The Sunday Round-Up | May 30, 2021
Good morning! What a difference a year makes, eh? Last Memorial Day Weekend, TSA checkpoints had just 327,133 travelers pass through. On Friday, there were 1,959,593 travelers! Keep in mind, that number is still below 2019's numbers of 2,570,613 but we're getting there and I'm pretty sure tomorrow will break the two million mark. I also think that once the USA opens up to foreign travelers, especially from Canada, we will see the numbers jump again. Let's hope by Labor Day. Fingers crossed.
My Dad Talked Me Out of Escorting Him to New York
Speaking of fingers crossed, yesterday, I had all my fingers and toes crossed after my dad talked me out of escorting him to New York/Connecticut while we were at LAX! Here's the crazy story and the amazing flight attendant who assured me he would be fine by himself.
Sad News: Gavin MacLeod, Star of ‘The Love Boat’ Dies at 90
I was fortunate to have met Gavin a couple of times, all thanks to Princess Cruises (here’s my post from their Love Boat cast reunion) and he was truly a nice man and a gentleman. I grew up watching The Love Boat and it had a huge impact on me and played a part in inspiring me to travel for a living. Gavin was a father figure of sorts, teaching us right vs. wrong through the TV series. Read more here.
Insane Video of Passenger Knocking Out A Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant's Teeth
If you haven’t seen the video of a female passenger repeatedly punching a Southwest Airlines flight attendant, then take a look at the video, obtained by CBS News. The 48-second clip is shocking but perhaps not surprising since the pandemic seems to have brought out the worst in some people. It's also led to two airlines banning alcohol sales through September. Watch the video here.
Fallen Soldier On My Flight
Every day, but especially on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, I think of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to allow us to live the lives we lead. We're very fortunate to live in a free country and I always think of those brave soldiers. I especially think back to the two fallen soldiers I had on flights I was on. Here's one of those emotional experiences.
Giving Your Upgrade To A Soldier
Speaking of soldiers, today is a good day to run this tip again since the last time was in 2012. If you travel often and get upgraded for free or have the ability to upgrade other passengers, then there's no doubt that this is a very appreciative gesture.
THIS MONTH'S BEST FINDS
Honees Honey-Filled Cough Drops
Always travel with a pack or two in your bag. Here's why.
Face Mask Extender Straps
Do mask straps make your ears sore after a while? This is the solution!
Manta Blackout Sleep Mask
This sleep mask is a traveler's best friend but it's also great at home, especially if you suffer from migraines. Read about it here.
Lewis N Clark Comfort Eye Mask
This is the eye mask I never leave home without.
Vaccination Card Holder
This is a great way to keep your vaccination card safe. Read the story here.
iFlex Cell Phone and Tablet Stand
Flights attendants recommend this for travel ... and they know what they're talking about!
12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
There’s a ton of travel news this week and I shared plenty of tips to help make your travels (or planning) smoother, cheaper and happier.
— Gavin MacLeod, Star of ‘The Love Boat’ Dies at 90
— Phuket reopens: Parents must be vaccinated, children can come too
— Retired Southwest Airlines pilot admits to exposing himself to female first officer and watching porn mid-flight
— Gov. Ron DeSantis Says Florida Won't Waver in Fining Cruise Lines Over Passenger Vaccination Requirements
— Marin kayaker embarks on risky journey to Hawaii - alone
— US and Hong Kong climbers set new records for scaling Mount Everest
— Family rushed to hospital ‘with food poisoning’ after stay at quarantine hotel
— I flew on JetBlue founder David Neeleman's new Breeze Airways for $39 and found it was cheap and friendly but surprisingly basic
— Expat reveals the biggest culture shocks she experienced in Australia
— CVS Offers Money, Cruises and a Super Bowl Trip to Convince People to Get Vaccines
— 8 common travel scams, and how to protect yourself when traveling
— These US destinations don't feel like America at all
— Yesterday's TSA checkpoint numbers
Read it all here in today's travel news round-up as well as the 84 other top travel news stories from this past week!
Travel Tips From This Week:
Monday:
-United Gives 5 Customers a Shot to Win a Year of Free Flights
Tuesday:
-The New Website To Easily Find Entry Requirements
Wednesday:
-Good News For Some American Passport Holders
Thursday:
-12 Travel Hacks for Memorial Day Weekend
-The First Big Cruise Ship Is Approved to Sail from a US port
Friday:
-Hawaiian Airlines Ends ‘Ohana by Hawaiian Service
Saturday:
-Here's my weekly travel segment on Leo Laporte's The Tech Guy! I go on when the clock behind Leo strikes 12:30pm.
Travel Tips From Last Week:Monday:
-The Trick to Getting Cheap American Airlines First Class Tickets
Tuesday:
-The Secret Trick to Hawaii’s Safe Travels Program for Inter-Island Travelers
Wednesday:
-5 Reasons To Hold Off on Booking Europe Travel For This Summer
-JetBlue Announces London Airport - Tickets On Sale Now
Thursday:
-How to Prevent Sore Ears Caused By Face Mask Straps
Friday:
-New Airline By Founder of JetBlue Launches $39 Flights To 16 Destinations
-Must-Have Product For Traveling With Little Kids
Saturday:
-Tips For Traveling To Europe's Hidden Gem, Which Is Open to All Americans
-Here's my weekly travel segment on Leo Laporte's The Tech Guy! I go on when the clock behind Leo strikes 12:30pm.
Surprising My Dad
Two weeks ago, I flew to Florida for the first time in over a year, to not only surprise my dad, but to bring him back to California so he could hug his grandkids. There are three parts to the story, plus a video of our reunion after 447 days of not seeing each other (at the bottom of Part 2) :
-Part 1: My First Class Flight on American Airlines 777-300 for 34,000 miles
-Part 2: The morning on the beach and video of surprising my dad
-Part 3: Traveling back to L.A. with my dad, almost getting a fight in MIA and their wheelchair service
The Gadget Every Flight Attendant and Frequent Traveler Packs
I'm working on a Father's Day gift guide, which will be ready by next week but one of the items that will be included is something that every flight attendant and frequent traveler keeps in their carry-on bag: A portable charger because you never know if your plane will have a power port that works and who wants to sit around in an airport anymore? I mentioned Nimble on Leo Laporte's show The Tech Guy and he says he approves of it because it's eco-friendly and is made with all the best parts. However, it's kind of expensive even with my $10 off promo code so here's another one that's more reasonably priced by Anker.
Miles, Points & Credit Card Posts
-There's a new 65,000 bonus for these 3 airline cards that also come with up to 7,500 bonus points each account anniversary, 2 free checked bags, and more.
-Maximize all of your business purchases with cards that earn extra rewards and offer bonus perks on everything from advertising to office supplies.
-These four travel credit cards for beginners might be the perfect option to earn rewards now for enhanced summer and fall travel with family and friends. -Best Credit Card Offers For 2021
Air Travel-The Carry-On Essential You Never Thought of Packing
-How to Avoid Paying Baggage Fees for Your Surfboard
-Good News For UA Passengers and All International Travelers
-Can You Bring Frozen Liquids Through Security?
-10 Air Travel Pet Peeves and What You Can Do About Them
-10 Tips For Better Sleep On a Plane
-How To Avoid Long Security Lines
-What To Do With Expiring Travel Vouchers
-17 Ways to Find Cheap Flights
-What to Do: Weather Delays and Flight Cancellations
-7 Dirtiest Things on an Airplane According to a Flight Attendant
-How to Track Airfares by Signing Up For Fare Alerts
-The App All Travelers Need to Download
-How to Match Elite Status with US Airlines
-Is American Airlines Out of Their Minds?
-$50 Off Alaska Airlines Flights
-Fly To and From L.A. For $19
-15 Tips for Surviving a Long Flight
-How To Avoid Bank of America’s International ATM Fees
-How to Get Upgraded to First Class
-Econophobia: Fear of Flying Coach
-Air Canada Finally Issuing Refunds
-This Airline Devalues Its Rewards Overnight
-These Top Airport Lounges Are About To Get More Expensive
-JohnnyJet.com Booking Tool
--Guess Which 3 Countries United Will Now Fly To?
-You'll Need This to Fly Domestically
Road Trips/Car Rentals
-15 Tips To Renting A Car in 2021
-The Car Rental Tip You've Never Heard Before + It Can Also Save You Money and Jail Time
-Here’s Where to Start Your Search for Rental Cars
-Always Do This Before Renting a Car
-An Ex-Cop Has Pulled Over Vehicles For This Reason
-How To Not Have Your Road Trip Ruined
-Road Trip Safety: Open Your Trunk Before Arriving
-5 Ways to Prevent Motion Sickness on a Road Trip
-How To Find Cheap Parking
-A Brilliant Reader Travel Tip
-Life-Saving Car Emergency Tips
Lodging
-Book with Expedia
-Priceline
-How to Make Sure You Get the Lowest Room Rate at Your Hotel
-Latest Lodging News
Cruising
-U.S. Hopes Cruises Will Return By Mid-Summer
-Latest Cruise News
Hawaii
-10 Tips for Traveling to Hawaii (Oahu) During COVID
-The App Every Traveler to Hawaii Needs to Download
-Maui Travel Tips
-Live Hawaii Webcams
Vaccinated Travel
-A Better Way to Protect Your Vaccine Card
-My Experience Getting Vaccinated at CVS
-Can Travelers Avoid Testing If They’ve Been Vaccinated?
-European Union To Allow Fully Vaccinated Americans This Summer
COVID-19
-CDC is now forcing airlines to crack down on fake COVID-19 tests
-Best Source for COVID-19 Testing
-Air Travelers to US Must Show Negative Coronavirus Test
-How to Quickly Find out COVID-19 Rules, Regulations and Cases for Every Country
-A Passenger Refused to Wear a Mask on My Flight
-What to Do if Your Seatmate Refuses to Wear a Mask-How Families Can Avoid Getting Kicked Off A Plane
Popular Stories
-Video: Southwest Crew Dance In Viral Video
-The Site Every Int'l Traveler Needs To Bookmark
-European Union To Allow Fully Vaccinated Americans This Summer
-What’s It Like To Travel To And Quarantine In Thailand During COVID-19?
-Great News for International Travelers
-Avoid This Major US Airport During These Times
-3 Websites To Cross-Reference Before Traveling Internationally
-First look at Avelo Airlines’ Inaugural Flight
-The Map App Every Traveler Needs To Download Now
-Genius iPhone Hack
-Travel Hack: Never Get Your Valuables Stolen On The Beach
-Why People Eat at McDonald's When They Travel
-10 Things You Don’t Need to Pack
-10 Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Airplane Habits: Are YOU Guilty?
-Fallen Soldier on My Delta Flight
Good To Know
-'Do Not Travel' List: State Dept Adds Popular Countries
-Money and Time Saving Secrets From A Theme Park Expert
-The Rule You Need to Know for International Travel
-The Number One Travel Tip to Save You Money and Headaches in 2021
-How to Use Your Phone As a Remote Control
-How To Get A Global Entry Appointment Faster
-Consult This App Before Heading to the Beach
-I Got Hacked This Morning - Here's How to Prevent It
Safety/Health
-10 Items I Have in Case of Emergency
-How to Find a Doctor While Traveling
-How to Save Big On Prescription Drugs at Home and on the Road
-How to Measure Air Quality Where You Live or Where You’re Going
-5 Places an Infectious Diseases Doctor Begs You Not to Go
-My Somewhat Freakish Travel Habit Might Just Save Your Life
-10 Things to Have in Case of an Emergency
-How To Always Have Clean Water
-The Health Tool You Need at Home and On the Road
-A Tool I'd Never Heard of But Have Now added To My Travel Health Kit
Food/Shop
-The Blackout Sleep Mask Travelers Need
-Your Favorite Travel Foods Delivered & a $15 Promo Code
-A Slice of Hawaii With This Amazing Tool for Slicing Pineapple
Travel Gadgets/Products
-The Solution For Those Who Always Have No Storage Left iPhones
-A Brilliant New Travel Purse for Women
-3 Great Travel Gifts Under $20
-The Travel Gadget Flight Attendants Never Leave Home Without
-Why You Should Use Shoe Covers At Home and When You Travel
-The Best Luggage to Give and Get
Just For Fun
-Hands Down the Best Beach Toy for Kids
-How To Virtually Meet Your Favorite Celebrity
-The Best Airplane Toy For Any Kid
Face Masks
-Buy N95 & KN95 masks on Amazon
-I use Aiden Health’s N95, KN95 masks
-What to Know Before Wearing an N95 Mask
-Should You Be Double-Masking?
-Flight Attendant Shares Tips For a Comfortable Flight While Wearing a Mask
-Why You Might Want To Buy N95/KN95 Masks Now
-50-Pack of Kids Disposable Face Masks
-The Best Face Masks for Flying During COVID-19
-8 Accessories to Make Wearing Face Masks More Comfortable, More Hygienic and More Pleasant to Wear
Watch
-11 Great Travel Shows for Kids
-Live New York City Webcams
-Incredible Livestream of Iceland Volcano Erupting
Podcast/YouTube
-39 Travel Questions: Samantha Brown
-What’s it Like to Travel and Live in Anguilla
-What It’s Like To Live In and Travel Around Vietnam During COVID-19
-39 Travel Questions with Josh Gates
-39 Travel Questions with Andrew McCarthy
-39 Travel Questions with Leo Laporte
-What’s It Like to Live In New Zealand During COVID-19 -More
This Week's JohnnyJet.com Stories
-Airline + Airport News
-Cruise News
-Domestic Travel News
-International Travel News
-Hotel + Lodging Travel News
-Miscellaneous Travel News
-Travel Contests of the Week
P.S. As always, thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I hope you like it and you share with your friends, family and colleagues so they can subscribe to either my bi-weekly newsletter or Daily Travel Tip. |
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