Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[pbiflyer]

Thanks for the Oahu recommendations so far.

Our favorite island is Kauai by far, and we've gone a half-dozen times. Also like Maui and the Big Island, of course. We had only done Oahu once, and we got a great deal on a relatively easy flight from Seattle, so we figured we'd give it another look. We only have a week, so we didn't want to island hop.

We'll go back to Kauai next time, but we're still really looking forward to this Oahu trip.

If you are into hiking, a great resource. https://www.oahuhike.com/#oahuhike-section
Do not leave anything of value in your car depending on parking spot though.
Great views in Old Pali hwy. I like several of the trails near Manoa. The manoa falls and nearby bamboo forest are cool.
If you see huli huli chicken for sale, especially as a fundraiser, get it.

[BM1090]

What does everyone think about the recent plane crashes and flight issues? Any hesitancy to fly? I have two domestic trips coming up that I won't be cancelling, but I'm curious about what everyone is thinking.

[MUfan12]

I've never been afraid to fly but the number of incidents is giving me a little pause about it.

[CreightonWarrior]

Travel a decent amount for work. Still content playing the odds game.

[21Jumpstreet]

What does everyone think about the recent plane crashes and flight issues? Any hesitancy to fly? I have two domestic trips coming up that I won't be cancelling, but I'm curious about what everyone is thinking.

Honestly, I thought about it for the first time this past weekend going to and from Philly. I love to fly (get some really good sleep normally), probably flown 12 flights in 2025 purely for pleasure not work, was about 30 mins outside of MCO on Sunday afternoon, hit a bit of turbulence, the thought crossed my mind. I won't stop flying, but it did cross my mind.

[BM1090]

Honestly, I thought about it for the first time this past weekend going to and from Philly. I love to fly (get some really good sleep normally), probably flown 12 flights in 2025 purely for pleasure not work, was about 30 mins outside of MCO on Sunday afternoon, hit a bit of turbulence, the thought crossed my mind. I won't stop flying, but it did cross my mind.

This is where I'm at. I'm not going to change my travel habits but I will absolutely be a bit more nervous.

[tower912]

If it is my time, so be it.

[pbiflyer]

What does everyone think about the recent plane crashes and flight issues? Any hesitancy to fly? I have two domestic trips coming up that I won't be cancelling, but I'm curious about what everyone is thinking.

I was talking to a pilot yesterday when we met for lunch. He had just flown to Titusville using IFR. That means he had to interact with Orlando ATC. He said the controller was stressed, unprofessional,  and was making mistakes. Now granted there was a special fly in to Titusville of 50 or 60 planes that normally would not have been flying IFR but VFR except for the weather. So the load was significantly more on this guy than normal.
That being said, the odds are still heavily in your favor of having a safe flight.

[warriorchick]

You are still way more likely to die driving to your destination than you are flying to it.  #facts

[pbiflyer]

I spent January working remotely from CDMX, a wonderful city. Never felt unsafe there, personally.

This is one group of locations that are near each other for a day trip in Roma Norte, CDMX
* Frida Kahlo's house is a worthwhile trip for sure
* This is a great spot for pastry and coffee - https://maps.app.goo.gl/GEgJYFgX9B23ivUb8
* Any food you find on Alvero is gonna be good. El Califa is a local chain that has very good salsa and al pastor, plus really good gringas https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZBdL2STBTEqrJXDb8
* Bosque de Chapultepec is a great time walking around and exploring the gardens https://maps.app.goo.gl/imcaKGKAUzVSAvwp6

Here's another group of locations for a day trip in Centro Historico, CDMX
* The Zocalo is pretty epic, with the cathedral + museum + palace
* The templo mayor museum is a wonderful dive into the history of mexico that the spanish tried to erase https://maps.app.goo.gl/kB2yqLxwJJW5YDhMA
* The national palace has a bunch of Diego Rivera murals and pretty gardens https://maps.app.goo.gl/gcENdgmbgLr6oimV9
* I spent a full afternoon/evening at Salon Corona ordering one taco at a time (their al pastor is great and the squid ink taco is equally great), awesome walkable street scene https://maps.app.goo.gl/x4UYbWuZVaeJJrsW9

Now, getting in and out in half a day? Idk mexico city can have some bad traffic and public transport isn't for the faint of heart.

We extended it to two full days in the city, flying in on a Friday night, out Monday morning.
We are staying just north of Roma Norte, so those suggestions help quite a bit.
For transportation around the city, taxi and or Uber work? Especially to/from airport?
Don't mind using metros to get around.

[BM1090]

We extended it to two full days in the city, flying in on a Friday night, out Monday morning.
We are staying just north of Roma Norte, so those suggestions help quite a bit.
For transportation around the city, taxi and or Uber work? Especially to/from airport?
Don't mind using metros to get around.

I took Ubers everywhere. Traffic is crazy, but never felt unsafe.

[MuggsyB]

Thanks for the Oahu recommendations so far.

Our favorite island is Kauai by far, and we've gone a half-dozen times. Also like Maui and the Big Island, of course. We had only done Oahu once, and we got a great deal on a relatively easy flight from Seattle, so we figured we'd give it another look. We only have a week, so we didn't want to island hop.

We'll go back to Kauai next time, but we're still really looking forward to this Oahu trip.

I honestly wouldn't stay in Waikiki for a week, that's crazy long.  Do yourself a favor and stay at the Kahala instead if the price range is in range of your Waikiki hotel.  They have a nice little beach and it's within 10 mins of Waikiki.  Or get an air b&b in Diamond Head.   Just my personal opinion.   

[MuggsyB]

I don't know much about either hotel, but their locations are both good.  Waldorf I've heard very good things about.  Its either that or Vdara for elite mid Strip hotels that don't have casinos.

As for watching the game, Circa is an incredible sportsbook to watch a game.  Otherwise Caesars is always a good spot that isn't too far from either of those hotels.


Where are you guys staying?  I'd assume somewhere Midtown or adjacent?  Always interesting to hear people's initial impressions of NYC, especially when the first visit is as an adult.  A desire to return is always a good sign.

I don't know much about either hotel, but their locations are both good.  Waldorf I've heard very good things about.  Its either that or Vdara for elite mid Strip hotels that don't have casinos.

As for watching the game, Circa is an incredible sportsbook to watch a game.  Otherwise Caesars is always a good spot that isn't too far from either of those hotels.


Where are you guys staying?  I'd assume somewhere Midtown or adjacent?  Always interesting to hear people's initial impressions of NYC, especially when the first visit is as an adult.  A desire to return is always a good sign.

JWags,

What's my best choice for the MU game?  Is Circa worth it despite the overpriced Ubers here?  I can walk to Caesars or the Venetian.  Where will I find other MU fans?  Or UCONN people I can antagonize?  Ty. 

[dgies9156]

You are still way more likely to die driving to your destination than you are flying to it.  #facts

Absolutely.

The media is glommed on to the daily missed approaches, minor runway incursions and other aberrations that occur with tens of thousands of planes are in the air over a country like our's. Much of this is nothing because airline pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation safety officials are so well trained that they know what to do.

If you want to see what doesn't happen, go back to the 1950s to 1970s, when planes flew into mountains, crashed on take-off or landing, collided over the Grand Canyon or Brooklyn, got hijacked regularly, were blown up by terrorists or fell into the sea. The improvement in training, technology and security is astounding and makes flying an incredibly safe form of transportation.

Now, if coach seats could have just a little more room?

[Hards Alumni]

I've never been afraid to fly but the number of incidents is giving me a little pause about it.

Don't look up the stats on driving then 

[Scoop Snoop]

Now, if coach seats could have just a little more room?

Sounds like you may be gravitationally challenged dgies.

[tower912]

Now, if coach seats could have just a little more room?

That is what Huggins said.  And Matt Patricia.

[dgies9156]

Sounds like you may be gravitationally challenged dgies.

More leg room is what I need 😃

[pbiflyer]

[/quot

You are still way more likely to die driving to your destination than you are flying to it.  #facts

This week, I flew in and out of DCA....at night....in a storm....on Delta...with significant winds. Lucky to be alive. Haven't driven home yet, so....

[MU82]

Just got back from Honolulu. Again, thanks to all for your suggestions.

Spent much of a day on Waimanalo Beach - really a nice, relatively quiet spot. Spent a day on the North Shore - hung out at two beaches (Ezukai - aka Bonzai Pipeline - and Chun's Reef), took a dip under Waimea Falls, ate a great meal in Haleiwa. Spent most of a day on a boat and went snorkeling; saw lots of sea turtles who said to say hi to Muggsy. Relaxed at Waikiki Beach. Saw sea lions, dolphins, sharks, etc at Sea Life Park. Had a Dole Whip at Dole Plantation. Enjoyed the drive up the east coast - very beautiful. And of course we had some shaved ice.

The only real disappointment was that we really wanted to go to Lanikai Beach on the east coast because we remembered it as having been gorgeous on our previous trip to Oahu, but we couldn't find parking. Drove around for an hour to no avail. So we ended up spending more time than we had planned that day at Waimanalo - a pretty good consolation prize.

Silly story: Our snorkel trip was the day of the Georgetown game. I did my advance research, found a sports bar about halfway between the dock and our hotel, and called to confirm that they had Peacock and would put the game on for us. So after snorkeling, we walked about a half-hour and got to the bar with about 5 minutes left in the first half, arriving very thirsty and hungry. When we asked the bartender to turn on the game, she went to go see the manager; a few minutes later she came back and apologized and made up a reason that Peacock wasn't working or something. So we had to trudge our way someplace else, and I was getting hangrier with every step! We ended up a few blocks from our hotel at Waikiki Brewing, where we put Peacock on our cellphones and watched most of the second half on our little screens. We got the game on just in time to watch Marquette's worst stretch. The beer was only OK, but the burger was good.

I guess if that was our biggest complaint, it was a heck of a trip! The weather was absolutely perfect the entire week - 80ish and sunny - so that helped.

Next time, back to Kauai, our favorite place to visit in the United States.

[MuggsyB]

I just got back from Vegas.  Although I don't gamble, I did have fun watching hoops at Circa and The Venetian.  And my hotel was excellent, but expensive if it's your own coin. 

All that said, the prices anywhere on the strip are absolutely insane.  It's honestly embarrassing and I say this as someone who lives in one of the most expensive places in the country.  15 bucks for a Miller Lite kind of garbage.  $25 for a burger, etc, etc, etc.  A couple of locals told me that for the SB they were charging $200 to watch at Sportsbooks and they charge at many places for UFC watching and parking.  I assume the same is true for the NCAA tournament. 

I think while Vegas is growing, this is going to turn a lot of people off in the relatively near future.  There are people with unlimited cash that spend a boatload there of course, but there are a lot more that go for a weekend just to let loose or whatever.  Also, as a side note, the tap water there is an abomination.  I assume it's from Lake Mead but it's freaking vile. 

[MuggsyB]

Just got back from Honolulu. Again, thanks to all for your suggestions.

Spent much of a day on Waimanalo Beach - really a nice, relatively quiet spot. Spent a day on the North Shore - hung out at two beaches (Ezukai - aka Bonzai Pipeline - and Chun's Reef), took a dip under Waimea Falls, ate a great meal in Haleiwa. Spent most of a day on a boat and went snorkeling; saw lots of sea turtles who said to say hi to Muggsy. Relaxed at Waikiki Beach. Saw sea lions, dolphins, sharks, etc at Sea Life Park. Had a Dole Whip at Dole Plantation. Enjoyed the drive up the east coast - very beautiful. And of course we had some shaved ice.

The only real disappointment was that we really wanted to go to Lanikai Beach on the east coast because we remembered it as having been gorgeous on our previous trip to Oahu, but we couldn't find parking. Drove around for an hour to no avail. So we ended up spending more time than we had planned that day at Waimanalo - a pretty good consolation prize.

Silly story: Our snorkel trip was the day of the Georgetown game. I did my advance research, found a sports bar about halfway between the dock and our hotel, and called to confirm that they had Peacock and would put the game on for us. So after snorkeling, we walked about a half-hour and got to the bar with about 5 minutes left in the first half, arriving very thirsty and hungry. When we asked the bartender to turn on the game, she went to go see the manager; a few minutes later she came back and apologized and made up a reason that Peacock wasn't working or something. So we had to trudge our way someplace else, and I was getting hangrier with every step! We ended up a few blocks from our hotel at Waikiki Brewing, where we put Peacock on our cellphones and watched most of the second half on our little screens. We got the game on just in time to watch Marquette's worst stretch. The beer was only OK, but the burger was good.

I guess if that was our biggest complaint, it was a heck of a trip! The weather was absolutely perfect the entire week - 80ish and sunny - so that helped.

Next time, back to Kauai, our favorite place to visit in the United States.

Hopefully you were able to see a few hb🐋🐋.   

[WarriorFan]

I've been to vegas twice in the last 6 months for business.  Hotels and rental cars are cheap.  Dining is out of this world expensive.  Had an italian lunch for one at a place on lake las vegas.  Salad and calamari and a glass of wine:  $90.  For one person!!!

Took customers to Delmonico (which by the way was excellent) and there's not a steak under $70... and that's just for the steak... all sides and everything are extra.  Per person it's easily over $200.  Unreal.

vegas used to be cheap.

[CreightonWarrior]

I've been to vegas twice in the last 6 months for business.  Hotels and rental cars are cheap.  Dining is out of this world expensive.  Had an italian lunch for one at a place on lake las vegas.  Salad and calamari and a glass of wine:  $90.  For one person!!!

Took customers to Delmonico (which by the way was excellent) and there's not a steak under $70... and that's just for the steak... all sides and everything are extra.  Per person it's easily over $200.  Unreal.

vegas used to be cheap.

When go about once a year and stay at a friend's vacation house in Henderson. Every dinner's going to be approaching $300, can't get out of lunch under $100, and two cocktails are always about $50. Can really only justify it with the fact that I'm not paying for a hotel room.

[MuggsyB]

More leg room is what I need 😃

I don't have any issues when I fly coach brother dgies.