Anyone Non-rev on Air France out of JFK??

[lowpitchstop]

Hoping to find out all the pitfalls and obstacles I'm sure I'm going to run into trying to go JFK-CDG-JFK in April... Any "secret" desk I need to goto to pay$$, secret handshakes, winks or passwords??

Returning from CDG... I've heard the French aren't too accomodating to non-revs at the airport..

Last question: Transportation from CDG to downtown Paris.. there's the tube and then there's private car service... any advice??

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

-Herk guy

 

[ClubORD]

Not sure about the non-reving on Air France but the transportation to downtown Paris is a breeze.

The metro/subway is incredibly easy to navigate and very efficient. We went on vacation there last fall and we stayed close to the Louvre. I think it was around 15-18 Euro each way and took about 30-40 minutes.

When you go, look up Fat Tire Bike Tours. Bike your way throughout Paris at night and enjoy free wine on the boat cruise...great time!

Hope it helps.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Definately take the Metro. Very efficient system. They look like busses on rails.

If it's your first time, you're gonna enjoy yourself. There's so much to see and do.

 

[Dornier 335]

Transportation is dead easy in France, especially Paris. You have two options, either take the bus called LeCars by Air France, or take the RER to Paris. The RER is more like an suburban train, not to be confused with the metro. Frequency is excellent. More info http://www.ratp.fr/ (no sweat, it's also in English).

I usually showed up in uniform, that is way more repected in Europe than the US. Staying polite helps, too...

 

[DUBLINFLYER]

Paris Metro

I travelled to Paris from London and bought my metro pass (same as NYC subway) in London, you can also buy it online see link below.
This will save you time and effort trying (not look like a tourist) to look for the correct change or going to ticket machines.
I also printed out itineraries from the Paris metro website which shows you the metro stations and train stations (see links), this also provides guides for route planning showing trains/metro and stations


Euroquest USA
Tel. 1 20 121 600 24
www.euroquest.com


http://discoverfrance.tourpackagers.com/detail1.aspx?ID=19

http://www.ratp.info/touristes/

 

[Caflying]

If you are using a ZED fare, just go to the ticket counter, will get a stby ticket, just like any other airline. I have used AF from CDG to BCN several times, usually will let you know at check in about seats, if wide open, seat may be assigned right there. Never was given either first or businesss, only coach (same for Lufthansa)
About jumpseat... europe is another story. I ahve only successfully jumpseated once with Iberia MAD-BCN before 9/11, in uniform had no issues at security. It all changed after 9/11. I had also used Air Europa, same route, but after 9/11 no more jumpseats. Getting to the gate was the biggest issue (even in uniform), and getting past the gate agent to talk to CA was the worst, specially if airplane is in remote parking. In Spain, the jumpseat is requested as "Extra Crew", and the two Spanish airlines did offer me a business seat. Not sure if this is what you were looking for or not.

Good luck

 

[WalterSobchak]

There are times in a man's life where descriptions of his experiences are best used to serve as a warning to others...this, my friends, is one of those times. Here are a couple of notes from my last Paris experience...

First and foremost, be sure to confirm that the latest transit union strike has been resolved prior to departing the States. If not, you're essentially screwed. Rail will not run at all, busses will be running at 1/4th the schedule, and cabs will be almost unattainable. It took us 4 hours to reach the city from CDG by bus. The highways were so clogged, I felt as though I was an extra for an evacuation scene in Armageddon 2: Electric Comet Boogaloo.

More importantly, however...leave the psychopath, flight attendant girlfriend at home. Sure, she's great in the sack...but Paris will be like the full moon to her werewolf (and not in a remotely good way). She will go bats**t nuts and take every opportunity to financially bleed you dry in this God-forsaken place.

(Ya know that previously mentioned 4-hour bus trip? You'll spend that sitting next to smelliest dude in the bus because she's pissed at you that you didn't check the details on the transit strike.)

Between the wine, the meals, stores full of expensive crap she's only seen in magazine ads, and her inability to comprehend the concept of an exchange rate...you'll eventually have to tell her "no"...and that's when the fun begins. She'll disappear for half a day having given no warning as to where she's gone (and having done God knows what or who while she was out).

In the end, you'll be tired, broke, drunk, newly single, kinda smelly, and missing your little brother's wedding in Texas by 3 hours because you missed your ride to the airport the day before while on the verge of throwing her out a 5th story window...all while spending the flight home sitting four rows apart, drinking anything the FA's will serve you, cursing "the f**king b*tch in seat 2F".



** - Special thanks to that Delta Air Lines cabin crew that kept me nice and wasted the whole way home.

 

[ATA For Now!]

You must have gone there with my X g/f!

That was really funny!

RV

 

[lowpitchstop]

There are times in a man's life where descriptions of his experiences are best used to serve as a warning to others...this, my friends, is one of those times. Here are a couple of notes from my last Paris experience...

First and foremost, be sure to confirm that the latest transit union strike has been resolved prior to departing the States. If not, you're essentially screwed. Rail will not run at all, busses will be running at 1/4th the schedule, and cabs will be almost unattainable. It took us 4 hours to reach the city from CDG by bus. The highways were so clogged, I felt as though I was an extra for an evacuation scene in Armageddon 2: Electric Comet Boogaloo.

More importantly, however...leave the psychopath, flight attendant girlfriend at home. Sure, she's great in the sack...but Paris will be like the full moon to her werewolf (and not in a remotely good way). She will go bats**t nuts and take every opportunity to financially bleed you dry in this God-forsaken place.

(Ya know that previously mentioned 4-hour bus trip? You'll spend that sitting next to smelliest dude in the bus because she's pissed at you that you didn't check the details on the transit strike.)

Between the wine, the meals, stores full of expensive crap she's only seen in magazine ads, and her inability to comprehend the concept of an exchange rate...you'll eventually have to tell her "no"...and that's when the fun begins. She'll disappear for half a day having given no warning as to where she's gone (and having done God knows what or who while she was out).

In the end, you'll be tired, broke, drunk, newly single, kinda smelly, and missing your little brother's wedding in Texas by 3 hours because you missed your ride to the airport the day before while on the verge of throwing her out a 5th story window...all while spending the flight home sitting four rows apart, drinking anything the FA's will serve you, cursing "the f**king b*tch in seat 2F".



** - Special thanks to that Delta Air Lines cabin crew that kept me nice and wasted the whole way home.

Walter:

Legendary post. I appreciate your candor & advise (along with everyone else). I'm bringing my wife with a predetermined credit line (translation: she'll spend money she earned...). Hopefully we'll both be on the same return flight....

 

[Volasl]

Wow is all i can say to that!

 

[dispatchguy]

I'm speechless, while I have loved Paris the 3 times I have been there, I can see where you would have issues with it.

At least the DL Crew gave you some of their Southern Hospitality.

 

[10nCLR]

Oh, Yeaahhh!!
She was a doozy alright!!! And I'm not talking about the nicknamed expensive, classy auto of the 1920s-1930s.

 

[WalterSobchak]

I'm bringing my wife with a predetermined credit line (translation: she'll spend money she earned...). Hopefully we'll both be on the same return flight....

I wish you both a great trip. Safe travels...

At least the DL Crew gave you some of their Southern Hospitality.

God bless them...DL crews have always been awesome to me.

Oh, Yeaahhh!!
She was a doozy alright!!!

Indeed she was...I've ran into her at SLC three times in the last two months. The first two times, I went diving into either a restroom or a bookstore to avoid any contact. I'm sure it looked quite kinda comical.

 

[flap operator]

Back on topic... the key to getting good treatment at AF is to talk to the purser when you get onboard. Say hi, or perhaps bonjour and you'll be good to go. They'll help you as much as they can. I've had nothing but incredible experiences on AF. Oh, their service is good too.

 

[lowpitchstop]

Back on topic... the key to getting good treatment at AF is to talk to the purser when you get onboard. Say hi, or perhaps bonjour and you'll be good to go. They'll help you as much as they can. I've had nothing but incredible experiences on AF. Oh, their service is good too.

Will do... is there anywhere special that I need to go to pay them for my two passes?

BritishAir sent me on a scavenger hunt last summer at JFK to some office by their unreturned luggage department to pay.... Almost missed the flight cause of it.

 

[C-150ETOPS]

There are times in a man's life where descriptions of his experiences are best used to serve as a warning to others...

** - Special thanks to that Delta Air Lines cabin crew that kept me nice and wasted the whole way home.

Great post. Should be a mandatory briefing item for the "young bucks" when they receive their travel bennies.

Another Paris tip. Do some searching on the bike rentals in town. It's called Paris Velib. 1 or 2 Euros per rental, and you drop the bike anywhere. The stands are every few blocks.
One note, buy a web pass online or find out what credit cards will work. I had about 5 other pilots try 5 cards each and the only one that worked was my AMEX.

 

[flap operator]

Lowpitch -

Is your carrier a ZED carrier? If so, you'll have purchased your ZED tickets from your company and will then need to list with AF. When you check-in in the states just go to the gate if making a connection or to the AF ticket counter if originating. Upon return in Paris, there is indeed a "Staff" check-in point. They'll put you in business class if they can, so dress appropriately, in both directions.

 

[Full of LUV]

How Convenient!!!

Great post. Should be a mandatory briefing item for the "young bucks" when they receive their travel bennies.

Another Paris tip. Do some searching on the bike rentals in town. It's called Paris Velib. 1 or 2 Euros per rental, and you drop the bike anywhere. The stands are every few blocks.
One note, buy a web pass online or find out what credit cards will work. I had about 5 other pilots try 5 cards each and the only one that worked was my AMEX.

How convenient, when are you going back to Europe, can I join along....pretty sure my credit cards won't work either

 

[C-150ETOPS]

How convenient, when are you going back to Europe, can I join along....pretty sure my credit cards won't work either

I was the FO. I always managed to con each CA for a few $9 dollar beers.

Don't toy with me "Grasshopper". :laugh: