Going to Cancun

[AA717driver]

Since I'm getting furloughed Mar. 1, we are going to do the logical thing... We're taking my last paycheck and going to Cancun for 5 days.

Anyway, can any veteren of CUN give me some tips as to what to do besides laying on the beach getting hammered? The family is going, too. Thanks in advance.TC

 

[501261]

Sorry to hear about the furlough.

You’ve got the family going, huh? Depending on how old your kids’ are/how well they swim, you be careful about which hotel you stay at. Some of the hotel beaches have a rather “brisk” undertow. I can remember swimming at one place and it taking me 30 minutes and all my strength to come back ashore. A couple of hours later the lifeguard runs out “rescues” this older gentleman brings him ashore and he’s all blue. A couple of the nurses I was talking to start giving him CPR and shortly thereafter the ambulance takes him away. Obviously not all the beaches are like that, and I’m not that familiar to know which one are or aren’t.

 

[exeagle]

We stayed at the Costa Real hotel. Highly recommended. The all inclusive deal included drinks and food (which was really good). Also, you can book all kinds of day trips. Xel-Ha is a absolute must! Also, Tulum ruins are nearby and that is one of the best looking beaches ive ever seen. They also had parasailing and waverunner tours through the jungle. Have fun!

xel ha

costa real hotel

 

[350DRIVER]

If you are looking for a great place to stay that is probably the best located then I surely would suggest the Ritz there. I have stayed at others and they really do not compare or even come close to the Ritz. It is a magnificant and extremely well appointed property and the food is superior. The Omni is also a nice property as well but I still prefer the Ritz. I would take family to see the Indian ruins, pretty "scenic" stuff and not very far... Fat Tuesday's is also a must, great atmosphere and fun times.

Try and stay away from the "cheaper" all inclusive hotel deals, a few friends tried to save a few bucks and they learned the hard way. The accomodations were horrific and you only got to choose from a very limited menu that they said was just as bad. Go out in style since this is your last trip at AA...


Sorry to hear about the furlough man, hope you are able to find employment within the industry somehow. Amazing how you were captain at TWA and now this happens, was very sad to see 75+ years of great tradition go right down the drain. I flew TWA many times to Cancun and it was always very enjoyable.

good luck

3 5 0

 

[TurboS7]

Get someone to take care of the kids and go to LaBOOM and dance till the sun comes up. With all the college kids there you'll feel young again. Walking the beaches another great pass time, they are rated PG-13 though.

 

[AA717driver]

Thanks all! We are staying at the Riu Caribe. It says it's 4 stars--hope they're not lying!

I'll watch my kids like a hawk on the beach. I really can't dance all night--I've told my wife I go to bed at 9:00 p.m. on layovers so she won't call me. If I stay out all night dancing with her, it'll blow my cover!

Thanks again, I give you all a debrief. Take care.TC

 

[ERfly]

The company I used to work for flew charters to Cancun. Several of the passengers would come back every week and rave about the Riu. They said it was just awesome. Best place they've ever stayed. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

We just got back. We went to Xcaret (similar to Xelha). It was fun, and it seems from the maps there are more different things to do in Xcaret than Xelha. We were told their are more kid-friendly activities in Xcaret. The Mayan ruins are on the property in Xcaret, and off in Xelha (at Tulum). Xcaret is about 40 mi. from Cancun while Xelha is about 70.

I've heard that a trip to Isla Mujeres is fun, and easily accessible from Cancun via ferry. We went to Cozumel via ferry from Playa del Carmen. We enjoyed Playa del Carmen a lot (We didn't go to Cancun except to the airport. WE stayed in Riveria Maya, at the Mayan Palace.)

It is supposed to rain through this week Thur, I believe.

Have a ton of fun!!!

CLiff
GRB

PS-I'd like to send a BIG THANK U!!! to ATA and USAir. I jumpseated into CUN on ATA via IND, and out from CUN-PHL via USAir. Thanks a TON!!! (The family paid for NWA to CUN.)

 

[DenverDude2002]

Man did AA lay off everyone from TWA? Sorry to hear about the lay off AA717Driver, I have yet to meet a non friendly TWA crew member. You guys are some of the best in the industry. Have you started looking for another flyin job? I know a TWA 757 capt i talked to said he was thinking about going to sri lanka to fly.

 

[350DRIVER]

Man did AA lay off everyone from TWA? Sorry to hear about the lay off AA717Driver, I have yet to meet a non friendly TWA crew member. You guys are some of the best in the industry. Have you started looking for another flyin job? I know a TWA 757 capt i talked to said he was thinking about going to sri lanka to fly.

I would not say "everyone" but many were furloughed. It was a very unfortunate chain of events but TWA had very few options at that point. It was just very sad to see such a tradition go up in smokes, lotsa history behind that carrier... They were a great group of people. Too bad Compton could not use his 80 skills in management to keep it alive and going.


3 5 0

 

[AA717driver]

Denver--Out of 22,000 total employees, there are about 2,000 left. I'm about 600 on the TWA pilot list out of 2,300.

I guess in retrospect it would have been better for me if TWA had gone under in Jan. 2001. Most of us who have been furloughed would have been able to get hired elsewhere before the large furloughs happened. Maybe not.

But life goes on. The majority of the PanAm guys got a lousy deal--they didn't even get a number at Delta. If figure if I get a good job somewhere, I'll run with it. Life goes on.

Thanks again everyone!TC

 

[46Driver]

poll bump

 

[-9Capt]

Don't stay in Cancun, it's WAY over deveolped, much like Miami beach.

I'd highly recommend Playa del Carmen, about 45mins south of CUN.

Go to Xel-Ha for the full day. Don't buy a half day of ruins and half day at Xel-Ha, you'll regret it.

Look into staying at the Porto Real or the Paradisus, the latter being the nicest. Both are all-inclusive. From the Porto Real it's a half mile walk down the beach to the ferry that takes you to the island of Cosumel ($6 when I was there). Excellent diving/snorkling, Cosumel is an easy day trip away from Playa del Carmen. If you stay at the Porto Real in Playa del Carmen you can use all the facilities of the Porto Real in Cancun free of charge, another easy day trip.

Bring plenty of US $1 bills for tipping.

 

[OOramperpilot]

Originally posted by exeagle

xel ha

Xel Ha rocks! You should also check out Xpu Ha. Here is the website for Palace Resorts. They are top notch! Stayed in CUN for a week and had a blast. Make sure you go do Chechin Itza or Tulum!

 

[nck4857]

I just got back from CUN yesterday, make sure to give yourself plenty of time at the aiport, we had to stand in line at the ticket counter (AA) for 3 hours, but i'm sure it's not always that busy.