Airports & Tickets
Where and when do we leave?
YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT 2.5 HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR FLIGHT. Upon arrival, check in with your leader or designated airport person. Please don't be late. Your entire team GO Group will be waiting for you. If you get to the airport early, please don't check-in and pass through security on your own. Wait for your team GO Group. Your flights cannot, do not, and will not change, so do not contact the airline for any reason (ex. flight schedule, seat assignment, special requests). Seriously, don't go online or on the phone app and try to change your seat or something like that. The airlines tell us who is doing this because changes can mess up our group bookings. If your seat on the plane is a major issue (ex. you want to sit next to your spouse and for some reason you are separated) then change seats with a teammate. We have a lot of people on the plane, so work together to make everyone happy. And consider blessing a new friend with your exit row, window seat.
How do I get to the airport?
You are responsible for getting yourself to the airport and back home once we return. Looking for a ride? Talk with other trip participants, or ask a family member, friend, etc. to drop you off and pick you up.
What do I do with my car?
It's an expensive option to leave your car at the airport. As an alternative, we suggest finding a friend, family member or someone/anyone with a valid driver's license to drop you off. Again, work with other trip participants to arrange rides. Do not leave your car in a Crossroads parking lot. It is not secure (there have been many break-ins), and we need the parking space for weekend services.
Can I pick a window or aisle seat, or preference an exit row?
Unfortunately no, you cannot select a seat preference. Again, do not call the airline for any reason; just enjoy knowing you have a seat waiting for you. And we know that stinks, but some of you will end up in those cozy (or 'horrible' if you're a half-empty kind of person) middle seats. It's all part of being a team and the luck of the draw. Work together on the plane to change seats so everyone is happy.
Can I upgrade my group ticket to business class? - Seriously?
The short and blunt answer is, well, no. Even if you are a regular world traveler and have the miles to do so, do not try to upgrade your ticket. Doing so will mess up our group ticket. Part of the joy in this experience is travelling together--all seats equal. Again, don't do it. Seriously. Don't.
Some specialized trips to South Africa do allow people to book their own business class seat at a significant cost to themselves. The general rule is still 'no changes/upgrades.' Speak to your trip leaders about this if interested.
What types of ID do I need?
You will need a valid passport. The name on your passport must match the name on your ticket. If they do not match, let us know IMMEDIATELY because we may have a major problem. This is sometimes a problem for married women who changed their name but did not get a new passport. It's wise to carry a copy of the photo page of your passport in your suitcase in case you lose your actual passport. If you haven't already done so, you should also give a copy to us. If you have applied for, but have not yet received your new or renewal passport, and it is a month or less until your departure, please send an email to your leader NOW. Do not wait--we have to start the process of tracking it down or you many not get it in time. We will help you.
What if I don't live in Cincinnati?
First, it's awesome to have you on the trip. If you haven't already done so, please work with your trip leaders ASAP to figure out your travel arrangements and any impact on costs to you. You will need to connect up with the group either in Cincinnati or at a connecting airport.
What is the plan for the connecting airport?
If you have a long layover, please stay together as a group or at least know where everyone is at all times. We will do another headcount and passport check in the connecting airport. BEWARE: In years past, multiple people left their passports on their originating flights. This error cost them hundreds of dollars and many days of travel time. If this happens at this stage during your journey, or if someone wanders off and you can't find them, no one should stay behind and miss the international flight. This is not the Navy Seals--it is easier to get one person to an overseas destination than it is to get a whole group there. If you wander off or leave your passport behind, it is your responsibility to figure it out. Crossroads' staff will work to help you, but it is ultimately your responsibility.
Can I earn frequent flyer miles?
Yes! Woohoo! Some airlines allow you to earn miles, so if you are not enrolled in their mileage program, please do so immediately. Even if you think you'll never use the miles, enroll anyway. You can also donate miles to friends, family, etc. Visit the chosen airline to enroll. If you gave us your frequent flyer numbers in the online application and we are using that airline, we've shared these with the airlines. If you did not, you can provide them when you check-in to make sure your number is on there. Also, remember to save all your boarding passes in case you have to prove your flights at a later date. This happens a lot on international flights, so don't use those boarding documents as a bookmark in the Sky Mall catalog.
When do I get my plane ticket?
You will be issued an electronic ticket. Paper tickets are so 20th century. You should receive a copy of your itinerary from your leader before you fly. Keep this with you for the entire trip in case your record is not found. We ask you to not consult your Delta app for your GO trip travel details. If you try to move your seat or check-in on your flights, it will only mess with the group reservation. Please, for the love… trust us on this one. All last minute details are taken care of through your trip leaders, so no worries.
On the Plane
Can I charge my computer/phone on the plane?
Oftentimes the answer is yes, but we can't make any guarantees. We're also gonna stress this again--you should leave your valuables at home, including a laptop, your bling, whatever you deem valuable or that someone might like to swipe from you. You won't have much computer time while on the ground, and there is no safe place to stash it during the day. Keep this in mind while you're packing your suitcase. Anything you can't carry around all day could potentially be stolen.
Do you have any advice on dealing with jet lag?
Our advice is that you suck it up. In all seriousness, it can be a problem. Here's what we suggest: first, try to strategically sleep during some portion of your flight. If you are arriving in the evening, sleep during the front end of the flight, so you can get to sleep when you arrive. Vice-versa if you arrive in the morning. Get it? Also, we recommend taking one additional day off from work when you get back to the U.S. You will be very tired and going right back to work may not be wise.
What the heck do I do on the flight?
Pretty much anything you want to do while sitting in a seat for many, many hours. Read books, watch movies, memorize Deuteronomy, ask your neighbors about their views on politics and religion, whatever. International flights tend to be pretty nice and will likely have good in-seat entertainment. Two things to keep in mind:
1) You will be tired when you hit the ground, so we suggest sleeping during some portion of the international flight. It will help you on the other end. Many of our previous travelers praise the use of sleep-aids, aka, pills. If you go that route, make sure you test them during one night BEFORE you fly to see how your react. You don't want to wake up to find yourself peeing in the exit row.
2) Remember to regularly get up and move around the cabin to keep your blood circulating. Sitting in a seat for that long without moving around is not a good idea--otherwise, you'll end up with wicket cankles (or man-cankles, otherwise known as 'mankles,' if you're a dude), or possible something worse. Many people suggest taking a baby aspirin before a long flight to keep the blood circulating. That's up to you and your doc.
Customs
Bolivia
If customs ask you what your plans are during your trip to Bolivia, DON'T mention that you're traveling with your church group. Tell them that you're visiting friends and touring the city. You will have a tourist visa and that is exactly what you are--a tourist. The reason we don't want to bring attention to the fact that we are a church is because Christian evangelists are not welcome in Bolivia. We are not going there to preach and try to convert people to Christianity - we are there to support our partners doing work. However, if we make known we are with a church, they will assume we are there on an evangelical mission and will likely turn the team away. This is one of the many complexities about traveling to Bolivia, and your trip leader with cover this in more detail in your meetings. If someone from your group is held up in customs, do not leave them behind. This is when it is not okay to leave someone--groups should wait for each other and not leave the customs area until all team members have passed through
India/Nepal
Fill out the form you're given on the plane (you'll need your flight number and the address of our hotel). If they ask you what your plans are during your trip to India or Nepal, DO NOT mention that you're traveling with your church group. Tell them that you're visiting friends and touring the city. You will have a tourist visa and that is exactly what you are--a tourist. The reason we don't want to bring attention to the fact that we are a church is because Christian evangelists are not welcome in India. We are not going there to preach and try to convert people to Christianity - we are there to support our partners doing anti-trafficking work. However, if we make known we are with a church, they will assume we are there on an evangelical mission and will likely turn the team away. This is one of the many complexities about traveling to India, and your trip leader with cover this in more detail in your meetings. If someone from your group is held up in customs, do not leave them behind. This is when it is not okay to leave someone--groups should wait for each other and not leave the customs area until all team members have passed through.
Nicaragua
All you'll need to do is tell them you are there for a week with our church group. It may take an hour or more to get through customs--most of that is waiting in line--just be patient. If someone from your group is held up in customs for any reason, do not leave them behind. This is when it is not okay to leave someone--groups should wait for each other and not leave the customs area until all team members have passed through. If someone's bag does not arrive, go to the baggage desk and fill out a report before you leave the customs area. Once your entire group leaves customs together, head to the lobby.
South Africa
All you'll need to do is tell them you are there for a week with our church group. It may take an hour or more to get through customs--most of that is waiting in line--just be patient. If someone from your group is held up in customs for any reason, do not leave them behind. This is when it is not okay to leave someone--groups should wait for each other and not leave the customs area until all team members have passed through. If someone's bag does not arrive, go to the baggage desk and fill out a report before you leave the customs area. Once your entire group leaves customs together, head to the lobby.
U.S. Customs
U.S. customs can be a little tougher (probably a good thing), but it's still not that difficult. When you land in the U.S., and after you pass through passport control, you will need to collect all of your bags before you pass through customs. Be sure to pay attention to gift limits, claim everything you bring back, and don't try to smuggle a baby cheetah into the U.S. Once you pass through customs you will re-check your bags for your connecting flight home, pass through security one last time, and then head to the gate for your connecting flight.
Lost Luggage
This could likely happen to some people, so expect it and be prepared. Pack essentials in your carry-on and remember to put a good, TSA-approved lock on your checked baggage. An obvious one--be sure your name is on your bags. Again, do not leave customs without reporting a lost bag. We will have one person in charge of tracking down all lost luggage. He or she will take your report and work on finding lost bag.