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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
Catharine Hamm ~ LA Times Deputy Travel Editor

PROFILE

Catharine Hamm joined the staff of the Los Angeles Times as deputy travel editor in 1999. Previously, she was the editor of the newspaper in Salinas, Calif., the managing editor of The Sun in San Bernardino County, Calif.; and the deputy managing editor of The Kansas City Star, where she also served as the travel editor for five years. She received her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and did master’s work at the University of Kansas and Simmons College Graduate School of Management in Boston. She is a native of New York but counts Virginia, Hawaii, the Philippines, Kansas, Missouri, Spain and, of course, California as among the 34 places she has called home.

CATHARINES'S ANSWERS

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL?
My father. He thought moving every couple of years was educational because of the travel involved. That sort of morphed into this.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
About 10 trips a year.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
Sometimes none. I'm bad about this--but improving.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Coach, natch.
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
I love them all because they all hold the promise of going somewhere cool.
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
DC9 because I can reach the overhead compartment without ripping my rotator cuff. Harrier jet is fun too.
FAVORITE HOTEL?
This is a bit like choosing among children...but the Ritz in Atlanta would rate right up there. For sentimental reasons, the Reina Victoria in Valencia, Spain.
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Heat and air conditioning, which should give you an idea of some of the places I stay.
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
T.F. Green in Rhode Island
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
None. Patience is not my strong suit.
FAVORITE CITY?
Usually the one I'm visiting next.
FAVORITE ISLAND?
Oahu, a one-time childhood home. You just have to know where to look.

FAVORITE SPA?
Kabuki Springs and Spa, San Francisco.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Gates Bar.B.Q. Kansas City.
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle.
ETICKET OR PAPER?
E
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Both
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
Don't you hunt me down and kill me if I don't say JohnnyJet.com?

FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
My 82-year-old mom
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
Sunscreen, a cellphone and the Bible. (I would have said chocolate, but it would melt.)
WHAT DO YOU HATE MOST ABOUT TRAVEL?
How wound up I get.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TRAVEL?
Having been and coming home.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
Dental floss can fix almost anything.