Everything Michigan....

[*Fantasia*]

Hello everyone! It is going to be a gorgeous day tomorrow! Sunny and 80!
Unbelievable! And we're only in April!

I wish Granderson was still with the Tigers. That's part of the reason why I like going to the games is to watch him play. I'll still go, but may just not be the same. Gooooo Tigers!!

 

[Kanga+2Roos]

Hi Everyone--I'm a Michigander too!

Another one loyal to Flint Bishop here--can't beat Airtran when it comes to Florida trips! The airport is very nice & the parking is very reasonable too.

We just did a getaway to Auburn Hills & fell in love with Rochester Hills when the hotel recommended a restaurant there. The schools look nice & as an added benefit, they have a Whole Foods AND Trader Joes!

Wherever you end up you should get a sweet deal on a house right now--take advantage of the ones fleeing the state! Hopefully Michigan will get back on track soon!

Yay--80's in the forecast tomorrow! Summer is coming, slow but sure!

 

[Raine88]

Hello, fellow Michiganders! I was born and raised in Wayne, moved to New Baltimore at 14. Right now I live in Tucson, AZ (hubby is military) but MI is still home and we visit as often as we can. Just thought i'd stop in and say hi!

 

[Kanga+2Roos]

Yes, I agree--I couldn't believe it when we lost Granderson! Everytime we get a good player they get snatched up right away!

Love your picture Fantasia--we're due for a trip to Mackinac Island this summer again, so pretty there!

 

[Colleen27]

I am from the Port Huron, Marysville, St. Clair area and I love Flint Bishop airport. It is always my first chioce for air travel; sometimes it works, sometimes not.

Hi there neighbor. Not too often I "meet" people from my neck of the woods online. I'm in southern St Clair county. I'm hoping Airtran's times will work for us on our next trip because I hate Metro more and more every time we go!

 

[WDWMom]

I've heard that Flint Bishop is somewhat better. Airtran is the only one flying non-stop from there to Orlando and their flight times haven't worked out for us so we haven't tried it yet, but that's another perk of being on the northern edge of the Detroit area - Bishop isn't much further than Metro (for us its actually a bit shorter drive), and it is a smaller airport with cheaper parking and from what I've heard, quicker security and less headaches.

We live on the west side of the state so we usually fly out of where ever has the cheapest flights. Have done Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids, along with South Bend, IN. DH had Delta miles this trip so Metro was our only choice. GR has a nonstop to Orlando but it is $$$$$$ thru Delta. I would definitely go to Lansing or Flint again as both are a shorter drive then Metro for us.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I grew up in Trenton, and I just want to say that I took my first driver's ed class driving across the Grosse Ile bridge. In the winter. We used to hang out party at "Whitman's Property", which belonged to the Whitman's and probably doesn't anymore.

Is that big glass house still there that overlooks the river?

Ah yes...my DH still has issues driving over the bridges. Try it in a pickup truck while pulling a loaded horse trailer.

I'm not familiar with the Whitmans...and as for big glass houses overlooking the river...take your pick. West or East River? North or South end?

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Ah yes...my DH still has issues driving over the bridges. Try it in a pickup truck while pulling a loaded horse trailer.

I'm not familiar with the Whitmans...and as for big glass houses overlooking the river...take your pick. West or East River? North or South end?

You can see it from the bridge. When you are driving TO GI, it is on the left. This was 30+ years ago.

 

[3Leafs]

I think Ernie has to be Detroits biggest legend... RIP Ernie you sure will be missed!

 

[Tess]

I think Ernie has to be Detroits biggest legend... RIP Ernie you sure will be missed!

Sad for MI and baseball.

 

[stacy347]

I think Ernie has to be Detroits biggest legend... RIP Ernie you sure will be missed!

A very painful loss here in MI. RIP Ernie.

 

[lovebuzzandwoody]

Since I don't live in MI anymore I hadn't heard that he was sick. Guess he was diagnosed last Fall? I was really sad to see the news on my homepage this morning. Ernie Harwell was the epitome of summertime in Michigan, synonymous with baseball as much as the crack of a bat. What a huge loss.

 

[firsttimer2007]

My DH grew up in MI. We are taking a trip to the UP this summer and my DH was looking for a fun way to let everyone at work know he was going on vacation. I suggested the sign that reads

End of Earth 2
Houghton 4
I have searched high and low on the internet and can not find a picture of that sign.

If you have one can you please, please send it to me.

Thanks!!

 

[maxiesmom]

We live on the west side of the state so we usually fly out of where ever has the cheapest flights. Have done Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids, along with South Bend, IN. DH had Delta miles this trip so Metro was our only choice. GR has a nonstop to Orlando but it is $$$$$$ thru Delta. I would definitely go to Lansing or Flint again as both are a shorter drive then Metro for us.

Allegiant Air has some dirt cheap fares out of GR right now, for over the next couple of months. I would be all over them, if I could just talk someone into going to Orlando right now. I mean $39.99 each way, and even $19.99 some days! That is so tempting!

 

[Tess]

Allegiant Air has some dirt cheap fares out of GR right now, for over the next couple of months. I would be all over them, if I could just talk someone into going to Orlando right now. I mean $39.99 each way, and even $19.99 some days! That is so tempting!

Have you flown Allegiant Air before? We were planning to drive, but the rates look interesting. We are not familiar with the airline and were wondering about the service, etc. Any insight?

 

[sharbear]

Here is a link to the end of earth sign http://www.funnyjunk.com/showcomment/60617/ and another one http://freakyhumor.blogspot.com/2009/04/houghton-end-of-earth.html

Have a great time up in the up. My S goes to Michigan Tech and it does feel like you are going to the end of the earth.

 

[maxiesmom]

Have you flown Allegiant Air before? We were planning to drive, but the rates look interesting. We are not familiar with the airline and were wondering about the service, etc. Any insight?

I haven't myself, but I know many people that have and were quite happy with their service.

But you do need to know that those cheap rates are before you add in things like seat assignments and baggage charges. If you go all the way thru to where they allow you to pick seats, Allegiant will have assigned you the most expensive ones possible, plus priority boarding. You can get rid of either or both of those things if you like. It costs a little less to choose seats towards the back of the plane, if you need to choose them at all.

Still, with all of that, I could fly 4 people to Orlando for around $500. Which is dirt cheap coming out of Grand Rapids. I love having both Allegiant andAir Tran here, they are making flying out of GR cost a lot less!

 

[Tess]

I haven't myself, but I know many people that have and were quite happy with their service.

But you do need to know that those cheap rates are before you add in things like seat assignments and baggage charges. If you go all the way thru to where they allow you to pick seats, Allegiant will have assigned you the most expensive ones possible, plus priority boarding. You can get rid of either or both of those things if you like. It costs a little less to choose seats towards the back of the plane, if you need to choose them at all.

Still, with all of that, I could fly 4 people to Orlando for around $500. Which is dirt cheap coming out of Grand Rapids. I love having both Allegiant andAir Tran here, they are making flying out of GR cost a lot less!

I saw all of the "fees" and was able to remove the "overhead bin" charge which permitted a priority boarding and select bin storage. I could not, however, figure out how to remove the seat selection charge of $19.99. I have to admit, the seats were great--front of the plane. LOL

The checked bag fees seem in line with other airlines, but I've been reading some reviews of Allegiant in general. The reviews are less than favorable overall. Of course, the experiences would vary from airport to airport. I did catch in one of the reviews that Allegiant requires you to be checked in two full hours before boarding OR you will not be checked-in. That would be a drag--hanging at MCO for longer than necessary and requiring us to leave much earlier in the afternoon to arrive in time to get to the gate 2 hours early.

The gist of the reviews seem to indicate Allegiant is all about tacking on as many additional fees as it is able to do and refuses to back down. I really cringed at closing the check-in gate 43 minutes before boarding and then charging full fare for another, later flight + baggage fees. It makes me a little nervous to book with this carrier.

Thanks again for the information--we'll think it over carefully.

 

[Disnut49117]

Have you flown Allegiant Air before? We were planning to drive, but the rates look interesting. We are not familiar with the airline and were wondering about the service, etc. Any insight?

I have flown Allegiant many times out of South Bend and have been very happy. I fly with no seat assignment and just one carry on bag. Their rates go up and down daily, I normally find the best prices listed are on Sunday.

 

[Tess]

I have flown Allegiant many times out of South Bend and have been very happy. I fly with no seat assignment and just one carry on bag. Their rates go up and down daily, I normally find the best prices listed are on Sunday.

Thanks, off to check now!