======================================================
A reader writes:
An excellent alternative to New York airports is now Tweed, in New Haven.
If you want to get to Florida hassle-free, Avelo Airlines flies to 6 cities. Flights ae cheap, very nice, with good service. They fly older but totally fine 737s (minus USB ports and TVs, so download something to watch).
At Tweed you not only avoid New York, but it’s also easier to get ride shares. I missed a JetBlue flight because Uber showed up 45 minutes late (they took off while we were in the terminal), I had to find a better way.
Driving myself to La Guardia is a nightmare. I wouldn’t ask an enemy to drive me, let alone a friend or relative.
So it’s no frills — but these days, what airline isn’t?
=======================================================
Dwayne Hickman — who played Dobie Gillis on that pioneering TV sitcom from 1959 to ’63 — died yesterday in Los Angeles. He was 87.
The Westport connection? The show was created by Westport writer Max Shulman. He also wrote “Rally ’Round the Flag, Boys!,” a novel based loosely on the Nike site controversy then roiling Westport.
The year before “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” debuted, Shulman’s “Rally” book was made into a movie. Hickman had a role — though not as large as another actor, Paul Newman.
That film, of course, introduced Newman and his wife, Joanne Woodward, to Westport. They moved here soon after, and never left. (Hat tip: Peter Blau)
Dwayne Hickman (left) and Bob Denver, in “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” in 1959. (Photo courtesy of the New York Times and CBS)
======================================================
Winslow Park is one of Westport’s favorite sledding spots. It got tons of action after Friday’s snowstorm.
But at least 2 kids lost their hats. If these look familiar, they’re sitting on the fence post next to the hill.
(Photo/Wendy Crowther)
======================================================
The snow turned every corner of Westport — including the few living things at Sherwood Island State Park — into a winter wonderland. Today’s starkly beautiful “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from Mary Sikorski.
(Photo/Mary Sikorski)
=======================================================
And finally … Michael Lang — a co-creator of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair that defined a generation — died Saturday in New York, from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 77. Click here for a full obituary.
Great minds think alike Wendy!!
I photographed that series of hats and masks on the Winslow fence yesterday .
As for Tweed airport , a friend of mine is a pilot and now flying out of there and cannot say enough good things about it.
I second the comments of flying out of Tweed. The cost of flying from New Haven two days before Christmas for a round trip to Ft Lauderdale was less than one way on Jet Blue ( and I Love Jet Blue). Not to mention the time saved traveling to the airport, and no lines!!!
Yes, there is no wi-fi, no entertainment, but anyone of certain ages remember when that was the norm.
The only negative, is that there is no jet-way, so it was very cold walking to/from the plane to/from the gate.
These are minor issues, and hopefully these are items that will be addressed as updates are made.
Kudos to Avelo, and maybe some day they will expand their cities from Tweed to include more than just Florida cities.
In the 70’s and 80’s Bridgeport Airport was served by Mohawk Airlines which later became Alleghany Airlines. It was no frills flying for certain. The co-pilot was also in charge of opening and closing the entry door.
The planes were small enough …a narrow aisle with single rows of seats on both sides…that people in front seats could chat with the pilot during the flight.
There were regular flights from Bridgeport to Philadelphia and Pittsburg among other destinations. As I recall, I could get a round trip flight to Philadelphia for about $100.00.
And yes, travelers had to walk across the open airfield to get to the planes, but the purser would call each passenger by name before we lined up at the departure gate. Always made me feel like a celebrity.
Maybe someday commercial flights will return to Sikorsky Airport.
Dan:
Here is a link to Michael Lang’s obituary in The Time (of London) this morning: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/michael-lang-obituary-jn3kkff8q
As far as hassle free Avelo out of new haven it’s not! My family a party of 5 with 3 children had their flight delayed 2x and then at 10pm Cancelled! Getting no information at any time until 10 pm. Ugh!! Getting them on the phone is impossible and they never respond to emails sent to their support email.. never got any response. I flew it once and again experience a delay and if your over 5 foot your knees are in your chest. When I landed in new haven from Tampa I had the hardest landing I ever had in over 100 flights thru the years… Jet Blue from now on!! Such a shame their so so BAD.
If you are a party of one or two, a good way to LaGuardia and back is MetroNorth to Harlem, then the M60 express bus. If you plan it right, it is even more convenient with the Wheels2Us service.
It takes more time, but you can also go into Grand Central, then out the 7 line and then one stop via the Q70 bus. I had to do that one Sunday with the NYC Marathon in progress.
More than two, or lots of luggage, uber/lyft starts to make sense, at least on the way in.
LaGuardia is starting to get put back together, and has more options.
Dan, thanks for posting about Michael Lang, and the link to the themed Woodstock video. Brought me immediately back, and a tear to my aging eye. RIP Mike – and thank you for the greatest of adolescent memories.
I could be considered a frequent Avelo flyer with 2 round trips under my belt. I live in Naples, FL and I’ve found them efficient and hassle free – except for collecting luggage at RSW. But minor issue. …and of course I remember Dobie Gillis and the Schuman family who all went to Wspt public schools.
Westchester Airport (HPN) is heaven. It only has two flights taking off at one time, so it’s very rarely crowded. A total pleasure to fly out of and into. And it’s like 25 minutes on the Merritt from Westport.
Thanks for the update and reports about Tweed. One of the important things CT needs to bring back businesses is infrastructure, like now having 2 commercial airports (3, if HPN, over the state border, is included). If only we had strongly pursued the I91 corridor as a biotech hub 25 years ago, as had been planned. The Yale tech-transfer business is an excellent incubator and with better infrastructure and housing, CT could still be in the game.
Governor Lamont is fully aware and has already begun repopulating CT with corporate headquarters and other businesses.
P.S.: I started flying out of HPN way back when it had one gate and no jetway. And no metal detectors. Loved flying out of there.