Travel Thread

Post by **RonnieFranchise** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 12:20 pm

It's THE 5 but don't call it THE PCH!

Luv ya California.

Post by **RonnieFranchise** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 12:36 pm

Found out I get to go away for work for the first time in 13 months in a few weeks.

Been needing to get out of here.

Post by **tifosi77** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:18 pm

shafnutz05 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 01, 2021 11:57 am Driving the PCH from Monterey up to Bodega Bay was a wonderful experience.

Except for the bit that's 19th Ave in SF (through Golden Gate Park and the Presidio), amirite.

We have friends that live at Bodega Bay on the hillside overlooking the sea. We spent a couple weekends up there with them, and it is an absolutely tremendous location. I wanted to go paddle boarding there, because there are frequent great white sightings in that area.

Post by **NTP66** » Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:21 pm

tifosi77 wrote:Source of the post frequent great white sightings

Great White. Show some **** respect.

Post by **shafnutz05** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 12:39 pm

tifosi77 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:18 pm
shafnutz05 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 01, 2021 11:57 am Driving the PCH from Monterey up to Bodega Bay was a wonderful experience.
Except for the bit that's 19th Ave in SF (through Golden Gate Park and the Presidio), amirite.

We have friends that live at Bodega Bay on the hillside overlooking the sea. We spent a couple weekends up there with them, and it is an absolutely tremendous location. I wanted to go paddle boarding there, because there are frequent great white sightings in that area.

Ha, yeah we did a little Presidio area sightseeing on the way up. I really want to get back to Monterey...and maybe after golf lessons and I get my handicap under 20 one day, want to play Pebble.

Post by **tifosi77** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 1:20 pm

Monterey is pretty great, love going there.

Post by **nocera** » Fri Apr 02, 2021 6:47 pm

One of my friends lives in Monterey so that’s a definite stop.

Post by **NTP66** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:08 pm

The TSA PreCheck application process was a breeze. Went in for our 'interviews' on Friday, and received the approvals and KTNs today.

Post by **shoeshine boy** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:27 pm

NTP66 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:08 pm The TSA PreCheck application process was a breeze. Went in for our 'interviews' on Friday, and received the approvals and KTNs today.

TSA PreCheck will change your life. it is worth every. single. penny.

Post by **NTP66** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:29 pm

I just wish one of our credit cards offered reimbursement for some of it. Ah well, after our last few experiences with TSA, I agree that it's worth the cost.

Post by **shoeshine boy** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:34 pm

I used to HATE taking my shoes and belt off at the check point. not sure why because I always had socks on but walking across those floors in just socks just...bothered me. now I don't have to worry about it. it seems every year the Pre-Check lines get a little bit longer but especially in an airport like ATL, where EVERYONE funnels through the same area, it's still probably faster then going through with the great unwashed.

Post by **NTP66** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:40 pm

PHL has gotten worse because they closed down a number of TSA entry points and were funneling multiple terminals in through the same area. So dumb, and always caused issues.

Post by **blackjack68** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:13 pm

Just flew out of PHL to TPA and returned from MCO to PHL.

TSA in Philly on the way down did not require shoe removal. MCO required it on the way back.

Philly’s line went quickly as did MCO lines despite having lots of people at MCO.

Philly’s terminal and baggage claim areas are subpar and dated. The bathrooms in Philly were embarrassingly bad.

Post by **NTP66** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:15 pm

That last paragraph... this has been the case forever. It’ll never change.

Post by **tifosi77** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:57 pm

PHL is one of the worst airports I've flown through. LAX is still the worst, by some measure. But PHL is bad enough that I'll pick itineraries that avoid it. (Not that I have much reason to be traveling in that region)

Post by **NTP66** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:28 pm

Lol, I still prefer flying through LAX as opposed to DEN, PHX, SFO, etc.

Post by **Shyster** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:07 pm

I've only been through DEN once, but I thought it was a nice airport. Same with ATL. Sure, both airports are busy, but every terminal is logically laid out and is connected to every other terminal with a central transportation link. I think both are much better than the "random scattering of terminals" layouts like JFK and LAX or the "my departing terminal is leagues away from my arriving terminal" like MIA or ORD.

Post by **tifosi77** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:20 pm

NTP66 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:28 pm Lol, I still prefer flying through LAX as opposed to DEN, PHX, SFO, etc.

What are your gripes with DEN, PHX, and SFO? I like all three of them, and the latter is the best domestic airport I've flown through imo, in terms of layout, TSA screening points, appointments/amenities, food options, convenience of travel into the city, etc. It also offers the chance for parallel arrivals with aircraft separated by only a couple hundred feet, which is neat (at least if you're seated on the side facing the other aircraft). I'm also a fan of over-water approaches, generally.

Take everything bad about LAX and do it opposite, and that's SFO.

Post by **NTP66** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:25 pm

tifosi77 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:20 pm
NTP66 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 6:28 pm Lol, I still prefer flying through LAX as opposed to DEN, PHX, SFO, etc.
What are your gripes with DEN, PHX, and SFO? I like all three of them, and the latter is the best domestic airport I've flown through imo, in terms of layout, TSA screening points, appointments/amenities, food options, convenience of travel into the city, etc. It also offers the chance for parallel arrivals with aircraft separated by only a couple hundred feet, which is neat (at least if you're seated on the side facing the other aircraft). I'm also a fan of over-water approaches, generally.

Take everything bad about LAX and do it opposite, and that's SFO.

No gripes at all with them, it’s just that LAX has the best routes for my preferences. If I have to fly through one of the others, it’s at a time or aircraft that I don’t want.

Post by **tifosi77** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:27 pm

Oh, I get it. We're talking about two different aspects of nerding out on air travel.

Post by **NTP66** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:46 pm

Definitely. I haven’t flown though DEN in forever, but I did love the view out of the window for sure.

Post by **tifosi77** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:55 pm

Old DEN or new DEN?

Post by **NTP66** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:47 am

tifosi77 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 05, 2021 7:55 pm Old DEN or new DEN?

Was it refurbished or something? The last time we flew into DEN was probably 2014.

Post by **RonnieFranchise** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:15 am

I like to fly through LAX just because I like seeing the variety of airplanes/airlines that I don't get to see in PIT. It's inconvenient as hell but if I am flying PIT-fill in connecting airport here-LAX I've already been inconvenienced. I realize this particular piece of aviation geekery makes me crazy in the eyes of people who don't know an A220 from a B753.

Post by **shafnutz05** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 11:48 am

PHL has a lot of problems, but I've always found it to be...just so damn ugly. Flying into other airports with beautiful terminals, greenery, cool shops, etc. Then you go into Philly and it's just depression city.

One thing I *DO* like about Philly...the long-term parking. I usually park as close as I can to the terminal itself, and often times I will just walk my luggage to the terminal. The key when you return is to go out the doors by check-in (NOT by baggage claim) so you aren't having to play frogger crossing the exit road, as I made the mistake of doing the first time.