All Things Travel: Florida Not So Hot
LONGBOAT KEY, Fla. (CBS) – Whether it's Boston or Florida this week, the only thing people are talking about is the weather.
Local weather experts here on the west coast of Florida led their evening broadcasts with the prediction of freezing temperatures, but they promise 70 this weekend.
It is certainly not a beach day, but the sun is still shining brightly - just make sure to dress warmly.
Despite the typical pains associated with airline travel, for the most part everything went pretty smoothly.
However, Logan could learn a few things from the Tampa Airport which is currently spending $1 billion on an upgrade.
Traffic was light in downtown Boston when we left the South End for our 6 a.m. flight. My wife and I arrived at Terminal C at 4:50 a.m. The first crisis of the day - my wife had pre-check while I had to go to the back of the security line for a 12-minute wait.
As we headed to Gate 32 in Terminal C at 5:35 a.m., we heard the Jet Blue announcement of last call for Flight 2191 to Tampa.
We boarded and found the cabin more than 90-percent full, but takeoff was delayed nearly an hour because the jet had to be de-iced.
A few hours later the pilot announced the final approach to Tampa where the temperature is 50 degrees.
The tram running between terminals was on time, and it is completely automated.
MBTA take note.
On the escalator down to the baggage area, a large electronic sign reminded us which carousel was used by JetBlue. Our bags were out in less than 10 minutes.
To save $100, my wife booked an off-airport car rental company. The van pick-up was smooth. One particularly innovative feature of the Tampa airport is to have every terminal exit door clearly numbered for easy directions.
MapQuest provided clear directions to our final destination.
One thing hasn't changed as you start your vacation.
Mid-day traffic is very heavy and is a concern for transportation planners, but at least you don't see any potholes.
Bob Weiss reports on business travel on Mondays at 5:55 a.m. on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.
