I completed my trip that involved flying from Scranton to Orlando and back, with a change at Charlotte both way.
Here's my take.
I ordered and paid for my tickets online with American Airlines. Got to pick my seat for all flights. I only had to upcharge one flight to get the seat I wanted. Communication was great with constant e-mail reminders about my flight, plus other useful info.
At the airport, I checked in online using my phone. And got my boarding passes at the self serve kiosk. That was a great time saver. Plus I only had 1 carry on bag and my laptop carrier. On the way down, I checked the bag for free at the gate, since the plane was full and overhead storage was tight. And it showed up at Orlando at the baggage claim. On the way back, I kept it with me.
The planes were clean and the flight crew was nice. Got my coffee and cookies in the AM, and Coke and pretzels in the PM. Free Wifi, and I watched Formula 1 race qualifiying in my phone for free.
I have to say. American Airlines did a good job, and I was happy with their service.
My wife's co-worker and her husband are flying to Orlando this weekend. They chose to drive to Allentown to fly Alligent directly to Orlando. Good luck, I didn't read any great reviews on Alligent. Plus adding in the price of gas, PA Turnpike tolls, plus an hour longer each way driving than if they went out of Avoca, I doubt they saved much time or money, if any.
Avoca (local name for Scr/WB Itnl Airport AVP) has been modernized. It's clean with plenty of parking. Although whoever at PENNDOT decided to install the roundabouts when the roads were redone should have been flogged in public for that crime again humanity. That's the only complaint I have about AVP.
Charlotte was a nice airport, as one member noted in the original thread that it has grown exponetially over the years. I had no trouble navigating it, even though my return flight to AVP was on the other side of the building.
Orlando airport sucked. It's like it was expanded with no real planning. Using the tram to get from the terminal to the gates wasn't the greatest thing. It was way overcrowded. I read where they are building another terminal to help ease congestion. They could certainly use it.
TSA in AVP was a breeze. TSA in Orlando was a nightmare. Long snaking lines, not enough trays, not the friendliest people. If I was flying on a regular basis, I'd for sure sign up for the TSA Express program.
People on the plane, meh. I was lucky as I ended up sitting with 2 women that I work with or have worked with on the flight from AVP to Charlotte. And I had another old co-worker on the flight back from Charlotte, so I got to hang out with him and his wife at the gate.
Luckily there were no screaming kids on the plane. That would have sucked for sure. And no drunks, thank God. Some people were dressed like slobs, but since a good chunk of them were coming back from Disney, that was no surprise. Not many business casual like I was wearing.
So overall, I was OK with the flights. As I said earlier, I had not flown since 1991, so yes indeed Toto, we weren't in Kansas anymore.
Next year's conference is in Austin Texas. I hope to be able to go.
And that's my take on flying today.
PS - If I go next year, I'm going to fly 1st class.
Here's my take.
I ordered and paid for my tickets online with American Airlines. Got to pick my seat for all flights. I only had to upcharge one flight to get the seat I wanted. Communication was great with constant e-mail reminders about my flight, plus other useful info.
At the airport, I checked in online using my phone. And got my boarding passes at the self serve kiosk. That was a great time saver. Plus I only had 1 carry on bag and my laptop carrier. On the way down, I checked the bag for free at the gate, since the plane was full and overhead storage was tight. And it showed up at Orlando at the baggage claim. On the way back, I kept it with me.
The planes were clean and the flight crew was nice. Got my coffee and cookies in the AM, and Coke and pretzels in the PM. Free Wifi, and I watched Formula 1 race qualifiying in my phone for free.
I have to say. American Airlines did a good job, and I was happy with their service.
My wife's co-worker and her husband are flying to Orlando this weekend. They chose to drive to Allentown to fly Alligent directly to Orlando. Good luck, I didn't read any great reviews on Alligent. Plus adding in the price of gas, PA Turnpike tolls, plus an hour longer each way driving than if they went out of Avoca, I doubt they saved much time or money, if any.
Avoca (local name for Scr/WB Itnl Airport AVP) has been modernized. It's clean with plenty of parking. Although whoever at PENNDOT decided to install the roundabouts when the roads were redone should have been flogged in public for that crime again humanity. That's the only complaint I have about AVP.
Charlotte was a nice airport, as one member noted in the original thread that it has grown exponetially over the years. I had no trouble navigating it, even though my return flight to AVP was on the other side of the building.
Orlando airport sucked. It's like it was expanded with no real planning. Using the tram to get from the terminal to the gates wasn't the greatest thing. It was way overcrowded. I read where they are building another terminal to help ease congestion. They could certainly use it.
TSA in AVP was a breeze. TSA in Orlando was a nightmare. Long snaking lines, not enough trays, not the friendliest people. If I was flying on a regular basis, I'd for sure sign up for the TSA Express program.
People on the plane, meh. I was lucky as I ended up sitting with 2 women that I work with or have worked with on the flight from AVP to Charlotte. And I had another old co-worker on the flight back from Charlotte, so I got to hang out with him and his wife at the gate.
Luckily there were no screaming kids on the plane. That would have sucked for sure. And no drunks, thank God. Some people were dressed like slobs, but since a good chunk of them were coming back from Disney, that was no surprise. Not many business casual like I was wearing.
So overall, I was OK with the flights. As I said earlier, I had not flown since 1991, so yes indeed Toto, we weren't in Kansas anymore.
Next year's conference is in Austin Texas. I hope to be able to go.
And that's my take on flying today.
PS - If I go next year, I'm going to fly 1st class.
