Hamburg, Germany

[Amanda]

Well Nick just got his December schedule. It royally sucks- 17 days straight without a full 24 hours off. I feel very bad for him (as do the guys on Cal Forums!).

However, it looks like if all goes as planned (ha ha), I'll be joining him on a trip to Hamburg, Germany around Christmas!

Any insight on the city and what we should do there?
Kristie- want to meet us there?
Thanks!

[Rebes]

Mike told me about Nick's schedule, I'm sorry! Mike's schedule is fine, but a little unusual! How long is the Germany layover? I went with Mike to Brussels last year around Christmas, the 5 day layovers are great. Mike goes there a lot if you want me to ask him about restaurants.

[Amanda]

Unfortunately it is only a 48 hour layover- but I'me used to travelling with him when he has only 24 hours!

He advertised a bunch of his trips to make his Dec. sched more decent so we'll see if he loses Hamburg. There's a DUB and SNN trip in Dec too.

I need to go somewhere!

[roz]

Gosh, I've been traveling so much for work, that I'm looking forward to vacation time without leaving the city. But I want to do things in the city. Philadelphia is a great city!

But I hope you get some time away and that the loads look good for you!!!!!!!! You'll have a great time just because you're together!

Yikes, that sounds like a crappy part of the contract! The union needs to push for a better time off between trips plan. It sounds like senior in base guys negotiated that last contract!

[Amanda]

Originally Posted by roz

Gosh, I've been traveling so much for work, that I'm looking forward to vacation time without leaving the city. But I want to do things in the city. Philadelphia is a great city!

But I hope you get some time away and that the loads look good for you!!!!!!!! You'll have a great time just because you're together!

Yikes, that sounds like a crappy part of the contract! The union needs to push for a better time off between trips plan. It sounds like senior in base guys negotiated that last contract!

Roz darling, nothing is wrong with Philly but I can go there any day of the week. I want to go out of the country before I have the baby and things will be a bit more challenging! Travelling is one of my passions and I feel I haven't seen enough of the world. I just want to go somewhere outside the USA I haven't been before.

As for the contract, I don't think that's went wrong with his sched. He has talked to one or two of the Chief Pilots or somebody "in charge" and they don't have an explanation for his worse than usual sched. It has something to do with PBS although Nick didn't do anything out of the ordinary when bidding.

And you're right- no matter where we will go we will be together so it will be special!

[roz]

I used to be able to go to Philly any day of the week when I worked in Center City. But I have not worked in Center City since 1997. I work such long hours during the week, that my weekends are usually filled with chores. In the summer we did get out, but we were on our mission to find covered bridges in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, we found none in Philadelphia. So I miss being able to get to see the Philadelphia sights. I don't go to the Museum of Art as I should. Instead I belong to the Michener Museum in Doylestown which is more local to me. But I miss being in the City. I want to go to Constitution Hall and see the presidential exhibit. I want to go to see the Nutcracker. I have a private lunch scheduled with my friend who owns one of the premier restaurants on 15th and Walnut. I grew up in NYC--I'm a city girl and want to just have a few days to experience my city again!

Everyone is in a different place. I have been working straight since November 3rd with no break for weekends. I have one day off for Thanksgiving, then go off to our southern sites and don't return home till December 6th--late in the day as I have a breakfast meeting.

Traveling with a child is not all that bad; in fact it's a lot of fun! If it's any comfort to you, I began traveling with my son when he was six weeks of age when we flew to Chicago. It did not stop after that! Keep it simple and fun!

My only mention of the contract is that DH's company is fighing to keep the 4 day off between line rule in place that is in their contract. QOL is so important! Pref bidding or anything else can't overrule a contract that says you have to have X number of days off between trips!

[Kristie]

I hear Hamburg is pretty neat!! plus, you'll be able to go to a christmas market or two.

I think Hamburg is up near Essen (means "to eat" in german), they have some very good restaurants there.

keep in mind, it'll be really cold there this time of year, more so than Frankfurt.

Doug was able to get Xmas off and is NYing in Berlin. Not sure i'll be able to make that or not but I'll probably try to get to my sisters or something for xmas.

Delta loads have been really light lately (must be the economy hitting?). I was able to get to Budapest and back to phx, no problem, as well as phx to atlanta while doug was on recurrent (to visit a girlfriend of mine).

Thanks for the invite!! I'll probably to go Frankfurt with Doug on one of his 6 day trips tho.

[Amanda]

Darn! The loads to HAM looked pretty good up until a few hours ago when I checked. It is now -3.

I don't care, I'm still going to try to get on that dang plane!
And if not, I'll try PHX! Or somewhere else!

[SeatClutcher]

Christmas Markets (or, the Weihnachtsmarkt) is not a can - it is a must. You'll find unique crafted gifts, stands with EXCELLENT food, Gluhwein, etc. It's the ultimate European experience. I would go back to Germany just for that.

[Amanda]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll make it on the flight!
I've heard I must go to the Markets there. It would be such a great experience!

Is it bad to hope the weather sucks (but not THAT bad) and people don't make it to the airport on time? I want my seat....