Reason to Avoid JFK #3

As if being short a runway wasn't enough reason to avoid JFK International...

Child's play at air traffic tower sparks inquiry

NEW YORK (Reuters) – An investigation is underway into why a young child, apparently under an adult's supervision, was allowed to direct air traffic at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport, U.S. authorities said on Wednesday.

In transmissions broadcast by local media, the young child -- whose age is unknown -- can be heard directing pilots for departure, apparently under the supervision of an adult. The incident reportedly happened two weeks ago.

At one point an adult voice can be heard telling a pilot: "This is what you get guys when the kids are out of school."

Reason to Avoid JFK #1 ... and #2

I'm flying to AMS via DTW rather than JFK. Sure, DTW has all the charm of a convention center, but I figured trying to connect through JFK on a summer afternoon wasn't a smart idea. There's reason #1.

Turns out, this decision was unusually prescient, since they're gonna be short a runway for a few months...

AP: JFK runway closure to rattle nerves, wallets 

With about one-third of JFK's traffic and half of its departures being diverted to three smaller runways, planes will wait on longer lines on the ground for takeoffs and in the air for landings. Delays at one of the nation's largest airports will ripple to cities across the U.S., including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orlando.

[snip]

JFK is already one of the nation's most delay-plagued airports. [emphasis mine] It ranked 28th out of 31 major airports in 2009 in on-time performance, according to the Department of Transportation. A delay at JFK, especially one early in the morning, can push back flights across the U.S.

The longest delays occur at peak hours — from about 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. ET and between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Apres Climb Is Set

After much pondering - and some hurried consultation of a few guidebooks - my post-climb is nailed down. I'm going on a 5-day/4-night safari in Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti, with the balance spent on the north end of Zanzibar.

It wasn't an easy decision. The safari would be solo and effectively private. It means maximum independence and flexibility in very comfortable accommodations (huge tents with proper beds and showers) but comes at a steep price: about $1000/day. That includes practically everything (from games drives to meals and possibly even laundry and drinks), but it's steep compared to the $150/day staying on Zanzibar would have cost.

But the extra day on safari seems like it will be money well spent as it will give more more time to move between camps and see more critters. And I'm the type to get board with the beach after a few days.

Stairs and Safaris

Seeing as it's now a bit less than 5 months before the trek, it seemed like it might be a good time to start my training.

So I started with stairs.

Not a stair machine. Actual stairs. The kind that can actually take you somewhere.

17 flights of them.

It didn't take that long to go all the way up, and naturally it was pretty quick coming down. And it didn't hurt much either... until the next morning. Ow.

While they rest, I'm settling on what to do post-climb. It'll be a safari in Ngorongo and the Serengeti, and time on Zanzibar. The real decision is between a 4-day or a 5-day safari. The safari will be solo, so I'm spending $$$ on it. Maybe they'll let me drive the land rover. :)

As for flying AMS-DTW....

That flight with the inept terrorist? DL/NW 243? ... Same flight I'm coming home on.

171 days to Summit Day

171 days until I'm on the "Roof of Africa." Might be a good time to break in the new boots...

And you thought "cattle class" was bad...

On the heels of booking my "cattle-class" T fare on NWA/KLM, I find this gem:

United Airlines Exploring Viability Of Stacking Them Like Cordwood