I did achieve my goal of the nine new airports, you can take a look at them below.

I had a friend of mine interview me about the trip so you can listen to it below:

[podcast]http://www.cruisinaltitude.com/audio/aycjinterview.mp3[/podcast]
Right click here to download this audio file

Trip Statistics

Please feel free to comment.

You can always follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mskonfa1990 as I continue to fly the world one weekend at a time.  Also, you read what others are saying about All you can jet on twitter at http://twitter.com/#search?q=aycj.

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I went up to the waving gallery to see what planes were at the gates.  There was only one, a Continental Airlines (CO) Boeing 737-900ER.  This was the plane I saw flying by on my way into the airport.  I took a picture and waited a bit looking around at the runway.  There were a few other people up there as well.

Eventually, I went back downstairs and checked in for my flight.  I had to ensure that my bag was scanned for agriculture first though.  By now it had started raining so I could not take a better photo of the terminal.

I did see the Metro bus so I went over and spoke to the driver to get some details.  This is the bus that costs about 4 USD (130 DOP).  The driver did mention that I can just walk up to the street and take a local car into Puerta Plata or Sosua for 50 DOP or so.  Good information to know for the next time since the taxi fare to Puerta Plata is 35 USD and 25 USD to Sosua.

The interesting thing is that the price for the taxis are listed in USD in Puerta Plata airport but in local currency in Santiago.  These two airports/areas are like night and day.  Puerta Plata is clearly for the tourists as it has the beaches.  Even the cab fare from Puerta Plata to Santiago is inflated at 100 USD compared to 70 USD for the reverse trip!  It is a shame that the prices are so inflated just for the tourists.  This is not uncommon in the Caribbean though.

I was hungry, so I had a beer and a local pastry which was both good.  I then entered the secured area after filling out immigration and customs documents once more.  Then cleared security and Immigration.

As soon as I got in this area, I was rushed by people sellign duty free stuf, geez.  I left that area and made my way to the gate.  I was really trying to find a currency exchange, but saw none.  I did see a cool sign on my way to the gates though, you can see it here.

Once I got to where the gates were, I saw the currency exchange booth, crafty to place it here.  Although they are expanding the airport so I think the part where I entered is the new part.

While I waited at the gate, a Corsair Boeing 747-400 showed up.  This was a crowd pleaser.   Lots of cameras came out of nowhere.  It was awesome to watch.  Then the Continental Boeing 737-900ER left for Newark, a Jetstream 31 from the charter company SAP Group arrived as did a Thomas Cook Airbus A330 and finally a Boeing 767-300 from First Choice.  Lot of activity in a few minutes here.

The gate agent made an announcement that if there are any All You Can Jetters in the boarding to come to the podium, so I did.  She then asked me if I preferred the seat I had.  I told her unless she wants to give me a better one and she did.  Thanks!  We then started the boarding process.

I did notice that headsets are free here in Puerta Plata.  I think they are trying to get rid of the old ones though as they looked different.  Customers were impressed and annoyed though oh well, can’t please all.

It was time to board N708JB, “All that and a bag of Blue Chips” an Airbus A320 saying hello to the flight attendants as I head to my seat.  We pushed back eight minutes late and headed out to the runway taking off eight minutes later.  Soon, we were airborne which provided an excellent view of the airport and the town below.

Once we levelled off on this 3:20 flight, we got served drinks as well as the standard cookies, chips and cashew nuts.  There was DIRECTV, but it does not work when offshore so it was not until we were very close to Florida that it kicked in.  You figure tht it is sattellite it should work anywhere, but you have be within ‘x’ miles of the U.S.

We soon started our descent in JFK and landed safely at 5;43p  taxiing to the terminal arriving at 6:04p twenty-six minutes early.  We actually went to Terminal 4 as Terminal 5 does not have immigration facilities.  I could not remember that being announced earlier, but I may have missed it.

JFK International airport

I exited the aircraft and headed for the Immigration counters.  I was looking for the Global Entry kiosks and found two of them.  I chatted with the officers as I completed the less than a minute process.  The Immigration area was not full at all, but it could have been.

I exited Customs, then headed upstairs to the AirTrain.  I stopped for a bit on the departure level to check out the operations.  Lots of people were leaving for international destinations as Terminal 4 has most of the international airlines serving JFK.  I was so in my element here.

I did notice that the old Northwest WorldClub was no longer in this terminal.  It was replaced by one called Oasis.  I also noticed that Delta had taken the place of Northwest’s operations.  Wonder why they don’t use their operations in the Delta Worldport?

I made my way to Terminal 5 via the AirTrain passing a LAN Boeing 767-300 as well as a TAM Airbus A330, actually the one that was signed by all the employees.  It looked really nice. in the setting sun.

At Terminal 5, I printed a new boarding pass for my flight to Rochester, NY (ROC) later that night.  I then entered the terminal.  I needed to find a room for the night and figure out what I’d do for the Newburgh to JFK trip tomorrow.  After much searching I used Priceline and settled on the Radisson.  Sadly when I called I was told that the shuttle stopped at 11:00p ( I arrive at 12:02a) so that would mean a taxi .

Eventually, boarding time arrived for the flight to Rochester NY (ROC), an Embraer ERJ-190, N307JB, “Mi Corazon Azul.”  I settled in after saying hello to the flight attendants.

The Captain came out of the cockpit (which is customary with jetBlue) and advised that the local temperature in Rochester is 45 degrees, brr…good think I am wearing long sleeves.

We pushed back a three minutes early and headed out to the runway.  We were number three behind an Air Europe Boeing 767-300 and a British Airways Boeing 777.

It was a short flight time of 0:45 so we just had some water, coke, diet coke and sprite plus chips and cookies.  we also got a coupon for FREE Hash Browns at Dunkin’ Donuts with purchase of any item.

Soon, we were descending into the Rochester area and touched down at 11:44p arriving at the gate at 11:48p.

Boy I was tired.  I then went outside and saw a Raddison shuttle van, but sadly it had come to pick up someone else for the downtown location.

I then went to the cab stand where I had to pay 18 USD to get to the hotel.  Tomorrow is another fun filled day.

How was your Saturday?

Follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mskonfa1990 for constant updates.  Also, you read what others are saying about All you can jet on twitter at http://twitter.com/#search?q=aycj.

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Knowing I needed local cash for the bus, I changed 20 USD and received about 700 DOP (Pesos) from the local bank at the airport. I then proceeded to the taxi line. I told the English speaking dispatcher/taxi driver in the green shirt as directed by the airline agents, where I was going and he took me to a waiting cab.

It was 18 USD to the city of Santiago and about 70 USD (2,500 pesos, but they wanted 80 USD) to the Puerta Plata airport. I figured there would be a cab cost from Puerta Plata if I took the bus, so I offered 60 USD, but settled at 70 USD.

The overwhelming deciding factor here was timing. It was already 9:45a, my flight was at 2:39p and we had a 2.5 hours or so drive ahead of us. Yes, I took the easy and less stress way out.

Alternatively, I could have walked he short distance to the main road and taken a local transport to the city if Santiago.  That would have cost about 25 DOP (1 DOP is about 0.027 USD).

It was a great and scenic drive to Puerta Plata through the mountains. I got an opportunity to see the city wake up and go about its business. Almost as popular as cars are motorbikes; almost always ridden my a male and about 50% of the time has a pillion rider.  Sadly, I saw a car being removed that had smashed into a light pole breaking it in two.  The car was pretty smashed!

My driver pointed out places of interest from time and we communicated although I have extremely limited knowledge of Spanish. It was interesting but worked very well. The terrain is much like that of the country parts of Jamaica. Also, you can buy fruits from the vendors on the side of the roads.  I wanted to get some mangoes, but the language barrier prevented that from occurring.

As I was getting weary since we had passed through the town of Puerta Plata, I saw the sign to the airport. The airport is actually 18km from Puerta Plata and 7km from Sosua. I looked at the clock in the car and it read 12:05p. We had done really good time I thought, it took about 2:10 and we hit a bit of traffic as we passed through Santiago. I think taking the bus would have really pushed the limits, maybe next time.

Have you ever taken this routing?  I’d like to hear about it.

Follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mskonfa1990 for constant updates.  Also, you read what others are saying about All you can jet on twitter at http://twitter.com/#search?q=aycj.

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I pulled into the Avis lot and a guy came up to the car.  I asked him for his ID and he got mad, what an odd chap.  Anyway he was a legit Avis employee who walked around the car, checked it out and then noted the mileage on my contract, as if I could not have done that myself.  I pulled into the drop off zone, parked the car then went inside to the counter, the guy there charged me more than he should adding that the system always adds the gas charge if you drive under 75 miles.

Avis, this is the worst thing you’ve done, don’t assume the customer has not filled up and charge the money, how about asking first?  This caused the transaction to take so much longer and the guy getting mad at me when I challenged the amount he was charging me.

Anyway, we cleared that up (he removed the charge after I showed him my receipt for gas at $3.05 per gallon!) then I headed up to the top of the train station and took the JFK AirTrain to Terminal T5 where jetBlue resides arriving at 4:36a.  It was quiet and way too early.  I could see the old TWA terminal in the front of the new Terminal 5 and the old jetBlue Terminal 6 off to the left.  I wonder what will become of Terminal 6; a testament to jetBlue’s success I guess.

I saw some kiosks, but wanted personal attention so I went to an agent and checked in again.  I had erroneously added two checked bags when I checked in online.  I had tried to change it, but there was no way to do so.  The agent was a bit argumentative when I asked her why did jetBlue send me an e-mail to check-in online for the Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic (POP) to New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK) flight but when I tried it, it said that city is not available for online check-in.  I gave up explaining it after three tries.  She was visibly annoyed with me as well.

I cleared security which was sparse and entered the terminal.  As early as it was, there was quite a number of people in the airport.  This flight had a lot of locals on it and Spanish could be heard all over the plane.  It seemed a lot of people were returning home.  I guess Santiago is a place for locals, not vacationers.

I boarded N595JB, “Rhythm & Blues” an Embraer ERJ-190, saying my good mornings as I did so and settled into my aisle seat.  Well, a lady and her young son had actually settled into my seat in error.  She was in D & E but was sitting in B & C, C being my seat.  So I just took D instead.  Soon the young girl for seat B showed up and I told her to sit in E.  She did and we were all set.

We pushed back ontime at 6:00a for our 3:30 flight.  The manual safety demo was done, we taxied out and was airborne at 6:14a.  Beverages and snack were served soon after takeoff; I had some tea with animal crackers before falling asleep as I was so tired.

I was awoken later as I had to fill out arrival documentation; one Customs form and an Immigration form.  I helped the girl next to me to fill it out as well since she was having some issues.  She was also helping out the lady at the window seat.  The girl was quite funny as she could not get her seat reclined earlier as she was pushing the wrong button.  She actually thought that the lady behind her was the one doing it.  I helped her to find the correct button.

I went back to sleep and was awoken again to prepare for landing.  It was 9:04a when we touched down in Santiago which is in the valley, but is about 600′ above sea level in the north of the country.  We got to the gate five minutes later.  In looking out, we were the only commercial airplane at the airport.

I got my stuff together and headed out.  I was glad that we had landed 28 minutes early.  I made my way downstairs and was asked my nationality.  As I have a U.S. passport I had to pay an arrival tax of 10 USD.  I was given a ticket as a receipt then pointed to the next line where the ticket was retrieved.

I then went to an Immigration Officer and was stamped in.  I still don’t get why each booth had two Officers, but  oh well.  I cleared Customs and headed outside.

Yea, new airport number four is accomplished, now I have to get to Puerta Plata right away.

Follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mskonfa1990 for constant updates.  Also, you read what others are saying about All you can jet on twitter at http://twitter.com/#search?q=aycj.

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After checking Google, I noticed that Metro North has a train that I can just make which will get me to JFK about two hours before the Houston flight.  With that in mind, I called my school chum in the Bronx and told him I was finally coming to visit.  His wife seemed O.K. with it, but it means late night for them on Friday night so I think I will rent a car to alleviate that pressure.  Here is the itinerary I came up after calling jetBlue yet a second time.  This time the lady was more pleasant than the last one.

1. Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)-New York-LaGuardia (LGA) 18SEP09
2. New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK)-Santiago, DR (STI) 19SEP09
3. STI-Puerta Plata, DR (POP) via local transportation 19SEP09
4. POP-JFK 19SEP09
5. JFK-Rochester, NY (ROC) 19SEP09
6. ROC-Orlando, FL (MCO) 20SEP09
7. MCO-Newburgh, NY (SWF) 20SEP09
8. SWF-JFK via Metro North/NYC Subway or rented car 20SEP09
9. JFK-Houston-Hobby (HOU) 20SEP09

Follow me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mskonfa1990 for constant updates.  Also, you read what others are saying about All you can jet on twitter at http://twitter.com/#search?q=aycj.

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I wanted to try to accomplish Newburgh, NY (SWF) as well, but it is looking difficult since jetBlue only flies to Orlando, FL (MCO) and Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) from that city at really odd times.  I will have to figure out how to accomplish this one the following weekend; it will be tricky.

After talking with the agent for about 15 minutes (who was annoying by the way, I felt like I was imposing on her) here is the itinerary for this coming weekend:

1. Houston-Hobby (HOU)-JFK 19SEP09
2. JFK-Puerta Plata, DR (POP) 19SEP09
3. Santiago, DR (STI)-JFK 20SEP09
4. JFK-Rochester, NY (ROC) 20SEP09
5. ROC-JFK 20SEP09
6. JFK-HOU 20SEP09

Follow me me on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/mskonfa1990 for constant updates.  Also, you read what others are saying about All you can jet on twitter at http://twitter.com/#search?q=aycj.

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