2008 Woodie Awards
Johnny jets in, shares tips for cheap travel
Megan Donoghue
Issue date: 2/2/09 Section: News
On his way to meet the president of Costa Rica, budget travel connoisseur John E. DiScala, better known as Johnny Jet, stopped at the Pegasus Ballroom Thursday night to advise future globetrotters on the cheap ways to satisfy their wanderlust.
About 30 to 40 students attended. Many of them were prospective study abroad participants who received e-mails from the Campus Activities Board.
Alyssa Jurco, a senior finance major, said she thought Jet's advice would be useful for her own travels.
"I'm going to be studying abroad in France this summer," Jurco said. "I'm jealous of all the places he's been."
CAB speakers director Jenna Cymansky said she thought he would be the perfect fit for UCF students. With the economy the way it is and spring break being right around the corner, she said everyone could use the extra money-saving advice. She noted that being a study abroad alumna herself, she knows how finding deals on travel is hard if you do not know where to look.
That's where Jet comes in.
Jet was a 17-year-old boy with asthma who was terrified to step foot into the cabin of a plane. Now he is in his late 30s and has practically seen the world, according to his Web site, JohnnyJet.com.
The Web site includes information ranging from flights and hotel deals to the Eurorail and international traveling.
Dylan Wieber, a junior computer science major, attended the presentation to help him plan for his upcoming summer study abroad trip to Austria.
"He was a lot of fun and gave out great tips," Wieber said.
Attendants had their pen and paper out taking notes on the deals Jet talked about. At one point, he went to the Web site Airfarewatchdog.com and found a trip to Atlantic City, N.J. for $18. Jaws dropped at the sight of it.
"The one good thing about the economy right now is that you'll never see prices like this," Jet said.
He also gave tips on the best time to book flights being Wednesdays and Thursdays either early in the morning or late at night.
About 30 to 40 students attended. Many of them were prospective study abroad participants who received e-mails from the Campus Activities Board.
Alyssa Jurco, a senior finance major, said she thought Jet's advice would be useful for her own travels.
"I'm going to be studying abroad in France this summer," Jurco said. "I'm jealous of all the places he's been."
CAB speakers director Jenna Cymansky said she thought he would be the perfect fit for UCF students. With the economy the way it is and spring break being right around the corner, she said everyone could use the extra money-saving advice. She noted that being a study abroad alumna herself, she knows how finding deals on travel is hard if you do not know where to look.
That's where Jet comes in.
Jet was a 17-year-old boy with asthma who was terrified to step foot into the cabin of a plane. Now he is in his late 30s and has practically seen the world, according to his Web site, JohnnyJet.com.
The Web site includes information ranging from flights and hotel deals to the Eurorail and international traveling.
Dylan Wieber, a junior computer science major, attended the presentation to help him plan for his upcoming summer study abroad trip to Austria.
"He was a lot of fun and gave out great tips," Wieber said.
Attendants had their pen and paper out taking notes on the deals Jet talked about. At one point, he went to the Web site Airfarewatchdog.com and found a trip to Atlantic City, N.J. for $18. Jaws dropped at the sight of it.
"The one good thing about the economy right now is that you'll never see prices like this," Jet said.
He also gave tips on the best time to book flights being Wednesdays and Thursdays either early in the morning or late at night.