Susan's Place Transgender Resources

When you travel by air, do you seek the least amount of time to get to your destination, or do you seek the lowest total price?  Or do you seek something(s) else?

Does it matter if it is business or personal travel?

Does it matter if it is a long flight or not?

Does the number of flight segments (stops) matter much to you, or only if you must change planes?

Being in the UK and only near a regional airport I don't have the luxury of choice as there is usually only one carrier per route. If there is a plane going near to where I want to be then I'll take that one. Luckily our low cost carriers are pretty cheap anyway, I can fly from Newcastle to Milan and back for £69 and it's only a 2 hour flight. Perks of being in europe!

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 02, 2026, 02:42:40 PMBeing in the UK and only near a regional airport I don't have the luxury of choice as there is usually only one carrier per route. If there is a plane going near to where I want to be then I'll take that one. Luckily our low cost carriers are pretty cheap anyway, I can fly from Newcastle to Milan and back for £69 and it's only a 2 hour flight. Perks of being in europe!

I heard that France banned short haul flights a year or so ago.  You must take the train or some other mode of transportation. 

Travelling too and from Thailand I've definitely booked a straight through flight which is 13 hours! Its a bit more expensive but owing to getting GRS I will need comfort for sure.

I have done a split flight from Orlando before with work as was bundled with a hotel. It was easy though because both flights were on the same concourse at Chicago o'hare and bags transited!

If bags don't transit its a pain.

Charlotte 😻

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 02, 2026, 02:54:01 PMI heard that France banned short haul flights a year or so ago.  You must take the train or some other mode of transportation. 

Yes that is true although it's only for internal flights where travelling by train would take less than 2.5 hours. French TGV trains are staggeringly fast though and all in all it is a far nicer way to travel.

Travelling by rail is prohibitively expensive here in the uk unfortunatly. It isn't subsidisded like it is elsewhere in europe. plus outside of southern england there isn't a great rail network, It's mainly just the two east and west coast lines with a few cross country lines. We used to have a rail network that was the envy of the world until the beaching cuts in the 60's dismantled most of the regional lines.

I try to balance lay overs and price. I want as few as possible. I can get from coast to coast with 1 lay over. Being close to Orlando and Tampa I have a great options.

It has been so long since I flew anywhere that I don't have a "usually".  The last two flights I did were to Montreal for my GRS and a followup a year later.  I picked a flight that was at a convenient time and went with the cheapest fare.

I don't really have a reason to fly anywhere.  The USA is out for obvious reasons.  Within Canada, my brothers and I mostly ignore each other (no hostility, just no closeness), so I have no reason to visit them.  And international travel is too expensive and too environmentally costly.

For short distances it is almost just as quick to drive straight from home and back than to go to the airport, maybe park if not ride share, check in, wait, the flight, then the reverse.
Also avoids car rental or ride share at your destination.

It may depend on what your schedule is for that trip, weather, etc. too.

Flying scares the life out of me. Only done it twice, Isle of Man for TT week and Northern Ireland for a week in Belfast with my one time best friend. Both times from Blackpool, the airport is now closed to passenger traffic.
Although I dislike flying I have an interest in WW2 allied aircraft and enjoy making 1/72 scale models. Building a Tamiya Mosquito fighter bomber just now and repairing a Beaufort that got knocked off the shelf.

Quote from: big kim on May 03, 2026, 12:49:24 AMFlying scares the life out of me. Only done it twice, Isle of Man for TT week and Northern Ireland for a week in Belfast with my one time best friend. Both times from Blackpool, the airport is now closed to passenger traffic.
Although I dislike flying I have an interest in WW2 allied aircraft and enjoy making 1/72 scale models. Building a Tamiya Mosquito fighter bomber just now and repairing a Beaufort that got knocked off the shelf.

Here's my Tamiya Mosqito (excuse the dust!)

(https://i.ibb.co/5XMGYN9v/PXL-20260503-090206117-MP.jpg)

I end up flying several times a year. Ive gotten to the point I'm under impressed

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 03, 2026, 04:05:28 AMHere's my Tamiya Mosqito (excuse the dust!)

(https://i.ibb.co/5XMGYN9v/PXL-20260503-090206117-MP.jpg)

That's a good build, well done. I built the Airfix Mosquito PRXVI in a colourful red tailed American version.
Just started the Tamiya FBvi its getting aftermarket decals and a silver paint job for one in India near the end of the war

I avoid flying if able, preferring to drive. Some trips you can't skip flying though.

I had one incident where we were flying into Gary Indiana, we hit an air pocket and the aircraft dropped. The food service cart bounced off the ceiling of the cabin and attendants were diving into open seats without caring who they ran over. The cart thankfully came back down in the aisle without hitting anyone. It felt like one of the roller coasters where you have zero gravity. We went through a few more air pockets, but they were less aggressive than the first one.

I had to fly this time due to the military moving me somewhere. I have flown since, but generally avoid it.

The aircraft came in for a landing pointing way towards the left and only straightened out just prior to touching down due to severe crosswinds. The flight resumed later without any further incidents.

This happened maybe 3 decades ago. 💚

Quote from: Rochelle on May 03, 2026, 08:34:32 AMI avoid flying if able, preferring to drive. Some trips you can't skip flying though.

I had one incident where we were flying into Gary Indiana, we hit an air pocket and the aircraft dropped. The food service cart bounced off the ceiling of the cabin and attendants were diving into open seats without caring who they ran over. The cart thankfully came back down in the aisle without hitting anyone. It felt like one of the roller coasters where you have zero gravity. We went through a few more air pockets, but they were less aggressive than the first one.

I had to fly this time due to the military moving me somewhere. I have flown since, but generally avoid it.

The aircraft came in for a landing pointing way towards the left and only straightened out just prior to touching down due to severe crosswinds. The flight resumed later without any further incidents.

This happened maybe 3 decades ago. 💚

The severe turbulence wouldn't have been fun I must admit but the crosswind sideways "crabbing" approach is totally normal, if a little disconcerting!

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 03, 2026, 09:04:22 AMThe severe turbulence wouldn't have been fun I must admit but the crosswind sideways "crabbing" approach is totally normal, if a little disconcerting!

I'd seen this before but the angle was insane on this flight.

It's much more common with light aircraft, I've had to do quite a few times, you normally slightly dip the wings too if I remember rightly before kicking it straight with the rudder just before touchdown. I'm sure Kathy will correct me if I'm wrong! I remember it being good fun actually but it's easier to deal with when your up front and in control.

Quote from: Stottie Girl on May 03, 2026, 09:16:44 AMIt's much more common with light aircraft, I've had to do quite a few times, you normally slightly dip the wings too if I remember rightly before kicking it straight with the rudder just before touchdown. I'm sure Kathy will correct me if I'm wrong! I remember it being good fun actually but it's easier to deal with when your up front and in control.

Nothing to correct; you are exactly right.  My technique was to use the rudder to straighten the aircraft out about 6 feet off the pavement, and then drop the opposite wing enough to keep it from drifting off the centreline. 

Large commercial aircraft sometimes do this, too, but there is a risk of hitting the runway with the wingtip or an engine pod from the dropped wing.  Sometimes they will just touch down crooked and let the tires and the aircraft's momentum straighten it out, which is hard on the tires and landing gear.  Then there is the B-52, which can steer all four wheels to match the crabbed flight.  It just lands sideways and thumbs its nose at all the other aircraft.

Quote from: KathyLauren on May 03, 2026, 10:28:15 AMNothing to correct; you are exactly right.  My technique was to use the rudder to straighten the aircraft out about 6 feet off the pavement, and then drop the opposite wing enough to keep it from drifting off the centreline. 

Large commercial aircraft sometimes do this, too, but there is a risk of hitting the runway with the wingtip or an engine pod from the dropped wing.  Sometimes they will just touch down crooked and let the tires and the aircraft's momentum straighten it out, which is hard on the tires and landing gear.  Then there is the B-52, which can steer all four wheels to match the crabbed flight.  It just lands sideways and thumbs its nose at all the other aircraft.

Glad to know my grey matter still retains some information at least!

Quote from: KathyLauren on May 03, 2026, 10:28:15 AMSometimes they will just touch down crooked and let the tires and the aircraft's momentum straighten it out, which is hard on the tires and landing gear.

This is what they did this case, they touched down and the nose snappped to the front.

Quote from: Rochelle on May 03, 2026, 11:10:26 AMThis is what they did this case, they touched down and the nose snappped to the front.

Yeah it gives you a start when that happens!

I remember being on a 737 and it touching down hard in Ibiza on one wheel and I was expecting the aircraft to slam down on to the other wheel but it briefly lurched the other way! I thought the wingtip was going to hit the runway. It took him a while to get all three wheels down then there was a very heavy deceleration. Worst landing I ever had. It wasn't even windy!

Another budget airline has bit the dust here in the USA.

It has been having financial issues.  It likely should have failed to survive much earlier and has went through bankruptcy.  Which means it previously failed.

I never flew on it.

Southwest though is a budget airline of sorts that I have flown on many times.

I flew on Spirit once. It was like a flying Greyhound

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 02, 2026, 02:21:38 PMWhen you travel by air, do you seek the least amount of time to get to your destination, or do you seek the lowest total price?  Or do you seek something(s) else?

Does it matter if it is business or personal travel?

Does it matter if it is a long flight or not?

Does the number of flight segments (stops) matter much to you, or only if you must change planes?

Deffo don't shop by price.  Low cost air travel is a race to the bottom these days.  I read that some low cost carriers are looking at 'standing berths' to pack more people onto their planes.  Yikes!

I only travel for personal reasons.  If it's a short-haul (<3 hrs), I'll consider a low cost carrier if there aren't better options.  For longer flights, I will always pay for an upgraded fare.  Premium economy at a minimum.  Business class and above when it makes sense based upon price and duration.  Comfort and my health are primary reasons.  Being crammed into a main cabin seat for 5+ hours, with little opportunity to move around, can lead to blood clots.  That's especially true as you get older.

Generally, I minimize the number of flight segments as much as possible.  Strongly prefer direct flights and willing to pay extra for them (rarely happens).  I'll live with one-stop for some destinations.  Two-plus stops is a deal breaker unless there are no other options.

I prefer the upgrades except when traveling with a staffer that reports to me I will stay at the same premium leg room seat typically allowed for them.  I think that is the smart action for me to take.  It is also possible to talk some final planning if need be.

If it is a short haul flight I see no sense to pay for any upgrade other than possibly more leg room.

Chrissy

On my way back from Thailand ive paid extra for seats at the exit and near toilets as its an open area with lots of leg room. At 3 weeks after GRS not sure I'd be able to cope crammed in a normal legroom seat. Also not needing to move people if i need the toilet bad.

Charlotte 😻

Quote from: Charlotte Kitty on May 03, 2026, 04:37:25 PMOn my way back from Thailand ive paid extra for seats at the exit and near toilets as its an open area with lots of leg room. At 3 weeks after GRS not sure I'd be able to cope crammed in a normal legroom seat. Also not needing to move people if i need the toilet bad.

Charlotte 😻

Gosh, is that row 1 at the head (no pun intended) of the plane?

A photon is going through airport security. The TSA agent asks if she has any luggage.


The photon says, "No, I am traveling light."

This is why not to use low cost carriers.

I do not currently have any flights planned.

It appears that many will be "filled cattle cars" as airlines cut back on flights.

Airlines are quite the up and down industry.  Sometimes their stocks take off, other times they certainly drop.

It is amazing that many make more money from the credit card fees than on flights.

Watch the airlines drop providing amenities such as snacks and drinks on shorter flights.
Some will and have increased baggage fees, as well as many other fees.

They may also cram more seats into aircraft from time to time.

We have Ryanair and Easyjet racing each other to the bottom. If they could get away with hanging passengers from meat hooks they'd have done it!

Quote from: big kim on May 14, 2026, 12:24:26 AMIf they could get away with hanging passengers from meat hooks they'd have done it!

Now that would be a sight.

🫨

Quote from: big kim on May 14, 2026, 12:24:26 AMWe have Ryanair and Easyjet racing each other to the bottom. If they could get away with hanging passengers from meat hooks they'd have done it!

Meat hooks isn't too far off from the latest 'innovation' in budget travel - standing berths.  Ryanair and several other carriers are evaluating them now.

Quote from: Liz K on May 14, 2026, 01:18:28 AMMeat hooks isn't too far off from the latest 'innovation' in budget travel - standing berths.  Ryanair and several other carriers are evaluating them now.

For what it's worth, Ryanair have done this sort of PR thing before. Their vile boss has a habit of releasing scaremongering stories and then uses the resulting interviews that take place as free PR where he starts advertising the "great prices" and "number of destinations". It's a very strange model but he's been doing it for decades now! I genuinely do not think standing berths would ever pass safety regulations.

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on May 09, 2026, 07:55:34 PMAirlines are quite the up and down industry.

Har har har! 😄

I would not take a standing berth unless I was being evacuated from a war or disaster zone.