Category: Uncategorized

May 22, 2016: Current Events — Egypt Air — Was it an onboard fire that spread quickly and brought the AirBus down?  Was something planted on jet while on the ground at CDG that initiated the fire?

The real message from the Egypt Air Flight 804 incident this week is: US travelers should avoid using Charles De Gaulle Airport for connecting flights to other world destinations. Plenty of other “safer” airports to use  —  the French themselves admit they have security issues at CDG (with this coming summer being especially vulnerable with a major world soccer competition in Paris). The huge confusing airport and airlines employ over 80,000 people to operate the facility — with a good number of lower level service employees coming from countries on high level security and terrorism watch — recently the airport dismissed more than 50 workers who, after being employed and given access to a wide range of airport facilities, could not pass security clearance — read this sentence again — they had been employed and were working at the airport without proper security vetting. On the TC’s recent transit through CDG, I observed very little visible security — like military or police uniforms with big guns — unlike Heathrow and Milan Malpensa where security is “overly visible” and seems to be working. Visit Paris if you must — but avoid CDG if you can!

Estonia is Cold But Wired?

May 21, 2016: Tallinn is the largest city in Estonia — about 500,000 people — in a country with a total population of 1.5 million. The country and city prides itself in being very “wired” and a world leader in high business development and being internet available in just about every corner of the country. And best off all — its easy to connect and always FREE! You can do just about anything and everything on the internet here — start a business, vote, become a citizen, do your taxes (takes less than 15 Estonian minutes), book a seat to travel, eat, visit a spa or check on your kids grades in school. The “locals” are friendly, like Americans (don’t see many of us), dress extremely well, work hard, play hard, enjoy music, and seem to be very happy with life. The TC traveled here on Air Baltic from Paris — Air Baltic is the Estonian flag carrier and flies to over 2 dozen cities. They fly older Boeing 737s and some newer Q400 76 passenger NextGen Bombardiers. Their service is friendly and efficient — something lacking these days with most US carriers — and the inflight crew looks you in the eye when they say “welcome aboard” and “thank you for flying Air Baltic.” Now about that word “cold” in the headline? Well, Estonians must always be cold because they keep the heat up to around 75-80 in almost all indoor areas. And, one final note, you can tell when you see a real native Estonian — easily over 6 feet tall — men and women!

May 20, 2016: CDG, a major international travel hub airport as well as entry to France, is a  travel horror and mess.  The airport, located in the beautiful French countryside and miles from Paris, keeps expanding to accommodate more world airline flights and less passenger convenience.  If using CDG as a flight transfer point, then allow a minimum (MINIMUM — more time if you want less hustle) of 2 hours or more to navigate the maze of terminals via moving sidewalks and terminal bus transfers. Once you figure out where you’re going then be prepared for multi security stops and check points — and the unfriendly “French TSA” agents, most who look like they haven’t slept in days or pressed their uniforms in years. Even a friendly good morning brings a scowl. And, here’s another piece of advice and CDG travel strategy:  if you’re connecting to one of Europe’s low cost budget carriers like “Not so Easy Easy Jet” or Ryan Air — or smaller Air Baltic — after going through all the internal terminal changes and security mazes, be prepared to actually physically exit Terminal D to re-enter on the other side of the same terminal — and go through more lines and security checks.  I think that’s the French government’s way of punishing travelers for using a low cost budget carrier?  The French need to learn from their neighbor the British and how they’ve figured this out with BA’s Terminal 5 at Heathrow — yes, it can take up to 2 hours to move from one terminal to another and navigate the security maze — but it’s efficient and user friendly.  And maybe even enjoy a “spot of tea” along the way!

May 19, 2016: France, one of the snobbiest eating and drinking countries in the world — they started the very posh Michelin Guide star food and dining rating system — uses Costco bottled water at their VIP Business+First Class private boarding lounge at SFO! Granted times have been tough for the government-run flag carrier the past few years — and now in an ownership partnership with the Dutch and KLM — but the choice of Costco for water —— oooh La la!!!

May 17, 2016: And flying used to be such fun — travelers dressed up, dined off real china, men wore ties, women looked sharp —  we seemed to have lost the “romance” of travel? Here’s a fellow traveler heading through the gift shop at SFO to board his flight for Paris. No wonder Americans have such a poor travel reputation worldwide!!! Zut alors!!!

May 16, 2016: Ok TC followers you’re in for a treat, as the TRAVEL CURMUDGEON is on the road to a couple of new destinations — Estonia and Finland — and then tea and scones with the Brit’s in Yorkshire. You’ll experience the highs, lows and characters we meet along the way — and plan to pick up some “general” travel tips that will help you no matter where and when you go. It’s all about the people and experiences along the way … stand by — the first post coming your way tomorrow and highlights the latest in international travel fashion!