RussJohnson

[uSER=12155]@Dominiking[/uSER] It's never happened to me so I have no idea what I would do. I imagine most people wouldn't be bold enough to just say they aren't going to pay to your face. They are more likely to use tricks to get out of it (bad checks, stacks filled with ones, empty envelope, etc.), or run off (smoke break, going to the ATM, going to the bathroom, etc.) At that point there is not really much you can do and people like that generally aren't worth dealing with any longer than you have to, I would just leave. Violence or revenge will probably just come back to hurt you too in the end.

@azdr0710 You'll have a great time I'm sure.

Air travel in SE Asia is easy and cheap and very frequent. I would consider air service in Asia to be heads above our domestic service. The airports and airlines are some of my favorite in the world and put the US ones to shame. Air Asia (a Malaysian company) offers exceptionally cheap fares between most cities, but even the more expensive airlines are relatively cheap when traveling in Asia. When flying into Bangkok double check which Airport you are arriving and departing from (there are 2).

Buses can be hit or miss depending on country. I would go for the nicest option offered (normally called VIP) as you don't really want to end up on the locals bus, but even then it can be quite the adventure, bring something warm to wear on the bus and snacks.

I've not taken a long train journey but have been told they are some of the most beautiful in the world. Still flying is going to be the easiest and most convenient in most cases, and not that much more expensive. Book in advance for the best fares.

Download Grab Car. It's basically Uber in Asia (although they have both Uber and Lyft) but the rates are cheaper for taxis.

Thailand is so easy for tourists, too easy if you ask me. It's definitely worth seeing the major tourists spots, there are really no "bad areas" in the center that I can think of. I have not stayed at any of the hotels mentioned as Airbnbs are very cheap and abundant in Bangkok, normally in nice residential areas. Make sure you are within walking distance of the Metro or BTS Skytrain though. Taxis in Bangkok vary greatly and aren't worth the hassle most of the time. You can take the train to and from BKK and go to the popular places in town on it without dealing with the oppressive Bangkok traffic. Don't bother taking a Tuk Tuk, if they are not a scammer trying to get you to their friends suit/gem/whatever shop they will gouge you on the fee. Visit Pat Pong if you're interested in the infamous Bangkok nightlife, I found it kind of tame actually, a little too commercial. But if you want to sample the wares there are a couple places I can suggest depending on your type. Eat the street food, it is great. Khao San Road was stupid to me, but worth visiting just to see all the drunken revelers. Tours and travel can easily be arranged to other parts of the country like Chiang Mai, Phuket, etc. but check to see what the weather will be like when you are traveling to the beaches. Local travel agent booths are reliable, be more weary of online services but if they have good reviews go for it.

Other Places - All depends on your interest I wouldn't say any country is "not worth it. Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Malaysia, Borneo, Vietnam, Philippines, all have tons to offer. Myanmar, is also a good place to go if you want to get off the beaten trail and see something a little different.

Is it possible to pick up some reward points/airmiles before your trip? Some of the Airline CC or Chase cards offer really good rewards bonuses that could cover a significant part of the over the water flights. The airline cards also tend to come with travel perks like lounge access, or priority checkin

Sounds like they're taking a hint from the Starwood group. Starwood hotels generally offer 500 SPG points to those who decline housekeeping (not on the day of departure, obviously). Again, 500 SPG points are worth more than 1000 Marriott points. My other hotel groups (Hilton and InterContinental Hotel Group) never offer this. In fact, IHG especially always seems to go out of its way to go the extra mile. During my recent 5-day stay at the Sydney InterContinental, they replenished instantly (twice-a-day housekeeping service) any soap, toothbrush, razor, shaving cream, sewing kit, etc., that I used. I keep scratching my head as to why I stay at SPG brands. I have gold status with SPG, and they're supposed to give rooms in better locations, and allow for 3 PM check-out to those members. I was given a crappy room at my last Sheraton stay (January), and told that this was the best they could do because "we have a big group coming in." They invited me to try to switch on a later day, but each time I got "we have a big group coming in." My request for a 1:30 PM check-out was again denied because "we have a big group coming in" (not that check-in time is 3 PM). I feel as if my business is much more appreciated at Hilton-branded and IHG hotels.

You need that Platinum-for-life and Diamond to really get the perks

How can you tell?

Found on tumblr multiple hits...

That dick probably isn't his if it matters...

Cord cutting was so worth it for me. But may not work for you depending on your TV watching schedule and content you like. I'm not a huge TV watcher and don't mind getting it later so it works. I think the future is all channels being online subscription like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu (I'm convinced in 2-3 years Netflix will no longer license content and only produce originals) You will just pick and choose the channel or packages you want (see CBS ALL Access for an example) they will all be cheaper, but less efficient as they will all be separate subscriptions run through smart tv technology.

"My wife and the family, had a great weekend, what did you do?"

"My pups and I went to the beach with a guy I met on airplane ride from Miami"

:):)

I'd be curious to know in what business setting and corporate world (or any world for that matter) would talking about one's sexual orientation be "casual and open." I simply can't imagine why one would talk about one's life in a business setting "very openly and casually." Gay or Straight.

"Doesn't your wife get sick of you traveling all the time for meetings?"

"Husband actually, but no he doesn't mind"

"That's a great watch"

"It was a gift from my wife/husband for our anniversary last year"

I could go on but you get the idea...

It's a very strange what straight guys think "homosexuals" will do with their money but it explains a lot of homophobia. I knew a guy in a similar situation desperate for money and I think he said he would give a fully clothed back massage and then you could watch him. I nearly did laughing and advised him that he could make a lot more money by even just showing some skin but that was too much for him, like where's the line? so weird...

That's the headline figure, and apparently funded by the state government (which has just announced a projected $3b budget surplus this FY (Jul 15 to Jun 16)). The government will fund some of the cost with a levy of $1 per trip on all point-to-point transport providers, There will be fixed compensation of $20,000 per plate (max of 2 per owner) and case by case compensation above that for recent purchasers of plates (who would have paid heaps for them).

Yay for Uber! But really? I can think of a lot of good causes that surplus could go to, not lousy taxi lobbyists, and mob bosses. It's called competition...

So this one is tricky. Jadizon's real name links to an instagram profile, where he seems to visit Dallas occasionally including two weeks ago when the review on RM would have been. He lives in Miami so maybe he puts up an ad when traveling. He doesn't seem to be in Dallas now, and the dick shot are not his if you look at his porn shoots.

Just gonna leave this here.

 

http://www.snopes.com/north-carolina-town-rejects-solar-panels/

I actually read the linked articles from the local newspaper, I sort of understand their real concerns, but even the fact that one person believed that is worrying...

I refuse to read it...I wont...you cant make ME!

Is there a rating system that the owner of the system can use for those who rent the property? I know theres one for the owner of the property.

 

Hugs,

Greg

Yes the review system works both ways. Also people can be verified with IDs. I suppose if you had someone else with positive reviews and verification book it for you though there is no way to prevent that...well dont hand the keys to someone else...but that would be asking too much. Haha!

My post was for entertainment

 

 

"Negative" Mr. Johnson?

My last post was to inspire!

I would probably insist on being there during the shoot.

I meant more the media, not you at all! Where's the halo emoji...

NOVEMBER 23--The owner of a California mansion alleges that she was duped into renting out the property via Airbnb to a firm that produces hardcore gay porno films and left the 1920s property http://thesmokinggun.com/sites/default/files/assets/michaellucas15.jpgawash in enema kits, various "sexual devices," and assorted bodily fluids, according to a lawsuit.

 

Kristina Knapic, owner of the Acacia Mansion in Ojai, a city 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles, charges that she agreed to lease the property for five days in mid-August to a woman who claimed that she and a “group of friends” would stay at the $1095-a-night home “for a quick summer vacation.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/revolting/porn-mansion-airbnb-lawsuit-746389

People always tend to focus on the negative of new things (Airbnb, uber, etc.) as if the old things don't have negatives either. I'm an avid supporter of Airbnb. Airbnb is not the problem here...The lady who rented out her mansion and did not use all the tools at her disposal is. A little porn shoot in your Airbnb never hurt anyone.

Life can be a lot more enjoyable if you approach risk by realistically assessing and mitigating it, not straining to eliminate it at any cost. The gentleman in black with the formaldehyde pump will help us out with the latter only too soon.

I look them right in the eye and tell them I love them too, because I do.

Really?

Precisely.... But I agree with you 100%, from all accounts their service is far superior to any of the 3's 7's or 8's in Broward. And I have evolved on this issue over time. For one, I know several people who rely on Uber for transportation and would be broke trying to use cabs. Like I mentioned, Uber is less than half what these cabs cost, faster, cleaner, and more efficient, and additionally, it seems that the county and Uber have made peace for now. There was some give and take from both sides. Truth be told, I could see myself using them in the future.

 

From my house to the Boardwalk via cab is $21-22 not including tip...the same ride with Uber is $8. The times they are a changin.

I understand believe me, I used to be so against them but slowly changed to be an advocate (with few lingering reservations) I think after a little more time we will have real data on the working conditions I think some people got too excited to quit their jobs and join uber and are now finding out it's not all they expected). I've heard hearsay that lyft is a little better to drivers (I know they have a $1, $2, $5, other - tip option in the interface which I appreciate, what is $2 more on an $8 ride:)) They should let drivers set their own rate and riders can do a range they will accept having to adjust if nothing is available in that range or something...

Bigvalboy, Uber is ok from the Ft.Lauderdale Airport now. I live about 10 miles from Fll. It cost me $15.00 and never wait more than 5-10 minutes. I haven't used them from the airport, but will next trip. Taxi cost me $40.00. Most of my flights get in late in the evening and every time I have to argue with the driver to turn on the a/c. I'm done with the taxis.

I've used Uber in Bangkok a couple of times from out of the way streets. Cost is about equal to taxi, but when no taxis around, perfect solution.

I think fighting with a taxi driver in Broward is now a right of passage.

Like LA, in FTL Uber is not allowed to do airport pickups either, but RussJ is correct, I have friends who call them all the time, and Uber will pick them up curbside, usually within minutes of the call... Low key, no Uber sticker etc.

 

I have been dead against Uber from the start, and have never used them, but they are cooperating with county officials now, and are operating again, and I have to say, they are less than half the cost of a taxi.

 

AND... yes, I'm curious also, did you tip via the app, or did you tip the driver directly?

I went back and skimmed the thread, you are against them from an employee standpoint correct? Not the service in general?

While I love cheaper rides, That's not even what gets me to use it. They could be the same cost and I would choose it over the 3s, 7s, 8s in Broward, they are just the worst! It's all about the service.

I guess it many ways I feel for the drivers as we both work by request, differences is I set my own cost to offset my expenses, but you know we deal with wear and tear too

A comparison of taxi vs. uber for recent trip to/from airport:

 

To airport:

Opened up uber app.

Car arrived within in a few minutes and I could follow it's progress the whole time.

Driver was pleasant and friendly. He drove like a sane person.

Ride to airport was less than $8 (plus I tipped $5). This was a "pool" ride so I shared the car with two other people. But since I was last to be picked up we went straight to the airport.

 

From the airport:

Since uber can't pick up from LAX (I believe), I had to wait for a taxi.

So, I joined the sad queue of tired/cranky people. No way to know how soon another taxi would arrive and how long we'd have to wait.

Wait was bearable. Less than 15 min.

Driver was surly and a pain in the ass. Didn't bother to listen to my directions then complained about the way the GPS took him. He drove like a taxi driver (scary).

Far was $37 including tip.

 

uber wins this round. I hope they can't make pickups at the airport soon.

Not sure where you are but in some major cities I've been known to set my pick up pin outside the geofence but as close to the airport as possible. Then immediately call and tell them I am at the airport. Some will do it, some won't probably depends on the city and how strict they are with fines, plus if they have an obvious uber sticker or something (ask/remind them to move it if they agree). Get them to pick you up in departures. Give them a hug when they arrive in case of security.

Does uber offer tips on the app now? Or was that your guilt? haha

Works the same way at Marriott. But it is much quicker and easier to use points at SPG. There's a SPG property in Ft. Lauderdale that I use. I forget the SPG category, but it's the equivalent of a 3.5/4 star hotel. A free night there with points is about 7800. There a lesser quality Marriott property (probly 3 stars) in the same neighborhood. A free night there with points is 25000.

Will that nice Ft. Lauderdale hotel (btw which one is it?) still be in the same category you think? With so many more properties in the portfolio how will they decide where they go? is 7800 >,<,= 25000?

Points have a monetary value. Unilaterally lowering their worth, independently or in a merger, is illegal. (Fraud, theft, etc.) Sounds like a potentially lucrative class-action lawsuit material for a clever law firm.

The points work on a tier system in SPG (Category 1-7?) The real problem will be how that translates to Marriott properties, not necessarily value.

Not excited..I like Starwood. I don't know much about Marriott but I can tell you the SPG loyalists are going to get screwed no matter what. We need competition! I hope this falls through.

Don't go getting all dramatic on me.

 

Just a little misunderstanding between two consenting adults.

 

Hug it out.

I prefer to BJ it out...what was this thread about? Haha!

Yes.

 

~Boomer ~

How selfish, some of us don't get to marry young Robert Wagner at all!