Amy's travel map



Dang, an awful lot of ads in their embed. ... I've chucked them.

Labels: travel

- posted by Amy @ 1/17/2008 09:16:00 AM

 
A free upgrade?

Unsure if this would work, but it sounds like it's worth giving a shot. ...

A commenter at GeekAbout says you're likely to get a free upgrade on your economy rental car as long as you request the GPS option. "That combination rarely exists - I have never NOT gotten a bump to luxury - Land Rovers etc.," he wrote.

(Link originally found via World Hum.)

Labels: tech, travel

- posted by Amy @ 1/26/2007 12:29:00 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