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Given the number of contributors and the voice of the opening paragraph, changing commentary "I" language to "we"
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== Check In Online == | == Check In Online == | ||
Every airline will let you check in online, usually 24 hours before your flight leaves. | Every airline will let you check in online, usually 24 hours before your flight leaves. We know this will feel weird the first time, but it is an absolute necessity. With online check-in and no checked luggage, you can skip all the lines at the airport except security (and possibly customs/immigration). | ||
Checking in early may put you into a lower "group" for boarding (or at least not the suckiest, all-the-overhead-bins-are-full group). Check in as early as possible, even if you don't know how many bags you will check (correct answer: 0). You can always add (and pay for) checked bags when you get to the airport. | Checking in early may put you into a lower "group" for boarding (or at least not the suckiest, all-the-overhead-bins-are-full group). Check in as early as possible, even if you don't know how many bags you will check (correct answer: 0). You can always add (and pay for) checked bags when you get to the airport. | ||
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** high speed trains stop only at the terminal 2 station (between 2C/2D/2E/2F) | ** high speed trains stop only at the terminal 2 station (between 2C/2D/2E/2F) | ||
** RER trains (Paris's suburban rail network) stop at Terminal 2 (same station, again) and at "Terminal 1" (which is actually the Terminal 3 / Roissypole station for CDGVal) | ** RER trains (Paris's suburban rail network) stop at Terminal 2 (same station, again) and at "Terminal 1" (which is actually the Terminal 3 / Roissypole station for CDGVal) | ||
** Terminal 2G is reachable only by shuttle ( | ** Terminal 2G is reachable only by shuttle (We think, never done it) | ||
** If you want to take the RER to/from the airport, hoard coins in advance to pay the €9.50, since foreign cards don't work, and the machines don't take bills. | ** If you want to take the RER to/from the airport, hoard coins in advance to pay the €9.50, since foreign cards don't work, and the machines don't take bills. | ||
** The RoissyBus is only €10.50 and runs nonstop between CDG and the Paris Opera, only a few blocks from the Mozilla Paris office. Look for signs for "RoissyBus" or "Paris by bus" within each terminal to find the bus stop. | ** The RoissyBus is only €10.50 and runs nonstop between CDG and the Paris Opera, only a few blocks from the Mozilla Paris office. Look for signs for "RoissyBus" or "Paris by bus" within each terminal to find the bus stop. | ||
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'''Quick Tips''' | '''Quick Tips''' | ||
* Ask for upgrades. | * Ask for upgrades. We know, this sounds trite, but it works. If you don’t know how that works, just remember, when checking in, to ask “Is there a better room available?” If they say yes, you’re set. If they say no, that’s fine. If they say “yes, for a price” then you can consider that price and make the call. We’ve gotten $2000/night rooms on a $180/night booking just by asking. This tends to work well when the hotel has a lot of open inventory (particularly effective in LAS, less effective near Moscone during a conference). | ||
* When checking in, adjust your interactions with the clerk based on whether they smile when you approach. Chit-chat with a smiling clerk, but not with an unsmiling clerk. The latter is just as much a form of establishing rapport as chit-chat, because you're not wasting the time of a transaction-oriented person. And establishing rapport can make the marginal difference in whether they decide to give you an upgrade. | * When checking in, adjust your interactions with the clerk based on whether they smile when you approach. Chit-chat with a smiling clerk, but not with an unsmiling clerk. The latter is just as much a form of establishing rapport as chit-chat, because you're not wasting the time of a transaction-oriented person. And establishing rapport can make the marginal difference in whether they decide to give you an upgrade. | ||
* Expensive hotels tend to have sensors in the minibars, but most of the rest still just have housekeeping track what’s missing each visit and bill you. If you do get the munchies, just head out to a convenience store the next day before housekeeping and buy matching replacements at the saner price. | * Expensive hotels tend to have sensors in the minibars, but most of the rest still just have housekeeping track what’s missing each visit and bill you. If you do get the munchies, just head out to a convenience store the next day before housekeeping and buy matching replacements at the saner price. | ||
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Same deal as airlines. At the least, it eventually adds up to free stays, but getting to status means room upgrades, easier check-in, more flexibility on check-in/check-out times, and extra points for each stay. Some hotel loyalty points can also be transferred to airline loyalty programs. | Same deal as airlines. At the least, it eventually adds up to free stays, but getting to status means room upgrades, easier check-in, more flexibility on check-in/check-out times, and extra points for each stay. Some hotel loyalty points can also be transferred to airline loyalty programs. | ||
It can be harder to consistently stay with the same hotel group than to consistently fly the same airline (they're sold out or not convenient, the conference hotel is elsewhere, etc.). However, it's good to join the loyalty program for any hotel you stay at, before you make your reservation. You may get a better rate or a better room. Hotel staff seem to give an extra measure of courtesy and consideration when you're in the loyalty program. (When booking by phone, | It can be harder to consistently stay with the same hotel group than to consistently fly the same airline (they're sold out or not convenient, the conference hotel is elsewhere, etc.). However, it's good to join the loyalty program for any hotel you stay at, before you make your reservation. You may get a better rate or a better room. Hotel staff seem to give an extra measure of courtesy and consideration when you're in the loyalty program. (When booking by phone, we've had a "sold out" group rate suddenly become available when we gave a membership number.) If you haven't joined by the time you check in, ask the clerk to sign you up; they'll get credit for signing you up, and will be even more inclined to treat you nicely. | ||
Linked below are the programs associated with the hotels that are typically used for visiting Mozilla in Mountain View. | Linked below are the programs associated with the hotels that are typically used for visiting Mozilla in Mountain View. | ||
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* If you absolutely must sleep, do a 20 minute powernap and then get up, walk around, and do not fall back to sleep. (Powernapping pro tip: [https://www.vox.com/2014/8/28/6074177/coffee-naps-caffeine-science take a "coffee nap"]: quickly drink a cup of coffee, and ''then'' take a nap; the coffee will wake you up in a short while, and you'll be more alert than with a nap or a coffee alone.) | * If you absolutely must sleep, do a 20 minute powernap and then get up, walk around, and do not fall back to sleep. (Powernapping pro tip: [https://www.vox.com/2014/8/28/6074177/coffee-naps-caffeine-science take a "coffee nap"]: quickly drink a cup of coffee, and ''then'' take a nap; the coffee will wake you up in a short while, and you'll be more alert than with a nap or a coffee alone.) | ||
* In a pinch, Benedryl (dipenhydramine) can help you reset your internal clock and it's substantially gentler on your system than the prescription sleep aids. (It's also good for nausea if you get motion sickness, and of course, allergic reactions.) | * In a pinch, Benedryl (dipenhydramine) can help you reset your internal clock and it's substantially gentler on your system than the prescription sleep aids. (It's also good for nausea if you get motion sickness, and of course, allergic reactions.) | ||
* If you find yourself awake when you should be sleeping (by local time), avoid bright screens (computers, phones, e-readers), because they activate wakefulness in your brain. Try reading a paper book or magazine (radical, | * If you find yourself awake when you should be sleeping (by local time), avoid bright screens (computers, phones, e-readers), because they activate wakefulness in your brain. Try reading a paper book or magazine (radical, we know). If you must use a screen, set it to white text on a black background, to reduce the overall brightness; or get an app (such as [https://justgetflux.com/ f.lux] for Mac/iOS or [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.urbandroid.lux Twilight] for Android) that reduces the amount of blue light emitted by your device at night. | ||
* If possible, follow the [http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Jet-Lag-with-a-Modified-Diet Anti-Jet Lag Diet]; this is easier to do at home than while traveling, but IME even an approximation helps. | * If possible, follow the [http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Jet-Lag-with-a-Modified-Diet Anti-Jet Lag Diet]; this is easier to do at home than while traveling, but IME even an approximation helps. | ||
** As an abbreviated version: eat as little as possible on your day of travel, avoiding caffeine and alcohol; eat a high-protein breakfast at breakfast time in your new time zone. | ** As an abbreviated version: eat as little as possible on your day of travel, avoiding caffeine and alcohol; eat a high-protein breakfast at breakfast time in your new time zone. | ||