Royal Royally!

Day 1 - One gets tired of being treated like a sack of potatoes. Like on the last trip to Vegas.

I think the breaking point for me was when I found myself jammed into economy, arms folded to try to avoid touching the dude next to me.

He'd fallen asleep and his head was tilted at a crazy angle. If his goal was to direct his nostril wind onto my bare skin, he'd succeeded.

There was barely enough legroom.

There was a stopover in the sprawling Atlanta airport.

The door-to-door trip was some 13 hours even though the flying time is 5 hours.

Enough.

With a winning Vegas trip at the end of 2025, and a winning Vegas trip at the end of 2024 (that's two in a row, in case you missed it!) I wanted to go back.

The search began. I wanted a better experience. I wanted - no demanded - a non-stop flight from Florida.

Paydirt.

I used 35,000 Avion points and $400 cash to book JetBlue out of Orlando return to Vegas and back.

And I'm in Mint. YES MINT.

My own little pod, where I can stretch out in a lie flat seat, be treated like royalty, and fart and scratch with impunity.

This is the manner in which I wish to become accustomed.

I booked the best parking at Orlando (except valet). I rented a car in Vegas for the first time in a couple of years.

Yes, I booked it and I'm on my way to Vegas right now, Saturday night, Feb 14th, 2026.

I had some lounge passes from some credit card or other, so I got to the airport and searched for the lounge. I walked all the way to my gate before finding out it was back where I started.

It was about a 10 minute walk.

Oh I had dreams of included drinks, food, maybe a quick shower... 

Wrong. The Plaza Premium lounge was full. 25 minute wait. That wouldn't give me much time to eat and haul ass back to the gate. Now I know.

I said screw that, and walked the long trek back to gate 232. On the way, I checked with JetBlue on what food was going to be available - small plates only. And snacks probably.

My royal self-esteem went in the dumper. I picked up some Punishment Cheese to supplement my Punishment Snacks.

Is this the way this trip is going to go???