Jaunted - Tag: pdx

Alaska Launches Daily "Nerd Bird" Between San Jose And Austin

Omri — 2009-09-10T16:48:34-05:00

Silicon Valley commuters were positively inconsolable earlier this summer when American Airlines put an end to their "nerd bird" flights, the route between San Jose and Austin. Happy times will soon be here again, though, because Alaska Airlines has committed to picking up the slack:

Alaska Airlines today will inaugurate nonstop service between San Jose, Calif., and Austin, Texas, officially resurrecting the popular "nerd bird" route. The flight will originate in Portland, Ore., and the airline will add another daily flight between the three cities starting March 14, 2010. "This route is a natural extension of our network and provides a vital link between these high-tech hubs," said Steve Jarvis, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing, sales and customer experience.

Portland: 2007 Awards: Best Domestic Airport

Jaunted — 2007-12-31T09:30:01-05:00

We've spent a lot of time this year digging up airports with free WiFi. And though lots of smaller airports have wireless--and don't get clogged with too many flights--we have to give this year's award to a major airport that's just great: PDX.

Portland International goes so far to let you set up a VPN so you can handle secure data. The airport also has plenty of plugs and seats around; you won't have to set up shop on a dingy patch of floor. Add in the fact that we have fond childhood memories of PDX and that it's so close to great skiing and you've got a winner.

[Photo: web_guy94301]

Timberline Lodge: Easy-to-Reach Skiing: Timberline Lodge

pbb — 2007-12-03T15:00:01-05:00

We really like skiing and boarding. But that doesn't mean we want to spend our whole vacation just getting to the mountain. Our Ski Areas Near Airports Map will help you maximize your time on the slopes.

If you don't dawdle around, you could be at Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood within two hours of unlatching your airplane seat belt at PDX. It'll take some luck at the luggage carousel, but when you're this close to such terrific skiing, even a slight delay pushing you over the 120 minute mark won't sting too badly.

Take the scenic Highway 26 out of Portland to reach the Timberline, famed for its appearance in The Shining. You'll have access to a vast swath of high-altitude terrain, and starting Saturday, December 8, a new, 220-acre expansion will open below the Lodge.

With the new Still Creek Basin, you can conceivably shred 3,690 vertical feet without stopping--though we'd like to see you try it. Skiing is daylight-hours-only until this Friday, when night riding opens, and the terrain park is already up-and-running for you daredevils.

Related Stories:
· Timberline Lodge [Official Site]
· Timberline Lodge [Jaunted]
· PDX: Childhood Memories [Jaunted]
· Skiing coverage [Jaunted]

Best US Airports for WiFi

pbb — 2007-10-24T11:06:13-05:00

Contribute your airport wireless report by leaving it in comments, uploading your airport photo to Jaunted Flickr Photo Pool, or via email, and we will add it to our U.S. Airport Wireless map.

In this summer-turned-fall of airport delays, one thing can help turn a trip from maddening hassle to sufferable necessity: Airport WiFi. If you're going to get stuck in a terminal far from home and far from where you're going, at least you can get online and get some work done (or update your Facebook page). At least, that's our dream.

Some airports claim free WiFi, but it is super tempermental and only exists in one terminal (JFK we are looking at you), some airports hang "We Have WiFi" banners throughout the terminals but in reality they offer a couple hours of access for $9.99, and worst of all, if you are hoping to gain coveted access to a sparse power outlet, they make you sit your ass on the, cold, hard, unforgiving airport floor while you access the web.

Lots of airports still don't even offer WiFi to travelers passing through, and we can't figure out why. In our view, it's another utility that should be provided for free, just like bathrooms and A/C. And more importantly, we find that an airport with reliable, free WiFi gets us planning our trip around such signal-strong airports.

But there's hope. Some large US airports are leading the way, while the real innovation is going on at the country's small airfields. Maybe it's due to less red tape, or maybe they just want to get noticed, but regional and less-used airports usually have the best WiFi.

After the jump we name the Best US airports for WiFi.

Portland: WiFi Wednesday: Childhood Memories Edition

pbb — 2007-06-27T10:31:42-05:00

Years ago, back when all the women were strong, all the men were good-looking, and all the children were above average** we didn't worry about things like Airport WiFi. We'd gear up for summer vacation and head west to Mt. Hood with a smile, a good book and a snowboard.

And though the good times have flown away like they always do, Portland International Airport remains, waiting patiently for us to come back for another season. This time, though, when we'll undoubtedly be carrying a bunch of electronics, she'll welcome us with open arms.

PDX has free WiFi in 70 percent of its facilities--including some spots outside of secured areas, which we like. You can even get online using a VPN if secure data transmission is your thing. As for us, we'll just use the signal to look up videos from our old summer camp.

[Photo: goodbyefeet]

Related Stories:
· Airport WiFi coverage [Jaunted]