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I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas or happy holiday.
I did and for the first time since I began this newsletter in 1999, I am not writing my regular weekly column. Por qué? For once, I'm taking a mini-break ... two weeks in fact. But I did manage to write a few paragraphs about flying on Christmas Eve, which I’m going to share with you. I'll pick up with my regular column in the new year with the first story about my truly amazing trip to South Africa. But don't worry! You're in good hands this week because in my place, my brother Frankie D and his wife Cricket, who were kind enough to travel to Chile this past June to ski, are filling in for me. $@&!? Back up! Did I just say skiing in June? I did, indeed. My brother, a former ski/snowboard instructor, has skied all over North America and Europe but never in the southern hemisphere. So skiing Chile
was something I knew he'd really enjoy. He did and
after reading his two-part story, you'll realize why he
says it's the best skiing experience he's ever had! For
now, kick back and enjoy part one of that story; you'll
have to join us next week for part two. And if snow and
sub-zero temperatures aren't quite your thing, then tag
along with our friend Yuki Hayashi as she takes us on
a tropical vacation to
Honduras! Feliz
Año Nuevo, Happy New Year!
TRAVELING ON CHRISTMAS EVE
I flew from LAX to Philadelphia on Christmas Eve. The seven-day advance ticket cost just $125 and after making my reservation via Priceline (they don’t charge a booking fee), I logged on to USAirways.com to make sure that my United frequent flier number registered. It didn’t so I was forced to call USAir’s 800 number (800-428-4322) to have an agent manually correct it. As you may know, United and USAir are Star Alliance partners and by having elite status on one, awards the same benefits on its partners ... think: access to premium seats like exit rows.
On the other end of the phone (and on the other side of the world, it turns out) was a woman named Louie who barely spoke English. Louie sounded like a robot (doesn’t that drive you nuts?) and was stationed in Manila. She informed me that USAirways doesn’t assign exit row seats over the phone, only at the airport so the agent can determine if a passenger is qualified or not. Wishful thinking but I don’t think so ... especially since another agent did the same thing for me a few days ago on a different reservation. Poor Louie. She was trying really hard but was filled with so much misinformation and there was no sense arguing with her. I was polite and hung up. Then, I called right back and got a guy named Nell. He too was in the Philippines but spoke perfect English and had a mind for himself. Good ol’ Nell not only fixed my frequent flier number but assigned me exit row aisle seats.
Have you ever flown on a Christmas Eve red eye? As expected, LAX was quiet at 9pm but surprisingly, the flight was full. So when the gate agent offered up last-minute upgrades for $150, I took the bait and plopped down my credit card. I figured what the heck ... it’s Christmas and I despise cross-country red eye flights because I can never sleep. I hoped a little extra space would help but it didn’t. Looking back, it really wasn’t worth it because there was no special service (not even a pre-takeoff drink or a meal) and I settled for an unsatisfying, semi-conscious sleep.
Considering it was Christmas Eve, the flight crew was politically correct and all business. There wasn’t even a whisper of Merry Christmas ... God forbid they insult someone and get sued or fired. The good news is that we took off on time and landed a few minutes early. The bad news is that I had a four-hour layover before my next flight. Ouch! But at least this gave me time to really check out the Philly airport. My conclusion is that this place rocks! The airport is filled with lots of stores (that were open on Christmas morning), 57 restaurants, 16 bars, seven lounges and best of all, they don’t rip you off. I had an egg and cheese sandwich on a bagel from Au Bon Pain with a large bottle of water for just $5.48.
The airport even sports a few of those Charlotte-esque rocking chairs. I scored one and did some fantastic people watching. Man, you should see the characters that run through this place! The hands-down winner was a middle-aged woman traveling by herself in – get this – her bathrobe! My mom wouldn’t even have taken out the garbage in her bathrobe! What are these people thinking? Speaking of my mom, today would have been her 80th birthday. It’s difficult to fathom and it’s crazy how fast time has flown by. All the best to you and yours and see you next year.
*PLEASE tell us what you think of this week's newsletter!
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SOME OF LAST WEEK'S READER AIR-eMAIL
As I am currently planning a trip to South Africa (I'll be using Delta points and they will be flying out of JFK in June) I am really interested to read about you trip. Thanks! Laura S. NY, NY
I'm very jealous that you're in S Africa. I went there a few years back and had a fantastic time. Brett – Los Angeles
As always I enjoy your informative news letters. Am really looking forward to reading about South Africa as it would be a my dream vacation. E. Lewis -
I am glad to read of the beginning of your trip to South Africa. Here’s hoping you had no problems with asthma and that it was a glorious trip! Happy Holidays to you and your entire family! G.O. - San Francisco
I just got your newsletter today and really enjoyed it. Your photos are fun, too. I was laughing when I saw the bonus website of the week - Don't Drink from Hotel Glasses. It brought me back to my flight attendant days, when I SAW the housekeeper across the hall, as I was waiting for someone to let me into my room for some reason, use the same rag on the toilet, then glasses and coffee pot. Gross! From that moment on I always carried my own cup and never, ever used the coffee pots again. I also carried wipes (and still do) to wipe down everything. Happy Travels and Merry Christmas! Elizabeth B - Tucson, AZ
"SAA flies the Airbus A340-300 on this route to Johannesburg, via Dakar, which is the same aircraft I flew on when I was on the inaugural flight of the world's longest commercial flight.” The Airbus A340-300 is a slow old airplane. The long range plane you flew with SQ is the A340-500….and yes there is a HUGE difference in the two types of planes. John D – Huntington Beach, CA REPLY: Good catch! Thank you!
I was really excited when I read that JJ was going to South Africa.
That has been my dream also. Recently I read a piece by Arthur Frommer that chided the "New York Times" for its travel section; seems that the "NYT" is writing more and more for rich people. Rent a villa in St. Lucia for only $800 a night! Stay at the Ritz Carlton's Presidential Suite! Things that only rich people can afford. I have that feeling with the JJ newsletter. Johnny seems to have acquired a taste for hobnobbing with the jet set—seems all he will fly lately is biz class. Does he have any idea how much a biz ticket to almost anywhere overseas, especially to someplace as far as South Africa? And then he said that this route is a place to pick up serious frequent flyer miles. But flying this route business class? Sure, you can pick up 150% more miles but you have to be rich to do that. I do plan on following JJ's adventures in South Africa because I want to go there too even though I won't be able to afford biz class :( . But after that I will cancel because like the "New York Times" travel section, Johnny's tastes are geared more and more towards people with loads of money. James M -
In your article about using Dial 7 cars to NYC airports, you mention
the price: "$45 without toll or tip"---is it really appropriate NOT to tip drivers of transportation services??? (By the way, I DO love your articles!!!) Arnold K - REPLY: What Johnny was saying is that it costs $45 without toll or tip. You still need to tip and depending if the driver takes a route with a toll you will need to include that as well.
I just came across your awesome website today and have just read your beautiful eulogy page. I just wanted to send a note and tell you how moving it was to me. You're lucky to have had such a fabulous mother and I'm sorry I never knew her myself. I hope your holidays are warm and lovely - I'm sure your mom will be right there with you. Jill M - ?
I just wanna say thank for your blogs about your Malaysia trip... It is quite funny that most American have a great phobia with Muslim [countries]. They even get worried when they are the only non Muslim in the airplane... Thanks to your media... we are the black sheep. I worked in hotel and I had been experienced these things so many times by Americans. Then they said... Malaysia is not what they had been told or expected... I don’t know what to say, either Americans are ignorant people or they are not well informed (but they are developed country and they should get the information better then us). I don’t know.... But as the conclusion..... Don’t just listen on what people say about anything... do some research or just go and have a look... then you can decide.... Oh one more thing.. About your blog in Kuala Terengganu... Yeah, I agree, there are not so many foreign tourists... but there are lots of local tourist coming to visit-- especially on school holidays. Thank you for reading and have a great merry Christmas. Mohammad J – Leeds, UK (but i am from Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia).
FEEDBACK FOR JULIET
Your article is well written. I’ve been a reader of Johnny Jet newsletter for a few years. Being a resident of rural Hunterdon County, New Jersey, I was intrigued by your article on the Mandarin Oriental. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed frequent trips to Asia and experienced absolute bliss in ryokans and spas. Judging by the outrageous NYC prices below for just a few hours of pleasure which may only be affordable by the rich and famous, it’s far cheaper to travel to Asia for a week-long authentic experience if one has the time to travel! Kind regards. Constance H. - Hunterdon County, New Jersey
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