Tretakoff Musings
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Thoughts on airlines from recent trips
Look, I'm no seasoned world traveler. I fly maybe once a month, around the country. Once upon a time, I was so paralyzed with fear about flying I had to be sedated to even get near an airplane, but after so many flights, that's mostly passed. Last week, I was on three different airlines, in three different cities, and it got me thinking.
First, what the heck is it about air travel? Yes, it's fast and convenient, but I think JetBlue has it right: go between the big cities, long haul flights, and don't try to make it any more complicated than that. On the East Coast, there is simply no excuse not to take a train between cities 500 miles away. Out here in the West, the land is a little more expansive, but it's crazy to fly.
By the same token, I'm so conditioned to fly everywhere, I forget all about trains. Case in point: last week, I flew AirTran from Boston to Chicago. $39 ticket justifies me getting on an airline I never have heard of. Small old plane, poor service, but XM Radio at every seat. Overall, not the most amazing experience, and terrible headwinds meant a 2 hour flight was 4 hours. I left where I was staying in Boston at about 4:30 PM, and arrived in Chicago at about 11pm. Dropped me off at Midway Airport, one of these smaller airports that are cropping up all over, without the charm of a Long Beach or Burbank, for instance. Another hour's drive to a Holiday Inn Express for $70 (but free WiFi), and a forgettable dinner at Friday’s. I caught 5 hours of sleep between the work I missed while traveling and the paranoia about missing an early meeting in rural Chicago.
Contrast that with the other option I could have done: Amtrak, leaving Boston at 1:00 PM, getting in at 9:30 AM into Chicago. Could have worked the entire time, caught up on calls on the cell. Could have had a great dinner on the Lakeshore Limited, before retiring to my Viewliner Roomette, with my personal attendant. Ever slept on a train? NOTHING better. Wake up in the morning, hit the shower, grab some coffee, catch up on the work, and at 9:30 AM, you are in the heart of Chicago.
So, why didn't I do it? Several reasons:
- Truthfully, I just forgot. I forget it's possible to travel to another city on The East Coast by train. I live in San Francisco; going to LA or Seattle by train is a full 24 hour affair.
- Convenience. My meeting this time was out in rural Chicago, and started at 9 AM, so I would have been at least 2 hours late, probably.
- Cost. My plane & hotel? About $150. Train? $271, with the roomette.
Why doesn’t Amtrak get it? They have the infrastructure, but need to attract customers. Keep the prices for the basics a little lower, and make it up with premium services (DirecTV feeds in the rooms; WiFi on the train; special meals or DVD rentals). If the price had been $200, I would have seriously considered pushing back the start time of my meetings to accommodate. Seriously.
On the other side is JetBlue. They get it. Simple routes. Big leather seats. 30 channels of DirecTV in flight. No fancy meals, but enough selection of snacks and a great attitude that no one cares. They are full up, honest when they are late, happy to help, and inexpensive. Easily the best airline I fly. Perfect for Cross country flying. Boston to Oakland in just over 4 hours, for $130.
Finally, there’s United. I flew them from Chicago to Oakland. I’m a Premier member with them, but the joylessness of flying with them is painful. Since I am a frequent flyer, they upgrade me to “Economy Plus,” and make sure whenever possible that no one is sitting next to me. So, basically I get a little more legroom, without the comfort of JetBlue, and surly service. Not to mention crappy entertainment. No wonder they went bankrupt. Oh, did I mention my flight was over $400...one way?
They are trying to change with Ted, their discount airline, but even that is strained and hardly enjoyable. They are becoming the Amtrak of the air: supported by the government, woefully failing to compete or adapt, and sad.
In short, it's sad to see that, with this workaholic nation, we keep trying to go faster and jam in more, only to see if we planned better, we could be so much more productive, relaxed, and efficient, with no significant loss of time, if we just realized the plane is not always the answer.
I've learned it this week. I’ll look forward to applying it on my next East Coast trip.
First, what the heck is it about air travel? Yes, it's fast and convenient, but I think JetBlue has it right: go between the big cities, long haul flights, and don't try to make it any more complicated than that. On the East Coast, there is simply no excuse not to take a train between cities 500 miles away. Out here in the West, the land is a little more expansive, but it's crazy to fly.
By the same token, I'm so conditioned to fly everywhere, I forget all about trains. Case in point: last week, I flew AirTran from Boston to Chicago. $39 ticket justifies me getting on an airline I never have heard of. Small old plane, poor service, but XM Radio at every seat. Overall, not the most amazing experience, and terrible headwinds meant a 2 hour flight was 4 hours. I left where I was staying in Boston at about 4:30 PM, and arrived in Chicago at about 11pm. Dropped me off at Midway Airport, one of these smaller airports that are cropping up all over, without the charm of a Long Beach or Burbank, for instance. Another hour's drive to a Holiday Inn Express for $70 (but free WiFi), and a forgettable dinner at Friday’s. I caught 5 hours of sleep between the work I missed while traveling and the paranoia about missing an early meeting in rural Chicago.
Contrast that with the other option I could have done: Amtrak, leaving Boston at 1:00 PM, getting in at 9:30 AM into Chicago. Could have worked the entire time, caught up on calls on the cell. Could have had a great dinner on the Lakeshore Limited, before retiring to my Viewliner Roomette, with my personal attendant. Ever slept on a train? NOTHING better. Wake up in the morning, hit the shower, grab some coffee, catch up on the work, and at 9:30 AM, you are in the heart of Chicago.
So, why didn't I do it? Several reasons:
- Truthfully, I just forgot. I forget it's possible to travel to another city on The East Coast by train. I live in San Francisco; going to LA or Seattle by train is a full 24 hour affair.
- Convenience. My meeting this time was out in rural Chicago, and started at 9 AM, so I would have been at least 2 hours late, probably.
- Cost. My plane & hotel? About $150. Train? $271, with the roomette.
Why doesn’t Amtrak get it? They have the infrastructure, but need to attract customers. Keep the prices for the basics a little lower, and make it up with premium services (DirecTV feeds in the rooms; WiFi on the train; special meals or DVD rentals). If the price had been $200, I would have seriously considered pushing back the start time of my meetings to accommodate. Seriously.
On the other side is JetBlue. They get it. Simple routes. Big leather seats. 30 channels of DirecTV in flight. No fancy meals, but enough selection of snacks and a great attitude that no one cares. They are full up, honest when they are late, happy to help, and inexpensive. Easily the best airline I fly. Perfect for Cross country flying. Boston to Oakland in just over 4 hours, for $130.
Finally, there’s United. I flew them from Chicago to Oakland. I’m a Premier member with them, but the joylessness of flying with them is painful. Since I am a frequent flyer, they upgrade me to “Economy Plus,” and make sure whenever possible that no one is sitting next to me. So, basically I get a little more legroom, without the comfort of JetBlue, and surly service. Not to mention crappy entertainment. No wonder they went bankrupt. Oh, did I mention my flight was over $400...one way?
They are trying to change with Ted, their discount airline, but even that is strained and hardly enjoyable. They are becoming the Amtrak of the air: supported by the government, woefully failing to compete or adapt, and sad.
In short, it's sad to see that, with this workaholic nation, we keep trying to go faster and jam in more, only to see if we planned better, we could be so much more productive, relaxed, and efficient, with no significant loss of time, if we just realized the plane is not always the answer.
I've learned it this week. I’ll look forward to applying it on my next East Coast trip.
Friday, February 17, 2006
On a lighter note: Goowy
Have you heard of Goowy? If not, it's a great app, and completely lives in your web browser, but in Flash cool animated goodness. Calendar, email (from any account!), contacts, RSS feeds, widgets, and games all in a customizable interface. Oh, did I mention, of course...it's FREE?
If you're looking to break free of Outlook, and Gmail and Yahoo are too boring, let Goowy take over. I'll be using it while on the road.
If you're looking to break free of Outlook, and Gmail and Yahoo are too boring, let Goowy take over. I'll be using it while on the road.
A sad return to Boston
Bob Weinberg, Francine's husband and Amy's brother-in-law, passed away this morning, after a short but intense battle with cancer. There will be a memorial service, Monday, at 10am, at the Schlossberg Funeral Home in Canton. Francine will be having shiva (sp?) at her house for 3 days after, Monday through Wednesday. Bob will be cremated, so there is no cemetery to consider.
Schlossberg and Solomon Memorial Chapel 824 Washington Street Canton, MA 02021. (781) 828-6990
Map & Directions
The Weinberg's house: 74 Regent Rd., Brockton, MA. 508-583-7046
Map & Directions
We arrive in Boston Friday night.
Bobby was a character. He was a philosopher and psychologist in the trappings of a hard working blue collar guy. He busted balls with the best of them, and could always get under your skin, but at the end of the day, you always knew it was out of love. I didn't talk much with him in the last few years, but I did talk to him shortly after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, just under two months ago. His response? "C'mon, Josh: you HAD to know MY brain was fucked up." Classic Bobby.
We'll miss him, but this was what he wanted: after the cancer hit him only a couple of months ago, he was clear he did not want extraordinary efforts. If it was his time, it was his time. I can say that, with his Alaskan fishing trips, and the shared experience we both had on marrying into the Gorelick clan, he didn't die: He truly lived.
If you wish to send anything, please send to Franny in Brockton. Thanks to all for their warm wishes and sympathies today; nice to hear from friends when this happens.
Schlossberg and Solomon Memorial Chapel 824 Washington Street Canton, MA 02021. (781) 828-6990
Map & Directions
The Weinberg's house: 74 Regent Rd., Brockton, MA. 508-583-7046
Map & Directions
We arrive in Boston Friday night.
Bobby was a character. He was a philosopher and psychologist in the trappings of a hard working blue collar guy. He busted balls with the best of them, and could always get under your skin, but at the end of the day, you always knew it was out of love. I didn't talk much with him in the last few years, but I did talk to him shortly after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor, just under two months ago. His response? "C'mon, Josh: you HAD to know MY brain was fucked up." Classic Bobby.
We'll miss him, but this was what he wanted: after the cancer hit him only a couple of months ago, he was clear he did not want extraordinary efforts. If it was his time, it was his time. I can say that, with his Alaskan fishing trips, and the shared experience we both had on marrying into the Gorelick clan, he didn't die: He truly lived.
If you wish to send anything, please send to Franny in Brockton. Thanks to all for their warm wishes and sympathies today; nice to hear from friends when this happens.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
I need a Client Services Manager!
OK, time to get serious: my company is growing and growing. I need a FT Client Services Manager, in downtown SF, ASAP. If you know of anyone, PLEASE send them my way. The details of the position are here.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Inktomi - A Decade Later
Hard to believe that 10 years after the fact, the folks who made Inktomi what it was are still holding on to the memories of the dotcom boom. And to celebrate, they're throwing a 10 year anniversary party. I was a proud Inktomite for over 2 years, having joined as part of the Impulse Buy Network acquisition, and looking forward to catching up with my old scalable brethren this weekend.
Please, no Super Soakers, though, OK? Impulse settled that competition once and for all. :-)
Hard to believe that 10 years after the fact, the folks who made Inktomi what it was are still holding on to the memories of the dotcom boom. And to celebrate, they're throwing a 10 year anniversary party. I was a proud Inktomite for over 2 years, having joined as part of the Impulse Buy Network acquisition, and looking forward to catching up with my old scalable brethren this weekend.
Please, no Super Soakers, though, OK? Impulse settled that competition once and for all. :-)
What's on your DVR?
The DVR was invented for me: I can't STAND commercials, and I want to watch great television shows, when I want to. After being a DirecTV subscriber for many years, and enjoying their included Tivo service, Comcast made me an offer I could not refuse: HD and DVR. I was hooked.
Like any good junkie, I have my own personal favorite flavors to get my fix. This season, these are the ones grabbing my eyeballs:
The Shield: add Forest Whitaker's intensity to Michael Chiklis’ barely contained rage; stir; watch amazing television emerge.
Lost: the best written show, period. Just the right mix of puzzle, drama, and great backstory. Maddeningly addictive.
Boston Legal: James Spader and William Shatner were meant to demolish scenery in every take in this comedy/drama from the creator of Ally McBeal. Shatner is insane, and incredible; Spader is smarminess incarnate.
Hustle: AMC's first series. Like great con movies? Do yourself a favor, and add this one to your list ASAP. Smart, stylish, and slick. Another Charles Hacskaylo recommendation.
Battlestar Galactica: this is not just the best scifi show on TV, it may be one of the best shows on television.
24: Yeah, it's definitely getting long in the tooth, but the HD presentation and drama makes it a good view.
MythBusters: science meets history, and various explosions occur. Goofy, geeky, and addictive.
The Daily Show: let's face it, in this age of entertainment, this is news for the new generation.
The Colbert Report: Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery…or insult to the blowhards on the Right. Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly: you're on notice. Stephen Colbert's skewering you.
Bullshit: Penn & Teller put their debunking to great use, and have a lot of fun and interest in the process. Why the hell would a respected author ever go on a show called Bullshit??
There's more, with Deadwood and the Sopranos coming back, not to mention the new series Thief (Andre Braugher!!), but hey, there's only so much TV a man can watch, right? Right?? RIGHT???
Like any good junkie, I have my own personal favorite flavors to get my fix. This season, these are the ones grabbing my eyeballs:
The Shield: add Forest Whitaker's intensity to Michael Chiklis’ barely contained rage; stir; watch amazing television emerge.
Lost: the best written show, period. Just the right mix of puzzle, drama, and great backstory. Maddeningly addictive.
Boston Legal: James Spader and William Shatner were meant to demolish scenery in every take in this comedy/drama from the creator of Ally McBeal. Shatner is insane, and incredible; Spader is smarminess incarnate.
Hustle: AMC's first series. Like great con movies? Do yourself a favor, and add this one to your list ASAP. Smart, stylish, and slick. Another Charles Hacskaylo recommendation.
Battlestar Galactica: this is not just the best scifi show on TV, it may be one of the best shows on television.
24: Yeah, it's definitely getting long in the tooth, but the HD presentation and drama makes it a good view.
MythBusters: science meets history, and various explosions occur. Goofy, geeky, and addictive.
The Daily Show: let's face it, in this age of entertainment, this is news for the new generation.
The Colbert Report: Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery…or insult to the blowhards on the Right. Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly: you're on notice. Stephen Colbert's skewering you.
Bullshit: Penn & Teller put their debunking to great use, and have a lot of fun and interest in the process. Why the hell would a respected author ever go on a show called Bullshit??
There's more, with Deadwood and the Sopranos coming back, not to mention the new series Thief (Andre Braugher!!), but hey, there's only so much TV a man can watch, right? Right?? RIGHT???
I am the Egg Man
Hey, with the Atkins diet, eggs are a great friend. Egg Whites are far healthier, and keep the cholesterol and carbs at bay. Every morning, I usually have some sort of eggs, and leave the house with a warm, healthy and carb-free breakfast.
A while ago, I started experimenting with eggs in the microwave. In college, I used to crack an egg into a bowl, microwave for about 2 minutes, and I'd have an egg I could walk with. But that was college; I'm MUCH smarter now. :-)
Noah's Bagels, a popular chain out here, does what they call an Egg Mitt: Eggs and Bagels, served as a sandwich. What fascinated me was how they make it: they have the egg mixture, and put it right in the microwave. Light, fluffy, and delicious. I was hooked (or yolked?).
Now, these folks have taken it to a whole new level:Poached Scrambled eggs. The method they suggest is way too labor intensive for me, but the comments point to the microwave solutions. Looks like I'm on the right track. Check it out; breakfast will never be the same for you.
A while ago, I started experimenting with eggs in the microwave. In college, I used to crack an egg into a bowl, microwave for about 2 minutes, and I'd have an egg I could walk with. But that was college; I'm MUCH smarter now. :-)
Noah's Bagels, a popular chain out here, does what they call an Egg Mitt: Eggs and Bagels, served as a sandwich. What fascinated me was how they make it: they have the egg mixture, and put it right in the microwave. Light, fluffy, and delicious. I was hooked (or yolked?).
Now, these folks have taken it to a whole new level:Poached Scrambled eggs. The method they suggest is way too labor intensive for me, but the comments point to the microwave solutions. Looks like I'm on the right track. Check it out; breakfast will never be the same for you.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
More art meets reality images
It takes a special kind of twisted genius to be able to llok at a blank room and say, "how can I paint this to make it really different?" Well, these pictures certianly offer a very unique experience for any would be visitors.
Virtual Street Reality
I'm fascinated with photo-realism: the idea of multiple media blending together. This street artist has taken it one step further: these images come alive, on the street, and, when viewed from the proper angle, appear to add a bit of the fantastic to the everyday life.
