Lilz1717
Jul 8, 04, 8:07 pm
Headed down via Delta Connection from JFK -ATL-EYW at 5:30am. Time in the morning was harsh but the airport was completely empty. Twas a nice quiet and quick drive there. Lines were a bit long at Delta but luckily I checked in online. Scratch that, found out that I stupidly took only 3 of the 6 printed pages for me and my two traveling guests so we had the boarding passes for the ATL to EYW flight but not the first flight out to ATL. Sigh...waited on line.. and realized DUH, go to the kiosk and voila, nice and simple. I didn't realize that even though you've checked in online, and by chance lost your pass or is a dummy and forgot the rest of the printouts like me that you can still go back to the kiosk and print them out again (technically re-checking in). Works for us! So we patiently waited our flight and though we were a wee bit delayed, the plane was smooth sailing down to ATL with some time for a quick bathroom break and snack pickup for the remaining segment once there. Small plane down to EYW with only little over half the passengers so it was comfy. Took a row for myself.
We got there at 10ish in the am so checking in at the Doubletree Grand Key (Hilton) wasn't going to happen I thought but let's dump the luggage and explore. We didn't even think to call ahead for a shuttle and didn't see one so we got in a taxi and asked for the hotel. 1st mistake. ALWAYS NEGOTIATE before getting into the cab in Key West. It's a per person rate for zones so upon getting dropped off (this ride was literally 1 minute and 1/2), he spits out hmm... that'll be $5.50 each...eh it's ok, just give me $15 and we'll call it a day. I was like wha?! OK....guess that didn't start off too well. But we got in the hotel and yes no early checkin but we did checkin the luggage with the luggage valet and checked out the area. Twas a nice hotel, quiet and remote from all the others in the main area near town but shuttle was convenient (on the hour by the hour until 11pm). Rooms were nice (got 2 queens) and neat with free internet and oh yea, cookies were quite yummy (we had to fight b/w the 3 of us for two). Concierge was quite friendly and helpful, wound up booking a fishing trip for us as recommended. All in all the hotel was definitely worth the money since we pricelined it, $100/night for 3 nights during the holiday time, granted it was right after the holiday but it works. As long as you fill your schedule up which we did with fishing, partying, and sight seeing 3 nights should be enough. Oh and scooters were definitely the best way to get around the nooks and crannys of the town and explore the fun way.
Now for the trip back...sigh.... getting to the airport this time by hotel shuttle proved cost effective, can't beat free! But amazing how tiny an airport like that was with 2 terminals, 1 for arriving and 1 for departure. We sat and watched as the first Delta airline was delayed for over an hour (going to ATL) and people boarded just to sit on the plane some more. This time we were heading from EYW - ORD - LGA and our flight was a little delayed in arriving so we got to sit at the terminal for another hour too. Turns out that we had maintenance issues (brake problems???). I was concerned since our flight was scheduled for 5:50 and connecting was at 8:15. We didn't board until 7:15 or so and wasn't paying attention since my eyes were glued to the other Delta plane still sitting next to us that was supposed to be heading to ATL over 2 hours ago. Apparently, little shadows seem to be moving forward and I realize they were getting off the plane. Poor folks. Anyway, we took off and was told 30min ride to ORD and unfortunately the flight attendant said that we probably wouldn't make the connecting flight. Now what??? Never had this issue before so I panicked and kept bugging her. By landing time, 8:20, in the gate, I see our flight still at the terminal and had my fingers crossed. Would they really wait for us??? Then I hear an announcement and the flight attendant announces that everyone please stay in their seat until those connecting to their flight leave first. We zoomed out the door and ran down to grab the bags and run to the terminal. We were greated by a Delta rep at the bottom of the stairs and was told they were waiting for us. WOW! I feel so special! Hopped in the plane and to top it off, I forgot we got the (757 plane) 8 B C and D seats (no chair in front , mid exit row with LOTS of room). Sitting in the seat as we pulled away from the terminal, I kept thinking man...this was pretty nice of Delta to do for us, making the whole plane wait for just us 3 little people. =D But then we sit next to the runway and hear, unfortunately...there is weather issues right now and we are delayed so please sit tight and we apologize for the inconvenience....Oh well. Can't have everything perfect. All in all, a nice trip.
We got there at 10ish in the am so checking in at the Doubletree Grand Key (Hilton) wasn't going to happen I thought but let's dump the luggage and explore. We didn't even think to call ahead for a shuttle and didn't see one so we got in a taxi and asked for the hotel. 1st mistake. ALWAYS NEGOTIATE before getting into the cab in Key West. It's a per person rate for zones so upon getting dropped off (this ride was literally 1 minute and 1/2), he spits out hmm... that'll be $5.50 each...eh it's ok, just give me $15 and we'll call it a day. I was like wha?! OK....guess that didn't start off too well. But we got in the hotel and yes no early checkin but we did checkin the luggage with the luggage valet and checked out the area. Twas a nice hotel, quiet and remote from all the others in the main area near town but shuttle was convenient (on the hour by the hour until 11pm). Rooms were nice (got 2 queens) and neat with free internet and oh yea, cookies were quite yummy (we had to fight b/w the 3 of us for two). Concierge was quite friendly and helpful, wound up booking a fishing trip for us as recommended. All in all the hotel was definitely worth the money since we pricelined it, $100/night for 3 nights during the holiday time, granted it was right after the holiday but it works. As long as you fill your schedule up which we did with fishing, partying, and sight seeing 3 nights should be enough. Oh and scooters were definitely the best way to get around the nooks and crannys of the town and explore the fun way.
Now for the trip back...sigh.... getting to the airport this time by hotel shuttle proved cost effective, can't beat free! But amazing how tiny an airport like that was with 2 terminals, 1 for arriving and 1 for departure. We sat and watched as the first Delta airline was delayed for over an hour (going to ATL) and people boarded just to sit on the plane some more. This time we were heading from EYW - ORD - LGA and our flight was a little delayed in arriving so we got to sit at the terminal for another hour too. Turns out that we had maintenance issues (brake problems???). I was concerned since our flight was scheduled for 5:50 and connecting was at 8:15. We didn't board until 7:15 or so and wasn't paying attention since my eyes were glued to the other Delta plane still sitting next to us that was supposed to be heading to ATL over 2 hours ago. Apparently, little shadows seem to be moving forward and I realize they were getting off the plane. Poor folks. Anyway, we took off and was told 30min ride to ORD and unfortunately the flight attendant said that we probably wouldn't make the connecting flight. Now what??? Never had this issue before so I panicked and kept bugging her. By landing time, 8:20, in the gate, I see our flight still at the terminal and had my fingers crossed. Would they really wait for us??? Then I hear an announcement and the flight attendant announces that everyone please stay in their seat until those connecting to their flight leave first. We zoomed out the door and ran down to grab the bags and run to the terminal. We were greated by a Delta rep at the bottom of the stairs and was told they were waiting for us. WOW! I feel so special! Hopped in the plane and to top it off, I forgot we got the (757 plane) 8 B C and D seats (no chair in front , mid exit row with LOTS of room). Sitting in the seat as we pulled away from the terminal, I kept thinking man...this was pretty nice of Delta to do for us, making the whole plane wait for just us 3 little people. =D But then we sit next to the runway and hear, unfortunately...there is weather issues right now and we are delayed so please sit tight and we apologize for the inconvenience....Oh well. Can't have everything perfect. All in all, a nice trip.