www.CostaRicaTicas.com

FYI Taca now has a 9:00 AM flight, at least in January, which arrives as early as 4:00 PM here, or as late as 11:00 PM. No 2:00 AM departure listed. Prices vary by dates, but as low as 422.

thats the flight i took in last wednesday for 441...got in san jose around 5pm...

As I am planning my 2011 schedule, I looked out thru Memorial Day. AA is steady at $440. There have been some other carriers via Orbitz that have been as low as $402. So, it seems to have settled out. I posted in my TR that the 3:25 flight with 1.5 hrs to go thru customs went smooth in Miami. Seems that time of the evening in Miami, the lines are short. It can always change and a plane can always be delayed. I was wondering, since we typically fly thru ATL, HOU, MIA and DAL, do you guys know a cheap hotel/motel we can call if we are stuck overnight on our tab (weather related)? It would be nice to have the numbers in my phone.

Dean

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my first wingman sent me this, how true

" most of the girls down here, lie as a self defense mechanism and to not have to face the truth, thinking most men couldn't accept them knowing the whole truth. Simpler, they may just want men to think they are as perfect as they want to appear to them, trying to hide what they consider to be the ugly truth about themselves. And I may be reading more into it than is there, but I do believe they consider the basis of the lies to be justified."

On 11-14-10, booked flight ORD-SJO on Continental for Superbowl weekend (Feb. 3-7, 2011) for $435. Same flight on Continental at same time last year was $330. Just checked again today and still at $435.

During trip over Holloween weekend, both my driver in SJ who I use regularly and my amigos driver in SJ who they use regularly, indicated that they have heard that Taca would be starting NON-STOP flights from ORD to SJO. Talk about getting excited.

Once home, I contacted Taca and their agent looked and responded that they see no indication that Non-Stop ORD-SJO service was being offered nor planned. Still baffled as to why between CO and AA, since they have hubs in ORD, that there is no Non-Stop service between ORD and SJO, especially since CO has non-stops between Newark/Liberty and SJO. Oh well, just wishful thinking on my part as that would sure simplify our junkets to the promised land…….

I flew for the first time on US Airways between ORD and SJO over Thanksgiving weekend. Flights were right on time and everything was cool with US Airways. Actually got into SJO 25 minutes early!! Only problem was with CLT airport in that return flight from SJO to CLT was right on time and I had a 1 hour 45 minute layover to get thru Immigration/Customs, get checked luggage, recheck luggage and go thru Security. No problem, right???

First problem with CLT is that they do not have Global Entry kiosks. Ok no big deal, took 15-20 minutes, rechecked bag and got on escalators to go up to departure level and go thru Security. Half way up on escalator, I look up and see that it is so crowded at the top that people on the escalator are piling up as there is no room to get off the escalator. As I approach the top, I hop over the edge of the escalator onto the staircase that is immediately next to the escalator. This is a result of the line to go thru Security is soooo long that it is backed up this far. Dumbshits with CLT airprt only have 1 Security checkpoint open at 9:30pm on the Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend. Probably 300 people in line ahead of me.

People are bitching and moaning about not being able to make their connecting flights. I now have 1 hour and 5 minutes before my connecting flight to ORD departs. It was painfully slow and stressful, but made my flight about 5 minutes before they closed the doors.

Also when considering flight costs, US Airways charges $ 25 each way for a checked bag, whereas my experience with CO, AA and Delta, they do not charge for checked bag when on an International flight.

Still dreaming about Non-Stop service between ORD – SJO…………

Hey Trim,

I noticed too CO has come down with their prices to match AA. I don't think we will get a direct flight. In some ways, we get better fares bcs we connect. I talk with Speakno on the board and CO from Hou is always more than connecting from Chicago. I tell him it is bcs they are all oil tycoons so they can afford it. . I did scope out AA thru Aug and it is holding steady at $440 (taxes and all).

Dean

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my first wingman sent me this, how true

" most of the girls down here, lie as a self defense mechanism and to not have to face the truth, thinking most men couldn't accept them knowing the whole truth. Simpler, they may just want men to think they are as perfect as they want to appear to them, trying to hide what they consider to be the ugly truth about themselves. And I may be reading more into it than is there, but I do believe they consider the basis of the lies to be justified."

In Continental's case I imagine the reason is that all of their international flights enter & leave from 1 of their 3 US hubs. Chicago is not a Continental hub (at least not yet until the merger w/United) Newark, Cleveland & Houston are, so therefore you must connect in Houston.

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"cuz I'm a back-door man" Jim Morrison-1969

Leaving Detroit Feb 24. Return Feb 28.. 486 total with american.. 1 layover eachway.. Thats the best I could find..

I'll be in CR the same time as you, leaving a day earlier. About 2 months ago I booked a r/t package for 480 on Delta with no overnight layover. Now that package is over 6. I couldn't find anything right now for the price you said, without an overnighter. I have friends that are trying to book now too. What's the lowest you can find Chicago -SJO without an overnighter.

I looked on orbitz for Chicago to SJO.. Their were prices in the mid to low 4's.. No overnight layover on the way to SJO, they have one where you arrive in SJO at 8:20pm, but it looks like they all have overnight layovers on the return trip.. I'm finding the best prices on orbitz. Are you leaving CR on Feb 28th also? We should meet for a few beers when I arrive..

Gixxer,
Sure enough. I'll be at SL. Always open to meeting people. Also always looking for companions for trips to Idem or the HDR. Lomo

I got stuck in Miami in August. AA gave me a coupon for Red Roof Inn just outside the airport, $65 + taxes. Free Wi-fi and domestic calls. I don't have the number, but your buddy google can look it up for you.

This is the venue Brother Orange was talking about, on an independent booking site--nice description of the property. NOTE: They show a higher price now but it's "The Season" too:
http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/red-roo ... 5QodF33vmg

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

The $65 rate was with the voucher from AA. I think the airlines have agreements with local hotels to put their passengers up at a discount from the rack rates.

Spirit just began a sale last night. When I checked this morning, their price was $328 - $368. When I went to their site, I could have booked from $245 - $285. I carry luggage so I had to figure that in. They offered $49 & $9 fares.

Watching the other airlines, their prices went up $10 - $60, but there are flights around the 1st of Jan. that are still in the $450 range.

Prices for some food and beer have increased slightly.

I did book on Delta for $350.00, some dates are $400.00. Interestingly, prices dropped within 30 days of departure, something that is a first in my short travel experience to SJO.