CHOLET EXCHANGE UPDATE – June 11, 2015
(7 days!!! - YEP, just one week to go!)
Dear Parents and Travelers,
Today there are just three topics.
”Test text” for parents: This afternoon (somewhere between 3:30 and 4:00) I ran a test of the parent text relay. If you have not received it by this time Friday, please e-mail me (hallr@fairviewschools.org) or text me (814-392-4524).
Recruiting hosts for October: So far we only have eleven confirmed hosts for our 26 Choletais coming in October. I understand that not all of you can host, and I’m not asking you to do so here. What I am asking is that you all think really carefully about friends of yours who may. As I have said to some of you, the perfect host (or even a really good host) may not even be thinking about hosting. But maybe they would if one of you approached them. My task/challenge to each of you: find a friend who can host. If each of you finds one person .... we’re still short, but in better shape. So please think of someone. If you have hosted before, you can answer many questions potential hosts have. I will soon post the letters of the remaining Cholet students to make it easier for your friends to peruse. I’ll let you know when I do. Merci!
Luggage Reminders and Notes: Information I paraphrase comes from the following Delta pages. But my highlights appear below.
Here is a link Delta’s FAQs
Delta’s “CHECKED BAGS & OPTIONAL SERVICE FEES”
Here is a link to Delta’s page on excess baggage:
Remember, just one suitcase per person. Even if the airline allows you to bring two (and Delta does allow it, but for a $100 fee each way), there’s no guarantee our bus can hold it. Also, keep in mind this simple rule: You pack it, you carry it! Fortunately, there is no cost to check one bag on international flights. However, there is a 50 pound (23 kg) weight limit. If your bag weighs between 50 and 70 pounds (23-31.75 kg), you will need to pay a $100 fee. Not that this will happen, but if your bag weighs more than 75 pounds, Delta will not allow you to bring it. If you want to weigh your bag, one way to do so at home is to step on a scale and weigh yourself, then weigh yourself a second time while you are holding your suitcase. If you did not suddenly gain 50 pounds, you’re all set.
Carry-on luggage: You are permitted to bring one carry-bag and one personal item. Click here for carry-on size restrictions. If your carry-on is too big, it will be checked (see above for fees). Also, very important reminder, you can only bring a very small amount of liquid in your carry-on bag (in a clear zip-lock bag). Be sure to refer to the 3-1-1 explanation. Anything you have in violation of these quantities will be thrown away as you go through security in Cleveland.
Baggage tags: Don’t forget to attach your EF baggage tag. Also, think of some sort of “special addition” you could use to help you recognize your own bag more easily. Use something that will be firmly tied to your luggage handle (and not fall off during transport), something you won’t need to remove when you open your suitcase. I used mardi gras beads on my recent flight to Fort Lauderdale. I was easily able to differentiate my basic black suitcase from about 15 other look-alikes. Even though that worked, I wouldn’t recommend it since they weren’t extremely strong. But that was my fault since I didn’t put much thought into it until I was just about to leave home.
Snacks: If you want to pack snacks for the flight or to eat while in France, it’s legal, but choose wisely. Don’t pack beverages in your suitcase. (Legal, but heavy.) Bringing bagged snacks like chips and pretzels is also legal, but I wouldn’t since they would easily be crushed and the bags would take up a lot of space. Also, do not pack produce. Doing so is not legal. Take flat, non-crushable snacks like beef jerky or candy.
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