What NOT to pack (in your checked luggage)?

I find myself reading articles like this, and really want to share this with everyone!!!
Most of it seems like common sense, but sometimes we forget....
Here is the article:

http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/what-not-to-pack-in-checked-luggage-when-flying/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+tripso+%28Consumertraveler.com%29


There’s a general consensus about what travelers should definitely not check:

Electronic equipment:

- computers
- phones
- cameras
- I-pads

Valuable items:
- jewelry
- silver

Essential documents:
- travel papers including confirmation slips
- prescriptions and medications
- insurance papers
- passports
- sensitive work-related materials
……….and the list goes on.

Luggage/Baggage Fees go up again!

No big surprise I guess, but it's still funny to me the nickel-dime, nickel-dime action going on at the airlines!!!
Did you know......
Now with USAirways, they charge the SAME service fee to call in for a ticket as we at Travel Leaders Suntime Travel do.....that is insane! Do you think when you call USAir, they give you the same service that a travel agent would?
Same service fee, WAY different service.....

Also, the luggage and baggage fees are on the rise.....big shocker.....
The first bag is now $20 and the second bag is now $30 IF you prepay online
But at the airport it's up to $25 for the first and $35 for the second. (non-prepaid)

I'm assuming that the other airlines will follow suit, as they all do beat to the same drummer in most cases.....

Have you been on http://www.suntimetravel.com/ yet?
We have a fabulous guide that can assist you in planning for your luggage fees, and so much more! Click on Traveler's Tools, and click on Airline Luggage Guidelines and Policies, then click on your specific airline. How helpful!!!!!!!!!

As with all of these nickel-dime fees that the airlines are charging, who are they helping, and who are they hurting? Ultimately, it's always the traveling public that is hurting......always.

United Breaks Guitars Story

Have you heard about the United Breaks Guitars video?

It's super cheesy, and funny, and yet a little sad at the same time!!!

Hopefully the airlines will take this as a lesson on what 'not' to do with their customers baggage!!!
Here is the link to You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Enbcchicago%2Ecom%2Fnews%2Flocal%2FUnited%2DBreaks%2DGuitars%2Da%2DSmash%2DHit%2Don%2DYouTube%2Ehtml%3Fyhp%3D1&feature=player_embedded

Here's the article describing what happened:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/United-Breaks-Guitars-a-Smash-Hit-on-YouTube.html?yhp=1

7 Ways to Annoy a Flight Attendant

OMG, this article made me laugh out loud!!
Thought I'd share.....

Thank you to Yahoo News for this fun article!
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-28078669;_ylc=X3oDMTF2YWJnM21wBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEX3MDMjcxOTQ4MQRzZWMDZnAtdG9kYXltb2QEc2xrA2Fubm95YXR0ZW5kYW50LTYtMi0wOQ--

7 Ways to Annoy a Flight Attendant
Our anonymous flight attendant has worked for a well-known commercial airline for 12 years. She dishes on what irritates her most in passenger behavior.

1. Bring your pet on the plane and then act like an animal.
Over the years, I've seen a pet on a passenger's lap, a pet tucked into a seatback pocket, and a pet loose in the aisle (I nearly hit one with my beverage cart). All of this is against federal regulations. People tell me how well-behaved their pet is, but they can't follow the rules themselves! Your pet must stay in its carrier while you're on the plane. Yes, even if you've paid a "pet-in-cabin" fee.

2. Shove your bag into the first bin you see and then walk to your seat in the back of the plane.
You think you're clever, I know. You expect to grab your bag on your way out of the plane, but you're selfishly inconveniencing others. I can't lie and say we flight attendants don't take some small satisfaction when we tell you, "We couldn't identify the bag's owner, so we sent it to cargo." It's a security issue, for real. Carry-ons need to stay near their owners! So don't look so shocked when we say, "The signs will direct you to baggage claim. You can pick up your bag there."

3. Think that because you're on an airplane you're off-duty as a parent.
Stop expecting us to have spare diapers, formula, medicine, toys, playing cards, or batteries for DVD players or Game Boys. It's an airplane, not a 7-11. Take your kid to the restroom before you board. Leave the dry cereal and Legos at home and bring snacks and toys for your kids that won't make a horrible mess.

4. Drag on an oversize bag that's too heavy for you to lift by yourself.
I won't be compensated for any injuries I might sustain if I heft your bag into the overhead compartment for you. (And other passengers shouldn't have to step up and take the risk either.) The guideline is simple: You pack it, you stack it. Try this at home as a test (and this is to you ladies, especially): After you've packed your bag, put on the shoes you plan to wear on the plane and see if you can lift your bag and place it on top of your refrigerator. You can't? Pay the fee and check the bag.

5. Gripe that you haven't been seated in a roomy exit-row seat.
The exit rows weren't created as a reward for people who are tall, overweight, or just plain nice. They were designed to help passengers get out of the plane in an emergency. The people seated in an exit row must be able to see and speak clearly, open the emergency door, and help others. I prefer to see uniformed military, firefighters, law-enforcement officers, or off-duty pilots and flight attendants sitting in those seats. While the gate agent may assign exit-row seats first, the flight attendant makes the final determination about who gets to sit in them. And the quality of our choices is one of the frequent concerns of Federal Aviation Administration officials when they audit airlines for safety practices. So please don't complain. I'm just doing my job.

6. Act like you don't know the meaning of the words "under the seat in front of you."
Someday I will be muttering "under the seat in front of you" in the old-age home for flight attendants. What is it that you don't understand? To be clear, items should not be stowed behind your calves, under your feet like a footstool, in the open seat next to you, or in your lap. It's under the seat in front of you. And it applies to everything you carry on board. Items stored carelessly can trip others, or dislodge during takeoff and get lost, or inconvenience others. And while I'm on the topic: Please don't wrap your purse (or umbrella strap) around your ankle to keep from forgetting it. What will happen in an emergency, when every second counts and there's no time to disentangle yourself from your precious bag? Will you drag it ball-and-chain-style down the aisle of a burning plane?

7. Whine about the high price of flying.
When I hear people complain about coach airfares, I know they're not keeping up with the news. Fares have rarely been cheaper. In recent years, it's not uncommon for you to be able to cross the continent for under $130 each way, with a maximum of one layover. It's a bargain! At that price, you're barely paying for the fuel to get your body there—never mind the cost of shipping your 50 pounds of gear. You're already on the gravy plane. People point to first class ticket holders and want to know why they don't get the same treatment. Wake up folks: You're getting a great deal. If you want even more, pay more!