Townshend at JFK

Pete Townshend's in town, and he brought his guitar.

How do I know? Because he and I (and a couple hundred other people) spent an hour or so in British Airways baggage claim at JFK tonight. The only reason I recognized him in the first place was because I did a double-take after noticing a dude wearing sunglasses, in baggage claim, at night.

Seeing him was even more excting than the surprise business class upgrade I got handed at the gate at Heathrow. I watched "Spinal Tap" on the in-flight. Think Mr. Townshend did too?

Labels: airports, nyc

- posted by Amy @ 2/17/2007 09:59:00 PM

 
Flashy lights at JFK

Bit of excitement as we left JFK for England last night. We were on British Airways and pulled away from the gate about 10 minutes late. Then we stop and out my window I see three fire trucks and at least a dozen police cars speed out onto the runway. A few minutes later our plane pushes back further and turns so I can see all the emergency vehicles have circled a big plane just sitting on a runway in the dark. Couldn't see the name of the airline, but just a strip of dark color on the tail.

We taxied for a very long time, and watched several planes land. Finally the pilot comes on and says another plane had some problems so they had to shut down half the runways at the airport. Thus arrivals and departures had to share the same runway.

Have no idea what happened to that other plane.

Labels: airports, nyc

- posted by Amy @ 2/11/2007 04:53:00 PM

 
Bad airport, good airport

Just got back from a week in California to see grandma for her birthday - 39, she said.

Opting for the same route as last summer, I flew Continental into Bakersfield, which includes a transfer at Houston's rather unpleasant George Bush Airport.

On the way out last week, I was able to get a free but spotty wi-fi connection in Terminal B?? But yesterday at Terminal E, the only option was a $10 for 24 hours on Sprint's wireless (where not even the limited free access to in-airport info was working.)

But here's the real important thing you need to know if you're going through Houston: Your checked bags may get soaked.

When we flew through in July, there was a big storm in Houston. When our checked bags came off the carousel in 100-whatever degree Bakersfield, everything was wet. I had a cute new white blouse now stained orange. Most everything inside was wet. And there was nothing in there to spill. Other luggage was also wet.

So when I was sitting on the tarmac last week looking at the guys in the rain unloading the plane next to mine, I watched one guy take the bags off the plane and set them down in the puddle at his feet, rather than on the covered luggage rack two feet away. These were garment bags and other heavy-fabric type bags - all on the ground. Finally, another guy walked over and picked up those bags and set them on the covered rack.

Again when I flew through yesterday, also raining, the same process was repeated, though the unloader guy did put some bags directly onto the rack, others directly at his feet in puddles. (Picture here.)

So I don't know if this happens at all of Houston's terminal, but the place I saw it was at Continental Express (operated by ExpressJet Airlines.) So either make sure your luggage is hard plastic, or wrap all your stuff in plastic inside if you're flying through there.

So the good airport referenced in the headline? Bakersfield.

Best free wifi in the city, almsot no lines at check-in or security. They're friendly, efficient and fast. The Blimpies there now has a beer and wine license. And on top of that, if you fly into Bake, you don't have to deal with the evil, incompetent TSA screeners at LAX, or its parking hassles. You miss the traffic to LA, and that frequent game of whether the 5 will close over the Grapevine due to snow, fog, fire or a wreck, thus forcing you to drive through the desest or to the coast, adding three or four hours to your trek.

Since mom and dad now live near the airport, I was able to stroll out their front door about an hour before my plane was scheduled for takeoff, and still had time to check my e-mail at the gate before boarding.

Labels: airports, bakersfield, houston, travel, wifi

- posted by Amy @ 1/25/2007 12:44:00 PM