Here in Utah we claim to have the Greatest Snow on Earth. I can’t vouch for it personally as I’ve never dared to go skiing. But for those of you more adventurous than I – Park City is offering a chance to turn your boarding pass to Salt Lake City airport into a free lift ticket. Here’s how you do it:

Step 1:preregister at visitparkcity.com . You will receive an email with a redemption voucher.
Step 2:take a morning flight to Salt Lake City airport and bring an extra copy of your printed boarding pass
Step 3:Enjoy your same day lift ticket to Canyons Resort,Park City Mountain Resort, or Deer Valley Resort. All of these resorts are only 35 minutes away from the airport.

Some of the terms and conditions (you can read them all here):
Valid from Monday, January 2 through Friday, February 17, 2012.
Blacked-out from Saturday, February 18 through Saturday, March 31, 2012.
Valid from Sunday, April 1 through respective resort closing day 2012.
(Currently, all three resorts are planning to close Sunday, April 15, conditions permitting)

Welcome to Utah!

Thank to Sice for the tip

I’m always ready to tackle the top issues weighing on everyone’s mind. Today I’d like to discuss restrooms on road trips.

Each person at one point or another has taken a road trip. There’s nothing better than turning on some music, turning on the radar detector, rolling down the windows and heading off to your destination.

One of the things that invariably comes up is the need to use the restroom at some point. So what really are your options?

The rest stop
The rest stop saw its heyday in the 70s and 80s as a cool place for families to get out and stretch their legs, use the restroom, and get a refreshing beverage or snack. There was plenty of green grass and a real calm feeling. Most of the rest stops now are a private/public partnership with scary surroundings, barred up vending machines, and the prospect of escaped child molesters waiting in the restroom. For me the rest stop has become really the last resort as far as emergencies go.

Creepy rating: High
Cleanliness rating: Low

The fast food restaurant
there are plenty of McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and the like littered throughout the highways of America. While this option is certainly better than the rest stop – it still leaves plenty to be desired. Am I the only one that feels like I need to buy a hamburger or a drink for having use the facilities? Usually the fast food joint doesn’t have the cleanest of restrooms which certainly downgrades it in my ratings.

On another note – I wish America would follow the European model of restrooms in that there are self enclosed actual rooms instead of the flimsy metal support around the restrooms. Whoever invented the weird contraptions that we have become accustomed to now?

Creepy rating: Medium
Cleanliness rating: Low

The Truck pit stop
Where else can you get a tattoo, a potato log, take a shower, and renew your wedding vows all in one place? There certainly is variety in what you can purchase in regards to food and they basically have everything. However, the truck pit stop is usually spread out pretty far and the trucker aspect of it makes me a little leery.

Creepy rating: Medium
Cleanliness rating: Medium

The Holiday Inn
Think about it – you probably haven’t even considered this. The Holiday Inn lobbies are usually extremely nice. All the people staying at the Holiday Inn just go up to their room if they need to use the restroom. This leaves only the front desk staff that would use the lobby restroom. Therein lays the benefit because to their own self-interest they’re going to keep that thing immaculately clean. The only downside is you have to pretend like you’re staying at the hotel as you walk in the lobby. I’ve had lots of people ask if they can help me and I mutter something about forgetting my room key as I walk past them.

Creepy rating: Low
Cleanliness rating: High

I hope this advice will help make your next road trip a lot more enjoyable – till next time!

Sung to Viva La Vida by Coldplay

I used to be able to type
Words would appear when I pushed a key
Then one tragic night
I broke both wrists and it was hard to see

All of a sudden collecting points
Became less important than healing my joints
The other BoardingArea bloggers stepped up right away
And volunteered to post alternating each day

My wife and three kids took care of me
Lots of rest was certainly key
And I discovered as a humbled man
You can get trapped when can’t turn a knob yes you can

The external fixator finally came out
I wanted to run to a hill and shout
Be close to the ones you love
You never know when you may be called up to the one above

I’m ready to start blogging again
Thanks for your patience as I overcame this pain
I ask you to join me on my behest
Let’s restart our MilesQuest!

Ooohh ahhh oooohhh ahhh oooohh ahhh ooohhhh ahhh oohhh ahh!

I’m ready to start blogging again
Thanks for your patience as I overcame this pain
I ask you to join me on my behest
Let’s restart our MilesQuest!

Oooohhh ahhh oooohhh ahh ooohh ahh ooohhh ahh ooohh ahh!

Special thanks goes out to the Boarding Area bloggers who guest posted on my behalf:
Mommy Points
AJ from Live from a Lounge
The Weekly Flyer
AAdvantage Geek
Rapid Travel Chai
Road Warriorette
Plane N Simple
Deals We Like
Gary from View from the Wing
The Wandering Aramean
Frequent Miler
Randy Peterson

This post is brought to you by AAdvantage Geek while Jason is out with two broken wrists and a microphone. Keep an eye out at MilesQuest for future guest posts by other Boarding Area bloggers.

I don’t have a bucket list, but if I did, riding as a passenger on a DC-3 would be one of my items.

The Douglas DC-3 aircraft was one of the most successful aircraft in aviation history.  It entered into passenger service back in 1936 when American Airlines introduced it on their Chicago – New York route, and its arrival came at an important time in the early years of commercial aviation, for the DC-3′s operational, safety, and financial performance had a big impact on the industry.

From the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s “America by Air” exhibit:

(The DC-3) was the first to fly profitably without government subsidy. More than 18,000 DC-3s, both civil and military versions, U.S. and foreign built…the 21-seat DC-3 was comfortable by the standards of its time and very safe, because of its strong, multiple-spar wing and all-metal construction. The airlines liked it because it was reliable, inexpensive to operate, and therefore profitable. Pilots liked its stability, ease of handling, and excellent single-engine performance.

Its impact went beyond commercial aviation. More than 10,000 DC-3s were built and put into service during World War II, and it played a critical role supplying troops, ammunition, and equipment to the effort in Europe.

It’s a beautiful plane. It looks fast. On the ground it resembles a bird ready to take flight.  And the streamline modern look is probably one of the most recognized and influential designs in industrial design history.

And though it’s been more than 75 years since it carried it’s first ticketed passenger, it’s still possible to find a DC-3 in regular, scheduled passenger air service in North America.

Tiny little Buffalo Airways, based in Hay River, Northwest Territories in Canada is still operating a DC-3 on their route between Yellowknife, NWT to Hay River, NWT.

The short 45 minute flight departs Hay River for Yellowknife each morning and then returns from Yellowknife in the early evening.  Round-trip fares are $327 through the week and $244 on the weekend.  Here’s a look at the schedule:

Yellowknife to Hay River
Mon-Fri departs at 5:00pm
Sat no flight
Sun departs at 4:30pm

Hay River to Yellowknife
Mon-Fri departs at 7:30am
Sat departs at 8:00am
Sun no flight

Buffalo also operates cargo flights on Lockheed L-188 Electra Freighters and Douglas DC-4 aircraft.

To take a ride on the DC-3, a person would first have to get to Yellowknife, a mining town of about 20,000 people, by traveling from Calgary, Edmonton on either Air Canada Express or WestJet.  From Yellowknife, they’d connect to the Buffalo Airways DC-3 for the short trip to Hay River (populations less than 4,000).

It’s possible to find charter companies that offer a one or two hour arial tour in a DC-3, but for me the idea of riding in one that’s being used in regular commercial air service has always been more appealing: it’s a “real” flight and not just an amusement ride.

I would love to do it, but there’s just never enough time…

So for now, a Buffalo Airways DC-3 t-shirt and this short video will have to do.

Photo: The Buffalo Airways DC-3 Passenger Cabin
Credit: Hugh Lee on Flickr

This post is brought to you by Rapid Travel Chai while Jason is out with two broken wrists and a microphone. Keep an eye out at MilesQuest for future guest posts by other Boarding Area bloggers.

Jason’s Africa trip report began with a rundown of his gear and flight routing, noting the need for US citizens to get visas for all three countries. Visas are a hassle, especially for those outside the major cities that typically house embassies and consulates. Expeditors can help for a price, but sometimes trips are more fun when they are DIY, the extra effort creating a feeling of accomplishment on arrival. Here are the tourist visa procedures and links for Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya. For convenience all references are to the policies of their embassies in Washington, D.C., but note that countries frequently have wildly different requirements at different diplomatic missions (check Bolivia’s US missions for a real jumble).

All the below have the standard requirements of passport valid for at least six months, form, photos, return air ticket, fee (money order/cashier’s check), prepaid self-addressed return envelope.

Ghana:

Types and fees:

• single entry$60/expedited $100, valid for three months
• multiple-entry $100/expedited $200, validity unspecified

Processing time:

• standard: not more than 7 business days
• expedited: 72 hours

Pay attention:

• “Evidence of financial support or letter of invitation from host in Ghana” (typically a bank statement is sufficient)
• Not needed for the visa, but may be required to provide a Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever on arrival

Nigeria:

Types and fees:

• single entry$112, validity unspecified, fee paid in online application
• multiple-entry $112, validity unspecified, fee paid in online application
• Additional processing fee of $20 for standard, $85 for expedited (times not specified) to be paid by money order included in the application package

Processing time:

• single entry: unspecified
• multiple-entry: unspecified

Pay attention:

• Required to use their online application
• “Letter of invitation from host accepting full immigration responsibility”
• “Confirmed hotel reservation, if the applicant is not staying with host”
• “Evidence of funds to cover stay in Nigeria, (letter from bank etc)”
• Remember to pay the visa fee online AND the processing fee to the embassy

Kenya:

Types and fees:

• single entry $50, valid for 6 months
• multiple-entry $100, valid for 6 months
• 24-hour transit $20, valid for 6 months

Processing time:

• standard: 14 business days
• expedited: not listed, inquire if available

Pay attention:

• Required to use their online application, then print out and send the application package.
• Return envelope should NOT be UPS or USPS mail.

For multi-country trips an expeditor may be essential. Some visas can be obtained in other countries on the road, but research well in advance, particularly any requirements to apply in home country and holidays in BOTH the country you want the visa for and the country you are applying in.

Readers, share your experiences with visas for Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya.

This post is brought to you by Road Warriorette while Jason is out with two broken wrists and a microphone. Keep an eye out at MilesQuest for future guest posts by other Boarding Area bloggers.

Other Guest Posts:

• Guest Post: The Spouse and Upgrades debate, take 4
• Lessons Learned Booking Mileage Runs on American Airlines
• Guest Post: The Spouse and Upgrades debate, take 3
• Guest Post: The Spouse and Upgrades debate, take 2
• Briggs & Reilly 20″ Expandable Carry-On by Mommy Points
• Lapault 20″ 2-Wheeled Foldable Duffle Carry-On by Points, Miles & Martinis

I have to say, I’ve really enjoyed the spouse and upgrades debates. It’s been very entertaining to hear all the different sides of the story. And, as a wife, I admit it’s been rather gratifying to hear that most husbands let the wives have the upgrade. My upgrade story is a little different, though.

Most of the time on vacations, either we have both gotten the upgrade or neither of us has gotten it. So I don’t remember any incidents where there’s only one and we’ve had to decide who gets it. But once, we were flying back from a trip to Vegas for my cousin’s wedding. We booked our flights way in advance, and were super happy to see we had been upgraded a few days in advance. A great way to end our week of gambling and partying! Except that we realized the day before our flight that my 90-year-old grandmother was also on our flight. Even after begging and pleading, the agent couldn’t get her an get her in first class with us for free. The only way to make it work was to purchase 3 500-mile upgrades, at $30 a pop.

Let me tell you a little bit about my grandmother. She is 5’2”, very energetic, and a bit of a firecracker. She’s also, as are so many from her generation, very frugal. So when I went to her and explained the situation, and said we would be happy to split the $90 with her, she laughed at me. “Pay 50 dollar?” (She’s also Norwegian, with an accent even after being in the States for over fifty years.) “For what? A bigger seat and a glass of wine? No thank you!”

The Home Warrior and I had a quick whispered conference. What to do? Do we let her sit in front while one of us sits in back? And the answer is, yes. Yes, you do. So we told her she could have one of our seats, and she said no! She refused to come and sit in first class, even when we asked her to switch with us for just a little while. So we sent her back a glass of wine, and visited from time to time. But of course, today she is 94, and still reminds us of that flight where we sat in front of the plane and she sat in back.

This post is brought to you by The Wandering Aramean while Jason is out with two broken wrists and a microphone. Keep an eye out at MilesQuest for future guest posts by other Boarding Area bloggers.

Other Guest Posts:

• Guest Post: The Spouse and Upgrades debate, take 2
• Briggs & Reilly 20″ Expandable Carry-On by Mommy Points
• Lapault 20″ 2-Wheeled Foldable Duffle Carry-On by Points, Miles & Martinis

In February 2011, Jason posted “The Spouse and Upgrades debate.”  In that post he recounted a flight where he received an upgrade to first class, but his wife did not.  His dilemma was whether to keep the upgrade for himself (and being a tall guy, he really could use it), or to be chivalrous and turn it over to his wife.  Read his original post to find out what he decided to do.

Always take the upgrade. Always.

Even if only one of the two folks traveling gets the option, we take it. Sure, life would be better if both were upgraded but I’ll always try to ensure that at least one of us is and that the other has the best possible seat in coach, just in case. As for who gets the upgrade, I try as hard as I can to make sure it isn’t me (I’ve even given up my seat to a random stranger before). OK, no physical coercion, but I’ll say just about anything to make sure my wife takes the seat. It works out better for me that way at many levels.

There was a period of a few years, early on in the relationship, where she wouldn’t take them. I don’t know why – I’m sure she had her reasons – but she wouldn’t. Like I said before, I made sure the coach seat wasn’t a bad one so it isn’t like the flight was brutal, but it was still coach. And then, one day, She finally saw the light.

Sortof. It turn out that her seeing the light was mostly a case of being bullied into taking the first class seat. I remember the whole thing vividly. The trip was a Continental flight from Newark to Las Vegas. We were headed out for a weekend with friends. We rode out the weather delay – this was Newark, after all – in the Presidents Club. I got in a fight with a ticket agent and eventually had the station manager involved in a seating fiasco which involved most of the agents doing everything wrong that they could. I was generally ready for just about anything by the time we boarded the 757 to Vegas. Throughout the wait and even down into the jet bridge I repeatedly offered the first class seat to her. She repeatedly refused, settling for the aisle seat at the boarding door.

I stowed my bag and prepped myself for the flight and then walked back to the boarding door and chat some more while waiting for the rest of the passengers to join us. It was while I was standing there in the galley at 2R on the 757 when the shaming happened and when she finally changed her mind.

The flight attendants realized that I wasn’t actually sitting next to my wife. They asked why. Only one upgrade. I don’t recall the exact wording used for the next few minutes but I know it was all directed at me and, while playful, it was clear that I was in the wrong. Despite my efforts to defend myself (I know, I shouldn’t have even bothered; there was no chance I was going to win) the FAs there just kept piling on. I almost didn’t notice when the aisle seat emptied and my wife proudly strode into the first class cabin to take the upgrade.

And that was that. I settled into the coach seat with a pair of flight attendants standing in the galley laughing heartily at the sudden change of events. I was well cared for during the flight (and I had plenty of drink chits anyways), but it was that moment where suddenly it became clear to my wife that taking the first class seat really was a viable option. She doesn’t always take it; I still haven’t figured out how or why she chooses the flights she does. But the option is there and now she actually believes me when I say that I’m happy for her to have it.

Oh, and in a bit of strange karmic fun, the seatmate she had for that flight was a whack job who was really happy to keep talking non-stop, even when it was clear no one was listening. Ouch. Still worth it to be in first in such a situation. Plenty of booze to drown out the crazy.

This is a guest post written by my wife and travel partner. She takes many of the photos that I show on MilesQuest and also books all of our reward travel. As the mother of our three small children, she felt it was important to discuss something we’ve all probably overlooked – what to do in case of a plane crash.

According to recent articles, British Airways is planning to offer a course on how to survive a plane crash! The information has been in several newspapers and online magazines, however I have called several U.S. based agents and even the UK based agents and they don’t know anything about this course. I have some calls in at the head office and I will post an update when I learn more.

Meanwhile here are some Tips for Flying and Crash Safety:
1. Clothing and Shoes-Although heels may look nice and be more professional for arrival at your destination they can puncture the inflatable emergency slides. If you do wear heels, take them off before using the inflatable slide otherwise passengers behind you won’t be too happy! Also, if you see footage of crash survivors they are often freezing, long pants and long sleeve shirts, even a jacket stowed close is a good idea. Always get your coat before landing. (First and Business Class-the flight attendants usually bring your stowed coats around to all passengers.)

2. In my opinion the most important decision is at booking. Consider where your seat is in relation to an exit. Often people survive impact but then die from smoke inhalation or burns, so you want to be close to the exit. I see mixed results on whether the back of the plane or the front of the plane is safer.

3. Pay attention to the safety message, those of us who fly frequently get pretty jaded to the inflight instruction, but it would be good to take note of the type of plane and features every so often.

4. Wear your seatbelt all the time, even turbulence can cause injury, and it probably doesn’t need to be said to the frequent long haul traveler but keep your buckle outside of your blanket if you are going to sleep so the flight attendant doesn’t have to wake you up to check your seatbelt. If you hit unexpected turbulence, you really can get a head injury by slamming into the overhead bins.

5. The brace position has proven to be effective in a crash, however most people don’t think to put their hands on the back of their head and neck not the crown, if your hands are on your crown and hit the seat in front of you on impact you will have many broken fingers. Don’t lace your fingers either, more likely to have broken fingers.

6. Lap infants-The old policy was to put your infant on the floor of the seat in front of you—“yeah right who is going to do that?” It has now been changed to hold them with one arm and use the other arm to protect their head. Some airlines have an attachment safety belt, but the United States actually thinks this is more dangerous and does not allow them. Of course, having them in their own seat would be the most safe. I was in an emergency situation with two children and a lap infant flying alone. In my mind I realized that there was no way I could handle all three of my children in an emergency situation.

We even had a flyby from the US Air force to get a visual on the plane while we were airborne, My son saw the fighter jet outside our window. I had to play it cool, all the while making a plan in my head how to protect all three, and hoping for a good Samaritan if we indeed had a crash landing. We did land safely escorted in by two fighter jets and greeted by fire trucks spraying the plane and countless police and security cars.

7. I admit that I have never really checked to see if I have a floatation device under my seat or if my seat could be used as a floatation device. If you watch footage of the Miracle on the Hudson you will note that almost none of the passengers actually brought their life vests or seat cushions with them!

8. Interesting to note- Although red universally means STOP, red lights are used as emergency lights in the aisle of airplanes because red is easier to see in smoke. It has been reported that the biggest delay in evacuation of an aircraft is people trying to get personal belongings. So in the event of an emergency- Really leave your stuff behind, people first.

I saw this sign today in Ghana and it made we wonder – is there another alternative?

The Holiday Inn Airport Accra is a fantastic hotel – I’m always impressed by the Holiday Inn product abroad.

Will write up a full trip report when I return

A couple of weeks ago, I headed down to the local health clinic to get the proper shots for my first trip to Africa.

As I walked in – I realized it was the first day before school and the waiting room was packed with kids waiting for their immunizations.

The lovely receptionist asked where I was traveling to. I told her I was traveling to Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana for the first time. She typed furiously into her computer, clicked a bunch of buttons, and asked if I had ever had a massive lists of shots.

Back to the waiting room till my name was called. I headed back to the room, where the nurse had quite the arsenal laid out. Eight shots in all – in various vials, with needles galore. She was quite a pro – sticking me in my right arm, then my left arm, then mixing it up and doing a double in the right, and then a double in the left. It was a dizzying blur of pain in both arms. How can anyone do heroin?

I thought I was done, but she had saved the best for last. On top of all the shots, I also needed to take Malaria pills. She handed me a sheet and as I scanned my options, it looked pretty bleak.

Option #1 – Mefloquine. 250mg by mouth weekly, same day of each week. Possible Side effects: Headache, nausea, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, vivid dream (aka nightmares), visual disturbances, GI disturbance, insomnia, depression, agitation, restlessness, mood change.

Pros: Well, you do only have to take it once a week and visual disturbances could be like legally experiencing LSD.

Cons: What kind of seat mate am I going to be if I’m going through agitation and GI disturbances on the plane? I love how they soften nightmares as “vivid dreams” and it seems I would be an emotional basket case as well with visual disturbances.

Option #2 – Chloroquine – 500 mg by mouth weekly, same day of each week. Possible side effects: Nausea, vomiting, headache, sleep disturbance, dizziness, blurred vision, itching may worsen symptoms of psoriasis, temporary hair loss.

Pros: Once again side effect of sleep disturbance. But I never sleep on planes anyway so it wouldn’t be that bad. Plus you only have to take it once a week again.

Cons: Temporary hair loss? I’ve been blessed with a full mane and I’m not sure I want to see that fall off. We have improved to only having to endure blurred vision and dizziness – no more visual disturbances.

Option #3 – Malarone. 250mg by mouth daily starting 1-2 days before. Take with food or a milky drink. Possible side effects: Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache.

Pros:The list of side effects is dwindling though you do have to take the pills quite a few days in a row and who doesn’t want a milky drink?

Cons:I’m still not sure I can deal with vomiting on a plane though. Once I was traveling with my family to Denmark in a 5 seat row. The poor guy in the middle seat got sick half way through and had to use the airsickness bag pretty much the whole flight. He even had his Denmark flag shirt as he was meeting some girl he had met online.

Option #4: Doxycycline. 100 mg by mouth daily starting 1-2 days before, during and continue for 4 weeks after leaving area. Side effects: Sun sensitivity, nausea, stomach pain.

Pros: Seems to me the medicine with the least amount of side effects. I can probably deal with stomach pain.

Cons: If you miss one day of taking this one, it’s as if you haven’t taken it at all. Can I possibly remember to take a pill every day? Sun sensitivity? My skin type already burns after about 30 minutes in the sun – this will probably speed that up to 15.

Cast your vote in the comments section on which of the four I should take!