Non-scientific study

I have done extensive research on something and keep arriving at the same conclusion - the more time I spend in an airport, the more money I spend. And there is a factor that probably doubles or triples this effect - being in an international airport.

Just for some clarification....I do not fall for the "duty free" crap. I know that stuff isn't really as good of a deal as they want you to believe. In part because I live in a state where I already don't pay sales tax on clothes, shoes etc. But even without the tax you may be paying more than if you simply bought the product at your local Target or mall. Especially cosmetics!

The draw, for me, especially in international airports are products I can't easily get at home. I just bought several boxes at the Amsterdam airport of stroopwaffels. A delicious, sweet waffle-like thing with caramel sandwiched between. There are versions available in the US, but these are better! (Yes, another non-scientific study.)

I also picked up two huge bags of Haribo gummy bears. (One for Andy, and one for my friend PMS.). The flavors available here are slightly different than what I've enjoyed in the US.

I spent lots of time looking at the liquors, but I know they are cheaper at home.

See previous post for my new solution to this shopping problem.

Airport lounges

For reasons I don't really understand, my status with Delta airlines entitles me to free lounge access abroad. I have to pay to enter Delta's lounges in the US, but I get in free outside of the US.

Today was the first time I've taken advantage of lounge facilities. It is mostly quiet in the lounge at the Oslo airport....just one guy gabbering on his mobile phone.

I can help myself to soda, water - still and sparkling, wine - red and white, beer, coffee, tea, and there is food too! Cheese, ham, cereal and yogurt.

And perhaps the best two parts - internet access and line-free toilets.

I like the lounge! It even feels a little spa-like. But....I'm not sure I would pay for it unless perhaps I had a long layover.

Another bonus -- the more time I spend in the lounge the less time I spend shopping. It is almost like I am being paid to relax in the lounge!

11-12 December 2010

I think these are pretty accurate weekend totals for the amount of time I spent in airports and on planes.....this weekend.

Saturday-
4 hours on a plane
3 hours in the airport

and then back home when they closed the airport. I could have just about gotten to Europe in that amount of time. I am just trying to get to Vegas.

Sunday-
I am on hour 4 in the Salt Lake City airport. We have a plane, but don't have pilots to fly it.

Plus.....
4 hours on two different flights
7 hours in two airports - Minneapolis and St. Louis

It has been a very long day. Lesson learned.

Lesson = consult crystal ball before booking travel, especially during the winter months.

The TSA baggie

I have gotten very good at cramming lots of little bottles into a quart-sized bag in order to comply with TSA's regulation regarding bringing liquids, gels, etc. on board an airplane.

I was very excited to read Blogger Bob's post about deodorant. This was a game changer for me! My deodorant doesn't need to be three ounces or less and doesn't need to be in my baggie. I now have more room for moisturizers and other stuff.

Thanks Bob!

And in other good news.....there is a store at the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport that sells my 2nd favorite energy drink. And the store is after security so I can bring it with me on the airplane.

My local airport now has a wine bar. I will need to check it out!

(No, I won't be drinking wine and an energy drink at the same time. I will save the energy drink for later.)

Airports

I've been to many airports.

I play trivia almost every Tuesday night. This week they had a question about the number of airports in the US. I got the question correct.... in part because I travel lots.... and in part because the TSA is one of my clients. They know all of the US airports.

This reminded me that I was going to do a blog post about airport codes. DH thinks it is strange that I can instantly recall these from memory.

MSP - Minneapolis / St. Paul (home)
AMS - Amsterdam
LAX - Los Angeles
LAS - Las Vegas
DFW - Dallas Ft Worth
PDX - Portland, Oregon
SFO - San Francisco
MIA - Miami
LCY - London City
LGW - London Gatwick
LHR - London Heathrow
LGA - La Guardia
NRT - Tokyo Narita
DCA - Washington National
IAD - Washington Dulles
BWI - Baltimore Washington
MDW - Chicago Midway
ORD - Chicago O'Hare
SEA - Seattle - Tacoma
YVR - Vancouver
YUL - Montreal
DTW - Detroit
STL - St. Louis
DEN - Denver
PHX - Phoenix
SLC - Salt Lake City
CDG - Charles de Gaulle Paris
JFK - John F Kennedy
MCO - Orlando, FL
ATL - Atlanta

Yep....I need a new hobby. Or, I should have been a travel agent.

I have a good story about when DH's brother wanted to fly to Charleston, SC for a long weekend, but ended up with a ticket to Charleston, WV instead. I've been to both, and I prefer SC! I didn't know these until now, but their codes are: CHS for Charleston, SC; and CRW for Charleston, WV. Please.......don't anyone else make this mistake.

Red Tail?

I am sitting at MSP (Minneapolis - St. Paul airport) waiting for my flight to DCA (Washington National airport) and am wondering if the plane will be NWA (red tail) or Delta.

(BTW - I know lots of airport codes, but that can be a different post.)

Delta airlines is merging (translation - absorbing) Northwest airlines. I get about one e-mail per week from NWA about the merger. Growing up in Minnesota - the world HQ for NWA - I am a little sad that brand is going away. I now take a picture of my plane every time I fly. I have been doing this for several months now. Eventually, I will be on a NWA-painted plane for the last time, and I want to be sure and capture this historic moment.

I have a picture from my last flight ready to upload in case tonight's plane does not have a red tail.

London / Paris - 12 June 2009

My last day in London. I am sitting at London City Airport (I love free wi-fi) waiting for my flight to Paris. I had one work meeting earlier today, one last pub meal with my UK colleague, and now I am trying to catch up on work before I sign off for two weeks.

I am so unbelievably frustrated right now. There were two - yes two - earlier flights to Paris; but they don't do stand-by here. They are happy to let seats go empty and make me wait for my later flight. I don't understand the insanity of this. They tried to get another 300 British pounds from me to take one of those earlier flights. I am really, really hating Air France.

Tomorrow will be better. Today was not good for me, but my family had a good day.

What my family did in Paris:
Found a great bakery near the hotel, went to the Louvre, walked through the Jardin de Tuileries and Place de la Concorde, walked by the US Embassy, and ate at a local McDonald's. Walked up the Champs Elysees to Arc de Triomphe. Went back to the ice cream place, and ate dinner at an Indian restaurant. Andy was awake for this dinner.