Our master plan is in action. We were in England for Christmas and we’re going again next month (six month plan). We were in the US for Passover so, to even things out, we’ve booked another flight for this August! A week in New York and then a week in California. Yes, this is the good life.
But this was no simple purchase, my friends. Those who know me will vouch for the fact that I don’t spend any more money than absolutely necessary. When I was in the market a DVD player for the living room, I made a two page spreadsheet listing every viable model, its features, and six different places where it was sold to compare prices. You should have seen the spreadsheet I made when I was putting together my last computer!
Anyway, this purchase was no different. There were too many variables to sort out in my head. And, coupled with the staggering amount of money we were dealing with here, another spreadsheet was in order.
Key variables:
- possible combinations of flights
- different airlines
- number of connecting flights
- total price
- duration of journey (flight + layover times)
- flight time of day
Being a good Zamrycki, I had originally placed the utmost importance on the total price. But then, remembering that we will be traveling with a fussy 11 month old, priority was quickly shifted to T.F.T. (Total Flight Time, or Total Fidget Time), time of day (sleeping babies are easier to deal with), and connecting flights (added hassle). So there weren’t just variables to content with – there were weighted variables! Thank goodness I have a degree in mathematics. And I’m a geek.
Knowledge of this blog’s reader demographics prohibits me from going into much detail regarding the selection process. Allow me to say that three different spreadsheets and an entire week of processing time were needed for this one. But I’m happy to say that, in the end, I am convinced that I got the absolute best combination of flights that meet our travel and economic needs. And I still got ripped off. And we’ll still be flying for 32.5 hours (not including driving times). Oy. Here is a small sample from the last version of the spreadsheet:
Excellent on the good travel deal! Hopefully you didn’t use a travel service such as expedia – we just got back from a trip to Hawaii booked through them and although the trip was heaven, the journey there was a disaster. Stick to booking direct via the airlines is my new motto…
Look at that: I post an entry about spreadsheets and the Math Geeks come out of the woodwork 🙂
Yeah, I made all my bookings directly through KLM and Continental. Besides being easier (I love KLM’s webpage), I always have the feeling that services like Expedia tack on a little some’in for themselves. Don’t want.
I’m glad to hear Hawaii was heaven. I’ll have to add it to my To Do list.
Why the hand-written scribblins? That’s what formulas are for.
Everyone laughs at me for the spreadsheet I input all my gas receipts into but it helped me identify a dramatic drop in my mileage and I’ll be bringing in the car for a look-see once the new warranty I bought kicks in. w00t! go math.
I love a spreadsheet too! I wonder if generally geekiness and blogging go hand-in-hand? Ooh, I feel a Venn diagram coming on!
Looking forward to seeing you all in England!
I’m officially scared!
But anyway please put this non-geek out of my misery and let me know which combination you went for. I have looked at your spreadsheet and I don’t have a clue how to work it out…..
Also when are you due in Outwell? hopefully we’ll be able to co-ordinate our schedules…
@ Sarah & Garry – we’re very much looking forward to seeing you guys, too! We’ll be in sunny Outwell from July 12-18 so clear your calendars. Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARAH!