David J. Danto

Travel thoughts in my own, personal opinion

eMail: ddanto@IMCCA.org Follow Industry News: @NJDavidD on

December 1994 2025 Update… – December 2025

I’m just back from one of the last business trips I’ll take for this calendar year. I didn’t have time to write a fresh piece, so I grabbed an old end-of-year travel blog from ages ago and made some deletions in strikethrough and minor updates in italics to make it accurate for today. (As Johnny Carson used to say, buy the premise, buy the bit.) Here it goes.

I’m just back from the staging and lighting conference in Las Vegas and it was amazing how inexpensive unbearably expensive everything was in Vegas. Because it was in the quiet time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas Las Vegas was nearly empty so crowded it felt like Times Square with a lava-flow problem. It was truly an experience to be there at this time.

My flights in and out of Newark Airport were amazing. I sat in the extremely roomy inhumanly jammed seats on the United plane. Those folks at United really take care of screw over their passengers by blocking seats next to ignoring the status of Elite members so they can have more room pain.

And then there are the Frequent Flyer Miles. They clearly are a terrific perk sham that offers real value forms a cryptic puzzle that somehow delivers less every year. Redemption is simple and fair like an escape room designed by someone who hates you personally detailed via a public award chart based on fleeting whims of greedy airline executives. Miles can also be used for readily available bidding on a sham lottery for seat upgrades that never clear.

The airline clubs are a godsend an overpriced disgrace. They are known for plenty of space crowds that look like they’re waiting for rush tickets to Hamilton and for airline staff who are relaxed and always available to help surly and rude while performing emotional triage on travelers who haven’t slept in days. Still, the clubs are worth the fee a waste of money because they offer an increased level of service and improved experience almost nothing for the money except free sodas.

Boarding the aircraft now uses a new “by group” process that is calm and orderly a ridiculous attempt that creates ten levels that come before one. It’s interesting to watch mostly happy exasperated passengers in a calm progression sprint toward a shrinking supply of overhead-bin real estate, and gate areas that now seem more relaxed like an unregulated cattle drive.

Looking back at the trip and my whole year of travel, when you’re a pro at business travel, not to mention a Million Miler, your experience is definitely better than no improvement upon the average twice a year leisure traveler. Getting from one place to another in the world is now as simple as walking to the corner store a test of the human capacity to tolerate pain and insanity.

Happy Holidays from my family to yours, and here’s wishing you a 1995 2026 that is full of travel experiences that make your spirit shine don’t utterly destroy your will to live.

After decades of candid travel commentary – from loyalty program “magic tricks” to hotel check-in roulette – I’ve decided to turn some of that honesty into apparel. These aren’t novelty shirts; they’re the exact truths every road warrior wishes they could say out loud. Whether you’re quietly muttering “My loyalty points devalued while you read this shirt” or admitting “If delays build character then I’m the whole movie’s cast” you’ll find plenty of familiar sentiments… and more. Everything is produced by a reputable outfit, with black tees that work under a sport jacket plus hoodies and wicking travel gear for life on the road. The site also has my honest and snarky takes on technology trade shows. Take a look at Tinyurl.com/TechAndTravelWear. Even if you’re not buying they’re fun to read and commiserate – and if you do buy something, maybe I’ll break even. If you want a style you don’t see, just email me and I’ll add it.

This article was written by David Danto and contains solely his own, personal opinions.

All image and links provided above as reference under prevailing fair use statutes.

Copyright 2025 David Danto

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As always, feel free to write and comment, question or disagree. Hearing from the traveling community is always a highlight for me. Thanks!