And the answer to all our prayers, yes the return of an old favourite feature on this site and the end of another, Holidos and Don’ts – no more boarding passes.

Boarding passes can, of course, be the bane of our lives as we pad our pockets a hundred times on the day of our departure.

And still doubt ourselves that they haven’t dropped out of our pockets or we’ve left them behind.

A lifetime of passes

Answer to our prayers: Facial recognition

Here’s a thing though, since uploading the passes to our phones and Rynair are planning on getting rid of all paper passes I’ve been getting nostalgic.

But for the Scary One and her constant spring cleaning of my War Room (I put pins in the destinations of a wall atlas) I’d still have a pile of my old passes.

With markers from everywhere from the Maldives, South Africa and Jordan to Morocco, the Caribbean and all across the States.

All of which act as mementoes which let you daydream and drift off to exotic climes.

On cold, wet, dark days of which there are many in Scotland.

And when you’ve got a list of chores around the house which you need to avoid.

Face values

Find your gate: It may be further than you think

Now we have the International Civil Aviation Organisation to thank.

For this new revolution in aviation travel.

The UN body wants to create a new ‘digital travel credential’ within ‘two to three years’.

Allowing passport information stored on devices and used for travel.

And meaning that you will be able to download ‘a journey pass’ where your face will be your key.

Of course, if you’re one of those accidental tourists, of which I can count myself a paid-up member.

You’d forget your head

Then there will be other challenges.

Such as not leaving your mobile phone behind.

As I did on my MLK50 odyssey through the Deep South.

And had to have a courier chase our coach 100 miles up country to reunite man with mobile.

Or misreading my airline and going to the wrong Lufthansa gate in Munich airport.

And despite breaking the speed record across terminals.

Having to lean on the stern but generous Bertha at the counter to move my flight.

So that I could hook up with my party in Athens.

But that’s another story.

I need now to readjust for the future, it’s all part of the ever-changing landscape that is, Holidos and Don’ts – no more boarding passes.

Countries, Flying

Holidelays and Don’ts

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As you wait in the airport for your plane during the air traffic delay crisis (or GateGate as we call it) some Holidelays and Don’ts on how and what to claim.

And all those Brexiteers will no doubt be aghast that passengers are still governed by EU law.

And will therefore not claim compensation for delays of three hours or more.

Say your prayers: That your flight will take off

Our friends at the International Drivers Association point out that compo depends on the following conditions:

Departure from an EU airport, or arrival at an EU airport with an EU airline.
Delay is more than three hours.
The airline is responsible for the delay.

Watch your pennies

Ensure you cancel any booking or parking to avoid surcharges.

And keep your expenses minimal.

Many travellers tend to go overboard with unnecessary purchases during delays.

So steer clear of this trap and mind your budget and stick to buying only what is necessary.

This includes meals, drinks, transportation, and even accommodation if necessary.

How to lodge a claim

I’m on it: Flying around the Greek islands

Contact the airline, refer to the airline’s delay/cancellation policy, and state your claim.

Include your flight details, length of the delay, and incurred expenses.

Arm yourself with knowledge and persistence—sometimes, airlines might initially reject your claim.

But if you’re eligible under EU laws, don’t shy away from appealing the decision.

The downside is if unusual circumstances (like extreme weather or security risks) caused the delay, the airline might not be obligated to compensate you.

But it doesn’t hurt to check.

Your roadmap

Follow these actions whenever a severe delay occurs:

Contact the airline ASAP.
Keep a record of the delay.
Retain all relevant receipts.
Lodge your compensation claim.

With these strategies, you can transform a seemingly difficult situation into a manageable one.

And maintain control over your finances, time, and overall travel experience.

I owe you

In truth, I definitely owe hard-pressed airline staff far more than they owe me.

And if I’ve let a four-hour Ryanair delay slide without claiming compo (it’s still there from Edinburgh to Dublin) then it’s small change compared to the help I’ve received at check-in desks around the world.

So when I misread the small print on my connecting flight from Munich to Athens Bertha at the Lufthansa desk my little boy lost act.

And put me on the next flight without paying an extra Euro and avoided turning a Greek tragedy into a crisis.

Add to that flights back from London to Dublin when either me or my trip providers got the times wrong.

Or when a certain Scary One wasn’t on the list for our Air France flight to Amsterdam.

All were resolved.

Of course for thousands of passengers stranded in airports and across Europe they clearly have not been so fortunate.

I only hope these Holidelays and Don’ts help and that you’ve had a good break.

Because money can always be replaced… memories can’t.

Countries, Europe, Sport

The Essen Socca Sixes World

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I’m thinking I hung up my boots too early… I’ve only been sent a personal invitation to The Essen Socca Sixes World Cup.

Perhaps, my efforts on the Meadowbank indoors court reached the Ruhr region of Germany.

Particularly a solo goal when I rounded the whole opposition and my own team to slide one home, perhaps my last goal.

Of course, the Ruhr region is the beating heart of German football.

And the Socca World Cup is just the lift they need following Borussia Dortmund’s heartbreaking near miss for the Bundesliga title to nemesis Bayern Munich.

And don’t just take our word for it, well do, but the German Football Museum (and me last month) is there.

Where Der Mannschaft’s four World Cups (count them, as many victories as Scotland have won games in WC competitions) are celebrated.

And one proud Essener, Helmut Rahn, who played for Rot-Weiss.

And scored two goals in the final over the Magnificent Magyars, including the winner.

A new pitch

Helmut is alas long since now up in the sky having a kickabout with the rest of those German heroes of 1945.

But that only means there is an opening for a new Essen hero, or at least another World Cup winner, deep in the heart of this Ruhr city.

You’ll have heard me rave about the Esseners’ efforts at rebuilding itself into a post-industrial, cultural destination for visitors.

And they have shown ingenuity again by erecting a six-a-side stadium in the middle of the city.

EMG Managing Director Richard Rohrhoff takes up the story, saying: ‘Not many people dare to build a stadium in the middle of a city centre.”

‘The pictures of this World Cup and thus of Essen are going around the world.

‘It’s great advertising for the city and tourism in Essen.”

Platz where to go

World in my hands: The World Cup in Dortmund

Forty-four teams from five continents will compete against each other over games of 40 minutes each.

Not only are the game lengths shorter but a team also consists of only six players with the pitch only 46 by 27 metres.

If you want to watch the game, simply go to the mobile stadium in Kennedyplatz.

And btw, neighbouring Schalke 04 have a real-size pitch they wheel into their ground every game).

The Kennedyplatz stadium seats around 3,000 people and admission is free.

Or watch the games live on DAZN which broadcasts around the world.

Germany open up against Cyprus tomorrow, June 2, at 9pm.

Best bar none

You win, you loos: The quirky bar urinal

One place certainly to watch the match if you can’t get in and are in Essen is the 11 Freunde Die Bar (11 Friends Football Bar).

Where the only thing I could hit was the novelty ball and goal in the toilet urinal that they have in the gents.

And, of course, this is just another example of one of the world’s great myths that the Germans do not have a sense of humour.

So take in The Essen Socca Sixes World Cup.

Because all us amateur after-work footballers can identify with it and believe we should be playing in it.

And remember that Germany is just a Lufthansa flight away from all major airports.

And as well as free attendance for the Socca, the soccer is also far better-priced than the English Premier League.