it would have only cost you 80$, nice big bus, friendly people, and they even give you a free piece of candy (yes, useless for us, but it’s the thought that counts)

Used them all the time when I was down there. Excellent deal and service.

Hi Colin–

The Santa Barbara Air Bus was our first choice, but it makes its last run at 11:00 PM. We arrived at LAX at 11:35 then had to wait for bags.

Best–

MRE 

Reading your description of the one highlight of your return trip, the flight from KC to LA, I suspect you flew on Midwest Airlines, no “Midway” as you state in your post. As a long time flier of Midwest, the description certainly matches the hundreds of flights I have taken on this wonderful airline.

Cheers, and keep us posted on your next hole in one!

Dusty

Hi Dusty–

You are right.  It was Midwest Airlines, not Midway.  I’ll make the change in the post.

I came within 4 inches of a second hole-in-one  yesterday on a 167 yard par 3.  At least it was a nice tap-in birdie.

Cheers–

MRE 

In its own way, watching you deal with your day of airplane ticketing, car renting, and especially cell phone dying would probably have been at least as entertaining as watching you make a one the day before. And speaking of your ace, had I been there I hope I would have had the presence of mind to trot out one of your favorite lines, “nice shot you pri*#”.

Seriously, all kidding aside, that was a hell of a shot during a darn good round of golf –79. A hole in one from that distance is indeed scarcer than hen’s teeth and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked in the cup on a par 3 when the ball isn’t in view and I’ve never found one looking back up at me. That had to be really fun.

James

Hey James–

It was great fun.  I wish you could’ve been there, the “nice shot you pri*#” notwithstanding. 

Cheers–

Mike 

I hope you do, but they’re scarcer than hen’s teeth.  My golfing buddy in Santa Barbara has been playing for twenty years longer than I have, and he’s never gotten one.

Good luck.

MRE 

Air travel hell: The pi**-poor service one receives for almost every segment of travel, from dealing with people on the phone, clerks at check-in or for rental cars, treatment by air personnel, canceled flights, etc., is the main reason I have not flown anywhere for over 5 years. I’m very happy to have been able to make other arrangements for the travel I have done in that time.

All aspects of air travel “service” are atrocious and I wish something could be done about it. I realize not everyone can make the same choice I have, and I know I’ve missed a couple of opportunities to go places. (If I ever want to go to Europe I’ll have to get on a plane.) But for the most part, especially when I read about your & MD’s woes, I’m happy with my decision.

FWIW, it was a string of bad experiences with American Airlines that led me to decide not to fly anymore. I see AA has not changed much since 2002.
–Anne

Hi Anne– 

I wish I had your option not to fly.  Unfortunately, I don’t, so I suppose I will be subject to these travails for the foreseeable future.  

Best–

MRE 

Thanks.  It sure was fun, and I’m glad my kid got to be there.

Cheers–

MRE