MaydayMark

My favorite is when housekeeping calls and asks if you know that your DND sign is up!*?

I calmly explain that it's supposed to keep jackwads like you from calling and waking me up!*? I then ask them if there is anything else I can do to make the message easier for them?

I almost always call the front desk next and complain. Sometimes it was good for free lounge coupons or free breakfast.

Flybywyr

The Omni in Indy issues "Red" DND signs to crews. They say something about flight crew or day sleeper on them. I think being the color Red is the best hook for housekeeping.

BillyBaroo

To all, thanks for the replies. Just in the replies, there were some issues that also need to be addressed (i.e. Security). We overnight domestic, but it is still a valid concern. The hotel in Oakland that we use also issues us a red DND that differs from the normal room one, which then alerts the maids. Enough to where they know whay it is, benign to the average traveler. Thanks again for everyone's input.

CaptYoda

Some hotels use certain floor just for airline crews, and DND signs posted are hit or miss as are advance notifications to the front desk. It's hard to control the environment because you could well have a DND sign up but sometime during the day the vaccuming starts, or else hallway congregations can always disturb your rest. I have been at several 5 Star hotels overseas especially where there is a wedding or drunken party over the weekend with noise and music all through the night. I remember a case in Mumbai when a B747 skipper from BA called in fatigued because he couldnt get any rest because of this. It made the morning paper in Mumbai and created a lot of ruckus. But BA supported him 100%. In this new age of terrorism it is best to keep the lowest of profiles. We Americans generally are very bad at this. Ask anyone in a bar overseas and they will tell you they can spot us very easily. It usually is because we tend to be louder than the rest, and our clothers (T-shirts, especially) make some strong statement, not to mention our flight bags! Hotels overseas usually insist on your passport at check in, and I would do my best to avoid providing it. Incidentally, I was in a hotel in India the day of the attack. I used to carry a smoke mask on my overnights (got a lot of laughs from some). Smoke ingestion is the biggest killer in hotel fires. I also would put a glass of coins on a chair against the door as a cheap advance warning system. Keep your phone fully charged and if at all possible have an extra battery. Be safe out there and always maintain your SA, just like when you fly.

BillyBaroo

Good info Yoda. Although these boards can corral the tin foil hat club members, it also benefits as an impromptu round table discussion of varying topics where synergies spur great ideas.

Huck

For security, the simplest solution is the best - a rubber door stop, placed in front of the door before you go to bed.

Nightflyer

Veritas® Traveller's Doorstop - Lee Valley Tools

Not sure if you could get it through security or not, but it looks pretty good.

MaxKts

I carry a metal plate, some wire and a large capacitor. One lead from the capacitor is attached to the metal plate that is slid under the door. The other lead is attached to the door knob. They usually only try once to open the door!

CaptYoda

Once bitten twice shy! You may have trouble taking it all through security though.

Mark2792

Heh!

At a previous company, we flew into Pisa, Italy and stayed in a downtown hotel. This place was NOTORIOUS for having the maids try to walk into the room while you were asleep during the day. One of our pilots got fed up with it and decided to take a different tack since he had a long layover; He laid on the top of the bed completely naked and read a book while waiting for the sound of someone trying to come in. 30 minutes later, like clockwork...

"WHA! OOHH!" was what he heard as the woman flew back out of the room....

-Problem solved-