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Event | modhop Turns 5!

Jake Redman March 15, 2013 7


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5 years ago today, modhop.com was born from anger (as many of my more successful ventures are). To think if seatguru.com had properly labeled 19F aboard a Delta 757-200 (75E) with a “Yellow” rating, this site might not exist. But it does. So cue the dream sequence effects and let’s look back at our notable moments…

Feet in this picture are closer than they appear. 15F aboard a Delta 757-200 (75E)
Feet in this picture are closer than they appear. 19F aboard a Delta 757-200 (75E) in 2008.

Delta 75E- The Beginning:  Incensed by an improperly labeled seat rating at seatguru.com, I took a picture (right) of my feet jammed into the protruding exit slide that kept me from getting full leg extension. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with the picture other than to text it to friends, complaining “Can you believe this [explative]!”.  Luckily my anguish maintained it’s fire enough that I was motivated to do more in the days that followed. I did a little research and started a website that’s sole purpose was to show bad seats that were supposed to be good…this one.

First Video Seat Review: An upgrade to business class aboard a United Airlines P.S. transcon flight had me in a much better mood, so I decided to start sharing better experiences alongside the letdowns.

First Hotel Review: Mrs. modhop liked this Embassy Suites in Montreal so much that I decided to expand the website to include hotels. It’s never become a huge part of the site, but hotel reviews remain important, particularly in and around airports. Our first video review was of the Hotel Solamar in San Diego, CA.

First Lounge Review: Lounge reviews are a big part of what we’ve become and while the quality of the videos has improved greatly the idea is the same: To show which lounges are worth the price of membership or admission. This one was a tiny lounge so it was an easy, circular pan around the room and it was done. The former Northwest WorldClub turned Delta SkyClub at New York LaGuardia (This location is now closed).

Embassy Suites Montreal.  Still one of Mrs. modhop's favorites.
Embassy Suites Montreal in 2009. Still one of Mrs. modhop’s favorites.

First and Last Review aboard a Singapore Airlines 747: Not long after I reviewed the extra legroom exit seats aboard this Singapore Airlines 747, the airline discontinued it’s use in favor of more efficient aircraft. They didn’t say goodbye to the old birds without some fanfare, so I’m retroactively honored to have flown in one before it’s retirement.

Finally, A nicer camera. – Our hop aboard an Alaska Airlines flight was one of the first to be shot with our just slightly less than pro video camera. I clearly had no technique in shooting  video (still don’t, really) but this was the start of better quality video without embellishing the product (as you might see on the airline, hotel or lounge’s own websites).

Hurricane Sandy: Sandy took care of my extensive airline safety card collection.  Punishment for disobeying the “Do Not Remove From Aircraft” warning, I guess. Also, because we suddenly had to move the “modhop Travel Cave”, we were knocked out for a month and a few days. Luckily our smart backing-up of files kept our collection of plane, hotel and lounge videos in-tact.

Welcome Boarding Area: Late last year we joined the good folks at Boarding Area and it’s been a stellar alliance to date.  modhop’s video reviews and features paired with some of the best mileage and biz-travel blogs out there provide a very strong toolbox for planning comfortable travel and the best use of your travel points and dollars.

Now: modhop continues to grow as rapidly as I and our contributors can travel, shoot and type. New efforts like “[my] modhop” let YOU upload  your own seat, lounge or hotel room videos and pictures to share with others in our community. Plus, new features like “Airport Zen” and “Ask Jake” offer new travel options and ideas for less stressful, more comfortable air travel.

Thanks You for reading and supporting modhop. We look forward to many more years of sharing our reviews so that you can travel more comfortably and more often.

Cheers!

Jake Redman

Founder & Host

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Jake Redman
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Jake Redman

Modhop Host & Founder Jake Redman brings years of global exploration and travel tips to the podcast and our videos at Modhop. Jake is also a Producer and Host for SiriusXM.

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This post currently has 7 comments.
  1. dj on March 15, 2013

    thanks for all the work that was borne out of anger, obvious drastic emotional state is not entirely destructive. I was in a similar situation but could not find the time to take my “frustration” to reality. Hats off to making it a happening & helping others.

  2. Sam on March 16, 2013

    Jake, thank you for all the work that you have put into the site and the reviews. While I don’t get to travel as much as I would love to, being able to come here and have a reliable, first-person source of information about what I’m facing when I fly is immensely helpful. Add to that the fact that you review lounges and hotels, and I have made you a definite stop before each trip to glean some additional information. Again, I thank you for all of your hard work, and look forward to another 5 years with modhop!

  3. Zach on March 16, 2013

    Mazel Tov on turning 5!! Great advice, and I no longer feel bad about being an amenity kit hoarder. Black Converse also my preferred travel kicks. LOL

    • Jake Redman on March 16, 2013

      Thanks Zach. Glad you like the reviews and don required modhop footwear when you travel (although we’ve taken to similarly-styled adidas in recent years). There’s no shame in having a closet full of amenities…no shame at all. 🙂

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