Recorded in the beautiful home office of Chateau' Relaxo.
I’ve been traveling more and more in the last six months, certainly not the travel numbers I put up pre-COVID, but the numbers are ever-increasing.
Seriously, we have learned or let’s say adapted to do lots of things remotely, things that we used to do face-to-face.
However, remote meetings aren’t the same as face-to-face meetings. There’s something about observing body language as a meter of a person’s engagement that you can’t do remotely. You can have Door Dash or UberEats deliver food to a client before your next Zoom or Teams session, but it’s not the same as sitting down at a table for eight, ordering some appetizers, and then intertwining the conversation between business, kids, sports, movies, and music and then back to business.
So yes, it’s nice getting back out with our partners and seeing that we are coming out of this 18-month dark hole, which means, it’s been 18 months since my last flight.
Believe it or not, I was looking forward to flying, O-Town to the Big D, Dallas.
For the most part, the Orlando airport was the same. For example, the moving sidewalk at the terminal was still being repaired. Yes, a solid welcome back, we’re glad you’re here.
Now with the TSA agents, a bit had changed, they were now stationed inside plexiglass booths…. Sort of like the ticket takers at the local traveling carnival Side note, looking back 20 months I only wish I had invested in some Plexiglas stock.
Terminal A, the Southwest terminal, was unchanged. It was breakfast time so there was a line at McDonald’s and a longer line at Starbucks.
I went with my typical Orlando airport breakfast… Asian Chao. Orange chicken, bourbon chicken, and lo mein. Don’t knock it till you try it.
Boarding was the same, the “B” boarding group tried to sneak in with the “A” boarding group. But other than that, boarding was typical of Southwest trips 18 months ago.
It was a full flight, again like most flights 18 months ago. It was also 2 hours and 20 minutes of no emails, teams calls, or impromptu meetings, I forgot how nice that was.
We had the typical Southwest safety announcements, seat belts must be worn, blah blah. Put your mask on before helping others, blah, blah. However, there was a new announcement, If you don’t want to wear a mask let us know and we’ll get you re-accommodated. That was it, nothing complex, nothing controversial, just a clear directive. Guess what it worked, there was no entry on this flight for the November crazy travel roundup.
One noticeable change was in-flight snack and beverage service. It was a limited drink menu, five choices that the flight attendants displayed on a tablet. You were asked to order without removing your mask.
Nothing on the flight made me feel the least bit uncomfortable with regards to COVID, however, I would’ve been more comfortable with a vacant middle seat.
The return flight from Dallas was a full flight. The gate agent was really enforcing the two-bag carry-on rule, even refusing boarding to a passenger with three bags.
The bright spot of the departure was Whataburger for brunch.
The next flight was Orlando to Chicago, again full flight and no incidents. One disappointment was that Gold Coast Dog, the mecca of airport hotdogs had changed hands, and was now a Vienna Beef Hotdog location. And it was not the same, the dog had the same ingredients, but it was not a Gold Coast Dog.
There were once again, no incidents, no meltdowns, and everyone cooperated.
This was my first trip to Chicago, and while there I came across the Weber Grill Restaurant, and how did I come across the Weber Grill Restaurant? Glad you asked. Friend of the show Robbie Morris saw the 20’ high red Weber Kettle in their parking lot. Everything is cooked on authentic Weber charcoal kettles, complete with the grill marks on your food.
I started with a Weber's Backyard Brew a very light and pleasantly tasty wheat beer. My meal was the pork chops, Two Center Cut Chops, smothered in a Carolina Mustard Glaze, cooked medium. They were juicy, flavorful and I demolished both of them.
My verdict of the Weber Grill Restaurant. 4 out of 5 stars. Fully stocked bar, plus some great local beers, a varied menu, something for everyone, and very friendly staff. I compare it to the Melting Pot… a great experience, but not a place where I would make it my weekly go-to.
The final flight was Chicago back to O-Town, while I’ve connected at Midway countless times over the years this was the first time departing from Midway. There’s something exciting about the first flight from a new airport. The most important consideration…. What will the TSA pre-check wait time be? At MIdways, it was less than 5 minutes.
I experienced my first flight delay on this flight, and it wasn’t related to the weather.
About 5-minutes before pushback 3 Southwest employees boarded the flight and headed towards the back of the plane. In total synchronization, almost every passenger turned their head to follow the parade of Southwest personnel while simultaneously having their cell phone set to video. Well… nothing viral, no hashtags, and no screaming. Our delay, are you ready for this….. One passenger’s seat would not lock in the upright position. #30 minutes later we were in the air.
Let’s set the stage for this next section. Hotels in the year 2021.
Lots of my travels include meeting up with coworkers along the way. I’ve worked with most of my team and traveled with them for at least five years and for some, it’s been almost twenty years.
No one on this team is a primadonna. We stay at Hilton and Marriott properties, not boutique resorts.
Our meals choices consist of local favorites, the hotel lobby, or something we saw on diners’ drive-ins and dives. It’s rare that a meal for us is at a restaurant where after you excuse yourself to use the restroom, they fold your napkin. Those days are gone, and it ended in the mid-1990s’
We don’t fly first class. We hope, we pray for an upgrade, which is non-existent on Southwest.
Our rental cars resemble the family sedan, Think Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, or the Hyundai Sonata.
Honestly, we don’t have high expectations for business travel. We’re road warriors, typically we’re preparing/waiting for the other shoe to drop and not anticipating on 800 thread count sheets on the Hampton Inn bed that night.
However, we’re always chasing that elusive mistress…. the upgrade.
Over the past six months, almost every single team member has voiced a complaint about the conditions of the hotels we’re staying in.
In episode 151 I talked about the CEOs and my recent trip to Savannah. This was a relaxing weekend and the Hampton Inn I booked was one of the worst Hampton Inn’s that I’ve ever stayed at. Thankfully, they refunded my points for the stay but does that do anything to improve the conditions?
Two weeks ago, I stayed in Dallas Texas for three nights. The base camp was the DoubleTree, one that I last visited in 2018. Everything in 2018 was fine, and I thought how much could’ve changed in three years?
Apparently a lot…….
The biggest shortcoming was the lack of daily housekeeping…. And while I don’t need someone to make my bed every day it’s nice to see housekeeping in the hallway where you can get a few extra towels, a refresh on coffee cups, or another roll of toilet paper.
Also, daily housekeeping helps to keep the hallways free of trash, soiled towels, and last night’s plates from room service.
One evening we had scotch and cigars on the patio. When we finished, we threw the empty scotch bottle in the trash. The next night it was IPAs and cigars back on the patio, and the empty scotch bottle was still in the trash.
We spent Tuesday evening at the hotel bar watching the Braves win the World Series The bar was packed and there was only one bartender/waitress. It took us almost 20 minutes to tab out due to them being understaffed.
What stood out the most was the breakfast setup. DoubleTree runs a close second to the Hilton Garden Inn spread for breakfast.
Their buffet was $18.00, $6.00 after the daily $12.00 Hilton property credit. I like most other road warriors are still not happy about this policy, just give us free breakfast like you used to. It means less editing on our expenses reports.
This was a three-night stay and we ate breakfast there twice. Both days there were no eggs, possibly two, maybe three strips of wilted bacon. The water dispenser was empty except for ice and there was no silverware rolls insight.
The next hotel stop was at the Hilton Garden Inn just outside Chicago.
Riot shields - check
Masked employees - check
Hand sanitizer stations - check
Housekeeping by request - check.
My 2 night Chicago stay was one of the better hotel stays this year. They were serving up their classic made-to-order breakfast. Gone were the “Break the seal” stickers across the door jamb of my room. Plus the bar served three beers that I’ve never had before… Daisy Cutter Pale Ale, Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Stout, and the Anti-Hero IPA from Revolution Brewing Company. Those three with the Weber Backyard Brew gave me four new beers to log on Untappd.
I understand the hotel industry suffered financially, no one has gone unscathed due to COVID. But the hotels that we stay at are still getting well over $120.00 per night. My bill for three nights in Dallas was over $400.00. The hotel industry truly needs to be doing better to satisfy the traveler’s needs.
Back home and on the docket, this past weekend was to head to Disney, more specifically Epcot for the annual Food & Wine Festival just in time for the entrepreneur's birthday.
Also on the docket was staying at our weekend get-a-way, the Disney Springs Hilton. I said “was” because even with all my dark web tricks a room was $400.00 per night… no worries I’ll use points. That was until I found out that it was 186,000 points per night.
Safe to say we spent the night at Chateau’ Relaxo where the mortgage payment accommodates all of us.
Friday night was spent at Disney Springs, and it was packed, There were no masks required while outside, and 90% of the visitors gladly complied.
If you stepped inside a store you were then required to mask up.
Dinner after an hour and 50-minute wait……was at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'. Thankfully they’ll send you a text when your table is ready so you can act like a true Floridian and grab a to-go cup and walk and shop while you wait.
I went with the fried chicken sandwich and the CEO ordered the shrimp and grits, both delicious.,
The next day it was off to EPCOT and as a pasty white melanoma survivor, the weather was perfect, the mid-70s and overcast.
We have a tradition when each of the kids turned 21 we took them to EPCOT for them to take a shot at drinking around the world. The Entrepreneur on his 21st made it halfway before he tapped out on a Sam Adams while eating lunch in America.
And we’ve done this several times over the years and now he makes it without an issue. Thankfully his birthday coincides with the annual Food & Wine Festival.
EPCOT was packed, and after a bit of research, thank you local new, it turns out this past week was the first time international travelers were allowed back in the country. Hence the reason for the $400.00 per night hotel rooms.
If you’ve never visited EPCOT during the Food & Wine Festival this event gives you the chance to sample a variety of foods and beverages from around the world.
A few of the food highlights -
* Belgium - Beer-braised Beef served with Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes
* Brazil - Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions
* Greece - Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey
* Japan - Teriyaki Chicken Bun: Steamed Bun filled with Chicken, Vegetables, and Teriyaki
A few of the beer highlights -
* 81Bay Brewing Co. Lemon Hazy IPA, Tampa, FL
* Playalinda Brewing Company Yaupon Brothers Green Tea Pale Ale, Titusville, FL
* Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
* Lord Hobo Brewing Boom Sauce DIPA, Woburn, MA
Honestly, you get just enough of a sample to satisfy a food curiosity without filling you up.
Here’s the only downside to visiting EPCOT in 2021 and possibly part of 2022. Construction, just put a Google on EPCOT constructionand you’ll get the idea. Some call it Futureworld, some call it neighborhoods, call it what you like, but EPCOT has cornered the market on plywood walls and vinyl stickers as they use those items to route you around the construction.
One of the highlights of EPCOT is people watching aka “Let’s Make Fun Of People”.
My number one target is Disney-themed family shirts. Here at Chateau’ Relaxo, we don’t participate in matching family-themed shirts and stick-figure bumper stickers.
However, I did see some great shirts.
There was a variety of “Squad” shirts, birthday squad, and bride squad, being the predominant players..
A few couples themed shirts
Her - I wear the ears.
Him - I drink the beers
Her Mickey
His Minnie
There were several, “Couples Who Disney Park Together Stay Together”. Sponsored by the law firm of Ditcher, Quick & Hyde.
Booze related
Malt Whiskey instead of Walt Disney
Along the theme of the movie Incredibles, I saw several Incrediabily Drunk shirts.
Hakuna Tequila
And an endless sea of Drinking Around the World shirts, complete with checkboxes for each stop..And of course, you will see many, many many men wearing their, “I Don’t Do Matching Shirts”.
If the upcoming holidays include travel here are a few things to keep in mind.
First, I’m an optimist, but if you’re flying, assume that something will come up. Software issues, lack of staff, bad weather, you name it, it’s bound to happen. If traveling internationally consider travel insurance.
Also, consider carry-on over checking your luggage Holiday travel is always rough, but this year it’ll be 10X over 2020. Many travelers haven’t been to an airport since 2019, and many of those travelers have forgotten how to travel. Expect longer lines at check-in as well as baggage claim.
If possible use your airline’s app to check in as well as store your boarding pass. This one thing will save you a considerable amount of time at the airport.
Verify that your TSA pre-check is still valid.
Consider having an alternative route as well as an alternative mode of transportation. Especially on your return trip. Or at least have a budget set aside for it, and a general game plan.
That does it, for the big show of travel updates.…. If you want detailed show notes, links and pictures head over to podpage.com/travel-stories/
Leave a message on Anchor, or shoot me an email at TravelFrick@gmail.com.
As I always say, travel safe, stay safe, and thanks for listening.
