Web Resources

Page 1 | 2 | 3

Cheers from Canada! I flew from L.A. to Vancouver for a couple of days to tape two segments on a popular technology TV show called The Lab with Leo Laporte. The weather wasn’t ideal for exploring but I did manage to spend the night at the city’s swankiest hotel (it’s where all the rock stars stay) and eat at one of Vancouver’s best Italian restaurants. The following night, I saved some money by checking into the Holiday Inn ... I wanted to be on top of my game while I was taping the show and according to the Holiday Inn’s commercials, that’s what would happen if I slept there! If you want to come along for the ride to explore both a budget hotel and a luxury one, and to find out what it’s like to be a guest on Leo Laporte’s show, then grab your umbrella, your appetite and your pearly white smile because lights, camera, action! We’re about to go LIVE in the Pacific Northwest! If you don’t have time to read the story, don’t worry! We have videos at the end where you can see all the pictures from Vancouver and my interviews from the show.

BUYING MY TICKET
About a month before the trip I purchased my plane ticket online (using, ahem, a booking service on JohnnyJet.com, of course). The cheapest price ($270) was with United, but the seat was actually on one of their Star Alliance partners, Air Canada. Code sharing can be confusing so always be sure to read your flight details carefully, both before and after you book, so that you know exactly who you’ll be flying with. The general rule is to check in with the airline you’re flying with, not necessarily with the one you purchased the ticket from. Although, once in Japan, the opposite was true ... that’s why I say it’s a "general rule". In that particular situation, I was flying from Osaka to Bangkok on Japan Airlines (JAL) and when I checked in with them, they informed me that I needed to check-in with Thai Airways because that’s who I had purchased my ticket through. Go figure! Anyways, I digress ... that was a few years ago. This trip, I was happy to be flying Air Canada, not only because they fly a much bigger plane (A319) on this route, as opposed to United’s regional jets, but because I was still able to accrue United miles to keep my elite status. Another plus: Air Canada allows travelers to check-in online, something which many carriers don’t permit for international flights. This made my airport experience so much easier. Since I wasn’t checking bags, all I had to do was arrive an hour prior to departure, show my passport (click here to see the new extended passport rules) and clear security. On top of that, the older security agent who checked my ID, made my day when he handed my passport back to me and said that I have a smile for the movies. How nice is that?

LOS ANGELES TO VANCOUVER
Los Angeles (LAX) to Vancouver (YVR) is 1,080 miles and the flight time is a mere two hours and 40 minutes. The Air Canada agents were friendly and since the plane was only half-full, they did their best to ensure that almost everyone had an empty seat next to them. This was much appreciated because the seats are tight. So tight, in fact, that I couldn’t work on my laptop in my space alone. Instead, I had to work sideways using the tray table for the middle seat. (FYI: the seats on this plane have an electrical plug adaptor – see SeatGuru to find out if the next plane you’re on does, too). I didn’t have time for breakfast so I was starving and when the flight attendant (FA) came down the aisle offering Buy On Board service, I ordered a Harvey’s Ultra Breakfast Sandwich (egg, bacon and cheese) for $4. When I handed the young FA a $5 dollar bill she said, "I’m sorry, Sir. We only accept Canadian dollars." What?! I didn’t have any Canadian money on me! Then I was told that they don’t accept credit or debit cards either. I was cordial about it but if she didn’t take my money, I knew I was going to snap! As a general rule it’s best not to mess with a hungry Italian! Fortunately, she obliged ... maybe she could tell that I was once related to a Soprano. As she handed me my $1 change, she said, "Don’t tell my boss (the purser) because we’re not supposed to do this." I smiled and went along with it but I thought she might have been a bit crazy because I could’ve sworn that the in-flight magazine had said that both Canadian and US currency were accepted. Later, I checked and I was right. When the head flight attendant walked by, I asked about their currency policy; she confirmed that they do indeed accept both Canadian and US dollars. Maybe someone should tell you-know-who.

VANCOUVER AIRPORT
The Vancouver airport is one of the nicest airports in North America. You’ll see this the moment you step off the plane. There are glass jetways, which make boarding and deplaning a breeze, especially if you’re claustrophobic. Inside the terminal are high ceilings with a Pacific Northwest motif; the colors and artwork (including wood carvings) are cheerful and there’s even an outdoor recreation area with trees, rocks and a river flowing alongside the path to baggage claim. I felt so lucky to be traveling through YVR (its airport code) when all of sudden, those warm, fuzzy feelings disappeared. I couldn’t believe my lying eyes when I arrived at the passport hall. The line had to be 500 people long for both the Canadian residents and visitors’ line. It was seriously the longest line I’d ever seen, anywhere. Fortunately, there were lots of agents working so the line moved quickly but it still took 45 minutes and felt like two hours. As I waited, I was able to score some tips from passing customs officials. I learned that if you can, it’s best to avoid arriving at YVR between 10am and 3pm because that’s when it’s usually jam-packed. And if you get a Nexus card (similar to the US Clear Registered Traveler program), you can skip the line. It costs just $50 and is good for 5 years, which is a much better deal than the Clear Card. If I had had one of those bad boys, I would’ve cleared the line in less than two minutes. An agent also told me that if you have a connection within 90 minutes, if you’re handicapped or if you have a screaming baby in tow, you can cut to the front as well. TIP: If you’re traveling with a little one, this is definitely the time to take away her lamby pie.

1 | NEXT PAGE >> | 3





Copyright 2007 JohnnyJet, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.