TRAVEL DEALS, NEWS, TIPS & STORIES
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JET'S TRAVEL DEALS, NEWS, TIPS & STORIES |
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Airline Offers * Hotel Specials * Car Rental Deals * Cruise Specials * Package Deals * Bonus Mile Offers * Web Cam's of the Week * Website of the Week * Where's Johnny Jet? * Reader Tip of the Week * SkyGirls ?'s * SkyGuys ?'s * Jet Captain ?'s * Celeb Q&A * Chicago Tribune * LA Times * NY Times * Washington Post * USAToday * Columnists * Other News * Frommers * ABC News * CNN * MSNBC * Good to Know! |
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Here's a website you'll be glad to visit -- even if you don't admit it. Check it out: disposable underwear! Men can buy briefs and boxers, while women can get bikini briefs, classic briefs and thongs. Because they're disposable, you don't have to wash your underwear in bathroom sinks (or, worse yet, bring those dirty knickers home). "Onederwears" are made of 100% biodegradable cotton, come in packs of five, and range in price from $7.99 to $9.99. The packs are so small, they fit in the palm of your hand. Which means you have extra room in your bag for a gift for me. | ||
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WHERE'S JOHNNY JET ? |
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= WEBSITE Didn't have a chance to read last week's newsletter? Click here! HOUSE KEEPING: Remember when you click on the pictures in "Where's Johnny Jet," they will open up in another window. Just click the "x"(close) in each picture to get back to the newsletter. This should alleviate complaints about closing Johnny Jet. Thanks again for your support, and remember: If you book trips on the web, please go through johnnyjet.com (we get a commission and it doesn't cost you any more money). "If you want Johnny Jet to continue I need your support and the support of your fellow travelers". This week's map is featured by MyTripJournal.com . Click here to set up your own free travel website. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hello again – and here’s our first question: Did you figure out today’s destination from last week’s clues? Of course you did! But before I tell you about my trip to Chicago, we first need to get there. The Las Vega$ airport experience was much better than I’ve ever seen it. This time the check-in and security lines moved quickly -- but I wasn’t traveling on peak days (Friday and Sunday). At McCarran International Airport I boarded another new low-fare carrier: Ted. Ted’s not a person; it’s an airline. Actually, it’s an airline inside an airline. Ted is a division of United Airlines --that’s how they came up with the name (it’s the last 3 letters in UniTED). Ted began flying on February 12, 2004, and is United’s answer to Delta’s Song (we’ll take a spin on them in a few weeks), and other low-fare carriers like JetBlue and Southwest. It seems silly to me to have an airline inside an airline, but according to my friends at United TED is doing really well. All its flights are packed -- including mine to Chicago. Ted was my best option from Vega$. The 9 a.m. departure time was perfect -- not too early or too late. Better yet, I got an inexpensive ticket, earned United miles -- and yes, they count towards elite status. Ted uses brand-new A320s as aircraft (just like JetBlue -- how coincidental). Ted’s hub is Denver, but all LAX–Vega$ flights on United are operated by Ted. That means you might not realize you’re flying on them until you see the Ted plane. Which, by the way, is kind of ugly on the outside – it’s white, with orange lettering. But who cares what the exterior looks like, right? It’s like a pair of sneakers: You should buy them for comfort, not looks. Most importantly, Ted got me to my destination safely and comfortably. Ted’s interior is much more pleasing to the eye, and offers plenty of leg room. I was sitting in 7C, in the Economy Plus section. Economy Plus has 5 extra inches of legroom (it makes a big difference), and is reserved for United premier passengers, or others who want to spend $60 for an upgrade. These seats are rows 1 through 11. It’s not business or first class, but it’s almost as good. Unlike JetBlue and Southwest, Ted offers food for sale on board. That’s good if you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to purchase something ahead of time. My BOB (Buy On Board) meal cost $5. The price wasn’t bad, but my sandwich -- a cold hard-boiled egg with tomato on a bagel -- was lousy. I can’t complain, though, because at least I didn’t starve. The biggest difference I noticed between Ted and its parent airline is that flight attendants don’t give out entire cans of soda, as they do on United. On Ted, they pour a small glass. Ted boasts about its exclusive onboard entertainment (dubbed "Tedevision") and its "Tedtunes." Ted claims it features a variety of programming, in keeping with Ted's relaxed personality, including hit television shows like "Friends" and "Scrubs." Tedtunes offers 15 channels of music, ranging from Latin, dance, club and easy listening to kids' music. However, once you fly JetBlue you realize "Tedevision" and "Tedtunes" are so lame. JetBlue has 26 channels of live TV, and will soon add live satellite radio. Now that’s entertainment! Reruns of shows just can’t compete. I landed at O’Hare and was not going to spend $40 to take a taxi downtown and get stuck in traffic (I learned my lesson once). Instead I took CTA (Chicago Transit Authority). The locals call it the Blue Line, and it’s easy to find: Just follow the CTA signs out of baggage claim. You have to take a few escalators down and it’s kind of a long walk underground, but it’s bag-friendly. I used to always take this when Amber Airplane, my ex-girlfriend, lived in Chicago. Every time at least one of the four magic carpets (moving walkways) would be out of order, and guess what? It was broken again. The best part of the trip downtown is that it costs only $1.75, and takes 45 minutes. You can’t beat the price or time if there is traffic (a taxi ride without traffic takes about 20 minutes). The only bad part is that the train is so loud, it’s hard to talk on the phone or even think. I got off at the Clarke/Lake exit. I could have transferred to the Red Line for free, but I was anxious to get to my hotel – after all, I was staying at one of Chicago’s best. The short taxi ride cost $7 (with tip). I got out at the Four Seasons. That’s right, baby: the Four Seasons! How lucky am I? Being a rookie, I didn’t know the hotel begins on the 7th floor (the first 6 floors are premier retail shops -- about 75 stores that include Bloomingdale's, Gucci, Max Mara, etc), so my arrival could have been a scene from a TV show. Rather getting help from the doorman I walked in to what I thought was the Four Seasons lobby. Wrong! Instead I entered an upscale apartment building right next door. The Four Seasons doorman (who I know was thinking, "you should've taken my help") directed me to the right entrance. Finally I thought I was in the Four Seasons lobby -- but it was just the ground floor of the building. I walked up to a small, out-of-the-way desk in what was probably once a closet. I thought to myself, "What an unflattering front desk." I put my credit card down and said I was there to check in. The person behind the desk was a security guard, and I know she wanted to burst out laughing. When I figured out what I had done, I was so embarrassed I wanted to cry. Once I got off the elevator on the 7th floor and saw the huge open lobby, I knew I was in the right place. The lobby was grand: marble floors, antique English furniture, fresh-cut bouquets of colorful flowers, and plenty of staff members eager to help. I checked in, and was escorted to my room. The Four Seasons has 343 guest rooms. Mine was not an ordinary one. It was a suite – which, to put it mildly, was sweet! Not only were the bedroom and living room decorated perfectly, but the king-size bed was to die for. (I’m not the only one who liked it -- they sell over 200 a year through their gift shop-- prices range from $1200 to $1800). The bathroom had a shower and bath, and both were filled with the best toiletries. Every room has superb views of the city or Lake Michigan -- and I had both. The scenery was incredible. To top it off, they greeted me with not only fresh fruit and cookies, but a pitcher of iced tea that (here’s the kicker) had a homemade Johnny Jet sticker on it! How cool is that? I felt like I was in a long-lost friend’s home, not a hotel for the first time. Four Seasons Chicago: 120 East Delaware Place, Chicago; tel.: (312) 280-8800. The best deals by far are their packages. Unfortunately I was running late, and did not have much time to look around. I was in Chicago to do one of my regular 8-minute segments on WTTW’s "Chicago Tonight." Because I was pressed for time, I was stoked that the Four Seasons offers complimentary high-speed in each room. Downloading hundreds of emails went quickly and painlessly. After my segment I had dinner with Jennifer, the Four Seasons’ public relations person. Instead of eating in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant Seasons (which I did the next day -- the food is really good, but the atmosphere was a little too stuffy for me), we took a short walk to Rush Street and ate outside at Hugo's Frog Bar and Fish House. I don’t eat seafood, but they offer plenty of landlubber dishes. And the portions are so large, we needed a taxi to return to the hotel. But this was not your typical taxi. It was a London Cab. Cab companies in a few select cities have ordered these extra spacious taxis. Hugo's Frog Bar and Fish House: 1024 North Rush St. (between Oak St. and Bellevue), Chicago; tel.: (312) 640-0999. Back at the hotel, Jennifer showed me the rest of the Four Seasons. The highlight was the spa and fitness club, with its indoor Roman-columned skylit pool, high-tech training equipment, whirlpool, sauna, steam room, massage, body polish, facial treatments and nail care. If the pool looks familiar that’s because you saw it in the movie "Home Alone 2." I was happy to learn that the Four Seasons offers free drinks bottled water and fountain drinks next to the pool. The next morning I opened the curtains, and was greeted to another day of spectacular views. Take a look at this picture: Doesn’t it look more like Florida than Illinois? I decided to forget about my work, and check out the beach. As you know, Chicago is on Lake Michigan, which is so big it looks like an ocean. It was a glorious day, and everyone was out walking, running, riding bikes or just lying around (a few people were actually swimming). I walked along the path to prove to myself this was not a mirage. I wondered if I had walked back home to Southern California, because there was an AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) tournament going on. It was set up exactly like the Manhattan Beach or Hermosa Beach tournaments. Not only did the sand look Californian, but I ran into many people I know. The coolest part was that I got to meet a few Olympic champions. The following day I took a walk down fashionable Michigan Avenue. The Four Seasons is in the very heart of the best shopping area. I had lunch with a friend at Food Life, my favorite Chicago restaurant. I’ve written about it before; if you’re new or don’t remember, it’s a gigantic food court with more than a dozen stations offering every kind of food imaginable (including one of the tastiest bakeries around). Unlike most food courts, you get a card that records your purchases at each station, so you only pay once when you leave. Food Life: 835 N. Michigan Ave. (Water Tower Place), Chicago; tel.: (312) 335-3663. Next week I will tell you how I was picked up by surprise guests, and took a 4- hour drive to another state for a very fine, fun weekend retreat. Happy Travels, Johnny Jet *Please tell us what you think of this week's newsletter! and book all your online travel through JohnnyJet.com. |
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Independence Air Review
After her first couple of days back to school, my twelve year old daughter was less than thrilled about life in general. Getting on a plane at O’hare to fly to a family wedding in Washington, DC had her really bummed. For the first time, we were flying Independence Air and she was sure it would be horrible. As we boarded, she turned with her face alight to exclaim, “Ooh, cool! It’s purple!” The newly upholstered seats reflected the sunlight across the purple leather! The attendant explained that the color is really called “Independence Blue”! It is a vibrant and happy color that turned Debbie’s attitude immediately. Because the airline allowed early arriving passengers to get onto previous flights, our evening flight was flying with a handful of passengers. Debbie got to pick whichever seat her heart desired. She was thrilled to get to choose the First Row and insisted that I join her there to play cards on our way East. Independence Air plays recordings of celebrities welcoming passengers and giving the “safety speech.” We listened carefully to Mia Hamm welcome us, just hours after the US women’s soccer team won gold at the Olympics! We are women’s soccer fans – and this really cemented my daughter’s endorsement of Independence Air. We had no idea what to expect on this new airline. Beverages were offered, including sodas, juice, brewed ice tea and coffee. (Beer and wine were for sale.) Bags of pretzels, Sunchips, cookies, and granola bars were offered. Perfect snacks before dinner in DC. And the flight attendant was very friendly, engaging my daughter (and offering her seconds)! While storms raged around the country, the pilot carefully guided the plane through smooth skies. Impressive. With $25 savings with our first online purchase from Independence Air (each family member registered for an iclub membership), the roundtrip tickets were only $133.20 each, including tax and fees! Ooh, cool. We’ll fly Independence Air again. Kathy Keener-Han P.S. The Washington DC Dulles Airport is the hub for Independence. It is decorated in a fun, modern style. Exiting, they have a pair of the purple/Indepence Blue leather seats hanging on the wall with a note that in some places, they are considered “art”! Have A Travel Tip or Travel Joke? (Send it to Johnny@johnnyjet.com) |
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OTHER NEWS |
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US Airways files for Chapter 11: What does it mean for travelers? US Airways filed for Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code for the second time since 2001. Bankruptcy protection will allow US Airways' management to continue to run day-to-day business operations, but a bankruptcy court will oversee all business decisions. US Airways hopes to restructure itself by lowering costs, simplifying its fare structure, and expanding its service. Click Here To Read Article |
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