Peugeot 407

While traveling for Business in Malaga, Spain, I got Peugeot 407, with a very big sunroof.
i enjoyed it very much. Just too bad it was raining non-stop.

407 - 1

Audio-Technica ATH-ACN7

Have recently acquired Audio-Technica’s active noise cancellation headphones, the ATH-ACN7.
List price is around 220$, but could get it for 130$ from Amazon. Was first thinking on buying the Bose headphones, but decided to save some money (for other gadgets).
This gadget improved my flights experience: airplane noise is bearable, and I can actually hear the music. Can sleep better, and feel more refreshed after long flights (most of my flights are longer than 10 hours).

Highly recommended!

TSA – Transport Security Administration broke my suitcase

When I returned home from WiMAX World in Chicago, I have noticed that the lock on my suitcase was broken.
At first I suspected the airline mishandled my suitcase; I didn’t suspect a theft attempt.

After I managed to open the suitcase (took me a while to figure out how, as the lock handle was broken as well), I found that almost everything in order except the Notebook bag was open. Took me a while longer till I found the following notice from the American TSA (Transport Security Administration):

tsa.jpg

Stating that: “We broke your lock and you can’t do anything about it”.
The thing I loved most was the “Smart Security Saves Time”… Hmmm, I wonder.

So Basically, the TSA can do what ever they want with my bag, without notifying me (I was still in the Airport, and would have loved to assist them with their inspection), and they are not liable. “Smart Security” indeed.

Dopplr SNS

Just signed up to Dopplr.
Still not sure how it will evolve. Currently it offers a very nice interface to share trips with fellow travelers, search for travelers from the “home city”, and more.

Gen Kanai  is inviting per requests. I can do the same 😉

Luggage has arrived

Finally, my luggage has arrived last night. Unharmed, with all the content.

I have noticed the tag on the suitcase had the correct information:
AF272 flight on the 15th of December, which is the flight I was supposed to take after I missed my connection. So, what happened to my suitcase? I don’t know. I didn’t receive any information.

I now have to find out how to get my money back. I have spent more than 100$ on basic clothes/underwear.

What a mess continued

Air France managed to destroy my trip to Japan.

Austrian Airlines flight was late out of Tel Aviv. I was sitting in the plane wishing I will make my connection to Paris, as I really didn’t want to stay in Vienna.
A few minutes before we landed I was notified that all connections were confirmed. I rushed to my gate  only to find out the flight is delayed.

Again, stress, sitting in the plane wishing I can make the connection. About 10 minutes before we landed the stewardess notified that we will not arrive on time. However, just as we were on the way to gate we received another announcement. The connection to Tokyo is possible. I ran out of the plane. A ground team was waiting with a sign without my name on it. Although I checked-in 24 hours before the flight, I was not on the list. But, it didn’t matter as we were told a minute later that it is too late.

I spent the night in IBIS hotel next to the Airport. My flight was planned for the next day at 10:30 AM. I boarded the plane… YEAH… on my way to Japan.

If you think that my misfortune has ended, think again. My luggage didn’t arrive!
It is now 36 hours after I have landed, and still no news.

I am so angry and tired.

Thank you Air France for making my flight and arrival to Japan so miserable.

What a mess

I am on my way to Japan.

Air France called me earlier today, and told me that my flight from TLV to CDG was delayed. Which means, I will miss my connection to Tokyo. (NRT).

I rushed to the airport, and Air France gave me alternative route to CDG. Austrian Airlines to Vienna, then another flight to CDG, which will allow me one hour connection to NRT.
Now, the mess doesn’t end. I forgot (and nobody reminded me) to mention the fact that I have a connection flight to NRT, therefore, my luggage will arrive to CDG and will wait for me on the belt.
Fortunately, on my way to the duty free I noticed that I made mistake, ran back to the Check-In counter, forced them to retrieve my luggage and re-tag it to NRT.

Now, I have to pray that my flight to Vienna will arrive on time, the flight from Vienna to CDG will arrive on time, and I will get to my flight to NRT. Who knows, maybe my luggage will arrive as well.

I had no time to argue with Air France. (They should pay for what they put me through) .I will do that on my way back or after I arrive to Israel.

Flying from Israel to Japan

This week we are flying to Japan.

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Israel to Japan.

There are basically two options:

  1. Flight to Europe (4 to 5 hours) , hopefully a short connection (2 hours) and then a flight to Japan (~11).
  2. Flight with El-Al to Hong Kong/Thailand (~11 hours), connection (2), flight to Japan (5).

El-Al cannot fly over Arab countries (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan…), therefore the flights to Hong Kong and back are a bit longer than what you should expect.

Price: Cheapest flight (return) is about 1250$. Assuming you are only staying for about a week or two. If you stay more than a month, the price jumps to around 1400-1500$.

Having spent time explaining about the technicalities, I can now write what we are doing: Mika and Roi will fly through Hong Kong (El-Al JAL), and I will with Air France (Via Paris). Complicated, isn’t it? But, that’s the best combination we could find. (price/timing wise).