I work for one of those companies that require the use of the same agency at all times, unless cars are not available. The agency they demand we use is National. At first, having been a long time Avis Preferred customer, I resented the change. I quickly signed up for the National Emerald Aisle program, so at least I could go straight to my car.
I have been on this new program for several weeks now, and must admit, I am liking it. Not only do I get to go straight to my car, but I get the added benefit of choosing which car I want to drive, within my car class selection. This has resulted in an added benefit that I had not anticipated.
When arriving in a city late at night, it was always an exercise to figure out where all of the controls were on a given vehicle. Cruising at 65 mph is not time to go hunting for cruise control, interior light control, mirror adjustment or radio band selection buttons. With National Emerald Aisle, I select the same car model every time I rent. It may not be the greatest car, or even the car I would choose to drive at home. The advantage is the fact that I already know where all of the controls are, and do not have to learn a completely new layout two or three times per week.
By the way, my car of choice lately has been the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Easy on gas, plenty of room for a midsize car, and even a little retro looking, for us old school fans!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Welcome To My World
There are not many things that I hate in this world, but the Middle Seat on any airplane is one of them. People who know me know this about me. Hate may be too strong a word. I think most of us use the word hate as a way to punctuate our dislike of something. If you tell somebody that you hate something, they will become completely distracted with getting to the bottom of whatever is causing that emotion. This is not the case with Middle Seat hate, they just seem to understand on some level.
Now I must preface this all with the fact that I seldom sit in a Middle Seat. I have been known to pick a different flight due to Middle Seat situations. But I hate Middle Seats none the less. You are probably wondering at this point, how much of a Blog can be built around this subject, and the emotion associated with it? Relax, this Blog will not be a never ending rant about the dreaded Middle Seat. My plans for this Blog are to cover all types of likes and dislikes associated with my travels around the country on a weekly basis. Trust me, there will be rants, just not all about middle seats. Notice that middle seats have even lost their capitalization? I also believe strongly in achieving some level of balance in all things. Therefore, there will be rants, but also a number of things that I really like. There will also be discourse about the little things that really make a difference.
As I have to get up early tomorrow, and get on an airplane, I will start this off with but a few of my observations and mini rants. By the way, no middle seat for me tomorrow. I am flying Southwest Airlines in the A Group.
Hotel Quirks:
1.Is the environmental focus all about saving soap and water, or a way to get us to hang up our own towels?
2.“If you don't want us to change the sheets, just put this card on the bed”. Why don't they say,”If you don't want us to change the sheets, just make the bed”
3.If hotels add a save the landfills campaign by eliminating daily trash pickup, we are on our way to Maidless hotels.
4.Speaking of Maids. Why do they always leave the drain plug closed in the tub, and the shower head pointing outward? I picture them all sitting around in the linen closet, having a smoke, and laughing about the guy in room 112 that just gave himself a cold hosing down!
5.Why USA Today? I often wake up in the morning and can't remember which city I am in. It would be nice to open my door and have some clue. The "Compliments Of" sticker on the front of my paper reminds me which hotel I am in, just no hints on which city.
Airplane/Airport Quirks:
1.I am convinced that if you have the right number of documents in your possession, you can get onto the concourse no matter what they actually say.
2.Somebody is making a killing on one quart zip lock bags these days. They were crappy at keeping my sandwich fresh, at least we found a use for them. God Bless Southwest Airlines, who sent me a heavy gauge reusable bag with a steel zipper, their logo, and a thank you card.
3.I do not think that carry-on size is really the issue any more. I think carry-on weight is the issue. If you can't lift it over your head, you should not be allowed to carry it on the plane.
That is enough for one night. It is just a few hours until the next trip.
Now I must preface this all with the fact that I seldom sit in a Middle Seat. I have been known to pick a different flight due to Middle Seat situations. But I hate Middle Seats none the less. You are probably wondering at this point, how much of a Blog can be built around this subject, and the emotion associated with it? Relax, this Blog will not be a never ending rant about the dreaded Middle Seat. My plans for this Blog are to cover all types of likes and dislikes associated with my travels around the country on a weekly basis. Trust me, there will be rants, just not all about middle seats. Notice that middle seats have even lost their capitalization? I also believe strongly in achieving some level of balance in all things. Therefore, there will be rants, but also a number of things that I really like. There will also be discourse about the little things that really make a difference.
As I have to get up early tomorrow, and get on an airplane, I will start this off with but a few of my observations and mini rants. By the way, no middle seat for me tomorrow. I am flying Southwest Airlines in the A Group.
Hotel Quirks:
1.Is the environmental focus all about saving soap and water, or a way to get us to hang up our own towels?
2.“If you don't want us to change the sheets, just put this card on the bed”. Why don't they say,”If you don't want us to change the sheets, just make the bed”
3.If hotels add a save the landfills campaign by eliminating daily trash pickup, we are on our way to Maidless hotels.
4.Speaking of Maids. Why do they always leave the drain plug closed in the tub, and the shower head pointing outward? I picture them all sitting around in the linen closet, having a smoke, and laughing about the guy in room 112 that just gave himself a cold hosing down!
5.Why USA Today? I often wake up in the morning and can't remember which city I am in. It would be nice to open my door and have some clue. The "Compliments Of" sticker on the front of my paper reminds me which hotel I am in, just no hints on which city.
Airplane/Airport Quirks:
1.I am convinced that if you have the right number of documents in your possession, you can get onto the concourse no matter what they actually say.
2.Somebody is making a killing on one quart zip lock bags these days. They were crappy at keeping my sandwich fresh, at least we found a use for them. God Bless Southwest Airlines, who sent me a heavy gauge reusable bag with a steel zipper, their logo, and a thank you card.
3.I do not think that carry-on size is really the issue any more. I think carry-on weight is the issue. If you can't lift it over your head, you should not be allowed to carry it on the plane.
That is enough for one night. It is just a few hours until the next trip.
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