Finished my first true MR last week. Four days inside security. What a trip (literally and figuratively). Good gate agents. One blocked whole row on red-eye out of SMF so I could stretch out and sleep better. All managed a quick turnaround at BDL (on full flights) so I could spend my time at the AC TermD at DFW and enjoy the showers (and work). When there were irr ops at DFW and I'd miss my BDL connection, the Plat Desk offered to put me into Boston instead so it wouldn't mess up my MR. Having my Bose headset and a DVD player made the MD80s a bit easier to tolerate.

Don't know that I'd do four days like that again, but after day one it really wasn't that bad. It seemed surreal. Thanks to eveyone for the info that led me to try this and to FTer Mitchell specifically for the reservation help.

This may be better suited for Trip Report to allow others to reference it in the future.

Did you spend all four days in the secure area of the airport?

This may be better suited for Trip Report to allow others to reference it in the future.

Did you spend all four days in the secure area of the airport?

I think you're right. I wasn't certain where the best place was for it. And, yes all four days were inside security. A bit of a challenge given the liquid ban in effect at the time. Used listerine strips for toothpaste. The AC had soap, shampoo, conditioner and hair dryers. Without that I probably wouldn't have been allowed on any aircraft after day 2.

Moderator may want to move this to a more appropriate forum.

Four days behind security!? What was your routing??

What was your routing??
Whatever it was, I suspect it was x4 (times 4). No one says you have to leave the secure part of an airport after you finish an itinerary, and we all know how easy it is to check-in for flights inside security.

Whatever it was, I suspect it was x4 (times 4). No one says you have to leave the secure part of an airport after you finish an itinerary, and we all know how easy it is to check-in for flights inside security.
Being able to check in behind security would be the least of my worries.

Four days behind security!? What was your routing??

Itn not very creative: SMF-DFW-BDL-DFW-SMF-DFW-BDL-DFW-SMF-DFW-BDL-DFW-SMF-DFW-BDL-DFW-SMF. (Although day one I was routed to BOS rather than BDL due to irr ops). As orig booked it allowed for about a 6hr layover at BDL. I was able to do quick turns at BDL on standby, allowing the down time in DFW with AC and showers. I was able to work on laptop and cell from the AC, so a minor disrupt to work schedule. I work remotely anyway. Each night I got into SMF about 11:30p and left again at 12:20a. Slept on first two legs (SMF-DFW-BDL) and worked or watched DVD on last two legs to try to keep to some kind of schedule. This was to reup my Plat. My company has me on other metal a lot this year and it was necessary. It was about $640 all in for 23,398 eqm + 23,398 bonus = 46,796 mi (or .0136 per mile). Too good a deal! FT Mitchell put it on hold before the fare disappeared, decided to pass on flying it, offered it to anyone who wanted it. I did. He called AA and changed the pass name (as it wasn't ticketed yet) and it was a done deal.

Actually, what Mitchell did was brilliant. Sometimes FTers miss the fare deals because they are in meetings and can't monitor FT MR forum or other. If I get a shot at a deal, whether it is appropriate for me or not, I'll be looking to grab it, put on hold and offer it to FTers.

All that said, if I need AA miles next year, I think I'll plan to spread it out a little more. Maybe once a week for a transcon or a few transatlantic during beginning of year on cheap fares. On the other hand, the 3.5 hr legs on this MR were easier on the backside than an 11 hr to LHR.

Glad to hear you survived! :-)

I'm on my way to AA EXP and CO PLAT this year, so 200,000+ Butt-In-Seat Miles...