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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
With Travel Journalist Michael Shapiro

PROFILE

Michael Shapiro is a travel journalist whose work appears in national magazines and newspapers including The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune. He writes a regular column for the San Francisco Chronicle travel section called TravelTech, which appears the first Sunday of each month. He is the creator of NetTravel.com, which lists top travel sites by category and provides updates to the Internet Travel Planner.

MICHAEL'S ANSWERS

HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
About 8-10 times a year, maybe 2 or 3 int'l trips and 5-7 domestic trips.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Always coach
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
jetblue
FAVORITE HOTEL?
The San Remo, an Italian-style pensione in San Francisco, built to house workers after the 1906 quake. Comfortable and convenient to North Beach and the Wharf, a quick cable car ride to Union Square. $60 a night - the bathroom is down the hall but it's spotlessly clean.
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
Oakland - small and easy.
FAVORITE CITY?
New York - it's THE city, one of the best buzzes you can catch without using drugs.
AISLE OR WINDOW?
About 20-30 minutes before departure, I request an aisle next to a vacant window seat.
ETICKET OR PAPER?
E-ticket - I've never had a problem with one though I prefer paper for int'l flights.
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
ONline if possible.
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
Since I'm just building NetTravel.com, I have to be partisan. It's a selective directory of top travel sites by category.
FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
My sweetheart Willow.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
If you want to redeem miles, be persistent - ultimately you should get the flights you want.