Bob Jones Q & A

HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
Two European, one Asia/Pacific and a bunch of domestic, probably 10 RT per year.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
Between 80,000 and 100,000 flight miles per year which I parlay into 300,000 to 400,000 with partners, credit cards, telephone, internet, dining, shopping bonus and the like. Last year I gave away 280,000 miles to friends. As a family of one Platinum and three Gold members in 2000, we earned a collective 970,000 miles and points.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
First domestically and Business if I am upgraded.
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
Alaska
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
Best ones are the ones that get you where you want to go on time. Partial to Boeing products but was raised in the Pacific Northwest.
FAVORITE HOTEL?
Probably Marriott as a chain and "45 Park Lane" London as a specific Property.
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Fruit basket and Pupus
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
John Wayne/Orange County as a facility in the U.S. with Schiphol winner hands down worldwide.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
Playing with my 6 and 8 year old in those airports that have the sense to have a play area for kids.
FAVORITE CITY?
Bangkok... but it's really two cities one that operates in the light and one after dark.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Metropolitan Grill Seattle
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Either is okay in First, Aisle in Coach
ETICKET OR PAPER?
Which one can't you lose?
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Purely situational. I use both. I love packages and many times they require hands on customer service. The day of total pull down menus is coming to the net. You will be able to order your taxi to the airport, eTickets, Gatwick Express tickets, hotel reservations, make dinner reservations, buy tickets to a West End show and arrange for a London cab to take you from dinner to the theatre and back to the hotel all on one site. You will print your tickets and confirmation for all the activities and pay with one click!
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
OneTravel.com
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
One who listens well... I tend to talk about travel.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
My Swiss Army knife which I can't take along any more, a good book and a mirror to signal aircraft and ships when I finish the book!
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
Arguing with the hired help is futile. Save it for a letter and be objective when you write. Offer some suggestions that you think could have resolved the problem before it got out of hand and praise those who helped even if just a little.