Rantings of a Creole Princess

Flying with Kids

How old were your kids the first time they traveled via plane?

Do you remember how old YOU were?

Dear @SouthwestAir #Southwest :

I arrived this morning dressed in a puffy vest and jeans with my boarding pass printed at BWI airport.  I walked up to the flyby entrance and was addressed by Carol who asked if I had my boarding pass.  I told her that I did and continued walking to the flyby entrance juggling my backpack, purse and suitcase.

Carol:  You're going to the wrong line.

Me:  No I'm not.

Carol:  Well you're being rude.

I looked at her, opened my mouth and then closed it and continued on.

I checked my bag and asked to speak with a manager about Carol.  The manager went over to speak with her and she looked like she was giving HIM the business.

This is my first time sending in a formal email complaint to you because it's rare that I encounter a rude and belligerent Southwest employee.  I will admit that I wondered what it was about my appearance which made Carol assume I was headed the wrong way when I had my boarding pass in my hand.  She could have alleviated the situation by simply looking down at it or asking me to hand it to her.

I said all that to say...it's too early for all that attitude from someone supposedly servicing your customers.  She should NOT be in the first line of customer contact if she has a nasty attitude.

Thank you for you time.

Oh...and while I'm "officially" writing you...would it be possible for you guys to get consistent with the companion travel guidelines?  Some flight attendants allow your companion to board with you and some don't.  It seems to be random and up to the whim of the person taking the ticket.  It's kinda crazy to make our companions board without us since we're just going to save them a seat anyway so yeah...maybe consider that as well as you're reading about Carol and her disposition this morning.

 

Flight

Let me tell yall something...the first flight after you've seen the movie "Flight" isn't the best flight.

ESPECIALLY when you hit a bit of turbulence.  

Anybody flying this week?

Travel Wardrobe

Do you specifically plan out what you're wearing to get on a plane?  

Or...do you not think of it at all?

Foolproof Travel Outfit

Traveling

The last time you traveled...was it for business or pleasure?  Where you'd go?  Would you recommend?

Question...

If you could leave...TODAY, either solo or with your S/O...and go anywhere in the world you wanted to visit for a week...where would you go?

Trapped

So...yesterday I had a pretty bad travel experience.

My boarding number was A-1 and I got the coveted exit aisle seat for my 4 - 5 hour flight.  I settled in and was good to go.

An overweight gentleman took the window seat and I'm only pointing out he was overweight because of what happened next.

The plane filled up quickly and the only seat left was the one between me and the overweight guy in my row and I suspect that was because he was overweight.

Then...a guy got on the plane who had obviously been running because he was sweating big time.

And he was big time overweight.

The only seat left was the middle one next to me.

He struggled to get in his seat and sat down.  I remained standing until he was buckled in.  He took up his seat...and much of mine.  Even more because the guy in the window seat was kinda pushing him further towards my seat.

And I sat down and the sweaty guy was straight GLUED to me.

And I was pushed all the way to the far left corner of my seat.

To make matters worse...the middle guy fell asleep and his body "relaxed" as he snored.

It was the most miserable flight I've ever had.

Dude was a nice guy and I felt sorry for him because he looked so uncomfortable but as the flight continued...all I could think about was how miserable I was.

I survived, of course. 

My back is hurting like crazy, of course.

But it didn't kill me.  I'm good.

I was talking to someone about this and they brought up the fact that overweight bags cost more money to fly so it should cost more money for an overweight person to fly as well.  I thunk on that with a great big hmmmmmmmmmmm...

The person was basically saying that it would either make people try to lose weight or keep them from flying knowing they'd have to pay more.  

I don't like the thought of that but someone else was like...that actually might help.

Now...YOU think about it.  What do YOU think?  How would YOU feel knowing that overweight passengers had to pay more for their seat?

Buddy Pass

Have you ever used a buddy pass to travel?  Did you have to pay any money?

Travelpro Rolling Business Tote

When I'm working out of my home, I have to carry a lot of stuff.  Heavy stuff.  Stuff which makes my back scream eventually.

When I'm traveling, I carry a lot of heavy stuff too and I never survived a trip without having to take something for my back cuz I'd have a backpack on filled with camera equipment, laptop, etc.

The Robinator got tired of it and made me get, what I call, a rolly bag.

Travelpro Crew 8 Rolling Tote,Black,One Size

It's the same brand as my luggage and the handle comes up to a comfortable height for me even though I'm tall.  I slide the straps of my purse around the handle and sit it on top of the rolly bag and I get my airport hustle on.

I remember thinking it was mad overkill initially but after a few trips with it...I realized how much of a back saver it really is. 

And The Robinator was smug as hell.  LOL!

It's totally like my absolute FAVORITE thing!

What do you keep your laptop in when YOU travel?

From Mokumegane: Cruise with K&K Mime

I thought it was a joke but naw...it's for realZ.

Yall going?

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM): Cruises

Have you ever been on one?

Did you enjoy it?

Would you ever go on one?

If not...why not?

Spa Trip!

Have you taken one?  Would you ever?

UPDATED: Doubletree Santa Monica

UPDATED  ***I GOT MY 40,000 POINTS AS I KNEW I WOULD.  IT WAS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION.***

Night before last the fire alarm went off at 4:58am.

The kid jumped up, put on my wedding jewelry and pajama bottoms,grabbed my phone, purse and computer and rolled out.

False alarm.

I was SHOOK!

Like...that kinda jolt out of your sleep just messes you all up.

Last night at 4:58am the fire alarm went off.

The kid jumped up, put on my wedding jewelry and pajama bottoms, grabbed my phone and computer and called downstairs.

"Sorry Ms. Mingo, something is wrong with the alarm."

And the poor dear on the other end of the phone met SIP. A snarling, pissed to the point of leakage from overstrained veins SIP.

I expect 40,000 points in my HHonors account once I finish with them.

What would be YOUR expectations?

Question...

How often do you purchase tickets within 14 days?

Mr. Google now does Flights!

This is what the hell I'm talking about.  EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING!  Google Flights

Vacation Home

Where would your DREAM vacation home be?

Travel Companion

When traveling with your S/O...who is always late getting ready?

Seat Mate

Which seat do YOU prefer on the plane?

When you're traveling with your S/O, who gets what seat if you're not flying first class?

The Beach!

When you pack up the car and head to the beach...where do you go?  How long does it take you to geth there?  What do you like about it?  What do you NOT like about it?

Fly By

Last night I was on a plane pretty late in the middle of an amazing storm.  When I say amazing I'm talking thunder, lightening, serious rainfall and a rocking boat kinda motion on the plane.  I turned my music up and kept writing.  The woman to the left of me turned green.

Seriously...green.

I leaned over and got a mint out of my purse and gave it to her.  She accepted it without a word looking terrified.  Then she asked me a question that was pretty accurate:

Her:  Why does it seem like the plane always speeds up when there is this much turbulance?

Me:  Because you're paying attention.

I then pulled out my headphone splitter and got out an extra pair of headphones and hooked her up to my iPad so she could listen to what I was listening to which was my writing playlist. My writing playlist is filled with lots of mellow and soulful sounds and before long...she had loosened her grip on the arms of the seat and she turned less green.

I kept writing.

Every time the plane hit another bad patch...I gave her another mint.  She accepted it and kept her eyes closed grooving.

Once we were leveled out and had been for a minute she asked who sang the song, "Fire on the Mountain."  I told her Asa and she wrote it down.  Then...she thanked me for helping her through that flight and I told her that hey...it was nothing. 

And I meant it.  Helping folks is easy.

This morning, as I was relaxing in bed, I was watching Gayle and it turns out she was on a plane in that same storm.  According to her she was next to a man who pretty much ignored her and ignored her being terrified.  I thought about how it really doesn't take much energy to provide a bit of comfort and reassurance to a fellow passenger and really couldn't wrap my brain around sitting next to someone and not attempting to be of help.

Don't do that.

It's easy to be an azz.

But it's easier to be a good person.

Question...have YOU ever been comforted by a perfect stranger?  Have you ever been a source of comfort for a perfect stranger?  What happened?

Hotel Complaints

The last time you complained at a hotel...what was it about?

Would YOU say something?

Your Southwest flight is boarding.

You're in position A-1.

They board the people with the blue sleeves first who can't sit in the exit aisles because of health issues.

You get bleeped in and walk through to the plane.

There is a man in front of you withOUT a blue sleeve and looks to be in perfect health.

It's obvious he's using his thumb to cover up his boarding position.

You're in position A-1.

You know dude is headed for that coveted exit aisle seat you ALWAYS get and do everything in your power to make SURE you have a good shot at getting.

Would YOU say something?

If so...what would  you say?

What do you think SIP said because SIP is TOTALLY in charge today?

SIP:  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

 

Airline Etiquette Questions

1.  Is it rude to put your seat back on a plane?

2.  Who owns the armrest?  How do you deal with it?

3.  What would you do if someone fell asleep and slumped against you?

4.  If you're in the window or middle seat and the person in the aisle is sleeping...how do you go about going to the bathroom?

5.  Do you wake a sleeping person when the stewardess comes through to take food and drink orders?

6.  If you got on a plane at the last minute and someone had put their things under the seat in front of your seat...how would you handle?

7.  You're really exhausted and get in your seat.  A woman with two kids, one baby, one toddler sit in the middle and exit seat on your side. Do you ask to be moved?  HOW do you ask?

8.  You walk into the bathroom immediately after someone and it smells from here to yonder...what do you do?

9.  Someone next to you is listening to their headphones turned up so loud it's disturbing you and you have on YOUR headphones listening to music too.  What do you do?

10.  The only way you like bloody marys on a plane is by having two bottles of mix, one bottle of vodka, a lime wedge and a cup of ice.  Would you be annoyed if the stewardess brought it back already mixed?  Is this too much to ask for?

Travel Shopping

One of the smartest purchases Robby and I have ever made was this duffle bag that folds into it's own pocket for storage.  It's pretty small and yet opens up to being a full size duffle bag. 

We keep it in our suitcase, outside pocket.  It comes in handy if I go shopping while traveling and need a bag to transport stuff back home in or at the airport when the bag is too heavy and the fee is ri-damn-diculous.

I did a bit of power shopping in New York and was so happy this morning when I unfolded my bag thinking I was a smart cookie.  LOL!

This isn't the one we have but it's the closest to what we have that I could find. 

baggallini Bagg-in-a- Pouch - Medium - Crinkle Nylon (Espresso)

Do you something similar?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

When you travel...do you take damn near 20 pairs of underwear as I do?  Apparently I'm always expecting some sort of drawz shortage, theft, disintegration...

Question...

Have you ever traveled somewhere and then got stuck because of the weather?  Was it a good thing or a bad thing?

Dear TSA:

I flew on Friday and again on today and I'd like to share my experience with all the hoopla that's been in the news.

On Friday...I got in line, took off my shoes and put them in a tray, put my laptop in a tray, put my bulky faux fur sweater vest in a tray, took my ziploc bag of liquidy items out of my purse and put them in a tray too.

Then...I walked through the thingy without beeping while my carry-ons were scanned.

Because I didn't have anything "suspect," I was allowed to go through without a full body scan or a pat down.

Then I got my stuff and rolled.

Today?

Flying soon?

Remember...that great deal on the ticket you think you MIGHT be getting adds up by the time you return home BIG.TIME on some of these scandalous azz airlines. 

Domestic Airline Fee Chart

 

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

Do YOU get annoyed with the TSA people at the airport because of all the stuff you have to do?  Have you ever had anything thrown away besides water?

Question...

Would you re-think a trip to New York because of the supposed outbreak of bed bugs?

Question...

Have you ever missed a flight?  What did you do?

GREAT deals!

Jet Blue Sale

Question...

When was the last time you were on a plane?  Where did you go?  Was it an uneventful flight?

Friendly Vacations

I was on a trip with a friend and HER friend once.  Three of us were in the room.  The room had a lil' living room area and we got up one morning and the friend of my friend had brought a new "friend" with her and they were sleeping on the pull out sofa.

She'd just met this dude.

In a club.

Negative.

I packed my ish and moved into my own room.  I took my credit card off the other room and gave MY friend my portion of the two nights I shared the other room in cash.

HER friend's money was already funny and got real salty regarding my bailing on the room and she and MY friend got into it. 

I could have cared less and let everyone involved know that I had to do for my peace of mind what was necessary cuz I couldn't take the chance of being asleep and she's bringing strangers up in the room.  My safety is always the most important to me.  I'm a good judge of character but hell...if I'm sleep...I'm at a disadvantage.

You can miss me with that ish.  Your action caused me to have to make a change to my hotel arrangements and now the trip was costing me MUCH more money that it was supposed to since I had to get my own room for the rest of the time we were there.  Humph.

Any friend vacations gone wrong in your world? 

Anybody show up and didn't have money but didn't tell folks this prior to coming? 

Anybody started acting a donkey's behind? 

Anybody bring someone to your room that didn't make you feel comfortable?

Family Vacation

Do you take family vacations with extended family members?  If not...why not?

Question...

(The view this morning!)

What's the most beautiful place you've ever visited?

Fabulous, wonderful, amazing, great, AWESOME day!

Today was packed from the time we got up this morning!  We'd already checked out most of the movies we wanted to see that were showing today so after breakfast we decided we'd go see the evening movie and play all day.

'Cept The Robinator had to do some work. 

So I ditched him.

ROFL!

A friend and I rented mopeds and struck out for Oak Bluffs.  Riding the moped reminded me of growing up in the country riding dirt bikes on the levee road.  The initial "test" was rocky but once I was let out on the open road...it was just like I was a kid again.  The first curve I hit I leaned right on into it without a care in the world and I was feeling some kinda good man!

I said something about the moped on Facebook and Abe's evil azz had the NERVE to suggest that I'd locked Robby up and Roslyn insinuated that it wasn't a "sanctioned" event cuz it's well known I'm clumsy and that Robby is always EXTRA about my safety.  When I had an opportunity to look at my phone I saw this on Facebook:

 

I just wanna know why he was last seen with random White woman?  ROFL!  You know Robby doesn't speak to strangers hell!  He barely speaks to folks he knows!  Imma fight Abe.

We got to Oak Bluffs and met up with some other people and then The Robinator called to say that the big storm at home had rescheduled some of his meetings and that I could come back to hang out with him.  I promptly told him that he needed to meet me at the moped spot so we could upgrade to a bike we could ride on together cuz I was all about the moped today.  Well...we got there and tried it and he wasn't comfortable with me on the back while he was driving so he got his own and then...baaaaaaaaaaaaby...we struck out without a care in the world and a map!

GO US!

We had lunch in Oak Bluffs and then hit up The Inkwell and then posted up on a beach and chilled for a few.  We took the scenic route.

LOVED.IT!

Then we rode around doing what we do  until it was time to head back to our end of town for the evening movie we wanted to see. 

We watched "Joy Road" which had a pretty good story and had yet another lovely meal.

Robby is currently watching the end of the Ravens' game while I put together tomorrow's blog postings.  I have some work to do so I'll be up a couple more hours before I get some MUCH needed sleep.

This place is my kinda spot.  I don't like fast.  I like slow.  Slow, steady and easy.  This place has PLENTY of slow, steady and easy.  Me likey that.

Write it down and make it happen:  We're going to buy a home here so our family, framily and friends may enjoy it with us. 

Things I learned today?  Having my hair down while on a moped makes for a tangled, dry, MESS!  Just...ew! 

Tomorrow?  Who knows.  I do know I want to visit a lighthouse so I'm sure we'll try and figure out how to make that happen.  Robby wants to rent bikes and toodle around.  I guess I'm game for that.

I think.

If you're looking for a good, wholesome, family friendly place to vacation...this is certainly the place.  I won't recommend where we're staying cuz, to be honest, the price isn't economical AT.ALL!  o_0  (We won't be staying here again I don't care WHAT Robby says!  Humph!)

Did YOU have a good day today?

Martha's Vineyard and Monnie and Robby!

I've always wanted to visit Martha's Vineyard and just never hopped a flight on over here.  We're here now and baaaaaaaaaaby...it's Monnie & Robby's kinda place.

See...we're slow and easy folks.  We love the water and we like doing what we want.  We don't like a lot of lights and noise nor do we like all that partying and whatnot.  Hey...we're old and settled.  We like what we like.

We got here yesterday 'round 'bout four o'clock and I've enjoyed myself ever since.  We came from 100 degree weather and took a direct flight to the most amazing weather the East Coast has to offer!  We took a stroll up Main street and then down 'round the beach, did some shopping and then chilled on the balcony of our room.  Next up was a party and then...a lovely dinner at a FABULOUS restaurant.

Our hotel is lovely and our room is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pretty to me.  I saw some bowls at a gallery that I think I'm going to order tomorrow and, despite Robby's protests...I'm renting a moped tomorrow!  LOL!  I plan on sailing too!  Hiking?  Not so much.  That ish got dry to me as soon as I recognized that um...it's just walking.  o_0

What I love MOST about Martha's Vineyard?  Robby is here with me.  If he wasn't this place would suck.  I'd hate to experience this without him.  This place is for lovers.  This ain't no place to be alone.

Seriously.

Have you ever visited?  Would you ever?

Question...

Would you go on a month long Amazon jungle tour if it was free? 

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

You're about to go on vacation to another country where you will do a lot of sightseeing.  Do you buy a lot of new clothes to go?

Scenario...

A woman is flying standby.

She pays full fair for her seat and boards the plane.

The seat next to her is empty.

A late arriving passenger arrives.

The passenger is obese and can't fit in one seat.

The late arriving passenger only paid for one seat.

The late arriving passenger is only 14 years old.

What do you think the airline did?  What would YOU think was the fair thing to do?

Too Hot NOT to Handle!

Robby and I had a day from HELL yesterday.  Seems every little thing that COULD go wrong to screw up relaxing as soon as possible in our own home DID.

First there was a flight coming from Cancun that was running late.  They waited for a bit to accommodate those passengers.  Cool.  I understand and appreciate that but when the people got on the plane and we were ready to roll...the thingy that pushes the plane back from the gate was broken so we had to sit there until they fixed that.

Um...okay...cool.

We made it to Miami!

And yes lawd...as tired as we LOOK...we sooooooooo are!  Who's about the hit the hay?

Monnie and The Robinator!

Oh...and we've decided we're moving into our suite.  No...seriously.  Somebody bring us Jaru and Lucy.

And my closet full of bags.

Oh...and my sparkly closet contents.

And my external hard drives.

And my truck.

And Robby's truck.

And my Bible.

And my photo albums.

Wait...might not be able to do it huh?

*sigh*

A girl can dream.

Question...

The first time you flew on a plane...where did you go?

Scenario...

You're flying coach.

You paid the extra $15 for an aisle seat.

A mother and a VERY active 3 year old sits in the 2 seats next to you on.

The father heads to the back of the plane.

He has a middle seat in the last row of the plane by the bathrooms.

The kid starts crying wanting his daddy before the plane even takes off.

Do you offer to swap seats with the father?

Oyster: The Best Hotel Review Site EVER!

It's hard finding a hotel you'd REALLY like if you've never been there and no one whose opinion you respect has been there either.  Sure you can go with a chain you're familiar with but hey...seriously...all hotels in a chain are NOT the same.

In my opinion.

That said...this site is the BEST.SITE.EVER! for hotel reviews.  Check it!  Oyster

Odd huh?

In my toiletry bag that stays packed (for the most part) there is a wine bottle opener.

You're laughing I know.

We drink a glass or two of wine pretty much every night and when you're eating at fancy restaurants...that can get pricey.  So...we hit up a Sam's and buy a case of water (cuz $8 a bottle water is just RI-DAMN-DICULOUS) and a bottle of wine per night (minus one) we're going to be there.  We ask room service to bring us wine glasses and yeah...we're good.

Do YOU think this is odd?

Travel Bucket List

If you had the opportunity to peek in on my friends on Facebook you will see some absolutely AMAZING pictures of FABULOUS travel.  I'm always getting super jelly at announcements of trips or of mobile pics of a wonderful view. 

My friends are from all walks of life, all ages and all relationship statuses.  I actually LOVE, LOVE, LOVE seeing single women not letting companionship dictate if they are going to see the world.

That's HOT!

Especially if you're smart enough to go with a friend or several for the sake of safety.

There are lots of travel clubs all over the world and I would bet you have a friend or two who would love to join you on a vacation if you're single and yall don't want to hinder your travel exposure due to the hazards of traveling alone.

That said...what's YOUR travel bucket list?  what are some of the places you wouldn't mind going with friends, with your S/O, with your kids, with extended family?

Tell the truth and shame the devil!

Have you ever gone on a trip with a friend or someone you were dating and returned waaaaaaaaaaay less close than you were BEFORE the trip?  What happened?

Family Travel

When was the last time you traveled with family that didn't live in your home? Where did you go? How was it? Any issues?