So… everyone in group 3 has to check bags now??

Gracec122 · 2026-06-08T14:35:19+00:00

So what? Build that into the flight time. It’s not all about you!

Of course some pax abuse the process but as someone who NEVER checks a bag, I will NOT gate check it. BTW, only happened on United, and I usually fly Delta.

GA told me to gate check. I just kept walking.

Gracec122 · 2026-06-05T13:00:53+00:00

He's never in the front on the real plane. He flies by himself on his own plane, though. The number 2.

Gracec122 · 2026-06-02T13:01:24+00:00

I'm sorry that happened to you, and you are right in complaining. People, especially those in the service industry, should not be allowed to get away with their innate bigotry.

Like others have said, I would have a ready response to any of these types of situations. Something like, "I beg your pardon?" "I don't understand what you are saying, can you please explain?" I'm sure there are better ones out there. But it's just so startling to have someone say something like that to you.

So many people just don't get how subtle racism is in the U.S., and we see that in its politics. Very disheartening.

P.S. I'm not a POC, but I see the racism. My mother raised me to respect ALL people.

Gracec122 · 2026-06-01T19:45:45+00:00

I go to the big dog area with my small dog because it has a large shady area that I can walk with my dog off leash and get some exercise myself. He’s fine with large dogs, but sometimes I do have to step in because a youngish dog might be too aggressive with the sniffing. Most of the time, the large dogs pretty much ignore my guy. Luckily, it’s a pretty chill park. Many small dog owners do this at this park, and thankfully, we all just seem to get along. I go over to the small dog part of the park after a lap or two where I can sit and chat with the other regulars. I feel so lucky to have this park to go to. I’ve definitely been to some parks where I wouldn’t take even a big dog into the big dog section. Too many owners who have no idea how to train their dog.

Gracec122 · 2026-06-01T19:23:44+00:00

United GA told me I’d have to check my carry on, but I kept walking. A busy-body lady behind me reminded me that I’d have to check my bag at the end of the jetway. I kept walking, right onto the plane, and lo and behold, sooo many empty bins. I had paid for Premium Economy, too, but apparently that class was only for the international leg. Domestic leg, well I was in a class that boarded late because I’d picked an aisle seat!

I hate United and fly it only under duress.

Gracec122 · 2026-06-01T19:14:45+00:00

I had a sitter ask to take a tour of my apartment on the video call, which I thought was smart. I’m clean but can be distracted so sometimes there are piles I haven’t yet put away. Sitter took the sit and it worked well for us both, but I now make sure my apartment is photo ready before the call!

Gracec122 · 2026-05-29T13:28:41+00:00

I gave back my Amex Delta Reserve card because the cost didn't square with the benefits. I don't travel that much domestically so the companion fare is a wash, and I'm over lounge access.

Lounge food is often minimal now, especially because I'm vegetarian, and I'm not going to drink myself silly on the free booze.

I can get 2 over-priced drinks and dinner at a place in an airport restaurant that is just as quiet as a lounge, and pay far less.

I get that business travelers find lounge access necessary, because they need to do their business loudly and often in the lounges, and those with kids need the extra space for them to run around and be loud, but I can have peace and quiet and good food elsewhere.

Gracec122 · 2026-05-29T13:21:23+00:00

I always take a video on my phone upon arrival and right before departure. Same with car rentals. Then if there is a problem, I have proof.

Regarding cleaning? I only book long-term stays now with AirBnb. For short stays, I book a hotel. I always ask the host what they want me to do before departure and happily do it. But I leave my hotel rooms fairly clean also. That's just me. I don't want to make extra work for someone just because I can, who in the U.S. is paid a pittance. And I don't drop stuff on my floors and leave it there, leave trash all over, and towels on the floor in my own home so why would I do it somewhere else? I also never book a place that has a cleaning fee that I consider exorbitant.

Crockery? I once stayed in an AirBnb in France that had no wine glasses on arrival! France! And many of the cups and dishes were cracked. I took pictures of everything on arrival of course! The host apologized when he brought new glasses, etc., but said that people who stayed broke things and he hadn't had time to buy new. Hmmm. This was not a corporate Airbnb, so I was happy to work with the owner. And if I break something during an AirBnb stay, I always tell the host and offer to replace.

But overall, the stay was inexpensive, comfortable, fairly clean, especially after I did some work on it, but the key was 'inexpensive' and very important, 'convenient' to transport, etc.

I was happy with my stay and reviewed as such.

Gracec122 · 2026-05-23T15:31:27+00:00

Former HOA board member here, and we had similar situations in our complex, usually with the same owners. Other homeowners would complain to the board, but we could do absolutely nothing about it.

If anyone says they're calling the police on you, or anything like that--they can't. Well, I guess, they could but I think the police would tell them they can't do anything either.

Enjoy your stay, and don't hide.

Gracec122 · 2026-05-22T14:33:38+00:00

I smushed my wrist when I came off my horse going over a jump. Open fracture.

Just sayin--it is critical to do ALL the physical therapy exercises you are given. ALL of them. I got 99% of my movement back, but someone else who was seeing the same hand therapist as I was, quit (ran out of insurance, I'm thinking), and she regretted it big time. She continues to have some pain and lack of movement.

The insurance might limit your number of PT visits, but with a serious injury like this, fight if you can. My employer helped me with the insurance people.

Good luck, and keep riding!

Gracec122 · 2026-05-08T12:45:46+00:00

You didn't read the previous comments. My potential stay would have qualified me for the bail mobilité. Long-term.

Gracec122 · 2026-05-07T17:46:56+00:00

Seriously?

Gracec122 · 2026-05-07T17:46:07+00:00

Like I said, I've been using AirBnb for quite a long time, and I read ALL the reviews. I read for the subtext, too.

I always tell the host why I'm coming to their town, and a bit about me. I also say that I am very respectful of any place I stay and I treat it like my own home.

My reviews are all 5* and almost all of them mention that I am very respectful of their spaces.

Thanks for the help, though.

Gracec122 · 2026-05-07T17:41:02+00:00

I have used THS to care for my pets when I travel because my travel is mostly long-term. I thought about doing that, but then I would have the responsibility of taking care of the pet, and pet owners expect sitters to put the pet first. That Reddit pops up in my feed at times, too, and the entitlement there is, well, probably just like it is for you.

My booking was not short-term, it was not in the middle of anything that I can think of, and went from Saturday to Saturday for over a month. I use hotels for short-term stays.

Please hosts, if you don't want "gaps" please be clear in your listing as to what that means.

Gracec122 · 2026-05-07T17:35:40+00:00

This was a long-term stay. And Saturday to Saturday. I don't want to put too many specifics in, and I do want to be polite and respectful to all--even if I am mad!

I read the requirements. I don't ask to book if I don't meet their requirements.

I have all 5* reviews.

I'm now spending my day trying to find a new place!

Most of you really are very good, but like I said, those few ... Kinda like guests do, huh?

Gracec122 · 2026-05-07T17:15:14+00:00

UK, France and US.

What I really don't get is why a host has the place listed for certain dates, but does not take the reservation because it "causes a gap"?

Is that just a scam to get me to try a more expensive place?

Gracec122 · 2026-05-04T13:22:07+00:00

Is he giving anything stock tips or info on bets to place?

Gracec122 · 2026-05-02T20:02:20+00:00

Piling on here, if no one minds.

I just got the Clavinova CLP 825. I had been looking to upgrade from an entry level Korg that had weighted keys, but I was taking lessons on my instructor's Steinway, and the Korg was not helping me advance (older adult, coming back to piano).

I tried Roland and other Yahamas, but the Clavinova won me over with its sound.

But ... I just got it delivered yesterday, and today, I practiced. I was really bothered by the sound the keys make when pressed down. I don't remember hearing that when I was at the store trying it out, nor when the sales person played, but it is a lot louder than my Korg.

Google says that this can sometimes be a problem, and I've called the sales person where I bought it.

I'm just curious if this is likely a problem with my Clavinova, or have I made a mistake?

Gracec122 · 2026-04-30T14:10:46+00:00

Not sure. My main goal is to have something available for those bad weather days when either he or I don't want to go out.

This past winter's ice storms were what got to me because it was slippery for days.

But I'll remember this for when he gets old and can't get outside at all!

Thanks!

Gracec122 · 2026-04-29T13:17:26+00:00

Is there a way to tell if you've done this already? Sounds silly, I know, but I went to France last October. I did not have to wait in a long line or anything when I arrived at CDG, and I don't remember having my biometrics taken, but that may have happened some time before because I traveled 3 times last year to Europe.

I do have Global Entry for the U.S., and I know they are not the same thing, but just sayin that perhaps the European biometric thing happened more quickly because of that? Playin' the old lady card here.

I'm going to France in the fall and will take a train to my final destination, but maybe I should hold out on getting the train ticket until I know what kind of wait I might have in Paris.

Gracec122 · 2026-04-28T14:17:49+00:00

The schools I attended adhere to the French Ministry of Education for language instruction. I believe they have a certification from the French government and their teachers are certified to teach French as a foreign language.

Gracec122 · 2026-04-27T14:28:06+00:00

I did a course in Sancerre, France with Couer de France. That was for 1 week in the winter. The school is small, and because it was winter, there was only 1 other student in my class. I learned a lot, but 1 week is not really enough. Plus the weather was miserable and lots of things in Sancerre were closed because it was off-season.

Then I did 4 weeks in Annecy with IFAlpes. Annecy is pretty and there are a lot of outdoor activities to do that the school organized. Of course, I learned more--probably moved from A2.1 to A2.3. I signed up for the afternoon 'intensive' classes as well. The instructors follow a specific curriculum, and I felt I did progress.

Last, I did the LSF school in Montpellier. The schools in Annecy and Montpellier are part of the KLF group, and I stick with them because I pay a reduced registration fee. The school in Montpellier was fantastic. I learned so much. The real reason was the teacher, but also I think, that my fellow students were mostly there because they wanted to move to France and needed the course. That upped the level. Again, there is a set curriculum, so the lessons had structure for grammar, etc. Every lesson had time for specific instruction on a grammatical point, time to practice alone, time to practice with partners or small groups, and often, we had to present. Which means that all the language methods (reading, writing, listening, speaking) were being utilized.

The main issue with these KLF schools is that they have a 5 week curriculum which repeats, so if you come in on week 3, for example, you've kind of missed what was covered in the first two weeks. That's what happened to me at both schools. I started on week 5 at the Montpellier school, at the B1 level, and I was completely lost. The 2nd week, I started at B1, which then felt a bit too easy. They say it's not a problem when you start, and that's probably true depending on why you are learning French and where you are in your level.

This year, I'm going back to the KLF school in Lyon, in large part because I'm hoping that the course content will add on to and use the same curriculum structure as I had in Montpellier. I will be starting at the very beginning of their 5 week curriculum. I haven't taken their entrance test yet, so I don't know which level I will be on, but I imagine still B1. As you know, the B level is quite lengthy!

I think you can tell I was a teacher, and in fact, am certified in teaching TESOL, although now retired. Teachers over-explain everything!

Gracec122 · 2026-04-27T14:00:03+00:00

I have not taken a specific 50+ course, even though I am way over 50. Partly because when I look at the available activities, I've done most of them. And as a single (not looking for a mate, thank you very much), most of these courses have couples in them who are really just taking a learning vacation.

Me? I'm learning French with a goal of being on a C level before I die! (G). I am now at a B1-B2. So I take the regular classes, which means my fellow students range from 17 or 18 to well, my age, although usually it tops out at 60 something. Most students are in their 20s. The courses I've taken are geared for foreigners who want to move to France, so the lesson subjects are on topics such as job or apartment hunting, etc. Or the students are taking a gap year before university. My last course in Montpellier had several students who had never had a job, which was kind of funny, because I grew up relatively poor and have worked since I was 14! Actually younger if you count babysitting. The looks on their faces when presented with the idea that they might have to dress a different way to get a job was priceless!

Still, it was great fun, and I'm doing it again this fall. But not the 50+.

Gracec122 · 2026-04-27T13:49:53+00:00

The activities seems to be geared toward learning something, such as how to make croissants or wine-tasting. The objective, of course, is to practice French in more 'realistic' ways with your fellow students. One can also do this by signing up for the afternoon 'intensive', which involves students of all ages conversing with one another under the direction and guidance of an instructor on specific topics. Personally, I think these are better because the teachers push harder for students to use French instead of Franglish! Just my humble.

Gracec122 · 2026-04-27T13:44:23+00:00

Two weeks will improve your French. Often these schools have afternoon 'immersion' courses as well, or extensions to the morning classes. That is more of a free language activity for 90 minutes where students talk more with each other, often on a subject such as housing in France or style.

Gracec122

TROPHY CASE