I would say "it depends" on the Hyatt Places. I, too, like the one in RSW, but it is an example of a "new build" hotel, and their staff is pretty on top of things.

Some of the Hyatt Place properties are conversions of older properties, and they are not-so fine tuned. They've tried to upgrade the rooms and facilities, and some have worked out, but others I have stayed at are lacking and the staff was sorta-sorta.

I stayed in one near DFW, as a revenue customer, no less, at it was really pretty uneven across the board. I spoke with the manager the next day, and he sliced a huge chunk off my bill, but still, if you are going to press the high end market, consistency is key, and some of their properties don't quite have it yet.

I used to think that Westins were universally good as well, but I stayed at one a couple of months ago that was just horrible...rooms way below the Westin average, and the staff couldn't give two poops about anything.

Nu

There's a Mrs. FTB??? Who woulda thunk. :)

Don't know why we changed but we did. We are inland. Its a good and bad change. Not as nice a beach location but MUCH more to do in and around the hotel. Free breakfast and happy hour and a killer sushi place around the corner. I like the change personally (and I'm there A LOT).

A caveat, it does suck on cruise ship weekends. Its packed and every cat rancher not wearing a DAL FA uniform is in attendance.

Pilot Schedule
 

Is there anywhere I can look to decode the symbols and abbreviations on the monthly pilot schedule as printed out from iCrew?

Thanks.

Someone posted the list in the ALPA forum, I have it, but it's not possible to post it here. Take a gander around those forums, search for DBMS codes or something like that.

I'm not an engineer, just a pilot.

I've flown the MD-90, 737-800 and the A-320 as a captain. I've flown multiple 737 variants as a first officer. (In the interest of full disclosure I own stock in Boeing.) My not so humble opinion is the A-320 is a vastly superior product. The 88/90 is a rehashed DC-9. Though many on this forum swear allegiance to it, in reality it's a slightly updated DC-9.

The 737 next generation (a marketing phrase if ever there was one!) is also yesterday's news. The really sad thing is Boeing could have created a world class product. Instead, to make SWA happy, they created a totally mediocre aircraft. When you look at the 777 and even the 767-400 (which came out at roughly the same time as the 737 NG) you realize just how underwhelming the 737 NG is.

Boeing screwed the pooch on the 787....

I have zero confidence that with their disastrous reliance on outsourcing, combined with so much of their corporate resources devoted to the 787 and 747-800 programs, they could create a really exceptional aircraft. And when you factor in that SWA as a potential large purchaser would have significant influence on the design I'm not at all optimistic in the follow-on aircraft being world class.

Airlines Jockey for Europe?s Free Carbon Permits: Energy Markets - Bloomberg

Once again the hoaxers are threatening our prosperity.

I hate to say it, but I think you are spot-on in your assessment of Boeing vs Airbus. I think Airbus is going to have a hay-day in the next couple of decades IF they don't step on their own toes with the A-380, and that C-130 competitor they have been trying to get into the market with. They are about as behind schedule/over cost with it, as Boeing is with the 787. But the difference I see is that Airbus seems to be more ready to listen to their customers than Boeing--at least on the commercial aviation side. That's the thing that keeps Boeing's stock going up. They are flush with military contracts and space delivery systems to keep them going for a long time. I deplore the idea of not "buying American", but when the supplier doesn't listen to their customers......I truly hope BA gets their act together.

FWIW- pax prefer the 320 over the 737. The wider aisle is certainly nicer.

That's a pretty overarching statement. I'll buy that to a degree but for the fact that most DAL 73s have more FC seats, and have sat TV and wireless. Most of the DAL 320s don't. Also, being able to actually read the rows and seats on the 320 would be a huge improvement. I fly the 73N, I DH all too often on the 320, I can't tell you how many times I've had to point pax towards their proper seats on the 320. I know where to look and I can't find the frikkin things. Who designed the row/seat identifiers, and why?