ALCO, I forgot to ask...did you buy yourself the 40D battery grip?

heh, I know we constantly complain about the pitch on CO. Well I was on a five hour bus ride, in what I had to sware was 28-29 inch pitch. There was no leg room under the seat and I had to put my legs in the asile.

No. To date, my order was for the Camera Body, 17-40 L Lens, Backpack designed for up to two SLRs & Lenses & One 15" Laptop, Ultrapod II Mini-Tripod, 8GB 133x CompactFlash, and a USB 2.0 CompactFlash Reader.

In you can't make this up news: I just learned that Kunpeng Airlines, the JV between Mesa and Shenzen Airlines, IATA code is VD! :D

I've always referred to YV as a "cancer in the airline industry." I suppose I should edit those statements to call it a "herpes." Which, actually, seems a bit more fitting.

It looks like there is an unadvertised weekend special from EWR to LAX this weekend. Leave Saturday and return Monday. This might be my weekend to check out the Regan Library/Museum. :)

National has some good weekend rates at LAX. Since I now have Executive status, how do I go about the rental? Do I have to rent a mid-size or a fullsize to get an upgrade? It looks like LAX has an Executive Aisle. Do I just go straight to that aisle and select any car I want and drive it off the lot? Beleive it or not, I've never had status with a car rental company before.

The Executive Selection allows you to reserve a full size and pay only the midsize rate. The difference between the full size and midsize rate is then credited back when you return the car. This guarantees you a full size car, but the Executive Selection will have plenty of full size cars anyway. I usually just book a midsize to avoid having to make sure that they only charge me for a midsize when I return the car.

And, yes, you just walk up to the aisle and choose any car you want from the Executive Selection or Emerald Aisle.

Thanks for the info! I don't need a full size, so I would just reserve a mid-size. I am assuming you need a full size or mid-size reservation to be able to take from the Executive Selection or Emerald Aisle?

Ok, now i'm jealous and drooling. How long is this trip?

No kidding! All I have in my immediate future is DFW, AUS, IAH and BTR on CO RJs and maybe a trip to AEX on a Beechcraft Baron :(

Technically, I think you might have to reserve at least a midsize, but I have reserved below midsize before with no issues. Often, though, the difference between a compact and midsize is $1 or so per day, so you really do not save much by renting in a category below midsize.

I'll go with a midsize to be safe. Any experience with getting something from the Executive Selection with a Priceline reservation? :D I wonder how well that would go over...

I will be trying this out on upcoming trips to PBI, MSP and possibly LAX. Hopefully I have some luck with their selections...

Rather brief. I leave next Wednesday, and get back the following Monday. One Day in Oslo, One Day in Moscow, 11 Hours in Hong Kong, 8 Hours in Bangkok, and 4 Hours in the FCT at FRA before returning to IAH.

I always just reserve the midsize rate at National when using the Executive Aisle. You're then free to pick any car from the Executive Aisle, which is usually going to have at least full size cars, and possibly bigger. I've also found that if the Executive Aisle is pretty empty, or full of cars that really suck (like the night MSP only had Chrysler minivans in the Executive Aisle), you can also check out the regular Emerald Aisle, as well as the Midsize and Fullsize sections of the lot. I've also managed to get away with stealing a fully loaded small SUV from the SUV section before. In any case, as an Executive member, you should only pay the midsize rate if it's a car from the Emerald or Executive Aisles (or they *think* you got the car from one of those aisles ;) ).

Technically you're supposed to reserve at least a midsize to use the Aisles. However, I've heard of people successfully reserving much smaller cars, for a cheaper rate, and still getting a car off the Aisle. YMMV.

I do not think that is possible, but I have never tried.

Those stations generally have decent selections.

Have fun explaining this to the very nice immigration official that will be greeting you at IAH.