Tag: travel-tips

Oh man, do I miss PanAm’s seat 1J

~ globalwhiz@protonmail.com ~ Leave a comment
3-30-2018 3-52-05 PM

My all-time favorite airline to fly with was Pan Am. As a child, I watched Clippers take off and land in San Francisco, never imagining that I’d spend many, many hours aboard PanAm flights going somewhere.

PanAm was unique in the world of commercial aviation, setting world flight distance records, developing new routes, and setting the world standard for in-flight service. I’d go to great lengths to fly on Pan Am, at one point even buying shares in the company. The stock certificate hangs on my office wall to this day. Too bad it’s worthless.

They had two critical routes around the world. They were designated PanAm flights One and Two, and they literally circled the globe heading East and West. Living in Asia, I was pretty familiar with Flight One, and each time I was aboard one of their trips, it was an incredible experience. As a travel professional, I always tried to use my Clipper Miles for upgrades, and truth be told, when I hit their famed “Platinum” level, I was set. I loved flying aboard their 747s, and due to the particular configuration of their cabins, they had one extraordinary seat: 1J, as shown in the image above.

I wheedled, wangled, and begged to be accommodated in that seat. It was private, quiet, and for the time we were in the air, the most comfortable place on the aircraft. I should note at this point that no other person was seated next to this seat, and that was the best benefit of all. On an 8+ hour flight to somewhere, you just can’t imagine how nice it was to sit in silence and just enjoy the ride. I was (and am) so sad that PanAm is no more. When I reflect on that magical 1J seat, I am profoundly thankful that I flew aboard PanAm more times than on any other airline, then and now.

Thanks, PanAm, for everything.

Jackie Kennedy Onassis and I flew to Paris together.

~ globalwhiz@protonmail.com ~ Leave a comment

One of my most cherished flight experiences was flying on Concorde. Everything about the aircraft—the elegant in-flight service, the exclusive pre-boarding process, and the breathtaking view through the tiny windows—was truly fantastic. Of course, Air France had its own special lounge and check-in for Concorde travelers. As soon as you stepped into the lounge, you could feel that something extraordinary was about to happen. Someone greeted you right away with a glass of Champagne. Never mind it was 8AM.—Anytime is perfect for enjoying a glass of Dom Perignon.

About 20 minutes before boarding, everyone was talking, laughing and generally thrilled to be in that select group of travelers. Suddenly, the door opened, and within seconds, all of the chatter stopped. It was instantly quiet. I’d never seen anything unfold quite like that. Jackie Kennedy Onassis and a traveling companion had just walked into the lounge; they were booked to travel on that very same Concorde to Paris. For a moment, everyone in the salon was stunned. Sure, celebrities and wanna’ be tycoons traveled on Concorde, but this was special. We were all 20’ away from the most recognizable woman on earth.

Unfortunately, there was no chance of Jackie sitting next to me during the 3 1/2-hour flight, so I occupied my time with Beluga Caviar, even more Champagne, lunch (at breakfast time), and Cognac. That is indeed the breakfast of champions. At one point during my meal, I looked out the window and could actually see the curve of the Earth as we flew at an altitude of 55,000 feet with a ground speed of 1,300 miles per hour. This was undoubtedly no regular flight; it was stratospheric. I still have the wonderful pen Air France gave us in their amenity kit. I wonder if Jackie ever used hers?

In Spain, watch that taxi meter.

~ globalwhiz@protonmail.com ~ Leave a comment

The number one rule in travel is not to look like a tourist. Every self-assured traveler like myself wants to hit the ground in a new place looking like a lifelong resident of the very same city, and who is someone who is an expert in their local scene. This is an impressive goal but doesn’t always work out that way. Using taxis overseas is a lesson in small business management. Each person plays a different role; the driver, of course, and you as a passenger. They want to charge as much as is possible for the limited amount of time you’ll be in their cab and I want to appear to be nonchalant and informed about the ride and costs.

Some years ago, I went to the Costa del Sol in Spain.  The arrival airport was Malaga, Spain, and we were to make our own way to the conference. I was ok with that and headed to the taxi stand at the airport. I looked around and didn’t see anyone from our group, and I presumed they’d all taken taxis to the hotel in the Costa del Sol. I flagged down a cab and threw my stuff into the trunk..

In my most knowledgeable travel voice, I sat back and announced I wanted to go from Malaga to the Costa del Sol. The driver was suddenly beside himself. Without another word, he blasted out of the airport, and we began a really, really long ride to the hotel. Being the informed traveler that I am, I didn’t say anything. I was watching his taxi meter climb like a blood pressure test and wondering where in the heck I was?

Fast forward, literally.  After many, many miles, he pulled into the hotel. He was thrilled to present me with a taxi fare bill of some $100+- the cost of our journey. I was stupefied. However, I didn’t ask for the trip cost beforehand, nor did I inquire at the airport about alternative transfer services, which nearly all other delegates to the trip took advantage of. So, the moral of this story is don’t be a know-it-all. Especially when you don’t really know anything about the new country anyway.