Traveling a bit this week and had the opportunity to fly Virgin America down to San Francisco from Seattle.  They just started the route mid-March and I was looking forward to trying something different from the habitutally late and crowded Alaska and United flights.  I actually found myself looking forward to this flight.

First impressions were very positive.  From the somewhat groovy decor and lighting to pleasant announcements and crew interactions, they have done their homework.

Although my 5pm-ish flight was not full, it was less expensive than the alternatives and assume will soon be in high demand as word spreads.  I enjoyed it and they will get my return business.

I’m going to be at both events end of this week.  If you are there and want to connect, shoot me an email – robertcpease at gmail dot com.

SaaS Summit 2008

Pacific Crest Securities On-Demand Conference

It is a bit too easy to complain about air travel and the circus that goes along with it so I thought I would do something to try to improve the overall process – a reading recommendation.  If you work for TSA or are responsible for managing the security process at any airport, please read "The Goal" by Eliyahu M. Goldratt.  This book does a great job of explaining operations through a narrative and I read it in b-school many years ago.

Those of us that travel for a living can easily spot the "Herbie" in the process and would it be too much to ask for a place for me to reassemble my clothing after running the gauntlet?  Watch what people do before, during, and AFTER security screening…and at least give me a place to put my shoes back on.

We made our annual pilgrimage to Charleston, SC last week for the Kiawah Island Half-Marathon.  Marel and I have yet to make marathons our thing, but believe being able to run 13.1 miles several times a year will force us to stay in pretty good shape.

We always enjoy this trip and getting together with friends and family in the Southeast.  It was difficult to leave Charleston on Sunday when it was sunny and 75 degrees for Seattle’s cloudy and 34.

Kiawah Island does a great job with this race including an ample supply of beer at the finish line.  We also got to enjoy a few great meals in Charleston including Hank’s and Magnolia’s.

Oh…and if the guy on the 6am out of Seattle to Atlanta that refused to switch seats so my wife and I could sit together with our little one is reading this – thanks again.

A new toy for those of us that beat the road a bit.  Check out Flight Wait.  A pretty cool map overlay of airport delays.  Paul Kedrosky is a huge fan.

We traveled to St. Simons Island, GA last week to spend a few days with my parents and participate in the annual Georgia/Florida game.  I say participate as we don’t actually go to the game in Jacksonville rather tailgate with the mass of UGA fans that descend on this small coastal town every year for the event. 

Thankfully, Georgia actually won this year (sorry Gary) and we can continue to call this a rivalry after winning only three previous times in the past 15 years (dating back to my time as an undergrad).  Lots of great time with my parents and seafood at local places like the Crab Trap.

No, this is not another post by someone ranting about a miserable travel experience with a major airline (although I have no shortage of those).  This is about a trip I took last week to Irvine, CA and having two first time flyers sitting in front of me – a boy and a girl that I would guess were somewhere between 4 and 6.

If you fly a great deal, you begin to take for granted many of the things this pair was pointing out.  Namely, how much you could see, how neat it was to be flying in the clouds, and as one pointed out, they were "higher than grandad’s house."

The airlines don’t make it easy to enjoy flying these days and sharing the joy of this pair made the whole experience so much better.

Marel and I spent a few days last week down in Hood River, OR with the little one and our dog Riley.  It sits on the  Columbia River about 60 miles or so from Portland and 3ish hours from Seattle.  I think it is one of the most scenic places in the world if you grasp just how the Columbia Gorge was formed not to mention the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. 

Lots of relaxing, a few hikes and mostly unplugged.  I’m a huge fan of Full Sail Brewing Co and the tasting room has one of the best views around – they even added table service since my last visit.  We always enjoy starting the day at Acre Coffehouse as well as a stop at Cascade Cliffs up the river in Wishram for some great wine and some of the nicest folks around.  Even got to witness a wildfire across the river and the impressive air and land assault to contain it.

I read this post yesterday from Paul Kedrosky describing a ‘Power Play’ and thought is was pretty funny.  If you are in the Crown Room at Boston Logan you just saw me on one laughing to myself (the convenient outlet in my table seems to be dead).

pow·er play
n.
1. The head-down shuffle of someone wandering in an airport, Starbucks, or other public place looking for a power outlet.

Usage: Look at the guy on a power play nearly knocking people over.

Maybe I’ll add my own twist to this:

‘Power Plant’ – sitting next to a random power outlet in an airport/station/hotel charging your gear.  This is really funny when another person approaches and asks if they can charge their stuff too wary of being a claim jumper.

None of this will be necessary as soon as the big brains at MIT figure this wireless electricity thing out…

At my own peril from my New York friends, I have to go on the record here and say that Boston is a really great town.  The last few days have been outstanding.  Took a great run today through Boston Common which is reminiscent of Green Park (where Marel found a four leaf clover!) or Hyde Park in London (where I was fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time during my tenure with Orchestria). 

Now – I have been here when it is so cold that it freezes you the moment you step outside and the wind cuts through to the bones – but it is June and Boston is in all its glory.  Had a great meal on Newbury Street at Tapeo (great Spanish place – try the scallops in saffron or the sausage with fig).  Have a full calendar of press/analyst meetings and a bit of time at the Enterprise 2.0 conference this week. Even got to have lunch today with a friend from a previous start-up who is one of the smartest people I know.  Proving the world is truly small, I met some folks tonight at dinner that were from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.