Most people incorrectly assume that traveling is extremely easy for us thanks in part to our ability to go standby on numerous flights. While this gives us a great deal of flexibility, the winter holidays add a layer of unpredictability to the equation.
Nicole left a few days early, but her only option was to buy a ticket out of Orange County, a 45 minute drive south of LAX, and hardly convenient. Even with my own ability to ride in the flight deck jumpseat, my already delayed aircraft gained another eight hour delay for maintenance. This was a shame because I was given a really nice seat in Polaris and had to ditch and take another aircraft if I wanted to arrive in timely fashion.
I was welcomed to New Jersey with cold temperatures and a festive Newark refinery belching smoke and holiday cheer into the late night air. I was a bit moody on account of the flight issues and the fact that I was coming down with a cold. Over the coming days, we attempted to make the best of it by braving the wintry air and taking a stroll through Grover Cleveland Park.
Fog and cold wintry air lended a spooky atmosphere to the park. At any moment, the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future could have made an appearance. We were repeatedly told that it was much colder before we arrived as if that would make us feel warmer when it was 36. With such chilly weather, it would not be surprising that folks from this northeastern region of the country might want to disappear to someplace warmer…like say Florida. It is, in fact, the only place that people from New Jersey have ever considered sojourning other than “The Shore,” and occasionally Aruba. At the annual Donadio Christmas party, nearly everyone present had a house in Florida on top of their other usual houses and shore houses. Good for them.
There was one point when we thought we would be able to hop on a direct flight from Newark to Orlando, but that quickly evaporated once we saw double digits of standbys and disappearing seats. Tampa was no better. It was virtually impossible to get to any airport in Florida from New Jersey. Except one. It wouldn’t be easy to pull off.
There was a flight from Morristown, New Jersey to Boca Raton, Florida on an Embraer 145. If this sounds absurd, it is. Morristown, New Jersey is a small town not situated close to anything of interest. Saying that it serves New York City would be a bit generous. Boca Raton is a coastal community in southeast Florida, but most people would be more likely to fly into real airports like Fort Lauderdale or West Palm Beach. No airlines fly into Boca Raton. You see, we weren’t flying an “airline” exactly.
It’s called JSX and brands itself as the private jet experience. Because they are a smaller operation for fewer passengers, they are allowed to follow a different set of rules and regulations. This bothers American and Southwest Airlines greatly because JSX is known for good service and American and Southwest are typically not associated with these things. Some airlines have approached congress and the FAA in hopes of shutting JSX down, but I find it to just be sour grapes.
The process is unique. Morristown has no terminal, so you enter the office of an FBO (fixed base operation). The check-in process involves simply showing an ID, and all bags are checked since there are no overhead bins. There isn’t a traditional security setup and there is no TSA. It was refreshing not to be verbally abused by the Newark agents. We walked through a sort of “security” gate, but unclear what it did or if it was on.
The Embraer 145 would typically seat 50 passengers if flying for the airlines, but JSX brought that down to 30 by converting many seats to a sort of table with cup holders and ensuring everyone has a seat by themselves. Legroom is ample, but not as big as one might have in an exit row of a normal airline. With the lightened flight load, we blasted out of Morristown like a rocket. After getting above the clouds and to our cruising altitude, drinks and a fruit and cheese platter was served. I treated myself to a Shiner Bock. Everyone else on the plane treated themselves to about three or some massive glasses of wine.
This was perhaps helpful to them later in the flight off the coast of South Carolina when we hit some fairly intense turbulence. Most people seemed relatively unfazed by it all. Drunks. We touched down at night in Boca Raton and didn’t have to wait for a gate because there are no gates. Luggage was arranged for us on the tarmac so it would be ready once we exited. We then had to take a Lyft to West Palm Beach airport to rent a car since Boca Raton did not have many facilities. After a 25 minute ride there, we drove for another two and a half hours to Orlando. It was not easy, but it worked in the end.
JSX doesn’t connect many different places, so it’s not easy to choose them unless you are looking to do a very specific route. I would fly them again, but the conditions would have to be just right. For branding themselves as a private jet experience, I wouldn’t go out of my way for it. You get a decent snack and beverage selection, but one’s “private” jet experience is shared with 30 other people on JSX. Nevertheless, Bricole, everyone’s favorite celebrity couple, do appreciate even a little anonymity from time to time. Our flight would have cost us in excess of $1000 if we actually paid for it, so I don’t think it’s a super viable option for most people, but did seem to be very dog-friendly if that’s your thing. Woof.
The weather was pleasant in central Florida. We were cold at times, but not anything like the 30s and 40s I experienced some years ago during this same time of year. Average high temps were in the low 70s throughout our stay. This made it comfortable to be outside and explore the neighborhoods. We walked along the usual areas by the ponds and trestles and also explored some of the holiday decorations.
All in all, a relaxing time in Florida was had, and our exit from the state proved much easier than our entrance. After enjoying about a week and a half off of work, we must now return to the grind until we brainstorm our next adventure.
passports & pepto bismol 