The longest undefended frontier

I drove up to Canada for a couple of days this past week. The regulations at the border require that you show identification (though that really didn't seem to bother the 9/11 Gang of Nineteen). I've now taken to carrying my passport and using that for the border crossing and have found it to be a a real time-saver. Take my advice - get and use your passport for trips to Canada.

Heading northbound, the primary concern seemed to be transfering American largess to the people of Canada. "Are you bringing with you any gifts for Canadians?" seemed to be the big concern of the border agent. Can't have something come across without Revenue Canada getting its cut. So much for the image of completely free NAFTA trade. It might apply to GM and other companies, but for individuals, there's still a mindset of tariffs and restrictions, at least on the Canadian side.

At least I'm not getting the questions about bringing weapons north - especially pepper spray. I remember when I got the third degree because the officer couldn't believe that I wasn't trying to smuggle in a pepper spray "weapon".

Then again, the agents might be just responding to the Canadian government's decision not to arm their border agents, even though the agents have made that request. I don't know if the Conservative party has anything about that in their platform - perhaps it will change when the Liberals get kicked out of power in another week.

Coming back, it was even simpler. The agent scanned the passport, asked where I lived, asked what I had been doing in Canada and waved me through the border. No inquiry at all about any purchases or the like. I guess he had been checking out the prices in Vancouver and knew that no American would be buying stuff there if they could help it. Not to mention that there's the federal GST of 7% and a provincial tax of 7% as well.

The business I want is to own a gas station in Blaine, Washington. The difference in gas prices makes it so attractive to tank up there, rather than a couple of miles north. Approximately $2.95 per gallon in Canada vs $2.35 in Blaine. One has to wonder how much "smuggling" of gasoline, in car and truck gas tanks, occurs every day. I know that I'd be visiting "friends" in Blaine often if I lived on the south side of Vancouver. Especially in my SUV.

On getting stuck at airports

The author of one of my favorite legal blogs, Patterico's Pontifications, is stuck in Atlanta. He originally purchased tickets to fly with his family from DFW to LAX on a non-stop AirTran flight. Well, the non-stop was changed to a connection in Atlanta, and then the fun began. The flight out of DFW was delayed due to a mechanical, causing a misconnect in ATL. AirTran says that they can't get him out to LAX for THREE DAYS. And they won't pay for any meals or lodging.

Now, in the good ol' days (20+ years ago), there would have been FAA regulations covering this situation. Not anymore. Some airlines have incorporated certain "rights" of the passenger into their Contract of Carriage, including the right to have the ticket endorsed over to another airline. However, Patterico is flying AirTran, which has no such provisions in its CoC.

My suggestion, and it's a weighty one - go online to the airline's website and download/read the CoC for the airline you plan to fly on. If their terms don't fit your needs, DON'T FLY THEM. It is very much a "caveat emptor" world nowdays. Yes, a LCC (low cost carrier) may have the cheapest price for a ticket, but there are a lot of potential "gotchas" in the deal. When you buy a ticket, you are agreeing to the airline's CoC, not what you think they might owe you. In general, the Big 6 airlines (AA, UA, DL, NW, CO, US) have decent passenger service rights in their CoC. I can't speak to Alaska, but I would assume they do as well. The LCC's may be another world entirely - it sure seems that AirTran is, now that I have read their CoC.

You have only yourself to protect you. Be informed. Or drop me a line and I'll try to point you to some answers.

Thank you RedTails

I'm off to see my elderly mother on Wednesday night. This morning, I checked the Northwest Airlines website and there I was - moved to seat 2B for the return next Sunday. Thank you.

I have to confess that I'm an addict. I've got the Elite Frequent Flyer monkey on my back. I'm glad that I never got hooked by booze, cigarettes or drugs - this FF thing is enough. And unlike other addictions, this one can be contagious. I've already hooked my wife and a couple of friends.

Because I flew over 75,000 miles with NW in 2005, I get to have "platinum" status until March of 2007. I'm first in line for unlimited domestic upgrades to first class and I get a 125% bonus on my FF miles. Now, first class on NW isn't anywhere near the good ol' days when you had linen, crystal, and multi-course meals. But I get a bigger seat, more legroom, priority boarding, and I'm near the front of the plane to get off quickly at my destination. There's always have room for my carry-on and the drinks are on the house. All in all, I'm pretty spoiled. I've been elite status on either NW or Delta since the early 90's, and it's unlikely that I'll give it up without a fight.

The addiction starts early. You fly 25K miles and you're a "silver". This gives you some benefits, and as you start to enjoy them, you want more. Silvers are below golds in the upgrade priority, who are behind platinums. So after a few successes as a silver, you want the better life as a gold. And then you want platinum. And then you want to keep platinum. And you'll go through hoops to do so. But that's a subject for another post.

Don't be envious....put your butts in a seat for the 75K miles and you too can get hooked.

From the halls of Montezuma

I mentioned that I visited Libya in 2005. That was on a cruise, with stops in Dernah and Tripoli. For a different view of that North African garden spot, be sure to read this article by Michael Totten.

I saw lots of banners and photos of the "Brother Leader", and his description of the seashore in Tripoli was dead on. Still, the ruins were amazing, and I got to appreciate them without the crowds you find in Italy or Greece. Part of me wished that we had time to explore Tripoli on our own, but I'm not so sure now that I've read his account.

In any case, it's a great read. Time for me to put Totten's blog on my RSS reader.

Happy 2006

Another year gone by and I never touched this blog. My loss. I had many wonderful experiences around this world in 2005. My first trip to South America and I fell in love with Buenos Aires. I got to sail through Antarctica in fantastic weather - something few will ever do. I got to explore Roman ruins in Libya, see the treasures of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, drink whiskey in small pubs in coastal Scotland, and visit the Channel Islands. Lots more too, and I should have been logging it all here.

Anyhow, for 2006, it will be less travelling around the world, but a better appreciation for where I do go. And I hope you enjoy the ride.