James the Travel Guy

November 15, 2009

James the Travel Guy Tip: Taxi Taking at SFO & Credit Cards

Posted by jamesthewineguy under San Francisco International Airport
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I have found taxi taking at San Francisco International is more challenging than it should be with respect to credit cards. I have found that I ask and double ask and ask once more if they the taxi I am going to take accepts credit cards.

I ask again because I have that many taxi cab operators–though they accept credit cards–prefer not to.

I have had many times where the operator says their equipment doesn’t work. And equally other city’s where I am taking a taxi (those that accept credit cards) I have not encountered that problem.

So when you land at SFO ask at the taxi stand and don’t just depend on on a credit card logo to notify if they taxi accepts credit cards—ask the driver several times.

*****

An abundance of travel reviews from an experienced traveler. And a plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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October 30, 2009

Oakland International Airport (OAK) – 6.3 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Posted by jamesthewineguy under Oakland International Airport
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Oakland International is an airport that is not easy to get to if you are on public transport. Sure there is something called AirBART—it is expensive $3.00 (for a bus ride) and then you have to add additional money to use BART. The fare is not only expensive but inconvenient and all you want to do is either be at the airport or be on your suburban or urban sojourn. I have clocked AirtBART taking up to 15-20 minutes. If you were to take a taxi—5 minutes tops. And taxi is another great topic. Taxi drivers are willing to take your from Coliseum station to the airport but all but refuse to take someone from the airport to the BART station.

Some specific comments:

There are two security lines—the Southwest security is long and winding, always busy and moves quite slowly. The northern security line can be busy but it is never like the mainstay carrier – SW security line (the terminal is continuous so you can enter either security line)
The gate seating areas in the northerly gates seating is very limited and the interior design needs a revision.
The northern gates also offer much fewer vendors; Southerly terminals
More often than SFO it experience fewer delays due to fog.

Considering the volume the airport’s design show it was never constructed to handle the number of passengers it handles today’s; there is not vision on design—modern and convenient. A roadway that handles on one level of departures and the other with an upper would be optimum. I still prefer SFO to OAK all the time.

*****

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October 27, 2009

Delta Flight 188: A Wayward Airbus – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Posted by jamesthewineguy under Delta, Flight 188
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It is very bothersome that Delta Flight 188 happened to pass it’s destination by a wide mark last week – 150 miles to be exact. It is hard to know what went on in the cockpit. We go from a heated argument—I prefer the flights I am on to not have pilots arguing with each other—there is a time and place and preferably that is on ground–to them being busy on notebook computers. If the pilots were so busy on computers why would they be so entrenched with them as they are getting close to their destination? Whatever the reasons nothing adds up at this time. There is also the knowledge that there had been a prolonged non-communication period with ground control—from what I understand from Denver to past Minneapolis.

I have plugged in many times to listen to the cockpit on airlines that offer this service to their passengers. Though it might seem routine and boring by most accounts—I find it interesting and coincidentally on a trip to Minneapolis last month I learned of a needed clean up on the runway of a deceased bird. I was glad to understand the circling of the plane several times. I found it and continue to find it educational. And perhaps it may be necessary for passengers to tune in to keep the pilots going in the right direction, course and know when they have reached their destination. I am assuming two things form this flight 1) listening to communications was not available to passengers and / or 2) no passengers were listening if this was offered in their radio programming? If I had heard no sound or an argument I would have been alarmed as a passenger (again, if I could access this radio channel if available). Please note pilots can turn this off and it is at their option. I would hope in the light of this event that pilots “allow” passengers to listen in—after all—they are working and we should be able to have the option to listen in and not let pilots “let us listen.” This is where I do not agree with pilots have the option on this radio channel. Also in September on another flight, I heard a PA saying the captain has elected to not have the on-board radio channel broadcast communication—I was immediately disappointed and more than that had a gut feeling that was not correct. It should not be their right to turn this off at will.

I am surprised that only one passenger and a flight attendant seemed to notice that they were not descending at a time that they should have. I wonder what the flight attendant heard from the pilot(s)—a groggy or grouchy pilot?

We will never know what really happened—but from all writings on this event I do have an unease about cockpit communication (or there lack of), FAA, Delta Airlines and the respective pilot union who have opposed continuous recording of cockpit conversations. From gathering these puzzle pieces no one is too innocent and each had a part to play—a most disturbing trend. I am an avid traveler and hold up all crews to uphold safety for us passengers. I have always admired pilots and am disappointed that these two are either an anomaly or represent a more disturbing trend of pilots who are not focused.

*****

An abundance of travel reviews. And a plethora of wine reviews from wines regions around the world. Read more of my wine reviews: jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com © 2009 James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez – All Rights Reserved. James the Wine Guy also on Facebook, Twitter and most major social medias.

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October 26, 2009

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – 9.3 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Posted by jamesthewineguy under Boston Logan International
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Boston Logan International Airport is a modern clean airport. Well organized even with it’ unattached terminal system—i.e. one has to leave a securitized zone if they have a flight in another terminal. If there was more connectivity it was also make way for better options of food choices.

I was impressed in how European the design and interior design is represented in the terminals. Security was thorough but efficient; only exception I would note is the International Terminal security is a bit arduous. I have not experienced any long delays due to weather or traffic problems. Public transport is available. The only note of caution is when you are looking to go on the T (Boston’s subway system)—while it does serve the airport it is a bus system that connects in downtown Boston with bonafide trains—signage does not properly denote that difference.

Being in and out of countless airports—Boston’s General Edward Lawrence Logan has been a good experience and it’s design goes a long way for good transportation hub.

More US Airports should site visit Boston Logan International for vision inspiration of what their respective airports could be.

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October 5, 2009

My Travel Rating System – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Posted by jamesthewineguy under Uncategorized
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On my travel rating scale of 10.0–10.0 being the highest rating and is a logarithmic sale. Hence an 8.0 is not just a grade of B but a platform and hierarchy; 8.0 and 8.5 to 8.6, etc. are more progressively difficult to reach. Rating in the 9.0 to 10.0 should be considered a good to exceptional experience.

***

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October 5, 2009

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 6.5 -James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Posted by jamesthewineguy under San Francisco International Airport
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An airport I dread more than probably any other airport in the U.S. Unlike the sister airport east or south – Oakland or San Jose International has delays to do weather. A challenge is often when there is a delay from another airport that is compounded at SFO.

The terminal layout with the exception of the international terminal is uneven and does not allow for full use of facilities. If you are in terminal 1 and don’t like the chooses for finding food you are out of luck. Terminal 3 is American and United and the busiest of the domestic terminals.

SFO is outdated in waiting facilities, lack of free WiFi, an outmoded and outdated interior and floor plan and a clear lack of vision. The security line at any SFO terminal I believe to be the most inefficient in the U.S. The lines move at a snails pace; there are insufficient number of lanes for the size and traffic of the airport. It is a blissful dread to be in a security line at SFO. There is no such thing as a down time.

The signage at many gates is woefully inadequate and have no standards. Each airline maintains their own signage system–American Airlines is truly the most antiquated. The CRT screen is circa 1960s.

The luggage system in the domestic terminals is an endless wait. There are frequent interruptions due to failure of equipment–I have had to wait for personnel to get a piece of luggage from blocking the flow so other luggage can get by. The luggage signage is absolutely inadequate and one has to look for people who they might recognize to see if they were on the same flight. While that technique can be helpful, I have experienced dozens of people (including myself) waiting in the wrong luggage carousel.

The domestic terminals are in need of update– a fresh coat of paint and carpet would go a long way. Despite several economic upswings there has been no major renovation program for domestic terminals. VirginAmerica is renovating terminal 2 but that may not go far enough to help the average traveler get through SFO with fewer frown marks.

***

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July 15, 2009

Pencils Becoming Scarce Like the Pay Phone – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Posted by jamesthewineguy under Souvenirs
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When I travel I bring home a pencil from the place I just visited. I look for the tasteful museum or hotel pencils. But I am finding pencils are becoming like public pay phones rare like the condor or restaurant matchbook. I got in the habit of buying pencils because it was the least expensive and easiest to use of souvenirs to bring back. So long are the touristy coffee mugs—which now range between $10-14 a cup—I stopped collecting them. And after all I would have no room to store 4-5 dozen.

My pencils collection consists of about 5 dozen pencils and I have them on a table and see them each day. I am transported back even if just momentarily – to London, New York, Paris, Florence or Albuquerque. I have pencils that are highly kitched from the U.K. or square or abnormally large—every color of the rainbow: white, baby pink, stripped, pictured, those with erasers and those without.

Some of the pencils in my collection are curious and make me laugh or ponder; one pencil that I got at the Modern Art Museum in Ft Worth says on the pencil: “7/5th of all people do not understand fractions” another glows in the dark from the Tech Museum in San Jose. I have a United Nations pencils—makes you wonder does everyone in the general assembly use one or is it just something you get in the gift shop?

I am a tech savvy and rarely do I use a pencil in my daily life but it is something I still treasure and enjoy. I am trying to reduce clutter and decrease the paper presence in my life. But I will keep building this collection as long as there are pencils for sale. I am seeing that fewer airport gift shops have them; or if they do they are mechanical pencils or you are just finding pens. I still need a remembrance of my visit; not so that I don’t forget but so that I can remember again. I do like the simple things and sentimental; I do look upon place and my visits to other places as not just the acquisition of things but the acquisition of experience. A pencil is a simple thing and it transports me and empowers me to write once again.

***

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May 26, 2009

The Best Seat is the Worst Seat on 737 – James the Travel Guy – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Posted by jamesthewineguy under 737, Seat
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Boeing’s 737 is my least favorite commercial jet to fly on. It is not only because of the 3 x 3 seating configuration but partly because of it. Too few lavatories for number of seats is a challenge at best.

It is hard to find a way to travel in the U.S. without having to fly on this aircraft; though flying Frontier, an all Airbus fleet, is much more enjoyable.

The worst-best seat on the 737 is 11A. I like exit row seating but for all of the leg room you get–you get a seat that is not at a 45 degree angle instead it tilts downward–a 40 degree angle. There is a bar that promotes one to not sit right up; in fact you are practically laying down because it is too awkward if not painful to sit straight up. While one might be able to cross their leg you are quickly back to their near lying down position. Though it is exit row–the engineers missed an opportunity to make seat more comfortable without placing an elevated portion on back part of seat. A huge disappointment in what should be a good seat.

A link to Seatguru on this particular seat on the 737: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Southwest_Airlines/Southwest_Airlines_Boeing_737-300.php

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May 1, 2009

My Other Blogs – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

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November 29, 2008

James the Travel Guy Tip – San Francisco: DeYoung Museum & California Academy of Sciences

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I live in San Francisco and have avoided Golden Gate park for a while; the non-direct public transport routes. It felt like an all day trek there and back and if was not into a one day event I felt there was little for me to do for my cultural craving. That changed with the re-opening of the DeYoung and California Academy of Sciences.

But now I have more reasons to go and spend more time. In a small area there is the newly re-designed DeYoung Museum and California Academy of Sciences. Each building has had the touch of an internationally acclaimed architect: Renzo Piano’s green and bubble topped California Academy of Sciences and Herzog & DeMeuron’s evocative copper structure with a twisting tower. The entry way to the DeYoung is one to ponder a bit; designed by Andrew Goldsworthy is a flagstone entryway; the flagstone needs examination; to the casual viewer there maybe an acknowledgement that the crack in the rock looks natural and un-intended; keep your eye following the crack and extends from one flagstone to the next and the next and so fourth. Once the brain collects this information you are certain to be wowed. Make it to the Tower; feels like you are in a tree house and that was what was intended; the copper skin will oxidize and will be both harmonious with the tree line.

The collection is mediocre but it has always been that way; there are no famous paintings that are cited in your art history text books that lie hanging here. But the experience of the interior and exterior deserve attention and I look forward to each visit here. I go on a Sunday (I recommend not a particular day to visit); seems to be the perfect way to begin a week in this copper rectangle and it’s pock marked surface. A Herzog & DeMeuoron masterpiece.

The California Academy of Science is exciting inside and out. The revitalized exterior called for a revised interior and curatorship. Recommendation is don’t go on weekend; enjoy the visit un-hurried and yes during the week there will be plenty of field trips occurring but the weekends seemed to be filled with so many people you cannot enjoy the best part of the museum.

California Academy of Science Tips:

Tip 1: avoid weekends

Tip 2: avoid third Wednesday of the Month – Wachovia Wednesdays (free admission to the museum) even though Wachovia may not exist these Wednesday still do

Tip 3: Go early so you can see everything

And while you are out here and may have more time time; you can also visit the Strybing Arboretum which is slightly southwest of the DeYoung and California Academy of Sciences. The Arboretum is free and has a nice collection of plants and trees and it’s a free entry.

Overall visit tips:

1) You can take the the 74X Culture Bus from South of Market to this area of Golden Gate Park; it is expensive – $7 for adults; a taxi may cost slightly more (to and from) and it may be difficult to get (I always have three taxi services programmed into my phone).

2) Parking will be a challenge on the weekend; more so on Sunday since JFK Drive is closed to cars.

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Read James’ other blogs: James the Wine Guy and James the Food Guy; jamesthewineguy.wordpress.com and jamesthefoodguy.wordpress.co

James the Travel Guy

James the Travel Guy Tip: Taxi Taking at SFO & Credit Cards

Oakland International Airport (OAK) – 6.3 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Delta Flight 188: A Wayward Airbus – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – 9.3 – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

My Travel Rating System – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 6.5 -James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

Pencils Becoming Scarce Like the Pay Phone – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

The Best Seat is the Worst Seat on 737 – James the Travel Guy – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

My Other Blogs – James Meléndez / Jaime Patricio Meléndez

James the Travel Guy Tip – San Francisco: DeYoung Museum & California Academy of Sciences

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