Salon.com's "Ask the Pilot"

As a regular traveler, I try to keep up in air-travel trends.  From frequent flier bonus schemes, to updated airline security standards, its in my best interest to keep on top of all this madness.

So lately, I've started reading salon.com's execellet "Ask the Pilot" weekly editorial.  The author, Patrick Smith, is a commercial pilot for a US carrier, and flies a ton more than I do.  So, I find his rants and raves mildly entertaining.....

I was catching up with my pilot reading, when I saw his article about TSA insanity (link).  As a regular traveler, I agree that the TSA has become way too large, way too bureaucratic, and way too gestapo-ish (is that even a word?).  I've read about travelers getting their laptops seized as they cross borders.....apparntly terrorists haven't learned of data encryption and proper backup procedures....

Since its summer storm season both in Tampa and Chicago, I've been doing my part to avoid ORD like the plague.  It isn't too bad on Monday morning, but its hell trying to get home on Thursday night.  But, luckily, there's another option...Midway.  Flying from Tampa to Midway means Southwest, and it means going through the Southwest terminal in Tampa. 

For some reason, the TSA agents at the Southwest terminal (and only at this terminal, i haven't had any problems at the AA terminal) hassle me weekly about my saline solution bottle.  Since its considered a medical supply (being for my contact lenses, which I use to see), it isn't required to be less than 3 oz, and isn't required to go into the 1 Quart Bag of Freedom.  I get asked, "why do you need so much solution" (because i use it daily), "why not buy little bottles" (they are expensive, and its unsanitary to transfer from the large to the small bottle), "why not just wear glasses when you travel" (um, are you seriously trying to tell me what I can wear and what I can't?  where are your qualifications to give medical advice?  I travel every week and I like wearing contacts...deal with it).....i know that I'm ranting, but I'm sick of inconsistent madness that I go through on a weekly basis.....

How do you guys deal with outlandish airport security?  Do you remeber to remove your belt, cell phone, laptop, liquids (both medical and non-medical), dvd player, xbox, and shoes...and place in seperate bins?

Coming Soon to an airport near you - Bud Light X-Ray Vision

Wow..just wow....this is the classic example of giving government an inch, and having them take a 100 yards.

First, the knee-jerk creation of the Department of Homeland Security.....then, removing laptops (in retrospect, probably a good move, but comeon..everybody has a laptop now, can't they find a way to screen for laptops without removing them), then, removing our shoes on the grungy, nasty airport ground...and finally, the whole liquid fiasco.

Now, the TSA has procurred a new scanning machine that scans you and "look through clothing to create an explicit silhouette of the traveler—showing shapes, folds of fat and other anatomical characteristics—to identify possible hidden objects."

Granted, I fly every week, so I'm a bit jaded by the TSA and travel.  Given the complete idiots that I see working in the TSA, I wouldn't trust them to professionally view this "graphic image" and make a judgement call about security. 

If I was selected for further screening.....call me old fashioned, but I'm going for the pat-down.  If they are going to violate my civil liberties, I might as well get a piece myself.....

read the full article here - chicago tribune

Sarah - thanks for the link....

Why Vasa at the Airport

What type of sweatheart deal did VASA water sign with the Department of Homeland Security?  As a consultant, I've been to many airports...and they all serve VASA water.  Not Aquafina.  Not Dasani.  And not Nestle.......but Vasa.  I've never seen Vasa anywhere else...have you?

Feed your wanderlust!

Since returning from Costa Rica a little more than a month ago, I've been looking hit the road again.  No, not the normal "hit the road" (my weekly trips down to Tampa), but something more substantial and meaningful.  I want to go abroad again!

While I'm looking at my finances, my schedule, and my interests......I came across this excellent list of great travel books. 

Looking over the list, I have some reading to do.  Here's what I've read:

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thomson
Lord of the Flies by William S. Golding

Here's what I want to read off that list:

Finding George Orwell in Burma by Emma Larkin
Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History by Robert D. Kaplan
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
The Beach by Alex Garland

Has anybody read any of the books?  Anything else that I should add to my ever growing reading list? 

Volunteer Vacations....anybody done them?

So, a coworker just forwarded me an email from his older sister.  His sister just returned from Costa Rica (I want to go back!), but instead of partying and seeing the sights, she went down there to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.  After her Habitat project was done, she did get to hang out with the monkeys in Manual Antonio, and watch Arenal erupt.....

Over the last year, I've thought about going on a volunteer vacation.  The basic premise is that instead of relaxing, you get to help others out....

While I can't swing another trip down to Costa Rica, I'm thinking about heading down to Louisiana to help out in the post-Katrina madness.  Do a little bit of good while visiting a place that I've never been...seems like a win-win to me.

Has anybody done this before?  Anything that I should know before I start booking flights???

Suggestion for Airlines.....

As an elite business traveler, there is one feature that I would absolutely switch airlines over.

If an airline provided a seating chart to its elite travelers that showed the location of all the babies. That way, I could (as an elite traveler) pick a seat furthest away from them..and could get to work well rested :)

I know that I'm being picky, but this morning's flight was painful. 2 crying babies right behind me = no sleep.....

Why even earn American AAdvantage miles?

So as a platinum (the 2nd highest level) AAdvantage member, what's my incentive to keep flying on American?

I just received an email with these program updates:

AADVANTAGE AND UPGRADE AWARD CHANGES
Beginning October 1, 2008, mileage levels will be changing for select AAdvantage(R) award tickets and upgrade awards. This change will not impact the 25,000 mile domestic economy MileSAAver(SM) award. Members may book and ticket any of the current awards through September 30, 2008. On October 1, 2008, the new award structure will apply. For more details:
http://aadvantage.info.aa.com/?key=9kS9svbp5k3tnStMd94gvxl976

So in theory, there will still be a 25k domestic mile saver ticket....but how many of them will actually exist?


Also effective October 1, 2008, a nonrefundable co-payment of $150 will be required to claim upgrade awards used with most discount economy fares when traveling between North America and Colombia, Ecuador, Peru or Venezuela. Go to for more details:
http://aadvantage.info.aa.com/?key=9kS9svbp5k3tnStMd94gvxl976

Hm, they must have heard of my plans to use miles to fly to Peru....while should pay to use my hard earned miles?

Effective June 21, 2008, a $5 USD Award Processing Fee applies per person to award reservations ticketed via AA.com. AAdvantage Executive Platinum members using miles from their own account and members subject to AAdvantage Award Fees are exempt from the Award Processing Fee. Learn more at:
http://aadvantage.info.aa.com/?key=9kS9svbp5k3tn19nzlqff93S0l

WHAT? More fees to use miles that you have already paid for? I can understand paying to book a ticket over the phone, but online? What's next, paying to check in online?

Here are some unchanged items regarding their award program:

they are free if you book 21 days in advance.

$100 if between 20 - 8 days in advance

$150 if between 7 - 1.......

Watch out - the Luggage Police are coming!

The Wall Street Journal ran an article this morning about the impending "luggage police" that will be roaming the concourses, looking for oversized bags. The article also talked about reinstitution of a device that would reject large bags from entering the TSA security screen...

As a frequent traveler, I know how much I can pack in order to fit it into the overhead cabin...so this would probably not affect me. But this affects the regular person that doesn't travel enough to become Elite. Since I'm required to be at client sites, I (and ultimately, my clients) are willing to pay for that privilege.

Instead of targeting the regular person who rarely travels, wouldn't it make sense to target Elite travelers who aren't paying their own expenses?

Photoshop Elements Review

I just came back from Costa Rica, and I have a ton of pictues. Since I've been relying on windows to keep me organized (bad move), I just realized that I have no idea what img788234.jpg means.

So, I decided to give Adobe Photoshop Elements a shot. I read that the software is a mishmash of regular Photoshop and a good photo Organizer.

After installing, I let the program sift through the "My Pictures" folder...and it pulled all the images in. From there, I can go through and tag my pictures with the people in it (ala facebook), places, events, etc. Bascially, any way that I want to organize my pictures, Photoshop Elements will do it for me. great feature.

So now that my pictures are tagged (some, not all), I decided to play with some of the photoshop-ish features. In Costa Rica, we went ziplining during a tropical storm. I brought along my little Canon Point-and-Shoot, and while getting some amazing shots, most of them had huge raindrops on the image sensor. With Photoshop Elements, no problem...the cloning tool took care of most o fthem.

I've only had this software for about 12 hours, and its already starting to replace Picasa.

I've heard that it integrates with flickr, which integrates with Blogger....which means that it might be a few days before pics are posted...but thye will be.

stay tuned for more...

Back Home......from Costa Rica

Just got back from Costa Rica late last night....and the trip was incredibly amazing!

I'm planning on detailing out my vacation in future posts, but I'm doing some laundry, cleaning up, and getting back into the swing of things. Some of the things that I'm going to talk about:

- 10 trips down the worst road in the world
- attack of the white faced monkeys
- repelling down a 250 foot waterfall
- Tropical Storm Alma
- lava flow
- the boldest driver in the world

tim - thanks for taking care of the blog while I was away. Good luck tomorrow!

hopefully more details, and some very incredible pictures in the near future

While Sharad is on his vacation...

First, thanks to Sharad for the introduction. Since I know he is diligently packing right now, hopefully he has safe travels to Costa Rica and reports back some interesting stories from the trip. I am not as lucky to be spending my holiday somewhere other than where I live. So I've agreed to keep the blog going and hopefully the posts interesting.

I thought I'd give a preview of some topics that I will likely write about over the next 5-6 days and the websites that I frequently read. Sharad did a good job of guessing many of the topics I will be talking about - running, travel, and gadgets. This happens to be a pretty good breakdown of my personal hobbies and passions.

Travel:
Because I am such a travel junky and like my miles and points, I frequent popular travel forums. I like to find the best deals on flights and figure out how to earn the most miles and points. This addiction can get time consuming, but is very fun for me to do.

I currently visit the following travel related sites:

FlyerTalk


Airliners.net


If you ever wonder about how you can get extra miles or talk about airplanes, check out those sites. Some of the travel related ideas I want to talk about include fare and fee increases by airlines, the price of gas and oil, and airline mergers.

Running:

I am currently training for my first marathon which happens to be on June 1,2008. In the past three years, I have run 3 half marathons, a 15KM, and a 10KM. Some people would call me insane and I completely agree. There will probably be a post on the race I am preparing for - The San Diego Rock'n'Roll Marathon. More on this in a few days...in the mean time feel free to check out the race website.

Gadgets:

As Sharad said in the intro post, I am a technology consultant. Naturally, I have an obsession for gadgets. My favorite gadget right now is my Blackberry Curve. I am pretty excited for the upcoming blackberry releases as there are significant feature enhancements and hardware upgrades from current models.

Some of the sites I like to check out include:

Boy Genius Report

Engadget

Wired Magazine

I am also looking forward to discussing random interesting things that I see out on the internet and current topics in the news. Hopefully this post has not driven anyone away and will give you a good idea of what to expect over the next few days until Sharad returns. :-)

Introducing......Tim

As I'm off galavanting in the Pacific Ocean and the Costa Rican rain forest, my friend Tim has graciously offered to continue posting on this blog...

Just a little background on Tim. He works as a Technology Consultant in Minneapolis...and is up on all the gadgets. Without knowing what he's going to write about, I can guess that he will discuss Technology, Running, and Travel. Of course, he is much more disciplined in his writing approach....so it will provide a welcome contrast from my style of posting random drivel.

While I'm off...I hope you guys enjoy Tim and his thoughts....and I hope that you guys still around. I'll be posting pictures when I return :)

Thanks Tim!

Costa Rica Dreaming......

Just 2 days away...and I'll be hiking near Arenal, ziplining my way through the Manuel Antonio Forest, and hanging on the beach in Quepos....

while I'm off, putting my fancy new DSLR to use, taking pictures, and hopefully using this R&R time to come up with new stories for my business school essays...I'm semi-concerned what will happen to this little spot on the web.

Since I started this place in early April, its slowly picked up some momentum...and now can boast of 4 RSS feed subscribers, 1 email subscriber, and a very very dedicated reader located somewhere in New Jersey. Thanks a ton guys....I was skeptical about starting this up, but you guys have given me the confidence to keep posting my random thoughts!

So this brings me to my main point....while I am away on the beach, without internet access, completely secluded from the world....does anybody want to try blogging? Since I have set the bar very low, want to post on here while I'm away???

drop me a note if you are interested.....

California Visit - Haas School of Business

Will write out a more thoughtful review of my visit later, but wanted to post some of my pictures.

TSA absurdity

As many of my "loyal readers" (which I think only includes Mona and my mother) know, I travel every week. Week in, week out....I am at various airports. TPA, ORD, CHI, MSP, DTW....I know where the best bathrooms are, the freshest coffee, and most importantly, the shortest TSA lines.

That brings me to the point of this post. After quietly putting up with the TSA, I realized just how absurd and pointless the TSA is.

First event - I am going through security, and the agent sees something that he doesn't think is kosher. No big deal, happens every once in awhile, so I allow him to open my bag. He proceeds to rifle through my boxers, asks me why I need shoe trees (a - because they keep your shoes fresh, and helps maintain your shoes), and why I would bring my own shampoo (a - i'm balding, so I have super special shampoo to keep my hair in shape)......I'm fuming, but there's nothing that I can really do.

Of course, the pretty brunette behind me fails to put her liquids into a bag...so instead of rifling through her bag, he brings her a ziplock bag, and tells her to "remember to separate the liquids" next time. I'm pissed.....

Second event -

I land at TPA (Tampa), and I'm listening to the TSA annoucements. Off the top of my head, I believe that it goes something like this:

Due to heightened security, the TSA has restricted the items that you may bring through security. Please check with your air carrier for updated regulations.

I'd like to deconstruct this statement...line by line

"Due to heightened security" - ok, 9/11 was a good 7 years ago...we can't still be under heightened security. I don't think it is healthy for travellers to live in a state of heightened anything for 7+ years.

"The TSA has restricted..." - I'm fine with this. its clear, gets to the point..but conflicts with the next statement

"please check with your air carrier for updated regulations" - wait a second. you just told me that the TSA has restricted me. So why would I check with Jet Blue, Airtran, Air Dubai, or Southwest? Is it effective to have 6 different sets of rules? Would it be more efficient for travelers to go to the source...the TSA...to know and understand the rules.

that's the end of my rant for today.....if this post puts me on the "watch list", then I will follow up with my experience on Thursday. But, since my blog is small and barely read (other than Mona and Mommy), I doubt that anything will happen.

What's your experience with the TSA?

Doing the Wrong Thing for the Right Reasons

shantaram...

well, I know that I've written enough about this book, and you are probably sick of reading my drivel about this contemporary masterpiece, but I feel compelled to write one more.

So, while waiting for my flight back home to Chicago, I finished the book. I was so engrossed in the book, that American Airlines actually had to call my name over the PA, at the risk of losing my seat. But, I made my flight, stashed my carry-on bag into the overhead bin, and finish my book before takeoff.

The ending, like the rest of the book, was paradoxically great and drawl out at the same time. After 1000 pages of action and story building, we are presented with the final climax....and the final words of wisdom from Khader Khan. I won't give away the ending, but...you need to read this book all the way to the end.

Some words of wisdom from the great Khan:

"Regardless of the outcome, always do things for the right reasons. Its better to have done the wrong thing for the right reasons, rather than the right thing, for the wrong reasons."

"Determining right and wrong is easy. In the beginning of the universe, everything was simple. As time has passed, the world has moved towards more complexity. Anything, and any action, that impedes this movement towards complexity is inherantly evil."

and of course, he always had a toast ready for his enemies

"May he have 10 daughters, and may each of them marry well" (note for non-Indians...this is dowry issue for Indian fathers)

Now that I'm done with the book, I am nervously anticpating the movie.....so far, my research (a quick trip to IMDB) has revealed the following cast:

Lin - Johnny Depp (who bought the rights to the movie from the author, and is the producer as well)
Khader Khan - Amithab Bhachan....love it

With the perfect casting job for two main characters, I'm nervous about the host of other characters that need to be cast. The director needs to cast a wide net (hardy har har) to find the right folks. This search needs to be global, India, Iran, Australia, Liverpool, and of course, the US. Of all the characters, I'm most nervous about Prabaka. In the book, Prabu serves as Lin's conscience...and his infectious smile helps serve as a reminder of the good within Lin's most evil deeds....

so, two questions left to answer...who plays Prabu, and why haven't you read this book yet?

more about the movie when I learn more.....

Are Travel Websites the new J. Peterman Catalog?

Seinfeld fans are intimately familiar with the infamous J. Peterman catalog. As Elaine puts it:

"Take a shirt, make up a flowery story, tack on a 200% markup...sure, I can do that".

As some of you know, I'm in the middle of planning for an upcoming trip to Costa Rica. My planning has taken me to all sorts of interesting travel websites, and I'm trying to sift through descriptions like this:


Arenal Observatory Lodge -

- The Smithsonian rooms have a picture window and a terrace that allows you to contemplate the magnitude of the volcano while enjoying the comfort of your bed or one of the strategically placed chairs.



please note the strategery needed to place the chair directly in front of the window. I wish I had thought of that first!

- Rates include: Personal attention by our host service manager, List of birds (wtf?), 11 year old and up are charged as adults (how is this a selling point)????

Mountain Paradise Hotel -

- Perched upon a hilltop overlooking the rolling valley below [what is this a bird or a hotel???]

- Besides a wonderful ambient environment around the property and inside your room, additional personalized services can be arranged. One such service is the ‘Real Service’ in which your meal will be prepared and served by a chef at your room. [why would I want a chef to make a mess in my room? that sounds kinda fishy]

Arenal Lodge -

- Fire... See Arenal Volcano from your room at Arenal Lodge

Nature... Feel the magic of the tropical rainforest.

Distinguished... Experience the Comfortable Ambiance and Guest Oriented Care.

Lost Iguana Resort:

- A premiere, upscale retreat nestled gently in the jungle, the new Lost Iguana Resort in Costa Rica only offers rooms with large private balconies overlooking the Arenal Volcano with front view of the active face of the volcano as this page was updated on February 12, 2006 (the lava as been flowing very day in this direction since March '05). Naturally by the time you visit us the volcano could change is mind and flow in an other direction but the awesome panoramic views of Lost Iguana Resort & excellent service will always remain.

How do I pick between these hotels????

Also, I apparently can't trust guidebooks from the Lonely Planet.

My Event Calendar

I'm going to do my best to keep this updated...but drop me a note if you'd like me to add more shows, games, or events.

note - Chicago Cubs games are in Red....go figure

Clapping on a plane?

Really? Granted, it was a bumpy ride. Granted, the weather outside sucked. And granted, we are at least 3 hours late. But still, in this day and age of relatively low fares and constant travel, who claps upon landing?

I feel like I'm in a time warp.

Whatever happened to.....Bone Thugz n' Harmony?

So this afternoon, I was driving to the airport...and the radio tossed on a classic song called the "Crossroads"...and it got me thinking..whatever happened to Bone?

Think back to the state of rap during the early and mid 90's.....NWA was gone, Wu-Tang was doing weird shit, and 2pac hadn't realy arrived yet (other than doing the Humpty Dance).....

When NWA disbanded, the main 3 picked their disciples to groom....Dr. Dre had Snoop, Ice Cube had Chris Tucker, and Eazy Z went to the hotbed of Cleveland, OH, and picked up a fast talking, smooth quartet named the Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to mentor.

The group stuck in Eazy's shadow until his untimely death. Their tribute to him (the "Crossroads") brought them to hte forefront, and they become known for their smooth lyric delivery....crazy cornrows...and insanely fast pace....

they were one fo the only groups to pair up with mortal enemies 2pac (on "Thug Love") and the Notorious B.I.G. ("notorious thugs").......and, since they "split up", I haven't heard from them....

does anybody have any updates??