JillFlorio

When I needed to get a ticket home from my Izeafest Blog Conference in Orlando, I chose US Airways from the list of Expedia options. The price was good. Unfortunately, the ticket price was just their starting point.

I had two bags to check. My flight out on Delta let me bring one bag free (I know Southwest still allows BOTH bags free). The fee was $15 for the first bag (50 pound weight limit) and $25 for number two (same 50 pounds).

So that was an extra $40 out of pocket at check-in.  Sneaky.

Once on-board I realized I was, for the first time, on an airline that charges for drinks.

All drinks, not just booze. They charge for water ($2). They charge for soda ($2). They hit you up a buck now for coffee and tea, while tiny bottles of wine jumped from $5 to $7. Of course free snacks are a thing of the past.

So anyone wishing to have WATER, plain old WATER, on their US Airways flight has to now juggle their time so they can:

• empty their water bottle before the security check…and then…
• refill it at the water fountains before they get to their gate.

Or else suck it up and pay. Not everyone is willing to drink water fountain water anymore. I think it depends on local quality of the water in question. I found Orlando water drinkable, unlike the barely potable supply at LAX.

The flight attendants were also less than polite about stowing my carry-on bags in the row behind first class.

Anyway, that’s the newest scoop on flying. I forsee things getting worse before getting better. I know that’s being a bit negative.  After all, they still provide all the free oxygen you want, right?

In a disturbing trend, as of April 06 Northwest Airlines started charging for their aisle seats. And for all exit row seats. This is in coach class, mind you.

Calling aisle and exit row seats “Premium Coach”, the Seattle Times reports an extra fee of $15, newly tacked on, for choosing some leg room.

Naturally we Seattlites don’t take our seat fees sitting down. A flurry of sarcastic Letters to the Editor followed this pronouncement, asking when Northwest was going to install in-flight pay toilets.

Huh.

Frankly this just sucks. I fly a lot. I live in the Northwest, home of this airline. I like the aisle.

What I don’t like are those middle seats, which I suspect the airlines are currently trying to fill. Or pack. Sardines, much?

If all the airlines start charging for aisle seats - and I bet the industry is watching the Northwest development avidly - then I will simply have to choose: be shoved between two strangers who might have ebola or merely stink…or pony up the cash when flying coach.

At least window seats are still considered cut rate. For now.

New York City - the Board of Health decides to nearly eliminate transfats in restaurant food.

NYC is a progressive city. In a brilliant move, the City Board of health decided to embargo transfats in restaurant food.

The Washingtonpost.com reports, within six months all New York City eateries will be required to switch to healthier cooking oils, and to reduce total transfatty grams to newly set limits by 18 months.

This is a real boon for travelers, who are forced to eat out most of the time. In my own home, we have banned all transfats - AKA partially hydrogenated vegetable oils - those deadly free-radical inducing toxic chemicals so prevalent in food products.

When you’re traveling, though, you are pretty much at the mercy of whatever bulk fat bins the restaurant taps in its kitchen.

So rejoice if your business trips take you to NYC, soon-to-be land of low bad fats. The rest of your trip might be expensive, but your health won’t get any worse.

More on New York and the tran-fatty acids ban.

DAN WRITES: It’s fun to look around and see the free baskets of STUFF a hotel provides. The schwag, if you will.

In the bathroom - My last hotel made a pretty basket with origami washcloth art, a shampoo, a conditioner, lotion, a shower cap, and a tiny packet with an emery board, four Q-tips, needle, a button and thread.

Did I use any of that? Well, nooooo. But I grabbed it all for my wife anyway, who lives for free things (whether she needs them is another question).

On the Desk - Packet of coffee, packet of decaf coffee, black tea bag, herbal tea bags of various flavors, packet of sugar/creamer/stirrer, napkins and paper cups. I used several of those things and debated whether to bring home the rest of them for Jill. Decided against it.

On the TV - Card explaining the free cable and the pay-per-view options. Card explaining the nearby bar and grill happy hour specials. Bound Book with hotel rules, safety precuations, explanation of phone use and local tourist deals. I didn’t touch any of those. They aren’t technically freebies anyway.

What about other shwag, known as Things Not Nailed Down? Towels, bedding, toilet paper, the radio? Um…taking those things would be stealing. I guess I could take the toilet paper and facial tissues if I wanted, but it’s hardly necessary. They probably charge you for them in the end. And, frankly, I prefer the towels I have at home.

I want to hear about more hotel free stuff - Read about my Top Ten Hotel Freebies.

While my plane drives like a monstrous SUV around the tarmac, waiting for some secret takeoff signal from the control tower, I note that each airline considers its tail space mobile company art.

I guess it’s kinda cute. It probably helps each airline with their image and branding…and is better than using that primo real estate for product placement ads. It’s better than seeing “Drink Coke!”, after all.

Here’s what I see while we drive along:

• Horizon - A big O. Looks like an Asian brush stroke, black and bold ans stylized. I like it. It seems to ask you a philosophical question about the Universe.
• Hawaii - A hula girl with big hibiscus flowers. It’s all in purples and pinks. Not bad, evocative and fits the theme.
• Alaska - I have no idea what that is. It looks like a polarized B&W image of Jimi Hendrix. Was he from Alaska? I just don’t see what they are trying to say with this one. I’d think a Kodiak bear, mountains, cresting whales or a sea plane would be a better image.
• Northwest - A serious font for a serious look - just the NW logo, white on red. Lots of color but am not sure how it helps their image. I would have chosen a redwood tree, a kayak heading into a sunset, or even a salmon for this one.

And that’s all I can see before takeoff. I am reminded how much I like the new Uhaul trucks, with their new and cool state-themed pictures of manatees, dinosaurs, planets and sailboats, et al. Looks like airlines are starting to follow suit. It’s not a bad thing. At least it’s something to look at while grounded.

An Alaska Airlines business traveler’s on-flight review.

Ironic that I am taking Alaska Airlines to Florida. But I do like Alaska Air - the coach has comfortable head rests and generally generous seats. The coffee is fresh and of a good bean…Seattle’s Best, which is only justice, since I am flying from Seattle. I managed to finagle a fresh cup as soon as I boarded - ummmm. So I settle back while pre-flight commences.

There is no Southwest Air styled humor in the safety presentation. That’s okay; I’ve heard all the jokes. This one is more quiet, to fit my mood.

And I do feel peaceful, even though I will be using this flight time to prepare for the presentation I will give at a women’s web writer conference in Orlando. I look out the window before takeoff and try to figure who is painted on the tail of the next Alaska plane over. It looks like Jimi Hendrix. I really can’t guess.

This is a small plane and we are about ready for takeoff. Non-stop, a hot snack only, all the free non-booze beverages you can drink, and films available only if you rent a portable DVD player. No thanks. I have work to do.

I notice the flight is full of men with laptops and cell phones. Reminds me of a modern-day coffeeshop. More business people flying to conferences in Orlando? Turns out that’s pretty much the case. The guy in the window seat next to me is also giving a conference presentation.

Way to go, Disney Imagineers, for attracting planeloads of adult business folk to the shores of your Magic Kingdom. I don’t even see any kids on the flight! More irony.

And now we are told to turn off all electronics in preparation for takeoff. I get out my notebook and turn off the laptop.

DAN WRITES: I almost always use hotel fitness centers, unless I am totally exhausted from travel or working, or from both. A gym of sorts is a must-have hotel amenity, for me.

Exercise machines I want in a hotel fitness center…

What do I like in the fitness center? I usually use a pull-down bar, lats press, leg press and butterfly machine. So a nautilus-type gym with multiple options is great for me.

A handful of free weights is a plus, too.

I also use a treadmill or elliptical trainer, preferably. Lacking those I will use a stair stepper or cycle, but those can be really tough on your knees.

What else? I like a mat to stretch on, a water cooler for bottle refills…and most of all, a TV. I will even plan my workouts around watching the game.

What game? Football or basketball, please. And I live for the Lakers. Go Wildcats! Yeah, Cowboys!

…Okay, don’t get me started…

A big, flashy car - whether a rental or your own - is only a come-on for thieves. Try a junker instead…

A big, flashy car - whether a rental or your own - is only a come-on for thieves. I try to keep a low profile during my own business trips so I don’t have to worry about people messing with my stuff, stealing my ride, or targeting me for unfriendly attention. Unless you really need to impress clients with your automobile, downsize your vehicular expectations.

I recommend those little boring motels right off the interstate for those quick overnights. There’s a good reason why it’s a great idea…

When you are driving between hotels and reserving inns online, it’s generally easier to book advance rooms at smaller towns. Not because you have to worry about larger cities being booked up or more expensive, but since they are generally easier to find. In small towns the Best Westerns and Super 8’s are right off the Interstate. You don’t have to drive around inside a new and confusing city when you’re tired and cranky! Yeah! You simply pull over, check in, and grab that well-deserved nap. Don’t forget to hang that Do Not Disturb door tag.

Common late checkouts are until noon or 1 pm. It’s a decent freebie for the asking…

A little-used feature at hotels are the free late checkouts. Just because your official checkout time is 10 or 11 am, doesn’t mean you have to hurry on those lazy layover days. Simply call the hotel office and ask if you can have a free late checkout. Then you can leave the hotel and have a great breakfast, see the sights…and THEN come back and pack up. Common late checkouts are until noon or 1 pm. I call that a SWEET freebie!