Ever have that nightmare? ... the one where you show up at the airport security and realize your wallet is 2 hours behind you, at home on your dresser? When this bad dream becomes reality, do NOT give up! If you're traveling domestically, and have an hour to spare, you can still get through airport security and make your flight! Here's how Doug did it, last Sunday, in the Kansas City, MO airport...
STEP 1: CHECK IN AT THE TICKET COUNTER "No ID? Nothing? No college ID or library card? Not even a bill with your name and address on it?", asked the Delta agent. "Nothing", said Doug.
She printed his boarding pass and escorted him personally to airport security.
STEP 2: MEET AIRPORT SECURITY "No ID? Nothing? No college ID or library card? Are you sure?", asked the guard at airport security. "Don't worry", he reassured, "we see people like you every day."
This was a job for the Air Marshall! There's only one of these officers to serve airport security in each airport, so be ready to wait for them to come to your rescue.
STEP 3: MEET THE KANSAS CITY AIR MARSHALL, head of Airport Security "No ID? Nothing? No college ID or library card? No bills?"
No ID means that the Airport Marshall has to call the National Database of Security. Over the phone, prepare to be interviewed for 10-45 minutes, with the Air Marshall acting as a mouthpiece between you and the Database.
In this airport security area, do not touch your cell phone -- much less call or text. If you do, the Database will suspect you are being coached and deny you entry.
STEP 4: ANSWER THE NATIONAL DATABASE QUESTIONS
Before he could pass airport security, Doug was asked for his full name, what state his social security card was from, his father and mother's full name, how many years has he lived in CA, and where he went to school.
Apparently they liked Doug's answers for, in 7 minutes, he was cleared by the database and escorted to a glass cube on the side of airport security.
SETP 5: PAT DOWN
In airport security's glass cube, every item was taken out of Doug's bags. He has been to a muddy music fest and brought t-shirts from brewpubs in Kansas City, but that's not what airport security was worried about.
They then gave him a big speech about illegal items, and proceeded with a more-than-thorough crotch pat-down.
STEP 6: BOMB TESTING
Small slips of paper were produced and wiped over every scrap of clothing from his bag. Airport security officers wiped his computer, his phone and papers, and even his body... no bomb traces on Doug!
"Hey Dude, you're clear!", the airport security officer announced.
STEP 7: ARRIVING WITHOUT ID DID NOT MEAN DOUG HAD ENTERED A NO-FLY ZONE!
Airport security issued Doug a slip of paper that said,
"No ID but cleared"
And he was off to Jamba Juice and his gate.
Melanie at Tough Love Travel is an expert travel designer as well as a font of travel knowledge, like this scoop for airport security!
Want tips on how to pack? Give her 3 minutes and she'll pack for a 2 week trip in just 1 daypack.
Want tips on money exchange, gratuities, and the ideal credit card?
#2: Schedule of Ranger events
Here's the schedule, for everything from geology walks, to critter chats (all about the very cute to the very venomous creatures of the Grand Canyon) to campfire programs: South Rim Summer 2013 Program Schedule #3: How to get from South to North Rim There's a Grand Canyon Shuttle and a Trans-Canyon Shuttle, plus airlines. For travel times, daily pickups, and costs, go here! For those of you who are confused about South vs. North Rim, and why it's so complicated, here's a map that'll explain the transportation conundrum:
#4: Availability of a Cabin on the Rim! For $154/night, you can sleep here:
And have this view:
What's the trick? Plan early and (preferably) go off season. Here's the link for more info! #5: Grand Canyon RR (to/from the town of Williams) Make your national park visit into a glorious adventure by starting in the town of Williams and chugging on the railroad up through the desert to the Grand Canyon village. There's a gunslinger's train holdup to excite the kids, and refreshment for the adults!
And you can do the whole journey, roundtrip, in a single day, or grab a lodge in the park for an overnight! Read more here! #6: Most beautiful (and coolest) spot at the Grand Canyon: Havasu Falls Blue-green gushing waterfalls in the midst of this arid desert? YES!
They're on the Havasupai Indian Reservation about 4 hours west of Grand Canyon. Permits are needed - make your reservations early, by emailing here! #7: The Haulapai Tribe's Skywalk On their tribal reservation, about 250 miles (or 5 hours) from the South Rim, the Haulapai have created a special Grand Canyon attraction. It's a horseshoe-shaped, glass-floored walkway that juts 70' out beyond the Grand Canyon rim, and -- short of an Evil-Kenevil stunt -- is one of the only ways to see the Grand Canyon's crevasse below your own 2 feet! Here's Visitor Information!
BONUS! Best sidetrip from the Grand Canyon: Lake Powell houseboating! Only a few hours north of the Grand Canyon NP, you'll find the refreshing water playground of Lake Powell. It's the perfect reward for days of Grand Canyon hiking, and -- as a spunky young Utah receptionist told me on the phone one day, "If ya can drive a car, ya can drive a houseboat!"
This is not actually a true statement (as I found out!), but you'll have fun trying. Here's where you can reserve a boat!
And if you want to read about one family's houseboat adventure on Lake Powell, click here!
Call Melanie @ Tough Love Travel now, with your vacation questions! (609)923-0304!
"Majestic" "Vast" "Scary" "Jaw-dropping"
Are you still having a hard time, imagining what it's like to stand with your toes at the edge of the Grand Canyon, and peer into its depths? Check out this sneak peak to the IMAX movie:
Tough Love Travel is back, with more ideas to inspire you when you visit the Grand Canyon.
Call Melanie now with your questions: (609) 923 0304
Tired after reading my last post about The Crying Rock?
Hoping there's something more relaxing that you can do at the Grand Canyon instead of a 137* hike? Check out my 9 favorites:
1. Catch sunset on the rim at Yavapai. It's near the trailhead for South Kaibab Trail! Here's the view of the Grand Canyon that you'll see...
2. Easy hike into the canyon on the South Kaibab Trail. Instead of hugging a cliff wall on the Bright Angel trail, it follows a ridge, so its views of the Grand Canyon are much broader and breathtaking. The first 1.5 miles to Oh Ah Point is for the lightweights; the whole unshaded 6 miles to Skeleton Point is for the hardliners! (hint: one of the only REAL toilets on this Grand Canyon trail is right there at Skeleton!)
3. Watch the IMAX theater
This 34-minute flick, shown on a 6-story screen and accompanied by floor-shaking acoustics, tells the story of the 266-mile Grand Canyon from its Anasazi inhabitants, 4000 years ago, to its exploration by Major Powell in the 1860's, to recent stuntmen like this hang-glider.
Cost: $13.72/adult, $10.42/child
Location: in the South Rim Visitors Center, at 450 State Road, in Tusayan
This is in the town of Tusayan, 15 minutes drive south from Grand Canyon Visitors Center, where you'll also find pizza shops and and souvenirs, and even the helipad (see #6 below).
4. Ride the RR and even get sucked in by a shootout! There's an historic Grand Canyon railroad trip, with various routes (one trip takes you roundtrip from Sedona's artist country!) but the most popular starts at Williams AZ and takes you, car-free- to the Grand Canyon village. With free shuttles all around the rim, who needs a car in the park anyway?
(shhhh... don't tell the kids about the shootout. They'll think bonafide bank robbers are holding up your train!)
5. Instead of a hike, ride a mule! You can embark from either south or north rim of the Grand Canyon, but reserve in advance. If you weigh less than 200 lbs, are at least 7 (for even the shortest trips), and have 80 bucks to spare, here's how to reserve!
6. Splurge on a helicopter ride with Maverick. If Maverick is good enough for Trek America guides, it's good enough for me! This very reputable helicopter guiding company will fly you over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, high enough to see distant views of the Painted Desert. Trips are 45-60 minutes and run about $250pp. Do you dare?
7. Sip a cold one at El Tovar lounge:
This historic lodge is a Registered National Historic Landmark building, and the premier dining of the Grand Canyon park system. Its native-stone-and-Oregon-timber Canyon room has great views! Watch the thermometer go up, as your drink goes down, from inside this prestigious and very restorative venue!
8. Catch a cabin on the rim! Yes, it is possible to get a front row seat -- or should I say, bunk -- right on the rim for your Grand Canyon stay. A honeymooning couple decided they wanted to see the Grand Canyon at first light, but cabins are big enough even for small families.
Worried about the busy summer? You can enjoy the relatively crowd-free Grand Canyon rim at dawn, then go out and play during the day when the crowds are bad.
9. Attend a Ranger program! They're outdoor-based programs ranging from fossil programs to storytelling to guided walks and star talks, and, of course, the Grand Canyon geology talk! I'd also highly recommend the campfire program, held each summer evening at 6:30pm at the Mather Campground.
