8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC Part 14

[PMDR59]

Oh I also called DCL to get a price on airfaire for the TOAL.

With flying out on the 16th from Newark to LA and the return from Orlando to Newark and 1 night stay at an airport hotel it would be an additional 2262.61.

PLEASE tell me I will be a able to do better booking something on my own???????????

I know there are no airfare rates for that far in advance now, and the CM said I can book anytime as along as they still have availability.


Any suggestions??????

 

[captaincrash]

diane, that is what frustrates me soooo much! there is NO sportsmanship in these games...and noone does anything about it. this is my ds's first year on the all star team. after the first game of the season, he came out of the dugout looking very down. he had just struck out and made the last out of game. he looked ok when he walked away from the plate, so i didn't understand why he looked so down afterwards. well, he told me that 3 of the kids...FROM HIS OWN TEAM...threatened to beat him up cuz he made the last out. the one was the whiny pitcher! my ds is not a fighter, and i think he was a bit scared! i was ticked!! dh went and talked to the coach, but it does no good. i'm normally a pretty quiet person, and i try to keep my mouth shut as to not make waves...but this is my kid...and noone messes with my kids!!! i've finally started speaking up and running my mouth to the parents, telling them that if the coach won't speak up, we need to. the kids need to learn the right way to play. they are a team...and they need to back each other up...not beat each other up! ugh!! they are gonna be passed right thru this league, and expect to get away with it in older leagues. it has to stop! one of the players dad's went to the fence and started yelling last nite, cuz the pitcher and catcher from our team were once again arguing with each other. he started telling the coach it was time to step in and yank them both off the field. his whiny pitcher son remained on the mound, but he put a diff catcher in!! 3 more games this week, and 2 tournaments...then we are done! it won't come to an end soon enough!!

That's awful...

... and I am regretfully not surprised. Cronyism abounds at all levels - and although unfair - it is human nature in many - stronger in some lesser in others. But I encourage you to spread the words of the truth. I for one would have been very outspoken about the unfair and inappropriate conduct of the kids. Sportsmanship is a big deal. And I suspect the sheltered kid and kids with the foul attitude will grow up with these traits.

Not to be bitter - rather to be fair - I suspect everyone is actually DOING THE BEST THEY CAN. Maybe I'm optimistic - to be crediting the rude unsporting kids with a good effort (relative to what?). However, I've seen kids acting somewhat foul and in some cases I learn they are having problems at home - or I meet thier parents and find the parents are themselves fickle if not foul. These sorts are happy in THIER OWN worlds and thats' enuf to have to be in the same room with them occasionally.

IE... we do have to get along without shooting one another - and real life means encountering compassionate and evil people... plus everything in between... plus the occasional evil malcontent twin. So - these fickle kids DO serve a purpose - if nothing more then to show an undesirable side of society.

Bottom line - find a wiggle way to work around it. Or just engineer a few folks to resign from the team simultaneously. I would have withdrawn from the final games rather then participate if the coach was insensitive or cavalier about sportsmanship. HE "as a coach" is failing and does not deserve your demure tolerance. Maybe he is having private issues which we know nothing about? That might be preventing him from fully addressing the true needs of the team.

Maybe I'm being harsh - but he has been consulted - and what you describe seems fairly obvious. You should seek out better sporting environments to nurture your son in. And if nothing less - there are just a couple of games left in the season. I think if I were to stick out the last couple of games I would take it upon myself to satand very close to the dugout and I would TELL the foul kids to stop what they were saying if it was caught by me - on the spot and loud enough for all to hear. Whats' the coach gonna do - interrupt and say - let the boys be boys? And then I'd say - what you doing"... encouraging the boys to be predatory and foul mouthed here? (spoken loud enough for all to hear.) That or I'[d bring a banner declaring the coach was promoting unsportsmanship. Yeah - I can be silly too.... <chuckles>

Wishing you well in enduring the situation... you do know that those exercising poor sportsmanship will get thier just rewards some day or in the end...

 

[pdarrah]

Oh I also called DCL to get a price on airfaire for the TOAL.

With flying out on the 16th from Newark to LA and the return from Orlando to Newark and 1 night stay at an airport hotel it would be an additional 2262.61.

PLEASE tell me I will be a able to do better booking something on my own???????????

I know there are no airfare rates for that far in advance now, and the CM said I can book anytime as along as they still have availability.


Any suggestions??????

You didn't say how many people this was for... I just did a quick search on Orbitz using THIS YEAR's equivalent to next year's dates. If you are willing to have flights with 1 connections, it looks like you can do it for around $300-$400 per person. If you must have direct flights, it is more like $600 per person. Of course, this year's prices won't be exactly the same as next year's, but it should help you get a ballpark idea of what it will cost.

I don't know that area and if you have other airports you can use - sometimes you can find a better deal if you are willing to use a different airport (i.e. We have O'Hare and Midway here near Chicago and sometimes there will be much better deals from one or the other...)

Hope this helps some.

Pamela(Pdarrah)

 

[captaincrash]

Oh I also called DCL to get a price on airfaire for the TOAL.

With flying out on the 16th from Newark to LA and the return from Orlando to Newark and 1 night stay at an airport hotel it would be an additional 2262.61.

PLEASE tell me I will be a able to do better booking something on my own???????????

I know there are no airfare rates for that far in advance now, and the CM said I can book anytime as along as they still have availability.


Any suggestions??????

How many are in your party again? WHat is the most convenient airport to you? For that kind of money (it's highway robbery by some standards) I could almost route one or two of you round trip through Paris for a few nites * in addition to doing an MCO / LAX triangle with hotel! No wonder they say book it with DCL anytime - space available. <chuckles>

Seriously... I think if your airport is not a moderate or large hub - then their cruise+air rates can be reasonable. But if you can fly a medium or large hub with lots of competition from airlines - then you should get cheap flights with good times - and certainly hotels on each end easy enough. Transfers are also easy enough too.

* Gate 1 travel will do r.t air from NYC to Paris plus 6 nites at the Kyriad Bercy Village for $499 pp double occupancy. GOod Nov 28, 2007 plus numerous dates in 2008.

 

[captaincrash]

Using jet blue with precisely a 30 day advance purchase - flying one day before embarkation they have several one way flights at $219.40 from JFK to LAX. Returning from Orlando on Thursday Aug 30 is as cheap as $99 while staying until saturday the 1st runs as low as $164. The MCO - JFK rates cited may have an additional $10 in fees.

At any rate - you can fly for $330 - $395 per person (Directly I think) depending on whether you return thursday or Sarturday. And adding a hotel and transfers is easy enough, eh?

Checking other dates - and other airlines - and especially if you book with better then a 30 day advance like I am here will almost certainly give you better deals!

 

[micmse2003]

We can decide as a group as to what people want to do. I am easy going..

No problem, I could start a list or we could come up with a special little thing to put on your door if you want fish mail?
Not to anything...............we could do this through PM if people feel more comfortable.

Hi Tina,
Maybe later on when trip gets near we might be able to have room numbers for the fish gifts. Right now most have a GTY (Got To Yell) Cat. I guess it all depends on who is willing to give out what info.......I have no problem with giving out my Room number. I loved the little gifts just as much as the kids on my 10 Wonder Cruise!!! It was like having Christmas every morning!!!!

That'll be a perfect time to celebrate!! It's just after our 29th anniversary.

Our 40th anniversary will be in July next year too! I am celebrating it on the cruise. I convinced DH what a great anniversary gift to each other, a cruise!!

Can't wait for a trip report. On my last few trips I was contemplating this hotel. But then circumstances changed and each time I've been able to upgrade by splitting the cost with friends.

But if I get back to Honolulu I'll probably give the Queen Kapiolani a try. Honestly I'm ready to try some of the other islands though. Honolulu reminds me too much of San Francisco. Too touristy and not enough beauty left.

I have stayed at the Hyatt on Oahu, Hilton Village on Oahu , Hyatt twice on Maui, an Outrigger( a really bad one on Kaui after hurricane had hit) and Hilton Waiakaloa twice on the Big Island of Hawaii. My least favorite island is Oahu and my favorite is the Big Island . Lots of beauty and many parts unspoiled.

Oh I also called DCL to get a price on airfaire for the TOAL.

With flying out on the 16th from Newark to LA and the return from Orlando to Newark and 1 night stay at an airport hotel it would be an additional 2262.61.

PLEASE tell me I will be a able to do better booking something on my own???????????

I know there are no airfare rates for that far in advance now, and the CM said I can book anytime as along as they still have availability.


Any suggestions??????

You can book an open jaw ticket which means going to one airport and returning from another. This can be done on computer. You usually can not book tickets til 330 days from your departure. DCL wanted triple what I paid for booking my own ticket. Just be patient and wait for a little while longer.

 

[captaincrash]

I have stayed at the Hyatt on Oahu, Hilton Village on Oahu , Hyatt twice on Maui, an Outrigger( a really bad one on Kaui after hurricane had hit) and Hilton Waiakaloa twice on the Big Island of Hawaii. My least favorite island is Oahu and my favorite is the Big Island . Lots of beauty and many parts unspoiled.

My spouse tells me she has a ton of Hilton honors points - so one of the next few trips to Hawaii we will make part of it a real vacation (maybe - yeah, right) and use some of the points to stay at a nice Hilton property somewhere. We might tap your shoulder for an opinion seeing as you've been to so ma ny Hilton properties in Hawaii.

I gotta go now - picking up the kids to run down to LA/Santa Monica to hang out a bit with friends.

 

[dahuffy]

we booked for the 1st time (this time) with Pleasant Hawaiian - and usually we shop it with Orbitz - but always fly United as we concentrate all our flights with them for the frequent flyer benefits. From Spencer I don't know the nearest airport and all - but you'll know whos' best to fly out to the west coast.

When you do get around to jetting out to Hawaii - look us up and we'll provide some "local" pointers for tips on places to eat, visit and what-ever that suits your interests if ya like. Plus if ya need any eye surgery I can refer a family member on Oahu or Maui. Maybe even get you a DISCOUNT.... <chuckles>... provided you're willing to bring them something neighborly from OK. Well... I should not really be negotiating for other folks without thier consent.

At any rate - Hawaii is pretty easy to do - IMO - and the only thing - most folks wanna see some of the unspoiled side of the islands - and that takes a little doing. Ya gotta get out away from Honolulu / Oahu for the most part - unless you're like us and happy to drive 20 minutes to nearly unoccupied beaches for that kind of "fix".

Anyways - I've seen pleasant Hawaiian advertised deals at about $500-600 or so pp with air and hotel at certain times of the year. Certainly not NOW in the peak season - so if you figure out what air from Spencer to LA runs then you might have an inexpenxive trip to "paradise".

Aside from that - I got the picture of Kev with the little critter thorugh our usual spy agents. Below and at the top are a couple of images we got while he was not looking... or rather - I think it's Kev unless I mixed up our files again! Odd how the image of the rider at the top has little resemblenace to the fellow below... ???

Yep, that's my man!

 

[tom31b]

You didn't say how many people this was for... I just did a quick search on Orbitz using THIS YEAR's equivalent to next year's dates. If you are willing to have flights with 1 connections, it looks like you can do it for around $300-$400 per person. If you must have direct flights, it is more like $600 per person. Of course, this year's prices won't be exactly the same as next year's, but it should help you get a ballpark idea of what it will cost.

I don't know that area and if you have other airports you can use - sometimes you can find a better deal if you are willing to use a different airport (i.e. We have O'Hare and Midway here near Chicago and sometimes there will be much better deals from one or the other...)

Hope this helps some.

Pamela(Pdarrah)

A few months and a few weeks ago I did same days (not dates) this year, Philly to LA, LA to Philly flying out friday back Labor day and got $250 per person "round" trip

 

[dahuffy]

Thanks! I already got my present from dh and the kids. A *tin cup* necklace! I had one that dh bought abou t6 yrs ago that youngest dd accidently broke off my neck when she was a toddler. It was/is my *everyday* necklace. So, I am BIG time happy!

It's always great when then get ya something fun and not practical!

 

[tom31b]

Using jet blue with precisely a 30 day advance purchase - flying one day before embarkation they have several one way flights at $219.40 from JFK to LAX. Returning from Orlando on Thursday Aug 30 is as cheap as $99 while staying until saturday the 1st runs as low as $164. The MCO - JFK rates cited may have an additional $10 in fees.

At any rate - you can fly for $330 - $395 per person (Directly I think) depending on whether you return thursday or Sarturday. And adding a hotel and transfers is easy enough, eh?

Checking other dates - and other airlines - and especially if you book with better then a 30 day advance like I am here will almost certainly give you better deals!

Crash, you need to adjust dates. Next year flying out will be Saturday ($225 on Airtran with 1 stop, about the same non-stop JFK-Burbank on JetBlue) and return will be on Monday, Labor Day ($92 on Delta with one stop, $177 non stop JetBlue to JFK, $224 nonstop to EWR on Continental). These are basically 30 day fares, which tend to be higher than 6-9 months out.

Airfare will not come on line until Sept 22 or so and that's when you start shopping. I use sidestep to shop around

 

[tom31b]

The good news is that I have confirmed with our willing volunteers for the Secret Mickey (links on website) that they will continue to do this (but NOT until after some Med trips, etc. are out of the way).

I would suggest that (if there is a volunteer) we have everyone e-mail a specific person if interested in Fish Mail. A few months/weeks out we can decide if we want to e-mail room #s or post somewhere or how the logistics will work and give everyone interested an opt out at that point.

No sense posting one room number (the same # most people have, how's it spelled GTO, no... ummm GTY that's it) for the next six or ten months.

Thoughts, suggestions, volunteers?

 

[bellelinus]

The good news is that I have confirmed with our willing volunteers for the Secret Mickey (links on website) that they will continue to do this (but NOT until after some Med trips, etc. are out of the way).

I would suggest that (if there is a volunteer) we have everyone e-mail a specific person if interested in Fish Mail. A few months/weeks out we can decide if we want to e-mail room #s or post somewhere or how the logistics will work and give everyone interested an opt out at that point.

No sense posting one room number (the same # most people have, how's it spelled GTO, no... ummm GTY that's it) for the next six or ten months.

Thoughts, suggestions, volunteers?

Tom, I'll coordinate the fish extender list . . . although it is far too early to do anything now as you suggested -- maybe around April or May of next year we can start, although many may not have room numbers until quite close to time.

 

[justmestace]

diane, that is what frustrates me soooo much! there is NO sportsmanship in these games...and noone does anything about it. this is my ds's first year on the all star team. after the first game of the season, he came out of the dugout looking very down. he had just struck out and made the last out of game. he looked ok when he walked away from the plate, so i didn't understand why he looked so down afterwards. well, he told me that 3 of the kids...FROM HIS OWN TEAM...threatened to beat him up cuz he made the last out. the one was the whiny pitcher! my ds is not a fighter, and i think he was a bit scared! i was ticked!! dh went and talked to the coach, but it does no good. i'm normally a pretty quiet person, and i try to keep my mouth shut as to not make waves...but this is my kid...and noone messes with my kids!!! i've finally started speaking up and running my mouth to the parents, telling them that if the coach won't speak up, we need to. the kids need to learn the right way to play. they are a team...and they need to back each other up...not beat each other up! ugh!! they are gonna be passed right thru this league, and expect to get away with it in older leagues. it has to stop! one of the players dad's went to the fence and started yelling last nite, cuz the pitcher and catcher from our team were once again arguing with each other. he started telling the coach it was time to step in and yank them both off the field. his whiny pitcher son remained on the mound, but he put a diff catcher in!! 3 more games this week, and 2 tournaments...then we are done! it won't come to an end soon enough!!

Twenty years of Little League. Here's my advice.

Coach's Kid Pitches All The Time (coaches kids are ALWAYS pitchers)
Get a rule book and see if the players are limited as to the amount of innings they can play per game. If they are limited, have the rule book in hand when you go to the coach and tell him that it's time for "so & so" to take over pitching. Sometimes in tourney play they don't use that rule, so the kid could stay on the mound the whole game. But it still wouldn't hurt to suggest that the coach put someone else in "for the experience". Or play underhanded, and talk to the kid's mom (coach's wife)....tell her you feel really bad for her son out there crying, worried that all the kids & other parents might make fun of him...and suggest that as a mother, she might want to suggest that he be taken out of the game.

Coach Is Not Behaving Properly
Plain and simple.....call the league director and try to get as many parents as possible to call also. It helps if someone gets his ill behavior on video.
He may not be dismissed before this season ends, but chances are, he won't be invited to coach again.

Bullies In The Dugout
Just like Crash suggested....volunteer to be a "team Mom" and supervise the dugout. If there already is a team mom....just go stand near the dugout. If the kids' behavior is bad, don't be afraid to remind them to be good sports and at least support their own teammates "just like in the Major Leagues".

 

[PMDR59]

Using jet blue with precisely a 30 day advance purchase - flying one day before embarkation they have several one way flights at $219.40 from JFK to LAX. Returning from Orlando on Thursday Aug 30 is as cheap as $99 while staying until saturday the 1st runs as low as $164. The MCO - JFK rates cited may have an additional $10 in fees.

At any rate - you can fly for $330 - $395 per person (Directly I think) depending on whether you return thursday or Sarturday. And adding a hotel and transfers is easy enough, eh?

Checking other dates - and other airlines - and especially if you book with better then a 30 day advance like I am here will almost certainly give you better deals!

Thanks I think I will shop around ... I did play lets pretend its this year and would probally save 1400

The quote was for 4 2A and 2K
Sorry I forgot to metion that


Crash where do you see Jetblue to LAX I dont seethat they fly there. Is there an alternate airport we can use that is close to the terminal????
We have the ground transportation already booked through Disney do I have to use LAX or do I have a choice???

 

[bellelinus]

Thanks I think I will shop around ... I did play lets pretend its this year and would probally save 1400

The quote was for 4 2A and 2K
Sorry I forgot to metion that


Crash where do you see Jetblue to LAX I dont seethat they fly there. Is there an alternate airport we can use that is close to the terminal????
We have the ground transportation already booked through Disney do I have to use LAX or do I have a choice???

Jetblue flies to Long Beach (LGB), which is actually closer to DL than LAX. They also fly to Burbank (BUR), but that's quite a bit north. I've flown both and love Jetblue -- I only fly someone else to go overseas.

 

[Sarangel]

I use sidestep to shop around

What an awesome site... I usually check TravelZoo for sales, but I'm so adding Sidestep to my list of must check sites.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Oh I also called DCL to get a price on airfaire for the TOAL.

With flying out on the 16th from Newark to LA and the return from Orlando to Newark and 1 night stay at an airport hotel it would be an additional 2262.61.

PLEASE tell me I will be a able to do better booking something on my own???????????

I know there are no airfare rates for that far in advance now, and the CM said I can book anytime as along as they still have availability.


Any suggestions??????

Last winter I checked Jetblue's August prices to get an idea of what we might pay next year. They had direct flights from JFK to LGB for $99.00 per person.

 

[castoff]

That'll be a perfect time to celebrate!! It's just after our 29th anniversary.

Oh great..............more I can handle that.

Oh I also called DCL to get a price on airfaire for the TOAL.

With flying out on the 16th from Newark to LA and the return from Orlando to Newark and 1 night stay at an airport hotel it would be an additional 2262.61.

PLEASE tell me I will be a able to do better booking something on my own???????????

I know there are no airfare rates for that far in advance now, and the CM said I can book anytime as along as they still have availability.


Any suggestions??????

No suggestions here sorry, something I am not even going to think about for now.

The good news is that I have confirmed with our willing volunteers for the Secret Mickey (links on website) that they will continue to do this (but NOT until after some Med trips, etc. are out of the way).

I would suggest that (if there is a volunteer) we have everyone e-mail a specific person if interested in Fish Mail. A few months/weeks out we can decide if we want to e-mail room #s or post somewhere or how the logistics will work and give everyone interested an opt out at that point.

No sense posting one room number (the same # most people have, how's it spelled GTO, no... ummm GTY that's it) for the next six or ten months.

Thoughts, suggestions, volunteers?

Sounds like a plan to me.

Tom, I'll coordinate the fish extender list . . . although it is far too early to do anything now as you suggested -- maybe around April or May of next year we can start, although many may not have room numbers until quite close to time.

Looks like you already beat me to it.

 

[micmse2003]

The good news is that I have confirmed with our willing volunteers for the Secret Mickey (links on website) that they will continue to do this (but NOT until after some Med trips, etc. are out of the way).

I would suggest that (if there is a volunteer) we have everyone e-mail a specific person if interested in Fish Mail. A few months/weeks out we can decide if we want to e-mail room #s or post somewhere or how the logistics will work and give everyone interested an opt out at that point.

No sense posting one room number (the same # most people have, how's it spelled GTO, no... ummm GTY that's it) for the next six or ten months.

Thoughts, suggestions, volunteers?

Tom looks like you have a volunteer already but if Julie wants or you need or whatever.........just let me know. We did Room numbers on a spread sheet with board names and #room numbers. Anyone that wanted to give out little presents to the fish extenders would just e-mail for the list. I guess it all depends on what people want to share what info. We have lots of time!!!

Tom, I'll coordinate the fish extender list . . . although it is far too early to do anything now as you suggested -- maybe around April or May of next year we can start, although many may not have room numbers until quite close to time.

Like I told Tom, if you need help or anything just let me know.

What an awesome site... I usually check TravelZoo for sales, but I'm so adding Sidestep to my list of must check sites.

I have never heard of TravelZoo so I will add that to my list!!! Thanks!!