The United and Continental merger: The Continental secret.

So I was a United frequent flyer and very happy about it. I felt pretty good about the ability to accrue miles and spend them. The fleet wasn't the most amazing set of planes I'd been on (once you fly Singapore Airlines all others are basically sad trash in comparison) but for domestic US flights, it's all pretty much the same on the big carriers: Delta, American, US Air, United, Continental, Southwest (yes, they are funner), Alaska (the service IS better).

So United acquired Continental and I thought "whatever, at least now I don't have to fly American into the crapholes of the Southern US to which they have the best access and not get miles on my preferred airline. Continental definitely filled that hole for United, having access into a lot of those Southern airports through their hub in Houston.

So I started taking flights on Continental...and the more I flew it, the more the love grew and I realized: this airline is SO MUCH BETTER than United. a) Their seats often have OUTLETS in them. as in, electrical outlets for me to plug in my computer or phone...those outlets we jockey for in the airport because we want as much battery time in-flight as possible...well I don't need them on my Continental flights because they are IN MY SEAT. b) many planes have the seatback tv with DirecTV. When I don't sleep through the whole flight, it's worth the 6-8 bucks for a full range of tv. c) though to be honest I usually get the channels for free because I am upgraded at least twice as much on Continental as I was on United. which is awesome. d) The Houston airport has lots of awesome shopping, duty free, Starbucks, great restaurant options...way more than Denver or O'Hare. yeah.

A few of my fellow travelers and I have dared speak this aloud. We feel like we're sitting on a secret treasure and are like, "yeah, you other blowhards go ahead and think United is superior with it's whoop-de-shit Economy plus legroom. pay no attention to those flights through IAH..."

On my flight back from Kentucky I have to go through O'Hare on United and I was like *sigh* no tv and free anti-aging sampling in duty free for me. woe. ;)

the team that goes the extra mile...to service you

Cathay Pacific sex photo scandal

See, they're trying to be all noble, claiming this is so reprehensible, missing the golden opportunity to acknowledge that a huge percentage of business travelers are nasty philanderers. Why not just go for it? "This is the team that will go the extra mile for you...and may even be willing to physically pleasure you." It absolutely hits the road warrior segment where they live--their penises. And if you've sat in business or first anytime recently and seen the sausagefest it is (much to my chagrin), you know this is true. Go ahead and soil that reputation, Cathay Pacific.

Sticking it to the Man

I don't know that most travelers are aware that nearly all hotels have complimentary deodorant, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, and toothbrushes behind the front desk. I'll pretty much try to get as many of these as possible at any given stay. i.e. when the clerk in the morning is different from the clerk in the evening...new set! My goal is to not have to buy deodorant or toothpaste for the next 10 years (or give my stash to a homeless shelter. We shall see.) AND to be able to offer all my own houseguests little overnight packs. none will go toothbrushless again!

High-end vs mid-range hotels

If you travel a lot something you'll have noticed is that the nicer the hotel, the less free amenities. You stay at a Hampton Inn, Hyatt Place, Holiday Inn Express, Embassy Suites, Candlewood Suites, Drury, even the Choice hotels and you're getting breakfast, free wifi, heck, sometimes you even get a managers reception with complimentary two-buck chuck and some pretzels and meatballs.

Stay at a Hilton, Marriott, Doubletree, Renaissance, Westin, etc. and you've got a 10.95 minimum fee for wifi per day, definitely no free breakfast--usually their half-assed attempts at expensive modern food, and oftentimes no pool. boo. and double boo if you have kids.

My take is that unless it's an incredible landmark proferring an intensely unique experience, like the Hotel Del Coronado or Waldorf-Astoria, or has some particularly amazing ambience--like the Blackstone in Chicago, or has a to-die-for location, I'd always go midrange. In fact, if it's for practicality and NOT for the experience, choosing high-end hotels is like waving a flag that says "I'm a moron and I like to waste money." we should station robbers outside of them.

Holiday Inn Express

It took me forever to realize what the faintly bizarre and offputting smell of the HIE toiletries was, and now I'm pretty sure I've got it: cinnamon. The fact that I could name it made it less weird, but it's interesting to me that if you are a huge mid-range hotel chain you would choose one of the least common scents to be used on hair and body as your go-to smell. Anyway, if this had been driving you crazy for a few years like it had me, I wanted to get it out there. Whenever I'm staying at an HIE I always pack my own toiletries.

That said, the Holiday Inn Express is a pretty solid choice in the mid-range ($89-139/night). The breakfast with hot options is totally acceptable; the one I recently stayed at in Goodland, Kansas had a pancake machine that delighted my 6 year old nephew to no end. Free wifi, free breakfast, usually a pool, coffee all day, and one of my favorite features: the complimentary makeup remover cloths, all make for a perfectly nice stay.

Raleigh/Durham RDU

This might be my favorite airport. Modern, gorgeous. Small enough to get through security quickly--large enough to have a Starbucks, good eats and a secondhand bookstore (thank you to the are colleges and academics, no doubt). The seat configurations in the waiting areas are fantastic AND they all have powerstrips, so no more fighting over the one exposed outlet! The only drawbacks I'm seeing are the fact that some car rentals are offsite and when you return you have to go up an escalator with your luggage to get to the ticketing area (well, you could take the elevator, but in the ideal scenario they are all on the same level. Even still, at least the escalator has widened steps to accommodate luggage. This is a thoughtfully laid-out airport. j'adore j'adore!

Hilton Garden Inn

My Hilton Garden Inn doesn't have regular toiletries, instead they have installed a dispenser with conditioner, shampoo, and soap. One the one hand, I was slightly sad that I couldn't steal the toiletries per usual, especially since they are Neutrogena. But, on the other hand it is certainly more environmentally friendly, and those Neutrogena bottles were a major PIA to open, and I need more conditioner than that for my hair ANYWAY. So, good on you HGI.

Would it be weird to say that I think the material they use for their comforter or sheets causes me to sweat? Has anyone else experienced this?