Any Y'all Typically Fly Virgin America?

[reinko]

I'm going to look at Jamaica again. Mrs. PTM is fussy with money, so all-inclusive is a must. If she doesn't actually exchange money other than tips, it's for the better.

Think I'll save Saint Lucia for when we can do a full week with travel.

Mentioned it earlier, check out Punta Cana in the DR, best beaches that I have been to in the Caribbean (PR, Jamaica, Mexico)

[🏀]

I 2nd Puerto Rico, while they don't have all inclusives, still very reasonable, leave by 6am, on the beach by 1pm.  This year Mrs. Reinko and I are renting a small condo in the Condado area of San Juan thru vrbo.com (Vacation Rental By Owner).

VRBO is nice, we use it for our big summer family vacation every year.

[mu03eng]

I 2nd Puerto Rico, while they don't have all inclusives, still very reasonable, leave by 6am, on the beach by 1pm.  This year Mrs. Reinko and I are renting a small condo in the Condado area of San Juan thru vrbo.com (Vacation Rental By Owner).

That website is awesome, using it as we speak to book something for me and the misses to travel to Charleston for a nice weekend.  Booked several such trips with very pleasant results.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

trip #12 to Jamaica in just a few weeks, easy 4 hour direct flight from MKE then just over an hour private taxi to Negril. Of course you could stay in MoBay and skip the hour ride to Negril

we don't do all-inclusives any more but can see the appeal for some, we like to get off the compound and see the area (and save money)

lots of small family owned boutique hotels on the beach or the cliffs in Negril

We met 4 other people on the layover in Tampa.  They were on our plane from MSP.  They needed 2 more for a 6 person puddle jumper from the airport to Negril.  About $60 per person R/T.

We have been to Vieques, PR and St John the last 2 years and they are highly recommended.  Found lodging on VRBO.com.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

For those that stay at Marriott's, on company dime, do you typically stay at Courtyards or full service? I have status with Marriott (not that anyone should care), but I typically stay at full service on the road for the full breakfast and lounge access (due to status).

For me it has to have breakfast's included so it's usually a Springhill Suites or Residence Inn and if not available then a Fairfiled Inn.

[Sir Lawrence]

We met 4 other people on the layover in Tampa.  They were on our plane from MSP.  They needed 2 more for a 6 person puddle jumper from the airport to Negril.  About $60 per person R/T.

We have been to Vieques, PR and St John the last 2 years and they are highly recommended.  Found lodging on VRBO.com.

We did a family vacation to Vieques in March of '08.  Beaches are beautiful.  My beef with the place is every once in awhile I would have liked to have had a place to walk to on any of the beaches and purchase a beer or a burger.  There was nothing there, which is wonderful, but you have to haul everything.  Perhaps some development has occurred since then, but a few creature comforts would have been nice to have.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

I 2nd Puerto Rico, while they don't have all inclusives, still very reasonable, leave by 6am, on the beach by 1pm.  This year Mrs. Reinko and I are renting a small condo in the Condado area of San Juan thru vrbo.com (Vacation Rental By Owner).

I like PR and have been there a decent number of times.  I used to go to Puerto Rico at least once a year for work.  My previous company's main factory was there before the China facility sprouted up.  I have been wanting to go on vacation there for some time as I never made it to see El Yunque (the rainforest) or Arecibo.  I only saw Dorado beach in the evening after work and never made it the water.  Viejo San Juan is a nice visit.  Plus if you go in the summertime hotels are surprisingly not pricey and airfare from New York City at least is cheap.  English is spoken in San Juan and tourist areas.

[Dish]

For me it has to have breakfast's included so it's usually a Springhill Suites or Residence Inn and if not available then a Fairfiled Inn.

Only issue I have with those places is you only get 5 points for every dollar spent. All other classes of Marriott, you get 10 points.

When I get certificates for free nights, and it's category 1-5, Residence Inn is always my choice when taking the family and using those certificates.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

When I get certificates for free nights, and it's category 1-5, Residence Inn is always my choice when taking the family and using those certificates.

Same here when I'm with the family!

[Spotcheck Billy]

I'm going to look at Jamaica again. Mrs. PTM is fussy with money, so all-inclusive is a must. If she doesn't actually exchange money other than tips, it's for the better.

Think I'll save Saint Lucia for when we can do a full week with travel.

the exchange rate is right about 100:1 so now its easy doing conversions in your head 

[spartan3186]

Not a beach vacation, but the fiancee and I did a Machu Picchu trip in 2013. I highly recommend the trip, absolutely breathtaking. We spent 4 days in Ollantaytambo and 4 days in Cuzco. Took the train from Ollantay to MP for a day trip, it was enough for us. If you go, do the hike up either Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. Strenuous climb, but totally worth it.

We preferred the sacred valley to Cuzco and Ollantaytambo was the perfect base. The food in Peru (particularly Cuzco) was pretty spectacular.

Great trip if you can swing it.

[ChicosBailBonds]

For those that stay at Marriott's, on company dime, do you typically stay at Courtyards or full service? I have status with Marriott (not that anyone should care), but I typically stay at full service on the road for the full breakfast and lounge access (due to status).

Depends where.  In bigger cities, stay at the W.   In smaller locales, Residence Inn or Courtyards.  Springfield if that's the only option.  Most of the travel these days is to Dallas, NYC, Denver, Atlanta so bigger hotels.  If I have to go to a Boise, Missoula, Tulsa or Chattanooga, then the smaller hotels.  Use the Marriott credit card also to rack them up.

[Dish]

Curious if anyone else has ever tried tipping the front desk clerk to get a better room.

I've done it a few times now, only when travelling with my wife/kids. So far it's worked every time for me.

As an example, stayed last summer at the JW Grande Lakes in Orlando on points for a week. When I checked in, I tipped the young woman behind the desk $50. Ended up getting a two bedroom suite that was nicer than any place I've ever stayed. Couple weeks ago (right after Christmas), took the family to the Marriott on Michigan Ave, tipped a $20, only got a slightly better room, but my kids got Marriott backpacks loaded with stuff and we had a bottle of champagne sent to our room as a thanks from the clerk.

I've heard it's hit or miss, obviously wouldn't work as well at a Courtyard, and I don't do it when I'm on company dime, but worst case is they give you your cash back.

[wardle2wade]

Curious if anyone else has ever tried tipping the front desk clerk to get a better room.

I've done it a few times now, only when travelling with my wife/kids. So far it's worked every time for me.

As an example, stayed last summer at the JW Grande Lakes in Orlando on points for a week. When I checked in, I tipped the young woman behind the desk $50. Ended up getting a two bedroom suite that was nicer than any place I've ever stayed. Couple weeks ago (right after Christmas), took the family to the Marriott on Michigan Ave, tipped a $20, only got a slightly better room, but my kids got Marriott backpacks loaded with stuff and we had a bottle of champagne sent to our room as a thanks from the clerk.

I've heard it's hit or miss, obviously wouldn't work as well at a Courtyard, and I don't do it when I'm on company dime, but worst case is they give you your cash back.

This will work literally every time in Vegas, but YMMV on what the upgrade is.  It's called the $20 dollar trick, and there's a lot of info on the web about it now.  There's even a website now where people compare their results.  You take a folded $20 bill and put it between your ID and credit card... when handing it to the clerk when checking in, just say "are there any complimentary upgrades available?"  Even though it sounds shady, everyone working at Vegas hotels is comfortable with it and it's been around for years. 

I've only tried it once in NYC for the BET and it worked to get a better room at Hotwire'd boutique hotel.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Curious if anyone else has ever tried tipping the front desk clerk to get a better room.

I've done it a few times now, only when travelling with my wife/kids. So far it's worked every time for me.

As an example, stayed last summer at the JW Grande Lakes in Orlando on points for a week. When I checked in, I tipped the young woman behind the desk $50. Ended up getting a two bedroom suite that was nicer than any place I've ever stayed. Couple weeks ago (right after Christmas), took the family to the Marriott on Michigan Ave, tipped a $20, only got a slightly better room, but my kids got Marriott backpacks loaded with stuff and we had a bottle of champagne sent to our room as a thanks from the clerk.

I've heard it's hit or miss, obviously wouldn't work as well at a Courtyard, and I don't do it when I'm on company dime, but worst case is they give you your cash back.

I never tried, but I think you just gave me enough incentive to try at least once.

[Dish]

I never tried, but I think you just gave me enough incentive to try at least once.

I've probably been lucky more than anything, all depends on who is checking you in. Kinda have to scope it out, if you see a manager type figure, pass him/her up, and wait for someone younger. The awkward part is when they take your credit card and license and realize there's money inbetween them. I usually just say something like "if there's any upgrades, that'd be awesome, if not, enjoy a cocktail after work on me for working hard and being on your feet all day". Generally speaking, they seem to appreciate it. That can be a tough job, and they don't make a ton of cash.

Ultimately, they control your stay. Treating those front desk people like gold always pays off, especially if you are a repeat customer.

[keefe]

The C-12s are interesting as "non-combat" aircraft.  Lost one of the ISR birds almost a year ago

http://swampland.time.com/2013/10/30/the-crash-of-independence-08/

Lesson as always, never, ever get behind the power curve.

Classic mishap story - he pulled up and bled off all his lift.

I have worked with the C 12 ISAR guys out of Beale and the Mississippi ANG. In Iraq we pioneered C 12 engagement as part of Task Force Troy which was the Counter IED effort. Obviously, as a TACP/JTAC we worked very closely with these ISAR platforms in HVT ops in Afghanistan. One observation - the Guard guys all had thousands more hours each since they were airline pilots whereas many of the USAF fliers are still in the hundreds. The increased flight hours makes a huge difference in Situational Awareness. Reading through the article I would say those guys lost SA way too fast then compounded it with bone headed rookie mistakes.

By the way, are you a Black Shoe or a Brown Shoe?

[4everwarriors]

Unfortunately, the only 20 dollar trick F*ckin' knows, walks up and down Wisconsin Ave.

[🏀]

Mentioned it earlier, check out Punta Cana in the DR, best beaches that I have been to in the Caribbean (PR, Jamaica, Mexico)

I am for sure.

[Benny B]

I've probably been lucky more than anything, all depends on who is checking you in. Kinda have to scope it out, if you see a manager type figure, pass him/her up, and wait for someone younger. The awkward part is when they take your credit card and license and realize there's money inbetween them. I usually just say something like "if there's any upgrades, that'd be awesome, if not, enjoy a cocktail after work on me for working hard and being on your feet all day". Generally speaking, they seem to appreciate it. That can be a tough job, and they don't make a ton of cash.

Ultimately, they control your stay. Treating those front desk people like gold always pays off, especially if you are a repeat customer.

The best upgrades happen when I arrive late in the evening at a hotel (usually after 11pm or midnight) and see the night auditor behind the desk... be extra nice to those guys, because a) most of them hate their job, b) they really don't care, and most importantly c) they have general manager-level access to the computer system... especially helpful at hotels that lock out the ability to make a non-essential upgrade without a manager override.

I've also had success with checking in with the clerk who just took a complaint from a customer... A quick "what was up his/her butt" or a "hi, you must be God since everyone wants you to fix their impossible problems today; I'm Mr. _______ and I have a reservation" usually pays dividends.  Unfortunately, you can't control when that might happen, but part of being in the right place at the right time is knowing what to do.

[keefe]

The best upgrades happen when I arrive late in the evening at a hotel (usually after 11pm or midnight) and see the night auditor behind the desk... be extra nice to those guys, because a) most of them hate their job, b) they really don't care, and most importantly c) they have general manager-level access to the computer system... especially helpful at hotels that lock out the ability to make a non-essential upgrade without a manager override.

I've also had success with checking in with the clerk who just took a complaint from a customer... A quick "what was up his/her butt" or a "hi, you must be God since everyone wants you to fix their impossible problems today; I'm Mr. _______ and I have a reservation" usually pays dividends.  Unfortunately, you can't control when that might happen, but part of being in the right place at the right time is knowing what to do.

Usually letting them know you are in the military gets you in First Class or a Junior Suite without any groveling.

To Doc's original question, VA bumps military up to 1st automatically. Last time I flew them we had 5 guys heading down to LV/Nellis AFB. Not only were we upgraded but the flight attendants gave us upgrade passes for future travel and about 10 shot bottles each.

[mu03eng]

Classic mishap story - he pulled up and bled off all his lift.

I have worked with the C 12 ISAR guys out of Beale and the Mississippi ANG. In Iraq we pioneered C 12 engagement as part of Task Force Troy which was the Counter IED effort. Obviously, as a TACP/JTAC we worked very closely with these ISAR platforms in HVT ops in Afghanistan. One observation - the Guard guys all had thousands more hours each since they were airline pilots whereas many of the USAF fliers are still in the hundreds. The increased flight hours makes a huge difference in Situational Awareness. Reading through the article I would say those guys lost SA way too fast then compounded it with bone headed rookie mistakes.

By the way, are you a Black Shoe or a Brown Shoe?

Loss of SA was the big issue, but to your point the lack of stick time was probably the driver, especially in that particular airframe since the props don't counter rotate.  Also think the AC was a little slow to exert control but that's hard to say unless you are there.

Long story, was brown shoe and set to fly rhinos and had an issue with my eyes.  If I couldn't be the pointy end of the spear, wasn't interested.  My dad was a nav crew dog on Combat Talon's for years so grew up around aviation and learned to fly when I was 7.

[keefe]

Loss of SA was the big issue, but to your point the lack of stick time was probably the driver, especially in that particular airframe since the props don't counter rotate.  Also think the AC was a little slow to exert control but that's hard to say unless you are there.

Long story, was brown shoe and set to fly rhinos and had an issue with my eyes.  If I couldn't be the pointy end of the spear, wasn't interested.  My dad was a nav crew dog on Combat Talon's for years so grew up around aviation and learned to fly when I was 7.

You must have spent some quality time at Hurlburt then growing up. Don't know if your dad knew him but the AFSOC commander, Brig Gen Jon Weeks just got fired last week. Interesting story so if your father knows him he might want to get the gouge on what happened.

AFSOC owns the MC 130s so we often did our para drops from them over in A Stan. Hitched rides in Talons and Spears many times. The American taxpayer has definitely gotten his money's worth from Lockheed in the C 130. Despite $300 toilet seats it is the most durable, versatile airframe ever constructed.

Worked with Rhinos extensively in Afghanistan. USN, USMC, RAAF, and CAF (eh) fly them. There were significant issues with precision until the Block II's came on line which gave them longer legs and tighter CEPs. Great aircraft but the Hawg is still the finest close air support platform God gave to the Free World.

Did you make it through the RAG before the NAMI Whammy bit you?

[🏀]

Alright, enough with the acronyms.

[ChicosBailBonds]

You must have spent some quality time at Hurlburt then growing up. Don't know if your dad knew him but the AFSOC commander, Brig Gen Jon Weeks just got fired last week. Interesting story so if your father knows him he might want to get the gouge on what happened.

The purging of the brass in the last 5 years has been something to withhold.  Staggering and no one wants to touch it in the press.