Phew - survived my first trip to US of A.

Hi Guys and Gals,
well I survived my first trip to the US of A.

Flew -
Hobart - Sydney - LA - Dallas - Houston.
Conference for 4 (2 plus 2 extra) days
Houston - Dallas - LA - Brisbane - Hobart.

Conference was extended by a couple of days because I wasn't accepting some of the crap design from GE.
Looks like we might have it resolved now.

Man - your air travel is in chaos.
AA delays caused me to miss 2 connecting flights and lost my baggage in both directions.
Going over it took one day for bag to catch up, coming home they estimate 3 days. :mad::(:mad:
Pathetic.

Apart from that, the trip was great.
Good food, but hey, do you guys really eat as much as the restaurants put on the plates??
I ended up ordering entrées, and then still only eating half of what was served.:yeso::yesb::yesgray:

The one thing that stuck out as most memorable -
The absolute politeness and friendliness of all the people I came in contact with. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Admittedly I was probably in the top end of town most of the time, but whow - I didn't expect that.
Americans abroad tend to show the opposite.

Went to Hooters!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
(Hey what can I say - Sue would have been disappointed if I didn't.)

Pity I didn't catch up with anyone, but there is a glimmer of hope for another trip to witness the GT's being test run -
May 2012

How far is MOAB from Houston???????

PK

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PK

Man - your air travel is in chaos.
AA delays caused me to miss 2 connecting flights and lost my baggage in both directions.
Going over it took one day for bag to catch up, coming home they estimate 3 days. :mad::(:mad:
Pathetic.

---

Yeah, airlines and air travel in the US in general has gotten a little bit outta hand....basically, post 9/11, anything and everything to do with flying began to SUCK. And speaking of AA, they really went down the tubes. IMO, the last few AA flights I have been on were crappy. The flight attendants were rude as hell!! They even intentionally WOKE ME UP for no reason on my international flight to Japan. BOGUS. Loosing bags that often is just bad luck I think, I've never had a bag lost...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PK

Good food, but hey, do you guys really eat as much as the restaurants put on the plates??

---

You mean you didn't notice that everyone over here is a fatso? :laughing: Seriously, there this term for it, I think its called "portion control", but you won't find that in many restaurants here. Basically, the thought behind it all is, if you don't get A LOT, you are getting ripped off. :) We had a period of time in the 90s when everything was going "super size" and I think that kinda got our eating habits as a nation in a bad state of affairs. I myself have a glutonous appetite that I am constantly trying to keep in check!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PK

The one thing that stuck out as most memorable -
The absolute politeness and friendliness of all the people I came in contact with. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Admittedly I was probably in the top end of town most of the time, but whow - I didn't expect that.
Americans abroad tend to show the opposite.

---

I'm surprised to hear you say that!! ;) But seriously, I would say, that in general, the image perceived of the average American vs. the actual average American is very different. There are a load of jack a$se$ in this country, no doubt, but I think every where you go, no matter what country, you will have nice folks and a load of idiots just the same.

Bart

PS - I need to get down to Oz one of these years. All the Aussies I have ever met have been a fun bunch!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PK

Good food, but hey, do you guys really eat as much as the restaurants put on the plates??
I ended up ordering entrées, and then still only eating half of what was served.:yeso::yesb::yesgray:

---

How do you resolve this statement with your siggy???

If I had been able to make a connection through Houston, I would have missed you anyway due to your airline delays.

Glad you had a memorable trip & made it home safe.

Good food, but hey, do you guys really eat as much as the restaurants put on the plates??
I ended up ordering entrées, and then still only eating half of what was served.:yeso::yesb::yesgray:

Yes I personally eat almost every bit of everything I am served but I exercise alot so im not the normal big American.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PK

Hi Guys and Gals,
well I survived my first trip to the US of A.

Flew -
Hobart - Sydney - LA - Dallas - Houston.
Conference for 4 (2 plus 2 extra) days
Houston - Dallas - LA - Brisbane - Hobart.

Man - your air travel is in chaos.
AA delays caused me to miss 2 connecting flights and lost my baggage in both directions.
Going over it took one day for bag to catch up, coming home they estimate 3 days. :mad::(:mad:
Pathetic.

---

Depends on the airport and airline. If you are going to Houston you want Continental. That is their base and requires less hopping.

[/QUOTE]Apart from that, the trip was great.
Good food, but hey, do you guys really eat as much as the restaurants put on the plates??
I ended up ordering entrées, and then still only eating half of what was served.:yeso::yesb::yesgray:[/QUOTE]

Well food cost is usually a small percentage of the cost of the food. Restaurants want bigger check averages Eaters want a fair price. The only way both are happy is if you put too much food on the plate and the diner takes it home or throws it away but got their moneys worth.

[/QUOTE]The one thing that stuck out as most memorable -
The absolute politeness and friendliness of all the people I came in contact with. :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Admittedly I was probably in the top end of town most of the time, but whow - I didn't expect that.
Americans abroad tend to show the opposite.[/QUOTE]

Its not americans who are rude abroad it is the rich. They also happen to be the ones who can afford to travel so they are the ones you meet. Funny thing is I have run into many tourists here from other countries. If they are in a tour group (probably a travel packet) they are pleasant. The ones who are going to the nice restaurants and spending money are rude as hell too.

[/QUOTE]Went to Hooters!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
(Hey what can I say - Sue would have been disappointed if I didn't.)[/QUOTE]

Wich one I used to live by the one on the east side on I-10 GSHaw lives even closer we had a meet at his house about a dozen or more showed up you should have let someone know you were coming there are better places in Houston to go to.

Pity I didn't catch up with anyone, but there is a glimmer of hope for another trip to witness the GT's being test run -
May 2012

How far is MOAB from Houston???????

PK[/QUOTE]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PK

Pity I didn't catch up with anyone, but there is a glimmer of hope for another trip to witness the GT's being test run -
May 2012

How far is MOAB from Houston???????

PK

---

It's not that far AA can get you there in a few hours and your bags in a few days...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

Glad you had a good time in the USA.

:eek: WHAT!! You came to the U.S. and didn't tell me!!???? :goof: :laugho:

Heck I'd used some of my freq flyer miles just to catch up and have dinner witcha in Houston at my fav Mexican place I SOOOOO miss since we left Texas! (Pappasitos in case anybody cares)

But yes, like everyone's said here...our airlines and air travel are just soooooo different than it usta be, that's fo sho! :thumbdn:

I'm a million miler on AA (no PK, I didn't say "mile high clubber", um, well, let's not talk about that :mbrasd:....)....(I even gots me a special Million Mile permanent "gold" luggage tag...WOHOO!:rollo: ) and GAWD I couldn't do that now for nothing and feel so bad for my former co-workers that still have to do it!

Houston - Moab?....'bout 3 hrs by air....'bout 30+ hrs drive time.....you know you want to and the timing sounds like you'll nail it perfectly!!! Got that vacant seat right next to me PK, you're always welcome! And there's many others that attend that welcome a seat mate too.

And yes, I guess I would've been disappointed in you PK if you hadn't hit Hooters....:rollo:....I can clearly see that being on the top of your "do not miss" list on your first trip to the U.S......:laugho:

Glad to hear you made it through it all in one piece!

See ya in '12! ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PK

How far is MOAB from Houston???????

PK

---

Depends on which way you go, but about 1300 miles. (2092k)

The major airports in Texas are also the biggest hubs for coast to coast flights. Of probably 11-12 times I've flown through there I have had the majority of them meet some kind of delay. Chicago is very similar if they take the northern route.

It's unfortunate, but you you are also not wrong in your general assessment. Flying has become an all 'round unpleasant bear in this country.

Glad the trip was pleasant in general though!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VX KAT

:eek: WHAT!! You came to the U.S. and didn't tell me!!???? :goof: :laugho:

Heck I'd used some of my freq flyer miles just to catch up and have dinner witcha in Houston at my fav Mexican place I SOOOOO miss since we left Texas! (Pappasitos in case anybody cares)
Glad to hear you made it through it all in one piece!

See ya in '12! ;)

---

You ever try El Palinque on the east side

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by circmand

You ever try El Palinque on the east side

---

:hj:....:mbrasd:
no, ...haven't dined in Houston all that much...went to Pappasitos in Big D, but I know they're in Houston too.

You guys ever eat at Chuy's in Big D? Another Mexican joint in downtown that was AMAZING. On the east coast we usually get very bland, highly Americanized TexMex. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by vt_maverick

You guys ever eat at Chuy's in Big D? Another Mexican joint in downtown that was AMAZING. On the east coast we usually get very bland, highly Americanized TexMex. :(

---

The original one in Austin is awesome!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VX KAT

:hj:....:mbrasd:
no, ...haven't dined in Houston all that much...went to Pappasitos in Big D, but I know they're in Houston too.

---

I beleive they are owned by Lowrys who are based in Houston. I even like their cajun buffet at George W Airport

Okay, I think I am over the jet lag and feeling half human again.
Now to try and catch up (and see if I can master this multiple quote thingie) -

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nfpgasmask

I'm surprised to hear you say that!! ;) But seriously, I would say, that in general, the image perceived of the average American vs. the actual average American is very different. There are a load of jack a$se$ in this country, no doubt, but I think every where you go, no matter what country, you will have nice folks and a load of idiots just the same.

Bart

PS - I need to get down to Oz one of these years. All the Aussies I have ever met have been a fun bunch!

---

So, which part of the comment surprised you??
The part where I was impressed by the politeness during my visit, or the part about my experience with American tourists??

Oh, and I wasn't picking on Americans. We have lots of total a$$holes here as well - good and bad in all communities.

Let me know if you ever come Down Under. Spare bedroom for sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tom4bren

How do you resolve this statement with your siggy???

If I had been able to make a connection through Houston, I would have missed you anyway due to your airline delays.

Glad you had a memorable trip & made it home safe.

---

Hmmm, the siggie statement is a bit out of date.
These days I seem to miss out all round. LOL.
(Sorry, I know - tooo much information.:slap::slap:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mile High VX

It's not that far AA can get you there in a few hours and your bags in a few days...:bwgy::smilewink:bgwo::bgwb:

Glad you had a good time in the USA.

---

Hahah - love it.:yeso::yesb::yesgray:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by VX KAT

:eek: WHAT!! You came to the U.S. and didn't tell me!!???? :goof: :laugho:


Houston - Moab?....'bout 3 hrs by air....'bout 30+ hrs drive time.....you know you want to and the timing sounds like you'll nail it perfectly!!! Got that vacant seat right next to me PK, you're always welcome! And there's many others that attend that welcome a seat mate too.

And yes, I guess I would've been disappointed in you PK if you hadn't hit Hooters....:rollo:....I can clearly see that being on the top of your "do not miss" list on your first trip to the U.S......:laugho:

Glad to hear you made it through it all in one piece!

See ya in '12! ;)

---

Well Sue, I did post a meet thread, but it didn't get any definite favourable responses, so I just let it drop.
If GE can stick to their build schedule, I might just be able to fly to Moab for a few days. I will certainly try anyway.:drool2::drool2::drool2:

Hooters was a "had to see place", sort of like an old man's Disneyland.
But it ended up just being another family restaurant with pretty waitresses.
Have they toned it down since the original???
Much like the Hogs Breath restaurant franchise in Australia.

My bag just arrived as well, so feeling much better about the whole trip.
Now just got to catch up with the work in the orchard and vegie garden.

PK

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PK

Hooters was a "had to see place", sort of like an old man's Disneyland.
But it ended up just being another family restaurant with pretty waitresses.
Have they toned it down since the original???
Much like the Hogs Breath restaurant franchise in Australia.



PK

---

Actually different Hooters have different atmosheres. In addition it is really a restaurant by day and later at night as it becomes a bar loung it gets a little rowdier but was never the Walkabout Creek Pub