Remember Me
forgot your password?

3 Steps to Travel Asia Mini Guide

I travel quiet extensively between many countries, typically business International travel. I thought I would share some travel tips, I have encountered, as we are going through some interesting times. I hope to save the traveler some time and headaches, as each country, or airport for that matter is changing security measures in many different ways.

Now , I typically go on International Travel , so I experience changes between countries. When taking any domestic flights, I even experience different security measures implemented within the same country, but at different airports. So time travel can be challenging, and I hope these simple steps can save you from a bit of frustration, understanding, everything is focused on passenger safety right now as 1st priority.

Step 1. In the Beginning :
From many years of International Travel, I found it best to book my own ticket online. This allowed a far better price. American Express Travel offered a nice insurance coverage as well.

Now, I have switched back, and use my original travel agent in Los Angeles for all World Travel. He has access to far greater information than I could get online. The reason is simple, I can use my cell phone, direct call from Hong Kong, have him check or make any latest Airline Travel changes on his PC, confirm connecting flights, delays, etc., and even make real time changes, plus all travel services.

You may think the cost of a international cell phone call is expensive, but actually not for information , time saved, and general safety. I am on a 1st name basis, he understands clearly any questions in under a minute, and done in a few brief minutes. So, possibly a $6.00 call, compared to a bottle of Aspirin at $5.00, your choice.

Now, sounds the same, but here is the trick, he receives so much feedback on different flights, airports, extended security time in different countries, I may have missed a connecting flight in many cases if I did not know this before hand. It is not all about Discount Travel any more.

For example typically your check in for International Travel is 2 hours in advance. I check in 4 hours early, and then have leisure time after customs, check in bags, etc. Also travel light, have a carry on with one extra shirt, small things in case your bag gets delayed, this is now more sensitive, and can happen, consider some simple needs to get you by for a day.

Step 2: Know Your Connecting Flights :Make sure you understand all connecting flights prior final destination point. Here is what can happen, first stay with the same airline company, and the same plane, since probably just a flight crew change, and refueling, . That means the Jet is already there, verses pending another incoming Jet, with possible unforeseen delays. Avoid changing Airlines for any connecting flights if at all possible. Greatest chance for delays, and missed connecting flights.

Example ; I depart from LAX for International Travel, with a stop over in Narita, Japan, which is a very common route .
Today, if they tell me it is only a 1 hour stop over at Narita, I get very concerned, as when you arrive, you are in transit, but are required, and routed back through a full security line, which may not make that 1 hour stop over, and you miss the connecting flight.

Usually you will have 2 hour lay over. Now your agent should be aware of recent changes, tightening of security checks, and may help you book a longer , say 4 hour lay over, 2 for the added security check, alone, for International Travel. Now that sounds painful, but if you miss the connecting flight, you may have to spend the night, a 15 hour delay.

I hope this makes sense, its already happened to me, and you are under tight security spending the night, not allowed in the city since considered a transit passenger, and have not actually entered the country formally.

Step 2: How to Fly: Well, sounds odd, but simply what class to fly in. When on a business trip, like most, take the Business Class on International Travel if allowed. The reason for this, is not the extra food, I usually eat very light while flying , however do work while flying with my Laptop, need a connection for a battery charge, and in some cases there are internet connections in addition for a fee. This offers a larger space to spread out my work, books, papers, etc.

Flying on vacation, I am over 6 foot, so the thought of an economy class seat, no knee space is painful. However, most airlines have improved, I now have a much more comfortable seat, leg room, and typically get the isle seat, or by emergency exit when possible. One simple statistic to remember; if a jet was to go down, the back of the plane has the best chance for survival, just something to consider.

Step 3: Travel Destination Safe: First off, take an airline that is well known, good history record, and follows FAA regulations. This sounds so basic we tend to take this for granted, as if standard practice for all, but not true in many cases, there are many new startups, or foreign companies that tend to cut corners to make profit.

Why would I mention this simple advise, well I experienced a near fatal crash with my wife, who was very scared to fly, and to date will not fly. We took a very large twin turbo prop, on a simple one way 45 minute domestic flight. Perfect day, blue skies, no clouds, flight was full with business people, a variety of travelers retuning home in the big city. Note, Turbo props usually level off at 20,000 feet, Jets, 35,000 feet or more with calm air allowing a smoother ride.

The pilot in his own language, which I can understand, stated there was a brief stop over in another city, lots of mountains, and wind. This was never mentioned, nor written on the ticket ? Briefly, he took us head on into a typhoon, nearly crashed due to shear wind conditions, well, that is all I am going to state, I think you get the message.

Point made is this, fly with someone who follows FAA regulations, invests into maintenance requirements, and follows guidelines that conform to safety requirements, especially passengers. This sounds simple, but once out of the USA, not everyone follows these guidelines, so it may save your life. There are airlines out there, real low cost, but I just will not fly with them, as many of my business associates likewise, with extremley bad experiences. Last, the airline I almost crashed in, went out of business in less than 6 months from startup.

I hope these important Tips help give you some inside info on how to safely plan a trip, and avoid unexpected delays, things that may even save your life, especially on long International Travel adventures. Times are changing now for travel everywhere.

Reed Langdon
Reed Langdon travels the world, and experiences many unique adventures he shares in his publications. For further travel info and awareness visit his site : http://www.travel-safe-zone.info
Rate this Article: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)
Print Email Re-Publish

Add new Comment



Captcha

  • Latest Time Management Articles
  • More from Reed Langdon

3 simple steps and get extra 2 hours per day

By: Nathan Perera | 25/12/2009
Have you had many busy days and wished if there are more hours in a day? Would you enjoy spending a couple of more hours with your family or spouse? The lack of time is one of the most compelling challenges we face in our lives. We all are dealt with the same 24 hours every day, and only some are able to make most of it. Here are 3 simple tips that can free 2 hours everyday in your life.

8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Time Management

By: Richard | 24/12/2009
Are you a person who just can’t seem to manage tour time properly? If you been having problems at work or at home, there is a good possibility that those problems might be caused by your inability to manage your time correctly. But the good news is that there are few steps you can take to improve your time management. I have listed 8 simple steps bellow.

Time Management In The Workplace – Stop Less, Do More

By: Tim Wilson | 22/12/2009
How well do you work? What I mean is, what do you actually produce, and at what level of quality? Your time management at work dictates both. This article offers useful strategies for improving your productivity at work.

Tips For Successful Time Management

By: Tim Wilson | 21/12/2009
Most people can improve their time management skills to become more productive. Knowing how to manage your daily tasks can help you get more things done that matter. Just a few tips and techniques can really make a difference.

Improve Your Time Management By Calculating the Cost of Your Time Management System

By: Gerry Gold | 19/12/2009
People can greatly improve their time management by being sensitive to the cost of and return on the time invested in their time management systems.

Time Management Tips

By: Carl Blair | 17/12/2009
Over come your own objections by letting someone else check up on you. The thought that someone might pressure you into doing the task might motivate you into finishing it; this is an old school method and it works.

Learning to Play Nicely with E-Mail

By: Audrey Thomas | 16/12/2009
Some days you love it. Other days you dread it. E-mail is an important tool of our world today and it isn’t going away. It has changed the way we do business as well as the speed in which we conduct business.

3 Steps to Travel Asia Mini Guide

By: Reed Langdon | 29/08/2006 | Time Management
Travel safety guide for international travel, business travel, or last minute travel deals

Student Loan Consolidation From Experience

By: Reed Langdon | 28/08/2006 | Non-Fiction
Earn that Student Loan with the following tips, and guidelines from experience, and set a direction for success, even with a bad credit rating.

Thai Food For Health

By: Reed Langdon | 28/08/2006 | Health
Thai Food for health and nutrition for a better life

9.9 Step Money Marketing Machine

By: Reed Langdon | 28/08/2006 | SEM
Steps to a real Marketing plan, save time , money and developing a successful marketing machine from a model that works for you.

5 Steps To A Gardeners Green Thumb

By: Reed Langdon | 28/08/2006 | Gardening
5 Crtical steps to a rewarding garden of any type following guidlines that will achieve green thumb results.

A Golfing Adventure In Paradise

By: Reed Langdon | 28/08/2006 | Golf
A Golfing experience in England is an adventure to remember

Do Natural Health Spas Really Work For You

By: Reed Langdon | 27/08/2006 | Non-Fiction
Try a health spa and you will never be the same.Take some stress out of life, and enjoy every magic minute

Submit Your Articles Free: Signup
Article Categories




Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy | User published content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Copyright © 2005-2008 Free Articles by ArticlesBase.com, All rights reserved. (1.56, 6, w3)