Welcome to the Gategoers List

Intellectual Property of GateGoers belongs to Slida. All Rights reserved.
Created: February - May, 2002
Updated: August 2002

Don't skimp on this. Don't cut corners by leaving off some insurance that you think you won't need, as you may well need it in the end.

You so do not want to be in a foreign country and take ill, having to pay for their medical service and/or trying to arrange your own way home. You do not want to be stranded if your Hotel doesn't come through or your flights do not work out... If you attend a GateGoers event and you break something very expensive - you'll have to pay out of your own pocket as you are not covered by any kind of Public Liability by GateGoers when on GateGoers events.

There are many reasons to get Travel Insurance.... so that's the FIRST piece of advice I give to everyone who asks me.

Pack smart. This - coming from the Queen of "too muchh luggage" - but after a few jaunts across the pond I can honestly say, PACK SMART!

This means pack light - you invariability collect a lot of stufff on your trip that won't fit in if you arrive choc-a-block in the bag department - so try to have room in your bag going over, so that you have room to put Daniel Jackson in when you steal him from the SGC. (Please remember to feed and water Daniel Jackson whilst he is in your luggage, should you succeed in that task, by the way!!)

Pack an extra bag - This is a trick I learnt from a clever soul last year!! Bring the bag empty of course, but this prevents the old 'rush out to the luggage store' to get a bag to store your excess luggage. Be careful though as some flight companies are REALLY strict about bag weight and amount (and so they should, bags add weight to the plane and weight affects the performance of the plane ~ and we all want to be safe, eh?).

When you pack roll your clothes, this helps keep the wrinkles out of your items (if that is possible!). Alternatively, shop smart, and buy crush-proof clothes.

Put your shoes in a separate plastic shopping bag when you pack them so that they don't dirty up your lovely rolled clothes! Also, best to put shoes on the bottom of your bag as they take up a LOT of room (especially when you pack 8 pairs of shoes! Hey, I didn't know what I might need whilst I was over there, gimme a break!!) Best shoes to take are your old, favourite sneakers, for all that walking. Hiking boots (if you have them) as they are good walking shoes too. And don't forget a nice pair of dress-up shoes for the more formal events like the Cocktail party. Of course this is not a total list, but you get some idea. The first year I packed 8 pairs - two of them were thick soled boots so you can imagine the ROOM they took up :) Last year I did better and, this year, I'm hoping to really kick (no pun intended) the excess shoe situation :))

Tuck your underwear and socks into your shoes so that you don't take up room with them. Alternatively, putting breakables inside your shoes will help prevent them getting broken by the rough handlers at airports.

Photocopy your Flight tickets and your Passport several times. Leave a copy of everything at home with loved ones, along with your itinerary and contact numbers. Pack a copy into EACH bag you take also - that way if you lose one bag, you still have a copy in another. (See Tickets/ Passport for more information).

Check with your Airline as to the situation with packing electronics and knives (like Leathermans or Swiss Army Knives). You can usually take them, but you MUST pack them in your checked luggage. Also, some airlines will not allow you to pack anything with Batteries in it into your Checked luggage - they must go in your carry on. Check your Airline for more information as rules may have changed lately!

I just thought I'd share my tip for keeping your stuff safely in your bags and especially for those who are traveling (like me) with a (big) backpack instead of a suitcase. I didn't see it so I'd thought I'd mention it.

I was told that villains prey on backpacks for illegal transportation for illegal stuff (drugs for instance). Since it is difficult to lock up a backpack (no locks included on the zippers and there are a lot of those on it) I bought a few of those handy (small) hang locks (with key or number lock what you want). You can hang a lock on each zipper (where the 2 ends meet to close it of course) to prevent evildoers from accessing your bag and secretly sneaking stuff in it. And when they see it has a lock on it they will sooner turn to another backpack (easier to access) instead of yours!

Also airlines prefer to have a cover over your backpack as to prevent those loose strips and bands and so on for getting caught in things. Also this cover conceals the fact that it has a backpack in it. Don't forget to get a lock for that zipper as well.

~ Thanks, Jo, for this information and great safety tips for backpacking travelers!

Make sure you pack them - seriously! It's not juust a situation that's played out in several comedy movies, it can actually happen. These days several of the suitcases/packs have a compartment at the front to pop easy to reach items in, but if it's your checked luggage, don't put the important items in there (I put my headphones in my luggage accidentally as I was juggling a few things, put the bag through at the next port of call and discovered, to my horror, that I no longer had my headset to listen to music whilst I awaited my connecting flight - 5 hours of sheer boredom IOW!!) When you reach your destination make sure you keep these items in a secure place, preferably NOT with your luggage as they are easy targets that way. I've heard of some people putting important items into the Hotel Bible, or phone book. Not that I've done it, personally, but it's a tip :)

You can purchase a little 'travelers bag' that houses your passport and tickets neatly, and hangs around your neck causing little obstruction. This makes locating these important documents much easier. You can purchase this item from most Luggage Stores, and Travel Centers.

First tip and best tip. Wear light, easy to wear clothes, and layer them. While you'll want to look your best, nothing spells frustration more than tight clothing in confined seating, or being caught in a warm sweater and unable to take it off as you have nothing beneath it. Depending on individuals, a plane's interior can be cold, or stifling, so be sure you can add or remove tops as needed.

Be sure your shoes can slip on and off easily as you'll want to spend a lot of the flight without your shoes on (better for your feet that way). Personally, I have a pair of shoes that are a little too big for me and I fill them with an insole usually. I wear those shoes on the flight as they slip on and off, but not only that, I take out the insole and the extra room accommodates my swollen feet (Gee, doesn't flying sound glamorous!!! )

With the fear of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) it's probably best to check with your Doc as to good release/stretch exercises you can do whilst sitting for long hours in an airplane. Some airlines now show exercise programs regularly during long flights. Don't be bashful, participate. Better to be safe, than dead.... ooops,, I mean, sorry :)

Remember to get up and walk the length of the plane and back again (best to try to avoid the times they are serving the food and drinks though - yup, been there, done that too! It was a real "Elaine of Seinfeld" moment :) Don't worry about feeling foolish or thinking others are watching, you as they should be doing it too! If you're really enthusiastic, try to get fellow flyers to join you in a conga line, or... maybe.. not :)

This year I'm going to go to a pet store and purchase one of those little chew balls, you know the type, with blunt spikes all over them? I'll pop them on the floor from time to time and roll me socked feet over them to give them a mini massage.

Alternatively you can go to some expense and purchase a push pillow, This has (I believe) liquid in it and you just put it under your feet and push against it to give your feet some exercise. Purchase those from Travel Shops.

Pack an inflatable head-rest/ pillow. The kind that wraps around your neck. Airlines pillows are small and thin so you might need something more substantial. Also helps if your in a bad spot for the movie screen and adds a little more support when craning.

Take something to keep you occupied or the person beside you will get angsty. Nothing screams "I'm going to talk your ear off all the way from Sydney, Australia to Vancouver, Canada - without drawing breath" than someone getting on without their own form of entertainment.

Remember that all electrical devices like a mobile phone, CD player , Motor Driven Cameras or Gameboys will need to be switched off until the plane reaches altitude (to keep everyone safe) but as soon as that happens you have nothing to do but wile away long hours in the peaceful ignorance of your private entertainment. Remember that you might have to pay for Head Sets with your airline. Check with your airline and keep that money aside if you need to.

Don't rely on the Airline to provide much entertainment - some of the movies they show.. are SHOCKERS!!!! They do have radio stations / music as well, so all is not lost!

Be considerate and Listen to the Emergency Exit spiel before take off. The poor Flight Attendants are embarrassed enough about having to do this demonstration - so giving them your undivided attention is only fair! Besides, I once heard someone who sat in the Exit Aisle swear they wouldn't help save the life of a rude, inconsiderate person who not only didn't bother to listen for themselves, but talked to the person beside them (and it was THEIR first flight) and interrupted the demonstration for people around them. Consideration is the key, folks. It's going to be a LONG flight for many of us!

As I write, I take a journal with me everywhere. Take a notebook and write your thoughts as you travel. This can provide some wonderful reading later in the year when you're home again after the adventure! For reasons I won't go into here, I personally keep my journal, photos of my beloveds and ID about myself in a resealable plastic bag. It might not be enough, but it's something, I guess :)

CAR HIRE

Anyone wishing to rent a car while in Vancouver, we have negotiated a deal with Avis (right across the car park from the Best Western, next to the Hilton) who will offer a 20% discount to Gatecon attendees.

Bookings can be made in advance by calling 1-800-879-2846 or (604) 606 2890, or by going to their website: www.avis.ca

~ Thanks to Richard and Co for organizing this great discount for us GateGoers.

If Car Hire is out of the question for you.. public transport might be your friend!

GateGoer Meretket went to great trouble in supplying this info for us! Thanks hun!

Bus Fare - $3.00 CDN per adult each way, cash only and you need exact change as the bus drivers don't handle money and can't give out change. Cheaper fare for under 12 years old & over 65 with proof of age. (Day passes are available but you have to get them from "FareDealers", not on the bus, and at $8.00 CDN are not worth it unless you are doing lots of stops during one day)

Bus Route - #98 (it's an articulated bus - quite distinctive looking) Trip is direct and takes about 45 minutes each way. Bus frequency is every 6-8 minutes in either direction until 7:00 pm ish when they start running every 10 minutes.

To Gastown: take # 98 "Burrard Station" from No. 3 Road & Westminster Hwy (on #3 Road about 2 blocks east from the Best Western & the sign at the bus stop will say #98 Burrard Station on it). Get off at Waterfront Station at Cordova & Seymour Streets in Vancouver. Gastown is 2 blocks east.

To Richmond: take #98 "Richmond Centre" from Waterfront Station (same stop you disembarked at in the morning). Get off at No. 3 Road & Westminster Hwy and it's 2 blocks east back to the hotel.

NOTE (very important! :) If you're travelling in a large group you may not all be able to get on the same bus...some of the group may have to wait for the next one if the first one is full. Make sure more than one person in your group has a map and/or knows the names of the destinations so that nobody gets lost.

Finally, bus drivers here are for the most part friendly and are quite willing to answer questions so don't be afraid to ask. I think each stop on the #98 Route is announced during the ride. If you're not sure which one you should be listening for, ask the driver.

and if you have trouble with either of these go to:
http://www.translink.bc.ca/ and click on the "Maps" icon.

Good Advice !!!	If you're new to traveling or if you've done it a hundred times before, there are always handy little tips that can help make your holiday that much more smoother! GateGoers are renown for helping, so a lot of great tips have come through the List and it was a logical progression to make a page here for all their good advice. If you have any tips for your fellow traveler, be it a fun tip, a good secret you know, or a safety tip to help keep your family of GateGoers safer in their travels, the please drop me a line < Slida> and I'll pop it up on here :) (NB: When I wrote this originally I accidentally wrote: "If you're new to Gate Traveling... LOL.. where is my mind???)
Join the GateGoers
1st piece of Advice
How/What to Pack
Passport / Tickets
Getting around
When traveling