Random Travel Thread

• like_that

  

  O-Trap;1881820 wrote: Trusting Google is like trusting that smart uncle on something related to pop culture. He's probably right, but you can't know for sure. Google is, after all, all about who does the best SEO. Not who is right.
  
  I've never been to Ruth Chris, but I'm also not a "steak guy." I love steak, but I'm hardly a connoisseur. I just like undercooked red meat in general.
  
  We've now talked about this so fucking much, I'm a little embarrassed about it.

  Google, yahoo, duckduckgo, ask jeeves, excite, webcrawler, dgaf.com, etc it doesn't matter. All are search engines that can lead you to boatloads of local guides, reviews, and videos, especially for popular destinations. It's not like you have to go to the local library to do research. Whenever I travel I do my research and it has normally paid off. I don't buy the "he doesn't know the city well" excuse in 2017. The whole point is thavoice settled for a chain restaurant, when he could have done a tiny amount of research. Even if thavoice wasn't a douche bag, he would deserve to have his balls busted.
  
  Are you going to go to a Fogo De Chaeo if you are traveling in Brazil (huge steak country)? If yes, you deserve to be made fun of too.
• thavoice

  Laley23;1881805 wrote:Voice man, you asked for Chicago steakhouse recommendations...claim to be a "steak guy"...and chose fucking Ruth's Chris? A. That's available in any city over 250k population. B. That is one of the absolute worst chain steakhouses there is. Jesus man.

  Oh yeah, I did didn't I! We were just walking around and saw it and decided to give it a try. Not sure why it is such a big deal where I ate but then again, sportslady cannot help himself with his obsession with me. Comical, and sad, all in one.
  
  Maybe he is just mad I didn't pay him when he washed my windshield at an intersection in downtown Chicago, who knows why he has this hostility toward me.
  
  I feel sorry for him with all his anger and his drinking problem. Maybe one day he will seek help.
  
  
  Have any of you tried Carsons and tried the Chops? Want to see if it is just us who think it was amazing!
  
  
  We did hit up 12 local diners/dives in towns throughout the states so I cannot be accused of being a total sellout out big chains.
• OSH

  

  Flying to Providence, RI on Friday. Will be around it and parts of Massachusetts until Monday. Looking forward to some good seafood!
• thavoice

  OSH;1881855 wrote:Flying to Providence, RI on Friday. Will be around it and parts of Massachusetts until Monday. Looking forward to some good seafood![/QUOTE]
  Good seafood = Capt D's
  Great seafood = Red Lobster.

• Iliketurtles

  

  O-Trap;1881821 wrote:Going to Vegas again in January, like I do every year.
  
  It's always fun, but only really because a lot of people I've come to know well go at the same time, and we all have a blast.

  If you want a good steak go to Gordon Ramsay's inside Paris Paris.
• O-Trap

  

  Iliketurtles;1881868 wrote:If you want a good steak go to Gordon Ramsay's inside Paris Paris.

  Actually did eat there last year. Food was indeed good.
• O-Trap

  

  like_that;1881828 wrote:Google, yahoo, duckduckgo, ask jeeves, excite, webcrawler, dgaf.com, etc it doesn't matter. All are search engines that can lead you to boatloads of local guides, reviews, and videos, especially for popular destinations. It's not like you have to go to the local library to do research. Whenever I travel I do my research and it has normally paid off. I don't buy the "he doesn't know the city well" excuse in 2017. The whole point is thavoice settled for a chain restaurant, when he could have done a tiny amount of research. Even if thavoice wasn't a douche bag, he would deserve to have his balls busted.
  
  Are you going to go to a Fogo De Chaeo if you are traveling in Brazil (huge steak country)? If yes, you deserve to be made fun of too.

  I've not known Brazil to be a huge steak country. I would probably just go somewhere based on a local's recommendation.
  
  That's generally what I do, but admittedly, I wouldn't know the country or city well, either. I don't do that much research when I travel, either.
• BRF

  

  OSH;1881855 wrote:Flying to Providence, RI on Friday. Will be around it and parts of Massachusetts until Monday. Looking forward to some good seafood!

  I have a daughter who just graduated from Johnson and Wales there, and I would say that in all my travels, that area not only has the best seafood, but all around good eats.
• OSH

  

  BRF;1881874 wrote:I have a daughter who just graduated from Johnson and Wales there, and I would say that in all my travels, that area not only has the best seafood, but all around good eats.

  I've traveled through a couple times, haven't gotten to really experience the eats.
  
  I will agree, what I've had is tremendous food. New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine last summer was awesome eating.
• Automatik

  

  I just got TSA Precheck this week and the guy who interviewed me and took my prints gave me a nice protip.
  
  I mentioned how I originally wanted Global Entry because it also includes Precheck and is only $15 more, but I would have had to go all the way to JFK to interview so I opted out.
  
  He told me to just download the Mobile Passport App. It's practically the same thing and free. You scan your passport and fill out the customs documents from your phone, it generates a QR code that you show at the customs window. You then bypass the crazy lines kiosk lines to enter customs.
• like_that

  

  Automatik;1882053 wrote:I just got TSA Precheck this week and the guy who interviewed me and took my prints gave me a nice protip.
  
  I mentioned how I originally wanted Global Entry because it also includes Precheck and is only $15 more, but I would have had to go all the way to JFK to interview so I opted out.
  
  He told me to just download the Mobile Passport App. It's practically the same thing and free. You scan your passport and fill out the customs documents from your phone, it generates a QR code that you show at the customs window. You then bypass the crazy lines kiosk lines to enter customs.

  I have used the app, and it is pretty awesome. You just have to hope the Airport you're flying into (shouldn't be a problem in new york) has it. We used it twice now and both times we only had to wait behind 3 people at most. Not many people know about it yet.
  
  You will love precheck though. My work enables me to have it for free, and I don't think I could travel without it anymore.
• Automatik

  

  I've never had a huge wait to go through security, except for in Denver. I'm flying out the day after Xmas in the afternoon so I'm assuming it will be a disaster, so I went with precheck. I was surprised how easy the process was.
  
  As for customs, one bad experience in Dulles. Only time I had to sprint full speed through an airport to make a connecting flight.
• like_that

  

  Automatik;1882055 wrote:I've never had a huge wait to go through security, except for in Denver. I'm flying out the day after Xmas in the afternoon so I'm assuming it will be a disaster, so I went with precheck. I was surprised how easy the process was.
  
  As for customs, one bad experience in Dulles. Only time I had to sprint full speed through an airport to make a connecting flight.

  The fact you don't have to take off your shoes, take shit out of your bag, take off your light coat, etc is worth it enough. You also tend to get the seasoned travelers in a precheck line, so you don't have to deal with idiots slowing you down.
  
  Dulles customs is terrible. I had a bad experience at JFK once too.
• Automatik

  

  Did you see my earlier post in the thread about Turkey? Check it out.
• like_that

  

  Automatik;1882058 wrote:Did you see my earlier post in the thread about Turkey? Check it out.

  No, I was busy making fun of thavoice :RpS_lol:. Istanbul is hands down my favorite city. I know it's kind of a hot spot right now, but people are still traveling there. People are still traveling to Paris after a few attacks as well. I have a lot of food recommendations if you choose that route. Hopefully the festival isn't during Ramadan.
  
  Edit: Also can recommend good spots to stay for airbnb.
• Con_Alma

  like_that;1882059 wrote:No, I was busy making fun of thavoice :RpS_lol:. Istanbul is hands down my favorite city. I know it's kind of a hot spot right now, but people are still traveling there. People are still traveling to Paris after a few attacks as well. I have a lot of food recommendations if you choose that route. Hopefully the festival isn't during Ramadan.
  
  Edit: Also can recommend good spots to stay for airbnb.

  Istanbul...the only city in the world that is in two continents! Sorry...just thought I'd throw that in.
• Automatik

  

  like_that;1882059 wrote:No, I was busy making fun of thavoice :RpS_lol:. Istanbul is hands down my favorite city. I know it's kind of a hot spot right now, but people are still traveling there. People are still traveling to Paris after a few attacks as well. I have a lot of food recommendations if you choose that route. Hopefully the festival isn't during Ramadan.
  
  Edit: Also can recommend good spots to stay for airbnb.

  In past years it's been the third weekend in August. My I believe my friend flew nonstop to Istanbul, stayed two days, then Bucharest. I'm not seeing that route when searching now, but I'm assuming it's too early.
• thavoice

  Automatik;1882053 wrote:I just got TSA Precheck this week and the guy who interviewed me and took my prints gave me a nice protip.
  
  I mentioned how I originally wanted Global Entry because it also includes Precheck and is only $15 more, but I would have had to go all the way to JFK to interview so I opted out.
  
  He told me to just download the Mobile Passport App. It's practically the same thing and free. You scan your passport and fill out the customs documents from your phone, it generates a QR code that you show at the customs window. You then bypass the crazy lines kiosk lines to enter customs.

  In your international travels did you find that you have to go through security TWICE? At a few I was at you go through the checks when you get into the airport, and then again before you enter the terminal.
  
  Also on connecting flights you went through it again. Also been to one where you go through security as you LEAVE the airport as well. Better safe than sorry but was a pain...
• Automatik

  

  Hmm yes, I think so, but I can't recall where exactly.
  
  I remember going through a huge line once I arrived, security check, then came up to another huge line and got pissed again.
• Laley23

  

  Certain airports PreCheck is becoming a slower process than regular lines. But, as Like That said, not having to take out a laptop or take off shoes/belts/coats etc makes it worth it still.
• like_that

  

  Automatik;1882061 wrote:In past years it's been the third weekend in August. My I believe my friend flew nonstop to Istanbul, stayed two days, then Bucharest. I'm not seeing that route when searching now, but I'm assuming it's too early.

  Turkish Airlines definitely has a direct flight to istanbul at one of the 3 airports in your area. Ramadan is mid may to mid June, so you would be good.
• like_that

  

  Laley23;1882075 wrote:Certain airports PreCheck is becoming a slower process than regular lines. But, as Like That said, not having to take out a laptop or take off shoes/belts/coats etc makes it worth it still.

  Which airports? I have noticed precheck lines getting longer, but the whole process is still faster. It's like having a cash only vs apple pay line.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  Laley23;1882075 wrote:Certain airports PreCheck is becoming a slower process than regular lines. But, as Like That said, not having to take out a laptop or take off shoes/belts/coats etc makes it worth it still.

  I'd say every airport I've flown this yr. I travel quite a bit for work and I haven't even bothered getting in the pre-check line since May bc of this. Taking shoes off really isn't that big of a deal to me.
• Commander of Awesome

  

  like_that;1882084 wrote:Which airports? I have noticed precheck lines getting longer, but the whole process is still faster. It's like having a cash only vs apple pay line.

  SFO/Oak/Dal/PHX/PA/LAX/Long Beach are all examples of this becoming the trend. Having precheck is very common now. At worst it's equal majority of the time I travel.
  
  I'm also not traveling when non business ppl are traveling majority of the time (IE not taking Friday night/Sunday afternoon flights).
• like_that

  

  Commander of Awesome;1882096 wrote:SFO/Oak/Dal/PHX/PA/LAX/Long Beach are all examples of this becoming the trend. Having precheck is very common now. At worst it's equal majority of the time I travel.
  
  I'm also not traveling when non business ppl are traveling majority of the time (IE not taking Friday night/Sunday afternoon flights).

  I have flown out of Dallas and Lax relatively recently. DC has a lot of pre check too, because DoD (and I assume other agencies with a clearance) gets precheck. Still much faster than the regular line, even when they have the same amount of people.