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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
Robert McGarvey ~ Travel Writer

PROFILE

Author of How to Dotcom (Entrepreneur Press), McGarvey is working on a book about Google and the rise of instant knowledge. A onetime columnist for BizTravel.com, he is a frequent contributor to dozens of magazines, ranging from American Legion to Electronic Business and Rutgers. For the past five years, he has served as "The Ombudsman" for PORTHOLE Cruise Magazine. He currently also writes a column for JoeSentMe.com.

ROBERT'S ANSWERS

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL?
I started writing about travel in 1990...but became a business traveler in 1974 when, as an employee of the American Petroleum Institute, I spent countless hours in the sky in those years which, admittedly, were business travel's glory days. Planes rarely were full, I flew first class, the booze was good even if the food wasn't, and you could smoke. An airplane became something of a mobile saloon.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
I don't count...but lots.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
I don't keep track of miles, never have.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Coach. What did you expect from a person who doesn't keep track of miles?
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
I write frequently for "American Way," so you better believe AA is my favorite.
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
Any big plane. Least favorite is anything small.
FAVORITE HOTEL?
Pueblo Lodge, Taos NM, followed by Best Western Dry Creek Inn, Healdsburg CA
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Wi-fi.
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
Oakland CA.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
Heathrow, Terminal 4.
FAVORITE CITY?
Dublin Ireland.
FAVORITE ISLAND?
Aside from Ireland...Santorini.

FAVORITE SPA?
Don't like spas, don't like strangers pouring gunk on me.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Mixx, Santa Rosa CA
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle.
ETICKET OR PAPER?
Eticket
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Depends on the trip. I recall trying to book a London to Glascow, Edinburg to Belfast, Belfast to London, London to SFO itinerary online. After 30 minutes and still I'd gotten nowhere i called a travel agent and had it handled inside two minutes. On straight point and shoot trip, I'll book online.
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
www.joesentme.com
I also like www.kropla.com

FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
Babs Harrison, the fiancee
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
Inmarstat phone, a laptop, probably a Ricky Skaggs CD.
WHAT DO YOU HATE MOST ABOUT TRAVEL?
Jaze, I haven't room to itemize all...but, mainly, I hate having no control. Go to an airport and you are back in 3rd grade and everybody else is the teacher.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TRAVEL?
Experiencing new places, people, new ways of being.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
Take a cruise once a year. I write "The Ombudsman" column for PORTHOLE Magazine and I have become a cruising addict. It's just a wonderful way to relax.