CombatCritic's TravelValue™: air

Showing posts with label air. Show all posts

Monday, November 25, 2019

Honolulu, HI: One Sun Of A Beach, If You Can Gain Access

Hickam Beach and Picnic Area
Hickam Air Force Base
Hickam AFB, HI 96853
Prices: FREE

We flew space-available (Space-A) on a US Air Force aircraft to and from Honolulu, Hawaii this past February on a C-17 and KC-135 tanker. Because I am retired military, my wife and I can fly for free and have access to US military installations around the world ... HOOAH!

Adjacent to the popular Lanai at Mamala Bay on the Hickam Air Force Base side of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, with its' spectacular views, this sandy beach is long and semi-narrow with a southern exposure looking out over the blue Pacific.

The two times we were at Hickam Beach this past February, the water was clear and calm with hardly a wave. The beach faces open sea, but is protected by a peninsula created by the runways at Honolulu International Airport and Hickam AFB, a similar exposure as Waikiki which is almost always very calm. There seems to be a very gentle slope once in the water, so I think it would be a great place for families to enjoy themselves.

A great place to spend the day or evening, unfortunately, you must have a military ID to access the base and beach, so civilians will need to buddy-up with an ID holder to visit the beach and Lanai at Mamala Bay.

CombatCritic Gives Hickam Beach 9 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Nine Bombs Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "U.S. Marine Response To A Verbal Greeting Or As An Expression Of Enthusiasm"

Friday, October 19, 2018

Ryan Air's Conflicting And Confusing Carry On Policy Deciphered (1 NOV 2018)

Ryan Air's carry on policy is confusing with conflicting information on its website.

Some current web pages claim that there is a 35 x 20 x 20 cm (13.75" x 7.85" x 7.85") maximum for small bags:

https://www.ryanair.com/us/en/plan-trip/flying-with-us/baggage-policy

But, if you dig into the FAQs, you will find a new 40 x 20 x 25cm (15.75" x 7.85" x 9.75") maximum for small bags ("New Baggage Policy" - Effective 1 November 2018):

https://www.ryanair.com/us/en/useful-info/help-centre/faq-overview#2-0.

So I asked: "Which is it Ryan Air?"

Here is the answer I received from Zamasiba, a Ryan Air Support Agent:

Zamasiba: Hi, my name is Zamasiba, welcome to Ryanair Customer Support. I would be happy to help you with your query. Please stay connected while I review your query and reservation details.

CombatCritic: Your new online baggage policy (eff 1 Nov 18) does not state the maximum dimensions of a “wheelie bag” allowed as cabin baggage for priority customers. Is the max still 55x40x20cm?

Zamasiba: Yes, it is.

CombatCritic: Thanks! One of the screens on your website (with opposing information – on one it says that the small bag must be 35 x 20 x 20cm and on the other its says that you have increased it to 40 x 20 x 25cm) has the following note:

---------------------

Please note: Flights to/from Israel

If you have purchased "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" or Plus/Flexi Plus/Family Plus you can carry the following on board:

• One small bag e.g. handbag, laptop bag etc. not exceeding 35cm x 20cm x 20cm

If you have not purchased "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" or a Plus/Flexi Plus/Family Plus and are flying to/from Israel you can carry the following on board:

• One cabin bag, not exceeding 55cm x 40cm x 20cm in size and up to 10kg in weight.

• 1 small bag e.g. handbag, laptop bag etc. not exceeding 35cm x 20cm x 20cm

Customers travelling to and from Israel who present at the airport with a 2nd larger cabin bag (exceeding 35cm x 20cm x 20cm) may drop this bag off at the check-in/bag drop desk, for an airport checked bag fee of €40 or at the boarding gate, for a gate bag fee of €50.

--------------------------

My question is: Are the max dimensions on small carry ons to/from Israel 35 x 20 x 20cm or 40 x 20 x 25cm?

Zamasiba: They are 40 x 20 x 25cm

CombatCritic: Thanks again. Will I receive an email documentation of this chat which I can print and take with me on our trip to Israel in case gate agents are as confused as customers by your conflicting online baggage policy information? You really need to update your website to ensure that all baggage policies are identical.

Zamasiba: Yes, it will be sent at the end of the chat.

CombatCritic: Finally, do you have links to Ryan Air approved cabin bags we can purchase online? Thank you very much Zamasiba!

Zamasiba: Unfortunately not.

NOTE: UNFORTUNATELY, THAT WAS NOT A TRUE STATEMENT AS YOU CAN FIND RYAN AIR APPROVED CABIN BAGS FOR SALE ON THEIR WEBSITE IN SIZES THAT ARE GUARANTEED TO BE ACCEPTED ON ALL RYAN AIR FLIGHTS (CLICK HERE).

CombatCritic: Cheers! Have a nice day (or evening)!!

Zamasiba: You are welcome. If there's anything else I can assist you with please come back to us.

Thank you for using our Live Chat Service.

BOTTOM LINE: "Priority" customers can carry on one bag not exceeding 10kg with dimensions 55cm x 40cm x 20cm (aka "wheelie bag") and one small bag with dimensions 40 x 20 x 25cm (effective November 1st, 2018).

Unfortunately, there is still conflicting information on Ryan Air's website, even within the very same FAQs:

We have increased the size of the free small carry-on bag by over 40% from 35 x 20 x 20cm (14,000 cm³) to 40 x 20 x 25cm (20,000 cm³).

All passengers are entitled to bring 1 small personal bag on board which must fit under the seat in front of you (35cm x 20cm x 20cm). Examples include, handbag, laptop bag and small back pack.

Fix your damn website Ryan Air and, please, stop posting conflicting polices!

CombatCritic Gives Ryan Air's Website And Their Conflicting Baggage Policies 1 Bomb Out Of 10 And A Spot On My WALL OF SHAME ... More Bombs Are Better!

One Bomb Equates To:

Translation for Civilians: "Fucked Up Beyond All Repair"

Monday, May 23, 2016

Washington DC: Air And Space Museum - An Airman's Dream With A Few Flaws

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Independence Avenue and 6th Street SW

Washington, DC 20560

Phone: (202) 633-1000

Website: nasm.si.edu

The Air and Space Museum is a dream for an Airman like me, but the crowds drove me bonkers!

The exhibits are sublime, from Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis to the original Wright Flyer, the aviation history in this building is impressive. However, the massive amount of humanity roaming the halls was a nightmare. People roaming around in a trance or engulfed in conversation or their cell phone caused bottleneck after bottleneck. Having only a week in DC with too many things to do and see, we did not have time to lollygag and that was extremely frustrating.

The building is also in desperate need of maintenance. From a leaking roof that stained the walls to carpets with duct tape covering the holes, the building requires some simple maintenance to bring it up to Washington DC and Smithsonian standards.

CombatCritic Gives The Smithsonian's Air And Space Museum 8 Bombs Out Of 10 With A Two Bomb Deduction For Crowds And Poor Maintenance ... More Bombs Are Better!

Eight Bombs Equates To:

Read Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp - Elite '14/'15/'16

TripAdvisor - Top Contributor

Tabelog - Official Judge (Bronze)

Zomato - #1 Ranked Foodie

... And Don't Forget To Subscribe To TravelValue TV on YouTube

Title: Washington DC: Air And Space Museum - An Airman's Dream With A Few Flaws

Key Words: Washington DC, Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian, air, space, national, Washington, DC, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, attraction, museum, review, Yelp, TripAdvisor

Translation for Civilians: WTFO = "What-The-F#@& ... Over!"

Friday, February 27, 2015

United Airlines: We Don't Care (Sometimes), We Don't Have To (But, Maybe We Want To) ... I'm Confused!

United Airlines, Inc.

77 W Wacker Dr

Chicago, IL 60601

b/t Lower Wacker Dr & Michigan Ave in The Loop

united.com

I do not usually write reviews so many weeks or months after the fact, but being in India for four months where Yelp did not yet exist, I felt compelled to add my two cents.

My first two of three United flights to Delhi were both two hours late and I had to rush through Frankfurt Airport to catch my final flight after already spending close to 20 hours traveling (with 7+ yet to go). I somehow made it!

However, when I recently checked my mileage balance on United.com, my final leg still had not been added to my balance, requiring me to submit a request that still has not been answered.

Airlines in general, and United in particular, just do not care about customer service because they do not have to. They know that most of us will probably purchase the cheapest fare, so it will only be a matter of time before we return even if their service is pitiful, which it usually is ... rude check-in and gate agents, aggressive flight attendants, and poor on-time departure/arrival record ... they should change their motto to: "United Airlines,We Don't Care, We Don't Have To"

As my India trip neared its end, I have to say that United came through with flying colors.

When one of my wife's return flights in mid-January was rescheduled, leaving her a 30 minute layover to clear immigration/customs, re-check her bag, and get to the next gate (IMPOSSIBLE), we contacted United and were quickly dismissed ... "sorry"! But when we got our travel insurance company involved, they were able to change her flights and get her home in time to attend a meeting at work the following morning.

The saga continued ...

I received a call in early February, three weeks prior to my scheduled departure, informing me that my 84-year old mother had been hospitalized and was not doing well. I contacted my travel insurance company (Allianz Global Assistance/AGA Service Company /Jefferson Insurance Company) thinking that they would be as professional as my wife's, but after 12+ hours of being ignored (on their 24/7 Hotline), I contacted United reservations in New Delhi. They were not extremely helpful, but when I was finally transferred to an American employee, she was outstanding. She quickly found me a flight two days later (i had to get from Southern India to Delhi the next day) and WAIVED THE $300 CHANGE FEE ... without even asking. I was able to get home to see my mother and spend a couple days of quality time before she passed away on 2/12/2015. At that point I was much happier with United.

and continued ...

Then, just three weeks after my mother passed, my wife received word that her father had suddenly died in Naples, Italy where he and her mom live. I logged-in to my United account to search for "bereavement fares", but even though a link appeared in the search results, there was no such information on their website. It turned out that United discontinued their bereavement fares at some point in the recent past. When I called United Customer Care, a deceiving term, I was connected with their offshore "care" center in Manilla, Phillippines where I was quoted $4000 for a single ticket ... $1600 more than the cheapest fare available on Kayak.com and $2350 more than we eventually paid Delta airlines. Thanks for your compassion United!

I had been prepared to give United 6, 7, even 8, Bombs (3 to 4 stars) because of the recent positive experiences detailed above, but finding out post de facto that 15,000 of the 20,000 miles from the US to India and back I paid dearly for were not eligible for frequent flyer credits (K Class) and the $4000 quote for a last-minute bereavement fare changed my mind. So, I will now have to downgrade my previous ratings ...

CombatCritic Gives United Airlines 3 Out Of 10 Bombs With Room To Grow Or Recede Further ... More Bombs Are Better!

Read More Reviews By CombatCritic, Including United Airlines, On Yelp And TripAdvisor Along With Many Other Reviews And More!

Title: United Airlines: We Don't Care (Sometimes), We Don't Have To (But, Maybe We Want To) ... I'm Confused!

Key Words: United Airlines, United, Airlines, air, plane, airplane, travel, airport, flight, reservation, agent, customer, service, CombatCritic, TravelValue, Yelp, value

Read This Review And Many More On Yelp ... Where I Am An Elite '14/'15 Member

Monday, September 29, 2014

United States Air Force Academy ... Enough Said!

After having worked at USAFA as an assistant professor and counselor, and being a retired Air Force officer, I must admit that I am a bit biased. BUT ... the Academy IS THE BOMB!

The most majestic location of any of our service academies (sorry West Point and Annapolis), the scenery is awe inspiring. The iconic Cadet Chapel with its towering spires and modern design is the centerpiece, but there is so much more to see.

The Eisenhower Golf Courses (Blue and Silver) are top-notch, abutting the Rampart Range and challenging even the best golfers, particularly the Robert Trent Jones designed 7,200+ yard Blue Course. I have seen a 12-point buck (deer) and his harem standing next to the tee munching on an early morning breakfast of grass and, just the other day, a group of wild turkeys foraging through the thickets surrounding the par 5 5th hole (Blue).

Enter through the North Gate off of I-25 and follow the signs to the Visitor's Center where you can see many exhibits and take a short walk to the overlook and an up close view of the Cadet Chapel and "The Terrazo" where you can view cadets marching to and from classes, lunch, and appointments during the school year.

CombatCritic Gives the United States Air Force Academy 10 Bombs Out of 10

Key Words: USAFA, United States Air Force Academy, US, air, force, Air Force, academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Springs, military, service, cadet, cadets, Eisenhower, golf, course, Robert Trent Jones, CombatCritic

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