Travel--Not So Much Fun Anymore!

I haven't been traveling much over the last six months, saving a bit of expense money in what has been a down year for my business. I can tell you that when I do travel, or should say fly, unless I get upgraded, flying is not a lot of fun. The number of flights airlines are offering have been cut, meaning almost all planes are full, and that airlines are crowding as many people on planes as possible. Also, at least in Cincinnati, Delta is concentrating flight departures and arrivals, so security lines are very busy for short periods of time, making the whole experience even worse than it already is. I will say the TSA workers are much more pleasant than they used to be, probably because they are now secure in their government jobs. Okay, so I'm being a bit sarcastic, but the whole airport experience pretty much sucks these days! Oy!

Airlines Thinking About Selling Standing Room Tickets

Yes, that is where we are headed, SRO tickets on airplanes. You will be able to strap yourself to a pole or wall. Airlines will remove seats so they can sell more Standing Tickets. Really heading for the cattle-car days. Man, I just can't wait to be on a plane with people packed in tighter than they are now, jostling around, moving from one foot to the other, stretching their arms, etc., etc., etc.

Interesting article.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2009-07-06-standing-room-flying_N.htm

Best Buffalo Wings I've Ever Had--In Portland, Oregon

I was in Portland, Oregon, all last week, three days for business and the last four on vacation. Portland has many very good restaurants, cafes, and bars, of all price ranges. Saturday, after playing golf with my son Dave and his friend Mike, we went to Fire on the Mountain Buffalo Wings in North Portland near Interstate 5. There is also a location on Burnside Avenue. Fire on the Mountain offers all the normal temperatures of wings but also offers a lot of great flavors. We had Jamaican Jerk, Soon To Be Famous Spicy Peanut, and Bourbon Chipotle. They also have Rasberry Habanero and Buffalo Lime Cilantro. For beverages there are some very good micro brews, as in most Portland restaurants and pubs. If you ever get to Portland, (everyone should at least once) and have a hankering for some very good wings, make sure you find Fire on the Mountain. You won't be disappointed!

Off to Portland, Oregon, for a Week

Will be heading to Portland, Oregon, Sunday for a week of business and vacation. Portland is a very nice city and we are looking forward to staying downtown this trip instead of out near the airport and my son's home. I will post some pictures and review some of the restaurants we visit. Also will be visiting some wineries next Wednesday, always fun. Stay tuned!

Continental Express Crash in Buffalo

Don't know what to say about the findings so far in the investigation of this tragic crash last winter. Among the findings so far:

• A captain who lied on his application about failing 3 check rides with the FAA. He reported that he failed 1. Not sure I want to fly with a pilot who has failed 1, let alone 3.
• Co-pilot who said minutes before the crash that she had never flown in ice, and wanted nothing to do with having to make a decision about deicing a plane, and had never flown a plane that had to be deiced.
• Co-pilot who had flown on a red-eye from Seattle the night before, caught some sleep on a couch in a pilot's lounge before heading off for Buffalo.
• Captain did completely the opposite think he should have when the plane stalled, pulling back to make the plane go up when he should have gotten the nose heading down to get out of the stall.
• Captain and co-pilot chit-chatting during final approach in violation of FAA rules.
• And on and on.

Can't imagine what all the families are feeling. One thing when there is nothing the pilots can do. Quite another when the crash could have been prevented had the pilots done the right thing, had the right training, etc. My heart goes out to all the friends and families of everyone who died in this tragic crash.

Colgan Air, the operating airline, might as well sell their planes and start piling up cash to pay the victim's families. Not that the cash will help, but it will be paid, in big bundles.

Paschal's at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport

Airport food courts tend to be like those in shopping malls, running toward McDonald's, Burger Kings, Cinnabons (oh so good, and good for you), Dominos Pizza, a Chik-Fil-A (Eat Mor Chikin, as the cows say) here and there, and not a lot else. Okay, a Chili's, a Friday's, and in Cincinnati even a Gold Star Chili. And of course, the numerous Star Bucks, with the requisite line of 50 people waiting to pay too much for the same coffee they could get at any number of the aforementioned fast food chains for less money and no wait but they wouldn't have the Star Bucks cup to carry on the plane, so there's that!

In the Atlanta airport, one place stands out--Paschal's. Go to www.PaschalsRestaurant.com for detailed history, etc. I almost always stop in Terminal A or B for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if the timing is right (and the timing is almost always right). Everything is good, in fact great, down-home, southern country/comfort food. Last Friday morning I had scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and some sausage, all covered with some of the finest gravy anywhere. If you are there for lunch or dinner, don't leave without some mac'n'cheese--nothing better. And the chicken--to die for! There are also all sorts of other southern foods I might not try (meaning they are mostly vegetables) but look and smell very good--give them a try.

As good as the food is, the people serving are even better. They all have that southern charm, saying things like "What can I get you today babe, hun, or sweetie"? You just don't hear that north of the Mason Dixon! All the workers seem to know they are serving great food and are proud to do it. Nice to see in this day and age.

Stop by and say hey the next time you are in the Atlanta airport!

African Art in Atlanta Hartsfield Airport