I only fly Business Class, First doesn’t exist anymore. Except I guess on this airline. I would have enjoyed that level very much, but what I pay is more than enough now. I wonder, do they have to go to a very small, cramped restroom?
Bet the food was way better than what United called food.
As Mr. Sailer says, “There’s no end to the ways in which nice things are nicer than not-as-nice things”. Rather like owning a sports car, though. Lots of items on the checklist should have a tick mark before you consider purchasing this (unless the ticket is an employee benefit). For all the expense, though, they do have rather drab decor.
Inspired by the Squirrel Lady’s channel*, I’ve started to leave a mix of nuts in shell in my backyard towards the back where I sometimes see squirrels.
It’s been cold lately, but yesterday warmed up and I saw my first squirrel and noticed that two walnuts had been taken!
According to Chat, in the winter squirrels tend to live off the nuts they’ve stored and come out later when it’s warmer. Squirrels are extremely cautious. Until they have learned to trust a situation, they will take only the highest-value nuts for the risk of brief exposure.
Squirrels prefer walnuts for the size and smell plus the storeability. Later they may start taking the pecans, hazelnuts and almonds.
It’s a fun project. I don´t expect to reach the hand-feeding stage. I enjoy watching them.
Huxley–years ago, one of my elderly neighbor was giving a squirrel nuts in the shell outside her glass sliding door. When she was away on a trip, the squirrel saw the nuts in a bowl through another window and managed to gnaw through the wood, enter her home and help himself. Additional damage was done to some antique fixtures.
I’ve never opted to travel that way, because I’d rather spend the money at the destination. I can imagine a level of income at which I would, as flying steerage is not very pleasant, but it’s quite a bit higher than that I have now. The difference in cost between first class and economy is enough to pay for a few nights’ hotel room at the kinds of places I like to stay.
LOL..for years since retirement I’ve tried to convince my accountant (wife) that we should fly 1st class. We can afford it. After an absolutely miserable economy class trip from ATL to Honolulu and back, she started to relent. We switched from Southwest to Delta Skymiles card which built up our points quickly. Flying from JAX we usually end up with a few hours layover in ATL. She then discovered the benefits of the Skymiles Lounges. Now nothing but 1st class on any trip out of ATL. The 40min flight to/from JAX not really worth using the points, etc.
Nikita, if there’s a single regular airline you use, then get their credit card and use it exclusively, that will give you the points that greatly reduce the 1st class ticket. I guess we’re lucky in that we can get anywhere just by going to ATL and using Delta. Oldest daughter lives in ATL and does the same thing.
When she was away on a trip, the squirrel saw the nuts in a bowl through another window and managed to gnaw through the wood, enter her home and help himself.
Sharon W:
Naughty squirrel!
@physicsguy:Nikita, if there’s a single regular airline you use, then get their credit card and use it exclusively, that will give you the points that greatly reduce the 1st class ticket.
Thanks for the suggestion, and we have done that. But I have a family of four, and we’d prefer to use the points to travel more often. There will be a day, I assure you, when we are flying first class.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk4XB2wZqF4
==
Satisfactory reasons to own a Roomba are delineated here. The trouble is, if you buy a Roomba for this purpose, your best beloved will ignore it.
I am so old I can remember when flying was a pleasure; and every seat was probably equivalent to today’s First Class. That doesn’t count the flights in which I was in the very first left seat. The best one of all.
I cannot foresee flying ever again. Aside from the effects of cost cutting by the airlines and the hassle of security, I just do not want to be trapped in a crowded space, given the percentage of the population that is either thoughtless, deliberately rude, or confrontational.
Physicsguy, are you a Jax native? Landon High School (class of ’53) here. I have told my wife (class of ’54) that if she departs the earthly vale before me, I will return to Jax after an absence of 65 years. No one believes me. Friends who never left tell me I would not recognize the place, and probably would not like what I found. Topsy turvy growth is not a universal joy.
Oldlfyer,
No, not a Jax native….born in Honolulu, lived there until 6 months old, and then raised in Denver. I’m sure you would feel the same about Jax as I do about Denver. My brother is still in Denver, so I’ve been back almost every year. Watched as it was Californicated and turned into the second LA, complete with sprawling growth and the switch to blue politics.
We do like the city, and the fact that the medical community is so good here probably saved my life (both Mayo and MD Anderson)….another factor in deciding to settle here. Wanted to be near the ocean, but also wanted some land and not be on top of neighbors. So had to go to west of the airport…very rural area of Duval with lots of horse farms, off of Plummer Rd. We can still get to the beach in about 45 minutes which isn’t bad.
“I am so old I can remember when flying was a pleasure; and every seat was probably equivalent to today’s First Class. ‘
Me too…though I graduated in ’57, so a tad younger than you…not enough to make a big difference. Still..my Dad got transferred while I was in boarding school (do they still have those?) so I’d fly home for vacation times. And I agree with you – it was Economy then, but it seems now like First Class Plus !! And I don’t fly any more either. Too old to go anywhere…kids can come visit me! First great grandson coming next month !
If you pay enough… for finitely available and accessible resources.
For your political donations, these are some Dem targeted house seats
The Democrat candidates and the (Republican incumbents)
Edit It is interesting that Gabe Evans in CO 8 is not on the list although it was a very close result in 2024
Thanks for the response Physicsguy. Yes, Mayo has been a great benefit to Jacksonville. Nearly all of family and friends who are still in the area use Mayo.
If you care about horses, you are not too far from the Florida horse country, south of Gainesville.
A story which may bore some. When my daughter graduated from U of F she took a job as a groom on a large Arabian Farm while her husband was finishing grad school. She eventually became Head Groom with over a 150 Arabian weanlings in her care. She called me once and asked, ‘Dad, is Armand Hammer important?’ I assured her that he was, and she replied that she thought so because he owned over fifty nice Arabians on the farm. To wrap it up, he and Merv Griffin, who owned a dozen or so himself, flew in and she presented each horse with a synopsis of its development. She later told me that she did not know how to treat him, so she just treated him like she would her grandfather. I guess that worked ok. His people sent her a lovely photo album to commemorate the visit.
Watch Live Stream – President Donald J. Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address
I just got a fake and scam collection call from AI. But AI denied that she was a robot. Not very good AI. Something about a pre-litigation notice from an unnamed creditor.
AI, “Do I sound like a robot?”
Me, “Yes.”
Re: More UFOs / Disclosure
Spielberg has returned to the “Close Encounters” well with a new film due for summer release:
________________________
If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?
Disclosure is UFO-speak for when it is finally revealed that aliens are real and they have been visiting Earth.
The trailer looks good and it is Spielberg. We’ll see.
In the 70s when “Close Encounters” came out, I recall the buzz in the UFO community that the film was softening up humanity for the real Disclosure to come.
I Got Dem Ol’ Disclosure Blues Again Mama!
I have flown first class on Singapore Airlines. The staff are outstanding.
My first plane flight was in the summer of 1969, returning home after visiting a friend whose mother was taking classes at UT Austin (she was our HS English teacher).
A prop plane, and I don’t know if it was a first class seat (Mrs. X bought the ticket), but I got a glass of champagne without even an eye-blink from the stewardess.
Pretty sure I didn’t tell my parents, as I was Southern Baptist born-and-bred at the time.
PS Austin was not nearly so crazy as it has become, and there was no hesitation on any of our parts about a couple of HS girls wandering around on their own wherever we could walk, and we covered a lot of territory the few days I was there.
I got my MA from UT 7 years later, and the loonies were starting to make inroads, but a brief visit with our kids in the late 1990s didn’t seem too weird.
The decline due to bad political decisions is sad to see now.
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I only fly Business Class, First doesn’t exist anymore. Except I guess on this airline. I would have enjoyed that level very much, but what I pay is more than enough now. I wonder, do they have to go to a very small, cramped restroom?
Bet the food was way better than what United called food.
As Mr. Sailer says, “There’s no end to the ways in which nice things are nicer than not-as-nice things”. Rather like owning a sports car, though. Lots of items on the checklist should have a tick mark before you consider purchasing this (unless the ticket is an employee benefit). For all the expense, though, they do have rather drab decor.
Inspired by the Squirrel Lady’s channel*, I’ve started to leave a mix of nuts in shell in my backyard towards the back where I sometimes see squirrels.
It’s been cold lately, but yesterday warmed up and I saw my first squirrel and noticed that two walnuts had been taken!
According to Chat, in the winter squirrels tend to live off the nuts they’ve stored and come out later when it’s warmer. Squirrels are extremely cautious. Until they have learned to trust a situation, they will take only the highest-value nuts for the risk of brief exposure.
Squirrels prefer walnuts for the size and smell plus the storeability. Later they may start taking the pecans, hazelnuts and almonds.
It’s a fun project. I don´t expect to reach the hand-feeding stage. I enjoy watching them.
* https://www.youtube.com/@Squirrels_at_the_window
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdf6FLAQDj0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-8yM_rs2Ps
Huxley–years ago, one of my elderly neighbor was giving a squirrel nuts in the shell outside her glass sliding door. When she was away on a trip, the squirrel saw the nuts in a bowl through another window and managed to gnaw through the wood, enter her home and help himself. Additional damage was done to some antique fixtures.
I’ve never opted to travel that way, because I’d rather spend the money at the destination. I can imagine a level of income at which I would, as flying steerage is not very pleasant, but it’s quite a bit higher than that I have now. The difference in cost between first class and economy is enough to pay for a few nights’ hotel room at the kinds of places I like to stay.
LOL..for years since retirement I’ve tried to convince my accountant (wife) that we should fly 1st class. We can afford it. After an absolutely miserable economy class trip from ATL to Honolulu and back, she started to relent. We switched from Southwest to Delta Skymiles card which built up our points quickly. Flying from JAX we usually end up with a few hours layover in ATL. She then discovered the benefits of the Skymiles Lounges. Now nothing but 1st class on any trip out of ATL. The 40min flight to/from JAX not really worth using the points, etc.
Nikita, if there’s a single regular airline you use, then get their credit card and use it exclusively, that will give you the points that greatly reduce the 1st class ticket. I guess we’re lucky in that we can get anywhere just by going to ATL and using Delta. Oldest daughter lives in ATL and does the same thing.
When she was away on a trip, the squirrel saw the nuts in a bowl through another window and managed to gnaw through the wood, enter her home and help himself.
Sharon W:
Naughty squirrel!
@physicsguy:Nikita, if there’s a single regular airline you use, then get their credit card and use it exclusively, that will give you the points that greatly reduce the 1st class ticket.
Thanks for the suggestion, and we have done that. But I have a family of four, and we’d prefer to use the points to travel more often. There will be a day, I assure you, when we are flying first class.
“Man accidentally gains control of 7,000 robot vacuums”
https://www.popsci.com/technology/robot-vacuum-army/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk4XB2wZqF4
==
Satisfactory reasons to own a Roomba are delineated here. The trouble is, if you buy a Roomba for this purpose, your best beloved will ignore it.
I am so old I can remember when flying was a pleasure; and every seat was probably equivalent to today’s First Class. That doesn’t count the flights in which I was in the very first left seat. The best one of all.
I cannot foresee flying ever again. Aside from the effects of cost cutting by the airlines and the hassle of security, I just do not want to be trapped in a crowded space, given the percentage of the population that is either thoughtless, deliberately rude, or confrontational.
Physicsguy, are you a Jax native? Landon High School (class of ’53) here. I have told my wife (class of ’54) that if she departs the earthly vale before me, I will return to Jax after an absence of 65 years. No one believes me. Friends who never left tell me I would not recognize the place, and probably would not like what I found. Topsy turvy growth is not a universal joy.
Oldlfyer,
No, not a Jax native….born in Honolulu, lived there until 6 months old, and then raised in Denver. I’m sure you would feel the same about Jax as I do about Denver. My brother is still in Denver, so I’ve been back almost every year. Watched as it was Californicated and turned into the second LA, complete with sprawling growth and the switch to blue politics.
We do like the city, and the fact that the medical community is so good here probably saved my life (both Mayo and MD Anderson)….another factor in deciding to settle here. Wanted to be near the ocean, but also wanted some land and not be on top of neighbors. So had to go to west of the airport…very rural area of Duval with lots of horse farms, off of Plummer Rd. We can still get to the beach in about 45 minutes which isn’t bad.
“I am so old I can remember when flying was a pleasure; and every seat was probably equivalent to today’s First Class. ‘
Me too…though I graduated in ’57, so a tad younger than you…not enough to make a big difference. Still..my Dad got transferred while I was in boarding school (do they still have those?) so I’d fly home for vacation times. And I agree with you – it was Economy then, but it seems now like First Class Plus !! And I don’t fly any more either. Too old to go anywhere…kids can come visit me! First great grandson coming next month !
If you pay enough… for finitely available and accessible resources.
For your political donations, these are some Dem targeted house seats
The Democrat candidates and the (Republican incumbents)
AZ-02 – Jonathan Nez (Eli Crane)
AZ-06 – JoAnna Mendoza (Juan Ciscomani)
IA-01 – Christina Bohannan (Mariannette Miller-Meeks)
IA-03 – Sarah Trone Garriott (Zach Nunn)
MI-04 – Sean McCann (Bill Huizenga)
NC-11 – Jamie Ager (Chuck Edwards)
PA-08 – Paige Cognetti (Rob Bresnahan Jr.)
PA-10 – Janelle Stelson (Scott Perry)
TN-05 – Chaz Molder (Andy Ogles)
VA-01 – Shannon Taylor (Rob Wittman)
VA-02 – Elaine Luria (Jennifer Kiggans)
WI-03 – Rebecca Cooke (Derrick Van Orden)
From
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/02/house-democrats-pick-12-candidates-to-back-in-red-to-blue-initiative/
Edit It is interesting that Gabe Evans in CO 8 is not on the list although it was a very close result in 2024
Thanks for the response Physicsguy. Yes, Mayo has been a great benefit to Jacksonville. Nearly all of family and friends who are still in the area use Mayo.
If you care about horses, you are not too far from the Florida horse country, south of Gainesville.
A story which may bore some. When my daughter graduated from U of F she took a job as a groom on a large Arabian Farm while her husband was finishing grad school. She eventually became Head Groom with over a 150 Arabian weanlings in her care. She called me once and asked, ‘Dad, is Armand Hammer important?’ I assured her that he was, and she replied that she thought so because he owned over fifty nice Arabians on the farm. To wrap it up, he and Merv Griffin, who owned a dozen or so himself, flew in and she presented each horse with a synopsis of its development. She later told me that she did not know how to treat him, so she just treated him like she would her grandfather. I guess that worked ok. His people sent her a lovely photo album to commemorate the visit.
Watch Live Stream – President Donald J. Trump’s 2026 State of the Union Address
https://commoncts.blogspot.com/2026/02/watch-live-stream-president-donald-j.html
I just got a fake and scam collection call from AI. But AI denied that she was a robot. Not very good AI. Something about a pre-litigation notice from an unnamed creditor.
AI, “Do I sound like a robot?”
Me, “Yes.”
Re: More UFOs / Disclosure
Spielberg has returned to the “Close Encounters” well with a new film due for summer release:
________________________
If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you?
–“Disclosure Day” | Teaser Trailer
https://www.imdb.com/video/vi2460338969/
________________________
Disclosure is UFO-speak for when it is finally revealed that aliens are real and they have been visiting Earth.
The trailer looks good and it is Spielberg. We’ll see.
In the 70s when “Close Encounters” came out, I recall the buzz in the UFO community that the film was softening up humanity for the real Disclosure to come.
I Got Dem Ol’ Disclosure Blues Again Mama!
I have flown first class on Singapore Airlines. The staff are outstanding.
My first plane flight was in the summer of 1969, returning home after visiting a friend whose mother was taking classes at UT Austin (she was our HS English teacher).
A prop plane, and I don’t know if it was a first class seat (Mrs. X bought the ticket), but I got a glass of champagne without even an eye-blink from the stewardess.
Pretty sure I didn’t tell my parents, as I was Southern Baptist born-and-bred at the time.
PS Austin was not nearly so crazy as it has become, and there was no hesitation on any of our parts about a couple of HS girls wandering around on their own wherever we could walk, and we covered a lot of territory the few days I was there.
I got my MA from UT 7 years later, and the loonies were starting to make inroads, but a brief visit with our kids in the late 1990s didn’t seem too weird.
The decline due to bad political decisions is sad to see now.