Originally published November 27, 2019
One of my favorite things about flying is when you get to your destination and you exit the passenger boarding bridge and see the airport for the place you arrived in. No two airports are alike, and I love walking by different shops and restaurants and spotting the differences. Now, I have yet to fly out of the United States, but I have flown to a few different places in the U.S.
Seattle/SeaTac: Obviously, being from the Seattle area, most of my flights are either to or from SeaTac. I think it's an awesome airport and I've gotten quite familiar with it. Security is pretty long I've found compared to other airports. But so far I have yet to find an airport with shops and restaurants that I like more than SeaTac.
Sacramento: The first airport I ever flew to was Sacramento. It's got wonderful architecture (I remember a hanging giant rabbit), perhaps the best architecture in an airport I have seen in person. And it has a tram that transports you as well (SeaTac has one as well for certain gates I remember). Once you get out of the airport, it's nothing but flat around with no parking garages, just a big parking lot. When I first landed in Sacramento, I noticed all the California sports teams like the Lakers, Warriors, 49ers, and Raiders were on prominent display in the apparel stores.
Oakland: A smaller airport to say the least. The wait for security for me has been non-existent the few times I've flown out. I also remember the airport is right next to the water/bay so when you fly in to Oakland, it almost looks like the plane is about to land in the water!
Las Vegas: I don't remember much about this airport other than that it has slot machines! And the one time I went on the slots there, I actually came out ahead. However, I do remember getting there and seeing a ton of taxis out in the arrivals area.
Honolulu: Surprisingly, I don't remember a lot about this airport. I remember it's a small-ish airport like Oakland, but as soon as you get outside you're met by palm trees and tropical weather.
Kona: The smallest airport I have ever been to. Want to know how small? The passenger boarding bridge leads you down to the ground. There's also just a bunch of huts that are for different gates. I don't think they even have any restaurants or shops, just vending machines. This is the one pictured in the above image (A rendering).
Showing posts with label Fly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fly. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
The long, arduous process of a plane flight
Originally published October 8, 2019
Commercial air travel is the fastest way a civilian can get from one city to another. Thousands and thousands of flights take off every day. But there is a process. Sure, the flights themselves are very quick for getting you from one city to another (quicker than driving, at least), but they require so much preparation and waiting and adhering to rules.
After you buy your plane ticket, which generally are pretty expensive compared to other things you might purchase, you eventually get to the day of your flight. Packing is fairly routine, but you must accommodate TSA regulations and requirements. No bringing liquids over 3 oz. on a plane. No bringing sharp objects, weapons, blades, chemicals. Those have to be in checked luggage. Most people can abide by these rules just fine.
Then there comes the part of travelling to the airport. Some people have to drive a long ways to get to the nearest airport. Myself, it's a fairly quick drive, depending on traffic (30-45 minutes). Then after you get there, unless you got a ride, you have to park. Then after getting there is checking in (if you haven't already) and possibly checking luggage. The wait in those lines can be long, depending on the airline and the time of day.
Then comes everyone's most favorite part: Security checkpoint! Not only is security a bit of a hassle, there's almost always a long wait for it. I'd say out of all the times I've flown, I've had a short or no wait time for security just a couple times. Both were at smaller airports. After the waiting, you get your boarding pass and ID checked by the TSA agent, then off to the actual security checkpoint. I won't get into the details because it varies by airport, but so far by my experience you either go through a metal detector type gate or go to a station where you have to lift your arms up. My favorite part is when someone ahead of me struggles with abiding by the rules and holds up the line. Even more waiting, yay!
After security, you're still not done! Then comes the waiting at the gate. Depending on how early you arrived and how quickly you got through security, you may have some time to kill, especially if your flight gets delayed. Then the time finally comes to board the plane. You board the plane at a speed in which you would get passed by nearby slugs. You finally actually get on the plane and take a seat. But guess what? Even more waiting! This time you have to wait for the plane to fully board, and then pull away from the tarmac. At last, long last, your plane hits the runway and gathers speed and takes off. Then comes the longest wait (usually)--the waiting to get there.
So you finally land, great! Now you must wait to get off the plane. If you're towards the back and/or in a window seat, this can take a while. Then you get off the plane and sometimes (and in my case--usually) have a bit of a walk to get to either the arriving zone or baggage claim. Some airports (Sacramento for one) have you board a tram to get to certain areas. Then, if you checked any luggage, comes the waiting for your luggage to come down the belt. And it never seems to be one of the first pieces of luggage down the belt, no sir. I once waited almost half an hour for my luggage and was starting to get worried before I finally saw it.
Then after getting picked up or getting a taxi, you still have a car ride to get to your final destination. So if you start at waiting in line to check in/check luggage, you've waited a total of six separate times now. Waiting and not doing much is actually pretty exhausting; no wonder flights tire people out so much.
But it beats the alternative (if there even is one), yeah? Driving, if it is an option, takes much longer and adds so much wear and tear to your car, mostly the odometer. Even if you rent a car to drive, the time you'd need the car and the gas you'd have to pay for wouldn't save that much money.
Is flying a plane worth it? Right now it's the most efficient way for travelling distances of over 300 miles. You certainly have to plan around flights. If you have a week off and are spending it flying somewhere for a week, you really only get 5 days there thanks to the flights in and out (depending on the length of the flights). It's not very worthwhile to fly someplace one day and leave the next, although I'm sure some people do that (mainly for their occupations). The longer the flight the more worthwhile and long the stay should be. Until we can develop some alternate form of transportation like suction tubes seen in Logan's Run, air travel and the long arduous process that goes along with it will be a part of our lives.
Commercial air travel is the fastest way a civilian can get from one city to another. Thousands and thousands of flights take off every day. But there is a process. Sure, the flights themselves are very quick for getting you from one city to another (quicker than driving, at least), but they require so much preparation and waiting and adhering to rules.
After you buy your plane ticket, which generally are pretty expensive compared to other things you might purchase, you eventually get to the day of your flight. Packing is fairly routine, but you must accommodate TSA regulations and requirements. No bringing liquids over 3 oz. on a plane. No bringing sharp objects, weapons, blades, chemicals. Those have to be in checked luggage. Most people can abide by these rules just fine.
Then there comes the part of travelling to the airport. Some people have to drive a long ways to get to the nearest airport. Myself, it's a fairly quick drive, depending on traffic (30-45 minutes). Then after you get there, unless you got a ride, you have to park. Then after getting there is checking in (if you haven't already) and possibly checking luggage. The wait in those lines can be long, depending on the airline and the time of day.
Then comes everyone's most favorite part: Security checkpoint! Not only is security a bit of a hassle, there's almost always a long wait for it. I'd say out of all the times I've flown, I've had a short or no wait time for security just a couple times. Both were at smaller airports. After the waiting, you get your boarding pass and ID checked by the TSA agent, then off to the actual security checkpoint. I won't get into the details because it varies by airport, but so far by my experience you either go through a metal detector type gate or go to a station where you have to lift your arms up. My favorite part is when someone ahead of me struggles with abiding by the rules and holds up the line. Even more waiting, yay!
After security, you're still not done! Then comes the waiting at the gate. Depending on how early you arrived and how quickly you got through security, you may have some time to kill, especially if your flight gets delayed. Then the time finally comes to board the plane. You board the plane at a speed in which you would get passed by nearby slugs. You finally actually get on the plane and take a seat. But guess what? Even more waiting! This time you have to wait for the plane to fully board, and then pull away from the tarmac. At last, long last, your plane hits the runway and gathers speed and takes off. Then comes the longest wait (usually)--the waiting to get there.
So you finally land, great! Now you must wait to get off the plane. If you're towards the back and/or in a window seat, this can take a while. Then you get off the plane and sometimes (and in my case--usually) have a bit of a walk to get to either the arriving zone or baggage claim. Some airports (Sacramento for one) have you board a tram to get to certain areas. Then, if you checked any luggage, comes the waiting for your luggage to come down the belt. And it never seems to be one of the first pieces of luggage down the belt, no sir. I once waited almost half an hour for my luggage and was starting to get worried before I finally saw it.
Then after getting picked up or getting a taxi, you still have a car ride to get to your final destination. So if you start at waiting in line to check in/check luggage, you've waited a total of six separate times now. Waiting and not doing much is actually pretty exhausting; no wonder flights tire people out so much.
But it beats the alternative (if there even is one), yeah? Driving, if it is an option, takes much longer and adds so much wear and tear to your car, mostly the odometer. Even if you rent a car to drive, the time you'd need the car and the gas you'd have to pay for wouldn't save that much money.
Is flying a plane worth it? Right now it's the most efficient way for travelling distances of over 300 miles. You certainly have to plan around flights. If you have a week off and are spending it flying somewhere for a week, you really only get 5 days there thanks to the flights in and out (depending on the length of the flights). It's not very worthwhile to fly someplace one day and leave the next, although I'm sure some people do that (mainly for their occupations). The longer the flight the more worthwhile and long the stay should be. Until we can develop some alternate form of transportation like suction tubes seen in Logan's Run, air travel and the long arduous process that goes along with it will be a part of our lives.
Places I Want to Travel
Originally published September 25
I have traveled about the average amount for someone my age I think, but I want to travel more. So far, notable places I have traveled include: Hawaii, Las Vegas, and California (Bay area, Sacramento, Los Angeles). But I definitely want to travel to more places. The following are places I definitely would like to travel to at some point in my lifetime. Doesn't have to be soon; could be when I'm old and gray.
New York: I've wanted to travel to New York as long as I can remember. So many of my favorite TV shows and movies have been set there. And of course, I want to see all the landmarks. Maybe see a Yankees game. Just to experience the bustle of the city and see the One World Trade Center as well. Not to mention see The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.
Florida: I've heard about the humidity there and I want to experience it, if only for a little bit. I also would love to go to both Disneyworld and Universal Studios Orlando. And go to Miami and the beach there. I know most of it was shot in California, but I'd also want to go to Florida because of the hit showtime series "Dexter", which is one of my favorite TV shows ever.
Germany: The foreign country I'd probably most want to visit is Deutschland, AKA Germany. I took three years of German in High School, plus a semester in College. I know a basic amount of German (although some has leaked out since then, I'd have to brush up some more), and I think I could get by if need be. A lot of Germans know English as well, which would help. I'd love to see where the Berlin wall was, among other things. Another big reason I'd want to go to Germany is because most of my family's ancestors came to the United States from Germany. I'm roughly 70% German.
England: I'd just love to visit the United Kingdom, and more specifically, England. Being a huge fan of Harry Potter, I'd want to visit all the places referenced in the books that are real life places, such as King's Cross station. I'd of course want to see all of the London landmarks like Millennium Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben.
Somewhere tropical: I know this isn't specific, but I know I definitely want to go to a tropical/beach location at some point in my lifetime. Any of the popular "B" locations would be good such as Barbados, the Bahamas, Bora Bora, or Bermuda. This would be ideal for my honeymoon after I get married.
Australia: Australia is awesome from what I have seen and heard. I think the danger of poisonous spiders/snakes is vastly overblown. The people there seem really nice. I'd want to visit the Sydney Opera House of course. And if I could, I'd love to go on a tour of the Australian outback/wilderness.
Washington D.C.: It's not particularly high on my list of places I want to go, but D.C. is definitely a place I want to go some day. I want to experience our country's capital firsthand and see all our landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and of course the White House. My dad went there recently on an Honor Flight with my grandfather, a WWII veteran, and his recounts of what he saw made me want to go a lot more.
Mount Rushmore: I have always been fascinated by this landmark and would love to see it in person. It might not be worth it to fly there just for Mount Rushmore, so it might have to be part of a road trip where I see Yellowstone National Park as well.
Wherever the Super Bowl is held: On my bucket list is attending a Super Bowl. I just want to experience the festivities, the game of course, and the halftime show all in person. Only a small fraction of Americans can say they have been to a Super Bowl and I would love to say that I am one of them. I'd first and foremost want to go to a Super Bowl the Seahawks are in, but if not that then one on the west coast, such as Los Angeles or Arizona.
Italy: I'd love to visit Italy if possible some day, and more specifically: Rome. The Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And I would love to experience authentic Italian cuisine.
I have traveled about the average amount for someone my age I think, but I want to travel more. So far, notable places I have traveled include: Hawaii, Las Vegas, and California (Bay area, Sacramento, Los Angeles). But I definitely want to travel to more places. The following are places I definitely would like to travel to at some point in my lifetime. Doesn't have to be soon; could be when I'm old and gray.
New York: I've wanted to travel to New York as long as I can remember. So many of my favorite TV shows and movies have been set there. And of course, I want to see all the landmarks. Maybe see a Yankees game. Just to experience the bustle of the city and see the One World Trade Center as well. Not to mention see The Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.
Florida: I've heard about the humidity there and I want to experience it, if only for a little bit. I also would love to go to both Disneyworld and Universal Studios Orlando. And go to Miami and the beach there. I know most of it was shot in California, but I'd also want to go to Florida because of the hit showtime series "Dexter", which is one of my favorite TV shows ever.
Germany: The foreign country I'd probably most want to visit is Deutschland, AKA Germany. I took three years of German in High School, plus a semester in College. I know a basic amount of German (although some has leaked out since then, I'd have to brush up some more), and I think I could get by if need be. A lot of Germans know English as well, which would help. I'd love to see where the Berlin wall was, among other things. Another big reason I'd want to go to Germany is because most of my family's ancestors came to the United States from Germany. I'm roughly 70% German.
England: I'd just love to visit the United Kingdom, and more specifically, England. Being a huge fan of Harry Potter, I'd want to visit all the places referenced in the books that are real life places, such as King's Cross station. I'd of course want to see all of the London landmarks like Millennium Bridge, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben.
Somewhere tropical: I know this isn't specific, but I know I definitely want to go to a tropical/beach location at some point in my lifetime. Any of the popular "B" locations would be good such as Barbados, the Bahamas, Bora Bora, or Bermuda. This would be ideal for my honeymoon after I get married.
Australia: Australia is awesome from what I have seen and heard. I think the danger of poisonous spiders/snakes is vastly overblown. The people there seem really nice. I'd want to visit the Sydney Opera House of course. And if I could, I'd love to go on a tour of the Australian outback/wilderness.
Washington D.C.: It's not particularly high on my list of places I want to go, but D.C. is definitely a place I want to go some day. I want to experience our country's capital firsthand and see all our landmarks such as the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and of course the White House. My dad went there recently on an Honor Flight with my grandfather, a WWII veteran, and his recounts of what he saw made me want to go a lot more.
Mount Rushmore: I have always been fascinated by this landmark and would love to see it in person. It might not be worth it to fly there just for Mount Rushmore, so it might have to be part of a road trip where I see Yellowstone National Park as well.
Wherever the Super Bowl is held: On my bucket list is attending a Super Bowl. I just want to experience the festivities, the game of course, and the halftime show all in person. Only a small fraction of Americans can say they have been to a Super Bowl and I would love to say that I am one of them. I'd first and foremost want to go to a Super Bowl the Seahawks are in, but if not that then one on the west coast, such as Los Angeles or Arizona.
Italy: I'd love to visit Italy if possible some day, and more specifically: Rome. The Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And I would love to experience authentic Italian cuisine.
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