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November 2006
Ah, the rich live a little differently
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometimes, it’s amazing what the mail brings. Today, I got a Flexjet 25 “gift card” for 25 hours of flight on a private jet, something you, too, could hand out for holiday gifts. For 25 hours of flights on a Learjet 45 on 275 days in 2007, it costs a mere $134,900 (if you want to be able to travel on 355 days, the price goes up to $155,000).
Do you know anyone personally who uses private jets for travel? Is this something you’d consider doing? The card also can be applied toward fractional ownership of a private jet. The marketing materials describe it as “the perfect gift choice for those who have everything.” I can’t imagine having enough money to spend $135,000 (let’s just round it off) on private jet travel.
Alas, my card came with this notation: “Full disclosure: the personalized Flexjet 25 jet card enclosed is not activated — but perhaps it gives you a feel for how great it would be to open this amazing gift!” And it’s a good thing it’s inactive — because of ethics, we can’t accept free travel. Saves me the trouble of sending it back.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Travel in 2007
Have you been there?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The editors at Frommer’s have put together a list of top destinations for 2007. I was pleased to see that Asheville, N.C., a local favorite, made the list, and Portland, Ore., a Northwest jewel, did so as well. Others on the list are (in alphabetical order) are Ethiopia; Glen Canyon, Utah; Krakow, Poland; Minneapolis, Minn.; Okanagan Valley, British Columbia; Panama; Portland, Maine; Tokyo, Japan; Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; and Zurich, Switzerland.
Are you ahead of the pack? How many of these destinations have you been to and what did you do? Would you recommend the trip to others?
I thought Ethiopia a curious pick — my impression of poverty-stricken families and starving children is not the stuff of a must-go trip for me, but my impression is apparently somewhat dated. Here’s what Frommer’s had to say about the country, which makes a visit sound much more appealing: A surprising choice, Ethiopia has finally emerged out of the shadows caused by years of political strife, economic hardship, and famine. Improved infrastructure has made traveling there increasingly popular, especially among independent-minded travelers and those seeking adventure. Ethiopia is revered for its rich history as one of the earliest Christian kingdoms (the town of Aksum is said to be the home of the ancient Ark of the Covenant). Visit the monolithic churches of Lalibela—in particular the Church of St. George, named after Ethiopia’s patron saint, which is carved into the shape of a cross and is perhaps the most exquisite of the monolithic structures.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Travel in 2007
Food for flight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flying used to mean a fatty airline meal or an artery-clogging burger and fries at an airport fast-food eatery. Here’s good news from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a medical group that advocates for vegetarianism: The number of restaurants in airports serving low-fat, high-fiber, cholesterol-free meals is rising. So even if you don’t want a healthy meal, you have the option now.
The group’s survey of 13 airports found 88 percent of the restaurants (snack bars excluded) offered at least one healthy choice. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport ranked 9th - with 83 percent.
How do you dine when you travel? Do you like the comfort of a high-calorie, high-fat meal to ease the anxiety and aggravations of air travel? Or do you go for something light, knowing your body might rebel at a fatty choice? I do a little of both — I try to stick to salads with light dressing, but I’ll occasionally give in to an ice cream or frozen yogurt treat. And what’s your favorite airport meal and what’s the worst one you’ve ever had? (Mine was stale chips and a Coke from a vendie late one night/early one morning when the plane was delayed and the restaurants were closed near the Delta gates in Memphis).
Permalink | | Categories: Travel in 2006
Too much togetherness?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When you travel to see family — or they come to see you — during the holidays, do you all camp out in one house? Or do you prefer a hotel so you’ll have a little time away from Aunt Lulu when she starts telling the same story for the 15th time?
Two surverys shed some light on what travelers prefer. They were commissioned by hotel chains (natch), but that doesn’t mean their findings aren’t valid. One poll found that 20 percent of hosts would be willing to pay to put out-of-town guests up in an inn or hotel, and nearly a third say the thing they hate most about hosting family is the additional cleanup involved. In that survey, nearly 20 percent said they can’t stand how crowded their home gets. The other survey found that 55 percent of travelers “experience significant shifts in their sleep patterns away from home” (translated, that means they don’t sleep well).
What’s your opinion? Are you offended if family members want to stay in a hotel? Would you rather they did? If you’re the host or hostess, do you feel comfortable asking family members to pitch in with the house-cleaning/cooking? What do you do when you travel during the holidays — get a hotel or stay with relatives?
Permalink | Comments (7) | Categories: Travel during a holiday
Almost time to start packing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I don’t know about you, but I’m finding it hard to believe Thanksgiving is almost here. Where did the past year go? With the holidays nearly upon us, I thought it might be fun to share our best packing/airport tips for those of us who have to hop an airplane to see our families.
Packing light, really light is the secret to keeping your sanity with airport crowds. Here’s my tip: build your travel wardrobe around one color; for me it’s usually black slacks, skirt and jacket, then blouses to add color. Black is easy to dress up or down with jewelry or a scarf. For a weeklong trip, I’d take no more than three pairs of slacks, a skirt, a jacket, four blouses, a pair of walking shoes and a pair of dress shoes, in a rolling carry-on bag. And another tip: If you’re taking gifts for the holidays, ship them ahead; why hassle with getting them through security or packing them in checked luggage where they might get damaged or lost? And a final tip that’s probably too late for most people for this holiday season: Book your trip for early in the day; you’re less likely to experience delays.
What’s your best tip, especially for people who don’t do much plane travel? What’s your pet peeve with holiday travel? Any tips for parents traveling with children?
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Have you had a flight delay recently?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flights at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in September were more likely to be late than at most other major airports across the nation, a recent survey showed.
And Atlanta’s top three airlines were at the bottom of the industry for on-time performance in September.
Have you experienced any flight delays recently? What happened? Did it cause problems for you?
(A reporter is interested in gathering information about delays. If you are willing to discuss your experience with him, please email Eric Stirgus your daytime phone number in addition to posting a comment here.)
Permalink | Comments (28) | Categories: About the airlines
