Jan 28 2009
Travel Update
Weather’s going to wreak havoc on the East Coast today. Ground delay in Philly already. Look for 2+ hour delays as you slop through the sleet and snow…
Jan 26 2009
Website Review: Business Travel Logue
BusinessTravelLogue.com calls itself “the complete resource for planning a trip”, and as part of the BootsnAll Travel Network they try hard to consolidate all the links and information you’d need in one place. Continue reading “Website Review: Business Travel Logue”
Jan 23 2009
The Good Samaritan
Stress makes you do stupid things, like leaving your brand new cellphone in the back of a cab while rushing to the airport multitasking all the way. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to do such a thing you’re certainly not alone. In Chicago a few years ago it was reported that over 85,000 phones were left in the back of taxis, with a little more than half getting returned to their owner. Do it once and you’ll probably learn your lesson…
…unless you’re a big dumb monkey…
For the second time in as many months I pulled this trick with my brand new Samsung Omnia. You know, the one I’m in the process of field testing. The cab company was of little help (thanks a lot Victory Taxi), claiming they were unable to reach their driver when I immediately called from my work cellphone curbside (I knew carrying two phones would come in handy one day). After a few fruitless calls to my wandering phone I gave up and made my way through security when suddenly hope sprang eternal.
As it turned out a good guy on his way back to the city had picked up my phone and was willing to get it back to me. By this time I was boarding my plane for Vegas and it was a comical juggling act making arrangements to retrieve the phone, but it was worth every minute, and when asked how I liked the phone, I happily obliged with a recitation of my critical review (stay tuned, the published version is on its way).
So I tip my hat to the honest benefactor who made sure my field testing can continue, and I’m reminded once more to pay attention as I travel. Next time I might not be so lucky…
Jan 15 2009
Travel Update
Big issues on the East coast today, with delays at LaGuardia pushing 3 hours…
Jan 13 2009
Lunch Review: Bigelow Grille, PIT
Located in the downtown Pittsburgh Doubletree hotel, this unassuming American style restaurant proved capable of exceeding the norm for a quick convenient lunch. Continue reading “Lunch Review: Bigelow Grille, PIT”
Jan 12 2009
Today’s Forecast, “Abundant Sunshine”
It started out so positive. The hope of a new beginning, a fresh start. When the Weather Channel says your first day on the road of this young year would be punctuated with “abundant sunshine” how could the world not be a happy place?
Then you get to the airport…
The brain-trust that is Philly International has, in their infinite wisdom, reconfigured the security check at the B-terminal. Gone is the well defined “first class and dividend preferred” entrance, replaced instead by the TSA’s new, wonderfully ambiguous, “Expert Traveler” label. Here’s a few words of advice to the TSA, every jackass with rolling luggage thinks they’re an expert traveler. Anyway, to add to the uncertainty, PHL has moved said entrance about 10 feet over…to the precise location the general entrance formerly was. So now every aforementioned jackass, AND everyone else who doesn’t know any better, heads right into that line.
Fear not, however, for manning the line is a crack shot airport employee, dutifully assigned to inform everyone that the line is specifically for first class and preferred travelers. That is, when he hasn’t wandered off for a few minutes, or isn’t distracted by his riveting conversations with his fellow employees.
So take note that the fast lane at terminal-B is, for the time being, a little less “fast”!
And while I’m lathered up, a polite request to airline employees who’s position afords them the right to cut into the security line ahead of others. A quick acknowledgement or remotely curteous request to do so would go oh so far in endearing you to the travelers in whos service you’re supposed to be employed. And when you do so it would be nice if you didn’t take twice as long as everyone else to get your belongings out and onto the belt. One USAir attendant this morning was wonderfully kind in doing just that this morning. Her co-worker a few minutes later unfortunately was not so inclined.
Dear God it’s going to be a long year…
Jan 08 2009
More Service Through Boston
Matt Phillips at WSJ.com’s Middle Seat blog discusses the numerous airlines who have announced new service through Boston’s Logan Airport in ‘09. New flights have been added by JetBlue, American, Spirit, Porter, US Airways, and Virgin America.
Anyone who’s been through Logan knows it has more than it’s fair share of delays, especially this time of year. So it will be interesting to see how the additional volume affects reliability, but it will also be interesting to see how prices behave with new service to the popular business hub.
I’m convinced US Airways is keeping their executive bonuses afloat solely on the revenue they generate by screwing business travelers going between Boston and Philadelphia. Just prior to the holidays in 2007, airfare on the popular business route tripled. I routinely grabbed last minute tickets between the cities for about $150 each way. At that time the weekday rates went to at least $500 each way, and they’ve been there ever since. Although it was infuriating, it also introduced me to the wonderful world of Amtrak, but I’ll opine on that some other time.
One of the more interesting additions will be Spirit’s daily service to Atlantic City. AC is about a 60 minute drive from Philly (under 45 if your jonesin’ for the craps table) and they’re trying to boost business through the struggling city by luring more carriers. The potential is there to create an alternative route, much like Providence and Manchester are to Boston. Then again, there’s already service from Philadelphia to those two locations, and I can’t seem to bring myself to utilize them. AC is as close to Philly as Providence is to Boston. Will the glorious buzz of those casino floors change my habits? Will it have any affect on fares? Guess we’ll see in May…
Jan 07 2009
Travel Update
Delays at LaGuardia are pushing 2 hours this morning. The East coast in general will likely be a mess today…
Jan 06 2009
Dining Alone
Mark Peacock over at TravelCommons posted several recommendations for dining alone while on the road, and one of his recommendations was Monk’s Cafe here in Philadelphia. I have to commend Mark on his selection. Monk’s is an excellent bar and restaurant (though a bit cramped) and has some of the best food and beer in the city. You’ve gotta try the pommes frites (french fries) if it fits into your New Year’s resolutions. Philly is a fantastic restaurant city, as our local waistlines will atest, and next week I’ll be introducting a couple of my favorites in our Philadelphia CityGuide and companion ChimpSheet. So stay tuned, and in the meantime, screw the resolution and order another Chimay Triple.
Jan 06 2009
Dedicated Commuter
Picture this: You’re 6. As in pre-pubescent. Things at home are rough. You’re out of juice, mom wont get off your back, and even that baby in the E-Trade commercials has a better smartphone than you. You just want to get in to the office and get your A, B, C’s on, and damn if you don’t miss the bus. What do you do? Steal Mom’s car of course. If only you knew how to drive.
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