I have been traveling a lot lately with the new job and back and forth to see the family while we move. I have had the opportunity to check out more than a few of the airlines, airports, hotels and rental cars in Florida, the Midwest and East Coast, as well as be subjected to numerous security checks. Here is what I know so far....
My current favorite airline is AirTran followed by US Air. I have to fly Southwest a lot for work and one of the guys I work with swears by them. But, I have to be honest I am not overly impressed with Southwest. I am a frequent flyer member, but until you reach their elite status or fly their business class it doesn't really matter. I am sure this is probably the same with other airlines, but Southwest makes more of a big deal of it.
I like Indianapolis's new airport, very well done and easy to get in and out of. Any airport that has a cell phone lot is good in my book. I don't like having to fly in and out of Atlanta and I am not real fond of Ft. Lauderdale either for getting through security. Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa are okay. Baltimore (BWI) is clean but no free wireless. Memphis and Birmingham were horrible. Charlotte is very nice, but Raliegh isn't much, at least the terminal I have been in.
I have the security stuff down to a science and can breeze through without any issues typically. I dump as much stuff as I can in my backpack, including the cell phone, watch and belt if wearing one. It still does amaze me though how many people still don't know what to do when they get there. Never fails that you get someone who is just clueless about what they have to do.
Hotel wise I typically try to stay at a Hampton, they seem to be the most consistent of the moderate priced chains and the free breakfast is usually decent. Fairfield Inns aren't too bad and taking a little step up to the Hilton Garden Inns aren't bad either. Comfort Suites are typically nice especially the newer ones, but the Comfort line falls off pretty quickly from there. Comfprt Inns can be a crap shoot.
Rental cars are an interesting bet. I am a Hertz Gold Member, but the last time I used Hertz they charged me $80 for being an hour late bringing the car back. They may have got my $80 that day but they lost my business since. For the most part I don't find much difference between Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, et al. Not a fan of Enterprise as the cars are usually dirty and they have little choice typically. I always try to see what kind of upgrade deal I can get to get in a little bigger vehicle. I like being in an SUV or something like a Chevy Impala. I find renting a car is a good way to check out whether I would want to buy one or not.
My current favorite airline is AirTran followed by US Air. I have to fly Southwest a lot for work and one of the guys I work with swears by them. But, I have to be honest I am not overly impressed with Southwest. I am a frequent flyer member, but until you reach their elite status or fly their business class it doesn't really matter. I am sure this is probably the same with other airlines, but Southwest makes more of a big deal of it.
I like Indianapolis's new airport, very well done and easy to get in and out of. Any airport that has a cell phone lot is good in my book. I don't like having to fly in and out of Atlanta and I am not real fond of Ft. Lauderdale either for getting through security. Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa are okay. Baltimore (BWI) is clean but no free wireless. Memphis and Birmingham were horrible. Charlotte is very nice, but Raliegh isn't much, at least the terminal I have been in.
I have the security stuff down to a science and can breeze through without any issues typically. I dump as much stuff as I can in my backpack, including the cell phone, watch and belt if wearing one. It still does amaze me though how many people still don't know what to do when they get there. Never fails that you get someone who is just clueless about what they have to do.
Hotel wise I typically try to stay at a Hampton, they seem to be the most consistent of the moderate priced chains and the free breakfast is usually decent. Fairfield Inns aren't too bad and taking a little step up to the Hilton Garden Inns aren't bad either. Comfort Suites are typically nice especially the newer ones, but the Comfort line falls off pretty quickly from there. Comfprt Inns can be a crap shoot.
Rental cars are an interesting bet. I am a Hertz Gold Member, but the last time I used Hertz they charged me $80 for being an hour late bringing the car back. They may have got my $80 that day but they lost my business since. For the most part I don't find much difference between Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, et al. Not a fan of Enterprise as the cars are usually dirty and they have little choice typically. I always try to see what kind of upgrade deal I can get to get in a little bigger vehicle. I like being in an SUV or something like a Chevy Impala. I find renting a car is a good way to check out whether I would want to buy one or not.
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No. I stayed in a Fairfield Inn in...St. Cloud Minnesota...maybe. The girls that worked at the front desk were starving for attention. We gave them a little, and in return, we had room service whenever we called, and they did our laundry for a month.