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To The Man Who Complained About Putting His Seat Up On The Airplane

February 28, 2015February 28, 2015by Arden Jobling-Hey1 Comment

You don’t know me, and by now you’ve forgotten that 4 hour plane ride to Cuba where you and your wife were planted directly in front of the woman with the baby. You remember, don’t you? The really tall one with a 16 month old hanging out on her lap. That would be me.

As a tall woman and frequent traveler, there is nothing I hate more than someone who lowers their seat on an airplane. I won’t do it. But if I have to, if I really have to, the first thing I do is turn around and make sure I’m not slamming into the person behind me, or at least warn them I’m coming. But, a tall woman and a baby? Never would I ever (like, ever). So, as I noticed your chair drop down immediately following take-off, every bone in my body wanted to turn around and give you a break down in airplane etiquette. Continue reading “To The Man Who Complained About Putting His Seat Up On The Airplane” →

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Flying high! 5 Tips For Getting Bumped to Business On Your Next Flight

April 16, 2013by Arden Jobling-Hey5 Comments

A few months back, as I waited to board my plane to Siesta Key, I heard my name being announced on the loud speaker, beckoning me to visit the boarding counter. Oh, crap I thought, they’ve overbooked and I’m going to be booted onto the next flight. In my head I was starting the negotiations for food certificates and some money back for my troubles. How surprised I was, when the attendant behind the counter thanked me for showing up and proceeded to tell me that I’d been upgraded to business class! They’d accidentally sold me my seat after it had already been booked by a family traveling with a young infant, said the gentleman behind the counter apologetically, re-printing my ticket. Three months pregnant, hungry and standing at 6 feet tall, I sure as hell wasn’t complaining.

As I sipped on the complimentary wine and nibbled on my free hot meal (while those behind me in economy had to fork out cash for their on-board snacks) I thought to myself, in today’s world, where every aspect of flight is for sale, especially seats, what are the odds of being bumped to business? Continue reading “Flying high! 5 Tips For Getting Bumped to Business On Your Next Flight” →

giraffe travel, thetravelinggiraffe, top tips from thetravelinggiraffe

Quick Tip #9: 7 Must-have items in your carry-on for an overseas flight

October 16, 2012October 16, 2012by Arden Jobling-Hey5 Comments

After making yet another cross Atlantic flight from Toronto to Munich, I realized that were it not without the perfectly-packed carry-on, I would emerge exhausted, unhappy, hungry and basically a train-wreck waiting to happen. What I hate most following a long-flight is the time lost after landing. You know, those few hours where all you want to do is crash and sleep until morning so your holiday can finally begin? Well, having made the trip countless times, I have successfully (thanks to trial and error) developed a list for every traveler hoping to survive the long-haul, without risk of losing precious time upon arrival.

Ready? Here goes! Continue reading “Quick Tip #9: 7 Must-have items in your carry-on for an overseas flight” →