yoo hoo!

up Here!

yes – flying above you (if you’re reading us in any of the States that one flies over between Los Angeles and the East Coast seaboard where manhattan lies.

we are going to be in town briefly – until friday – doing Medical Tests (immigration requirements – don’t ask) and seeing a few Friends (alas, not many) .

oh – yes- and Signing The Book Contract *blush* with our literary Agent and the lovely representatives from The Publishing House (quelle fun!)

before we left the Other Coast (and slipped into a waiting black towncar) we drove our flowers over to George’s apartment so he could enjoy them for the rest of the week.

here they Were chez teamgloria…..

and now they’re over the other side of Town.

must dash!

landing soon.

a lovely flight.

lots of writing done on The House On Church Row - some Rather splendid things taking place.

Quite surprising turn of events actually.

we didn’t expect them at All.

but that’s what happens when the Characters take over, darlings.

now we Must find the coat we borrowed and hat, gloves and general East Coast Attitude before we land.

gosh.

we Almost see Land.

and people wearing head to toe black with sunglasses and long wrapped around scarves.

*looksdoubtfully*

hmmm, looks cold. *shivers*

we’ll do our Best.

THIS JUST IN!

flirty ;-)

no more than we’d expect from that naughty Mr. Branson.

The new data also make it clear that Apple devices rule the sky: 84% of flyers who connect to Wi-Fi on their phones or tablets do so with an Apple device. Android devices comprise the other 16%. But that’s less lopsided than in 2011, when Apple had 97% of that market.

All told, 35% of Gogo customers connect with tablets, 32% with phones, and 33% with laptops. The iPad is the single most popular device.

Gogo laid the groundwork to go public in late 2011 but hasn’t yet followed through with an IPO. Its regulatory filings, however, reveal additional data about how US flyers are getting online. In the first half of 2012, 5.4% of people who had access to Gogo in-flight wireless took advantage of it. Virgin America probably has the highest rate of Gogo usage, averaging over 20% of passengers. On flights between New York and San Francisco, more than half of the plane usually uses Wi-Fi.

Among those who do connect, Gogo earns an average of $9.18 per session, which is down slightly from the first half of 2011, though the company has succeeded in getting more people to use the service.

The data don’t account for pilots who increasingly use iPads and other tablets during flights. But presumably—or, we certainly hope—they’re not surfing while flying.

Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss.

Virgin America: 

Frameable Color Prints and Posters: 

I could understand frogbacking, maybe…or swanback? Perhaps…Even apebackpacking.
The closest thing to piggybacking I have ever seen,

are the Brementown MusiciansBut, there’s still no sign of a pig, is there?

In any event, today I am going to piggyback on a recent post from Where’s My Backpack. Ailsa wrote about Air New Zealand’s ingenious inflight safety film, which should come with a warning to menopausal women to cross their legs to avoid the effects of sudden outbursts of laughter. I thought Virgin America’s film was innovative until I found this one by Thomson, a british holiday company that has a very interesting apprentice program.

Buckle up and Enjoy!

Some piggyback ride, eh? Happy trails…

]]> http://jetwashphotos.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/virgin-america-n852va-airbus-a320-214-fll/ Sat, 02 Mar 2013 15:56:22 +0000 jetwashphotos http://jetwashphotos.wordpress.com/2013/03/02/virgin-america-n852va-airbus-a320-214-fll/
N852VA_9286, a photo by Stephen Wilcox – Jetwashphotos.com on Flickr.

Virgin America N852VA Airbus A320-214 5004 FLL Ft Lauderdale Airport 2013

Why? NO PILLOW. NO BLANKET. I know. BFFD—Big Fat Fudgey Deal!

I don’t have many peeves, but all those cuts in airline amenities are still high on my list of pets. Meals, baggage, earphones—what’s next? BYOTP? Bring your own toilet paper?

I was tired and cold. All I wanted to do was pull my knees to my chest, snuggle up against my window, lay my head upon their soft, fiber-filled, fairly-normal-sized purple pillow,

Photo courtesy of Flickr

cocoon in my blankie and, hopefully, sleep the four and a half hours to Fort Lauderdale.

Besides, I had already been teased. I knew full well that the tourist class ensemble would not be as warm and cozy as the cushy, red fleece, plastic-covered set centered on each first class seat, but I never expected the duo to be missing completely.

“They were seldom washed after every use anyway,” the flight attendant offered, in an attempt to relieve my disappointment. Of course, he did. The picture of an alien pygmy’s drool pooling in the center of that soft purple cloud flashed before my eyes; his acrid scent attaching itself to and emanating from a napkin-sized polyester red throw accosted my nose.

Please don’t judge me. I have nothing against aliens or pygmies—once we all are able to travel into outer space, we too will be aliens to other forms of life. And, as for pygmies, I am only 4 foot 10 and ¾ inches tall myself.

After a short night tossing and turning like a roast chicken on a spit, the sun began to rise.

Still incensed by Sir Richard’s audacity, but being an optimist of sorts, I began to think about the environmental ripple effect of his supposedly greedy decision to eliminate this once common airline artifact:

Not having to clean, wrap, and transport tens of thousands of pillows and blankets per day saves mega tons of water. It even reduces the amount of detergent and its resulting toxins from being released into nature. It cuts fuel consumption—no longer having to transport the items to/from the laundry IN ADDITION to whatever fuel—petroleum, electricity, gas—is used in the production of the plastic that said blanket and pillow are wrapped in AND the transport and production of the chemicals needed in their production, the resulting effects of their production on the environment, and, and, and—well, you get the idea.

So, do I still need to write to Sir Richard Branson about my experience?  After all, he does have lovely crews, good service, and well maintained, patriotic aircraft - Shall I applaud him for his environmental and sustainable decision to remove pillows and blankets from his airline’s flights?

Perhaps. Yes. Definitely.

Then I could also mention my idea for installing a reverse suction fan element into every seat to address API-SMEFS—Airplane Induced Smelly Farts. Depending on a person’s output, the passenger could, in effect, get a rebate for said output. Someone just needs to figure out how to transform these fumes into jet fuel.

So, what are your pet peeves? I’d love to know—

As a child, I recall looking at advertisements for Malaysian Airlines which showed beaming travelers tucking into lobsters, and though nobody has ever offered me anything other than “chicken or beef?”, I still cling to that hope. In the meantime, there’s something charming about doll-size portions of meat and vegetables, all neatly laid out on a sectioned tray. I also love the midnight service of cup ramen, which is the best part of an international flight to Asia. There’s a certain frisson to clutching a styrofoam cup of steaming MSG in a hushed and eerie darkness, dimly lit by the flickering images from other people’s movie screens.

Unfortunately, there was no cup ramen on my cross-country flight and in the morning rush, I only managed to pack a few sad-looking ham sandwiches and some clementines. It’s too bad as I’ve always had secret visions of whipping out a luxurious picnic hamper, like the unfortunate prostitute in Guy De Maupassant’s story “Boule de Suif”, and nibbling on delicacies like duck confit nestled in a bed of fennel and apple salad on my tiny fold-out table. Or carving thin slivers of salami or Manchego cheese. Such daydreams are unlikely, however, since I didn’t even remember to pack napkins, let alone a gigantic basket stuffed with foie gras. Besides, nobody is allowed to carry pocket knives on board anymore.

I was excited to discover, however, that you can now order food through your individual touch screen TV and pay for it by swiping your credit card. Giddy that humanity was finally moving towards Willy Wonka’s visionary TV chocolate, I studied the menu. Virgin America has clearly tried to position itself as a trend setter. The usual suspects of chips and nuts are redeployed under the guise of “Artisan Cheese Box” (cheese and crackers) and “Protein Meal” (nuts and energy bars). Not to be outdone, I pressed the button for “Non-GMO caramel popcorn sprinkled with sea salt” (100cal) and waited. It arrived in precisely in 3 minutes, brought by a passing stewardess. Later, I also ordered some dried fruit and nuts mashed together and Pringles. Each came in under 5 minutes, delivered in the same noiselessly unobtrusive manner.

It was an odd experience, yet strangely addictive. Looking around at my fellow travelers, all of us feverishly tapping away at screens and tablets, I was reminded of the sci-fi movie Gattaca, which offers an achingly well-designed future filled with silent hallways and people hurrying away on some kind of business. I don’t know whether the people behind Virgin are forging into this futuristic ideal, or whether they’ve drawn their inspiration directly from movies, but the result is a kind of self-fulfilling loop, where a picnic basket (a la Guy De Maupassant) probably doesn’t make carry-on size limits.

You can earn double Virgin America Elevate frequent flyer loyalty program points — and up to triple Virgin America Elevate frequent flyer loyalty program points after your second round trip between select cities — if you register first and fly as a passenger in any cabin for select qualifying flights along the West Coast by June 30, 2013.

All bonus Virgin America Elevate frequent flyer loyalty program points count towards Elevate Silver or Elevate Gold elite status. Sweet!

This chart illustrates how and on which routes you can earn bonus Virgin America Elevate frequent flyer loyalty program points:

Members of the Virgin America Elevate frequent flyer loyalty program typically earn five points per dollar spent on the base airfare.

Other terms and conditions apply. See website for full details.

I’m pretty sure my airplane obsession can be traced back to growing up under a flight path. My childhood home lay a little to the right of the runway approach into Perth Airport. Watching the planes come in to land provided an endless distraction for me from homework and I got very good at guessing  the make and airline by simply listening to the engine of the plane flying overhead.

Perth is the most isolated city in the world. To get almost anywhere from Perth you need to get on a big plane and fly for a long time.The first time I flew Sydney to Melbourne, I remember thinking the plane was making an emergency landing as no sooner had we taken off we began making our decent. I was not used to cities being so close to each other, especially as you can get on a 767 fly 3 hours north of Perth and still be in Western Australia.

#planenerd is mainly my pics and tweets and I’ve even go so far at to flirt with a Virgin America Pilot because I wanted a pilot facebook friend who would hopefully send me pics like this…

I got one better. He showed me his cockpit…

Planes bring you to the faraway in a way that makes the whole world feel close. When I see or hear one an excited optimism tingles within me.

Before starting this blog I wrote a secret blog which was very #planenerd. The blog is based around pictures pictures taken out of plane windows.

 These are my favorite sort of pictures as it’s nice to have a reminder that the sun always shines above the clouds.

Ever hopeful. I love planes.

In 2010, Delta unveiled its “keep climbing” campaign, designed to overhaul the customer experience on all of its flights following a merger with Northwest Airlines

The fiercely competitive transcontinental market between New York and Los Angeles/San Francisco is about to watch one of its major players step up its game. This morning, Delta Air Lines announced plans to add new products and services on all flights between New York JFK and SFO, LAX as well as Seattle, designed to enhance the customer experience on these longer-range domestic routes.

From coffee to chardonnay, headsets to HBO, Delta is seriously committing itself to appeal to the business traveler. Following this past summer’s announcement from major competitor American Airlines to launch new Airbus A321s with lie-flat seats in its First and Business Class cabins on the JFK-LAX and JFK-SFO routes, Delta similarly revealed plans last November to install full-flat bed seating in its award-winning BusinessElite cabin on these two routes (as it goes head-to-head against AA) as well as between JFK and Seattle.

Pre-departure

Starting in May 2013, transcontinental passengers flying into and out of Delta’s New York JFK hub will depart from Terminal 4, which has recently undergone a $1.2 billion expansion project. The redesigned terminal will boast the largest Delta SkyClub in the system, more check-in areas and security checkpoints.

On the plane

All three of these routes will be flown on Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 series aircraft reconfigured specifically with Delta’s new transcontinental product. The 767 version will feature an entirely new interior, including 26 full flat-bed Business Elite seats, measured at 21 inches wide and 79 inches long, with direct aisle access at every seat in a 1-2-1 configuration and a 10.6 inch video monitor. The 767 cabin will also feature 29 Economy Comfort seats, which provides 35″ of seat pitch beyond the industry standard of 32″. Each seat in the main cabin will contain a 9″ personal TV monitor and a USB power port.

The 757 cabin will be configured in a 2 x 2 seat layout, with 16 full-flat beds, 20″ wide and 79″ long. Interestingly, the 757 version will feature a larger personal TV (16″) than on the 767 in BusinessElite, and there will be more Economy Comfort seats for sale (44). The PTV in the main cabin will be the standard 9 inches, and also offer USB power ports at every seat.

In the air

As if those options weren’t enough, the entire fleet will feature in-flight WiFi and the personal entertainment screens will offer a selection of over 1,000 on-demand options. The 757 fleet will feature 18 channels of live satellite TV.

The BusinessElite cabin will now offer sparkling wine and express meals. Furthermore, in an era when people can hardly remember days when airlines offered newspapers on board,  Delta will begin distributing copies of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today for BE passengers on these flights!

Economy Comfort passengers will get to enjoy complimentary beer, wine, cocktails and premium snacks, starting in April. All passengers, including those seated in EC and the main cabin, will receive complimentary headsets, complimentary movies, and free HBO selections and new release films.

Delta will also serve Starbucks Coffee for all transcontinental passengers, another special treat that seemed all but vanished these days on domestic US flights. Main cabin passengers seeking a more “celebratory” libation can purchase bottles of Hess Select Chardonnay and Meiomi by Belle Glos Pinot Noir, starting in March. The buy-on-board meal purchase menu will also be expanded to feature healthier and kid-friendly options, following a text experience launched last spring.

Scheduling convenience

Part of the appeal to business travelers in selecting their choice of airlines is scheduling convenience and flexibility. Following its announcement of the new transcontinental product, Delta published its flight schedules between JFK and these three markets starting next summer (source: Delta.com)

July 2013 schedule between New York – JFK and Los Angeles

Delta competes with American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Virgin America on its JFK-LAX route. The market is fairly fragmented among all five carriers: American holds the largest share at roughly 30%, followed by Delta at 25%, United at 20%, Virgin at 15%, and JetBlue the remaining 10%. American benefits from having hubs at either end of these two markets and also holds onto a lucrative share of corporate contracts. Virgin America offers a “tech-savvy” flight product that has grown in popularity, but lacks the schedule depth, frequency and network of its legacy peers. JetBlue is lower-cost provider and appeals to a different type of traveling sector.

Delta’s New York – Los Angeles route is also a major feeder for SkyTeams South Pacific/Oceania network out of LAX, which is comprised of a daily flight from LA to Sydney and a 3-weekly nonstop flight to Papeete, Tahiti on joint-venture partner carrier Air France (Source: CAPA)

July 2013 schedule between on New York’s JFK and Seattle

Of the three transcon routes, Delta holds the largest dominance in the New York – Seattle sector at 62%. American follows second at 20%, and JetBlue comes in at a close third at 18%. Neither United nor Virgin compete with these three on this route, as it is a smaller, albeit important, business route. Delta operates a small focus city out of Sea-Tac airport, and has lately been building it up to serve as its mini-Asia gateway hub. Delta offers service from Seattle to Tokyo Narita, Honolulu, Beijing and Osaka and will soon launch new service to Shanghai and Tokyo Haneda airport. Moreover, Delta has an extensive codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines, which is based in Seattle. (Source: CAPA)

July 2013 schedule between New York’s JFK and San Francisco

VIRGIN AMERICA was named as the Best Low-Cost Airline in North America at the 2012 Skytrax World Airline Awards held at Farnborough Air Show. Virgin America is a relative newcomer to the U.S. low-cost market, initiating service in August 2007. It serves 17 destinations (including Mexican cities of Puerta Vallarta, Los Cabos and Cancún) with a fleet of 49 planes.

Since launching in 2007, Virgin America has racked up a list of travel industry “best in class” awards. VIRGIN AMERICA was also voted to be the “Best North American Airline for First-Class Service, Best In-Flight Service in North America and the Best Domestic Airline in Premier Traveler Magazine’s 2012.

Virgin America, with its mood-lit cabins and fleet-wide Wi-Fi, has quickly become popular among American travelers across the country.

For the fifth year in a row, Virgin America has been named best U.S. airline by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. [Editor's note: I have flown Virgin America - a trip paid for by FareCompare - and it was indeed a terrific ride].

A quick glance at Virgin America‘s interactive route map shows the carrier specializes primarily in long-haul, coast-to-coast flights. Virgin America‘s hub is San Francisco. The airline specializes in low-cost, long-haul flights across the North American continent. Los Angeles is a focus city, and there multiple non-stop flights between coasts.

Unlike some budget airlines, Virgin America does offer first-class seating. Depending upon the section in which they are seated, passengers might pay extra fees for pillows, snacks and in-flight movies. Virgin America won the 2012 Readers’ Choice Award for U.S. budget airlines.

]]> http://davidpflieger.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/virgin-america-leads-the-u-s-airline-industry-in-green-practices-by-dave-pflieger/ Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:48:03 +0000 David Pflieger http://davidpflieger.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/virgin-america-leads-the-u-s-airline-industry-in-green-practices-by-dave-pflieger/ The airline industry is well known for being a heavy producer of greenhouse gasses – aviation accounts for two percent of greenhouse gas production worldwide. However, the relatively new U.S. carrier Virgin America has been ranked by Greenopia as the greenest domestic airline due to its fuel conservation, recycling programs, and other green practices.

Virgin America’s relatively new fleet of airplanes aids in its fuel efficiency, but the airline also makes a conscious effort to equip their aircraft with the best in fuel efficient technology and employs fuel-saving practices like single-engine taxiing and reduced thrust takeoffs. Virgin America also leads in green building efforts. For example, their headquarters are LEED Silver Certified, a designation for green building developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.

In addition, Virgin America was one of the first U.S. airlines to make public it’s greenhouse gas emissions, and the Virgin parent company has pioneered the practice of offering carbon offset programs to customers.

About the author: Dave Pflieger is the CEO and Managing Director of Air Pacific, Ltd., Fiji’s national airline. An experienced airline executive who served as Senior Vice President at Virgin America, Mr. Pflieger is also an attorney and former military pilot and flight instructor.

I remaining Florida driving non-cease in the middle of the night time. There was no way I was paying an additional night time in a lodge that smelled like lifeless fish. The point out is not like the “boot heel” off the US. It is far more like a turd dangling off the rear stop of the region, desperately attempting to shake it off into the ocean. Once I was safely and securely in Georgia I dared to quit for a nap at a roadside park. Nonetheless, the nightmares of Florida followed me and gasoline burned rapidly with my pedal to the steel, and the Florida Freeway Patrol could try to eat my dust.

Miley Cyrus is a young and soaring tween star with a predicted billion-greenback personalized fortune in her possession. Even although Miley Ray carved her path to fame on account of her great-woman facade, as she receives older her choices are providing some salacious superstar rumor.

So several moms are very gifted crafter’s, and get pleasure from creating items this kind of as afghans and sweaters to title a handful of. But did you know that there are methods to make income with your crafts. Several moms go to craft fairs and offer their things their. You might even want to consider about producing kitchen area towels, dish cloths, and heaps of other quite straightforward items.

Not each and every bride and groom has to photo booth hire london for their wedding ceremony. Some people like Brett Ratner, the Hollywood film director of the Rush Hour motion picture, owns his picture booth. He has get-togethers with his motion picture star close friends who enjoy heading into the photograph booth. This is what he suggests with regards to his image booth, “The whole evening they are in line for this photo booth. So at the stop of the summertime, I experienced hundreds and hundreds of images of my friends in funny poses.” So at the end of your marriage ceremony, you will have hundreds of images of your loved ones and pals.

You can also decide on classic or electronic look for your wedding ceremony. People who are tech savvy, retain the services of electronic picture booths. These picture booths are really mild weighted and cheaper than vintage image booths rental. In these photograph booths you get photos of higher resolution. Some of them can cost added for very best resolution, you can compromise in this circumstance if you want excellent quality images. These picture booths offer an attended with it. This attendant tells how to work program. If you never get any attendant you can paste the instruction and make confident men and women must stick to instruction correctly.

Some issues are basically typical sense. If you had been in a medical center area on the intensive treatment device, you wouldn’t whip out a radio and get started enjoying loud rap songs would you? Properly, this rule of etiquette must implement to employing mobile telephones in areas like church, the films, a doctor’s office and dining establishments. Turn your cell cellphone off when getting into this sort of establishments and if you should use them, this is one particular of the greatest instances to make use of that endless textual content package you happen to be paying for. At a time like this, texting is perfect for the occasion. It is an unobtrusive and silent occasion.

The initial phase is to make a list of what the most important issues to be incorporated in the marriage ceremony. Make a list of ten products commencing from the most essential and as soon as the record is accomplished, go away off the final 5 items as extra and stick to the top five major facets of your wedding working day.

Pen a poem. Poetry is timeless – a romantic clich that actually performs. Don’t consider that it truly is just for girls, either, as lots of guys love getting poems. It isn’t going to make a difference if the previous time you wrote a few lines was when you wrote that limerick back again at university – just sit down, feel about what that special man or woman truly implies to you, and create.

Elegant picture booths provides a pictures knowledge that injects power into each and every event.Employing professional grade tools coupled with skilled and punctual staff your friends will be thrilled to cherish and consider home their high quality a image booth prints.

No subject what the event that you have chosen to rent a photo booth, you will get a lot much more intriguing photographs in the finish than you at any time would by hiring a photographer. With a photo booth, everybody has the likelihood to go in and snap a established of photos. When you have a photographer, you have to hope that they located somebody intriguing adequate to consider a photograph of them. Not absolutely everyone can make it on the digicam when you have somebody taking the photos for you.

The initial selection that you require to fill in is that of your complete name. The next blank is for your city and the third is the place you need to choose the point out you belong to. The following alternative asks if you belong to any of the global locations or province like that of Canada or any other nation. Right after this you need to point out your phone amount together with the country code, so that the firm is confident of your inhabitance.

The other substitute presently offered may possibly be home created or commercially purchased but typically referred to as a Social gathering Photo Booth, these booths have been developed especially for the entertainment sector for which they are supposed. The main goal becoming they are bodily larger and as a result can hold more individuals at once. This is crucial at functions these kinds of as weddings as normally your attendees will want to use the booth in groups. Bearing in brain also that the bride is probably to be in a dress that has a big skirt and certainly some of the attendees, bridesmaids and many others. these booths are made to accommodate this.

Make the most of your image booth rental by possessing a strategy. Folks will be laughing and obtaining a fantastic time in your show room. Capitalize on the jovial environment designed by the booth. Engage prospects in small talk as you usher them in and out of the booth, and enable that guide into your income pitch. Most of all, have entertaining! If you might be possessing fun with it, your prospects will loosen up too.

Consider giving little suggestions to what they have obtained (a lot more extreme facial expressions, far more believable steps, far more interaction, considerably less pose-y, and so forth). If they look open to course, crack out some of your crazier tips! For this purpose, we’re continuously brainstorming concepts for new poses, stories, and suggestions, so that when we arrive throughout the proper variety of group in a photobooth, we’re all set to go!

Bear in mind that fantastic, nuts picture tips are relatively relative. If you can get typically reserved grandparents to open up up and get just a minor goofy, good results! By taking the personalities that appear and assisting them to kick it up a notch (even if it is literally only one particular, tiny notch!), chances are you’ve got obtained yourself a shot that will be remembered! Who knows, they may possibly even occur back again for much more!

These days, quite a few companies provide particular rental companies which are pre-themed at nominal and affordable costs. Dependent on the particular function, your choice and budget, you may possibly photo booth hire london appropriately and customise. Getting the image station preset, customized backdrop, props, a character mascot etc. definitely draws in every single guest’s attention at the celebration. Friends could consider residence the photographs of the event instantaneously from photograph booth rentals.

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A wide variety of sweet bins are also excellent for marriage ceremony receptions. Instead than possessing person thank you presents wrapped up at everyone’s tables, you can have a vintage sweet buffet! This way, individuals can have the enjoyable of likely via all of their favourite candies from yesteryear and choosing out a exclusive get bag to take property with them.

Just as with any retail store, it will have its ups and downs. Some months you might promote a good deal, others not so much. Will not get discouraged, it is just a issue of finding what operates and what will not. You might even have to include some other items into your booth, and that is Alright. Just have exciting crafting and appreciate knowing that you are sharing this talent with others.

When seeking for image booths make confident to search in excess of all the various packages that they offer you. Odds are that the rental company will have a deal which suits your function just right. Some organizations offer distinct sorts of picture booths for rental. Their classic (very first generation) booth normally cost more to operate and therefore have a larger value for rental. These first generation booths may also have further needs of your venue due to their bulkiness and their increased fat. This kind of booth will most most likely price amongst $900 and $1500 for its rental for 4 several hours.

Bear in mind that wonderful, crazy photograph ideas are considerably relative. If you can get generally reserved grandparents to open up and get just a little goofy, success! By taking the personalities that arrive and assisting them to kick it up a notch (even if it is practically only one, tiny notch!), odds are you’ve got obtained by yourself a shot that will be remembered! Who understands, they could even appear again for more!

Why not rent a picture booth for your following get together? Every person loves a celebration! And absolutely everyone enjoys to have their photo taken even though enjoying themselves. What greater way than with a picture booth? Now you can truly rent a photo booth!! Which is appropriate, a portable photograph booth, just like at the boardwalk arcade. Now you never have to go to the photo booths, they arrive to you.

I can recognize a great joke just as a lot as the subsequent man or woman, but not to my mobile phone and not to the extent that it clogs my inbox all working day. This also goes for photograph messages. Not absolutely everyone can get these. Request ahead of clogging up someone’s cell cellphone with multimedia and/or photo messages. Some men and women have pre-compensated telephones and their minutes are treasured. Save individuals products for e-mail.

The other option presently offered may possibly be home manufactured or commercially purchased but usually referred to as a Party Picture Booth, these booths have been designed especially for the leisure sector for which they are meant. The main goal being they are bodily larger and therefore can hold much more folks at after. This is important at events such as weddings as typically your friends will want to use the booth in groups. Bearing in mind also that the bride is very likely to be in a costume that has a big skirt and certainly some of the visitors, bridesmaids and many others. these booths are made to accommodate this.

Virgin America (San Francisco) announced it will add daily flights from San Francisco (SF) to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) beginning on May 21, 2013.

In addition, the airline announced today it will offer seasonal service from SFO to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) with six nonstop roundtrip flights a week from June 6, 2013, through September 9, 2013.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Airbus A319-131 N523VA (msn 3181) approaches Los Angeles for landing.

Virgin America: 

Hang in there, East Coast people!!

I digress. So I was about to go to the East Coast this weekend to see my sister. My baby sister is an officer in the United States military and I am so so proud of her. The plan was for me to go see her, spend time with her, help her pack, get her house in order and all her bills organized.

I’m also the only one in my family who’s able to go see her before she’s deployed. That’s right. She being deployed to serve our country, to fight for and defend all the joys and freedoms Americans enjoy every single day.

Oh, Virgin America. I thought we’d be in a relationship forever.
Now? Not so much. Too bad because you FINALLY fly directly to Vegas.

Enter Virgin America and it’s greed. My friends and family are telling me how JetBlue changed their entire itinerary from JFK->LA->SF->JFK for FREE due to the storm. Now I’m super pissed!!!

What the hell, Virgin America???? I used to think you had the best customer service second only to Hawaiian Air. After my experience tonight trying to figure out my new itinerary due to bad weather, I now think Virgin America has terrible customer service. I’m ranking it right there with Delta, American and United.

The following is a slightly edited version of the letter I sent Virgin America via their “Contact Us” form.

—

My name is Bonnie. I’ve been a rabid and loyal customer of Virgin America. Virgin America was one of my favorite airlines of all time. However, after my experience today, this is no longer the case.

I was supposed to fly out to JFK and return home close to a week later. I should tell you why I’m going to the East Coast. You see, my baby sister is an officer in the United States military. She is being deployed at the end of the month. I am the only family member who can go see her, spend time with her and help her pack, get ready and offer support before she is deployed to defend our country and all the freedoms we enjoy.

I realize Winter Storm Nemo is no one’s fault and I think it’s great Virgin America offers the option of changing your flight.

This is where things start to fall apart for me. I have to pay a $100 fee to change flights and another $400+ to get a flight out of JFK on another date. Had I been able to come back home later, I would’ve been able to avoid these extra fees.

But I’m NOT able to leave later! I am lucky enough to have this thing called a JOB. I can’t take any more days off of work without leaving my employer in a lurch.

So, you see, I am pretty angry.

Had Virgin America NOT tried to squeeze me for more money on my return flight, I wouldn’t be so upset. It’s Virgin America’s corporate policy of forcing these fees upon customers who have no choice BUT to change our plans due to something we have absolutely no control of (for example, THE WEATHER!!! In some situations, wouldn’t this be considered an act of God?) that is so utterly despicable.

“San Jose International Airport is important for Silicon Valley business travelers and it deserves more flight options,” said Virgin America President and CEO David Cush . “As an airline known for amenities that keep travelers connected and productive in the skies, we hope our flights can offer some healthy competition and a better choice for the Bay’s entrepreneurs and business travelers. We are appreciative of the efforts of Mayor Chuck Reed , Airport Director Bill Sherry and Carl Guardino from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, who were instrumental in making this happen and who had the vision and persistence to push for increased air service options for San Jose and the South Bay region.”

In five and a half years of flying, Virgin America has grown from three aircraft to a fleet of 52, with expansion to 19 destinations. The airline is now the second largest airline carrier at its home airport of SFO.  In addition to the nonstop LAX service, the SJC network addition will also create convenient roundtrip connectivity between San Jose and Virgin America’s Boston, Philadelphia, Newark, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas-Fort Worth, New York City (JFK), Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando and Washington DC (IAD) destinations. Virgin America will be the first carrier to offer a First Class cabin on all SJC-LAX flights.  The airline will operate out of SJC’s new Terminal A.

“We are grateful to Virgin America for bringing new air service to Silicon Valley,” said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed . “As an innovator, Virgin America will find great support in the world’s center of innovation. Silicon Valley is leading the country in job creation, and Virgin America’s new service will support our job growth with convenient and efficient air service. We appreciate the confidence shown by David Cush and his team, and we are enthusiastic about working with them to support Virgin America’s investment at SJC.”

“We are delighted to welcome Virgin America as our newest airline partner and I’m confident they will receive a very warm welcome in San Jose,” said SJC’s Director of Aviation Bill Sherry . “Silicon Valley includes the world’s most tech-savvy frequent fliers who we know will love and embrace Virgin America’s unique product and branding; this is a winning combination.”

Airport spokesperson Rosemary Barnes said the airlines will start with four daily non-stop flights to Los Angeles and hopefully, expand with demand.

“If you have all these high-tech companies and start-ups, these people are flying for both business and leisure and they’re looking to fly on the hippest airlines around and Virgin America is that,” Barnes said.

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Virgin America, which has offered service from San Francisco International Airport for years, is well-known for its low fares and amenities such as in-flight Wi-Fi.

The A320 aircraft will hold up to 149 passengers. Mineta San Jose International Airport will waive Virgin America’s landing fees for the first year. It becomes the fifth airline with regular service to Los Angeles out of San Jose.

Texas businessman Shane Stevens said if Virgin works into his schedule, he’ll try it.

“I always wanted to try something different and it seems like some of the services kind of vary in all the airlines,” he said. “If you have another option, give it a try. Customer loyalty is not what it used to be as everything’s pretty competitive now. For someone new in the market, I’m willing to give it a shot.”

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said he is thrilled with the new service as he said Virgin is an innovator and the company will fit in well in Silicon Valley.

Virgin America’s service to Los Angeles begins on May 1.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

I’m always a sucker for these kinds of stories. I like a peek into the world of those I’ve either met or would like to meet. In most of my interviews with newsmakers around the world, I liked to focus on the little things. Not the questions everyone was asking, but something from a their personal life…even I start off the interview with…”what did you have for breakfast?” which I did with Mathew McConaughey . It started off a great conversation about childhood, what mom made for breakfast, etc…

That’s why I like this LinkedIn post. It’s something you normally would not think to ask. Hey, what does your ‘office’ look like? Espesh in this day n’ age. ‘Office’ can mean anything…and it does!

Here’s the link below. If you like this type of stuff, hit that like button before you hit the link button!

http://www.linkedin.com/today/se/WhereIWork?trk=eml-mktg-desk-a2-0129-button1

Virgin America (San Francisco) is expanding in the Bay Area. The airline will add Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) to its route map as of May 1, 2013. Virgin America will launch service from SJC to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on this date, supplementing its base from nearby SFO.

In five and a half years of flying, Virgin America has grown from three aircraft to a fleet of 52, with expansion to 19 destinations.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jcohems. Airbus A320-214 N625VA (msn 2800) arrives in Los Angeles.

Virgin America: 

Current routes (red) from Los Angeles:

Please click on the map for the full-size view.