First off, I would like to congratulate everyone who’s recently signed up to have a chopper take you to and from work for the extremely reasonable fee of $200 a day. According to Liberty Helicopters, which begins weekday service next month, there’s been a huge interest in the service, which is heartening.

Liberty has already been approached by 150 potential clients after about a month of advertising, Patrick Day, a pilot and vice president of charter marketing, said in an interview in the cabin of a twin-engine Dauphin at the carrier’s base in Linden, New Jersey. The interest may reflect how far Wall Street has bounced back, said Robert Grotell, an independent transportation consultant in Port Jefferson, New York.

“When an economy turns sour, corporate air transportation seems to be one of the first things that’s affected, and it’s usually one of the last things to come back,” Grotell said in a telephone interview. Corporate clients are responsible for about one-third of helicopter traffic in the New York area, which slid as much as 30 percent in 2009 from a year earlier, he said. “Maybe the economic turnaround is well under way,” Grotell said.

People have apparently been starting to reserve their rides for the summer “earlier than they have in years past” which is phenomenal news. And they’re already starting to think about blowing off work, sans shame, which is great. (“You have guys that are getting overwhelmed on a Friday in June and they just can’t deal with the traffic,” Day said. “At 4 o’clock, I have a helicopter right there.”) Nevertheless, we are most certainly not there yet. According to Liberty, most clients have been signing up for “single-seat” rides, meaning they’re shoved in their with five other guys instead of having the place to themselves, like in years prior to ‘09. That makes it practically like public transportation and while I don’t want to scoff because it’s still progress, we need to do better. Right now reformed heli-commuter Joe Gregory is merely salivating at the thought. Let’s get him full on JO&C’ing at what he’s missing out on (because he has nowhere to go).

Article courtesy of Dealbreaker

After a nine year hiatus, our good friends Sinai and Olivet, known to most as the two cars of Angels Flight, are fully back in operation! For a mere 25 cents, you can once again take the historic ride …

..from Hill Street up to Grand on a little funicular that's just as ingrained in LA's history as Grauman's, rush hour traffic, and gourmet food trucks. Those working west of Broadway may just welcome Angels Flight as an alternative to making the trek down and back up the hill for a bite at Grand Central Market. For many of us, it's a tiny piece of LA nostalgia and a huge reason to spend some time in downtown LA walking around for a change.

Angels Flight is smack dab in the middle of a plethora of sites to fill a day with. Though the park that surrounds it disappoints scores of angsty romantics looking to relive 500 Days of Summer, Angels Knoll is actually a gem of a spot for a moment of calm. Not too far away is the historic Bradbury Building. Though most Angelenos have probably been here at least once on some long forgotten field trip, it's always worth another visit. This time just imagine Pris and Deckard battling it out among the scrolling Victorian railings. If you're willing to take a bit of a walk or at the very least a quick bus ride, the Flower District offers cheap fresh flowers to buy and plenty to ogle. In the opposite direction of Angels Flight, you'll find your culture overload on Grand Avenue with the Los Angeles Music Center and the MOCA, not to mention the nearby Arts District.

But let's be honest, what really makes a good trip downtown is taking advantage of food and spirits. Angels Flight is surrounded by a smorgasborg of downright good cheap eats. There's always Grand Central Market for street fare from a variety of vendors. You also have your pick from Mexican at Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, Middle Eastern at Sultan, or Asian at Starry Kitchen. Those looking for a little fun at the end of the day may find divey King Eddy's a good option. Though the area's a bit sketchy, the drinks are cheap and the people are, let's say, interesting. For a cozier atmosphere there's always the Library Bar or The Must. And for good music and interesting aromas, there's the beloved Smell.

There's more than just the reopening of Angels Flight to draw you here. With plenty to see, eat, and drink, you really have no excuse not to head downtown, take a ride, and celebrate a piece of LA's history.

Article courtesy of Los Angeles | Guest of a Guest – Los Angeles People, Places, Parties & Nightlife