Budget Travel

[ksandrew]

I never like to use the word "Cheap" Birds go "cheap cheap" not Commander owners.

Every year when I plan my trip to England for Christmas I have have this major conflict with the airlines. It is a game and they are very good at playing it. Years ago I was a Delta customer and stock holder, I actually was a fractional owner of 800+ Boeing aircraft.

When they declared bankruptcy they did not even send me a post card , or offered me an upgrade so at least I could shed my tears in first class.

So life goes on and I still need to cross the Atlantic once a year. And each year Delta's department of customer dissatisfaction completes its goals. "We are not happy until you are not happy"

Well back to 2016, they offer flights from Albany Ga. to Manchester UK with only two stops But to get a decent price on the ticket I fly the one hour flight from Albany to Atlanta and then have a 72 hour layover. Then have to fly to Amsterdam with another 12 hour layover and then on to Manchester. Are they crazy ?????

Well, I was so Pi$$ed off that I decided that I would never fly Delta again.

So here is the most cost effective way to cross the Atlantic for me.

Fly the Commander (N1182J) from Grand Oaks Plantation to Orlando International, (MCO) , have a negotiated parking agreement. Then fly Iceland Air to Reykjavik, spend two days in Iceland and then continue to Manchester. The return trip is the same without the days in Iceland. Back to Orlando.

Sounds like a plan. And it is the most cost effective way for me.

Just one small detail. I arrive back in Orlando at 8 pm local after many hours in the air. so I may want to crawl up in the back of 82J to spend the night before I continue to Georgia. A motel would be OK , but then I would need a car, and an expensive motel for just a few hours sleep.

OK so any experience out there camping at international airports.???? I could claim that I am the security guard watching the Commander. Or just be honest and tell them that I need a few hours sleep.

Any thoughts.

Ken

Life is a barrel of fun.

 

[wiguy]

Re: Budget Travel.

Re: Budget Travel.

I don't think it's good to be flying your personal aircraft after many hours on a commercial flight, then throw in a night flight at that. I don't imagine you'd be up for camping on the airport grounds either.

There should be an airport hotel with a shuttle, no rental car needed. Maybe with the 'station wagon mod' you could sleep in the back of your aircraft? That's more for a Canadian fishing trip though, running water nearby is nice.

I'd have to lean towards the hotel room for a night to get yourself recaged for the flight home.

 

[dgeib]

Re: Budget Travel

For the well versed corporate pilot, most FBO's have crew rest rooms. Real beds and if they're taken the pilot lounge always has recliners. Just buy a little of their over priced 100LL

 

[plight]

Re: Budget Travel

I'm with Joe. Just got back from Oslo Norway last Sunday. Just 2 flights to get back to Toronto. Was exhausted Sunday afternoon. I was going to drive to a friends event that evening, and was fast asleep by 6:30.

Doug's right. Find an FBO to park your bird with a Crew rest room. Bunk out there. Get a decent nights sleep.

Just a thought … Safety First!

 

[painlesspotter]

Re: Budget Travel

-----------
OK so any experience out there camping at international airports.???? --------

Ken A,
Regularly sleep in back of airplane, but always at non-Intl airports---just alert security not a bad guy. Wish I had done that at Sac Int'l coming back from Alaska late at night on airline, got into the 114 and headed for home. So tired I skipped the gear down check, the clanging bell saved my ars.
Reaaaaaaly scared me. I guess I agree with Joe D.
John P.

 

[proppilot]

Re: Budget Travel

Ken, you are spot on with Icelandair. It is our new favourite airline after spending 8 days in Iceland in early September. Want a GREAT hotel ? Book in at the Northern Lights Inn in Grindavik (not far from the airport) and spend a few hours at the Blue Lagoon. You will emerge feeling like you could slay a dragon !

 

[wiguy]

Re: Budget Travel

As a side note I've always heard great things about Iceland. Enjoy if you have the chance to go there, never been myself.

 

[fia]

Re: Budget Travel

Ken, why not fly with Virgin Atlantic Airways - they have direct flights from both Orlando and Atlanta, 8 - 9 hours and you will be "home". At the same time you support one of our great personalities in aviation, Richard Branson

 

[Codeeno]

Re: Budget Travel

Ken,

MCO may have a crew lounge, courtesy cars, or perhaps local hotel would have a free shuttle between MCO and the hotel.

After a long day of travel - I agree that some crew rest is needed before you assume PIC responsibilities - even if it costs a few coins.

Dean

 

[Ginnes]

Re: Budget Travel

Agreed on Iceland Air! I spent a few days in Reykjavik a couple of years ago. What an experience! I rented a C172 with an instructor at BIRK (which is right in Reykjavic) and spent 2 hours flying around the island. Highly recommend a stopover for anyone flying to Europe. I'm pretty sure they still let you"layover" for up to 7 days on the same ticket. They also had no problem with an open jaw - I flew into Brussels and back to Toronto from Amsterdam.

 

[ksandrew]

Re: Budget Travel

Thanks for all the ideas, I am really looking forward to visiting Iceland. the idea of a local flight I will look into.

Delta has stopped flying Atlanta / Manchester and now using Virgin Atlantic. They are OK but ticked me off last year. After researching and booking the flight through Delta they would not allow me to select a seat. Sent me over to the Virgin Atlantic site where they wanted to charge me $40.00 for selecting a seat, or if I wanted a good seat it would be $60.00. I refused to succumb to their blackmail and ended up with a very poor seat.

Virgin Atlantic must share with Delta their " Dept. of Customer Dissatisfaction"

Life is a barrel of fun.

Ken

 

[Ginnes]

Re: Budget Travel

Thanks for all the ideas, I am really looking forward to visiting Iceland. the idea of a local flight I will look into.

Delta has stopped flying Atlanta / Manchester and now using Virgin Atlantic. They are OK but ticked me off last year. After researching and booking the flight through Delta they would not allow me to select a seat. Sent me over to the Virgin Atlantic site where they wanted to charge me $40.00 for selecting a seat, or if I wanted a good seat it would be $60.00. I refused to succumb to their blackmail and ended up with a very poor seat.

Virgin Atlantic must share with Delta their " Dept. of Customer Dissatisfaction"

Life is a barrel of fun.

Ken

This is the flight school that I used:

http://www.icelandicflightacademy.com/aircraft-rental

 

[nruzic]

Re: Budget Travel

Ken Iceland is a great place to visit and considering how far N it is the Gulf Stream imakes teh climate clement. The fishing in their waters is great too.
The volcanic geo-thermal gives them low cost heat and power.

Ask FB where you have stored plane for their special ate hotel with shuttle or FBO ride.
Signature @ MCO has snooze rooms as was pointed out and the almost horizontal recliner with airline type blanket will make you think you did fly Business class.