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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
With Travel Writer ~ Alan Solomon

PROFILE

Alan Solomon joined the Chicago Tribune's Travel section in 1994, the latest stop in a 30-year newspaper career that includes seven seasons covering major league baseball. Named Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year for 1998 by the Society of American Travel Writers, he has won more than two dozen awards as a travel writer and filed stories from all 50 states and seven continents. Solomon lives with his wife, baseball writer Carrie Muskat, within walking distance of Chicago's Wrigley Field.

ALAN'S ANSWERS

HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
I probably average 10-12 round-trips a year, totaling 30,000-40,000 miles.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
About 25,000 to 35,000 a year, primarily among American Airlines and its partners, but a significant number with United and its partners.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Almost always coach. I'll use earned stickers (or whatever they're called now) or miles selectively for upgrades, but I've never purchased a non-coach air ticket
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, because of their cabin personnel -- though the improved seating room in coach has been a huge plus for American. Actually, I've had very few bad experiences with airlines -- and I've flown a lot of airlines.
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
Boeing 777.
FAVORITE HOTEL?
Amandari, Bali: A rare hotel that's worth the astounding splurge, even if I'm paying for it myself. In the U.S., I like the Argyle in Los Angeles, the Algonquin and Iroquois in New York, and the Jefferson in Richmond -- all historic, atmospheric, well-located and reasonably priced. I also like clean mom&pop motels here and most B&Bs, especially in the UK and Ireland.
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Morning newspapers delivered to the door.
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
La Guardia. People whine about it, but it's always worked fine for me.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
Hong Kong. Just keep the dim sum coming...
FAVORITE CITY?
New York. It celebrates life -- no less so now. And Hong Kong and Paris. Same reason.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Let me give you three: Goode Company Texas Barbecue, Houston; Elizabeth on 37th, Savannah; and Mimi's, a neighborhood Italian in New York with a terrific piano bar. I never miss them when I'm in those towns.
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle.
ETICKET OR PAPER?
Paper.
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Travel agent for air, cruises and packages, online for individual hotels.
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
Karen Brown guides' Website (www.karenbrown.com), for consistently reliable hotel and itinerary recommendations. The books are great, too.
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
My wife, Carrie Muskat. The best.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
Fire, one good knife and an encyclopedia.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
Roll with the hassles and the little screwups; they're never as bad as they seem, and you'll laugh about them later.