Today I was sent through the porno-scanner yet again. As I’m taking my shoes off, the TSA agent starts barking, “remove everything from your pockets, take off your belts…”  I commented to one of the agents that the security experience gets worse every time I fly (there was a pilot behind me who agreed). As the supervisor came over and barked I should take it up with the TSA Chief, I finished getting ready for my scan.

The problem isn’t that I’m anti-security, it’s that I get to the line, I’m yelled at, I am now separated from my wallet as well as my shoes.  I am essentially cast into the world without anything. It’s also a major break from my routine. Despite what the TSA says, this chaos is bad.  It creates confused customers, slows lines down, and result in people like me complaining. A terrorist would LOVE the chaos present at the checkpoint.

So as I take the ten minutes to put myself back together and doublecheck that I had my wallet (which is by far my biggest fear at security now), I realized that I didn’t take my little bag of liquids out of my suitcase and nobody noticed. The agents missed it and could have cared less.

Now tell me the experience is anything more than reactionary security theater.

My friend is going to take me tomorrow for what he claims is the best pizza ever.

The new program called Tots Travel Too takes some of the misery out of travelling with young kids by providing an appropriate crib (with laundered cover), a bath toy, baby proofing tools, etc.  While it won’t solve all of your travel needs, it sure does mean one less big thing to pack.  What a great idea from Marriott!

The hotel is too young, too cool, too ultra hip for me. The room was comfortable but the layout was weird. The toilet was on one side and the tub on another. It feels slapped together. The other clients are so hip they’re douchey. This is the original so it’s the concentrated essence of the brand. I think the New York property feels more like what I think a proper hotel should feel like. I want a little predictability in my hotel. I want a quieter lobby.  I want a bigger television.

So I can’t say anything bad about the hotel except it might not be right for me. That being said, it’s worth checking out if you’re going to Portland.  Just make sure you’re getting what you expect.

It seems that the airlines need to figure out a new business model. While I don’t enjoy the experience of Southwest, they do have a solid business model and management that allows them to [gasp] make money. Maybe the so-called legacy carriers should look for ways to sharpen their pencils and adapt instead of eroding the quality of service offered to their customers.

First, the TSA has released their summer travel tips.  Overall, the tips aren’t very helpful, but they do clarify that the archaic 3-1-1 liquid rules are still being enforced. Recent reports from bloggers led many of us to believe that the TSA had gotten even more lax and inconsistent about the rule. My biggest piece of advice to those of you who don’t travel a lot? Empty your pockets at home. Don’t bring change, extra keys, etc. to the airport. Pack your keys in your carry on bag along with your phone. It will make life easier.

Second, the Travel Gear Blog posted its top ten graduation gifts for the travelling grad. A few of the items, including the bottle kit and shower kit are pretty good, check them out here.

I’ve got some trips coming up. I’ll capture the experiences and pass them along.

An article in the New York Times highlights how hotel chains are considering adding fees to all kinds of things, including the service of checking your bag for a few hours. They’re also starting to raise internet fees upwards of $20 a day.

While I have little issue with hotels adding fees to items such as room service or minibars, I do have an issue with all of the fees being added for parking, internet, checked luggage, etc. What next, will they charge me if I use two towels instead of one?

It’s time for travelers (especially business travelers) to complain at the front desk every single time they are confronted with additional or new fees for elements that used to be included in the price of the room. Additionally, it’s important to demand that older full-service properties be updated with amenities such as free WiFi in rooms and all public areas. If a discount chain can do it, why can’t Marriott?

The check in experience was great. I got in late and the staff was helpful, professional, and made me feel very welcome. My room felt like it was a mile away, but once I got there I could tell it had been recently redone. It was clean, had a great bed, plenty of electrical outlets, and a new HDTV. The bathroom while small had a shower with plenty of water pressure (one of my biggest complaints is no water pressure or wimpy rain showers in hotels).

Overall, it’s worth checking out for a night or two. If you want something a little fancier, try the sister property Renaissance just up the street. Check out the Marriott Providence Downtown’s website here.