Crew Cuts
words by > Allen Holder
Jeff Longley
So much to do, so little time. AirTran Airways pilot Jeff Longley spends only 12 or 13 nights a month at home—not nearly enough time to take advantage of everything Kansas City has to offer. “It’s a great city,” says Longley,
35. “There’s a lot of stuff to do and great people. It’s an easygoing town—not as fast-paced as everywhere else.”
Like many Kansas Citians, he likes to spend time at the Country Club Plaza, the shopping and entertainment district known for its Christmas lights and Spanish architecture. “I used to fly charters over the Plaza when they turned the lights on,” he says, referring to a Thanksgiving night tradition. “Everybody wants to see the Plaza.”
Party Time
For nightlife, Longley likes everything from the New Theatre Restaurant (www..newtheatre.com), a dinner playhouse in Overland Park, to Kansas City’s four riverboat casinos. At Harrah’s, he likes the rock and alternative music of the Voodoo Lounge (www.voodookc.com). Another music favorite is Blayney’s (www.blayneys.com ), known for bringing blues acts to the Westport neighborhood.
Beefy Bites
Kansas City is known for barbecue, and Longley is a fan of both Gates (www.gatesbbq.com) and Arthur Bryant’s (www..arthurbryantsbbq.com), arguably the two best-known names in town.
The atmosphere at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant on the Plaza (www.mccormickandschmicks.com) appeals to Longley as well. “They have a huge bar with a stained-glass window. And they have great steaks.”
Other favorites include the Golden Ox (www.goldenox.com), a venerable steakhouse in the West Bottoms; Jess and Jim’s Steakhouse (www.jessandjims.com ) in Martin City, MO; and Yia Yia’s EuroBistro (www.yiayias.com) in Overland Park.
Coming Soon
Longley appreciates Kansas City’s major league sports teams, but wishes he had time to take in more games. He’s still waiting to see his first NASCAR race at the Kansas Speedway, which opened locally a few years ago. And he’s keeping an eye on the Sprint Center (www.sprintcenter. com), the new downtown arena, where the city hopes to land an NHL or NBA team. “Once the Sprint Center is finished, you’re going to see a lot of restaurants and nightlife down there,” he says. The $850 million Power & Light District (www.powerandlightdistrict.com), under construction across the street from the Sprint Center, is expected to include nine blocks of retail and entertainment space. Both will open this fall.
Get Outta Town
Occasionally, even a pilot has to get away for a couple of days. Langley likes Hermann, MO, (www.hermannmo.com), which he says offers good wineries, great food and biking at Katy Trail State Park (www.visitmo.com). Like a lot of Kansas Citians, he likes to drive to the Lake of the Ozarks (www.funlake.com ), where he can fish, boat, water-ski or hike. “A lot of times, friends and family will come into town,” he says, “and we’ll just go down to the lake for a few days.”
> For current career opportunities at AirTran Airways, visit www.airtranjobs.com