#48944 - 02/24/03 09:22 PM
We're Baaaack......
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USJETS
Member
Registered: 10/18/02
Posts: 34
Loc: Seatttle, USA
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Full Trip Report is posted
Thanks to this board and its members (and BSINUTAH and P/A) for all the good information for planning the trip. I recommend that you take good notes before you go -- as in our case Sofitel only had information on their “selected” activities in a picture book at reception, nothing in the rooms. Without in-room Internet Connection back to this forum --- all this good information was not available when you get over there. Take good notes before you go!!
Summary -- Bora Bora 8 Days 7 Nights at Sofitel Motu (or How many ways can you circle an Island?).
Air Tahiti Nui - LAX - PPT -- Brand New A340 Reg. # F-OSEA -- "Rangiroa” Beautiful airplane. Clean and Quiet!!!! Best coach flight I've ever made.
Sofitel Motu - OWB 114 ready on arrival somebody already had 128) Rain, Wind, Thunder, Lightning, Clouds, Sun, Waves and Calm, Sunrise, Sunset, Stars, Fish, Reef and Mountain view
Negative Surprises: 
Someone (TSA, Alaska or ATN?) - lifted our Sony Digital Camera from our bags in SEA or LAX on way there. So we have no pictures to share. Had to settle for throwaways. $28-35 if you buy them there. Fortunately we packed a few for underwater.
Activity information at Sofitel (see above).
Positive Surprises: 
Bloody Mary’s – Dinner was a “kick in the pants” – even more than described on this forum.
4X4 Tour and fresh wild fruit.
Dinner and drinks at MaiTai.
Things I learned on this forum that were confirmed:
Ø Store - Tirare – 600M south of the Marara (Water, Tonic Water, OJ and Hinano)
Ø “Time” and “On-Time” take on a new perspective --- Except for the Flights, which all took off 10 – 15 minutes early.
Ø Motu and Marara -- Cheeseburgers and Fries for lunch.
Ø OWB’s at the Motu were worth every penny.
Ø The best place to Snorkel is at the Motu, but I won’t tell you where. What was that long green fish?
Ø Sofitel Motu is very, very private.
Ø The Motu next door is very, very, very private.
Ø It doesn’t get cold.
Ø The shuttles to/from the Marara are “on demand”.
Ø The place upstairs (inside security) at the PPT terminal is a good place to hang out while waiting for boarding.
Ø There is a bag check across the street at PPT.
Ø Sit on the left side on PPT – BOB and on the right for BOB – PPT
Ø The TV sucks.
Ø It will rain.
Things I didn’t learn (or may have missed) on this forum:
Ø You won’t recognize any of the constellations, except Orion.
Ø There are a Rooster and 2 Dogs on the motu next to the Sofitel Motu. They make noise.
Ø The A340 is the quietest airplane ever.
Ø Travelers on Bora Bora were (est.) 45% French, 35% US, and 20% Other
Ø Eric Cartman was right (Episode 105).
Ø People at the PPT Sheraton were (est.) 80% US (Cruzers) and 20% Local
Ø There’s an air-conditioned snack bar (with a Hinano on tap) and restaurant on the second floor at PPT Airport (outside security).
Ø You don’t have to be to the PPT Airport 3 hours early. If you do, you wait outside in line. It’s hotter and stickier out there.
Ø What the hell went on with the Wind Song and who’s looking into this???
Ø Main Duty free at LAX is outside security. Small one near ATN gate.
Ø Customs and Immigration at PPT and LAX were a breeze.
Ø Tote and Float Rafts - Took but didn’t need or use – USJETS is very Buoyant in Saltwater
Still have'nt seen Daytona 500
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#48945 - 02/24/03 10:04 PM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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sorry for the loss of your property. If I may suggest you find a way to report this to the TSA and Airport authorities in each city so they know about it. (Not that it will get your items back), but to help STOP this RIDICULOUS action of not allowing us to LOCK OUR BAGS! There has been widespead reportings of people having their luggage pilferred thru at airports across the country. If they need to search our luggage, let them do it with OURSELVES present!!
sorry to rant, glad you had a nice trip!
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#48946 - 02/25/03 08:54 PM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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Submarine
Expert Advisor
Registered: 01/03/03
Posts: 1033
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona, USA
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Yes I suggest you report that also. That absurd policy needs to be changed. I'm tired of all the this crap in the name of security.
Thanks for the tips and info.
BTW, I always keep my expensive stuff that is irreplaceable in a carry on backpack just so it is within my control. I did this before the stupid no lock policy.
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#48947 - 02/26/03 07:11 AM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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bsinutah
Member
Registered: 08/07/02
Posts: 255
Loc: Utah
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Thanks for the trip report. I'm glad to hear you had a good time. When are you going back? 
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#48948 - 02/26/03 07:17 AM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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bsinutah
Member
Registered: 08/07/02
Posts: 255
Loc: Utah
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BTW, Orion is the only constellation I can identify, ever. Pretty lame?
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#48949 - 02/26/03 02:47 PM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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USJETS
Member
Registered: 10/18/02
Posts: 34
Loc: Seatttle, USA
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Yes, I am pursuing with Alaska and the TSA. It wasn't the cost of the camera (which was negligable) so much as not having it when I got there. I had first assumed -- when I opened my bag to get it for the PPT-BOB leg - that I left the camera at home on the desk, while packing - a much more probable occurence. 
My understanding is that the TSA isn't pilfering anything -- they're pretty high-quality compared to what we used to deal with -- but they make it a lot easier for the baggage handlers at the airport to do so. And then everybody just points fingers at the other guy.
What the TSA has been doing is things like -- hand inspecting luggage and then putting the contents into the wrong (sometimes someone elses) bag. Tour groups have reported finding other peoples stuff, from the same tour group, in their bags. Could be urban legend...or could be just some of those wild things that go on amongst that crowd.
On a recent trip to LAX for business, the TSA hand inspected my luggage (after it was checked), then used a heavy-duty (3/16 inch) wire-tie to lock it shut. Problem is -- I don't travel with -- and the TSA won't let me travel with -- the necessary tool(s) to cut the wire ties. In this case, the hotel (Disneyland Resort, at check-in at midnight) didn't have the tools either. They had to get a maintenance person from the park to come over and cut it loose. I can just see my 77 year old mother in the same situation.
I'm doing work with the TSA (in some other areas) and they are making everyone's travel (including business jets and group charters such as sports teams and symphonies) much less pleasurable. They have been given the mandate by Congress to put laws into place without the typical (and constitutional) review processes, comment periods and cross-checks. In some cases they are not allowing attorneys to review the laws (in the name of national security) and only providing copies to the aircraft operators (subject to extreme confidentiality).
That's why I found Air Tahiti's check-in process a breath of fresh air. Less than one hour, including boat ride, from leaving the Motu until wheels-up at BOB.
BSINUTAH, we must find a southern hemisphere constellation chart before our next trips.
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#48950 - 02/26/03 08:03 PM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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Submarine
Expert Advisor
Registered: 01/03/03
Posts: 1033
Loc: Gilbert, Arizona, USA
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so it's a good idea to pack a small pair of wire cutters in your carryon then.
This security stuff is just so out of hand. Next they will be doing the same crap to people who ride the bus and subways.
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#48951 - 02/27/03 05:46 AM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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Anonymous
Anonymous
Unregistered
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Submarine, good luck getting those wire cutters in your carry on through security...
On our trip back from Hawaii last year my niece had her manicure implements confiscated ;-) I don't even want to think what would happen if you had wire cutters with you!
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#48952 - 02/27/03 10:37 AM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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USJETS
Member
Registered: 10/18/02
Posts: 34
Loc: Seatttle, USA
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Here's a little note on tools in luggage from the Seattle PI.
"Monday, January 13, 2003
Airport evacuated again
Hundreds of travelers delayed in another Sunday security breach
By TOM PAULSON
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER
SEA-TAC -- Maybe Sea-Tac Airport should be called Evac Airport.
Hundreds of travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were evacuated yesterday morning from three concourses after a passenger with construction tools in her carry-on bag slipped past screeners."
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#48953 - 02/27/03 11:10 AM
Re: We're Baaaack......
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sam
Junior Member
Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 0
Loc: LIC, NY,Queens
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Yes, this is all getting out of hand and totally ridiculous. What happened to common sense?? Are we going to live under Gestapo-like conditions for the rest of our lives?
If someone was intent on bringing a weapon on a plane, there are far better ways than using tweezers or wire cutters! I mean, you can buy mail order a plastic/ceramic knife with a 6" blade that will never show-up on x-rays...
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