A Weak Week in Panama City at the Tail End of Our Trip

We had some concerns about how to spend an additional week in Panama City. We really nailed it at the beginning of the trip. Panama City is not brimming with things to do in the way of culture. When I read in some travel site that there are so many things to do, you could cover a year doing one a day. Really, in what universe are they living in?

We had walked the miles long Malecón walkway with the bay on one side and Avenida Balboa on the other. We had not done the miles long causeway. Attempting to visit the Museum of Biodiversity situated on the causeway was a bust, it was closed for renovation. Of course we didn’t know this ahead of time, so we had walked miles already by the time we reached it. There was no shade during this part of the walk, so we were overheated and dehydrated.

A quarter of a mile later, we reached part of the causeway that runs along with water on either side. It is a giant boulevard with sidewalks on either side. Our timing was perfect as we were walking the causeway; we noticed some kayaks floating by. Then we realized there were hundreds of them following. We thought it may have been a race, so we were concerned when one tipped over. They had to right themselves and were bailing like machines. Fearful for their safety, later we found out that this was a practice session for a great race that was to take place after we were gone from the city. The tipped boat was purposeful as they need to show they can right the boat if they should tip over during the real race.

Farther down the causeway one can find an assortment of restaurants and cafés, which are way overpriced. We paid $5.50 for one regular coffee and a small cafe late that was more like cafe au lait. There are quad bikes and duo bikes for rent, but we just continued walking to the end where there is a "Duty Free" store. It was mobbed when we walked in. There must have been a ship in port. Twenty minutes later, we were the only people around who were not employees.

We tried getting a bus back to the downtown, but after a 30 minute wait and no bus, we were about to follow the locals example and opt for a taxi. Just as we decided to hail one, the bus came. At 25 cents a person, it was much cheaper.

Much of our last days were spent in malls. It was too hot to wander for the most part, but there was not that much to do either. We did return to old town. Ron went to the fish market and had his ceviche fix. I stood far afield; I cannot stand the smell. Really what we craved most was air conditioning.

Another day, we went to the 265-hectare Metropolitan National Park located within Panama City’s Ancon district. It is the only protected area within city boundaries in all of Central America. There are four different trails that are rated easy and moderate. The claim is that “it is home to dozens of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and trees. With lookout points, four well-marked trails, a scenic road and a Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.” All I saw were trees and two huge fungi. At one point I did spot one hummingbird, but that was the extent of the sightings. I was hot and miserable by the end of the first hour, so I found a place to sit and let Ron wander on his own. Decades of smoking have taken their toll, so going up and down hills is not my thing, especially with sandals.

Leaving Panama we had our flight booked with United Airlines. When I printed out the boarding passes, I had double checked the seating. We had the seats I requested for both flights. We boarded the plane in Panama City. The layout of the plane is completely different than the layout on the United website. Though we had the seats requested it was a 3-3-3 configuration rather than 2-4-2. The flight from PTY (the airport code for Panama City) to EWR (Newark, NJ) was 5 hours and 14 minutes long. During this time, the ONLY thing that United provided was free soft drinks, coffee, or tea. If you wanted any food at all, you had to pay for it, starting at $7.50. Beer and alcohol started at $6.99 and went up from there. To add insult to injury, there were no monitors on the seat backs nor were there any that came down from the ceiling. There were no options for video or audio the entire flight.

Our connection flight was 8 hours and 10 minutes. We were fed a mediocre dinner, but the drink selection was as on the first flight. An hour before landing, we were provided with a simple ‘breakfast’. For someone who has flown for decades, it is difficult to wrap my head around the changes in the airlines.

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United Airlines Rips Off Flyers Through the Americas

What makes international travel international and other international less international? It seems United Airlines for one has created a class system. True airlines were once broke and needed revenue. Now they are bleeding the consumer dry and not thinking twice about what they are doing to make travel less fun than in the past. 

Our flight from Munich, Germany to Newark, New Jersey was 8 hours and 20 minutes, longer than I remembered from Europe. Shortly after take-off, the staff  informed us there would be a drink service. Yada, yada, was free. Beer, wine, and stronger alcohol was purchasable with cash or a credit card. Okay, fair enough! There were too many alcoholics flying and being disruptive. Now they would have to pay the price. Later we were served a meal. Nothing fabulous, but then again when is airline food going to be written about in Martha Stewart Living? Before landing, we were given a snack. Again, nothing gourmet, but it filled a need.

Diverting off topic here: 
The staff was not at all what one has in mind when thinking of airline attendants if you have been flying for as many decades as I have. Of the seven flight attendants I witnessed, all seven had to be over 50 years old if they were a day. Of the seven, six of them were women. Six of the seven could easily without any hyperbole coming into play, be considered obese. If obesity is defined as >30 lbs over optimal body weight, they were obese. With the push to get as much out of a plane as possible, the aisles are just wide enough for the carts to get through. Some of these attendants had to transverse the aisles sideways, due to their girth. This was more than a little shocking when I consider those I have known personally who have applied for flight attendant positions and know the standards set for being hired. 

Once in Newark, we had a 4-hour layover. As it turned out with Passport Control, Customs, and security once again, we utilized the time well. One would think that being a transit passenger, you could skip much of this, but not a chance. 
Passing by an Irish pub, Ron’s eye caught a football game on the TV. This was US American football, not European type football. He used this as an excuse to have a pint. Once I spotted the menu outside the door offering Reuben sandwiches, I quickly agreed. It has been over 12 years since I have had a Reuben. So much for trusting an Irish pub in an airport. There was not a shred of sauerkraut. Ron brought it back, but it turned out they were not made there, but brought in. They couldn’t do a thing about it. 

Our gate changed 4 times for our flight from Newark to Panama City. The plane was an hour late getting in. We were over an hour late getting out. This is when it occurred. The flight crew announced there would be drink service with the same yada, yada, as before with alcohol having a price tag. But this was the kicker. They then announced the meal service and listed off the prices for each entrée. There were no free meals at all. Then the TV monitor on the seat back facing us had TV shows and movies on offer. For flights more than 2 hours, it would only cost you $7.99 for unlimited services. Without providing a card, all you were entitled to was a ten-minute teaser which then became glossed over with the advertisement luring you to swipe your card or lose out entirely. No video for you! I chose to sleep instead. It was a bumpy flight, but still a boring one.

Here is a tidbit for future reference. When you go through Immigration in Panama, they give you a card allowing you to receive FREE medical care for 30 days at no cost. They are trying to promote tourism; this is their way to entice potential visitors. Had I known, I would not have bought health insurance for this part of the trip.

Monica from our accommodation was waiting for us. The drive, around midnight, was long. The place is an oversized apartment co-owned by a US American and his Panamanian wife. More about this later.  

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United and Continental Airlines

If you have not paid much attention to what you may think is junk mail, be on the alert for any e-mails from Continental Airlines if you have a frequent flier account with them. Continental and United Airlines have merged, but come 2012, the Continental One Pass program, will become a no pass zone. They are doing away with the program. Unlike so many other programs, the One Pass did not wipe out the miles that I had earned years ago when I have not added to them. They were still intact. So what do you do with them?


If you have a United Mileage Plus card, you can and should merge them now. They say you can merge them in either direction, but then in other informational pieces, it states the One Pass will be abolished, so what is the point to transfer them to Continental unless you plan on using them immediately. If not, you are better off letting them sit in the United account. 


Supposedly, this can all be done online, but I hit a brick wall when trying today. The link if you want to try is here. My United account has Dr. Ryan James and the Continental has Mr. Ryan James. Because of that discrepancy, the computer kept kicking it back due to a mismatch. I attempted to edit the information on each account to make them equal, but they would not let me edit my name without sending a marriage certificate or divorce paper. The good news is that I found I can use Skype for call 800 numbers in the US. I had never been able to do that before. 


There were only 11,621 miles in the Continental account, but hey, that may mean the difference between a ticket or not in the future. Now they are merged, it is done and I don't have to worry about forgetting it come December. If you need to do it too, don't put it off.

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Continential Unites the Friendly Skies

"Work Hard and Fly Right" has now wed "Fly United". Yes, the merger is completed. Continental and United Airlines are now one company under United Continental Holdings, Inc.

According to Tourism Review.com "Delta’s brief spell on top shot in the American airline league has come to an end as the combined forces of the merging companies have an expected number of departures at 5.800, whereas Delta is slightly lagging behind with 5.715. The effect of the combination of both companies is expected to bring an extra $1.2 billion in revenue per annum. The $3.2 billion merger should begin to pay for itself in a very short time indeed."

So much for commercials like these. They will need a total makeover, including new jingles. Perhaps the dragon in this commercial is Delta Airlines. 

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United Doesn't TAP to the Star Alliance

Ron had to go from Newark to Lisbon to Frankfurt to Budapest and arrived home at 8:30 PM last night. When he went to check in at Newark, it seems that United had him booked on a TAP flight that was discontinued in May. However, he did not find this out at the check-in desk until they had checked his luggage and sent it off on the belt. They had re-booked him on a flight that now had him over nighting in Lisbon, but no one had forewarned him about this. Needless to say, no one offered to pay or supply a hotel voucher either. This scheduled plane was six hours later than his originally planned flight.

When he told TAP he was never informed of these changes and due to EU rules, he knew he was entitled to be put on a different flight if there were an earlier one out of Lisbon, they said he would have to deal with United. Because this was a frequent flyer ticket, TAP was not able to make the changes. He had the good sense to ask if they were all part of the Star Alliance, why they could not do it themselves, but the TAP rep tap danced around the question, saying they could not.

He went to the United desk in a different terminal, spoke with a rep there, who said she would make the changes, but that TAP should have done this themselves since they are part of the Star Alliance, confirming Ron's thoughts. She then suggested he go back to TAP to retrieve his luggage and recheck it with United.

After returning the the original terminal where TAP is located, he asked for his luggage to be searched for, but the young man who had originally took it gave him the run-around about getting it back. After Ron pressed the issue, the young man supposedly went looking for it, but came back empty handed. Ron claims he was a bit surly about the request, so chances are the man disappeared just to say he did it when he return, but really having done nothing at all.

Ron arrived in Lisbon, had a wait and then had to fly to Frankfurt, before continuing on to Budapest.

The irony of the whole situation is that I had convinced him to bring me home some Italian sausage. I had him deep freeze it, wrap the package in aluminum foil and then in plastic bags, thinking that in the cargo hold, it would make it back partially frozen or ready to cook immediately. Also in the luggage were bagels.

In his carry-on suitcase is a new Windows Home Server, which I paid $700 for, but all of the peripherals, the cords, software, etc are in the big suitcase, along with the ten books on how to teach online and how to be a life coach. Is this a message from the universe?

Needless to say, Ron's luggage did not arrive home with him. There was another flight in last night at midnight, but the luggage was not on it. The next flight is today at 2:00.

I will be in mourning as I throw the sausage into the trash.

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Ron Arrives in Denver

Sounds like the name of a book for children, Ron Arrives in Denver, or a really unimaginative name for a bad porno flick. Either way, he is there and e-mailed me. I had tried calling, but the machine picked up. I had thought that would be the case, his not wanting to answer their phone. He arrived safely; I can rest easily. Perhaps now the crazies in my head will stop plaguing me for a day or two now. Here is part of his note.

Hi... I'm here... barely, as far as I feel this AM. Had a good sleep, but the quiet house, w/ R and M at work, is calling me back for a napbefore heading out for a walk.

All went very well until Toronto. LOT was fine- enough space I could move to better exit seat. Good service, OK food too. Into Toronto with 2 hours to transfer to United. Found the one and only International carousel within minutes. All incoming thru to US are to send bags there, then I'd take to United bag check. After waiting 30 min, I checked with Air Canada (only desk thereabouts). She was nice, said "You have time, just wait a bit more". Meanwhile others were coming in and getting theirs within minutes. At 1 hour, I and young guy also on LOT persisted. Finally, an agent went away, probably to LOT on the other side and found them. United got the board pass quickly and there was time to spare. So, on board shuttle plane, c. 30 seater. Pushed back, ready to fly, when they announced 'computer problems', and went back to gate. Lots of announcements to keep us docile, watered us once when cooler was down, mechanic who checked was new so wouldn't clear security paper and had to call in another guy. 90 minutes late, we took off. Fortunately Mark was checking on line and came just before landing. So I arrived in Denver at 6 AM our time, 24 hours after waking up there. A few longish cat naps, but I think I'm lagged a bit. They're all out, so I'll rest, take a walk later, then get my head working. We were able to speak later this evening. He sounded like it would be a multi-nap day, but all is well.

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Say Addis Ababa Three Times Fast

After getting off of the phone with United Airlines in the UK, just now, I peacefully and without any hair pulling booked tickets. We are using my United frequent flier miles for our winter vacation. We will travel from Frankfurt to Addis Ababa from December 14th to January 14th. The cost was only 120,000 miles via their partner Lufthansa Airlines. When so many complain about being able to use their miles, I think the secret may be to call an out of the way call center. Each time I have redeemed miles on United or Delta, by calling the UK office, the closest English speaking office, I have hit gold the first go. Oh, if you are wondering where Addis Ababa is, it is in Ethiopia.

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Budapest Summer Flying

Ferihegy international airport announced new flights for the summer schedule starting this Sunday. I am only hightlighting the budget airlines here, not the mainstream ones. EuroAir, Iberworld and Scandinavian Airlines are expected to launch new flights, but the key word here is 'expected'. Norwegian Air is expanding its range now including flights from Budapest to Copenhagen and Stockholm as new destinations. WizzAir's will now grace Budapest with flights to Madrid and Naples, while at the same time increasing its flights between Budapest and London's Luton. At one point, there were 34 budget airlines flying in and out of Budapest. Some of the budgets went down in history as financial calamities, while others just pulled Budapest from their schedule. The problem here is that although many want to come from points A, B, or C, the planes going back to points A, B, and C are flying half empty. This is not an efficient way to run an airline. In the olden days, SkyEurope announced a summer schedule and then canceled flights. Now, they only fly from here to Trieste, Italy. Recommended, but how often does anyone want to go to Trieste when there is a big world out there? I tried all of the 'recommended' budget airline search engines: Skyscanner, Air Ninja, Air Traffic.EU, and others for a reasonable flight from here to Lithuania. All searches pointed to flyLAL Airlines, but once I arrived on their site, I was greeted with "We regret to inform you that flyLAL – Lithuanian Airlines ceased its operations from 17th of January, 2009." Now I am working on dumping all of my United Airlines miles. All of the frequent flyer newsletters say the miles are at risk due to the airlines financial status. Being all of the airlines are in the same shape, no one may jump in and rescue the United miles like airlines have done in the past. Africa, here we come, I hope.

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Fly International, But Pack Your Own Lunch

This was posted on the Budget Travel Newsletter that appeared in my mailbox today. Can it get any more ridiculous? Christopher Elliot, the travel ombudsman jokes that they will start charging for using the toilets, making them coin-operated. As Freud said "Many truths are said in jest." I hope the airlines do not read Christopher's blog. United will cut free meals on many overseas flights

Posted by: Sean O'Neill, Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008, 9:48 AM

Starting Oct. 1, United Airlines will stop serving free meals to coach-class passengers on transatlantic flights between Washington D.C. (Dulles airport) and destinations in Europe. It's the first U.S. Airline to stop distributing free meals on transatlantic flights. The airline will offer salads and sandwiches for $9, says The Washington Post.

Meals in first and business classes will remain free for transatlantic flights. But for most domestic flights, business class will no longer get free meals. And the price of meals for flights within the U.S. Will also rise. (See United's pricing chart for details.)

No word yet on whether flight attendants will be able to handle all the cash payments. The game of "does anyone have small bills?" will get very old on a long transatlantic flight. I hope they'll give hand-held, credit-card reading machines to them, like US Airways is giving some of its flight attendants on domestic flights. (Virgin Atlantic has credit-card swipe readers on each seatback.)

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The Fight Is On Again

Why is it necessary to fight for your rights all of the time with major corporations? The David and Goliath story over and over again gets draining. We flew to Istanbul in March purchasing our tickets on Lufthansa and giving them our frequent flier numbers for United Airlines, both being part of the Star Alliance. We flew from Budapest to Munich and from there on to Istanbul. The latter leg was a code share with Turkish Airlines, but with a Lufthansa code and flight. Our return was the same in reverse. When I checked our miles on United.com, they had given each of us 500 miles for the first leg of the journey, but nothing for the Munich to Istanbul portion. I checked the list of United's partners and sure enough Turkish Airlines was listed as a full fledged partner. Checking on the Star Alliance web site, I found that Turkish Airlines is listed there also as full fledged partner also. Thinking that both Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines both being partners, we should have received miles regardless of whose plane we flew on. I submitted the form for missing credits. A day later, I received an e-mail from United stating that our flight did not qualify for miles. No explanation was given, no apology for our misunderstanding, but best of all, no "Thank you for contacting us. We value you as a customer." I would rather nothing at all than a phony apology. I was 20,000 miles short of getting both of us tickets to Australia, but have enough for another trip to Africa assuming they don't go out of business or raise their mileage rates before December of 2009. I want those miles! I try to book flights that will garner us miles. I wrote to Christopher Elliot, the travel ombudsman about this. He suggested I write to the higher ups and gave me the addresses for various airlines. I have yet to write, but will as soon as school is out this next week. Issue two is Bank of America yet again. I keep saying I hate this bank, but the more I hear about other banks, the problems with others are similar. I was looking at our statement online. They charged us $6.50 service fees last month. We have not been charged service fees for over a year. I wrote to Customer Service an oxymoron if there ever was one. Although polite, I said there must have been a mistake and would like it rectified. They responded within 12 hours stating it was due to our "linked" accounts falling below the minimum balances for the month, but I should be happy to know that since we have direct deposits, we did save $2.00. Well I had to admit that our checking account did run with about $500. as a balance, but our regular savings account has over $5,000. in it, but if that is still not enough, we have a CD account with a hell of a lot of money in it that is well over their minimum standards. I wrote back explaining all of this, but in return received yet another emotionally inflaming e-mail stating this could not be handled over e-mail and I would have to call customer service. That would mean waiting 6 hours later than normal for their office to be open due to the time differences, then pray I reached one of their numbers that accepted collect calls, and finally found someone with enough brains to overcome their scripted training to tell me there is nothing they can do. All of their e-mails end in "We value you as a customer and appreciate your business." Well they have a hell of a way of showing it. I know, I just know that when I call, they will tell me that the CD account was never "linked" to the other accounts and therefore we incurred the charge. "Linked" is a magical way for banks to carve more fees from their customers' hard earned money. Hey, I did not send you my house keys because I could not pay my mortgage, so don't try to make up the losses by screwing with me. I know full well this "linked" trick and I made sure I had all of our accounts linked when we opened this new account. Thanks to a comment posted to this blog on a previous rant about Bank of America, I have the address for the president. Excuse me now, I have a long list of letters to write.

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