Scoop Airport/Hotel/Travel Thread

[MuggsyB]

When I see pilots and flight crew bypass the line at security they usually just flash their badge.  I am not sure I've ever seen TSA check for a passport.

Is that legally allowed?  It can't be. 

[Hards Alumni]

Is that legally allowed?  It can't be. 

Dunno, just my anecdotal observations.  My guess is TSA will be doing checks on those from now on if they haven't been! 

[MuggsyB]

Dunno, just my anecdotal observations.  My guess is TSA will be doing checks on those from now on if they haven't been! 

Ya, this is clearly a situation where people weren't doing their job.  Not to mention a pilot who's mishap is inexplicable and down right ridiculous. 

[JWags85]

Is that legally allowed?  It can't be. 

Why not?  You don't have to flash your passport to anyone if you're boarding a private jet flying abroad.  Just present it to border control at the destination.  Any United hub, including LAX, has international flights departing from the same terminal as domestic.  So the security line procedure is the same if you're flight to Shanghai as if you're flying to Seattle.  I flew from EWR to Tokyo 2 weeks ago and didn't take my passport out of my pocket until I was boarding the flight.

TSA is a domestic security agency, not immigration or border control agency.  For someone who travels as much as you, I'd assume you'd understand/know that.

It was an amusingly irresponsible action for the pilot, but it didn't break any laws and won't affect any policy cause it was a fluke.  Sometimes stupid stuff happens, it doesn't always mean some catastrophic failure or need for changes.

[CreightonWarrior]

Best Italian in NYC?

[MU82]

Best Italian in NYC?

[dgies9156]

Is that legally allowed?  It can't be. 

My observation from my years of traveling is they go through a separate line and a simple metal detector.

This procedure was developed after a USAir employee carried a gun past an airline employee checkpoint. The employee/gunman got on the plane, rushed the cockpit, shot the pilot and co-pilot and crashed a BAE-146 into the mountains near San Luis Obispo, CA.

My understanding is that TSA screens everyone who enters the secure section of an airport. NO exceptions.

[swoopem]

Best Italian in NYC?

Author and Sons in West Village

[pbiflyer]

Okay, two asks.

We are attending the EAA AirVenture fka EAA Fly In. First time. Will be driving in from either West Bend or hopefully, Fon Du Lac.
How long and painful is the line to get into parking? Assuming we need to bring a collapsible chair. Any other tidbits of wisdom? Advice on must dos?
Going with teen son who is an aviation junky. Planning on 3-4 days, but skipping the weekend. Enough time? Too much? Missing anything other than crowds if we don't do Saturday?
If we stay in Fon Du Lac, any place to go besides the required visit to the Press Box?



Second ask:
In DC for a one day conference at the Walter E Washington Convention Center. Have a free evening the night before. Any must place to go? Not high end restaurant. More of an interesting, fun or can't miss place. Drinks or food or both. Or just an interesting neighborhood to stroll through?
Been to all the traditional places so no sightseeing, been all over Georgetown, DuPont Circle, Adams Morgan.
Will not have a car, so using the metro is the primary mode of transportation.
Was thinking of just strolling around the Wharf area. Decent choice? Never been.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Okay, two asks.

We are attending the EAA AirVenture fka EAA Fly In. First time. Will be driving in from either West Bend or hopefully, Fon Du Lac.
How long and painful is the line to get into parking? Assuming we need to bring a collapsible chair. Any other tidbits of wisdom? Advice on must dos?
Going with teen son who is an aviation junky. Planning on 3-4 days, but skipping the weekend. Enough time? Too much? Missing anything other than crowds if we don't do Saturday?
If we stay in Fon Du Lac, any place to go besides the required visit to the Press Box?



Second ask:
In DC for a one day conference at the Walter E Washington Convention Center. Have a free evening the night before. Any must place to go? Not high end restaurant. More of an interesting, fun or can't miss place. Drinks or food or both. Or just an interesting neighborhood to stroll through?
Been to all the traditional places so no sightseeing, been all over Georgetown, DuPont Circle, Adams Morgan.
Will not have a car, so using the metro is the primary mode of transportation.
Was thinking of just strolling around the Wharf area. Decent choice? Never been.

DC
I was at a convention back in October at the WEW Convention Center.
* I like to make a lunch stop at Ben's Chili Bowl and stare at all the photos of celebs who have eaten there.
* Strolling the Mall is always good.
* As far as strolling someplace different, my family traditionally stays in Alexandria when visiting DC. Alexandria has a whole different feel.  King Street Metro blue & yellow lines drops you off there.  You can stroll down King Street that starts at the George Washington Masonic Tower and goes to the riverfront at the Torpedo Factory.  Red brick buildings and walks.  There is a trolley bus that goes up and down King Street making stops if you don't feel like walking.   There's a chili place, Hard Times, on King Street as well as the Alexandria Bier Garden.  You can sit on the roof and look at the street below.

[WarriorFan]

EAA
Best restaurant in Oshvegas is TJ Highland at the Oshkosh country club.  Also very cool is TJ's Harbor.  Both are off 45 if you decide to take the slow way back to Fondy.  Same owner. 
Never had a problem parking.  Plan on long walks.  I always thought a long day is enough but the air shows are different each day and evening so that makes it worth it to do more than one day.
Take earplugs.  Was once about 500 yards from a Harrier hovering and reversing.  The noise was beyond deafening. 

[pbiflyer]

EAA
Best restaurant in Oshvegas is TJ Highland at the Oshkosh country club.  Also very cool is TJ's Harbor.  Both are off 45 if you decide to take the slow way back to Fondy.  Same owner. 
Never had a problem parking.  Plan on long walks.  I always thought a long day is enough but the air shows are different each day and evening so that makes it worth it to do more than one day.
Take earplugs.  Was once about 500 yards from a Harrier hovering and reversing.  The noise was beyond deafening. 

Great suggestion on the ear plugs. Thanks for the food advice. TJ's Harbor looks more my speed as I love waterfront places. I was actually going to take that route back at least one of the days.
Little pbiflyer will be sitting in on all the classes and lectures, so multiple days.

[reinko]

Anyone ever been to the Gulfport/Biloxi area in MS?  Heading there in the Fall for a golf trip with MU buddies.  All recs welcome.

[MuggsyB]

Quito food suggestions?  Ty. 

[The Lens]

Re: EAA / Oshkosh.

My sister has a lake house in Waupaca, this is always a stop on the way home:

The Taqueria
Best in Oshkosh

[tower912]

Shrimp po'boys, where the shrimp was caught in the last couple of hours, are awesome. On the other hand, thee crayfish pizza had its revenge.

[MU82]

My wife and I returned this week from a two-week European sojourn - 3 days in Rome, cruise from Rome to Athens, 3 days in Athens.

We had a lot of fun, ate incredibly well and saw so many amazing historical sites.

My favorite was the tour we took of Pompeii and Vesuvius (one of the cruise ports was Naples). Our guide was excellent, and there was just so much to see.

Unfortunately, I'm having knee surgery in a few weeks so I was on crutches and couldn't do everything. I couldn't climb to the top of Vesuvius, nor could I climb the Acropolis to the Pantheon. But I still got a ton out of the trip and didn't miss much that I wanted to see in the limited time we had.

Thanks to Scoopers who made suggestions on things to do and places to eat. One of our favorites in Athens was Geros Tou Maria in the Plaka neighborhood. Outstanding food, great service and a tremendous atmosphere.

The Airbnb where we stayed in Rome literally had a view of the Colosseum outside the front door, so that was really cool.

Our cruise was on Princess' newest ship, the Sun Princess. Really nice, with mostly good food and very good entertainment. I'd rate it behind the two Celebrity cruises we took, but on a par with Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

Our weather was near perfect the entire time, and that helps make any vacation great.

We were squeezed into coach on the flight to Rome and hated it, so we upgraded to business class for the flight home. It was worth all the miles we had to use!

[21Jumpstreet]

Recently got back from a month in Europe, two weeks in the south of French and two in Italy. Highly recommend St. Remy, would move there tomorrow, Provence wine region, my wife loves her rose, and the French Riviera. Arles Saturday market was an incredible experience, and biking through the countryside was gorgeous. Left Cannes the day before the film fest started, very cool to see the city get set up for such an amazing event. Was in Monaco a couple weeks before the F1 race, was cool to see the track and set up, lost a quick 150 Euro at Monte Carlo.

Italy was fun, but not as great as France. Rome is like Athens and Cairo, the center of the universe for a time so had to see all the sights. Sistine Chapel reopened the day we got to Rome. Spent time in Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice. Few highlights were the statue of David, absolutely awe inspiring, a hot air balloon ride over Tuscany, incredibly peaceful, and my solo hike of all the five cities of Cinque Terre. Hiked about 13.5 miles total to each city from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, 3500 feet of elevation change, very steep in parts, difficult by my standards, so rewarding. That day I accessed the five cities on foot, by train, and by boat, very cool experience for me. I will go back to Florence to eat and drink more, but if/when I return to Italy, it will be to Milan next summer before or after I sail Croatia or the south of Italy.

[JWags85]

My wife and I returned this week from a two-week European sojourn - 3 days in Rome, cruise from Rome to Athens, 3 days in Athens.

We had a lot of fun, ate incredibly well and saw so many amazing historical sites.

My favorite was the tour we took of Pompeii and Vesuvius (one of the cruise ports was Naples). Our guide was excellent, and there was just so much to see.

Unfortunately, I'm having knee surgery in a few weeks so I was on crutches and couldn't do everything. I couldn't climb to the top of Vesuvius, nor could I climb the Acropolis to the Pantheon. But I still got a ton out of the trip and didn't miss much that I wanted to see in the limited time we had.

Thanks to Scoopers who made suggestions on things to do and places to eat. One of our favorites in Athens was Geros Tou Maria in the Plaka neighborhood. Outstanding food, great service and a tremendous atmosphere.

The Airbnb where we stayed in Rome literally had a view of the Colosseum outside the front door, so that was really cool.

Our cruise was on Princess' newest ship, the Sun Princess. Really nice, with mostly good food and very good entertainment. I'd rate it behind the two Celebrity cruises we took, but on a par with Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

Our weather was near perfect the entire time, and that helps make any vacation great.

We were squeezed into coach on the flight to Rome and hated it, so we upgraded to business class for the flight home. It was worth all the miles we had to use!

I'm totally over/anti-AirBNB in the US.  It's gotten to the point where you're usually paying near hotel prices for a place that the owners is wanting you to clean or make other silly demands.

HOWEVA, in Europe AirBNB is still incredible and you can find total gems in amazing spots.  I stayed at 2 BR AirBNB in Shoreditch in London that was half the price of a decent Marriot/Hyatt/Hilton overlooking a fantastic main street in the heart of the neighborhood.  Stayed at one in Heraklion in Crete that was probably 1200 sqf for 125€ and looked directly unobstructed at the fort in the harbor.

Your time in Rome reminded me one of my favorite Euro experiences. Was flying to Malta through Rome.  Well our flight from Newark to Rome was hours delayed. And we had a separate Alitalia (RIP) flight that we missed.  Since they were two separate reservations, they did nothing for us and we had to make a new booking.  Next flight wasn't for like 7 hours.  So we checked our bags at FCO, took the train into Rome.  I'd been, but my wife had never.  So did an absolute whirlwind blow through. Colosseum, Pantheon, Ruins, St Peter's from a distance, Trevi and the Spanish Steps, and sprinted back to the train.  I've never been so sweaty but it was an incredible cultural firehouse.

Similarly, my first time in Paris, had a 24 hour layover in a family trip.  We had a nice leisurely breakfast, then rented bikes and went everywhere from the Eiffel, to Sacre Couer, past the Lourve, to Notre Dame, and their Pantheon back to our hotel in the 15th to get a car to CDG.

It's funny cause my preference for Europe is to spend almost a week in a city and just get a feel for life there and the day to day even if seeing touristy or cultural sights...but two of my fav European memories are madcap sprints through famous cities 

[JWags85]

Recently got back from a month in Europe, two weeks in the south of French and two in Italy. Highly recommend St. Remy, would move there tomorrow, Provence wine region, my wife loves her rose, and the French Riviera. Arles Saturday market was an incredible experience, and biking through the countryside was gorgeous. Left Cannes the day before the film fest started, very cool to see the city get set up for such an amazing event. Was in Monaco a couple weeks before the F1 race, was cool to see the track and set up, lost a quick 150 Euro at Monte Carlo.

Italy was fun, but not as great as France. Rome is like Athens and Cairo, the center of the universe for a time so had to see all the sights. Sistine Chapel reopened the day we got to Rome. Spent time in Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice. Few highlights were the statue of David, absolutely awe inspiring, a hot air balloon ride over Tuscany, incredibly peaceful, and my solo hike of all the five cities of Cinque Terre. Hiked about 13.5 miles total to each city from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, 3500 feet of elevation change, very steep in parts, difficult by my standards, so rewarding. That day I accessed the five cities on foot, by train, and by boat, very cool experience for me. I will go back to Florence to eat and drink more, but if/when I return to Italy, it will be to Milan next summer before or after I sail Croatia or the south of Italy.

Incredible trip, so jealous. After a few trips to Paris, but also some time in Marseille, Reims, and Mulhouse...Parisians are snobby douchebags that really live up to every stereotype, but the French throughout the rest of the country are lovely people.  Parisians scoffed or basically eye rolled any attempt at speaking French, while in Mulhouse, the locals would happily react to clearly American accented French and offer local slang to use in place of a more formal phrase.

Though I loved it there, I saw what I wanted to see in Florence, however I'd return tomorrow cause the food is so sublime.  I actually am a hater of classic home style red sauce Italian that is so prevalent on the East Coast.  But Tuscan style Italian food is some of my favorite cuisine ever.  Also very much looking to return to Venice in the off season.  Want to explore and stroll when cruise ships aren't puking 10s of thousands of people onto the plazas

[WarriorFan]

Combo Question for Tennis and Travel threads:
Anyone go regularly/recently to the Cincinnatti Open tennis?  Any helpful hints?  Parking, food, where to see the big stars up close, etc?
Hotel recommendations nearby?

[MU82]

I'm totally over/anti-AirBNB in the US.  It's gotten to the point where you're usually paying near hotel prices for a place that the owners is wanting you to clean or make other silly demands.

HOWEVA, in Europe AirBNB is still incredible and you can find total gems in amazing spots.  I stayed at 2 BR AirBNB in Shoreditch in London that was half the price of a decent Marriot/Hyatt/Hilton overlooking a fantastic main street in the heart of the neighborhood.  Stayed at one in Heraklion in Crete that was probably 1200 sqf for 125€ and looked directly unobstructed at the fort in the harbor.

Totally agree. I still often check Airbnb availability and prices when doing a U.S. trip of more than several days, but usually choose a hotel for the exact reason you state. Exception would be spending multiple weeks in a pricey place like Hawaii.

But our Airbnbs in Rome and Athens were great, and much less expensive than a similar hotel would have been. Plus, we went with another couple and wanted a bigger place.

Recently got back from a month in Europe, two weeks in the south of French and two in Italy. Highly recommend St. Remy, would move there tomorrow, Provence wine region, my wife loves her rose, and the French Riviera. Arles Saturday market was an incredible experience, and biking through the countryside was gorgeous. Left Cannes the day before the film fest started, very cool to see the city get set up for such an amazing event. Was in Monaco a couple weeks before the F1 race, was cool to see the track and set up, lost a quick 150 Euro at Monte Carlo.

Italy was fun, but not as great as France. Rome is like Athens and Cairo, the center of the universe for a time so had to see all the sights. Sistine Chapel reopened the day we got to Rome. Spent time in Florence, Cinque Terre, and Venice. Few highlights were the statue of David, absolutely awe inspiring, a hot air balloon ride over Tuscany, incredibly peaceful, and my solo hike of all the five cities of Cinque Terre. Hiked about 13.5 miles total to each city from Monterosso to Riomaggiore, 3500 feet of elevation change, very steep in parts, difficult by my standards, so rewarding. That day I accessed the five cities on foot, by train, and by boat, very cool experience for me. I will go back to Florence to eat and drink more, but if/when I return to Italy, it will be to Milan next summer before or after I sail Croatia or the south of Italy.

Wow ... what a trip! Glad you had a great time - though it would have been pretty hard not to have.

Many years ago, I spent a week in Rouen and every single person I encountered was very nice. The pace was slow and easy, unlike in Paris.

[21Jumpstreet]

Incredible trip, so jealous. After a few trips to Paris, but also some time in Marseille, Reims, and Mulhouse...Parisians are snobby douchebags that really live up to every stereotype, but the French throughout the rest of the country are lovely people.  Parisians scoffed or basically eye rolled any attempt at speaking French, while in Mulhouse, the locals would happily react to clearly American accented French and offer local slang to use in place of a more formal phrase.

Though I loved it there, I saw what I wanted to see in Florence, however I'd return tomorrow cause the food is so sublime.  I actually am a hater of classic home style red sauce Italian that is so prevalent on the East Coast.  But Tuscan style Italian food is some of my favorite cuisine ever.  Also very much looking to return to Venice in the off season.  Want to explore and stroll when cruise ships aren't puking 10s of thousands of people onto the plazas

My wife had the same observation, there really is a humility and hospitality outside of Paris. I do also love Paris, to be honest. She speaks no French minus the 3-5 basic greetings/sayings and found it really fun to work with locals who spoke no English on what either was saying.

Venice was a surprise hit for me. I didn't have high expectations, not sure why, but they were exceeded. Wandering around, incredible ciccheti from a one man shops with cheap and delicious wine. I'm a fan of Banksy so seeing his work was cool. A surprise hit was a restaurant near the Rialto with decent food, good wine, and an incredible DJ who looked like an aged Paul Newman from The Color of Money playing every American song and singing along. The place was even called Florida. Everything pointed to an abomination, yet it was so fun. The American Jazz bar was a blast. My wife and I like to search out local stuff and try to communicate in the language, but sometimes some funny reminders of the states are pretty fun.

Water busses are fun, went to Murano to see the blown glass, super cool, did not do a gondola, just ran out of time, but did take a taxi to the airport which was great.

Stayed in a variety of lodging options, Villa Hautvallon in Gordes, FR, was amazing. The Majestic in Cannes was that iconic Hollywood hotel experience, and our AirBnB in Florence in the Altrarno was perfect. Right next to this incredible, tiny sandwich shop where the mom makes everything and the daughter serves it.

I will say the food in France blew away Italy, minus Florence. We had multi-course Michelin meals, picnics in the countryside, spritz's and charcuterie at the local tabac and never once felt stuffed or gluttonous. The first afternoon in Italy, oof, I could tell pizza and pasta  was gonna be a challenge. Of course, walking 10 miles a day helps. Florence was a nice respite from the Roman type foods, and even thought the panini in Florence from the tiny shops are amazing, the wild boar, calamari, steak, and vegetables were incredible.

[MU82]

With many U.S. national parks horribly understaffed due to political shenanigans, this NYT article profiles 5 Canadian national parks that are affordable, better staffed and less crowded than U.S. counterparts:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/03/travel/canada-national-parks.html

Of the 5, I've only been to Banff, which is spectacular, but at least a couple of the others also are appealing to me.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Incredible trip, so jealous. After a few trips to Paris, but also some time in Marseille, Reims, and Mulhouse...Parisians are snobby douchebags that really live up to every stereotype, but the French throughout the rest of the country are lovely people.  Parisians scoffed or basically eye rolled any attempt at speaking French, while in Mulhouse, the locals would happily react to clearly American accented French and offer local slang to use in place of a more formal phrase.

Though I loved it there, I saw what I wanted to see in Florence, however I'd return tomorrow cause the food is so sublime.  I actually am a hater of classic home style red sauce Italian that is so prevalent on the East Coast.  But Tuscan style Italian food is some of my favorite cuisine ever.  Also very much looking to return to Venice in the off season.  Want to explore and stroll when cruise ships aren't puking 10s of thousands of people onto the plazas

Most of the French criticisms seems to come from people who have never been to France.

My daughter studied abroad in 2022 in Grenoble and lived in Amboise for the 2023-2024 school year as an English language assistant.  Leonardo DaVinci is buried in Amboise.
I've visited her in both places and the people I met could not have been nicer.  My daughter had a 1 month housing issue when starting work and a teacher took her in for a month until she could move into her apartment.  My daughter said people in both places described Paris as Wags indicated!