When I went through the TSA security line and the boarding line at the gate, I made sure that I’d brought up this “eBoarding pass” on my phone from the email that Delta sent when I checked in online.
From the Delta website:
“You should have the barcode image available on the screen of your device when approaching the security checkpoint or boarding gate. Please ensure the entire barcode is visible on the screen and make certain the backlight is on when the barcode is being scanned. You should also have a valid government issued photo ID available for inspection at the Security Checkpoint.”
The agent will run it past a scanner that’s similar to the ones at grocery store check-outs.
Tip: I had my phone’s Battery Saver function on, but we found that it made the screen too dim for the scanner, so I had to bump it up to the next battery management setting.
Pretty slick, eh?
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The last time I got into a vehicle with a GPS navigation system, it was a rental car with a group of people, and it about drove me batty to watch them listen slavishly to the “Navigation Lady” for when to exit, and seemingly forget to look out the front windshield and notice the giant doggone highway sign that told us to EXIT HERE….until we were already past it.
I almost crawled over from the back seat to take the wheel.
When I get directions, I like to see a visual representation of where I’m going, also known as a “map.”
I do keep updated paper maps in both of our vehicles; they always boot up and don’t require a cell network/satellites/WiFi, but when I’m the lone driver, it is a bit of a pain (oh, OK, and pretty unsafe!) to try to unfold, refold and read one while hurtling down the road, while also fumbling with reading glasses.
The Google Maps function on my Android phone is pretty handy, of course – when it is accurate – but a new feature on it really saved my bacon on a recent trip to San Antonio. I don’t see how standalone car navigation systems like Garmin and TomTom can stay in business much longer, because I found that the latest Google Maps update to my phone includes a beta version of turn-by-turn voice navigation.
It’s free, but you’ll need Android OS 1.6 and above. It’s not available yet for iPhone or BlackBerry (not something I get to say very often.) My phone is an older Android model so the software gummed up a little a couple of times, but it helped me find a residence in a large subdivision, at night, in a completely unfamiliar area of town, with sight lines obscured by lots of trees.
When I enabled Maps Navigation, it showed me a computerized, “bird’s-eye” sort of elevated view with a big fat line for me to follow. The darker blue arrow in the image above blinks and represents your continuously-updated location and direction. I could have added Street View imagery to the route, but since it was nighttime they wouldn’t have helped much, so I stayed with the basics.
The Navigation Lady’s guiding voice suddenly burst from my phone, saying, “Turn right in one quarter mile at X Street!” and I nearly jumped out of my skin since I wasn’t expecting it. A box popped up saying that for voice-guided navigation, I’d need to install text-to-speech software from the Android market, but I didn’t feel a burning need for voice control of my phone so I didn’t take the time to do that.
Ms. Phone guided me right to the curb of the friend’s house that I was looking for; I liked the simple, clear graphics better than the voice, but the whole package impressed me, especially since it didn’t cost a dime and worked on my older phone.
Maps Navigation also has Transit guidance (for when you’re taking public transportation – currently covers 400 cities) and walking directions (the phone vibrates when you’re supposed to turn.) You can also add “layers” like the previously-mentioned Street view, Satellite view and the super-handy Traffic view, which shows green/yellow/red along your route, based on traffic conditions. Avoid those pile-ups!
Here’s a quick look at what Street view looks like, in case you’re unfamiliar with it….direct link on YouTube here.
My next purchase is some sort of dashboard mount for the phone, since it looks like me and the Navigation Lady are going to be good friends.
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In the continuing search for carry-on packing tips and items that will get me around liquids restrictions, may I present….solid perfume. This is the solid version of Miller Harris Geranium Bourbon and yes, I confess the name almost compelled me to buy it (but it smells good, too.)
I first found Miller-Harris fragrances in the famous Liberty of London store a few years ago, and heaven knows what I really paid for some small bottles, given the exchange rate. You can find them now in the US at upscale stores like Neiman-Marcus – they are not cheap, but the unusual scent combinations are irresistible. When I found some solid perfume versions of their products, I knew they’d be perfect for travel.
The Karma solid perfume from LUSH is one of my favorites, too, but it is pretty distinctive so people either love it or, well, they hold their nose around you.
There are many alternatives to liquid toiletries, so don’t feel that you have to give up those little pleasant luxuries. Solid perfume lets you have your fragrance while making more room for, um, toothpaste.
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If your travel feet are itching, then get ready to put ‘em on a plane….
Perceptive Travel is partnering with a bunch of cool independent travel sites to sponsor a MONSTER giveaway – a trip around the world with all the gear and goodies you need to do it in style!
We’re giving our readers the chance to take off, big time, by putting their travel knowledge to the test and inviting them to enter our contest. The challenge? Guess the route where the Round the World journey will take you.
The Grand Prize winner will receive the following:
Don’t despair if you don’t end up as top dog, because even if you don’t snag the biggie, there’s still….
** First Prize – $2000 in airfare to go anywhere in the world from 1800FlyEurope.
** Second Prize – Roundtrip travel anywhere in the continental United States on Southwest Airlines.
Sweet!
With prizes this big, we do need some time to find the perfect travelers to win our prizes, so participants have 8 weeks to enter. Here’s how it works:
Each week, participants guess the destination from the provided clues and enter online. One random winner will be chosen from the correct answers each week and awarded a weekly prize. After eight weeks—with eight chances to win—everyone will know the route and there will be eight finalists. One of those eight finalists will win the Grand Prize package for two, while two more winners will receive the First and Second Prize awards.
BootsnAll Travel Network is the traveler’s one-stop indie travel guide, which began publishing travel on the web in 1998.
ConsumerTraveler.com is the web home of the Consumer Travel Alliance, which fights in Washington for reform of air travel, rollback of fees and for airline passenger’s rights.
GoNOMAD.com provides travelers with inspiration and links to plan their trips.
HoboTraveler.com is Andy Graham’s information-packed site compiled and continuously updated by a man who never stops traveling himself.
JohnnyJet.com is the home of intrepid traveler John DiScala, who flies more than 150,000 miles a year and provides comprehensive articles about everywhere he goes.
Practical Travel Gear is the top blog for daily reviews of travel gear and travel clothing.
TransitionsAbroad.com (founded in 1977 as the print magazine) provides articles, resources, and program listings for long-term travelers seeking to work, live, volunteer, or study abroad.
Travelfish.org is the go-to guide for Southeast Asia, with daily articles and iPhone apps you can download to give you details about any country in their region.
Wanderlust and Lipstick is THE destination for women’s travel including tours, guidebooks and practical information.
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This is what my boarding pass looked like recently on a Delta flight; a scannable QR code on my rather smudgy-screened Android phone.
