cyclogenesis
Jun 29, 12, 6:41 am
Greetings from a cafe in Toulouse where I am sipping wine and watching the French.
I have just finished the 2012 European Radar Conference at Meteo France (a fantastic organization)
My Journey started in Chicago, because I had just completed 186 miles of riding in the MS Tour de Farms I could not leave until late Sunday night which meant flying codeshare on Lufthansa (united tix).. This was completely ok by me (personal IFE, free drinks etc..) but it meant I had no hope of upgrading (*S, Q class tix) but this was good, I did not spend any time looking at availability, no stress, no needing to call United to push the wait-list etc..
I arrive at the airport ~ 2 hours before the flight (limping, sunburnt and very tired) checked in at the very civilized Lufthansa desk and asked if there are any exit row seats available. The guy handed me a standby pass of one of the seats which he said will be assigned at the gate.
I headed to the newer B concourse United Club where I saw a Lufthansa agent was stationed, I asked if I could receive notification of the exit row seating in the lounge to which she replied "but of course" (nice)
So I sat down to relax with a few Honkers ales (yes, this is nice, I will pass right out with the miles in the legs and beer in my tummy...) and I got called to the desk and received my exit row. I thanked the agent in my exceedingly limited broken German (restricted to greetings and pleasantries) and headed back to snack on plastic cheese.
Chatting to the family next to me, who had been upgraded from Business to first about the experience they were about to have (yes they initiated the conversation...) when we started to make our way out..
On the way out my name was called (oh dear.. this can not be good) and I headed to the UC desk..
The Lufthansa agent looked at me and said "You are a trouble maker" with a big grin on her face and hands me a Business class boarding pass.
Well I just about fell to the floor, this was unexplainable. I still shake my head (as I am doing now writing this). The flight must have been hopelessly oversold in Y and been super super elite light (again, only *S)..
I profusely thanked the agent (telling her I just rode 185 miles for charity and this will be appreciated!) and proceeded to the gate.
Boarding was the usual international B gate zoo... But the Germans enforced good order in the way only the Germans can.
I boarded and proceeded to 12H (A340), still waiting to be told that this had been a terrible mistake..
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7466297140_458966a976.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466297140/)
Such a nice way to travel! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466297140/) by Cyclogenesis_au (http://www.flickr.com/people/60372300@N03/), on Flickr
Pre take off campaign was served, no idea what it was, but it was good!
after a long taxi we took off and left Chicago.
The attendant came around and handed out menus, the guy next to me was greeted by name, I was not, this is fair enough as I was a battlefield upgrade... Drinks were served, I had a beer (Warstiener).
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7466297808_01db54595f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466297808/)
Business class dinner (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466297808/) by Cyclogenesis_au (http://www.flickr.com/people/60372300@N03/), on Flickr
There were a few choices for dinner, I went seafood themed down the line. Shrimp salad and a salmon main.. Fantastic! I had a nice German Riesling which nicely complimented the food.. refills were offered and were plentiful, this is truly a civilized way to fly.
Dinner was over, I settled back (boy those seat controls are complex!) and watched a movie (the IFE was a bit lacking) and had a nice port.. and completely crashed out.. (nice!)
6 hours later and we are only an hour out of FRA.. (again, very civilized) and breakfast is served.. It was wonderfully German. Small meats, heavy heavy bread, coffee and tea.. I happily consume said breakfast, watch the rest of John Carter (a fun if cheezy Disney flick) and then we are done!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7466298686_d72245046b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466298686/)
A340 at Frankfurt (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466298686/) by Cyclogenesis_au (http://www.flickr.com/people/60372300@N03/), on Flickr
I will write more of my adventures and mistakes in FRA and TLS later (my god FRA is a warren!) I had a truly unexpected upgrade on this flight, I can not communicate my surprise and excitement of getting something that was such an impossibility it was not considered.. :)
I have just finished the 2012 European Radar Conference at Meteo France (a fantastic organization)
My Journey started in Chicago, because I had just completed 186 miles of riding in the MS Tour de Farms I could not leave until late Sunday night which meant flying codeshare on Lufthansa (united tix).. This was completely ok by me (personal IFE, free drinks etc..) but it meant I had no hope of upgrading (*S, Q class tix) but this was good, I did not spend any time looking at availability, no stress, no needing to call United to push the wait-list etc..
I arrive at the airport ~ 2 hours before the flight (limping, sunburnt and very tired) checked in at the very civilized Lufthansa desk and asked if there are any exit row seats available. The guy handed me a standby pass of one of the seats which he said will be assigned at the gate.
I headed to the newer B concourse United Club where I saw a Lufthansa agent was stationed, I asked if I could receive notification of the exit row seating in the lounge to which she replied "but of course" (nice)
So I sat down to relax with a few Honkers ales (yes, this is nice, I will pass right out with the miles in the legs and beer in my tummy...) and I got called to the desk and received my exit row. I thanked the agent in my exceedingly limited broken German (restricted to greetings and pleasantries) and headed back to snack on plastic cheese.
Chatting to the family next to me, who had been upgraded from Business to first about the experience they were about to have (yes they initiated the conversation...) when we started to make our way out..
On the way out my name was called (oh dear.. this can not be good) and I headed to the UC desk..
The Lufthansa agent looked at me and said "You are a trouble maker" with a big grin on her face and hands me a Business class boarding pass.
Well I just about fell to the floor, this was unexplainable. I still shake my head (as I am doing now writing this). The flight must have been hopelessly oversold in Y and been super super elite light (again, only *S)..
I profusely thanked the agent (telling her I just rode 185 miles for charity and this will be appreciated!) and proceeded to the gate.
Boarding was the usual international B gate zoo... But the Germans enforced good order in the way only the Germans can.
I boarded and proceeded to 12H (A340), still waiting to be told that this had been a terrible mistake..
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7466297140_458966a976.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466297140/)
Such a nice way to travel! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466297140/) by Cyclogenesis_au (http://www.flickr.com/people/60372300@N03/), on Flickr
Pre take off campaign was served, no idea what it was, but it was good!
after a long taxi we took off and left Chicago.
The attendant came around and handed out menus, the guy next to me was greeted by name, I was not, this is fair enough as I was a battlefield upgrade... Drinks were served, I had a beer (Warstiener).
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7466297808_01db54595f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466297808/)
Business class dinner (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466297808/) by Cyclogenesis_au (http://www.flickr.com/people/60372300@N03/), on Flickr
There were a few choices for dinner, I went seafood themed down the line. Shrimp salad and a salmon main.. Fantastic! I had a nice German Riesling which nicely complimented the food.. refills were offered and were plentiful, this is truly a civilized way to fly.
Dinner was over, I settled back (boy those seat controls are complex!) and watched a movie (the IFE was a bit lacking) and had a nice port.. and completely crashed out.. (nice!)
6 hours later and we are only an hour out of FRA.. (again, very civilized) and breakfast is served.. It was wonderfully German. Small meats, heavy heavy bread, coffee and tea.. I happily consume said breakfast, watch the rest of John Carter (a fun if cheezy Disney flick) and then we are done!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7466298686_d72245046b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466298686/)
A340 at Frankfurt (http://www.flickr.com/photos/60372300@N03/7466298686/) by Cyclogenesis_au (http://www.flickr.com/people/60372300@N03/), on Flickr
I will write more of my adventures and mistakes in FRA and TLS later (my god FRA is a warren!) I had a truly unexpected upgrade on this flight, I can not communicate my surprise and excitement of getting something that was such an impossibility it was not considered.. :)