Kiss My Zone 4

First off, I know I should not check a bag. I am not a real business traveler. I get it. Now I feel cheated by US Airways.

I checked in online and was awarded Zone 3 for my time. However, I was not able to print, so when I got to the airport, I reprinted. Poof, I was sent to Zone 4. Plus I got to pay $20 to check my bag. The guy at the counter could not put me back in zone three. I am just out of luck. No customer service.

Hopefully when I get on I can buy some snacks and pay $7 for a blanket and eyemask. Can't wait to get back on a preferred airline of mine. Give me United or Delta any day.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Don't break your routine

Rule number one, do not break your routine. All road warriors live by this rule. This morning I violated this rule and lost my drivers license. It was not a big break from my habit bit enough to cause a problem.

I folded my boarding pass a different way, not in thirds, which did not fit neatly in my pocket. This pushed my shirt pocket out and when I pulled out my vitamins my ID jumped. So I am eating breakfast and hear "Joseph Fisher please pick up the nearest page telephone." I grabbed my pocket and knew two things. I lost my ID and it had been found.

So, after posting this reminder, I will be folding the boarding pass back to a nice neat tri-fold.

This is Joe and that is the view from my seat.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Life of a Traveler

So today I am off to Virginia and it is my birthday. While I could be crabby and complain about having to drag myself to the airport, today I am very happy. Facebook is raising my spirits today as lots of birthday wishes roll in.

Facebook can be a good tool while on the road. This is Joe and that is the view from my seat.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Thinking of Luggage

An email from a viewer of the BTG Podcast reminded me that I still need to buy a piece of luggage.  I still have packing tape holding my handle together.  I really like this piece of luggage, so maybe I am in denial.  The piece works for me.  I know how to pack in it.  Though according to Jason, I know how to over pack in it.  There either needs to be a repair job in my future or a new piece of luggage.

I did some research and found a good post for luggage buying tips.  I will keep you posted on my progress.

This is Joe and that is the view from my seat.

Cold and Unprepared

Here is how my week went... COLD and not the right coat.

We're on iTunes!

As you know, our popular video podcast is available on iTunes....how fun is it to search the iTunes store on your iPhone and find a picture of yourself? Pretty cool..

no lines at Starbucks

Airside F at TIA is usually hopping. Perhaps it is the time of day, but right now the usual long line at the Starbucks is not there. In fact it is empty at the moment. Timing or economy?

Mobile Blogging from here.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Urinal Call

You have to choose sides here. Is it acceptable to use the cell phone while using the urinal in an airport restroom?

I say NO! A call can wait three minutes while you pee, wash hands, and leave quietly. I have no interest listening to your call while I aim for the toilet mint. Please place the call on hold, call them back, and let me pee in peace.

This is Joe and that is the view from my seat.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

Phoney Fuel on Hertz

Hertz's practice of automatically charging a fuel charge if you drive less than 100 miles is deceptive.  I bet many folks miss the charge.  Shame on you Hertz.

blogging from my iPhone

Mobile Blogging from here.

I am blogging for the first time from my iPhone and it seems to work pretty well. This will come in handy from the road..

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

FlyerTalk

For those of you that are addicted to your frequent flyer programs there is a place for you to read some tips and hints from other flyers on those programs...It is a very well organized site, the way I like them (clean/simple) and right to the point - no fluff.

Continental

I took Continental Airlines this week after a long break from them.  I have to tell you, I was quite impressed.  Their online auto-check in process was awesome for someone like me.  I am never in a place where I can print out my boarding pass while traveling.  What their system allows you to do is auto-check in at the first available time.  It sends you your boarding pass right to the email of your choice or will even fax it to a # if required.  With my iPhone able to open PDF files, I am able to actually have the boarding pass in my email and show the image at check in. I have even seen people put out their phones/blackberries to have the bar scan on the screen scanned as they are boarding...now, that is cool...

Traveling with the iPhone

As 9 out of every 10 blogs these days has something to do with the iPhone, I thought I would share a few related iPhone travel items...

If you are a regular traveler and don't yet have an iPhone you are really missing out.  Beside from the excellent ways to pass your time on a long flight (games, songs, movies, video podcasts, etc) there are some very cool travel related apps for download..

One iPhone app that I have really grown to love is Travelocity - a free download from the iTunes App Store, this tool allows you to shop for travel, look up flights and gates and several other things.  I have been using it most for the flight times/statuses and verifying the gates.  

Travel Tip on Planes

Today I noticed several folks on my plane go into the bathroom without putting on their shoes.  While I think it is appropriate to take your shoes off on a longer flight (as long as your feet, socks, and shoes don't stink), I think you should put your shoes back on before going to the restroom.  This quick video addresses this issue.

American Samoa Update 072708

The adventure begins again.  It all starts again for the first time on the second trip.  Is it deja vu all over again?   This time I will be in American Samoa until late August with Michelle Lane.  Carol Oros and Eva Adams are here for a little less time.  Three weeks to finish getting the client up and running.  A great accomplishment for the consultants on this project.

This trip I hope to provide more information, have more fun, and be more animated in my vlogs.  Please visit often, comment a lot, and share the blog with your friends.

Today's vlog has rough audio.  It was windy at the Honolulu airport so here are the highlights.

+ Planes were all on time.

- First plane (from Orlando to Salt Lake City) had a broken entertainment system

+ As a result, had a great nap

+ Michelle Lane has access to the Delta Crown Room (THANKS Michelle)

+ Had great seats on the way to Honolulu (Center Center, the best in a 2-2-2 configuration)

+ Saw two movies 21 and Fool's Gold

American Samoa Update 062008

Friday was our last day on site for this visit to American Samoa CC.  The big event was a live simulation type event with the client which went very well.  However, this event was eclipsed by our favorite lunch spot opening up for dinner.  The Koko Bean restaurant in the Laufou shopping center in the village of Nu'uuli has started opening for dinner on Tuesday through Saturday nights from 6 to 9pm.  We went for the 'grand opening' and were not disappointed.  The meal was the very close to the taste of home that we were all craving.  I had shrimp scampi, Eva had spaghetti, Michelle had soup and cobb salad, and I can't remember what Carol had to eat.  The dinner was good but the dessert made the evening.  They had warm chocolate soufflé with ice cream and passion fruit pie.  The chocolate soufflé was like the warm chocolate melting cake on Carnival Cruise lines.  It was very very good.  The dinner was a great way to cap the first visit.  Sometimes while away on business you just want comfort food.  Tonight was our comfort food.

We had a special guest show up at dinner, Debbie Downer.  Carol channeled the spirit of Debbie Downer after we said something about our three-week visit at the end of July.  She mentioned that that would be 20 dinners.  Three weeks was manageable but the 20 dinners was a bit overwhelming.  Thanks for the reminder Debbie, I mean Carol.

If you don't know who Debbie Downer is, watch this video.

 

Here is a video log of our last day on site.

American Samoa Update 061808

Today was a good day of business with our client.  We made great strides in all areas, Student, Financial Aid, and Business Office.  Even though we are making progress we have only two days left with the client this visit.  The pressure is on to get them to a good place to proceed without us until we return.

The video below is my group deciding on where to eat dinner tonight.  Not exciting but at least it is not my talking head.