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This blog discusses current weather, weather prediction, climate issues, and other topics
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Coastal Weather Radar
It is time for all those interested to push for a coastal weather radar in our region.
As I have discussed in this blog and in a web page on the topic, http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~cliff/coastalradar.html , the Pacific Northwest has the worst radar coverage of any coastal location in the continental U.S. (see graphic, red indicates no coverage). The only weather radar in western Washington is on Camano Island and its beam is blocked by the Olympics, so there is virtually no coverage over the coast and nearshore waters. We have some of the most active weather in the U.S., but we can't see the details of the storms coming in. Here in Seattle we can plan our days and understand the weather using the weather radar...in Gray's Harbor county you can't. We can't get see heavy precipitation on the SW and W windward slopes of the Olympics, or the coastal mountains of SW Washington. There have been a number of short-term forecast failures that could have been prevented if we had such a radar.
Strong support for the radar exists in the coastal communities, from environment groups, to the forestry industry, to the fishery community, and local municipalities.
The radar would cost around 4.5 million, plus installation costs and land--no more than 6-8 million in total. The region could save that in a single major storm, if the forecast could be improved (e.g., the major flooding in December 07 on the Chehalis). A location somewhere between Westport and Pacific Beach would work. Several of our senatorial and congressional delegation have been supportive, with Senator Cantwell taking a lead (see the web page for more info on this).
There will be hundreds of billions spent on infrastructure improvements for our nation. Wouldn't improving the weather prediction and warning infrastructure for our region be an exceptionally wise use of such funds? And the project is "shovel ready." Radar hardware vendors could deliver and install the unit within a year.
I would be happy to answer questions about this in this blog. But I am suggesting that you contact our U.S. Senators (Maria Cantwell, Patty Murray)...asking for their help (contact info is at http://www.atmos.washington.edu/~cliff/contact.html). Also contact your local congressperson...with those in Norm Dicks district (who have the most to gain) taking a lead.
After so many years of inferior weather radar coverage along the coast and offshore, it is time to fix this serious problem. Perhaps the growing community of those interested in NW weather can finally make this happen. Thanks, cliff
40 comments:
- av8r said...
I am ready to write my representatives.
Where would the ideal location or locations be, in your opinion to locate such a facility, for both the best coverage and the easiest land acquisition?
Alan Negrin
- January 27, 2009 at 10:40 AM
- Cliff Mass Weather Blog said...
Westport would be excellent...but it could be as far north as Pacific Beach. ...cliff
- January 27, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Done. I hope they listen.
- January 27, 2009 at 10:41 AM
- showhank said...
Let's not shoot low. Aim High.
Tampa just received a new radar called "Klystron 9"
Why can't we get this? It would be a great test of this radar in a non tropical location.
See the link below for more info on this radar.
"This is the most powerful radar that we've ever produced," said Robert Baron Sr., the president and CEO of Baron Services, which developed and built Klystron 9. "It's 1.25 million watts of power and it is the cleanest signal that we've ever produced."
Klystron 9 combines, for the first time in history, a dual Polarimetric radar, Klystron tube, Pulse Compression technology, and a 1.25 million watt transmitter.
- January 27, 2009 at 10:53 AM
- Joseph Ratliff said...
I lived in Ocean Shores in December 2007...and the severity of that storm was SEVERELY under-predicted...I remember KOMO4 forecasting 80mph gusts...and I remember reading that Westport recorded 133mph gusts...trees fell by the tons...etc..etc...and power was out for 10 days because a BPA fell.
Could some of that been "pre-warned" better with a coastal radar? Hmmm....
- January 27, 2009 at 12:22 PM
- Murdoch said...
Hi Cliff,
What happened to the Q13 Neah Bay Doppler?
Did that fill the bill or is it gone for good reason?
- January 27, 2009 at 1:21 PM
Thanks Cliff for the continual interesting subject matter, Question, I thought that one of the radio/tv stations[KOMO} had a radar on the coast? Why not share. I know that might sound naive, but was a thought.I live very near to Possession Pt. on Whidbey, and look out southwest over Cultus Bay towards Kingston. So always have a clear shot of what is coming, unless it is one of them dang Canadians coming from the north!
- January 27, 2009 at 2:14 PM
- Cliff Mass Weather Blog said...
KCPQ has a radar at Neah Bay. Unfortunately, this is not the answer:
1. It is low powered, low resolution.
2. Too far north...you will notice you only see from central WA coast north on it.
3. It breaks down frequently and they can't send out digital output.
4. I have tried for years to get the data from the radar from them and they said it couldn't be done.
Anyway, that radar just can't do the job..cliff
- January 27, 2009 at 3:29 PM
- mb in Port Angeles said...
anonymous: if it's sneaking up behind the Olympics you don't see it either.
- January 27, 2009 at 3:30 PM
- camco said...
Cliff -- This is the first time I've seen a post of yours defending a costal weather station based on economic stimulus needs, and, to my suprise, you make a good case.
I'll consider this.
I remain adamant that the city of Seattle should NOT invest more money in snow removal equipment, given how infrequently we get snow storms that require extensive removal. This depression we're entering is going to be long and deep, and there are absolutely no signs whatsoever that "we'll someday recover." Therefore, no money for snow removal, but instead for human priorities -- food, water, shelter.
But thanks again for presenting a thoughtful case for the coast weather station.
- January 27, 2009 at 4:19 PM
$150 million for a football stadium? How about a 5% for radar fund?
- January 27, 2009 at 5:06 PM
- Paul said...
Where does Norm Dicks stand on this? Its his district.
- January 27, 2009 at 5:53 PM
My e-mail:
It is beyond silly, and dangerous, that there is no weather radar on the Washington coast -- a region frequented by rapidly changing and often powerful weather patterns. A coastal radar is a $6-$8 million dollar infrastructure improvement that would VASTLY increase our weather forecasters' ability to predict incoming storms, and to potentially prevent--through early warnings--some of the massive and obviously frequent weather-related damage that affects our region. Surely, between the stimulus package currently being debated, and President Obama's stated intention to use public works and other infrastructure projects to increase our odds of coming out of this recession quickly and in one piece, money can be found for this project. If this cannot be done, I don't know what can be.
I look forward to your response, or even better, to prompt action.
- January 27, 2009 at 6:08 PM
Ok, i buy a weather radar....cuz if they can justify bailout for Ethanol (on top of current subsidy) or bailout for contraception, what the heck...
- January 27, 2009 at 6:27 PM
I agree that a coastal radar would be a good idea to see rain coming, but not knowing specifically what's coming makes life fun and interesting here on the coast!
- January 27, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Before I write, can you explain exactly how a radar that shows current echoes will help give a better forecast into the future??? I'm missing the connection.
- January 27, 2009 at 7:41 PM
- Cliff Mass Weather Blog said...
Norm Dicks is supportive...and he is certainly in a powerful position that could help make this happen. I spent an hour with him two years ago and he understood why it was necessary. As noted earlier, his constituency would have the most to gain by this acquisition.
I believe the economic case is overwhelming for the radar..cliff
- January 27, 2009 at 7:42 PM
I am an amateur weather foamer (meaning I am rabid, and foaming at the mouth) but I think I can help. First, a weather radar sees what is happening some distance off-shore (75-100 miles; perhaps others can help refine this guess). They can use the radar to not only predict what is going hit nearby, but get an indication of the structure of the approaching storm, and wind-speeds within the approaching storm.
From Westport to Chehalis to Seattle what can really impact wind forecasts in the strongest storm is the "bent-back occlusion" or "scorpion's tail" located generally south-southwest to west of the main low pressure center. Any radar information on this part of the storm is obscured by the Olys--sure it is coming, but where is it, and how fast are the winds? This will also help predict rainfall and help folks anticipate flooding--even an hour or two of forewarning may allow folks to prepare. Right now we are limited by existing radar coverage.
More information can improve the accuracy of the current forecast, and more importantly, provide data for the future forecasts since a new radar station provides new input to improve the models. We all benefit from advance warning, from utilities preparing for damage, to flood warnings from heavy rains coming our way.
My two cents.
- January 27, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Cliff, the most compelling reasons that have made me realize that we need better coastal radar have come from you when you cite specific past storms that were surprises. Would you mind sharing once again several examples of past weather events that would have been predicted with coastal radar, and which caused damage, injury and death that would have been avoided had those events been predicted with coastal radar? Thanks again.
- January 28, 2009 at 7:26 AM
A radar is best employed to track severe convective activity (tornadoes, hurricanes etc) to support immediate evacuation/take shelter warnings. This is a time where minutes of warning will save lives. Along our coast's we very rarely are faced with these features of weather. I am not at all convinced that this is the smartest investment of monies to improve weather warning support for our coastal communities and western Washington population centers. Protecting our coastal fleets both commercial and recreational is a top priority. The best service we can provide them is very accurate winds and seas predictions 18-24 hours in advance of severe conditions. Radar will not support that need. Improving advance forecast(24-48 hours) will permit better defensive emergency planning (prepositioning of power crews, start up of sanding operations,etc. School closures, etc.) Radar won't accomplish that objective.
The smarter investment may be to enhance the offshore bouy network, invest in research to improve model skill or install a year round automated upper air measurement system with year round applicability.
So my overarching comment is to invest $$$ that will directly improve forecasts 24-48 hours in advance of severe storms.
Sorry to be the wet blanket but sometimes we just can't get he return we need from tools like radars.
I know that the University would love to have these systems to support their own research. I hope they are finding ways to use the existing radars but to my knowledge they are not using radars to stimulate operational corrections to forecast models. When that is accomplished, a radar make some sense.
I hope these comments will also make to the congressional offices.
- January 28, 2009 at 7:39 AM
- Cliff Mass Weather Blog said...
Let me address the comments of WXFXSTR. First, he/she is not correct about the use of radar for assimilation into models...RUC is now doing that and the UW is testing this at this point. The beauty of the radar is that all the detail and information secured offshore would then move on to land..improving forecasts downwind. Over the western side of the mts..the radar would improve predictability for the first 6-12 hr...but that is critical. There are many examples of failed major forecasts that could have been changed radically if such a radar existed. Feb 7, 2002 is an example and documented in the book.
A group of NWS types opposed to the radar often bring up the issue of more buoys. I am not opposed to more buoys..but they have major problems. First, they can't provide detailed 3D structure of incoming systems...only radar can. They fail during major storms. The December 2007 storm tooks out half of the coastal buoys for the whole season! They are only at a single level (the surface) and thus don't give us structures aloft..which are critical for getting the forecasts right. They are extraordinarily expensive..much more so than a radar. And it is VERY expensive to maintain them and their initial costs are high. Finally, satellites give us other ways of getting surface winds (scatterometers)...and thus we already have a handle on the surface conditions offshore. A coastal radar offers a last line of protection for our communities to insure no major storm or weather feature can make landfall without us knowing what is occurring. The occasional major forecast failures of the NWS are a strong indications of the need for such radars. And finally I ask: why is the NOrthwest the only coastal region of the continental U.S. without radar coverage. Why isn't the SE or NE happy to have some buoys instead of coastal radar? And why should we be blind to the heavy precipitation on the coastal mountains of our region...when resulting floods has done hundreds of millions of damage during the past few years? Anyway you cut it, the need for the coastal radar is compelling. Finally, I have talked with upper management of the NWS, which now agree that the radar is needed.
- January 28, 2009 at 8:01 AM
Cliff -
Could you respond to the question of Anon at 0726-
Would you mind sharing once again several examples of past weather events that would have been predicted with coastal radar, and which caused damage, injury and death that would have been avoided had those events been predicted with coastal radar?
Also you weaken your case when you state the Norm Dicks is supportive. His ability to freely spend taxpayer money on earmarks is something that certainly won't be tolerated in these economic times.
- January 28, 2009 at 8:58 AM
- Cliff Mass Weather Blog said...
Anon...I gave an example in the previous post...Feb 7, 2002...a major storm with hurricane-force winds that hit the coast with no warming. The Thanksgiving Storm of 2001 is another. A weaker, but important event was the snowstorm bust of last month. So there are dozens and dozens of examples.
I have no idea what you are getting at regarding Congressman Dirks. That fact that after he was presented the information he seemed supported is certainly a positive. We are not talking about an earmark here, but rather inclusion in the omnibus economic package now being shaped in congress. Anyway, I don't share you feelings about earmarks...they are not all bad.
- January 28, 2009 at 9:33 AM
- Joseph Ratliff said...
I believe that Feb 7, 2002 storm was named the "Surprise Sou'wester" or something like that...I'll have to open up my copy of Cliff's book to find the name :)
Anyhow, that storm destroyed the area it hit, and power outages were quite high in number and duration...a terrible one.
Folks that don't quite support this...bottom line is with coastal radar...just ONE major storm properly prepared for and predicted vs. without the coastal radar we have a store like Feb 2002 all over again...which would you want?
And anyone who has lived in Western, WA for a length of time KNOWS we'll have this happen again more than just once.
- January 28, 2009 at 10:49 AM
OK; a weather-related question. I was out in North Bend yesterday at 11:50 a.m (heading to a noon meeting, hence the time specificity). Got out of my car and a micro-burst of wind came through so strong that it whipped my car door out of my hand and slammed it so that the car rocked. A colleague was not as fortunate, he parked 'facing the wrong way' and the wind slammed his door OPEN, springing the door out of plumb. It appeared to be blasting down the Pass out of the east. Was this a case of a high pressure system on the east side blowing in beneath the low over the PS lowlands?
- January 28, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Cliff. I am for the coastal radar. Like so many of us here. I was wondering what the CASA team came up with though. What recommendations they wrote up. As far as the event of December 1-3, 2007 "beam blockage" was one factor along with data buoy malfunction that generated the short term forecast deviations especially the problems it gave the EMS in Grays County. As for the event as a whole it sounds like the NWS gave a good lead time with accurate 3-5 day down stream forecasting. So yes, any resolution increase would be great. Like going from digital video to High Definition Video. There is no argument in that. But the public should also not wait till the last minute for the worst. The weather is getting angry. Best to prepare for he worst when someone tells you a beast is coming to town to play. But put er up…
- January 28, 2009 at 12:34 PM
- Gator said...
I would think increased radar coverage on the coast would also provide a year-round benefit to the fishing industry and people involved in water sports (i.e. surfing).
- January 28, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Plus the NWS will be on the hot seat even more. "How could you get that one wrong with that new nifty radar" I can hear it now....
- January 28, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Okay, I'm fiscally conservative and I'm converted - anybody who doesn't think coastal radar would be an investment bringing huge returns should check out this site:
- January 28, 2009 at 1:53 PM
- Joseph Ratliff said...
Thanks for making the links in your posts "live" Cliff...I appreciate it.
- January 28, 2009 at 4:45 PM
When we know what's going to happen weather-wise, that will be one sad day. We enjoy weather because the surprise of it is wonderful.
- January 28, 2009 at 5:42 PM
- Cliff Mass Weather Blog said...
Just to wax philosophical...perhaps some of the mystery is lost when we are not longer surprised by the evolving weather. On the other hand, understanding what is happening as one looks at the clouds or views a satellite picture is deeply satisfying...and the protection of life and property is of course invaluable. Just shut off your computer and TV if you don't want to know I guess...cliff
- January 28, 2009 at 5:49 PM
off topic...does anyone have good info on Jim Foreman (the person, not the phenomena known as yellow parka shouting snow when its 35 and maybe going to snow)?
- January 28, 2009 at 6:24 PM
(for Josh-B who said "Plus the NWS will be on the hot seat even more")
That doesn't change, whether there is data or a data void--in the end somebody has to be the authority. There are times I am on the fence as to whether to keep up a small craft advisory or go to a gale warning. Sometimes the Camano Island 88D will give velocity data that you can compare with model winds aloft. If the actual winds are already stronger than forecast by the models, sometimes you can expect stronger winds at the surface too. Westerly surges down the Strait and the strength of the mesolow in the lee of the Olympics change with the winds aloft. And the radar certainly shows the PSCZ nicely, especially in the wind data. I can imagine times when coastal data could be especially useful--for instance when you get those slow moving baroclinic zones and you haven't a clue whether it is drifting south or north. And triple points, I'd like to see those in the velocity data. Just two off the top of my head, there are probably a dozen more.
I understand what fcstr438yrs is saying--I've been a forecaster for about twenty years and on the surface I might agree, However, whether the tool is put to use and improves skill might not be known until the $8M or whatever it is is spent. Again, speaking only for myself, that does not seem like a lot of money. The cost of Iraq to Washington state so far is $13 billion with a B--so what is that, something like 2000 times the cost of a radar.
Now, a forecaster can certainly get by with a few buoys and Satellite imagery, plus the models. But I think if that is all you ever had--for the next 50 years, you might not ever see much improvement in the forecast. Radar data over the coastal waters surely will add to our understanding. At first, maybe you will not see much of a change--but it is possible that a few small crafts will become gale warnings (or not) based on what the radar sees. Even a small increase in skill could pay dividends.
- January 28, 2009 at 8:42 PM
I think it is very evident why the SE and NE have different radar networks than we have in the NW. Hurricanes and an order of magnitude higher occurrence of Thunderstorms. Buoys are not cheap. But maintaining a radar is not free or cheap either.
I will submit that our emergency preparedness needs are best served with better 24-48 hour forecasts. Invest 5 million in the work that has the best chance of improving that suite of public products and increasing the publics response to forecasts because they trust them to be measured and correct.
It would be great to see the University's report on RUC model skill that is nudged with radar. When will that report be available?
So If NWS agrees when can we expect to see them include this in their capital budget request?
24-48 hour predictions must be improved to meet our regions ability to defend against our typical severe weather.
- January 28, 2009 at 8:54 PM
I agree with you MLT. All that I am saying is give peace a chance...Just kidding. AIl that I'm saying is you better be careful what you wish for. Cliff and many others are saying the huge information we can gain from extra coverage, and I am sure they are right. But you don't want to create a perception that this will be so great that it will be the magic solution for future disasters. You can set your self up for public disappointment. Again I think we put to much emphases on tech. I love it myself, but we shouldn't give it all the power. It would just be another tool in the basket. I'll be-it an important one. There is no doubt that radar has saved lives. Maybe I should just quit talking about it...
- January 28, 2009 at 9:38 PM
wxfcstr438yrs' comment about hurricanes being the reason why the East Coast has such thorough radar coverage was right on. However, I've been through hurricanes, thunderstorms, blizzards, nor'easters, and even "cyclonic storms" (tornados that aren't actually clocked at a high-enough windspeed to qualify as "real tornados" but still take lives) on the East Coast, and then the last few WA windstorms. After all that, I'm not sure that there's very much practical difference between the damage done by the East Coast and West Coast storms. In all of the storm types I've cited, Western or Eastern, advance warning has (or would have) saved lives.
My parents both lived through the 1938 hurricane http://www.southstation.org/hurr1.htm , and I grew up on their stories. The inland flooding was a problem, but the largest loss of life, at least in RI, was on the beaches of the southern coast (where the storm made landfall.) If the people on the beaches had had even an hour's warning that the hurricane had turned unexpectedly, they might have had a chance to survive.
I'll always be in favor of all the high-quality prediction tools we can have. Go Cliff!
Lyn in Lynnwood
- January 28, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Just one more question. Are we going for dual polarization or phased array on the new system?
- January 29, 2009 at 11:48 AM
- rd said...
One of the benefits of Coastal Radar prediction improvements will be to the farmers in the path of approaching storms. With a 2-6 hour warning of impending impacts they can have time to move livestock and in some cases protect crops from severe damage. Path and intensity of rainfall in real time is a HUGE benefit.
- January 29, 2009 at 11:55 AM
- Scott said...
I'm wondering what value a CASA like solution would have brought or could still bring? How much value is there is lower altitude data and the faster update rates? Any other value?
- November 9, 2017 at 12:00 PM


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Flippa Mafia name change
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The Mad Panamera rhythm is the third musical project from the Darkcide International label. Navino and RDX are among the other artistes featured on the project. As for Flippa, he is getting ready to release projects from his Flip Money Records imprint as well as projects from the Flip Money Squad stable of acts. The artiste has a busy schedule this weekend hosting Memorial Day parties and events across the United States. He is also billed for a show featuring Capleton in Philadelphia next month.
August 2018
All 106 & Park 2014 4g 50 Cent Adele Adidjah Adidjahem Records Adidjahiem Records Adidjah Palmer Africa Agent Sasco Aidonia Aids Akon Album Alkaline Alliance Next Generation Amber Rose Apple Appleton Aquarius Aries Arrested Assassin Ati Auntie Vie Baby Baltimore Bank Beats Beenie Man Beres Hammond Beyonce Bill Cosby Bird Man Black Kat Black Mattic Bobbi Kristina Brown Bobby Shmurda Bob Marley Bogle Boom Boom Bounty Killa Bow Wow Brazil Breast Cancer Buju Banton Bushman Busy Signal Cable And Wireless Calado Cancer Cannabis Oil Capleton Capricorn Carnival Celine Dion Cham Cherine Chi Ching Ching Chickungunya Chino Chris Brown Chris Dymond Chris Martin Christopher Johnny Daley Chronixx Chuck Fenda Chug It Church Cinco Cinco Cliff-twang Club Club Oasis CNN Columbus Communications Cop Corey Todd Craig Dennis Crush Yard Cure Daggering Dance Dancehall D'Angel Dario Darkcide International Dash Productions Da'Ville Death Deep Jahi Delus Demarco Dengue Denzel Washington Deva Bratt Devin Di Dakta Devorce Digicel Dj Carique Dj Dan Perry Dj Flames Dj Frass Dj Fti Dj Gyeco Dj Khaled Dj Liquid Dj Natural Dj Nicoye Dj Nutzie Dj Pops Dj Randy Don Corleon Dosa Medicine Drake Dr Dre Dream Dream Weekend Drugs Ebola Eminem England English Entertainment Entertainment Report Event Fabian Marley Facebook Fast & Furious Fever Fifa Flexxx Flippa Mafia Flippa Moggela Florida Flow Floyd Mayweather Fontano Thompson Foota Hype French Gadaffie Gage Ganja Gay Gaza Slim Gemini Germany Glendale Gordon Grave Guiness Gullyside G Unit G-Unit Gwen Stefani Gyptian Horoscope Hype Tv Ice Iggy Azalea Ikon Instagram I Octane Ishawna I-SHENKO Ity Ellis Ity & Fancy Cat I-wayne Iyara Jaden Smith Jah Vinchi Jah Vinci Jamaica Jay Z J Diamonds Jennifer Lopez Jimmy Cliff Jmr Entertainment Jolly Kavalli Jr Daine Jr Gong Juke Boxx Records Jutc Kalado Kanye West Karrueche Khago Kibaki Kidd Kidd Kim Kardashian Kingston Kiprich Kip Rich Konshens Krazy Unit Entertainment Krush Yaad Krystal Tomlinson Lady Saw La Lewis LanMine Lauren Hill Laza Morgan Leech Leo Libra Lil Wayne Lime Jamaica Lincoln Lisa Hype Lisa Hyper Lloyd Banks London Louis Farrakhan Mariah Carey Marijuana Marvin The Beast Mavado Meek Mill Merciless Mexico Miami Micheal Phelps Microsoft Miss Ting Money Moon More Juice Family Moscow Movie Mr Vegas Mtv Munga Murder Music Narc Natural Black Navino News New York New York Times Nick Cannon Nicki Minaj Nick Simmons Ninja Kid Ninja Man No Doubt Notnice Nuclear October Olympic Olympics Omar Davis Onesty Papaya Pastor Paypal P Diddy Philadelphia Philly Pink Panther Pisces Plane Pnp Police Popcaan Port Antonio Portland Portmore Portmore Empire Potato Potential Kidd Prince Pin Prison Prodigal Son Qq Quick Cook Raine Seville Rape Rastafarian Raymond Small Rdx Reggae Sumfest Richie Spice Richie Stephens Rick Ross Ricky Trooper Rihanna R. Kelly Rodger Clarke Rohan Marley Romain Virgo Rum Bar Rum Rum Camp Rum Fire Ryno Safaree Sagitarius Sagittarius Savage School Scorpio Selectah Genius Series Sex Shabba Ranks Shaggy Shane Brown Shane O Shawn Storm Shawnte Sheba Sizzla Snoop Dogg Snoop Lion South Africa South Beach Specialist Spice Sports Ssc Sting Sumfest SunCity Supreme Promotions Suriname Swim Tami Chynn Tamoy Tamoy Ent Tanto Blacks Tarrus Riley Tattoo Taurus Tessanne Texas The Voice T.I. Tiny Tj Records TMZ Tobacco Tommy Lee Sparta Tony Matterhorn Tony Yayo Total Trey Songs Trinidad Trinkie Starr Twitter Tyga Unicorn United Kingdom United Nations United States Uruguay Usain Bolt US Embassy Virgo Visa Voicemail Vybz Kartel Water Wayne J Weed We The Best Whatsapp Whitney Houston Will Smith Windows Wing Stop Wiz Khalifa World Cup Wrenroy Smith Xs Promotions Yanique The Curvy Diva Yendi Phillipps Ymcmb Yohan Blake Young Buck Young Money Zimbabwe Zj Liquid Zj Rush Zj Sparks Zj Wah Wah
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Men's crewneck T-shirt with Shield
Scuderia Ferrari Store Exclusive
The men's crewneck T-shirt is enlivened by the contrasting colour inserts and customised with the large Shield on the front.
The classic short-sleeve T-shirt model, made of 100% fine cotton slub jersey, becomes a whole new model thanks to the unique details that pay tribute to the legendary Scuderia Ferrari tradition. A large Shield is printed on the front with an impressive aged effect, while contrasting inserts highlight the edge of the collar, the tops of the shoulders and the sides of the torso. With its sophisticated cut in a regular fit and high quality materials and treatments, the Scuderia Ferrari T-shirt offers fans a sporty style with a timeless charm.
- Contrasting inserts on the sides and shoulders
- Shield printed with aged effect
- Composition: 100% Cotton
We offer both Standard and Express shipping: choose the service that best meets your needs at checkout.
We provide free pick up for your returns: you have 15 days from delivery to follow our quick and easy return procedure.


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Addiction is a problem that can progress quickly once an individual starts using drugs. A substance use disorder can develop to the point where it's affecting every aspect of a person's life, and quitting is tough to do alone. That's where a Natchez drug detox program comes in.
Selecting the right treatment program is of huge importance when an individual wants to end an addiction. Our addiction treatment specialists have experience in connecting people with the proper recovery programs. Individuals from Natchez, Brookhaven, Vicksburg and Pineville can contact our specialists today to learn about the various treatment options available.
Constant Care at Natchez Inpatient Drug Rehab
During inpatient drug rehab, patients live at the treatment facility temporarily. The duration of the treatment could be a period of weeks or months.
Natchez inpatient drug detox centers are an option for individuals who are looking to begin treatment while being away from home. Detoxing is usually the first step. Living in a controlled environment with staff available at all times can a lot when it comes to dealing with any withdrawal symptoms. After the patient detoxes, they can possibly either continue to stay at the facility as they go through further treatment, or transition to outpatient treatment.
Visiting a Natchez Intensive Outpatient Addiction Treatment Clinic
During an outpatient program, an individual visits a facility for scheduled treatments without living there. Intensive outpatient treatment is the initial treatment in which the patient comes in the most often, which can vary from everyday to at least multiple times a week. Some patients can come less frequently and stay for shorter periods of time as they progress in their treatment.
Certain outpatient programs also offer detoxification. This can be more of a challenge for the patient because they won't have staff monitoring them 24/7. On the other hand, they also won't need to go through the experience of returning home and possibly being subjected to new temptations after living at an inpatient facility for a period of time.
Natchez Addiction Treatment Programs
Although inpatient and outpatient programs offer two different experiences, they both draw from the same pool of treatment techniques. The treatment used in each situation depends on the specific rehab facility and where the patient is in the recovery process.
When an individual is going through detox, the main focus is getting the body clean and managing withdrawal symptoms. Natchez inpatient drug detox centers may provide medication to a patient to lessen the impact of withdrawing from prescription opioids, ecstasy, marijuana or cocaine. Facilities may continue to give a patient medication after detox to limit cravings.
Addiction therapy is a crucial part of treatment. With therapy, patients can learn what caused them to develop their substance use disorder and how they can manage their thoughts and emotions to avoid relapsing.
Facilities will often provide a combination of private and group therapy. While private therapy ensures one-on-one attention, group sessions provide peer support, letting patients know that they're not alone. The number of patients in group therapy can be limited to 10 or fewer so everyone has a chance to speak.
Every individual is different, and there is no single addiction treatment that will work best for everyone. The best program will depend on many factors, including an individual's lifestyle, the drugs they use and how often they use them. Our addiction specialists are ready to listen so that they can recommend the right Natchez drug detox program for anyone in need of treatment.


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Contact FayeBSG: 818-280-4820
FayeBSG Earns Spot on the 2018 Inc. 5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies for the 5th Consecutive Year!
Sage Gold Partner and Sugar Elite Partner Faye Business Systems Group Named Among the 20 Most Promising Sage Solution Providers
View Our Client Success Story: Carolina Industrial Trucks Uses Hint by SugarCRM and Increases Sales Efficiency by 62%
View Our Client Success Story: Paramount Global Services Doubles Best-Ever Quarterly New Business with Sugar
Faye Business Systems Group Named Bob Scott Top 100 VAR for 2018
View Our Client Success Story: The RevereGroup Uses Act-On + SugarCRM to Expand Lead Generation
Eschenbach Optik Uses the FayeBSG Sugar Sage 100 Integration to Provide Sales and Marketing Departments Product Sales Visibility
Progressive Pumps Uses Sugar and FayeBSG QuickBooks Integration, Grows Sales 57%
Apr 15 2010 BY FayeBSG
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Choosing a new CRM isn't an easy decision. However, once an organization gets to the finish...
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After reading the story about the trans woman who tweeted her arrest and imprisonment this afternoon, I was pretty disappointed by the comments. By now I'm used to the random "we need to fear penises because they rape everything all the time" comments that try to rationalize this sort of treatment of trans women. But I was surprised by the number of people whose response was to essentially shrug and not see what the big deal was, despite the fact that this woman had the right legal documentation. And it leads me to believe that a lot of people don't really get how loaded pronouns can be for someone like me.
I'm sure a lot of people can at least appreciate on a superficial level why being misgendered sucks. I mean, cis people who stray from the strict rules of gender can find themselves getting intentionally misgendered (e.g. women who cut their hair short are deemed "too manly") so it's not that hard to sympathize, at least on a superficial level. But there's a lot more going on for me as a trans woman when I called "he" (although that thankfully hasn't happened in years).
I've put a lot of literal blood, sweat, and tears into my transition. I've dedicated an ungodly number of hours having each of my hairs individually zapped and ripped out of my face. I've done a lot of work to train my testosterone-poisoned vocal cords to produce a female sounding voice. And although I haven't had The Surgery™, I have endured enough surgery to know that surgery *REALLY* sucks. In short, I have put in so much goddamn effort into my transition that after 6 years of this shit I am beyond exhausted. My soul is tired, and I can barely drag myself out of bed in the morning because of how much has been drained out of me.
And yet I have to live every day of my life knowing that despite all the hard work I've put into becoming who I am, the vast majority of cis people would casually dismiss it as soon as they saw my dick or became aware of its existence. My lived reality as a woman would get blithely ignored simply because of my genitals, a part of me that few people are ever actually going to see and/or interact with. In our society, the complex phenomenon known as "gender" is reduced to one's peepee parts, and that means until I get my surgery, I'm kinda fucked. My identity is conditional on other people's perceptions, who at any time might discover this thing in my pants and never have a second thought about using the word "he" in reference to me.
Living with that knowledge is not just oppressive: it's scary. It scares me to see how easily people in power can casually bowl over the totality of who I am as a person and ignore the identity I've struggled for all my life; that at any time, someone might see my junk and view me as a totally different person. It's scary in the same way that street harassment by pervy dudes can be scary and intimidating. It makes you feel vulnerable, and keenly aware of how much of your happiness and freedom from harm is built on the good graces of others. It makes you realize how much your right to bodily autonomy and self-determination are actually not rights at all, but privileges granted by the privileged. And they have the power to take it away from you if they decide it's something you're not entitled to anymore.
That is what the word "he" means for me.


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Exploring Sonoma County beyond the vineyards
Though it is world famous as a wine tasting destination, California's spectacular Sonoma County has much more to offer than just vineyards and varietals. From the majestic redwood forests to the rugged Pacific coastline, Sonoma County is an ideal spot for anyone with a desire to experience the state's natural beauty and cultural history. Here are seven places and activities that non-wine lovers can enjoy while visiting.
Marin French Cheese Company
In Sonoma County, cheese is as important as the wine it's typically served with, so a trip to the Marin French Cheese Company deserves to be part of your travel plans. Located just outside Petaluma on a verdant 700-acre ranch, this artisanal cheese producer has been in business since 1865, making it the oldest continually operated cheese manufacturer in the United States. Weekly tasting events allow visitors to try a number of award-winning cheeses while learning about the process of cheese-making.
The Redwood Forest
No trip to Sonoma County is complete without experiencing the magnificent redwood giants found in the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve. Located just north of the Russian River, this beautiful state park offers visitors the chance to walk among the oldest and tallest living things on the face of the Earth. An excellent place for picnics or afternoon hikes, the reserve also features a campground for overnight guests and a 1,200-seat outdoor amphitheater that's used throughout the year for public ceremonies and live events.
Jack London State Park
With 29 miles of rustic trails to explore, this gorgeous state park on the eastern slope of Sonoma Mountain is a perfect spot for horseback riding and nature walks. Visitors can take a guided tour of Jack London's historic home, wander through the ruins of a 19th century winery, or enjoy an outdoor concert — like the award-winning Broadway Under the Stars event held annually at the park in the summer.
Russian River Brewery
A must-visit attraction for serious beer lovers who want to sample a variety of brews straight from the source, the award-winning Russian River Brewery in downtown Santa Rosa has been serving thirsty customers for two decades. Known for their delicious sour beers and India pale ales, including their world famous Imperial IPA called Pliny the Elder, the brewery has grown over the years to include a popular restaurant that offers classic pub food in a relaxed and friendly setting.
Bodega Bay
Movie fans will definitely want to visit this quaint seaside location from Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 masterpiece The Birds. Several of the iconic buildings from the film are still standing today, including St. Teresa's Church and the atmospheric Potter School. For lunch, be sure to stop in at The Birds Cafe for oysters and fish tacos. A few miles away in the city of Santa Rosa, you'll also find many of the locations from Hitchcock's classic thriller Shadow of a Doubt.
Rick Samuels courtesy of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center
Charles M. Schulz Museum
The beloved creator of Charlie Brown, Snoopy and Peppermint Patty spent almost 40 years of his life in Sonoma County, so it's only fitting that a museum bearing his name should be found here, too. Schulz supervised the design of this fascinating art and history museum, which includes many of his original comic strip drawings, along with a re-creation of his famous art studio. Visitors can explore the whimsical outdoor gardens, wander through a Snoopy-themed hedge maze, or spend some time in a 100-seat theater that runs vintage Peanuts cartoons.
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
More than just a place to get a massage, this blissful refuge in Sonoma County is a Zen paradise that offers a wide array of amenities like cedar baths, organic facials and meditation gardens. Overnight packages are available for weekend guests looking for intensive therapy. The 5-acre property also includes an 18-mile stream dubbed Salmon Creek, which extends from the nearby town of Occidental to the Pacific Ocean. To help guests rejuvenate in peace, the spa's Field of Hammocks provides a calming atmosphere amid the natural splendor.
If you go
United offers a direct flight to Santa Rosa, California and from there it's a short drive to Sonoma. Visit united.com or use the United app to plan your next trip to Sonoma Valley.
New year, new United: Inside our latest enhancements
It's said that the key to sticking to your New Year's resolutions is making a series of small changes. A couple of months into 2019, we've rolled out several enhancements (some small, some not-so-small) that will add up to make our service more caring, dependable and efficient. It's a new year, and a new United.
United® Premium Plus
Different people have different needs when they travel, so for us, 2019 is all about providing more options and making it a little easier for you to customize your flight experience. Now, for travel starting March 30, you can book a United® Premium Plus seat for trans-Pacific or trans-Atlantic flights as well as flights from the U.S. to select destinations in South America.
United® Premium Plus seats are located closer to the front of the aircraft and offer a little more space to stretch your legs and arms, as well as more recline. There's also upgraded dining, free alcoholic beverages, larger entertainment screens, in-seat power and extra amenities to keep you comfortable and refreshed.
Free DIRECTV
We've all been that person trying to schedule a flight around the big game or the season premiere of our favorite TV show. Now, on all aircraft with seatback TVs (a little over 200 of the jets in our fleet), you'll be able to watch live television for free. More than 100 channels will be available to customers through DIRECTV®.
New aircraft
One of the most important aspects of being an airline is simply flying quality aircraft. This year, customers will see new additions to our fleet that are setting an even higher bar for reliability and fuel efficiency, meaning they'll help decrease our carbon emissions. And it's not just about operations — we're also working on ways to make flying more comfortable.
Re-imagined app
We're proud to have the most-downloaded app in the airline industry. And since so many people are looking at it, we decided to spruce it up a bit. If you haven't checked it out since we released the latest version, give the updated design and new content a spin.
More space to lounge
The latest addition to our club and lounge network is the new United Polaris® lounge at Los Angeles (LAX). It offers daybeds with Saks Fifth Avenue amenities, shower suites and even a valet to steam your clothes upon request. Upscale food and beverage selections change seasonally with inspiration from local California cuisine.
On the opposite coast, the United Polaris lounge at New York/Newark (EWR) caught the eye of CNN Travel, which listed it among "super-luxe airport lounges that may make you miss your flight."
7 facts about the newest Dreamliner: The Boeing 787-10
The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, which officially launched at the 2013 Paris Air Show, is a long-range jet that features one of the most comfortable cabins on the market. From mood lighting to a state-of-the-art air filtration system, the new Dreamliner provides an improved experience allowing passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed. As the first U.S.-based carrier to add the 787-10 to its fleet, United is also the first in the world to fly the entire 787 Dreamliner family — including the 787-8 and 787-9. The aircraft officially went into service on January 7, departing from Los Angeles to New York/Newark.
Read on for seven facts about United's newest Dreamliner.
1. Going the distance
18 feet longer than the 787-9, the 787-10 can carry more passengers and more cargo than its predecessors. Flying up to 6,430 nautical miles, the 787-10 uses 20 percent less fuel than older generation airplanes, making it superior when it comes to fuel efficiency.
2. More seating options
Featuring more premium seating options, including 44 United Polaris® business class seats, 21 new United® Premium Plus seats, 54 Economy Plus® seats and 199 United Economy® seats. The 787-10 offers seating options to meet all preferences.
3. Improved cabin air
Thanks to a new air filtration system, the 787-10 boasts better air pressure and humidity, helping passengers fight dryness and fatigue on long flights.
4. Mood lighting
The 787-10's cabin features lighting patterns that mimic sunrise and sunset, designed to help passengers fall asleep and wake up more adjusted after arriving in a new time zone.
5. A better ride
Smoother ride technology on the 787-10 helps to offset turbulence, resulting in less motion sickness and a more comfortable flight.
6. State-of-the-art windows
With 19-inch windows, the 787-10 has the largest of any aircraft in the market. The large windows allow views of the horizon, plus there's no need to shut the window shade as the Dreamliner's windows dim electronically with smart glass.
7. Entertainment at hand
Featuring a new seatback entertainment system with a split-screen function, passengers are now able view the flight map while watching a movie. They can also customize a list of soothing videos and relaxing audio playlists. Also, it makes movie and television recommendations based on your remaining flight time and previously-watched content.
The new system accommodates any level of vision and provides support for customers with hearing and mobility issues.
The 787-10 Dreamliner is now flying from Los Angeles to New York/Newark and it will begin service between San Francisco and New York/Newark this month, with international service starting in March.
Weekend inspiration: West side of Los Angeles
If you spend enough time in Los Angeles, you'll hear about the rivalry between East and West L.A. West L.A. residents will claim "west is best" due to the proximity to the beach, hip bars and restaurants. East Side residents claim their neighborhoods have more of a "small town" feel with more reasonable real estate prices and parking. Whether you're an East Side or West Side supporter, it's hard to argue that both sides of L.A. don't have wonderful things to offer. If you find yourself in the city for a weekend, here are our favorite things to do in the West Side of L.A., specifically Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu.
Friday evening
You won't have trouble finding a hotel on the West Side, but if you're looking for suggestions, our favorites include the funky Hotel Erwin and the contemporary and cute The Kinney in Venice. If you're looking for something a little higher-end we also love the Loews in Santa Monica.
Don't expect to get a table at a hot restaurant in L.A. without a reservation, so be sure to make a few dinner reservations before you get into town. Whether you're staying at Hotel Erwin or not, we recommend heading up to their rooftop before dinner for a couple of cocktails and snacks so you can watch the brilliant Venice Beach sunset your first night in L.A.
Wake up early, bring your swimsuit along for the day and hit the road for a fast-casual breakfast at Eggslut in Venice – get a delicious egg sandwich to go. Take the Pacific Coast highway up the coast, stopping along the way to take a dip in the ocean and buy fresh produce from street-side vendors.
When you're ready for lunch, pay the $10 parking fee at The Paradise Cove Beach Café and grab a table. The food is good and the portions are large enough to share, leaving you satisfied and ready to explore their tide pools. Walk up and down the gorgeous, quiet Malibu getaway, taking in the views. When you've had enough walking, grab a beach chair (and a bottle of wine) to catch some southern California sun while taking a moment to relax.
After you've made your way back to your hotel and have freshened up, we recommend heading to Abbot Kinney Blvd for a bit of late afternoon shopping. This commercial street is tucked away in a Venice neighborhood and full of stylish shops, healthy juice bars, vibrant bars and trendy restaurants. While you wander, be sure to pose for a photo with our wing mural on the side of the funky' Principessa boutique. If you've brought your dog, we also created a dog wings mural, ready to transport your pooch to Instagram stardom.
Have a pre-dinner glass of wine at Salt Air and then cross the street for arguably some of the best Italian we've ever had at The Tasting Kitchen. The pasta is hand-made on site, but the portions are small so get a few plates to share.
After dinner head over to The Brig, a bar next door, for a night cap and conversation with some of L.A.'s most beautiful people.
For breakfast, check out a local skater and surfer favorite in Santa Monica: Dogtown Café. Grab a stellar coffee and a California breakfast burrito – it's a must.
Sunday mornings are a great time to get up and get some exercise in. Santa Monica Beach has a plethora of options, from surfing lessons (Go Surf LA is a great option) and bike tours (book online at Joy Ride) to simple strolling along the beach. Try your hand at the high bar, the rings or rope climbing at Muscle Beach.
Following your morning workout, if you enjoy street art, check out our brand-new hidden dragon mural (the first of its kind) and our massive wings on Lincoln – both in Venice. If you're interested in a "Kelsey Montague Art" mural marathon during your time in L.A., be sure to check out our map of murals in L.A. and the surrounding areas. Kelsey has over 10 murals hidden around L.A. and its suburbs.
Spend the rest of your afternoon on the Santa Monica Pier. Grab some cotton candy, ride a roller coaster and then watch the sea lions frolic in the waves as trapeze trainees swing through the air.
Walk down the beach for a pre-dinner drink at the lounge bar in the fancy Hotel Casa Del Mar to watch the sunset. If you pay attention to those around you, it's likely you'll see a celebrity or watch as a major movie deal goes down.
Walk up the street to the ocean facing Meat restaurant for dinner, where you'll find tremendous cuts of beef, yeast bread rolls and creamy mashed potatoes. Comfort food at its finest.
As you fall asleep on your last night in California, be prepared to dream of Ferris wheels, palm trees and celebrity sightings during your West Side weekend getaway.
Weekend inspiration: Scottsdale
There's something intoxicating about the desert to us. The heat and the austere landscape feel so foreign to two women from Colorado, and we think that might be why it feels so exotic. We fell in love with Scottsdale and had the opportunity to spend six weeks there for a series of art murals around the Phoenix area.
If you're in town for a few days, here are some of our favorite weekend adventures.
Friday night
Upon arriving in Scottsdale, famished from traveling, head over to Rehab Burger Therapy – a wonderful local burger joint that sells high quality burgers with creative additions on tasty pretzel buns (the mac and cheese burger is absolutely decadent). If you have room for dessert after dinner, we recommend walking down the street to UnBaked for some edible cookie dough. The brownie and birthday cake flavors are our favorites.
If you're looking for turntables, then stop by Hash Kitchen for brunch. They boast the largest bloody mary bar in Arizona and cater towards those who consider themselves foodies.
After breakfast, we recommend booking a tour at Taliesin West, where you'll explore Frank Lloyd Wright's stunning home. Wright was an architect and designer who believed architecture and nature could, and should, seamlessly co-exist. Walking through his home allows you to step into the world of one of America's most gifted artists and architects.
Continue enjoying the art scene here and stop by Cattle Track Arts Compound, where you can meet brilliant artists who are doing awesome and unique work that celebrates Scottsdale's authentic cultural heritage. This artist's colony is home to many accomplished artists (literally many artists live on-site) doing spectacular things. This is one of the few spaces in the country dedicated to supporting artists by providing them with a home and space to work on their creations. Mark McDowell's circus illustrations on birch are breathtaking, as are Mary Van Dusen's earthy ceramics.
Depending on what you're in the mood for dinner, we love the Mexican/Asian fusion food at the hip SumoMaya or, if you're looking for something a bit healthier, the meals at True Foods are tasty and guilt-free.
Every local in Scottsdale, it seems, heads to The Breakfast Club on Sunday morning, so try to get there early. Choose from signature dishes or create your own masterpiece. Either way, the challah French toast is a must for the table.
If you have a car or feel like renting one, and are up for a quick adventure, we have six art murals in and around the Phoenix area. Each mural is wildly different and unique to the area. Here's a list of their locations, if you have time to check them out:
- Phoenix Wings: Near the Apple Store, 7014 E. Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
- Arrow Cloud: 7700 W. Arrowhead Towne Center, Glendale, AZ 85308
- Balloons: Near Nordstrom, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd, Chandler, AZ 85226
- Bubbles: 2180 E. Williams Field Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85296
- Cactus Swing: 2502 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85016
- Wings: 6800 N. 95th Ave Glendale, AZ 85305
Once you're back from your brief road trip, we recommend stepping back in time and heading to the 1950's Sugar Bowl for a bite to eat. This old-fashioned soda shop was made popular by Bil Keane, the cartoonist who created the Family Circle cartoons, where they serve the similar '50s inspired food - quality milk shakes, egg salad sandwiches and burgers. After lunch, check out some of the cute boutiques and shops in Old Town Scottsdale – Bischoffs is by far the best if you're looking for unique Southwestern gifts (and moccasins).
We also love a good spa-filled afternoon, and have found Andaz Hotel's Spa, Palo Verde, to be one of the best we've visited. This carefully curated spa is on the pricier end, but worth every penny. Be sure to go before your appointment because you'll have access to the amenities all day and there's a special pool in the back of the spa with views of Camelback Mountain you won't get anywhere else. All of the services we received were absolutely top-notch.
After you've relaxed and are rejuvenated, take a quick ride over to Blanco Tacos + Tequila and order their award winning BBQ Pork Tacos and guacamole. This restaurant consistently serves quality food, with a caring staff and is the perfect way to end a trip to the artistic desert of Scottsdale.
More comfort for more customers: 1,600 new premium seats added
Today, we announced the next step in our commitment to making more customers more comfortable by adding more than 1,600 United Polaris® business class and United First® seats to nearly 250 international and domestic aircraft. Additionally, we will revolutionize the regional flying experience by becoming the first airline in the world to welcome the two-cabin, 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 550 aircraft to our fleet, offering customers on key regional routes more legroom, storage and amenities than any other 50-seat regional aircraft operating today.
Introducing the
Bombardier CRJ 550
delivery begins later this year
Offering a premium cabin experience at every step of your journey.
Aircraft will eventually feature:
18 feet longer than current 50-seat aircraft in our fleet
This one-of-a-kind aircraft will operate routes to and from Chicago O'Hare this summer, followed by New York / Newark.
But that's not all.
We'll be further investing in the premium cabin experience by enhancing three additional aircraft types with more United First and United Polaris® business class seating.
business seats
business seats
Plus seats
with more routes to come
Our first 767-300ERs will be delivered 02/2019,
with all joining our fleet by the end of 2020.
With these enhancements, we will add 50 percent more premium cabin seats to more than 100 aircraft.
Explore Asia's most magical temples
Similar to European cathedrals, Asian temples are impressive and intriguing. The history and religious traditions are as robust and complex as the architecture; some are taller than 20-story buildings and have stood for more than 1,000 years. These cities are the most accessible for explorations of many of Asia's most awe-inspiring houses of worship.
The 33-temple pilgrimage route in Japan's Kansai region is dominated by Kyoto's 12 Buddhist temples, but also includes five or six each in Shiga, Hyogo, Nara, and Osaka—all easily reached from Osaka International Airport. Kyoto's leading temples include the aesthetically beautiful Temple of the Golden Pavilion, the hillside Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and the 13th-century Chion-In Temple. In nearby Nara are the Seven Great Temples, notably the ancient imperial temple, Yakushi-ji, which like most of Kyoto's temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Many of Asia's most noteworthy temples are in India—mostly centuries-old Hindu temples. But Delhi's architecturally stunning Lotus Temple is the locus of the Baha'i faith and was completed in 1986. Twenty-seven massive marble "petals" envelop a 2,500-capacity hall that's open to visitors of any faith. It's been called the world's most visited building. Two of the country's other most renowned temples are also in northern India: the lakeside Golden Temple in Amritsar, the world's most revered Sikh temple, and the castle-like Jain Temple in Ranakpur, which is sacred to the Jains.
Three special temples are found in Singapore, East Asia's wealthiest and smallest country — the country is smaller than New York City. The Buddhist Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is a visually dazzling building in Chinatown with a giant prayer wheel in the rooftop garden and what believers regard as the tooth of Buddha inside. The Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple in Little India is as lavishly colorful as its name is long. And Sri Mariamman is an exquisite white-and-gold temple that honors the goddess of rain.
South Korea
Seoul is a densely populated city of 10 million, yet tucked right downtown is an island of tranquility — the Jogyesa Temple, which has preserved Korean Zen Buddhism over the years. In the southern mountains of South Korea, meanwhile, travelers can visit the Three Jewels Temples — the most revered Buddhist temples in the country. Tongdosa Temple includes one building that was built 2,600 years ago, the Haeinsa Temple houses all of the Buddhist Scriptures on 81,350 wooden blocks and the Songgwansa Temple is an active monastery in a coastal provincial park.
The same 15th-Century emperor who had the Forbidden City built — about 1,000 buildings which include his palace (now the Palace Museum) — also built the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The central Beijing Taoist temple complex can only be described as mind-boggling. The park-like grounds include numerous ornate palaces, halls, pavilions, turrets, gates, gardens and ponds. Also in Beijing is the Lama (or Yonghe) Temple, a former imperial palace and now a temple and monastery for Tibetan Buddhists.
Bangkok's three most popular attractions are conveniently all side by side in the city's historic district. One is the Grand Palace and the other two are grand temples. On one side of the palace is the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, named after the 150-foot-long golden Buddha that's housed in its own mural-decorated chapel. Also in the temple complex is Thailand's largest collection of Buddhas. On the other side of the palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, named after a treasured Buddha carved from a single jade stone.
If you go
United® flies to Osaka, Delhi, Singapore, Seoul and Beijing. United partner All Nippon Airways flies to Bangkok. Visit united.comor use the United app to make your temple travel plans.
Three Perfect Days: Charleston
Story by Ellen Carpenter | Photography by Peter Frank/Edwards | Hemispheres, February 2019
Back in 1874, The Atlanta Daily Herald's Henry W. Grady coined the term "the New South" to encourage people to move beyond the fraught antebellum period and see the region in a fresh light, "thrilling with the consciousness of growing power and prosperity."
That tag has been bandied about in recent years—Nashville is the capital of the New South one day, Atlanta the next—but nowhere are that growing power and prosperity more evident than in South Carolina's largest city, where it seems as if 10 new (and great) restaurants open each month, where Volvo just set up shop with a $1.1 billion plant and Boeing is building its 787 Dreamliners, where 28 people move in each day. The Holy City is a mecca for tourists—6.9 million came in 2017, probably half of them for a wedding—who are just as hungry for rice grits and selfies in front of Georgian row houses as they are for a history lesson. What they'll find will fill them up and still leave them asking for seconds, albeit very politely.
Opener: The Historic District's colorful Elliott Street. Here: the backside of the Dock Street Theatre
Day 1:
Playing pirate, "firing" cannons, and plowing through pimento cheese
Eric Lavender of Charleston Pirate Tours
Let's go ahead and get the kid questions out of the way: Yes, I'm a real pirate. No, I'm not firing my gun. Yes, my parrot is real. No, we're not gonna take any ships. No, pirates did not make enemies walk the plank—that was Peter Pan."
Eric Lavender, swashbuckling chic in full pirate regalia—tricornered hat, knee-high suede boots, black breeches, regal gray captain's coat with pewter buttons, pistol at one hip, saber at the other—is standing in front of the Powder Magazine, the oldest government building in Charleston (built in 1713). He's about to lead me, my husband, Chris, our 6-year-old son, Calder, and five other history-hungry out-of-towners on one of his daily Charleston Pirate Tours, and to spin yarns about "the who's who of pirates that came through."
"What better way to get a first grader excited about history than having a guy with a parrot on his shoulder tell him about beheadings and pillaging?"
Charleston's history is intrinsically linked to piracy (did you know pirates introduced the rice that's so integral to Lowcountry grits, bringing it from Madagascar?), which is why we want to start our trip with Captain Eric. What better way to get a first-grader excited about history than handing him a foam sword and bandanna and having a guy with a parrot on his shoulder tell him about beheadings and pillaging? As we amble through the Historic District, down Unity Alley, where George Washington kept his mules when he was in town ("If it's good enough for Washington's ass, it's good enough for us," Eric jokes), and past the multicolored houses on Instagram-friendly Rainbow Row and the country's oldest liquor store ("Charleston is a drinking city with a history problem"), Eric tells us about famous pirates of yore—Mrs. Chang, Stede Bonnet, Anne Bonny, and, of course, Blackbeard, who marauded the port of Charleston before meeting his bitter end off of North Carolina's Outer Banks. "You know how he knows all that stuff?" Calder whispers, after Captain Eric lets each of us hold one of his weapons for a final group photo. "Because he's a real pirate." Success.
Rainbow Row, a series of pastel Georgian houses on East Bay Street dating back to 1740
After two hours of walking, we're ready to eat. Luckily, Husk is just four blocks from the Old Exchange Building, where our tour ends. Just as piracy put Charleston on the map back in the late 1600s, Husk ushered in the city's foodie era when it opened in 2010. Founding chef Sean Brock recently departed for Nashville, but the restaurant—located in a beautiful, late-19th-century Queen Anne–style home—and executive chef Travis Grimes still celebrate Lowcountry cooking with highfalutin technique. We start with addictively sharp pimento cheese toasts that are way better than pimento cheese has any business being. The fried chicken has the kind of crackly crust you only see on TV, and the Bibb lettuce salad is a lesson in simplicity. The only negative is that we're too full to eat dessert.
"We amble through the Historic District, past the multicolored houses on Instagram-friendly Rainbow Row and country's oldest liquor store."
Chris and I figure we should keep the history lesson going, so we take a cab to the waterfront and catch the ferry to Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in 1861. I grew up spending my spring breaks touring Civil War battlefields and forts with my American historian mother, but I'd forgotten how fascinating they are for kids. As soon as we reach the fort, Calder is off: hiding in the shadows of the munitions room, looking for enemy ships through peepholes, loading the cannons with imaginary gunpowder. When he sticks his head inside the barrel of a columbiad cannon, I explain how that's not proper protocol—but only after I snap a photo.
Before heading back on the ferry, everyone convenes for the lowering of the flag. A park ranger, James Drass, invites 20 volunteers to come help. "Don't ever take your freedom for granted," Drass says, as the group folds the flag, south to north, north to south, then in triangles. "I submit to you that America is an amazing country," he continues. "We are a diverse country. It's inherent we're going to have differences. But despite all of our differences, we have one common denominator: We are all Americans." The crowd is silent, and more than a few people wipe away tears, me included, and then everyone breaks into applause.
The meticulous garden at the Pineapple Gates House
The sun is already setting when we make it back to the mainland, but we decide to walk the 15 minutes back to the Historic District (it's easy to get around on foot downtown) and meander through the Charleston City Market before dinner. It seems as if every tourist in town has the same idea. The market, a series of sheds that stretches four city blocks, opened in 1804—statesman Charles Cotesworthy Pinckney gave the land to the city, stipulating that it had to be used as a market "in perpetuity." I doubt they had a Christmas shop open year-round in 1804, but they do now, along with 300 other spots, including a toy store, a haberdashery, and a handful of places selling traditional sweetgrass baskets. We stop to watch an artisan weave one, her nimble fingers methodically alternating strands of dried native sweetgrass. I want to buy one, but Calder is waning and I realize we better get him fed before a meltdown ensues. Traveling with kids!
"The addictively sharp pimento cheese toasts are way better than pimento cheese has any business being."
Fortunately, our hotel, the grand Belmond Charleston Place, is a block away, and dinner is just downstairs, at the Charleston Grill. We do a quick costume change—thank goodness for our spacious suite's two bathrooms—and make it to the restaurant only five minutes late for our reservation. Five minutes after that, I'm sipping a glass of Bone Dry rosé (Calder goes pink too, with a Shirley Temple) and we're enjoying the jazz trio's rendition of "Billie's Bounce."
I devour my crab cake, bathed in a lemony butter sauce, while Calder co-opts Chris's charred octopus. "Next time, you're getting your own appetizer," Chris tells him as he concedes the plate. We all trade bites of our mains—sea bass in a creamy curry sauce for me, scallops with salsa verde for Chris, kid's menu spaghetti for Calder—and then take turns choosing from the assortment of chocolates and gelées that our waiter brings us as a parting gift. We leave humming the strains of "The Very Thought of You," take the elevator upstairs, and promptly pass out.
The Charleston Grill, where a jazz trio plays every night
Day 2:
Making BBQ, rescuing sea turtles, and rocking out
I promised myself biscuits for breakfast every morning in Charleston, and by golly I'm starting out right at Hominy Grill, a beloved 23-year-old spot in the residential Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood, just north of downtown, that serves breakfast all day. I go savory with biscuits and gravy while Chris and Calder both go for pancakes, fluffy and stacked high. The coffee refills keep coming, and in no time we're ready to tackle the day.
An 1857 Italinte home in the Historic District
We hop a cab back to the Historic District and climb into a different set of wheels: a carriage pulled by two brown and white horses, Sally and Deedee. Horse-drawn carriages seem to outnumber cars downtown—a trend Palmetto Carriage Works launched in 1972 when it became the first company to offer tours. And the horses, I've made sure, are well cared-for: They work only five hours a day and get to spend about five months a year relaxing on a farm on Johns Island. Our guide, Gay Spear, is brash and witty and an endless font of information. As we mosey along, past landmarks like the Circular Congregational Church on Meeting Street and dozens of perfectly preserved historic homes, she offers up funny one-liners ("If you dig here, you're gonna find one of two things: a cannonball or a body") and interesting design notes, like the origin of the pineapple as welcome sign. Turns out back in the 1700s women used to put pineapples out on the gate port to let people know their husbands were home from their sailing voyages—or "to let their lovers know not to come that night!"
Rodney Scott at his namesake BBQ spot
We bid farewell to Sally and Deedee, and then I bid farewell to Calder and Chris—they have a date with the rooftop pool at the Belmond, while I'm due to meet Mr. Rodney Scott BBQ himself for a lesson in whole hog cooking. Scott won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast in May, just a year after opening his restaurant in the North Central neighborhood. "Now I can't go anywhere without someone recognizing me," Scott says with an easy smile as he leads me from the bright restaurant to the pit out back. "People at the airport will be like, 'Are you that guy?'"
"When he opens the door to the pit, the smell of oak and hickory practically knocks me over."
When he opens the door to the pit, the smell of oak and hickory practically knocks me over—in the best way possible. He heads over to the fire and shovels a pile of wood coals into one of the five pits, something staffers do every 15 to 20 minutes. "It's more procedure than secret," he says, as one of his employees mops "Rodney Sauce" over the hogs.
I somehow refrain from ripping off a piece of meat to eat right then and there, and head back into the restaurant for a proper lunch: a big pile of pork, potato salad, and coleslaw with a sweet iced tea that is sweeter than any iced tea I've ever had (and I grew up in Kentucky). The vinegar tang of the Rodney Sauce cuts through the fat of the meat perfectly, and I'm in hog heaven.
The Great Ocean Tank at the South Carolina Aquarium
Now it's time to feed something else: We've arranged for Calder to get a behind-the-scenes tour of the South Carolina Aquarium, where he is literally able to feed the sharks. But first we check out the Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery, which the aquarium opened in 2017. Sea turtles are Calder's favorite animal, so he couldn't be more excited to play vet at the interactive stations where he can "diagnose" a sick turtle and also meet the rehabilitating patients currently swimming in individual tanks. Many of them are named for Harry Potter characters; Voldemort and Hagrid are dead ringers.
After a trip to the gift shop to buy a snap-bracelet sea turtle stuffie (yes, it's a thing), we meet our behind-the-scenes guide, Lea Caswell, who leads us to the top of the 42-foot Great Ocean Tank (the tallest in North America), where another aquarium worker has a bucket of fish ready to feed the blacktip, sand tiger, and nurse sharks. Calder asks why the sharks don't eat the other fish in the tank, and Caswell responds, "Would you rather take a free meal or cook your own?" "I'd rather have Mommy cook me a meal," Calder says. That's my boy.
"The turtles are named for Harry Potter characters; Voldemort and Hagrid are dead ringers."
A patient at the Zucker Family Sea Turtle Recovery
Tonight, however, Mommy's leaving the cooking to the pros. From the aquarium, we hop a ride up King Street—a 300-year-old thoroughfare that's now restaurant row, basically—for dinner at The Grocery, a farm-to-table spot that's a fixture on Eater Charleston's "essential" list. We start with the charcuterie plate, which features duck-liver mousse topped with watermelon-rind mostarda, sopressata, coppa, and an array of pickled vegetables, including okra, which Calder inhales. The manager notices his fondness for pickles and brings us another helping.
My glass of gamay pairs perfectly with my duck confit, cooked with shatteringly crisp skin. Chris is so into his snapper that he forgets to give me a bite, and Calder attacks his pizza as if he hasn't eaten all day. (Note for parents: There's a "verbal" kids menu.) We cap it off with a shared banana pudding topped with gorgeous peaks of toasted meringue.
The charcuterie spread at The Grocery
Calder's ready to pass out, but I have a big night ahead of me. While the boys roll back to the Belmond, I head down King Street for a night out on the town with the Grammy-nominated rock group Band of Horses. Shaggy-haired lead singer Ben Bridwell grew up in South Carolina, and he and mustachioed drummer Creighton Barrett relocated to Charleston in 2006 after a decade in Seattle. I meet them and James Hynes, the CEO of local recording studio and record label Rialto Row, at The Rarebit, which they tell me has "the best Moscow mules anywhere."
The band is in the thick of recording a new album, their first time doing so in Charleston. Bridwell actually rented a plantation—on Airbnb!—for a personal writer's retreat. "A real-a** plantation!" he says, eyes wide. "For $150 a night!" The music scene in Charleston, he says, has changed dramatically in the past few years—from "residual Dead hippie college stuff" to "indie rock, Americana, melodic punk…" So, basically, it's cool now.
To show me just how cool, they take me to the center of the scene: The Royal American, a former ironworks on the train tracks that's now a music club. A rock band is playing on a stage behind the bar, smoke machines in full effect, and the place is packed shoulder to shoulder with 20-somethings sipping beers. We grab a round and take a seat on the patio, where we compete with passing trains to be heard. It's approaching 11 now, bedtime for me—but the guys' night is just getting started. They're raring to head into Rialto Row to record. "We'll work until 3 or 4, go home and sleep a couple hours, and be up with our kids at 6," says Barrett. "It's great." Amazed at their stamina, I say g'night and leave them to it.
A band performs behind the bar at The Royal American
Day 3:
Catching waves, slurping oysters, and looking through an artist's lens
A brick walkway at Waterfront Park
A brick walkway at Waterfront ParkOh, biscuits, how I love you. This morning we feast at Callie's Hot Little Biscuit on King Street, where the line is already out the door by 8:30 a.m. We dig into a variety of fluffy buttermilk creations: plain, cheddar-chive, blackberry jam–topped. I pop the mini cinnamon ones like Cheetos. I want to get some to go, but I know we have a full day of eating ahead.
But first, a beach excursion to Sullivan's Island. We rent a car for the day and cruise over the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, with its two diamond-shaped cable towers, through Mount Pleasant, and on to the sand-lined streets of Sullivan's in just 25 minutes. On the agenda: roll up our pants and splash in the waves, hunt for seashells, and admire the gorgeous three-story cottages lining the wide beach. Calder keeps his eyes peeled for sea turtles to rescue and is amazed to learn that this ocean is the same one we have in New York.
All this oceanside action has us hungry for some seafood, so we drive back into town for lunch at Leon's Oyster Shop, a fun spot on the upper reaches of King Street famous for oysters, yes, but also fried chicken. The space, a former auto body shop, is kitted out in fairy lights and maritime paintings. Chris and I fight over the last of the chargrilled oysters, which taste like ocean and fire bathed in butter, while Calder happily munches his fried shrimp. I move on to the fried chicken sandwich, moist and crunchy and served with a cooling cucumber and sesame seed salad, and Chris opts for the seafood fry-up. Calder declares his rainbow sprinkle–topped soft-serve better than Mister Softee in New York.
Leon's Oyster Shop
We check into our new digs, The Dewberry, a hip Mid-Century Modern–style hotel that opened in 2016 in a former 1960s federal building, and while all we want to do is take a nap, we rally and cross Marion Square to The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston. I'm eager to see the current exhibit, Southbound: Photographs of and About the New South, which runs through March and features images taken by 56 21st-century artists exploring their perceptions of the American South. The variety is astounding. There are shots of Civil War reenactors, Black Lives Matter marches, empty storefronts, migrant workers, and high school homecoming queens. Seeing all these snippets of life makes me think that there's not just one South—it's impossible to generalize about or judge such a wide swath of our country.
The pecan-smoked fish spread at Parcel 32
Calder's beat and not up for a restaurant meal; Chris gamely offers to take him back to the hotel for some takeout so I can keep my res at Parcel 32, a new Lowcountry-Caribbean restaurant with an airy, outside-in design. I take a seat at the bar and get the pirate-inspired Anne Bonny rum cocktail (and somehow refrain from making an "arrrr" joke). Serendipitously, Band of Horses' "The Funeral" plays over the stereo. Even though I'm dining alone, I order as if I'm with the fam: I start with a pecan-smoked fish spread served with Ritz crackers and pecan-meal hush puppies topped with pimento cheese and Benton's bacon powder. (I need a jar of that in my life.) Next are short ribs, fragrant with clove, allspice, and nutmeg atop a bed of creamy coconut-milk Carolina Gold rice grits.
The Panic Button cocktail at The Living Room, in Dewberry
Chef Shaun Brian, wearing a white apron and a bicycle cap, swings by to say hello. He grew up on St. John—he moved to Charleston after losing his restaurant there to hurricanes Irma and Maria—so he comes by the island influence in his cooking naturally. "It makes a lot more sense than I ever thought it would'" he says, giving me a thorough history of the spice trade and the Caribbean's influence on Charleston, going back to the 1600s. "At the end of the day, I still think of myself as an ambassador for my home islands, but I'm in a place where I have much more ability to make an impact."
I get a slice of sweet potato pie to go for Chris and walk back to The Dewberry. There's a wedding party going hard in the ballroom, but The Living Room, with its beautiful bronze bar, is calm and inviting, so I get a couple of drinks to take upstairs for us to enjoy with the pie. I tiptoe into our room, past Calder asleep on the velvet couch, turtle stuffie tucked under his arm, and join Chris in the four-post bed. We pass the pie back and forth—it goes great with my Dewberry Daiquiri—and share photos from the trip, laughing at the videos Calder took without our knowledge on the carriage tour. One starts on a perfectly preserved Federal-style home and then goes slo-mo (Calder's favorite video function), weaving down the street and stopping at a dump truck outside a derelict home ready to be remade. The significance—the city's constant push and pull to preserve and reinvent itself—doesn't hit me until we turn off the lights and say good night.
Sullivan's Island
An insider's guide to Hong Kong
A bustling, neon-soaked metropolis that floats effortlessly between the Old World and the future, Hong Kong is the most visited city on the planet – and for good reason.
What to know before you go
Visitors are usually drawn to two areas: the northern side of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon – the neighborhood attached to mainland China. The two areas are separated by Victoria Harbour, linked by the Star Ferry and the MTR.
As a general rule, Hong Kong Island is the heart of Hong Kong's financial district and packed full of vast hotels and many of its best restaurants. Kowloon is more authentically Chinese, its streets narrower, its buildings less sleek and its prices generally lower.
In Kowloon…
Make time to visit Wong Tai Sin, a temple dedicated to Great Immortal Wong and home to three leading Chinese religions: Buddhism, Taosim and Confucianism. It's instragrammable, no question, but Wong Tai Sin's enduring popularity may be explained by the temple's claim that it can "make every wish come true upon request."
The area of Tsim Sha Tsui is home to many of Hong Kong's best museums, including the Museum of Art, the Space Museum, the Science Museum and the Museum of History, the latter managing to squeeze some 400 million years' worth of history into a 7,000 square meter space.
The markets of Kowloon are unmissable in both senses, particularly the Ladies' Market on Tung Choi Street. With more than 100 stalls stretching out for a kilometer, head here and haggle for that new watch, bag or pretty much anything else you didn't know you needed. If you still have space in your luggage, the streets around Sham Shui Po are lined with a bewildering array of markets and traditional Chinese pawn shops. If you're around when night falls, the Temple Street Night Market is Hong Kong's liveliest, awash with stalls selling everything from trinkets to antiques.
After exploring Kowloon, hop on the Star Ferry to get across Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island. If you time it right (around 8 p.m.), you'll be able to witness the Symphony of Lights up close, a nightly performance that includes lasers light up the skyscrapers on both sides of the harbor.
On Hong Kong Island…
Hong Kong's single-most essential experience involves taking the Peak Tram up Victoria Peak to get spectacular views looking down on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Harbour. At 1,811 feet, it's the highest hill on the island. But the gravity-defying tram does most of the hard work for you, carrying you up towards the heavens and past some of the most expensive real estate on the planet.
The Mid-Levels Escalator is a vast, interconnected system designed to ferry commuters up and down Hong Kong's steep hills. Wait for rush hour to pass, then hop on at the Central stop and off at any of the markets, bars or restaurants that catch your eye along the 25-minute route.
Another temple worth visiting is the Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan. Honoring the gods of literature ('Man') and of war ('Mo'), it's one of Hong Kong's oldest temples, dating back to 1847 and somewhat incongruous among the super-structures of the island's financial district. Pause for thought under its giant hanging incense coils as the world moves all around you.
Take a short walk southeast of the temple, past the Zoological and Botanical Gardens, and you'll come to the "lungs of the city" in Hong Kong Park. An unexpected oasis of calm and tranquility, the park features museums, playgrounds and a "rainforest" aviary with more than 80 species of birds.
Where to eat
Wherever you roam, from the food stalls of Mongkok and Jordan to the uber fine-dining of Central, eating well and finding food to suit all budgets and tastes in Hong Kong is no problem at all.
For high-end, consider any of the city's seven three-starred Michelin restaurants (one in Kowloon, six on the island), the top pick of which is the permanently fully-booked Lung King Heen. For some of the world's cheapest Michelin-starred dim sum, grab a seat at Tim Ho Wan and expect the best dim sum you've ever tasted for less than $10. Elsewhere, The Chairman and Spring Deer are both notable – the former for its signature dish of pigeon with loonjing tea and chrysanthemum, the latter for its sublime roast Peking duck.
As impressive as they are, however, don't leave Hong Kong without sampling at least a few local street stall delicacies. Curry fish balls, siumai dumplings and stinky tofu are entry-level staples; the deep-fried pig intestine is a more acquired taste.
Where to stay
To be within walking distance of many of Hong Kong's main attractions, plus its best bars and restaurants, aim to stay around Central on the north shore of the island.
When to go
October through December is Hong Kong's dry season, with more comfortable temperatures and favorable room rates, but it's also when pollution can be at its highest. For better visibility (and more impressive scenery), come in July or August but be prepared for high humidity and summer showers. Unless you like higher prices and longer lines, avoid the Chinese national holidays ("golden weeks") in January, February and October.
Getting there & getting around
Fly into Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok) from multiple cities in the U.S. From there, you're a quick 25-minute drive to Hong Kong's city center. The quickest way is by taxi or by hopping onto the Airport Express trains that depart every 10 minutes and drop you off at Kowloon and Central stations.
While much of Hong Kong's center is walkable, download the Mass Transit Railway app before you leave home. The MTR is the fastest way of getting around the city, its 90 stations covering all the areas you'll want to reach. Another good option is what the locals refer to as "the ding-ding" – Hong Kong's tram system that zig-zags throughout the city.
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The feedback from customers and employees was clear: we needed to improve our boarding process. As part of our ongoing efforts to put customers at the center of everything we do, we identified boarding as an opportunity to improve the airport experience. We tested a variety of different boarding processes on thousands of flights across multiple airports. Best practices emerged from each test, and combined, they now form what we are calling "Better Boarding".
Better Boarding consists of three key improvements
Less time in line:
By reducing the number of boarding lanes, there is more space for customers to enjoy the gate areas, many of which have been completely remodeled with more comfortable seating and in some airports, the ability to have food and drinks from within the airport delivered directly to the gate area. Over the years, we have invested millions of dollars in our terminals, and now with less time spent standing in line, customers will have more time to dine, shop, relax, work or enjoy a United Club℠.
Simplified gate layout
Say goodbye to the five long lines we see today
Group 1 will board through the blue lane.
Group 2 will board through the green lane, followed by groups 3, 4, and 5.
Late arriving customers in Group 1 and 2 will use the blue lane.
Customers in groups 3, 4, and 5 always use the green lane.
Better information:
We are providing customers with more information throughout the boarding process so that they feel more at ease, and more equipped with the latest information about their flight. Customers with the United app can receive a push notification once their flight starts boarding. Customers will only receive the notification if they've opted in for push notifications and have a mobile boarding pass in the app's wallet.
Enhanced communications
Be in the know about boarding
Customers will receive boarding notifications through the United app (if they've opted in for notifications).
Improved gate area digital signage to guide customers through boarding.
Balanced groups and better recognition:
United MileagePlus® Premier 1K® customers will now pre-board and United MileagePlus Premier Gold customers will be boarding in Group 1. For more information on our boarding groups, visit: https://www.united.com/web/en-us/content/travel/airport/boarding-process.aspx
Improved premier customer recognition
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Improved premier recognition and better positioning of customers to create balanced boarding groups.
The new Better Boarding process is just one of the steps we are taking to improve the customer experience. We will continue to collect feedback from customers on ways we can further improve boarding and you may receive a post-travel survey to tell us more about your experience
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