Hand Solo - you're absolutely right about airport hotels. When will this myth go away? I have worked in hotac bookings, and believe me, when the wx goes down you have a nightmare with crews at airport hotels. It's simply too irresistable for hotel managers to ignore a contract for a small penalty and sell some top-end priced rooms to pi$$ed-off pax.
Airport hotel myths spring from two management irrationalities:
1. Because you're nearer work they somehow think you'll be more available on a freebie 'reserve' - notwithstanding that crews refuse to answer the phone on layovers.
2. Envy. Pure and simple. The 'fun-detectors' have to bust-up the fly-boy morale. Why should crews enjoy Wanchai when they're stuck back at Waterworld?
No, you don't necessarily have to stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel, but nor will a flea-pit by LAX porno-land do, either.
