Flying in the Right Direction

How does the saying go? "Well it doesn't suck."

I'm not ready to say that about air travel yet. But a combination of updated thinking and technology have at least improved a few areas.

  • Electronic Boarding Passes - No more scrambling for a printer at the hotel. I receive a check-in notice via email, complete the step, and my boarding pass is sent to Passbook on my iOS device. The QR code is scanned at the gate. It's now that simple.
     
  • TSA-Check Pre-approval - Some flights, though not all, include TSA preapproval with my electronic boarding pass. It's literally a stroll through security... with my shoes on.
     
  • Electronic Devices Powered Up - No more powering down the iPad and iPhone for takeoff and landing. Yes, I still have to go to Airplane mode, but I'll take that compromise over the old way of thinking.
     
  • Progressive Awards Programs - With just a little bit of planning, you can enjoy early boarding, free luggage, and other perks. (Luggage used to be free anyway...) Those help make the trip a little less annoying.

Don't get me wrong: I still don't like flying. There are so many hassles involved - layovers that waste time, over-crowded planes, inconsiderate passengers, disgusting restrooms, flight delays, and bad food. But now, at least, there are a handful of good things to offset some of the misery. 

And in terms of travel, that means we're headed in the right direction.

-Derrick

The Shakedown

I've been coming to Vegas for a long time.

Even as a young man, I was impressed with its ability to separate you from your money. We used to joke about the cash-draining force-field that surrounds this city. Back in the day when I gambled, I once was  leaving town with $300 in my pocket. That seldom happens.

Then the car blew a tire, everyone else was broke, and I lost my winnings to an overpriced mechanic.

And that's the thing about Las Vegas. The shakedown can happen anywhere, at any time. The cab driver who takes the long route from the airport, the overpriced meals at "fine restaurants," beautiful girls who are hustlers working for hustlers, no coffee machines in your room, posh hotels with add-on charges - these are just a few ways that the odds always favor the house.

Experienced journalists know all about the shakedown. Vegas says we're cheap. We're not really welcome here. We attend events with free food, drink at happy hour, stay at modest hotels and hang out in expensive ones, stride past slot machines, and avoid black jack tables, famous chefs, pretty girls, and cabs whenever possible.

If you're smart, you can leave this town with money. That is, unless something goes wrong. Then even  reporters go home broke.

-Derrick

My Walk to Work, Las Vegas

If ever there's a time to be light on your feet, it's while working in Las Vegas. Meetings are miles apart, seldom with no easy way to get to them.

My morning walk to work begins at the Excalibur Hotel (I know, I know). I walk over the street to New York New York, then cut through the hotel, over Las Vegas Blvd, with the next milestone the MGM Grand.

This is my closest monorail stop. But I have to traverse the entire facility to get to the station. This takes another 15 minutes of brisk walking through the crowded MGM casino.

Once I reach the monorail, I can either go directly to the Convention Center, or jump off at a stop that is somewhat close to a hotel where a meeting might be.

Today, I had another 20-minute walk to the Wynn Hotel to reach an NDA meeting before the show. All in all, it was an hour from my hotel front door to the actual meeting.

Now, it's 10 AM, the meeting is over, and I have another journey to the Convention Center. I'm going to try a shuttle bus for this leg. Stay tuned.

-Derrick

Assignment Gear

Just finished packing the Urban Reporter 150 for the CES assignment in Las Vegas. Here's what's inside:

  • Olympus OM-D E-M1 with Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 zoom
  • Olympus 75mm f/1.8 prime lens
  • Olympus FL-300R flash with extra rechargeable batteries
  • Canon S110 compact
  • iPad mini with SD card reader (just in case there's a WiFi problem)
  • Rode iXY microphone
  • iPhone 5S and 3Gs
  • Joby micro 250 Gorillapod
  • Extra memory, batteries, earbuds and a few cables

The entire kit weighs 10 pounds (including a few energy bars). I'll have no problem carrying it on my shoulders each day for the duration of the show.

-Derrick

Las Vegas

In just a few days, I catch a flight to Las Vegas to cover the Consumer Electronics Show. This is a pretty good gig for me. Plus, I have a new client, c't Digital Photography. It's a technical photo magazine based in Germany. They want to expand their horizons to North America.

My official title is Associate Editor. But the work that I'll be doing for c't is similar to my Photography Evangelist role with Lowepro. I still have the Lowepro gig, BTW. They're more interested in my managing their social networks these days, and they haven't scheduled me for any reporting on the road. So the new c't Digital Photography contract fits in nicely with my desire to stay on top of things.

I travel very light for the Las Vegas trips. I use my airline reward miles and fly first class. I don't know why I like first class for LV trips. They're relatively short. Must have something to do with movies I've seen.

I carry-on two bags. One with my camera gear and iPad. The other with my laptop and a change of clothes. That's it. It's not like I'm going to the Amazon jungle. Las Vegas has everything.

Most of my reporting will be via the iPad and social networks. I want to post lots of photos of new gear and Vegas life. I'll be sure to keep you in the loop here. 

In the meantime, I better go dust off my "Men in Black" suit. It's a Vegas tradition for me.

-Derrick