Random Travel Thread

Automatik

Senior Member

Thu, Jan 9, 2020 12:27 PM

I worked in Midtown West for years. This was one of my regular happy hour spots. Japanese BBQ. I've never actually done the BBQ, but all the food I've had was solid.

https://www.gyu-kaku.com/

like_that

1st Team All-PWN

Thu, Jan 9, 2020 1:51 PM
posted by Automatik

I worked in Midtown West for years. This was one of my regular happy hour spots. Japanese BBQ. I've never actually done the BBQ, but all the food I've had was solid.

https://www.gyu-kaku.com/

I went to the one in Boston, pretty good and paleo friendly for verbal.

gerb131

Senior Member

Thu, Jan 9, 2020 3:11 PM

back to destin this year after 2 years off. planning something like Turks or something Caribbean after the baby gets a little older 

Verbal Kint

Senior Member

Thu, Jan 9, 2020 5:08 PM
posted by Automatik

I worked in Midtown West for years. This was one of my regular happy hour spots. Japanese BBQ. I've never actually done the BBQ, but all the food I've had was solid.

https://www.gyu-kaku.com/

That place looks awesome, Thank you!

Automatik

Senior Member

Thu, Jan 9, 2020 5:16 PM

Keen's Steakhouse is also right there in the area. I've never been, but supposedly it's an NYC staple.

Rotinaj

Senior Member

Tue, Feb 4, 2020 4:16 AM

Will be in Vegas by about 6 tonight. 3 nights at the MGM, should be a damn good time.

O-Trap

Chief Shenanigans Officer

Tue, Feb 4, 2020 10:12 AM

Just got back from Vegas, and now I've got a cold.

Two years in a row now that I've come home from Vegas sick.  It's not as bad as last year, but still.  I think the shift in temperature and humidity just does a number on my sinuses.

Fab4Runner

Tits McGee

Tue, Feb 4, 2020 10:46 AM

My friend is staying at Aria until Thursday and I'm insanely jealous. I've taken a February trip the last three years, and I'm really missing it this year.

Luckily I've got Orlando in March to look forward to.

O-Trap

Chief Shenanigans Officer

Tue, Feb 4, 2020 10:57 AM
posted by Fab4Runner

My friend is staying at Aria until Thursday and I'm insanely jealous. I've taken a February trip the last three years, and I'm really missing it this year.

Luckily I've got Orlando in March to look forward to.

Nice hotel.  I stayed there one year.

This year, it was the Palms Place, the "spa" side of the Palms.  Much more low-key.  Separate from the casino.  GREAT rooms, though.  Lots of space, two televisions (plus one in the bathroom), a balcony, a jacuzzi, and even a kitchenette.  It was reasonably priced, too.  I'm probably going to try to stay there every year from now on, as long as the price doesn't get out of control (about $100 a night, give or take).

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

Wed, Mar 4, 2020 10:54 AM

We're about 2 weeks away from our trip to Costa Rica. We're flying out of Chicago.  What is the suggested arrival time before departure for international flights?  I haven't flown out of the country in over 10 years.

iclfan2

Reppin' the 330/216/843

Wed, Mar 4, 2020 11:09 AM
posted by ernest_t_bass

We're about 2 weeks away from our trip to Costa Rica. We're flying out of Chicago.  What is the suggested arrival time before departure for international flights?  I haven't flown out of the country in over 10 years.

I believe they suggest 2 hours. I'm a get there early guy, so I'd probably end up there even earlier.

Automatik

Senior Member

Wed, Mar 4, 2020 11:12 AM

All depends on where you're leaving from and the day/time. They say 3 hours for international (2 for domestic), but in my experience it rarely takes that long to go through security to get to your gate. 

I've only had one close call and that was leaving from LGA on a Friday evening after work.

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

Wed, Mar 4, 2020 11:33 AM

Our flight is 2:45 CST, so I'm thinking 12:00 CST should be sufficient.  We live EST, and we're meeting some friends in Chicago before (who are going to take us to the airport).  We'll probably leave 8:00 EST.

Laley23

GOAT

Wed, Mar 4, 2020 12:10 PM

I’m a walk into the plane person. So for a 2:45pm flight out of ORD, I’d leave at 12:45pm. Probably 1:00pm if being dropped off (I’m like 35 minutes from the airport). Dropped off at 1:30pm. ~5/10 minutes for bags. ~5 minutes for security and a 5 minute walk to gate. Should be arriving there as they are about to board.

You really shouldn’t have any traffic on that day (unless it’s Friday) and the airport will be relatively quiet at that time as well. Especially if you have TSA Pre-Check. 

I had a 6:00pm flight to Paris and left my house at 3:45pm. Parked, shuttle to airport and checking a bag was still at my gate at 4:45pm. Plenty of time. We didn't even start boarding until 5:15pm. 

thavoice

Senior Member

Wed, Mar 4, 2020 1:34 PM
posted by iclfan2

I believe they suggest 2 hours. I'm a get there early guy, so I'd probably end up there even earlier.

Same. I plan to be inside NLT 2 hours before hand and just hang out and chill mostly. Last thing I wanna do is be running late because that is the one time everything gets messed up.

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

Fri, Mar 6, 2020 11:41 AM

Here is a question for Ohio folk.  We have not traveled via plane since the new State ID cards.  We updated our passports last summer, but my wife and I have driver's licenses that are not expired, however, not the new ID cards.  Are the new ID cards necessary for all travel, or should we be good?

iclfan2

Reppin' the 330/216/843

Fri, Mar 6, 2020 12:00 PM
posted by ernest_t_bass

Here is a question for Ohio folk.  We have not traveled via plane since the new State ID cards.  We updated our passports last summer, but my wife and I have driver's licenses that are not expired, however, not the new ID cards.  Are the new ID cards necessary for all travel, or should we be good?

I'm not in Ohio but I have looked it up before, I believe your Passport still works over having the new ID.

jmog

Senior Member

Fri, Mar 6, 2020 12:05 PM
posted by ernest_t_bass

Here is a question for Ohio folk.  We have not traveled via plane since the new State ID cards.  We updated our passports last summer, but my wife and I have driver's licenses that are not expired, however, not the new ID cards.  Are the new ID cards necessary for all travel, or should we be good?

Passport is still good. The new driver's license aren't needed for flying until October of this year.

Automatik

Senior Member

Fri, Mar 6, 2020 12:37 PM

That new rule is BS. I'm waiting until my current licsense expires to get the Real ID. DMVs here are hell on earth.

iclfan2

Reppin' the 330/216/843

Fri, Mar 6, 2020 12:42 PM
posted by Automatik

That new rule is BS. I'm waiting until my current licsense expires to get the Real ID. DMVs here are hell on earth.

Agreed. My license doesn't expire until 2024 so I'm sure the dumb lines will have slowed down by then. I'm sure mine are nowhere near as bad as yours though. 

Automatik

Senior Member

Fri, Mar 6, 2020 12:59 PM

If you can get an appointment it's tolerable. 

My gf should have her real ID in 2 weeks. She doesn't have a valid passport, and prefers not to travel with her green card. She somehow weaseled her way into getting a skip line pass and had it all handled in under an hour.

Another friend just applied for hers and waited 5 HOURS. lol

Fab4Runner

Tits McGee

Fri, Mar 6, 2020 1:51 PM

The real ID thing came out like a month after I had just renewed my license, so I have no plans to get it until my current one expires. Luckily, my passport is good for another 6 years. 

Laley23

GOAT

Fri, Mar 6, 2020 3:41 PM

The RealID isn’t needed if you just travel with your Passport. I don’t plan on getting one until my current one expires. 

ernest_t_bass

12th Son of the Lama

Sun, Mar 15, 2020 2:46 PM

Chicago frequenters... We just booked an open-ended (12 months to book) stay at either The Drake Hotel or The Palmer House in Chicago.  We got 4 days, 3 nights for $299, $350 with taxes+fees.  Which hotel is better, and has better location?

Laley23

GOAT

Sun, Mar 15, 2020 4:14 PM
posted by ernest_t_bass

Chicago frequenters... We just booked an open-ended (12 months to book) stay at either The Drake Hotel or The Palmer House in Chicago.  We got 4 days, 3 nights for $299, $350 with taxes+fees.  Which hotel is better, and has better location?

Both are amazing. Been to them a bunch, and for weddings etc. Drake is historical, and located right at the start (south end) of Michigan Ave. Palmer house is more north. Opposite side of river, still near Michigan Ave, but off Millennium Park. I’d say the Drake is nicer, but Palmer house is walkable to a lot of stuff. I’d google maps it and if the surrounding shops/restaurants/bars or whatever seem better near one go with that. If it’s a wash, or you plan on Ubering most places anyway, go Drake. Nicer and tons of history.