Work trip to the US

[Dimtar]

Hi All.

On Tuesday I am flying out to the states on a work trip. Since its my first international trip for probably 15 years I was looking for some advice.

I have a passport, flights are booked and Visa has been sorted. Accommodation in Phoenix is also sorted.

My first question would be what is there to do in LAX, I land at 6:40AM and leave to Phoenix at 11:50AM. That's a few hours that I need to cover.

[username_taken]

Originally Posted by Dimtar

Hi All.

On Tuesday I am flying out to the states on a work trip. Since its my first international trip for probably 15 years I was looking for some advice.

I have a passport, flights are booked and Visa has been sorted. Accommodation in Phoenix is also sorted.

My first question would be what is there to do in LAX, I land at 6:40AM and leave to Phoenix at 11:50AM. That's a few hours that I need to cover.

there's pretty much nothing to do at LAX. It's not even a great time to run over to IN N OUT burger.

[supasaiyan]

agree.. LAX is a hole

just sit at your boarding gate

[Dimtar]

Originally Posted by supasaiyan

agree.. LAX is a hole

just sit at your boarding gate

Dear god tell me there is free wifi?

[supasaiyan]

Originally Posted by Dimtar

Dear god tell me there is free wifi?

i dont think there is anymore.. last time i was there (Jan of 2011) someone told me there's one in a foodcourt but i couldn't find it

http://www.ifly.com/los-angeles-inte...t/shops-stores

starbucks would probably have free wifi

[Gibbon]

Originally Posted by supasaiyan

agree.. LAX is a hole

just sit at your boarding gate

This is very true. Worst airport I've ever been to.

I had about 6 or 7 hrs there last year transferring SLC-LAX then LAX-SYD. Thankfully I had lounge access (I'm a Qantas Platinum FF) - I think I would have gone insane otherwise.

[Jazper]

I am also flying out to the USA soon...

LAX isn't fun.. but the transfers are usually about 4 hours and you kind of need the time to get through customs and get to your departure gate.

Don't drink the Starbucks coffee at the airport if you can help it, I've done it once and never will I drink that foul brew again.


In terms of other things:
1. <obvious> don't carry anything sharp on the plane if you can help it

2. Buy a cheap electric razor (braun have a decent one, as do panasonic) as you will want a shave after a long flight and it will save you carving up your face.

3. <obvious> buy a plug adapter

4. Research Phoenix and learn which places not to go.

5. Find out where the local Microcenter is and see if you can make the time to purchase computer parts there if you are intending to upgrade/crossgrade any time soon. Mobo & CPU combos are particularly cheap there.

6. If you run/swim/play any sport or anything active, it is an opportunity to buy clothing (incl shoes) cheap.

7. Network like crazy when you get there, the more people you know, the easier you will find things.

8. Triple check your itinerary including accommodation. Last thing you need is to arrive and realise the agent booked a hotel miles and miles away from where you need to be.

9. Consider printing out public transport maps and using public transport if you have down time - highly recommend you have at least 1 day down time to recover from jet lag.

10. While on the topic of Jet lag, set your watch to your destination time when you get on the plane, and while you are there, try to get as much sunlight as possible in the daylight hours (walk if you need to), and block out as much light as possible in the evening. This will help you acclimatise faster.

11. Planes dehydrate you, drink as much water as you can in between flights, during flights, before and after. This will help you not feel as "wrecked" after. Note you can't carry much water onto the plane, so you are best making the most of stopovers. Don't drink alcohol on the flight and try to avoid caffeine.

12. <obvious> carry 2 sets of clothing on to the plane in case the air line loses your luggage

13. On the topic of luggage, make sure you have TSA approved locks on your bags, and use zip ties to know whether they have been opened. Bring spares to change them once you get there. Hotel concierges should have scissors to cut them when you arrive. If they are cut after flights, make sure everything is in the bag when you arrive.

14. Have a "This is my life" pocket - ie. Have 2 a4 plastic envelopes in your luggage - one on your carry on, one in your stowed, with flight info and hotel info. Keep all your receipts in the carry on envelope. A5 envelope is ok also - but if you go a5 get a red or brightly coloured one rather than a clear one so it is easy to find.

15. On the topic of this is your life, have your flights and travel itinerary info in an easy to access pocket on your luggage in case it gets lost.

16. Tie a unique ribbon around each of the handles of your luggage, this will make it easier to identify your luggage from others on the carousels.

17. Carry your passport and wallet in the front pockets of your pants, do not use your hand pockets of a jacket or "butt" pockets on any of your pants for anything of value as these are the ones easiest stolen from.

18. Buy a pre paid data card for your personal smartphone when you get over there. That way you have a map wherever you are. For a week, 500mb is plenty.

19. Carry on allowance doesn't include clothing and jackets etc, so bring a jacket with zip pockets you can stow stuff in if you are slightly over.

20. Bring a C shaped pillow on the flight - you can get a cheap memory foam one from spotlight for <$15

21. Wear comfortable, breathable, loose shoes on the plane.

22. Do some websearching and work out how much to tip people over there - you do not want to offend people.

23. Carry cash when you leave the airport, you may need it. The easiest way to do this is just use a standard EFT card at a maestro or cirrus ATM - they are reasonably plentiful

24. Get an all purpose bag which can compress to a reasonably thin size and is light. This is more difficult than it sounds but most adventure/outdoor stores will have something. Preferably have it big enough to carry a laptop, change of clothes and your "This is my life" pocket. Use this to carry stuff most places you go. You could buy this over there, but it is much easier to have it beforehand.
Here are a few examples of the style I am talking about :
http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/C...-Messenger-Bag
http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/C...op-Satchel-Bag

25. Carry a garbage bag (or two) for dirty washing, and a few plastic bags for shoes etc.

26. Priceline have a Travel essentials pack which will save you time, and make things easier to manage - highly recommended

27. I assume your visa is an ESTA visa waiver thingy - have multiple copies of this available to you for the flight there - your "This is my life" pocket is a perfect place for it.

28. Have 2 copies of phone numbers of at least 2 colleagues in the country for the company you work , one in each "This is my life" pocket. - In an emergency you can at least call them

29. Re: Seafood - if you are not staying in a state/country that has at least one coastline or you are a significant distance from the coast, do not eat seafood.

Hope this helps

[IzzehO]

Do what my mate did: Go for a job interview with microsoft, get the job, quit your current job and don't come back to Australia :P

[Vladdo]

Originally Posted by Jazper

travel stuff..

That has to be one of the most informative posts i've ever seen..

Reading thru that list it's all common sense but it's amazing how we all forget to do it..

ie, wear loose breathable comfortable shoes..

well done... I vote for a sticky!

[MR CHILLED]

Originally Posted by Dimtar

My first question would be what is there to do in LAX

Try and scam your way into one of the lounges?

Nah just grab some food, browse around the shops, or pull up a chair in a cafe and watch a movie on the ipad or something.....*shrug*

[Zee]

If you land at 6:30am, in LAX... you will probably clear immigration, and get through security for the domestic flight just in time to make it on the last boarding call.

Maybe.

Take a book to read, or a tablet and play Angry Birds whilst in the qeue...

Originally Posted by Jazper

epic awesome travel tips post

To add to this, I suggest emailing yourself all your travel details, esta details etc to a gmail (or similar) account. Perhaps also a photocopy of you passport main page - and blur out selective bits of info so that your personal details can't be gotten at.

If you can, memorise your passport details. It's not that hard - a passport number and 2 dates is all you should need to know. Makes it very quick to fill out forms, as well as a good backup.

This way, worst case, if you lose *everything*, you have an easy way to access all this info without needing the paperwork.

Z...

[Matt P]

Originally Posted by Jazper

16. Tie a unique ribbon around each of the handles of your luggage, this will make it easier to identify your luggage from others on the carousels.

i agree with most of the above post except for this point. I do a lot of domestic flying and half the bags i see have red ribbons tied to them. Just do what i do, buy a bright green bag

Also, if you want a neck pillow, get an inflatable one. The normal ones take up a huge amount of luggage space.

[joe_sixpack]

As said earlier, it's a slow ass process, you won't have a huge amount of time. Get a coffee and something to munch on once you've cleared domestic and then you'll pretty much be getting ready to board.

[Jazper]

Thanks for all the compliments guys

Re time: if you get in to LAX at 6:30 and your flight is at 9:30-9:50 you will only just have enough time to get through customs and maybe grab a coffee/food, so don't fret over it. The QF93/94 flights are usually packed (450~ people) and that same number + crew needs to make it through immigration. They're usually good enough to open a few more immigration checkpoints to cope with the surge, but be prepared for a wait.


@Matt P: I respectfully disagree with the neck pillow comment - you can carry it separately to your carry on, so you don't have to pack it. Many people did that on a recent flight I was on. The inflatable ones are nowhere near as comfy as the memory foam or latex ones.

Some more tips:

1. Carry a pen with you wherever you go!

2. Fill out the immigration form (ex Australia) while waiting in the queue to get to the departure gates

3. LAX does have wireless but you have to pay for it.

4. Carry a colour photocopy of the "main" page of your passport with your travel documents (good place to put it is your "this is my life" pouches)

5. You will need to take your shoes off to go through security in some of LAX, be mindful of that (i.e. don't wear boots that take ages to get on and take off)

6. With the immigration form you will be given on the plane, make sure you don't make any mistakes (be very careful because it is likely at that point you'll be tired) if you make a mistake, ask for another form.

7. If you can, ask at the first check in counter if they will give you an express check-in card, this will allow you to queue jump.

8. If you are not a member of a frequent flier club, become one, this trip alone will get you a few trips interstate for you/your family.

9. If you are buying luggage, make sure it has 4 wheels on the bottom rather than the 2 wheel type, you prolly don't think it will, but this makes a massive difference when you're in a queue.

10. Don't rely on the toilets on the plane being super clean, they usually aren't.

11. Don't discard your boarding pass after you've boarded, you will likely need the information on it when you hit immigration.

12. Arrive super early for your international flight if possible, there will be a queue if you're flying economy.

[Matt P]

Originally Posted by Jazper

@Matt P: I respectfully disagree with the neck pillow comment - you can carry it separately to your carry on, so you don't have to pack it. Many people did that on a recent flight I was on. The inflatable ones are nowhere near as comfy as the memory foam or latex ones.

yeah the inflatable ones are nowhere near as comfy, ive done both, but the foam etc.. ones just took up too much room. I usually fly with a laptop wheelie bag as carry on + 2 large suitcases (inside one another on the way over, both full on the way back ) so holding it separate was just a pain. I can fully see your point though.

Definately agree about taking a pen.

Who are you flying onward with? You'll have to change terminals to fly out to phoenix too, will give you a walk outside for a bit of a breather

edit: and are you flying out of brisbane or sydney?