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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
Chicago Tribune's ~ Randy Curwen

PROFILE

Randy Curwen, who has traveled more than a million miles to some 100 countries, has been travel editor of the Chicago Tribune for 10 1/2 years. Before that, he was editor of the weekend section and the daily features section. He is a native of Wisconsin.

RANDY'S ANSWERS

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL?
I was an editor at the Tribune for 20 years when I got the chance to move into Travel as the travel editor. Travel had always been one of my loves, but it was my editing and journalism background that probably gave me the chance to become a travel professional!
HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
I'm primarily an editor not a writer, and I have three writers on my staff who travel pretty much full-time. So I only travel perhaps 5 to 10 times a year (varies from year to year). I usually do one big Tribune trip a year, plus several weekend trips. The rest are on my own time and dime.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
I probably "earn" 50,000 miles or so a year by flying, but I get another 50,000 or so from credit cards and the like....and I sometimes buy miles too.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Coach on shorter trips. But I save miles for upgrades or free trips in Business/First for longer trips.
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
Any of the Asian airlines...
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
777
FAVORITE HOTEL?
Just about any of the "lux" hotels in Bangkok, perhaps the best city in the world for great hotels at reasonable prices. If forced to choose there, I'd pick the Sukhothai.

FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
An English-language newspaper in the morning at the door.
FAVORITE CITY?
Paris
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
Changi in Singapore.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
Changi in Singapore.
FAVORITE ISLAND?
Kauai, Hawaii
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Celadon at the Sukhothai in Bangkok
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle
ETICKET OR PAPER?
Still like my paper for anything with possible complications.
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Again, it depends....for simple things, online can't be beat; but a good travel agent is still valuable for complicated itineraries.
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
Myself.

FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
I see and use a lot, but can't say there's any one that I love the most.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
A laptop with satellite access; sunscreen; and a private plane (to get out!)
WHAT DO YOU HATE MOST ABOUT TRAVEL?
Having to dig out at work after I get back
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TRAVEL?
Seeing a different way of life.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
Traveling light!