Hotel Alarm Clocks

[Smacktard]

I do all three. "Moron".. Cell phone, wakeup call (which doesn't always happen), and the hotel alarm clock.

Maybe I'm paranoid.

This would be a great opportunity for one to say "For Christ's sake people, whatever happen to telling the FA that she better wake you up on-time?" but we all know the FAs these days are fat, old or gay. My vote for worst alarm clock are those crap Sony's at Doubletrees, you have to be literate and somewhat inventive to get that thing set.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

I like the alarm clocks where you can plug your ipod into it.

As far as alarms go, I use my cell phone. International trips make it a bit more challenging though.

 

[CFI2766]

The version of the 'dream machine' at the crap-tel in MCN is possibly the most complicated piece of equipment I've ever seen. I could set the time on my 1980ish VCR with less effort than that thing...

This doesn't bode well for me when it comes time for RJ training, does it?

 

[DrewBlows]

I use my cell phone backed up by a wake up call. The failure rate of the wake up call is huge, I'd say 10 to 20%, the failure rate of my cell phone is very low, maybe 0.05%, only because I forget to set it or the battery dies in the night. On one occasion I've had both fail and the first phone call I received in the morning was from my Captain waiting in the lobby. Thankfully I was able to get it together enough that we weren't late.

I used to carry a battery powered "atomic" clock in my overnight bag as a third backup. It cost about $15 and was always accurate, but you had to know what time zone you were in. I quit using it when some of the digits became unreadable (probably from being crushed in my bag) and just haven't replaced it. If you are really paranoid about not waking up on time this is the way to go.

 

[StopNTSing]

The clocks that starting showing up at Hiltons a few years ago are utterly worthless & still have me baffled. They might just be pilot-proof.

 

[sweptback]

The clocks that starting showing up at Hiltons a few years ago are utterly worthless & still have me baffled. They might just be pilot-proof.

Aren't those the ones with directions printed on top? They're the only ones I can reliably set.

 

[Cpt Oveur]

Maybe they teach alarm clock in systems section of astronaut school.

 

[willNOTfly4free]

I would say so. I don't know why you would touch something in a hotel room that obviously never gets cleaned, and is so close to a bed.

What about lights switches, TV remote, iron, toilet knob, bathroom faucet, and the thermostat? We all touch something in the room that does not receive a regular cleaning. Lighten up.

 

[rumrnr78]

I too have looked at the alarm clock in disbelief, thinking to myself how in the world to set the damn thing!
And, I swear this is true, but ever since leaving the regional airlines I always get a wakeup call and my room key always works!

Cheers- Rum

 

[Abernathy]

The version of the 'dream machine' at the crap-tel in MCN is possibly the most complicated piece of equipment I've ever seen. I could set the time on my 1980ish VCR with less effort than that thing...

This doesn't bode well for me when it comes time for RJ training, does it?

That MCN one is insane. I gave up on trying to bother with it. IIRC, the Hotel in Augusta has a pretty nasty one, too.

 

[DorkProp]

The moron executive at Wyndham brand hotels who chose their new model of alarm clock should be locked up for life.

If you know the clocks of which I speak, I'm sure you share these same complaints:

1. Can't set the time without removing two screws in the back. The hotel staff are too lazy to make sure the clocks show the correct time.

2. The DST button on the inside (after you spend 15 minutes removing the screws with your little nail file) doesn't do anything except cause "DST" to show on the display. It doesn't actually set the time forward an hour. What's the point??

3. The clock display is literally as bright as the sun. Fortunately there's a "Dim" button that causes the display to go absolutely black. Um, again, what's the point?? How about a nice medium setting?

4. It only allows the crappy station presets to be used for the alarm. The presets, of course, are usually set to Spanish, hip-hop, country, etc. Bleh!

 

[Stifler's Mom]

OK, since we're on rants about clocks, here goes one.

What's with setting the clock 10 minutes ahead? My wife does this to her alarm clock at home, and my hotel room had this last night.

If you're going to knowingly set the clock 10 early so you're not late, aren't you going to remember that the clock is 10 minutes fast? If it says 12:30, don't you know that it is really 12:20 now?

Maybe it's the thinking of the female mind, but all you do is make me think I am late, when I'm not.

 

[s3jetman]

I see your beef with the alarm clock!

First my cell phone doesnt work in some places we fly. So there goes that. Second every heard of lazy bahamian that wont do wake up calls!

Fri - normal alarm clock
sat - light next to number is for A.M. not your
typical P.M
Sun - Two dots next to number one for A.M. one for
P.M. then another for alarm set. so when you
look at it you have no flipin idea what
anything means

Im confused i just wake up when other crew members call for me being late. I don't lose sleep!!

 

[FlySacto]

OK, since we're on rants about clocks, here goes one.

What's with setting the clock 10 minutes ahead? My wife does this to her alarm clock at home, and my hotel room had this last night.

If you're going to knowingly set the clock 10 early so you're not late, aren't you going to remember that the clock is 10 minutes fast? If it says 12:30, don't you know that it is really 12:20 now?

Maybe it's the thinking of the female mind, but all you do is make me think I am late, when I'm not.

I unplug the POS in the hotel and plug in my cp charger. No more mexican accordian jams at 0300.

As far as women and time, I tell people that my wife will be f'ing late to her own funeral. All the clocks set ahead and she still manages to be 15 late to EVERYTHING!!!

 

[d328pilot]

I would say so. I don't know why you would touch something in a hotel room that obviously never gets cleaned, and is so close to a bed.

There was a recent study that was done and found that in a hotel room, the highest concentration of feces was found on the remote control. Just food for thought.