Keithambrose

We can but hope!

Would mess up the stamp collection!

Not just the normal reaction to being downgraded?

'Four hotels vinapu', sounds good, though some concern about the French and Dutch negotiators being abandoned!

And it's a fair point about stepping on something, a piece of overlooked glass, etc! Still, I keep my lounge free of that sort of hazard, I hope!

Just made the point about overshoe covers.

Me too, same reason. But if its a very dry day, sometimes I relent. I do usually ask tradespeople to remove shoes, as they sometimes have boots, and the good ones have plastic wrapovers they put on. They have a pair in their pockets, and put them on without being asked. If a guest said they had issues, such as has been mentioned, then I would tell them to keep shoes on, and ask them to stay in the kitchen (only joking!).

Recommended by Vinapu, say no more. I hope to stay there in November.

I know someone who is very keen on Turkey!

Hadn't thought of that! Was thinking of more normal misuse!

No, actually, I was highlighting the point that to stop the sand getting to the parts the sun cannot reach, you need a big towel!

How long before they are vandalised/misused?

And you need a big towel!

Grammer?

That's really good!

That's certainly the impression airport personnel give!

I just came back to The UK, through the 'new' terminal 8 at JFK. This amalgamated BA and American, and other airlines. Perhaps doubling the number of pax. As expected no provision had been made for this increase. And the security line was horrendous. The Fast track, to which I was entitled, had one security person, and a couple of hundred pax. To improve things, TSA approved went through, at the side, and joined the queue in front of us! In 15 mins, I moved 10 feet. Eventually, some of us were directed to to the cattle class line, which had 3 security people. We then all crammed into the lanes for the x-ray machines, only half of which were working! They had the old style, where you had to reach for a box to put your gear in. Absolute chaos, with the usual disinterested staff. Excellent way to spend an hour at the new flagship terminal! Contrast this with the new American terminal at LaGuardia, which is spacious and very nice. To be fair, at Heathrow, we landed early, BA, and then the airbridge did not work! Eventually steps were brought. However, despite the crowds, it was 6.45am, straight through passport control, using the machines!

In the EU, and UK, there are pretty good rules for refunds. I got £500 refund for a delayed American flight. Paid quite promptly.

On grass can be fun! If itchy....

Ho, ho!

By contrast, Champaign Urbana, 5 flights a day, absolutely charming! Perhaps size matters (pun intended)!

On this trip, La Guardia, American terminal. Though the (new) terminal itself is very nice.

It's immigration that bugs me as a UK guy. The US is quite behind in using electronic monitoring, such as we have in the UK. I recently discovered the MPC App, which did speed up my 2 recent entries, but it could be a lot better. I considered Global Entry, but the procedure, including an interview in the USA, is inconvenient. I have also found that officials still like to throw their weight around, on minor matters, 'stand in line', etc. As you say it all detracts from the experience of travel.

Well I don't speak any Portuguese! My problem.

We also have what we call minicabs, which have to be booked. I use one myself, as I know the driver, who is reliable, and you can book weeks in advance. They are more expensive than Uber. An Uber driver still, sometimes, cancels the booking, having accepted it, and if you are going to the airport, this is no fun.