Travel Advice and Tips for Flight Delays & Cancellations

Cancelled Flights on Flight Departure Board

Listen to the Audio for The Skychi Travel Guide Live Internet Radio Show - June 24, 2014

 

Online Radio Show and Google Hangout On Air Featuring:

• Flight Tales - Funny Travel Stories
• Insider Secrets - Travel Tips
• Flying Hot Topics - Current Industry Travel News

UBM TALK  Live Internet Radio Program

Travel  Tuesdays from 1 pm to 2 pm CST at

www.urbanbroadcastmedia.com .

Listen and Call in at 312-754-4333.

Subscribe and watch on  Youtube at The Skychi Travel Guide Live

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Introduction

Janice Temple "SkyChiTravels" is my alter ego when I fly. I am an international traveler who is a linguist. I have lived in France, Belgium, Venezuela, Argentina, and Turkey. I speak French, Spanish, and some Turkish and have the unique ability to communicate and understand people of other cultures.

My name is "SkyChiTravels" because I love to fly in the sky and I am from Chi-town, Chicago! I have worked in the travel industry for over twenty years as a baggage handler, passenger service agent, ticket agent, gate agent, customer service representative, airline account executive, travel agent and a flight attendant. My latest career has been as a professional flight attendant for the past 7 years for a regional carrier in North America. Currently Janice is a Travel Agent who can be contacted at (904) 515-2995.

The Skychi Travel Guide Live Radio Show Topics:

1) ATLANTIC IMPACT

Atlantic Impact - International Travel Trip to Barbados for At- Risk Students from Detroit

Interview with Anise Hayes Co-Founder of Atlantic Impact. Watch the interview on youtube here.

The concept for www.AtlanitcImpact.org came from Birthright Armenia which gives those people from the Armenia diaspora the opportunity to connect to their history.

The United Nations and State Department helped to develop the after-school and Saturday curriculum which connects high risk high school students to their local history, global travel which creates ambassadors of change in their local community.

2) HIP HOP THERAPY

One of my daughter's is Cendrine Robinson who was interviewed for an article in

Huffington Post - Hip Hop's Promising New Role In Troubled Youth Therapy

June 23, 2014 by Jessica Dickerson

"Cendrine Robinson, a clinical psychology student at Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, recently published an article, "Dream & nightmares: What hip-hop can teach us about Black youth," in American Psychological Association's newsletter, In the Public Interest. In her article, Robinson discusses her experience using hip hop to counsel at-risk youth.

Robinson writes, "Hip hop therapy has elements of expressive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Hip hop music is utilized to engage clients in treatment by helping establish rapport with the therapist. Music can also help clients identify emotions and reframe cognition."

Artists like Chief Keef, Meek Mill and Rick Ross now populate Robinson's Pandora stations, because they are the artists the majority of her clients are listening to. She has found Meek Mill particularly helpful in this respect, especially his song "Traumatized."

3) WAYS TO PREPARE YOUTH FOR TRAVEL

Local Field Trips

Library Free Museum Passes

Daley Plaza Free Noontime Cultural Events

Chicago Cultural Center

Watch Youtube Travel  Videos

Eat at Local Ethnic Restaurant

4) FLIGHT DELAYS & CANCELLATIONS

When the Airport Falls Apart & Chasing The Plane: Travel Advice and Tips for Flight Delays & Cancellations

How to rebook your flight & How to survive being stuck in the airport

Do you have questions about air travel? Ask me!

Buddy Passes Text Request From Faux Facebook Friends

Maybe it is the summer travel season or my social media postings of blog posts and photos of my travels; the number of requests for my buddy passes has increased significantly.

Yesterday, on a flight attendant thread someone posted a random text request for buddy passes from a complete stranger. It appears Facebook faux friends are targeting travel industry personnel to access travel benefits.

Buddy Pass Text Request

This is not an emergency. This is someone planned this trip based on buddy passes. The normal way to plan a trip is to buy the airline ticket before booking the hotel.

The fight attendants are on to the people who we have not spoken to for ten years and call us out of the blue asking for buddy passes. This happens to us on a regular basis. Frankly, we are tired of it.

We can tell when someone wants something from us.

We truly dislike family (fifth cousin removed) and new found best friends connecting with us just to ask for passes.

Buddy Pass Text Request

However, this reaches a new level when random strangers are targeting flight attendants on Facebook to send a friend request. Then they access their phone number to send a buddy pass text

request.

Buddy Pass Text Request

This conversation sums up exactly

how we feel. You think they get the hint. No, they don't understand the message.

These buddy pass seekers move on to the next person on the list.

Buddy Pass Text Request

This person starts with "lol, here goes"

because they know this is a crap shoot.

They don't even take themselves seriously.

Buddy Pass Text Request

Another flight attendant aptly sums it up, "This is not, ok!"

Whomever. Is doing this. STOP IT! 

I don't know how you found us, but what  you are doing is annoying. We are making jokes about you and your texts, but you are also pissing people off.

Flight attendants need their beauty rest, do not disturb them with text messages for buddy passes. You do not have permission to contact us in this manner.

Hint: If you have a flight attendant who has graciously given you a buddy pass, that is a secret. Please do not broadcast it to the world, because you help create situations like these. 

You want buddy passes, airline are hiring. Join us, then you can have everyone hounding you for buddy passes.

Related Articles:

How to Go to the Head of the Airport Security Line?

Flight Attendant Travel Tip

SkychiTravels with Passport and Travel Vision Board

I finally applied for and was approved for Global Entry, the best travel secret ever. For $100 for five years you have access to domestic and international security processing at lighting speed. You can cut your wait in the security line to just a few minutes.

Robinson Family Passports

Global Entry allow travelers to use the kiosks with their passports  to clear customs and immigrants quickly on international arrivals into the United States.

Mexico Beach

Global Entry also includes NEXUS for entry into Canada and SENTRI for entry into Mexico.

Byward Market Ottawa, Ontario,Canada

If one travels within the United States or domestically, it adds the benefit of TSA-Pre Clear which means you can go the head of the line.

Capitol Hill

As a crew member, I am accustomed to getting through security quickly. However, for person travel it can be frustrating to wait in long lines.

So, I appreciate the benefits of the Global Entry Program. One needs to complete the application and pay the fee online. Then schedule an interview. During the interview, the customs border officer completes a background check, takes a photo, and fingerprints you. Once approved you receive your TSA Pre- Clear card with 7 - 10 days. When traveling domestically you are able to use the speedy kiosk instead of standing in line.

One Hundred Dollar Bill

This Global Entry makes travel easy breezy. This eliminates the frustration of the long security lines. The Global Entry fee of $100 includes the Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and TSA Pre-Clear is a great travel value.

Do you want to shortened your wait in the airport security line?

Urban Streetsmarts Tips for Women Solo Travelers

Skychitravels -Face of a Solo Traveler

Characteristics of a Woman Solo Traveler: streetsmart savvy, confident, quick thinking, shows no fear, prepared, resourceful, decision maker

Skychitravels with Passport in Hand and Travel Vision Board 

Growing up in Chicago and being the daughter of an ex-Marine, I learned street smarts during my teenage years. My father taught me how to walk down the street and be aware of my surroundings. I learned to turn around and look to see if someone was following me.

Big Apple at New York JFK Airport

In urban cities like Chicago or New York, when riding public transportation you should walk with confidence and show no fear, looking sweet and innocent makes you a target. You should practice your mean look or scowl in the mirror. A woman traveling alone should have a "don't f*ck with me look" or "a back off look". It is also a good idea to carry mace or a whistle for help. This look has worked for me around the world.

If someone is following me or bothering me around a crowd of other people, I suddenly stop and turnaround while yelling "Get away from me. Stop following me." This usually scares them away.

Women traveling alone should stay away from dark isolated areas, that is just asking for trouble.

Skychitravels Woman Solo Traveler -
rode the bus in Washington D.C.
at 5 am to wait for 57th Inaugural Parade

Safety and protection were daily lessons in our household.
My father taught me that carrying a purse isn't always a good idea when I am alone. He had my grandmother show how to carry money and identification in my bra or the heel of my shoes. I was given mad money or emergency money to carry on me, especially on dates. In case, my date made me angry and I had to leave immediately. The emergency mad money could be used for a taxi.

My ex-marine father believes in wearing jackets, pants and shirts with deep pockets to keep the valuables safe from pickpockets. He instructed me to leave my purse at home during Christmas holidays when the thieves were the busiest. I would carry my money, identification cards and keys in deep pockets.

 While traveling this is safety practice of leaving my purse in the hotel room and carrying the valuables on my body is a sensible idea of protection for a woman traveling solo. You don't want to worry about a purse  when you are in a  looking like a tourist in a new place,  getting lost and asking for directions. The lost tourist look can make you an easy target or mark for thieves. Sometimes you can't help looking out of place. It is best to keep on valuables on you.

If you decide to carry a purse, choose one that straps over your shoulder and across your body is best for safety. It is more difficult for thieves to grab a purse strapped over your shoulders compared to a purse in your hand. It is also a good idea to wear your purse across your shoulders under your coat.

 As a flight attendant on my overnights, I enjoy exploring a place by myself. I place my money, hotel room key, identification cards, credit cards in my pockets and go off exploring. Many times I have my camera or cell phone in my hands photographing people and places. A purse can get in the way and make it difficult to juggle with photography work.  Also I may be distracted with taking photos to watch out for thieves and protect my purse.These are some of the reasons I love pocket clothes or gear.

For Stylish Safety & Security
Scottevest Penny Coat
 Skychitravels at 57th Presidential Inauguration

I recently went to the President's 57th Inaugural Parade wearing my Scottevest Penny Coat. It is cool pocket travel coat with deep pockets to carry cellphones, cameras, ipads, water bottles, keys, money, identification, credit cards, etc. It is perfect for being a tourist in unfamiliar surroundings or large crowds.

 Women's SEV Penny Coat with 14 Pockets and iPad Compatible X-Ray View 

If you are traveling in a warm climate and pocket clothes are too warm, then the Porta-Pocket can keep valuables safe on your body. You can wear it on your bra, on your arm, leg, or ankle.

Photo Credit: PortaPocket

What other ways can a woman solo traveler protect herself while traveling?

Related Articles:

Flight Attendant Janice Fashion Intervention by Scottevest

Travel is about meeting new people and visiting exciting destinations. I am ringing in 2013 with a new look. I have been wearing my blue fleece hoodie for a few years now. It is time for me to upgrade my travel look with the Stylish Penny Coat from Scottevest.

Scott Jordan and "Skychitravels" modeling a Scottevest Travel Pocket Vest at TBEX Keystone Colorado 2012

I first met Scott Jordan of Scottevest at the TBEX  2012 conference for Travel Bloggers in Keystone, Colorado.

X-Ray View of Scottevest Jacket

I was in serious need of a fashion intervention. My daughter described my ole blue hoodie as a sweater and not a coat. She told me I looked like a little girl. Even the flight crews made fun of my blue hoodie. One captain made of a joke whenever I wore my hoodie during our four day trip, he would say there is a passenger following us. I wore my blue hoodie with my uniform which was not a professional look. The passengers even made fun of me when they boarded my flight because I was all bundled like a little pixie girl.

Scottevest Jacket keeping me warm during Presidential Inauguration.

This is my stylish new look. The fashion intervention has succeeded with a professional upgrade in my flight attendant travel wardrobe. I love my new look, no more looking like a pixie.In 2013, I am dressing "like a traveler and not  a tourist" which is the Scottevest slogan.

I am grateful to receive   fashion intervention help from Scottevest. Even flight attendants need a little help every  now and then. So, I was excited to receive my shiny new package of the SeV Penny Coat from Scottevest for Christmas.

Flight Attendant Janice wearing a Penny Coat from Scottevest.

You are probably wondering why I am greeting passengers in my new SeV Penny Coat from Scottevest. I am working the flight attendant position number 1 who stands in the doorway and greets the passengers. It actually feels like I am standing outside in the cold. Our uniform coat from the company is a Dark Blue Hooded Little Red Riding Hood calf-length Raincoat which is so out of style. We have the option to purchase a classic Navy Wool Overcoat from the company, but most flight prefer to purchase their own black or navy short fashionable coats. I think the SeV Penny Coat from Scottevest is a perfect choice because  the fabric is warm but not bulky. I love the pockets to carry my id, passport, money, keys, flashlight, cell phone,  pens, paper, glasses, lotion, kleenex, water bottle, makeup, among other things. Flight attendants and pilots are converting from a printed manual to an electronic version on ipad. There is even a pocket for the ipad. SeV Scottevest travel clothes are perfect for going through TSA Security because the pockets hold all your valuables in one place. There is no worry about your keys, money or cell phone sitting loose in a bin or bowl while you are passing through the scanner. The functionality and practicality of the SeV Scottevest is unbeatable for top travel wear.

Are you ready for a fashion intervention or to update your travel style? Tell Scottevest Flight Attendant Janice referred you.

Holiday Cheer for Chicago Sightseeing Tips

Jola in front of the Bean in Millennium Park

I just received a warm and fuzzy feeling Christmas thank you letter from a German tourist that I met on the Chicago Blue Line. This thank you gesture makes my passion as a flight attendant travel blogger sharing travel tips more than worthwhile. I am an information person with the spirit of helping, so I love sharing my knowledge of getting around, places to eat, places to stay, and things to do. I rarely receive feedback about  my travel tips. This is my Christmas thank you letter with photos that my new German friend and I took while riding the Chicago Transit Authority.

"Dear Janice,

I wish you a Merry Christmas and delightful days, a happy New Year and

a good start into 2013!

I wanted to thank you again for helping me, it was very nice to meet you.

The time in Chicago was wonderful. I have bought the 5 entrance tickets

that you have suggested me. The weather was very beautiful.

If it happened that you are in Germany I am inviting you to my house and family!

Warm regards,

Jola"

I met my new friend Jola on my way home from a four day trip. I helped her to buy a 3 day CTA pass which gave her unlimited travel on the CTA.  She asked me for advice on how to get to her hotel. I began sharing with her some places to visit in Chicago like The Sears Tower, The Art Institute, The Chicago Cultural Center, Pizzeria Uno's. Garrett's Popcorn, and Buddy Guy's Legends. These are some of my hometown Chicago favorites that I recommended to Jola.

Flight Attendant Advice for Flying with Children: The Sitting Game

American Eagle Aircraft

On a recent flight from Houston to Chicago, I was working in First Class as the number one flight attendant. Three of my seven first class passengers were a family from England. A mother traveling with her son and his grandmother sat in the bulkhead which is row one our CRJ 700 aircraft.

The little boy was adorable, he asked for biscuits as soon as he was seated on the plane. Biscuits in British English means cookies, so I gladly obliged by giving him biscuit cookies. He happily devoured them, several of them. The sugar high kicked in and  he started crawling of the floor. His mother wanted more cookies to pacify him, but I decided to serve them lunch instead of more biscuit cookies. He sat down to eat lunch for a few minutes. He nibbled on the cheese from the mini slider sandwiches. As I served lunch to the other passengers, I saw him out of the corner of my eye crawling around on the floor again. The mother and the grandmother were both drinking hot coffee which he could have easily spilled and burned himself. I told him it was time for a nap and grabbed a blanket and toy for him to settle down to sleep. Houston to Chicago is a 2 hour and 30 minutes flight which too long to have a child hiked up on sugar crawling everywhere. I prepared a bed on the bulkhead floor with blankets as a sleeping mat for him and  sang "Brother John " to him in French. Next, he decided that he wanted to crawl into his mother's lap.  Then, he fought the sleep and finally dozed off to sleep in his mother's arms giving all of us a much needed break.

This flight reminded me of my days as a Mom traveling internationally with a baby and toddlers on long haul flights. I will share some tips with you of how to make flying with little ones easier on the parents and the rest of the passengers.

Prepare your toddler for the airplane ride by creating a airplane game to practice sitting in a seat for the duration of the flight

My grandmother always believed in a giving a child sitting lessons in case you are in a restaurant and want to enjoy your dinner without chasing your child around the restaurant. This same idea applies to flying with children.

The Sitting Game

This is a project that may take a month or more depending upon your active child.

Most important, do not give your child any sugar snacks or drinks because sugar will cause them to be cranky or restless.

Begin with having your child sit in a chair for a few minutes a day. Try five minutes or less then the next day add a few more minutes until you reach one hour to two hours.

Children should be able to sit in a chair without watching TV or a DVD player because during takeoff and landing all electronic devices must be stowed away.

Another way to prepare your child for an airplane ride is to watch this video

Landing At Miami Airport.

After your child has learned to sit still, then you can add toys, coloring, or reading a book. If your child is throwing toys at home they will do the same at the airport and on the plane.

Arrive at the airport a few minutes early if possible so they can watch the planes land and take off.

Show them pilots and flight attendants that are passing through the airport.

Teach them to say hello, goodbye, please and thank-you to the flight attendants and pilots.

As you board the plane, you can ask the flight attendants if it is okay to say hello to the pilots in the cockpit.

Have your camera ready to get a photo with your child in the cockpit with captain.


For more tips on the "Sitting Game" read my other article " How to keep babies and toddlers seated on a plane?" 

10 Tips for Dining at Sweetie Pies

Sweetie Pies Mangrove

We visited Sweetie Pie's on a Saturday at about 2 p.m. The line was out the door but moving. We watched people coming by the carloads. There were many out of state license plates. We talked to one woman in line who had drove 4 hours from Kansas City to dine at Sweetie Pie's. There were also many Cardinals Baseball fans who dropped before the game to get a bit to eat at Sweetie Pie's which is now a major tourist attraction.

1. Be patient. This is an outing for the day.



2. Wear comfortable shoes.



3. Look your best. When you enter the doors of the restaurant you agree to be filmed on their popular reality TV series Sweetie Pie's.



4. Be prepared to wait. Did I say that already? We waited to get in the door to discover more lines inside the restaurant.



5. Flash cameras are not allowed. Have a camera ready you may be able to get a photo with one of Sweetie Pie's Reality TV Stars.




6. Take some extra moolah with you to purchase a Souvenir Sweetie Pie's T-shirt.



7. Donna recommends: Sweetie Pie's Fried Chicken and Sweet Potatoes. This is worth the wait.



8. Janice "Skychi" recommends : Sweetie Pie's Fried Catfish. This is worth the wait!



9. Customers recommend Sweetie Pie's Baked Mac 'n Cheese. It is in hot demand. Going! Going! Gone! This is worth the wait.


10. Sweetie Pie's Menu Prices are not listed on their website. We chose 1 Chicken Dinner with two sides and 1 Catfish Dinner with two sides plus Sweet Tea and Lemonade for our drink selection and 2 Peach Cobblers for dessert. Our meal tab totaled $35 for two people  for lunch on a Saturday afternoon.





Oprah's visit to Sweetie Pie's has put St. Louis Grove Area on the Map. Sweetie Pie's is a Reality Show on Oprah's OWN TV Channel.


"When Robbie Montgomery – one of the original back-up singers for 1960's soul duo sensation Ike and Tina Turner – toured with the band, she poured her creative gifts into her cooking as much as her singing. After the singing stopped, Robbie took her mother's soul food recipes, passed down through generations, and created the empire known as "Sweetie Pie's," St. Louis' iconic and wildly popular soul food restaurant run by Robbie and her dynamic family. Welcome to Sweetie Pie's follows the loud, loving and still very musical Montgomery family as they struggle with the demands of expanding their family-owned business, one soulful dish at a time."

Sweetie Pie's At the Mangrove

www.sweetiepieskitchen.com

4270 Manchester Avenue

St. Louis

(314) 371-0304

Have you dined at Sweetie Pie's?

Related Articles:

Carry On Bags Valet Check - American Eagle Airlines

Please Place Valet Bags On The Red Cart

American Airlines American Eagle Carry-On Bag Must Fit In The Bag Sizer 22" L x 14" W x 9 " H"

American Airlines American Eagle Carry-On Bag Must Fit In The Blue Rectangle

How Much Can I Carry On?

You can bring one small carry-on bag plus one personal item per passenger as long as the carry-on bag fits comfortably in the sizer without being forced and does not exceed overall dimensions of 45 inches (length + width + height).

The maximum dimensions cannot exceed any of the following measurements: 22" long x 14" wide x 9" tall or 114cm (56 x 35 x 23 cm). All carry-on items should be stowed in an overhead bin.

Personal item - includes: purse, briefcase, laptop bag OR a similar item such as a tote that does not exceed 36 inches( length+width+height) and must fit under the seat in front of you.

Additional items that will be allowed above and beyond the restrictions listed above include:

• Outerwear such as coats/wraps/hats


• Book or newspaper


• Small bag of food to eat on the flight - check TSA guidelines for liquids, gels or aerosoles


• Approved safety seat for lap or ticketed child


• Pillow or blanket


• Umbrella stroller for lap or ticketed child


• Diaper bag for lap or ticketed child


• Assistive devices for passengers such as wheelchairs, walkers and CPAP machines


• Therapeutic oxygen provided by the airline

• At some airports, carry-on baggage may be more restricted.


• Additional limits may be placed on carry-on bags because of aircraft stowage capacity.


• Limits may be imposed after the boarding process has begun.


• Carry-on roller board bags, duffle bags, large backpacks, or other personal items that don't fit in the overhead bins or under the seat must be checked at the gate and placed in the cargo compartment on American Eagle aircraft.


• Horizontal rolling and/or hanging garment bags are considered to be the customer's carry-on bag and must fit comfortably in the bag sizer, not exceed the following measurements: 22" long x 14" wide x 9" high or 114cm (56 x 35 x 23 cm). A bag that is 22" long by 24" high by 10.5" wide for a total of 56.5 inches would be too big therefore would not be allowed.

American Eagle Airlines Valet Baggage Elevator O'Hare Airport

Valet Bag Drop Off Place Valet Bag On Cart

Please Place Valet Bags On The Red Cart - If The Cart Is Full Please Place The Bags On The Side Of The Jetbridge

American Eagle Airlines Regional Jet

American Eagle A Member of the OneWorld Alliance

American Eagle Airlines Overhead Bin for Carry On Baggage Stowage

Each  Passenger is limited to one carry-on item which must fit in the overhead compartment

American Eagle Airlines Regional Jet - 50 Seats

Carry On Items Such As BookBags, Purses, Computer Bags Must Be Able to Fit Underneath The Seat In Front of You

Plus one personal item which must be placed under the seat

Hartmann Luggage Carry Ons

What is A Valet Checked Bag?

It is a Carry-On RollerBoard that does not fit in American Eagle Airlines overhead bin or under the seat. It is a Carry-On Bag that is checked for free planeside. Passengers leave their red or yellow valet tagged bags on the jetbridge so that ground personnel can load the bags on the plane. After the flight the ground personnel bring the valet bags up on the jetbridge while passengers wait in a line for their bags.

There are many American Eagle Airlines which all have different policies for carry on luggage. So be prepared for varying guidelines.