Long time no talk!

It has been quite some time since the last posting, lest you think I have nothing to say... it is approaching the end of the year. I made it to that highly esteemed Platinum level some time ago and will finish the year with around 105 flight segments.

Traveling for work during the Holidays is not my idea of fun. There are so many people who have never flown before and many others who have not flown in the last decade. They wander the airports aimlessly looking to find their way. Some airports have staff who will give guidance if you look lost... but the truly lost are oblivious.

As a fan of Human Factors and User Interface Design, I find it interesting at how difficult some airports make it for people to figure out where to go or what to do. Well designed airports have adequate signage and traffic flows that naturally guide you to where you need to be.

Take my connection in Cincinatti this afternoon as an example. I needed to get from the plane I arrived on to gate B37. The only clue that it wasn't near my arrival point was that there were no other airplanes at the terminal. Now calling it a terminal is a bit of a stretch, its more like a tented walkway that extends 500 yards from the nearest building and is without a heating system (it was 3 degrees above zero).

Walking to the center, a common theme for airports, I found a computer display that confirmed I needed to get to B37. The only problem was that all the signage for terminal B only went as high as 19. Having learned from prior experience that you must trust the signs, I sought a friendly retired Ohioan manning the information booth. He informed me that they changed the gate numbers yesterday and to go get on the bus that would take me to terminal B.

Having just 15 minutes left before the flight there was not a lot of room for error. Getting off the bus at B, I now only had to go the very end of the building to get to the desk just as they started the boarding process. It was sort of ironic that at this terminal you walk out the door, down a ramp, and then through a series of traffic cones to find your airplane out on the tarmac. Leaving gate checked bags on a cart and climbing the stairs, I made it.

At the end of the day it is hard to be too critical of infrequent travelers. It is foreign territory, lots of chaos, and lots of pressure to get it right. I don't blame the infrequent travelers but still wish they wouldn't block the entrance to escalators or clog up an entire moving walkway.

One half of the trip down... half to go. Happy Holidays!

Its starting...

I'm not sure if anyone reads this but as I finish a college writing
class, I'm appreciating the value of blog therapy. Its been six months
since the last posting. That is not because I've stayed home.

There have been a number of states under my feet and many different hotels.

Next week will hint at what the next year is going to be like with
four of five days traveling in three different states.

If you are reading this, what could I write about to make this more interesting?

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Sent from my mobile device

Holy City!

I took a first flight out this morning to Charleston, South Carolina. I had not been to the state before today but so far have been impressed. Rated as the best mannered city, it is quite a contrast to living in New Jersey. What is the proper etiquette for holding a door open for women and other men? Do you say sir or ma'am? Do you greet everyone you see? All recent challenges that are not a concern in NJ.

A group of us are staying in the heart of the Charleston Historic District at the Market Pavillion Hotel (http://www.marketpavillion.com/) which has a history beginning 300 years ago. A boutique hotel that provides a very nice atmosphere combined with excellent service. They brag of getting four diamonds from AAA and the nicest amenities in the city.

This is the view from the rooftop bar that sits just a few feet from the walk-in pool. Just over the edge of the railing, you can't see the local market. It reminds me of the Pike Place Market, minus the fish throwing. Across the street in the bottom of the three story building is an Oyster restaraunt where we had lunch. I now know that fresh oysters do not sit well with my system...

After a couple drinks and conversation we took a walk down Broad Street looking for a nice restaurant. It is not hard to find good menus, with two or three restaurant entrances per block. The first several maitre'd stands I approached offered 40-90 minute wait times. On the fourth try we found the Slightly North of Broad sign hanging invitingly and stepped in. It looked good and they could seat our group of five right away. I ordered a berry sangria to wash down my cup of crab soup and Deviled Crab Stuffed Flounder. The food was excellent and the service was great. You can check out their website at http://www.mavericksouthernkitchens.com/snob/index.html where I just now learned that it, not surprisingly, has earned top awards and the 2008 Restaurant of the year!

In the distance in this photo you can see the largest cable stayed bridge in the Americas. It dwarfs the aircraft carrier sitting next to it (not in photo). You can read more for yourself about this great city at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charleston,_South_Carolina . It is probably one of the more romantic cities that I've traveled to and looks like it would make a great couples get-away!

Be safe, keep the rubber side down, and thanks for coming along!