Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[JWags85]

It sounds like you're trying to compare first/business/preferred with SWA economy. You even said basic economy on United is "painful."

I fly 2-3 times per year domestic/Mexico. In almost every case, my experience is way better on SWA than any legacy when flying economy.

People have also compared SWA to basic economy instead of economy.  If you buy a normal economy ticket you're not paying to select a seat.  People who don't fly often also seem to assume you need to check a bag when full sized carry ons fit just fine in the overhead and cost nothing.  I flew a business trip not too long ago where 2 other people instinctively went to check bags despite their suitcases being small than my standard carryon.

[warriorchick]

People have also compared SWA to basic economy instead of economy.  If you buy a normal economy ticket you're not paying to select a seat.  People who don't fly often also seem to assume you need to check a bag when full sized carry ons fit just fine in the overhead and cost nothing.  I flew a business trip not too long ago where 2 other people instinctively went to check bags despite their suitcases being small than my standard carryon.

I have flown all the way to Hawaii on Southwest and its "basic economy" was perfectly fine.

And about $100 each way from Las Vegas.  If other people want to pay hundreds of dollars more to be slightly more comfortable for a few hours, that's fine by me.

[GooooMarquette]

Not specifically related to any travel I have done, but it's fascinating to see how quickly the A380 went from revolutionary to nearly obsolete. Lots of factors, but wow.

https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-a380-superjumbo-history-boeing-747-emirates-2017-11

They will obviously be flying for a while given the long life of airplanes. Still, gotta be a gut punch to Airbus.

[dgies9156]

  If other people want to pay hundreds of dollars more to be slightly more comfortable for a few hours, that's fine by me.

Welcome to a market economy. You're why the industry was deregulated back in 1978.

I'm a bit taller than you are, Sister Chick, and probably a bit wider as well. In fact, I'm probably a lot taller than you are. The idea of sitting in a coach set for more than an insignificant amount of time is not on my list of approved activities.

I tend to fly in business class when I travel -- and am willing to pay for it. Probably the second most significant reason why I'm not on SWA.

That said, I have no problem with anyone who wants to sit in an economy seat. Go for it. The only problem I have is folks who buy $100 trips to Hawaii on legacy carriers and carp because they were not "upgraded."

[warriorchick]

Welcome to a market economy. You're why the industry was deregulated back in 1978.

I'm a bit taller than you are, Sister Chick, and probably a bit wider as well. In fact, I'm probably a lot taller than you are. The idea of sitting in a coach set for more than an insignificant amount of time is not on my list of approved activities.

I tend to fly in business class when I travel -- and am willing to pay for it. Probably the second most significant reason why I'm not on SWA.

That said, I have no problem with anyone who wants to sit in an economy seat. Go for it. The only problem I have is folks who buy $100 trips to Hawaii on legacy carriers and carp because they were not "upgraded."

I think we are in agreement here on all points.   

[pbiflyer]

Welcome to a market economy. You're why the industry was deregulated back in 1978.

I'm a bit taller than you are, Sister Chick, and probably a bit wider as well. In fact, I'm probably a lot taller than you are. The idea of sitting in a coach set for more than an insignificant amount of time is not on my list of approved activities.

I tend to fly in business class when I travel -- and am willing to pay for it. Probably the second most significant reason why I'm not on SWA.

That said, I have no problem with anyone who wants to sit in an economy seat. Go for it. The only problem I have is folks who buy $100 trips to Hawaii on legacy carriers and carp because they were not "upgraded."

DYKWIA? 

That being said, I am upgraded on a FLL-JFK flight today that was less than $100. 

[MU82]

My son moved from the city to the northern burbs, so we won't be flying SWA to MDW too often any more because ORD is so much more convenient. And SWA doesn't fly non-stop from Charlotte to Seattle, where my daughter lives; American's the only one that does, and the time-of-travel difference is usually hours because of SWA's stops.

So my wife and I have gone from pretty frequent SWA flyers to very infrequent ones. And that's unfortunate because I've liked SWA for their service and their value. And I like to reward them with my business because they're the only airline that didn't go for the baggage-fee cash grab.

I also agree with chick that not getting a seat assignment in advance is no hassle at all. It's been years and years since I haven't gotten an aisle seat on a SWA flight.

We do have some points to use, so I'll find excuses to go somewhere on SWA eventually.

I do hate hearing about their current problems, and I hope they get solved.

[warriorchick]

My son moved from the city to the northern burbs, so we won't be flying SWA to MDW too often any more because ORD is so much more convenient.

Back when we lived in Illinois, we actually lived significantly closer to O'Hare than Midway in terms of driving miles.  But in terms of time from our driveway to the terminal gate, Midway was quicker.  Way quicker if the O'Hare gate was past the Disco Tunnel.

[MU82]

Back when we lived in Illinois, we actually lived significantly closer to O'Hare than Midway in terms of driving miles.  But in terms of time from our driveway to the terminal gate, Midway was quicker.  Way quicker if the O'Hare gate was past the Disco Tunnel.

For my son, it's definitely closer to ORD. And by quite a bit.

If we're flying home on a Sunday, I might book SWA because traffic won't be too bad to MDW. So I'm certainly not saying we'll never fly SWA to MDW again.

[Galway Eagle]

6.5mi 31min to MDW 9mi 29 min to O'Hare... 

You can't beat that convenience to pick and choose 

[MU82]

6.5mi 31min to MDW 9mi 29 min to O'Hare... 

You can't beat that convenience to pick and choose 

Nice, you're lucky. When we lived in the city, we could just jump on the Blue Line to ORD and, with only a little more hassle, the Orange Line to MDW.

[Galway Eagle]

Atlanta breweries and a local cuisine staple I gotta try? Maybe include a place that makes it well?

[dgies9156]

I think we are in agreement here on all points.   

What would you expect from two ex-patriot Tennesseans educated at Father Ryan and Marquette?

[warriorchick]

6.5mi 31min to MDW 9mi 29 min to O'Hare... 

You can't beat that convenience to pick and choose 

I said "to the gate".  Not counting getting through TSA (and I bet it's usually longer at O'Hare - it's taken me 20 minutes at 5 a.m. before), I can get to any gate at Midway from the curb in 3 minutes.  O'Hare - not so much

Add more time if you are driving and parking.

[Galway Eagle]

I said "to the gate".  Not counting getting through TSA (and I bet it's usually longer at O'Hare - it's taken me 20 minutes at 5 a.m. before), I can get to any gate at Midway from the curb in 3 minutes.  O'Hare - not so much

Add more time if you are driving and parking.

I made it in about 10min from blue line stop to gate at the international terminal a couple weeks ago heading to PHX.

But point well taken

[MU82]

I made it in about 10min from blue line stop to gate at the international terminal a couple weeks ago heading to PHX.

But point well taken

I said "to the gate".  Not counting getting through TSA (and I bet it's usually longer at O'Hare - it's taken me 20 minutes at 5 a.m. before), I can get to any gate at Midway from the curb in 3 minutes.  O'Hare - not so much

Add more time if you are driving and parking.

The walk from the Orange Line stop at MDW to the lobby is pretty darn long.

[warriorchick]

The walk from the Orange Line stop at MDW to the lobby is pretty darn long.

So is the walk from the Blue Line stop in O'Hare if you aren't flying out of Terminal 2.

[JWags85]

I said "to the gate".  Not counting getting through TSA (and I bet it's usually longer at O'Hare - it's taken me 20 minutes at 5 a.m. before), I can get to any gate at Midway from the curb in 3 minutes.  O'Hare - not so much

Add more time if you are driving and parking.

Can't believe people that fly more than once a year still don't have pre-check.

Funny enough I first got precheck cause I nearly missed a flight and then did miss a flight in consecutive trips out of MDW in which security was past the entrance and took over an hour.

This relentless biased championing of MDW as the best airport in America and O'Hare as a disaster unparalleled by any in the world, as well as the rosiest tinted SWA glasses is the best PR either could buy.

[ATL MU Warrior]

Atlanta breweries and a local cuisine staple I gotta try? Maybe include a place that makes it well?

Where are you staying?

[Galway Eagle]

Where are you staying?

I have no idea. A friends wife booked the Airbnb. I know the party I'm supposed to be at Saturday night is
810 Huff Rd NW

[ATL MU Warrior]

I have no idea. A friends wife booked the Airbnb. I know the party I'm supposed to be at Saturday night is
810 Huff Rd NW

That's on the west side near GA Tech and close to midtown.

IMO, the absolute best restaurant over there is JCT Kitchen, which also has a great rooftop bar with good views of the city.  Midtown has a plethora of places, South City Kitchen for fancier southern food.

[Herman Cain]

I found Naked Juice Green Machine at ATL at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf near gate A 12 . Been searching for Naked Juice at that airport for a long time.

[MU82]

So is the walk from the Blue Line stop in O'Hare if you aren't flying out of Terminal 2.

I flew out of T1 for years and years and years, and I don't remember it being an excruciatingly long walk. But maybe I'm misremembering it. I haven't lived there in a long time.

Bottom line for me: Neither walk is bad for a healthy adult human, but it's moot for me now because I'm not taking the train anymore. And ORD is much easier for my son to get to.

[reinko]

Headed to Vegas in January, while not an ideal time of the year I know, can’t control my buddies b-day.

Is the Venetian still a solid option for a great stay?  Happy to take Sportsbook recs, brunch recs…

Lastly, anyone ever use SnapTravel before?  It’s an AI-based messaging travel service, looks like look like can save some pretty significant cash on hotel rooms.

[Galway Eagle]

That's on the west side near GA Tech and close to midtown.

IMO, the absolute best restaurant over there is JCT Kitchen, which also has a great rooftop bar with good views of the city.  Midtown has a plethora of places, South City Kitchen for fancier southern food.

Thanks!