Worst Case Scenario (International Flights/Connections)

Hi, this is Ming.
Well, the title is a bit scary but don't worry too much. I just got back from Malaysia (home-country) and had arrived in State College in the wee hours of the morning. I would like to share my travelog with some of you especially the ones who will be traveling abroad (specifically to the US) for the first time.

My travel really started in Singapore's Changi Airport. My original flight was supposed to be Singapore-London-Newark. Then my flight from Singapore-London was delayed and I was rerouted to Singapore-Hongkong-San Francisco-Newark. Then a typhoon hit Hong Kong and the flight was delayed for 12 hours. By the time the plane arrive in San Francisco I have missed the Newark flight. So they put me in a local hotel and rerouted me (it's already 3 a.m by this time)to a Philadelphia flight the next day with the final destination being State College.

What I'm trying to say is "don't worry". Flights get rerouted and delayed all the time. But there are certain things that you must be aware of. E.g:
Don't assume that your flight is on-time all the time (check the airport departure monitor they don't always announce the delays.
Whenever you are rerouted, please double check your luggage with the airline to make sure they are getting rerouted as well.
While it is frustrating to be delayed, try to be polite when you are talking to the airline personnel. They can't control a lot of the events e.g hurricanes or even heavy traffic. They also just doing their job. Be nice.

On another point, when you enter the United States, via any of the airports, your luggage will checkout and returned to you. You must collect your luggage and check them in again for the next domestic connection. Again, make sure you keep the luggage tags issued to you when you check-in for the first time...you will need them in the event they get lost.

Note: As of Aug 7th 2008, State College Airport (or University Park Airport) is being renovated for expansion. Due to this, the luggage carousal (where you claim your baggage) is closed). You will need to collect the luggage outside the airport. Don't worry, there are signs. Speaking of signs, look out for ISS Orientation signs and posters in the airport (as well as the Bus Terminal)

Where to send your luggage (from the airport) in Spring

Hi this is Ming. (The following information is for Spring 2009)

As we expect new students, parents, family members to start arriving in State College either by car, bus or planes (University Park Airport is the official name for the airport nearest to the campus), you may like to know the nitty-gritties of traveling to Penn State University:

Luggage: As the planes flying into University Park Airport are quite small (sometimes for only 36 passengers), your luggage may NOT arrive at the same time as you. Sometimes, due to the high-volume of passengers at the beginning of the semester your luggage may actually need to be flown in by another plane. When this happens, there is a possibility you won't get your luggage on the same day. Subsequently, IF you are asked to provide a forwarding address (where to deliver your luggage). 

If you're coming in in Spring (January), please send them to:

Days Inn

at 240 South Pugh Street
State College, PA 16801
(814) 238-8454

Days Inns is where you will be staying for the duration of the Orientation Week in Spring. 

ATTENTION: Please DO NOT SEND your luggage during the Orientation Week to any other addresses such as the International Student Services (ISS) Office in Boucke Building. That is the administrative office and there will be no one taking care of your luggage there.

As usual, make sure your NAME IS CLEARLY WRITTEN on your luggage to make identifying them easier when they arrive in the hotel.