Airline Employees get 25% off Food.

But there is also places to get cheap drinks. These places have drinks for under $5. They are only available at Happy Hour, so check out their sites.

• PS 7 – Beer of the day for $3, its red, white and sparkling wine of the day for just $4
• Lotus Lounge -  Beer, wine, sushi rolls and dumplings are just $5 during happy hour Tuesday through Saturday.
If you are looking for a snack to tie you over to dinner, there are a few place to go to.
• Johnny’s Half Shell - mini-burgers and mini Asian tuna sandwiches are just $2.50, fried oysters and gumbo are $6 each during happy hour.
• Cafe Asia – Happy Hour Sushi $1
Click on the name of the bar to find out what are the Cheap Food in DC Deals. There you will find the type of food, the time it is available, and the location hyperlinked to a google map for ease of use.
So enjoy your night out and why not follow up your Cheap DC Dinner with a DC Free Attraction? See those at http://www.nonrevwebsite.com/ .

  Many taxi drivers lie and say they can’t break your larger notes and you’ll end up grossly overpaying. If your cab fare is $10 and all you have on you is $20s, there is nothing you can do if he doesn’t have change. Many cash machines give large bills like 50 Euros which just makes the situation worse.  The solution is to get money at cash machines close to the hotel. Then cash any large bills to small ones and then always carry some small bills with you. At the end of the trip, you can always use them for tips. 

Many drivers will short change you, say goodbye and rush you out of the cab. Stay in the cab, get your cash, and count it until it you are satisfied with the numbers.

 Many taxis charge higher rates at night time. Don’t think it’s a scam if the evening ride back from the restaurant costs more than the afternoon ride to the restaurant.

Dishonest drivers may take the great circle route to jack up your fare. Have a city map and pretend to follow along with your progress. Ask the driver which route he’s taking. Act engaged in your routing. I layed over with a Captain who had a huge boy scout compass. When he pulled it out, it made everyone one think twice about the directions you gave him.

These are some one the scams that happen with taxies. There are hundreds of more that befall unsuspecting travelers. It is so prevalent these days. Thousands of travelers lose hundreds in currency a day. To see more scams, go to Scams At NonRevWebsite.com . And to see travel advice, go to Advice at NonRevWebsite.com .

This is the place of several “Political Dramas” starting with the chariot races. Rival teams, the Greens and the Blues, also had rival political beliefs and a race victory had important effects on policy. An Emperor might lose his power because of a loss and the subsequent riots.

The Obelisk of Constantine VII is at the furthest part of the park. It originally had a bronze pinecone on its top and several brass plates on its sides when created in the 4^th Century. The Pinecone fell during an earthquake in 869 and the plates were stolen in the 4^th Crusades. This is a good example of the rule of Constantine. It originally was a majestic object adorned with expensive metalwork. As the empire deteriorated, so did the obelisk. As you look around the monument, look down at the base. This is the original floor of the Hippodrome. Over the years, the level was raised to where it currently is.

As the barbarians were threatening Rome, Constantine was trying to increase the influence of his city. What better than bringing a monument to the victory of roman city states over the Persians at Plataea. Originally it stood in the front of the  temple of Apollo at Delphi, but was moved here in 330 AD, probably as a way to sway opinion of the citizen against those who threatened the city.  Heads of serpents, which were believed to be stolen around the 4^th Crusades, show the fall of Constantinople.

The Obelisk of Theodosius is originally from Egypt in 390AD and is the oldest monument in Istanbul. It was originally created in the 15^th Century BC for Thutmose III. Here is the attempt to show the public in 390 AD that Constantinople is taking the place of Rome as the center of civilizations. Around this period, Rome was in decline and it can be said Constantinople was making a power play for the rule of the Roman Empire. As a tribute to itself, the base shows the effort to move this obelisk to its new location.

The area without monuments stand as a tribute to the rise of the Ottoman empire. It is interesting that there is no monuments from the Obelisk of Theodosius to the Fountain. It is like a reflection of the Muslim religion which believes it is heresy to pray to any object relating to a person. The Ottomans watched the Hippodrome carefully to make sure that talk did not lead to unrest that lead to riots that lead to revolt.

Finally, there is Kaiser Wilhelm’s fountain at the other end. A gift from Germany in 1901 as a token of friendship to the Turkish people, the German emperor who it is named after, presented this on his state visit to Abdul Hamit II. Soon after Turkey signed a treaty to protect each other in case one of them was attacked.  

Today our elected officials sample their constitutes with sophisticated mathematical tools. In ancient Turkey the Hippodrome was the tool. Visiting the park with its landmarks you can get an idea of the influences of the people and how it was done.

To see more information about the mosque or other FREE Attractions in Istanbul, go to the Istanbul Section of Nonrevwebsite.com. To see more FREE Attractions around the world, go to nonrevwebsite.com.

Many people I talk to are curious about the Islamic Religion. These people are no different than the tourists who go to Notre Dame that are not Catholic but want to see the beauty of the church and maybe learn a little about their beliefs. The Blue Mosque is one of these places designed to get a glimpse of Islam for FREE.

The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet in 1603 and took 14 years to complete. He set out to surpass Aya Sophya which was the Church converted to a Mosque. What Aya Sophya is on the inside, the Blue Mosque is on the outside having the largest courtyard of all the Mosques in the Ottoman Empire. But that does not mean that the inside is any less beautiful.

The inside adorned with Tiles and lights. There are no figures in the mosque because Islam believes that images with an ‘immortal soul’ cannot be revered or worshiped. That is why there are tens of thousands of blue tile which is where the mosque gets its unofficial name. The floor is carpeted with rugs that have intricate patterns and those entering must remove their shoes to enter. Muslins must was their feet, ankles, hands, arms, heads, and necks before entering the Mosque. This is the reason for the numerous taps outside. The ware on the marble underneath shows how popular this mosque is. There are over 260 stained glass windows that give the inside a beautiful rainbow of color adding to the serenity.

There are no chairs since they would be in the way for service. The huge dome is held by 4 enormous “elephant feet’ which are also decorated with color only. There a wooden rail which is ornately carved to mark where tourist should stay behind in or for people to have a place to pray. Unfortunately, non-Muslims cannot stay for prays which happen 5 times a day. These times are dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, dusk and after dark. This also means the mosque may be closed to the public at these times also. And if you enter, tourist use the South Entrance that is to the right of the main courtyard.

Once you exit, you can make a donation just like at other churches. The most interesting part is they give receipts. This is the first time this has ever happened to me. I thought it was very interesting that they were so accommodating to modern society. Once you exit you can go strait forward to the SultanAhmet Park or go to the left to the Hippodrome.

 To see more information about the mosque or other FREE Attractions in Istanbul, go to the Istanbul Section of Nonrevwebsite.com. To see more FREE Attractions around the world, go to nonrevwebsite.com.

I was lucky enough to go to Istanbul and visit the Church/Mosque/Museum called Aya Sophya. It is a great place to go on a layover or if you decide to non-rev here. What is incredible is this huge dome was first a Church. Then it was converted to a Mosque, not by any archeological changes, but by changing a name and then plastering over the Christian Mosaics. Later it was converted to a Museum to preserve the history of both religions. Aya Sophya in English means the Church of Devine Wisdom which is ironic since it represents two ideologies which seem diametrically opposed but in reality are extremely similar in beliefs and there are many examples. Here are a few.

First commissioned around 530AD by Emperor Justinian, its goal was to restore the grandeur and power of the Roman Empire. It was finished in a remarkable 7 years and was the greatest church in Christendom. It is similar to the Pantheon, a huge Attraction in Rome which was a temple to the Roman Gods until it was converted to a Christian Church. What is fascinating is that in Milan there is a domed church built around the same time with a statue of Constantine in front and Roman columns behind that. It is much different from the modern churches in Europe that are in the shape of a cross. But then in 1453 the city of Constantinople was conquered by the Islamic Turks. Instead of raising the Church to the ground, Mehmet the Conqueror converted it to a Mosque… just like that. No destruction was brought upon the church. Only the tiled mosaics where covered in plaster because Islam does not believe we should draw the picture of the prophets. To this day, Aya Sophya is the crown jewel of mosques and all others are compared to it.

Today the Church/Mosque is a Museum which means it can be preserved for posterity. The cost may be a little steep, but the history you are seeing is incredible. This was the Rome of the East. It is where the New Testament of the Bible was created. It is, and always will be a mystery that will be unfolded for years to come. They are finding mosaics that have be covered up for  over 500 years. If you come to Aya Sophya, you will discover that we have a lot more in common in the world.

To see more on the Attractions in Istanbul, go to the Istanbul Section of NonRevWebsite.com. To see more great attractions like these, go to NonRevwebsite.com.