EAT – Of all the places in New Orleans, Yo Mama’s! stood out…
Usually all you hear about is the gumbo, oysters, or jambalaya while visiting New Orleans…what about hamburgers? I don’t care for fried food, and the popular Po’Boys down here are just huge subs filled with fried…anything. Not my thing. Fortunate for me, a friend and I ran into Yo Mama’s this week.
A small place with about 4 booths and a long bar. They have a great beer selection. I started with Abita Amber, which I totally love while down in the south. The staff was very pleasant and welcoming. Not exactly a fancy place, as you’ll find down here in the French Quarter…either they are really high end or really simple. Dripping ceilings can be expected almost anywhere that doesn’t have a table cloth down.
The menu isn’t huge, the food on the menu is. Hamburgers topped with everything you can think of…including a peanut butter hamburger. The burgers are 3/4 pound giants with more toppings then you can put your mouth around. The side options included side salad, potato salad, fries, baked potato, or Mac-n-cheese. If you can eat a huge hamburger and a side, I would suggest the baked potato. They looked wonderful as they passed by. I tried the Mac-n-cheese, sort of bland. They also have several other sandwiches to choose from on the menu.
So after spending four days in New Orleans I’m really ready to go home. A quick stop at Cafe Du Monde for a beignet…oh my, that is a totally different review (and an absolute must if visiting New Orleans).
Drive – Should I Fly or Drive?
How many miles are you willing to drive? Sometimes a 4-6 hour drive is faster than flying. I just wrapped up a trip to Mobile, Alabama this week for work followed with a weekend in New Orleans. Originally the trip had me stopping in Franklin, Mississippi…but Hurricane Irene had different plans for me. I had made the decision to cut down on flights and drive from New Orleans to Franklin to Mobile and back again, about 12 hours of driving. With Franklin out of the picture, it was a 4 hour drive each way.
A couple things to keep in mind when deciding… One way car rentals can get really expensive. If you rent a car in one city and drop off in another, you pay for miles. If you rent a car and drive 1000 miles but bring it back to the same location, you are not charged miles. I’ve driven from Madison, WI to Cincinnati, OH. Same price as an plane ticket, but about 2 hours faster than flying.
I always think about security lines, possible delays, connections, and travel from airport to destination when considering driving. A 4-5 hour drive, like my drive from Indianapolis to Cleveland last month, makes a lot more sense to me.
Bring your phone charges and head piece, as it is illegal to talk on a cell phone without a head piece in many states. Sit back and enjoy the lovely scenery as you drive from LA to Phoenix or Boston to Buffalo…you’ll be happy you are in control of your own departure and arrival times.
FLY – Hurrican Irene, Rescheduling Flights, Hotels, and Client Events
Guess there isn’t anything we can do about it. My flight was scheduled for Monday morning, well after the storm will pass through Boston. Delta made the decision to cancel my flight and reschedule me for a Tuesday morning flight. I guess if you were supposed to fly out on Sunday you’ll be pushed back a day as well. Time to get busy.
If you are traveling like me, it’s time to reschedule everything. First we’ve got to reschedule hotel reservations. I like to book the new nights first and then cancel my first reservation, just in case there is an issue with occupancy. Then I’ll do the same for the car rental. I’m already looking to see if they will reinstate flights for Monday, to get out earlier if at all possible.
Finally, emails are flying (the only thing flying actually) out to my clients. I apologize for 80 mile per hour winds is all I can say. I’m missing meetings on Monday and Tuesday, hopefully we can reschedule. I also plan to check in with family, they may be concerned.
Buckle down and watch the storm. Be safe. Flashlights and candles are all ready to go…
FLY – 30 minute connections…maybe not at the Detroit Airport
You would think after over 6 years in the air I would have this connection thing down. I’ve seen the gradual reduction of direct flight options and am almost forced to take connections no matter where I go. I hate sitting at an airport unnecessarily, but buying tickets with only a 30 minute connection can actually be a really bad decision.
Let’s take this week’s flight from Boston to Greensboro as an example. I purchased a Delta flight through Detroit with a 30 minute connection. Did you know the Detroit Airport is a mile long? And as luck had it I came in at A51 and my connection gate was C32. There is no train to connect the terminals. I never ran so fast in my life. Now the way home was even trickier as my plane out of Greensboro was about the size of my car. So I had to gate side check my carry on. On my way back it was the same distance to run, but I had to wait for my carry on bag for about 15 minutes. Thankfully, my connecting flight was delayed 45 minutes, because I arrived at the gate 5 minutes after departure time.
Lesson learned, know your airport and expect the longest distance possible for connecting gates. Check out http://www.iFly.com for maps, distances between gates, and other helpful facts.
FLY – Airline passengers get new rights Tuesday
Huge article reported just today on benefits for travelers. I’m especially excited about compensation…
In response to some high profile cases of passenger neglect by airlines, federal regulators announced new rules in April to expand the rights of airline passengers, and those regulations take effect tomorrow. Forewarned is forearmed. The new regulations include provisions to:
- Force airlines to display all potential fees for services and amenities such as baggage check, meals, and canceling reservations on their websites;
- Refund any baggage fees for lost luggage in addition to current rules which say they must compensate travelers for lost or damaged belongings;
- Increase compensation for passengers bumped from flights and delayed for up to two hours to twice the ticket price, up to $650, and for those delayed longer than two hours to as much as four times ticket value, up to $1,300. Formerly shorter delays brought compensation equal to ticket value up to $400 and longer delays were capped at $800;
- Allow US regulators to fine carriers as much as $27,500 per customer for leaving passengers on foreign flights stranded on a tarmac for more than four hours. (This expands a 2009 rule prohibiting delays of more than three hours for domestic flights by US carriers.)
FLY – Why TripIt ?
Tracking multiple flights can be somewhat cumbersome. Especially if you fly different airlines, to multiple cities, and multiple clients. I’ve found TripIt to be a one stop shop for me with many additional helpful features. Here are just a few.
My favorite is showing me other members who will be nearby. From a networking view, I find this to be super valuable. I’ve scheduled countless dinners or lunches with folks just by seeing they will be in the same city at the same time. I’m sorry to say my screen shot below doesn’t show anyone, but normally it does. You can also use Tripit to track your points and miles. Another helpful tool if you stay at multiple hotels or use several airlines. You can link TripIt to your LinkedIn account, Facebook, or even Twitter. Most my friends are exhausted by the dozens of travel announcements per week, so think twice before doing Facebook. LinkedIn, being another professional networking site should certainly be linked.
Track your trips with as much or little detail as you require:
Sleep – Omni Hotels and GHA Offers Awesome Benefits
I’ve always said I’m a Marriott loyalist. I go out of my way to stay at Marriott’s no matter what. The exception is once a month I have to go to Indianapolis, and while there I stay at the Omni Severin and if visiting New Orleans visit the Omni Royal. I just received my Black status renewal for this year, the highest for the Omni. When I think about their program compared to say Marriott or Hilton, I was pretty impressed.
I already knew that status was based on nights, only 25 needed to for black. Every 5 stays earns you one free night. I’m always upgraded to incredible suites. Free coffee and juice delivered to my room every morning. Free pressing of clothes (a really nice perk). When I checked in last week, I was greeted by a champagne bucket filled with half bottle of wine, water, and a cheese platter that put’s Marriott’s attempt of offering brie to shame.
What I didn’t know, as I read more about my free nights, is that Omni is part of GHA. Offering me benefits across the globe. When I travel international, Marriott’s aren’t as easy to find as they are here in the states. The Omni is linked with hundred of opportunities. I thought I would share this piece of information from changes announced just 5 months ago.
World’s Largest Alliance of Independent Luxury Hotel Brands Launches Industry-First Guest Loyalty Program
“Today the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, officially launches GHA Discovery. This is the first ever loyalty program uniting independent luxury hotels across the world.
GHA Discovery recognizes a guest’s loyalty and rewards them according to the number of nights stayed rather than the number of points they have accumulated. The new GHA Discovery program offers experience-based rewards across 12 international hotels brands and nearly 300 hotels globally, turning a business trip or weekend getaway into a one-of-a-kind adventure. In Ireland, The Doyle Collection’s three hotels – The Westbury Hotel, The Croke Park Hotel and The River Lee Hotel – will be offering their GHA Discovery guests unique Irish experiences that reflect Irish culture. The program also provides access to more than 1,000 exceptional Local Experiences – designed by the local hotel employees to provide exclusive access to off-the-beaten path activities around the world.”
Pretty cool stuff. Read more about this and other offerings throughout Europe and Asia at http://www.ghadiscovery.com
Drive – Avis vs National
As a 6 year National Executive Emerald club member, I may be a bit bias in my opinion. So with that said, I’ll try to keep to the facts rather than stating an opinion. Although I fully expect in conclusion, my opinion will come across clear as day. Regardless, let’s take a look at a break down:
 |
 |
|
| Rervations | Easy online or call | Easy online or call |
| Changing Reservation | Easy | Easy, unless same day (have to call) |
| Car Selection | Can pick any car from lot, if Emerald Club (choose any car) | Assigned to you, regardless of status |
| Ease of pick up | Go right to isle, get in, drive away | Go to booth, look for name on board, find car lot by # |
| Ease of drop off | Scanned receipt right where car dropped, will email | receipt available at desk if needed, will email |
| Free Days | 4 rentals = 1 free day (anytime) | 3 rentals = 1 free weekend |
| Avg Price | $55 a day | $85 a day |
FLY – Airline Partners, who has my ticket anyway?
The confusion around airline partners and the impact it has on costumers is something worth talking about. The scenario is you go to Delta.com or USAir.com to buy your ticket for an upcoming flight. You show up at the airport, and your reservation doesn’t exist. How does this madness happen? “I know I bought my flight on your website!?” Has this ever happened to you??
The simple truth is airlines don’t work well together. I’ve shown up at the Delta terminal countless times in Seattle, WA only to be told I’ve waited in the wrong line and need to go to the Alaska terminal. Delta has improved a bit ever since the merge with NorthWest Airlines. Those days of ciaos are far behind us thankfully. But there are other airlines that have a long way to go.
For example, today I had a US Air flight from Boston to Chicago, but it was on their wonderful partner United. I showed up at United per the very small print on my reservation, and to my surprise…the kiosk could not find my reservation. I had to stand in line for 45 minutes to get my ticket. When I inquired what I could do on my return flight, she told me arrive early as I would need to do the same thing again. How is it in this day in age they can switch my airline the second I buy it, but I can’t check-in online, on my phone, or at a Kiosk?
My only advise, look very carefully at your reservation before heading to the airport. Give yourself extra time when flying with a partner. I know that I lose my status right away, so I can’t do the express security line for example. I also know that most Kiosks won’t be able to find my reservation. I know I’ll be the last one on the plane and there won’t be any room for my carry on. I know upgrades are out of the question, and my zone number will be 4 or 5. Better to be prepared then sorry.
Anyone else have experiences with partner airlines? I know there are some hidden secrets to keep your status. I would love to hear them…
FLY – Enhanced Screening Method Introduced at Logan Airport
I find it odd that my last posting was about how to deal with the inconsistent issues around delays and cancelations at our airports. Since that time (I’ve been on vacation) the newest of delays has come out from the TSA. An enhanced screening method to slow us down at security. This is from just a few days ago…
“The Transportation Security Administration plans to start testing an expanded behavior-detection security program today at Logan International Airport, the first airport in the nation to roll out the enhanced screening method. Under the program, TSA officers will speak with every passenger passing through the Terminal A security checkpoint, asking each two or three questions, such as “Where are you traveling today?” or “How long have you been in town?” Officials said the intent is to detect suspicious behavior – such as someone sweating profusely or avoiding eye contact – a process the TSA estimates will take about 20 seconds per passenger.” (Aug. 2, 2011 Boston Globe)
Wow, if you are one of those people that gets nervous because you are running late…you are screwed! Avoiding eye contact?? Are you serious? Yeah, I’m avoiding eye contact so I don’t accidentally punch you! LOL I’m kidding. Remember, take it slow and easy…”it is out of our control.”
I do however really hope this fails miserably and is challenged by every single person. I unfortunately travel through terminal A weekly. Sometimes more than once a week. I have not seen this yet, but will certainly comment once I do. My concerns stem primarily from an additional delay to the security line. First the shoes have to go, then the full body scanners, now questioning…what is next?
Thoughts?
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