The entire incident may have cost the actor a bit of his dignity, helped the game Words with Friends, cost him his twitter account and done little to change boarding procedures, but we still think Greyhound is getting  bad wrap.

Sure, Baldwin was relying on cliches and ignorance when when tried to compare American Airlines to Greyhound — but sadly, he was just wrong. Greyhound, which is undergoing a bit of a revival, is actually really nice.

American Airlines doesn’t offer leather seats. Greyhound does.

American Airlines charges $10 to use its wifi. Greyhound has it for free and includes a 110 volt power outlet for every seat — also at no additional charge.

American Airlines requires passengers show up hours before the flight and go through the TSA — please check your civil rights at the door and enjoy a dose of cancer causing radiation. Greyhound requires passengers get on the bus. Here’s the boarding procedure. “Welcome to Greyhound.”

American Airlines has the force of the FAA to make people turn off all electronic devices before take off and landing — and it’s a move that feels more like a TSA strip search than an actual safety reason. Greyhound encourages people to use electronic devices the entire trip.

American Airlines tickets can have more fees listed on the ticket than a phone book. Greyhound has a straightforward price.

American Airlines personnel and other passengers watched in horror as Baldwin threw a tantrum. Greyhound passengers just might have thumped him on the head and told him to shut the fuck up. Self regulation is a mighty good thing.

And the list just goes on and on.

A few years ago, I was aboard the Lucky Streak — a Greyhound shuttle from New York City to Atlantic City — it was a fabulous drive and perfect for the modern day Greyhound. It was on that ride that I got a chance to talk to president of Greyhound, who talked about the image problems Greyhound faced, and the strategy it was using to improve that.

Basically, Baby Boomers had such a bad image of Greyhound that the bus company wasn’t even going to bother trying to win them over. They may be a huge consumer group, but they are often wrong about what they think they know — just like Baldwin.

Greyhound has moved away from those cross country trips — leaving those to companies like American Airlines. Instead, Greyhound has found that focusing on trips that around 400 miles makes a lot more sense.

The roomy seats, the internet connection, and the significant savings will lure many customers to the bus company instead of considering planes. The 350 mile trip from LA to Phoenix will take about the same amount of total time without the hassle. Same goes with many of the other city connections, and in fact, many trips will take even less time than flying.

But Alec doesn’t know that. Why should he? A bus has seats all the way to the back that feel like first class — he wouldn’t feel special on that ride. But it’s not like we should really expect our television stars and cults of personality to actually know what they are talking about.

A savvy traveler, however, understands exactly this. A smart traveler, who might ride the scariest bus in the world in Columbia shouldn’t shun a much better ride back home.

Don't you?

The TSA’s name should have warned everyone. Transportation Safety Administration. Everyone thought it was just airports, but transportation applies to any form of movement. And now, the TSA is showing some states how safety is administered.

On Tuesday, Tennessee DOT and TSA began working together under the Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response, known as VIPR, program. VIPR assumes that if you’re moving, you’re obviously a terrorist. It doesn’t matter if travel is by plane, train, automobile or broomstick. On this particular day, check points were set up at Tennessee weigh stations in an effort to “maintain traffic security” on interstate highways.

The check points allowed, under the guise of protection from terrorism, the TSA, Tennessee DOT and various Tennessee police departments, both state and local, to search trucks and harass drivers for no other reason other than “because we can”. No mention of any violation of the Fourth Amendment, this done completely for the safety of all Americans.

Bomb and drug sniffing dogs were put to work searching the targeted trucks. What? Drug sniffing dogs? How many terrorists are planning dumping a load of extacy into the water supply?

Truckers, the ones violated and those not, are being asked by the TSA to join the First Observer Highway Security Program. This is a program where truckers are being asked to report to VIPR all the suspicious people they see on the highway, rest areas or truck stops across the nation.

Americans ratting out each other will only strengthen our safety.

So, it’s time to do your part. Just keep your eyes peeled. See someone talking on their phone in the car? Call VIPR and report it. It’s obvious that that person is plotting to wage Jihad against us all.

And really, they should be. We’ve been on some of these Greyhound luxury coaches and have to say, they’re really nice.

As of Sept. 7, Greyhound has increased its premium express service. These buses come complete with leather seats, lots of leg room, power outlets and free wifi. In our ride aboard the Lucky Streak — the Greyhound service from New York City to Atlantic City, we were traveling in style. Greyhound likes to name some its trips, and we’re happy to suggest names for different trips. (Richmond to Atlanta can be “The Confederate Defeat” and the DC to Philly route could be the “Cheesesteak Run”

The expansion of the services run from city to city and include places in the Northeast like DC, New York,

Sweet leather seats on Greyhound Express buses.

Baltimore and Philadelphia. Services are also increasing in the South, according to Greyhound officials, such as Atlanta and Richmond.

The key distance for Greyhound is 400 miles. That’s how far people don’t seem to mind riding on a bus

instead of a plane. Add to that these great buses and people might be willing to go 450 miles. And really, it’s an easy ride. You’re certainly more comfortable than a plane, and you don’t have the hassle of the TSA groping your groin before you board.

Most of all tickets are just a lot cheaper than flying

Every seat has two power outlets. Find that on a plane.

or even a train — we went online and looked at booking a ticket from DC to New York City with no stops (it’s a four and a half trip and you get dropped off in the middle of the city) for $21 and when you arrive, all of your electronics are fully charged, you’re email answered and you’re well rested.  (The same trip via Amtrak is only 90 minutes faster and costs $80 and doesn’t have all of the amenities.)

Now, all Greyhound has to do is improve the bus stations.

I always thought it was the home of the rich, the big and beautiful — people name Biff and Buffy lived in Newport, the sailed there from some exotic local and they carried a roll of $100 bills bigger than anything I could ever dream of holding.

In reality, these people are not much different than me, though they live on the edge of a peninsula that has been an important part of America for three hundred years. It’s a natural harbor that let’s hundreds of ships safely weather any storm.

Along Millionaire’s Road — Bellvue Avenue where dozens of mansions reside built by the Biltmores, Vanderbilts and Rockerfellers, there’s a path between these homes and crashing waves. It’s the Cliff Walk of Newport.

For about five miles, the Cliff Walk takes tourists around the back yards of homes that are more legendary than practical when it comes to home building. These places are incredible — when you can see above the hedges and actually catch a glimpse upon it.

But better yet, there’s the actual Cliff walk. We walked for about three miles along the cliffs. Some parts where flat concrete and some places were jagged and like a big stair master. Really, it was a great hike that, if the weather wasn’t 94 degrees today, would have been a little bit more enjoyable. The other thing we forgot about after cranking out three miles was we still had to cut through Bellvue Avenue for two more miles to get back to the car.

But if you’re looking for something cheap and easy to do in Newport, the Cliff Walk is excellent way to spend the afternoon. The best place to start is by parking at The Breakers and then walking out to the cliffs. You can walk about three miles south along the trip and enjoy the beautiful views of the mansions. Better yet, it’s what you might find along the trail.

For instance, we met Pat, a nice young guy who was hanging out with his friends until, he jumped off the cliff and into the water 30 feet below. It was only an instant, but absolutely fantastic.

HTG is actually on vacation: This story is from our best of files.  This story originally ran Sept. 2, 2010.

Two Butted Lamb - no joking

President Obama kicks off a three day bus tour through Iowa, Minnesota and Illnois on Monday. Sure, he’ll give a few speeches, but since he’s traveling by bus there are plenty of places he could stop to make this road trip one for the record books.

He starts out Monday in Cannon Falls, Minnesota and then moves to Decorah, Iowa. He’ll pass through Rochester where the local sights are on display. Obama can make two photo stops which won’t even cut into travel time. A stop at the Ear of Corn Water Tower and at the Large Medical Scooter would be great photo opportunities and show middle America that he cares about corn farmers and and those who eat corn by products.

On Tuesday, Obama moves from Decorah to Peosta, Iowa. On this part of the trip, he can show his bipartisanship by detouring to Marquette, IA to see Pinky the Elephant, and then a quick stop in Dyersville, IA at the Field of Dreams, because, you know, they built it.

Wednesday takes him to Atkinson, Illinois. Obama travels through Maquoketa, Iowa where Democrats will appreciate the underlying statement made when Obama visits The Two Butted Lamb. Two asses are better than one.

We hope Obama does take some time to enjoy middle America. Road side attractions break up the monotony of driving, provide a stop to stretch your legs and meet some locals. Or locos.

All photos from RoadsideAmerica.com and it’s posters.

Stay away from here! Mapquest map

Going to be in LA on July 16 or 17th? If so, you may witness the worst car jam ever, or better yet, you may want to rethink those plans.

For 53 hours, the 405 will be shut down on a 10 mile stretch between US 101 and I10. This shutdown is to demolish the Mulholland Drive overpass and can only be done with a complete closure of the highway. The bridge will be rebuilt as a longer bridge so that the 405 can be widened in order to hold more cars, which will cause people to request even more lanes, causing more construction and thus continuing the circle of traffic.

Predictions are that the traffic will be backed up from 25 – 60+ miles, showing that the California DOT really has no idea what will actually happen. The work is scheduled to begin Friday at midnight, with entrance ramps to the 405 shutting down earlier in the evening and will promptly end by 5 AM Monday morning. Supposedly, all work will be done on time.

We were not disappointed. In fact, we got up close and personal with some of the park’s most elusive beasts. The star of the show was this grizzly, which was hunting for grubs and other appetizers in front of about 300 fans.

How close? About 150 feet. Yes, feet, not yards, as is the park ranger’s preference. Of course, spotting wildlife is as much about luck as a keen eye. And we got lucky.

This big boy happily ate and entertained us for about 20 minutes before park rangers decided there were too many gawkers along the side of the road so they shot M80 rifle shots in to the air to scare him back in to the woods. When that didn’t work, they shot beanbags at the beast and he reluctantly ran into the woods – but only briefly.

As the crowds dispersed, Mr. Grizzly decided to make an encore appearance and just happened to re-emerge in front of the convertible bus we were touring in. He got another couple of pounds of berries and bugs in his belly before park rangers saw him and shot more bogus buckshot his way. The second shot just missed the bear and he was none too pleased as he stood on two feet and shot the rangers one nasty WTF look before hightailing it back in to the sticks.

This was the highlight of the trip, but a close second was running into a black wolf in a parking lot and watching him walk 10 feet in front of us. Seeing a wolf in Yellowstone is rare. Seeing a black wolf up close is even more rare. See, there are only 95 wolves in the park and black wolves account for a fraction of that population.

One word sums up the trip: bitchin.

Manny is on vacation out West with his family, as they make their way around the country hauling a trailer. No children were eaten during the making of this blog.

These 14-passenger, 1937 White Motors buses have a storied history that, not surprisingly includes Detroit.

Most notably was the first instruction we got from our tour guide, Trevor, who told us to leave the door closing duties to him because if something broke “they had to call out specialists from Michigan to repair them.”

Yellowstone used to be chock full of these sweet rides but they were all sold over time until none were left in the park’s possession.

In 2001, the nation’s first national park bought eight of them back (or the shells of them, to be more precise) at a cost of $36,000 each.

They sat for six years before a company outside Detroit (our tour guide didn’t know the company’s name) restored them at a cost of about $250,000 each. They are equipped with Ford chassis and engines now.

And, being convertibles, they take tourists around the park on an African safari like tour.

Big Rocky was our ride and he didn’t disappoint.

Yet again, Detroit metal shines.

Photo via Alan Veron @flikr

And I thank No Head Fred for the sacrifice.

Who?

Fred the Lake Trout that we caught in Lake Yellowstone and later ate. He got his moniker from my son, who aptly modified the name when the fish unfortunately was beheaded.

See Lake Trout are not native to Yellowstone and are causing problems with the ecosystem. So any that you catch you are required to kill and either eat or throw back in the lake dead.

We chose the former and for $9.75 one of the park’s restaurant served it up nicely for us. Wish I’d taken some pics of the three-pounder but was caught up in the excitement of my save-the-Earth-moment.

He was tasty.

Manny and his family are on vacation traveling around the Western USA with a pop up trailer and a lot of patience.

When it does work, it’s supposed to help you determine if flying or driving is worth it.

The program weighs costs and time associated with each trip you program into it. The idea is to help you make a more informed decision on which travel mode.

Our guess is that it will often show that flying is more expensive — and driving takes more time. We’re also going to guess that if you pick a place that requires crossing an ocean, it will suggest flying.

Our advice: If you have the time — drive. If you have the money fly. We love a good road trip and have taken plenty.

But we also find ourselves on lots of little trips that require a plane to get there and back.  Time and money — that’ll answer the question. Or you can let a website do that.