airport drunk

Alright, so I totally picked the wrong airline for this convention in Phoenix. I completely forgot that they are the hub for US Airways and I could have flown direct (albiet at twice the price), and instead stuck with my trusty Continental... Oh well. First flight of the day was pretty early, watched Mister Magoriams Wonder Emporium (I think Dustin Hoffman captured the Willy Wonka spirit well), customs went smooth, had a few pints at the Sky Box... It went pretty smooth.

Side rant: It's amazing how painless and easy air travel is when you know what to do and how to do it efficiently. I can't stand how 95% of the people in security in front of me haven't read the basic shit like take off your fucking shoes, take your laptop out of your bag, no you can't take your scissors onboard, etc... I mean where have you been the last 7 years?! Yes, they are bullshit rules, but if you are prepared and on the ball you'll breeze through security so quick. How about schedule a layover that's not 27 minutes? The only thing that makes landing and taxiing to the gate worse is having the loser beside you complain about how he's going to miss his connecting flight so he has to deplane first... I actually look forward to a couple drinks, a good lunch, and catching up on some emails.

Anyway, PHX rocks. I'm definitely going to have a fun few days in this city... Tempe is Hot Girl City, and the convention I'm attending is basically four days of straight partying anyway. I've done the smart thing and scheduled my return flight for 3 days after the convention so I don't have to fly hungover. It should be fun.

Had a very short nap on my way over to IAH from LAS... I never sleep well in coach, even with exit row. I've even been thinking of trying out one of those goofy U-shaped travel pillows. On the plus side though, flying Continental is always a stress-free experience, and I love the Houston airport. I'll post about Houston some other time, but let's just say that so far it's bee my favorite.

The Fox Sports Sky Box helps a lot, although usually I'm there for lunch (nothing like a Texas-sized Bass Ale to celebrate landing in the United States), so I wasn't sure what to do... Turns out the Sky Box is open for breakfast too. Had an omelet with great hash browns and some average coffee. Was feeling a little shitty from the lack of sleep, so I didn't even bother digging my laptop out... I mean hell, after two weeks in Vegas I just wanted to go home and go to bed. I keep telling myself I will never book another overnighter again, but then I keep on doing it. Live and learn?

The only bar near my gate seems to be part of a Wolfgang Puck Express... Now they won't let me order food at the bar, they do have menus available but apparantly I have to walk to the counter on the other side of the room to order. I think I'll just enjoy my beer instead ;) I hate overnight redeye flights, so I always figure the more I drink beforehand the quicker I'll get to sleep once I board the plane. I always enjoy a red wine once in flight, although the selection from most airlines in coach is pretty sad. I mean I'll pay extra for good wine (and the guys in first class get it free?!)

The slot machines are hilarious, one of those Vegas things I guess. McCarran (LAS) is full of them, they even have sealed off areas so you can smoke and lose whatever money you have left over before you get on your plane and head back to normalcy... If your life is normal, I guess. I must be the only guy who visits Las Vegas for two weeks at a time ;)

I'm on my way to Houston and then Costa Rica... I normally love the Houston airport (more on that later), but I know the 2 hour morning layover will be pretty dull. Such is the price I pay for living so far away from the real world I guess.

After being in Vancouver for Christmas, who wouldn't want a trip to Vegas? Thing was, I had no desire to return to Vancouver, and the airline I was taking from Latin America to Vancouver (Continental) can't handle the YVR to LAS route, so I booked a multi destination through Continental and then a one way YVR to LAS through Westjet.

I've only flown Westjet a few times, but like always I was impressed. Super cheerful staff, great price on the flight (Westjet doesn't penalize you for booking one-way), no problems or complaints, exit row window seat (like always). I love how they have full Direct TV in each headrest, so you have plenty of entertainment options (once on a 5 hour flight HBO was doing a Sopranos marathon, so that was great). I was a little disappointed that they only had Bloody Mary mix and nothing to make a Caeser (hey, it's a Canadian airline), but what can you do. Arrived in Vegas on a beautiful Sunny day, had a great strip view, and was 5 minutes early. If I still lived in Canada I'd fly Westjet everywhere.