Feeling Helpless

[rroundy]

Thursday afternoon I was in Dallas DFW airpot heading for Phoenix.i checked my piece of luggage with my slip joint knife and my gerber red bulbed light as well as several other pieces that I would have gotten through security otherwise. i also checked a large sharpie pen which i sometimes carry as a yawara stick and a large bandanna that has a couple of pockets sewed in it.when i got to the gate they told us our flight had been cancelled as well as 199 others due to a bad storm that was hitting.now the mad dash to get hotel rooms begins.i fortunately was able to secure a room.while doing this they told me they wouldnt be able to give any of our luggage back.because it had been a beautiful day on the way to the airport i had no jackets or cold weather gear on me. several hours later i made it to the hotel with nothing much more than my laptop while the snow came down, which is not normal for Dallas.i spent the next 24 hours trying to regear somewhat with the necessities and make it to home base.for all my trying to do the right things i felt helpless without my planning; everything changed and went to crap.that night thousands of people stayed in the airport.the only thing i can say is it was an eye opener and a neat opportunity to overcome even if i felt like an idiot.

have any of you run into seemingly simple situation where you feel like you could have done better?

 

[Raindrop]

This is starting to happen more and more given the trend by the airlines to cut down the number of flights and the size of the equipment servicing the various airports. That means that anytime there is glitch due to weather the trickle down effect causes delays and flight cancellations where equipment doesn't make it to another market uneffected by the weather.

I recently had that happen on a flight that resulted in a 7 hour delay that might have been avoided if I hadn't checked my baggage. That lead me to the "One Bag" site at OneBag.com The concept is that you never have to check your luggage and have the ability to change filgihts plus if you do get stranded you have your clothes, etc. The real downside is that items that are not TSA Compliant can't be with you on your trip. I am exploring the options of building kits for Air Travel that DO NOT include a knife yet allow me to have the rest of the PSK components. Then I will either buy a SAK when i get to town and mail it back or if I know where I am going sending a package ahead via USPS to my hotel. One of the other options I am exploring is tmake arrangements to leave a bag at the hotel that I am staying a regular basis that contains my goodies.

The benefits of having the rest of my stuff with me all the time outweighs not checking luggage as delays and cancellation become more and more common. YMMV

 

[Fraser]

Learn to check the weather and flight delays before going to the airport. No guarantee but it does reduce the risk of getting stuck waiting for an airplane. Try http://flightaware.com/

Learn to pack a light bag for carryon. Try not to check luggage if at all possible.

Wear 'travel' clothing. Some of the catalogue companies like Travelsmith sell decent 'travel' jackets/blazers. Lots of pockets and provides additional cover if needed. Some of the travel shirts, etc. can be washed in the hotel sink using the hotel hair shampoo. Travel shirts dry very quickly.

 

[Brian Jones]

I'll post more on this, but there ARE times when you have no control over things. My car accident and recovery taught me that, as did an experience when I was 19 and my close friend was shot and killed right in front of me. You can't stop some things, and you can't undo some things.

One big part of the survivor's skills is learning to endure without letting it affect your morale, and learning when to go with the flow if you can't change things. The survivor makes it out the other side no matter the hardship.

 

[wdbritt]

I would be interested in everyones ideas on this also. Next month my family and I will be going on a 5 day cruise and I have no idea how to pack. I never go anywhere without at least two knives and a flashlight. A pistol is added when legal. Other than the flashlight I'm not sure I can take any of this with me aboard ship. Any suggestions?

Warren

 

[Fraser]

5 days aboard ship? Piece of cake. A simple carryon should suffice.

Here is a website which provides some suggestions.

http://www.galvestoncruises.com/MenuItems.aspx?s=dresscodes

One thing they note is the importance of a passport.

Now if you were spending 5 days in the woods, all the spare clothing you would need is a clean pair of socks!

 

[x39]

Next month my family and I will be going on a 5 day cruise and I have no idea how to pack.

A couple of weeks ago I had the TV on while doing other stuff. There was an hour long infomercial on about cruising. What piqued my interest was the fact that they showed the people going through metal detectors upon boarding, and they also had their luggage searched. I started doing some searching on line regarding what is allowed or not on ships, and didn't have much luck, other than finding out that New York harbor cruises have a zero tolerance policy on knives of any type.

 

[22-rimfire]

I try to keep a carry on bag with one basic change of clothing and wear whatever coat I expect to need at the destination (usually the warmer one). I have been caught and had to stay over night more than once. I usually don't worry about things like knives or firearms when it comes to luggage and I can usually live one night in a motel or hotel without a knife. Laptop computer gives me internet access which keeps the boredom factor down and allows me to continue to work if I want to.

Food wise, you do what everyone else does, hit the restaurants and whip out your credit cards. Longer stay, rent a car and hit the stores and buy what you need.

I have lived in Dallas and have experienced mega ice storms and pretty substantial snow storms there. At times, the snow was deep enough that you had to be concerned that a car won't make it on the streets if you are breaking trail. The worst situation is when you have an ice storm followed immediately with a 6" or more snow. Then many of the locals do not recognize the danger when driving on the interstates etc.

 

[rroundy]

good ideas guys.thank you for the insight

 

[Bushman5]

I'll post more on this, but there ARE times when you have no control over things. My car accident and recovery taught me that, as did an experience when I was 19 and my close friend was shot and killed right in front of me. You can't stop some things, and you can't undo some things.

One big part of the survivor's skills is learning to endure without letting it affect your morale, and learning when to go with the flow if you can't change things. The survivor makes it out the other side no matter the hardship.

I gotta say i agree with Mr Brian. Sometimes there are things that you simply CANNOT control. It is those times where you reach deep down inside of you and pull out that training and mindset to get you thru. Adapt Improvise Overcome.

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