Trip Report: Getting Shanghaied from Seattle

Intro: Ticketing and Getting Ready

This is the first chapter of this trip report; however I did start writing this report starting in the middle, when I met up with my VNA flight. 

Other chapters:

• Intro: Ticketing and Getting Ready (current entry)
• Checking in at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA); SEA-LAX on Alaska Airlines
• Quick stop in Los Angeles
• Checking in at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• LAX-PVG on American Airlines
• Another quick stop in Shanghai
• Getting to Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) and checking in with VNA
• PVG-SGN on Vietnam Airlines
• Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN)

Being based in the US, I do have to fly other airlines to get to Vietnam (or to connect to a Vietnam Airlines [VNA] flight) since VNA can't fly directly to the US. My preferred carrier is American Airlines (AA), and on this trip my lovely wife and I were starting our trip in Seattle (SEA).

Our itinerary:

• Outbound
• Day 1: Fly from SEA-Los Angeles (LAX) on Alaska Airlines (AS); spend the night in Los Angeles (14 hours)
• Day 2: Fly from LAX to Shanghai (PVG) on AA; spend the night in Shanghai (20 hours)
• Day 3: Fly from PVG to Saigon (SGN) on VNA, reaching our final destination.
• Return
• Day 1: Fly from SGN to Tokyo-Narita (NRT) on Japan Airlines (JL); 1.5 hours connection in NRT, then flying NRT-LAX on AA; spend the night in Los Angeles (23 hours)
• Day 2: Fly LAX-SEA, completing our trip.

Image source: Seattle/Tacoma
International Airport / Facebook

Even though our first flight was with AS, it was still an AA-issued ticket and it was the controlling carrier by virtue of the international segment operated by AA.

We were able to take advantage of some long layovers allowed by our fare rules, so we were able to visit family in LA twice, as well as visit Shanghai.

This trip required me to go out to the airport to book and ticket, not because it was complicated, but because there seemed to be a problem with AA's system communicating with JL's systems and showing the correct availability.

The airport agent was quite surprised that anyone decided to come in personally to book a ticket, but I'm glad I did. It took him several attempts but he finally managed to get the system to book my itinerary (again, it wasn't because of the complexity, it was because JL's system denied that there was the available fare). With printed confirmation in hand, I go home to pack up and leave in a few days' time.

Read more: VNAFlyer's Packing Guide for Carryons (and Packing Them)

Travel Documents

Thankfully, my U.S. passport still has several years before expiration (entry into Vietnam requires at least 6 months of validity), and I have a visa waiver issued from Vietnam (valid for 5 years), meaning that I'm not required to apply for a visa when I visit. The stress of having the apply for the visa and wait for it to be issue is eliminated, and I can focus on other things.

Image source: US CBP

I've also previously signed up for Global Entry (GE), an expedited reentry program from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Part of the "Trusted Traveler" family of programs, GE holders agree to a background check to be declared as low-risk and be given access to lines for both passport and customs inspections upon returning to a U.S. airport, so that the holder does not have to stand in the regular lines.

My first time using GE was at LAX, before the most recent renovations to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. I decided to time myself from the opening of the aircraft door to exiting the building: 18 minutes, the majority of which was waiting for my checked bags to come out. I had essentially skipped every line, and never had to wait behind anyone. I had lunch with a friend last week who took 4 hours to exit LAX, and that's as a US citizen.

Image source: TSA

Also included with Global Entry is TSA Pre-Check, which you may have seen at the airport. Pre-Check allows for expedited security screening (again, on the basis that you're a trusted traveler), and gives access to a special line where you do NOT have to take off your shoes or take out your laptop.

The application fee for Global Entry costs $100, and is non-refundable if you are happened to be denied. After applying online, you'll have to schedule an interview at a Global Entry office (located at most major airports).

A similar program called NEXUS costs just $50 and allows the holder to also enter Canada on an expedited basis. However, the required interview must be scheduled at a border office, and appointments are usually booked months in advance because it requires the presence of a Canadian immigration agent as well.

If you can get to the border, and have plenty of lead time, NEXUS is the best deal, costing half of Global Entry yet including all the benefits.

Next chapter: Checking in at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA); SEA-LAX on Alaska Airlines

VNAFlyer's Packing Guide for Carryons (and Packing Them)

Logging lots of miles on a plane each year, on both domestic and international flights, I have developed a routine that I follow when it comes to being equipped. I usually try to survive just with what I have in my carry-ons, but on some trips, especially those back to Vietnam that always turn into resupply missions, I'll have to use my checked baggage allowance. Even then, what I bring with me on board doesn't change much.

The Hardware

Generally I like to travel with a laptop backpack and 21" a spinner rollaboard suitcase, which follows most carriers' restrictions of one carry-on suitcase and one personal item.

Ogio Urban, with laptop section
opened out for security screening.

I choose a backpack over a briefcase or shoulder bag because I frees up both of my hands, and balances out the weight in the bag. The key features I like in a backpack:

• TSA-checkpoint friendly laptop compartment (it flips out on the X-ray belt so you don't have to take out your laptop)
• Separate padded tablet compartment
• Quick-access pocket, to put items in during security screening (like wallet and phone)
• Reinforced and ergonomic top handle, easy to hold and someplace I can loop my security cable through.
• Pass-through for a rollaboard handle, so my backpack can sit on top of my suitcase
• Sternum strap, to help distribute heavier loads
• Bottle holder, to free up hands for other things

For the past few years I traveled around with an older Ogio Urban, which I liked but it was missing the pass-through (so I would just loop my armstraps around the handle) and the sternum strap. It had plenty of pockets all over, so was never left wanting for storage space.

Recently I started looking for a new bag, and out of sheer luck I found my bag's almost-exact clone. The differences were that it had a both a pass-through and a sternum strap! It was also rebranded as a Kenneth Cole Reaction bag, which makes no difference to me (and in fact I would prefer if it didn't have the emblem affixed to my bag).

For my rollaboard, I personally think that it's a waste of money to spend hundreds (much less thousands) of dollars for luggage. The baggage handlers, walls, floors, and overhead bins don't care how nice your luggage is. Neither do, for the most part, your fellow travelers.

Samsonite LIFT

My preferred features for a rollaboard:

• 4-wheel spinner
• Shallow accessory pocket, for storing small items at security screening
• Rigid handle
• Lightweight, under 7 lbs/3.2 kgs
• Grab handle at the bottom
• Curb guard

Right now I have a Samsonite LIFT lightweight spinner. Now, I know Samsonite's quality has been questionable in recent years, and honestly I would never pay US$200-300 in full retail price for one. 

However, if you go to one of those reseller stores, like Ross Dress-for-Less, Marshalls, or TJ Maxx, you can always find Samsonite (and other) sets for cheap. At US$65-80 per rollaboard, these are almost disposable... or at least you won't feel terrible after it gets it's first scuff.

Additionally, Samsonite and American Tourister are owned by the same company. I happened to walk through my local Target store today and found my carry-on rebranded as an American Tourister, and being sold brand new for US$69 on sale.

As long as the suitcase lasts at least 5 years, you're already ahead. And new or not, I prefer changing my suitcases that often anyway to get the latest features and design.

It's important to note that while 22-inch suitcases are allowed to be carried on on U.S. airlines, they are slightly too large be allowed on most of the other world's airlines, which is why I opt for the 21-inch.

The Goods

As for the actual items I pack, I have a mental list of basic essential items to have onboard with me, so some items on this list may not be for everyone.

• Wearables
• An extra change of clothes - never know when you'll get stranded at a connecting airport, or need a change during a flight
• Extra socks (to walk around in, but NEVER wear them into the lav!)
• Eyeshades
• Earplugs
• Personal care
• Toothbrush/toothpaste - it's the one thing a non-status economy passenger can do to feel human again after a flight
• Floss
• Sanitizing wipes - lavs are gross... and have you never wiped down your seat and tray table?
• Personal wipes - lavs are still gross
• Hand sanitizer - planes in general are gross
• Lotion or moisturizer
• Contact lens case/solution/drops
• Glasses - the air on the plane will dry out your contacts
• Electronics
• Laptop/tablet
• Noise-cancelling headphones (remember your adapters!)
• Battery pack - in case you need to recharge your phone or tablet, and there's no outlet
• Accessories
• Laptop security cable
• Pen
• Sunglasses
• Collapsible water bottle
• Flashlight - a small compact one, because you never know when you'll drop something!

Read more: 8 Simple Tips for Preventing Theft on Your Next Flight

One last tip: DON'T overpack. Being weighed down by bringing things you won't even touch onboard or use on your trip will just make your travels that much more difficult. Dead weight is no fun... get rid of it!

Would you add anything to this list? Share in a comment below!