Hotel observations, NBTA & airline news

These last two weeks have been very busy with travel & events.
I will try to summarize a few "musings";

1. The Holiday Inn that shares a building with FEMA in DC is interesting. After the rent a cop, armed security frisk you, check under your car, under your engine hood & trunk, you get the privilege of paying $30 to park! The breakfast buffet is super expensive and gives you little more than what a Residence Inn provides for free. However, they have a very nice BBQ lunch in a center outdoor courtyard on Thursday's. It seemed as popular with local workers as with hotel guests.

2. The Four Points on K Street in DC does seem much from the outside but it has very good staff, especially Doria the convention services manager, Norma in sales and Mark in banquets.

3. The National Business Travel Association annual conference in San Diego was again the epitome of excellent planning but the San Diego convention center served cold lunches. That was disappointing to say the least. This conference does not offer breakfast's so, in essence, there was no hot food. The conference was very sparsely attended by buyers but the speakers were exciting; Jay Leno & President Bill Clinton.

4. The airlines are again raising their checked baggage fees, AGAIN. Enough with the nickel & diming please? The overheads will be bursting at the seems as people know if they bring onboard a huge bag, they can gate check it at no charge.