Gary Arndt has been traveling the world since March 2007. He calls himself a one-man National Geographic, and has traveled to more than 80 countries and territories since then. Throughout all of his adventures, he blogs on his site, everything-everywhere.com.
He found the time to speak with us and lend us some of his laid-back travel insight and practices.
Cheapflights: What are your personal routine procedures every time you fly?
Gary Arndt: I’m not really sure I have a routine. I try to get to the airport early and find a somewhere with an electrical outlet so I can use my laptop.
CF: What is your biggest travel pet peeve?
GA: People who complain. I’m very stoic when I travel, so I’m seldom disappointed.
CF: What kind of trip type do you prefer, and why?
GA: I’m traveling full time, so I really don’t take short vacation type trips. I can however say with full certainty that I don’t do spa weekends.
CF: Although it’s hard to choose, tell us what your favorite destination is, and why.
GA: I get this question almost every day, and I really have no answer. Different places are good for different reasons. When pressed, I usually give the Pacific as my favorite region of the world. I have been to most countries in the Pacific and would not hesitate to return to any of them.
CF: Cheapflights is all about value. What location do you think offers the best value for travelers?
GA: I’d probably have to go with Vietnam. I felt it was the best in terms of what I paid versus what I got. You can find reasonably good value for very little money. Thailand is also a good value, but that is changing as the Bhat grows in strength.
CF: What is your ideal airport, and what’s your advice on how to best enjoy it?
GA: There should be plenty to do during a layover. My favorite international airport is Singapore and my favorite domestic airport is Minneapolis.
CF: If you had to sit in the middle seat on a plane, who would be your chosen (or most-feared) seat mates, and why?
GA: Obviously, I’d hate to sit next to people who are too big or smell bad. Ideally, you’d like to sit next to smaller people who are entertaining.
CF: What would you classify as a hypothetical travel nightmare?
GA: Getting arrested in a foreign country for a crime you didn’t commit.
CF: How does what you do for a living give you a unique angle on traveling?
GA: Well, considering that I don’t have a home and I travel full time, I’d say that does give me a pretty unique view on the subject! In 2010 I probably traveled the least that I have in four years, and I still managed to make elite status on two different airlines.
CF: Share with us a few insider tips on how to improve the in-flight experience, in general.
GA: Since I made elite status on Delta and United, it has totally changed my flying experience. No more lines at check in, no more lines to board the plane, almost always get upgraded on domestic flights, and my checked bags get special attention (not to mention I don’t have to pay for them!)
I can think of no greater thing you can do to improve the airport experience. (Granted, it isn’t easy to get status, but if you can….) As for on the flight, I highly recommend getting an iPad. You can easily consume several hours playing games, reading, surfing or watching movies.
