It’s been awhile since I’ve written a trip report. In fact, it’s been close to a year now and crazily, I’ve even done additional RTW trips in 3 Class First without writing about them. As I finish my last year of university, sadly the times have changed and the free time I previously had before in writing TR have been devoted to the undergrad thesis. That being said, I wanted to finish University with a bang and that’s what I intend to do.
To write this trip report is actually quite difficult in fact, I previously haven’t planned to write a TR and everything I write is based on the memory I had and my photo collection spans over 20 albums for starters. Because many of these trips unfortunately are all lumped together makes it all much more difficult to write it. However, without combining all of the sections together, it simply doesn’t display how crazy I’ went, why I did it in such a way, the motivation behind everything, how things progressively got the way they were and why I went with such a title theme for this trip report!
And to make it easier to track how trips were planned and done, I suggest dividing this almanac of a trip report into 10 sections, which I separated below
Flights <Combined Dec 2011, Jan and Feb 2012 Flights - 70 Flights, 111968 Miles>
All Flights Flown
December 2011 Flights (7 Flights, 11747 Miles)
Air Canada 412 – Toronto to Montreal Trudeau (Business Class)
Swiss International Airlines 87 – Montreal Trudeau to Zurich (First Class)
Swiss International Airlines 634 – Zurich to Paris Charles De Gaulle (Business Class)
Lufthansa 1035 – Paris Charles De Gaulle to Frankfurt (Business Class)
Asiana Airlines 542 – Frankfurt to Seoul Incheon (First Class)
Air China International 124 – Seoul Incheon to Beijing Capital (Business Class)
Air China International 117 – Beijing Capital to Hong Kong (Business Class)
January 2012 Flights (37 Flights, 52366 Miles)
Cathay Pacific Airways 564 – Hong Kong to Taipei Taoyuan (Business Class)
Cathay Pacific Airways 450 – Taipei Taoyuan to Tokyo Narita (Business Class)
Cathay Pacific Airways 451 – Tokyo Narita to Taipei Taoyuan (Business Class)
Cathay Pacific Airways 451 – Taipei Taoyuan to Hong Kong (Business Class)
Cathay Pacific Airways 880 – Hong Kong to Los Angeles (Business Class)
American Airlines 1974 – Los Angeles to Nashville (First Class)
American Airlines 1307 – Nashville to Los Angeles (First Class)
American Airlines 2404 – Los Angeles to Dallas Ft. Worth (First Class)
American Airlines 1026 – Dallas Ft. Worth to Kansas City (First Class)
American Airlines 1326 – Kansas City to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 889 – Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles (First Class)
American Airlines 2404 – Los Angeles to Dallas Ft. Worth (First Class)
American Airlines 1020 – Dallas Ft. Worth to Omaha (First Class)
American Airlines 1875 – Omaha to Dallas Ft. Worth (First Class)
American Airlines 2320 – Dallas Ft. Worth to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 4213 – Chicago O’Hare to Buffalo (Economy Class)
American Airlines 4346 – Rochester, NY to Chicago O’Hare (Economy Class)
American Airlines 1561 – Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco (First Class)
American Airlines 1522 – San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 1341 – Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco (First Class)
American Airlines 556 – San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 1561 – Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco (First Class)
American Airlines 554 – San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 3960 – Chicago O’Hare to Rochester, NY (Economy Class)
American Airlines 1601 – Toronto to Dallas Ft. Worth (Business Class)
American Airlines 70 – Dallas Ft. Worth to Frankfurt (Business Class)
Malev Hungarian Airlines 521 – Frankfurt to Budapest (Economy Class)
Lufthansa 1341 – Budapest to Frankfurt (Business Class)
Singapore Airlines 26 – Frankfurt to New York Kennedy (Business Class)
Air Canada 721 – New York Kennedy to Toronto (Business Class)
American Airlines 4247 – Buffalo to Chicago O’Hare (Economy Class)
American Airlines 1561 – Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco (First Class)
American Airlines 2042 – San Francisco to Dallas Ft. Worth (First Class)
American Airlines 1109 – Dallas Ft. Worth to Austin (First Class)
American Airlines 1803 – Austin to Dallas Ft. Worth (First Class)
American Airlines 1415 – Dallas Ft. Worth to San Francisco (First Class)
American Airlines 1522 – San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
February 2012 Flights (26 Flights, 47855 Miles)
American Airlines 4213 – Chicago O’Hare to Buffalo (Economy Class)
American Airlines 4034 – Toronto to Chicago O’Hare (Economy Class)
American Airlines 1521 – Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco (First Class)
American Airlines 1522 – San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 2099 – Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles (First Class)
American Airlines 2004 – Los Angeles to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 1561 – Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco (First Class)
American Airlines 1522 – San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 2099 – Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles (First Class)
American Airlines 1372 – Los Angeles to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 3874 – Chicago O’Hare to Toronto (Economy Class)
American Airlines 3862 – Toronto to New York Kennedy (Economy Class)
American Airlines 64 – New York Kennedy to Zurich (Economy Class)
British Airways 713 – Zurich to London Heathrow (Business Class)
British Airways 99 – London Heathrow to Toronto (First Class)
American Airlines 3849 – Toronto to Chicago O’Hare (Economy Class)
American Airlines 695 – Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles (First Class)
American Airlines 1092 – Los Angeles to Chicago O’Hare (First Class)
American Airlines 289 – Chicago O’Hare to Shanghai Pudong (Business Class)
Dragonair 891 – Shanghai Pudong to Hong Kong (Business Class)
Cathay Pacific Airways 504 – Hong Kong to Tokyo Narita (Economy Class)
American Airlines 170 – Tokyo Narita to Los Angeles (Business Class)
American Airlines 2448 – Los Angeles to Dallas Ft. Worth (First Class)
American Airlines 2477 – Dallas Ft. Worth to Los Angeles (First Class)
American Airlines 10 – Los Angeles to New York Kennedy (Business Class)
American Airlines 3856 – New York Kennedy to Toronto (Business Class)
Trip Parts
Section 1, encompassing Part 1 - 5
The last Aeroplan mini-RTW ticket, Dec 8 – 13 (YYZ-YUL-ZRH-CDG-FRA-ICN-PEK-HKG)
Part 1 - Zooming across the Atlantic, Swiss Airbus 330 First Class (YYZ-YUL-ZRH-CDG)
Part 2 - High speeding through Western Europe, visiting Cologne and Brussels
Part 3 – Always exceeding expectations, Paris, France
Part 4 – Flying Solo, or as close as you can get, Asiana First Class FRA-ICN
Part 5 – Ugh, Seoul Traffic, Air China Business Class ICN-PEK-HKG
Section 2, encompassing Part 6 - 7
The January family vacation, Jan 1 – 4 (HKG-TPE-NRT-TPE-HKG)
Part 6 – A fresh start to 2012, Taipei, Taiwan
Part 7 – Hi Tokyo, I’m not connecting today
Section 3, encompassing Part 8 - 12
The first set of Mileage Runs, Jan 4 - 8 (HKG-LAX-BNA-LAX-DFW-MCI-ORD-LAX-DFW-OMA-DFW-ORD-BUF)
Part 8 – Rectifying a bad mistake Cathay Pacific “Cirrus’ Business Class, HKG-LAX
Part 9 – Where’s the BBQ? Kansas City, Missouri
Part 10 – Who said you need alcohol to black out? AA 889 ORD-LAX
Part 11 – Off to see my Private Line Agent, Omaha, Nebraska
Part 12 – Should I be grateful for this bed?
Section 4, encompassing Part 13 - 14
The second set of Mileage Runs, Jan 9 – 11 (ROC-ORD-SFO-ORD-SFO-ORD-SFO-ORD-ROC)
Part 13 – Who burns a Systemwide Upgrade on a mid-con flight, I do!
Part 14 – Luck, laughter, annoyance…
Section 5, encompassing Part 15 – 17
Chasing the Whalejet, Jan 19 – 22 (YYZ-DFW-FRA-BUD-FRA-JFK/LGA-YYZ)
Part 15 – You’re going to Dallas for a leisure purpose???
Part 16 – What else can go wrong?
Part 17 – As good as advertised, Singapore Airbus 380 Business Class FRA-JFK
Section 6, encompassing Part 18 - 19
The third set of Mileage Runs, Jan 30 – Feb 1 (BUF-ORD-SFO-DFW-AUS-DFW-SFO-ORD-BUF)
Part 18 – Sales, Black Outs, and the Pot Kettle Black?
Part 19 – Austin, Texas, the tiny blue in the giant red
Section 7, encompassing Part 20 – 23
The 1 Million Miler Weekend, Feb 2 – Feb 5 (YYZ-ORD-SFO-ORD-LAX-ORD-SFO-ORD-LAX-ORD-YYZ)
Part 20 – I still feel like a peon, last flight before 1 million miler
Part 21 – AA loves you but we’re still going to make you sweat, the 1 million miler flight
Part 22 – Are you insane, you are CFCing to a flight that is delayed?
Part 23 – We are cutting capacity right? Or are we just going bankrupted?
Section 8, encompassing Part 24 – 26
As spontaneous as it gets, Feb 9 – 12 (YYZ-JFK-ZRH-LHR-YYZ)
Part 24 – As spontaneous as it gets, AA Economy YYZ-JFK-ZRH
Part 25 – Such a little country, Liechtenstein
Part 26 – Some love for Valentine’s Day weekend, BA new First LHR-YYZ
Section 9, encompassing Part 27 – 28
Home for Spring Break, Feb 17 – 19 (YYZ-ORD-LAX-ORD-PVG-HKG)
Part 27 – Your still here, I did way too many flights via ORD
Part 28 – I should stick to familiar grounds, AA Business Class ORD-PVG
Section 10, encompassing Part 29 - 30
5 weeks left of school, Feb 25 – Feb 27 (HKG-NRT-LAX-DFW-LAX-JFK-YYZ)
Part 29 – The last commute back to school, AA Business Class NRT-LAX
Part 30 – We’re Canadian and we are crazy hockey folks!
Disclaimer – This report is long and its not completely written so it will be taking awhile to finish
And for anyone knowing me on FT, my trip reports take ages….. to finish
You have been forewarned
There is a lot of travel to cover and loads of fantastic photos to share with the whole Flyertalk community.
Previously Written Trip Reports
Apr 2010 - A Crazy way to End Your Junior Year (AA J/CX F/JL J/AA F) (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1090800-crazy-way-end-your-junior-year.html)
Jul 2010 - Aren't you a little young for RTW trips already (VX F/LH F/LX F/TG F/CX J/QF J/AA F) (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1109454-aren-t-you-little-young-rtw-trips-already-vx-f-lh-f-lx-f-tg-f-cx-j-qf-j-aa-f.html)
Jan 2011 – Wait, Didn’t you just had a RTW trip this year (AA F, CX F, TK F/J, LH F/J, UA F) (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1181228-wait-didn-t-you-just-had-rtw-trip-year-aa-f-cx-f-tk-f-j-lh-f-j-ua-f.html)
Apr 2011 – A Birthday Dash across the Atlantic (AA Y/BA F) (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1216983-birthday-dash-across-atlantic-aa-y-ba-f.html)
Apr 2012 - Celebrating Birthday onboard Cathay First by Cleaning out the Entire Plane (CX F) (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1365423-celebrating-birthday-onboard-cathay-first-cleaning-out-entire-plane-cx-f.html)
Jul 2012 - Eminem has his 8 Mile, I’ll take my 4 Mile (United Int’l and Premium Service F) (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1369003-eminem-has-his-8-mile-i-ll-take-my-4-mile-united-int-l-premium-service-f.html)
From Short hair Francis, Enjoy…
Short hair Francis
Jul 12, 12, 12:24 pm
Part 1 – Zooming across the Atlantic, Swiss Airbus 330 First Class (YYZ-YUL-ZRH-CDG)
*Special thanks to SFO777 for proofreading and editing this Western Canadian’s French :)
The First Section of the trip report covers Part 1 – 5 which is the last Aeroplan mini-RTW ticket, Dec 8 – 13 (YYZ-YUL-ZRH-CDG-FRA-ICN-PEK-HKG)
Oh Aeroplan, you have been so nice for such a long time but it’s time to bid adieu as your prohibitive fuel charge as mandated by the ticketing carrier “Air Canada” have pushed me to warmer waters. It’s one thing to charge fuel surcharge but its another to charge it and not pass it along to the carrier actually flying me, what a cash grab! However, not before I make off on one last First Class trip on their ticket stock :D
Finally done another term of university, what’s going on? It’s the 2nd week of December and there hasn’t been any snowfall this winter. Whatever, I’m gone for a month and they can have as much snow as they want as long as I’m not the one to be shoveling it. Being a month long trip, I relied on the airport shuttle as usual since its cheaper for longer trips vs. parking my car at Pearson.
Another shuttle time change, today leaving at 8:45am instead of the original 9:30am puts me at Pearson even earlier than ever, such is the inconvenience of the shuttle unfortunately. While waiting to combine our shuttle in Western Niagara, this morning hands me more travel inconveniences. A family of 8 (including 4 under 12 y.o kids) was part of our today shuttle drive, these kids were dying for their Cancun vacation but sadly this also means the other folks including myself had to put up with their sugar or should I say travel high kids! Ugh…
God I wish I could get that hour back of my life, boy was I not liking this start of a trip on short sleep.
Check-in was a snap and off to the Toronto Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge.
Sometimes I wonder what would’ve happen way back in the day if I chose to become an Air Canada frequent flier vs. American Airlines frequent flyer.
Well for one, I wouldn’t be remotely be close to becoming a million miler, all the YYZ AAngels would’ve never have known me and I would be sitting in the back a lot more often.
Nah, I wouldn’t want to give up my college experience for the world :)
Toronto Pearson Air Canada Domestic Maple Leaf Club
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The Maple Leaf Club does offer showers at YYZ and well as better snacks, drinks and food compared to the YYZ Admiral’s Club but its also in T-1 which meant the terminal is bigger, the walk to the gate is longer, the station is bigger and the human interaction seems to few and far between.
Being a big dog (AA EXP) in a small station does have its advantages :D
Air Canada Airbus 321-200
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Air Canada 412
Toronto to Montreal Trudeau
1:00pm – 2:15pm, 1 hr 15 min flight
Business Class, Seat 2C
Food – Light Snack
Equipment – Airbus 321-100
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A relatively light seat map at 3 hrs out turned out to be far from the truth, and no wonder AC seems to be in contract dispute all the time lately, you know its really bad when 9 out of 20 J seats are filled by flight attendants or pilots, this isn’t United P.S First you know, aka Employee Class.
Air Canada Airbus 321-200 Business Class Cabin
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Nothing to remember much on this flight, a cheese plate on these flight similar to ones last year to LaGuardia, had a first officer seated next to me which boarded late so carry-on had to be moved around somewhat, but it makes the flight a lot more enjoyable to have familiarity.
I finally understand the lifestyle of George Clooney, or should I say Mr. Ryan Bingham
Landed into Montreal, its been awhile since I’ve been here
Parlez vous français? Oui, un petit peu …
That’s what happens if you are from the rest of Canada lol, your French is rather dusty.
Outside security to the Swiss Check-in desk, got a nice Swiss boarding pass then straight back in the MLL, j’ai faime… soupe, salade, des biscuits
Montreal Trudeau Air Canada International Maple Leaf Club
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Some soupe aux pommes de terre pour moi, après j’ai téléphoné Monsieur Flyertalker SFO777 about some tips on the AA DEQM offer on SFO-ORD. A heavy sales job trying to convince him to do more MRs failed miserably unfortunately. He is way less of a mileage crunch then I was starting 2012. After conferred some scheduling help for the MRs, he wished me the best on my LX F flight and I did the same for him on his SZG trip.
The biggest thing I noticed in the MLL was that food was fine but it sure gets filled up by people during the evening rush with flights to LHR, CDG, FRA, and ZRH.
Oh well, I did noticed there was a TD lounge near the MLL, might as well give that new CC a try.
To anyone not Canada based, AA and TD had a credit card up onto Nov 15 until that partnership was discontinued. Promptly after, TD gave us a free year on their TD Avion card not that I was really interested in keeping a card I was unwilling to use. So might as well put this new CC to good use, the agent had some problems with English, thankfully my lackluster French did the trick and I was good to go.
Montreal Trudeau TD Lounge
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This lounge was close to empty, didn’t have as much offering, no soup, some bites and some wraps. Alcohol selection was surprisingly the same as the MLL, but with a emptier lounge means less noise and foot traffic which was nice. About T-40, I headed to the gate B58
Swiss International Airlines Airbus 330-300
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Swiss International Airlines 87
Montreal Trudeau to Zurich
Scheduled - 5:00pm – 6:20am(+1), 7 hr 20 min flight
Delayed Departure – 5:30pm, Inbound Equipment delay from ZRH
Delayed Arrival – 6:27am(+1)
First Class, Seat 1A
Food – Dinner, Breakfast
Equipment – Airbus 330-300
Get to the gate, flight is showing 30 mins delay to inbound equipment delay and good tail winds across the Atlantic. Then the gate lice problem happened yet again like any delayed flight…
Now parents, its one thing to take a kid as a single mother on a flight, but may I suggest you buy one of the leash things daycare uses!!!
Pour Moi, je déteste les enfants! I get how some people love them but that isn’t me. However, when the child is using the velvet rope as a toy and the plastic end part is hitting people and the mom isn’t doing a thing about it, now we got a huge problem. So while the mom is talking to the gate agent, the kid is playing around and eventually the economy and priority line both starting yelling in english et français at the mom. Watch your damn kid! LOL
The gate was packed and we didn’t board until 5:00pm, au revoir Montréal et bienvenue à SWISS First aux nos passagers de premiere classe.
I was the first to be onboard the plane, the check-in agent remembered me outside security and I was pulled ahead first. Haha lady with the AC elite card sitting in Y lol
Swiss International Airlines Airbus 330-300 First Class Cabin
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Boarding finished in 15 mins which was good considering loads were sub-par for this flight, it was 6/8 in First with a non-too happy couple in 2A/2D which seem to gave me the awful glare at every moment on this flight, flying time was a crazy 6 hours 20 mins across the Atlantic. No, one of the harder F products to redeem and its so short :(
About a 25 min wait and taxi time and au revoir Montréal
LX 87 Dinner
First Course
Fillet of Balik Salmon with blinis and sour cream
Lobster Cocktail, sweet chili sauce and sesame chicken
Selection of air-dried meat specialties
Agnolotti pasta mushroom cream sauce, parmesan
(Can also be enjoyed as a main course)
Red pepper soup with shiitake mushrooms
Seasonal Salad with artichokes and cherry tomatoes
Main Course
Sauteed Fillet of beef with juse lie
Baked Potato with Sour Cream
Roasted parsnip with maple syrup and butternut squash
The Balik Salmon and Lobster Cocktail
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I simply love this appetizer, very fresh seafood
Selection of air-dried meat specialties
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The meats, maybe its me but it left much to be desired, thank god for that chili sauce from the last photo lol
Seasonal Salad with artichokes and cherry tomatoes
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Red pepper soup with shiitake mushrooms
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Went with the beef for main course and tried to make the best of it considering all those appetizers, turned out closer to baseball glove unfortunately
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Cheese Slate, not cart, for speediness, the FAs simply cut the cheese at the galley and bring it out
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I love the chocolate cake, so warm and melting :)
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And finally some Inniskillin icewine, considering my group thesis is on the wine industry, its even funnier as they are made 20 mins away from where I am.
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After about a 90 min dinner service, bedding was set up for the rest of the flight
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And I’m giving Mr. Pillows a run for his money
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“Now here’s the worse part about me, duvet and full flat seats on a plane doesn’t always work for me, I always get waken up by body heat”
#First World Problem
Again, this problems happens yet again, sometimes my best sleeps are on AA slanted-lie flat J or CX J, weirdly but true, so sadly, only 2 hours of sleep on the flight
Maybe I should borrow this blanket
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About 1 hour of music then breakfast started, more champagne, nah, I already have the hangover headache
LX 87 Breakfast
Starters
Assortment of breakfast bread, preserves and honey
Fresh fruits, yogurts, muesli, and cereals, Cold Cuts
Main dish
Egg dish consisting of sausage, ham and spinach on the side
Coffee, tea and juices.
Breakfast Tray Service
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Cold Cuts with Balik Salmon
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Egg Dish
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I had this egg dish on another LX F flight from before and somehow never have like it, just taste so processed for some reason.
Another 45 mins and we were landing into Zurich, dead on, 6 o’clock for the curfew.
Gate was at the new non-Schengen D gate which was nice so there wasn’t any train shuttle to take.
Awww, my head kills from all those booze, head up to the Swiss First Lounge, no day-rooms, all given out and even a wait for the shower, ugh….
Ended up crashing at the far corner of the lounge, until the agent flagged me for the shower, pop some advil for the headache, another hour of sleep in the sleep and down to the far end of A for the flight to Paris.
Swiss International Airline 634
Zurich to Paris Charles de Gaulle
9:05am – 10:20am, 1 hr 15 min flight
Business Class, Seat 1C
Food – Continental Breakfast
Equipment – Airbus 320-200
A similar Swiss International Airlines Airbus 320 at the next gate over
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Part 1 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 12, 12, 12:29 pm
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Bad seat choice, the bulkhead on Swiss was a lot tighter than similar seats on BA or LH, at least it was a short flight. Time to fly back to rainy France
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Always love a winter departure from ZRH, its so beautiful. I remember seeing a thread about the lack of breakfast on LX short haul flight, did have a couple bites for the team.
Don’t forget some Swiss Chocolate
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And off to my first trip to Belgium
Next Part
Part 2 – High speeding through Western Europe, visiting Cologne and Brussels
FriendlySkies
Jul 12, 12, 12:35 pm
Looks great ^
The Purser on NRT-ZRH gave us plenty of Balik Salmon :D (helps when you've only got 5/8 seats taken, and two of the pax don't like salmon!!)
If only LX would release some F space on their west cost>ZRH routes. I'd love to fly SFO-ZRH, but the best I could find was C.
SFO777
Jul 12, 12, 1:00 pm
OMG. Two SHF trip reports in two consecutive days! :eek:
Great report Francis. Too bad that YUL-ZRH is such a short flight.
The AC J cabin full of employees is bizarre. I sawvthat a few years ago on a YUL-YYZ flight.
And what's with the hangover at your age?
We'll have to do a Krug CX challenge. :D
Short hair Francis
Jul 12, 12, 1:32 pm
Looks great ^
The Purser on NRT-ZRH gave us plenty of Balik Salmon :D (helps when you've only got 5/8 seats taken, and two of the pax don't like salmon!!)
If only LX would release some F space on their west cost>ZRH routes. I'd love to fly SFO-ZRH, but the best I could find was C.
That Balik Salmon and Shrimp Cocktail was fantastic, doubt that can be beaten, maybe SQ F? ;)
LX F on SFO-ZRH, i doubt that would happen anytime soon
OMG. Two SHF trip reports in two consecutive days! :eek:
Great report Francis. Too bad that YUL-ZRH is such a short flight.
The AC J cabin full of employees is bizarre. I sawvthat a few years ago on a YUL-YYZ flight.
And what's with the hangover at your age?
We'll have to do a Krug CX challenge. :D
Don't expect that pace to be kept very long,
apparently it takes 30-45 mins to do the writing, 1-2 hrs for the images plus another 15 mins for last minute editing.
YYZ-YUL is just a gongshow, employee fly up front, elites in the back.
No wonder everyone back in the Home Country hates our National Carrier
I can't drink, i admit it, a couple drinks i could but more than that and that leads to trouble.
Krug CX challenge? how is that going to be possible with all the positioning problems now?
CMK10
Jul 12, 12, 4:29 pm
Well you are indeed off to a bang. Thanks for linking me from your other report, I have enjoyed this so far and I'm sure I'll enjoy the rest!
TheAAdmiral
Jul 12, 12, 6:51 pm
OMG. Two SHF trip reports in two consecutive days! :eek:
Great report Francis. Too bad that YUL-ZRH is such a short flight.
The AC J cabin full of employees is bizarre. I sawvthat a few years ago on a YUL-YYZ flight.
And what's with the hangover at your age?
We'll have to do a Krug CX challenge. :D
+1. Count me in on the Krug CX challenge!:D
Short hair Francis
Jul 13, 12, 4:56 am
We'll have to do a Krug CX challenge. :D
+1. Count me in on the Krug CX challenge!:D
I guess that can be arranged if FTers want to have a "in-the-air CX Krug challenge", don't forget to invite Macabus@:-)
I propose doing that on JFK-YVR since that tends to have more seats available!
Short hair Francis
Jul 13, 12, 4:57 am
OMG. Two SHF trip reports in two consecutive days! :eek:
Who saids I can't do 3 posting in 3 days, posting another RIGHT NOW!
Short hair Francis
Jul 13, 12, 4:58 am
Part 2 – High speeding through Western Europe, visiting Cologne and Brussels
The short LX flight was an easy breeze, Paris will have to wait as I planned a 3 day trip first to Cologne, Brussels and finally Paris. Landing into rainy Paris but thankfully I’ll be dried since my trip is all under cover to Cologne, Germany this afternoon.
Getting out of CDG T1 took about 5 mins since it was such a maze, more on that later in the TR
As Canadians, it will always be a love/hate things all things French, that being said, why would someone designed a ticket machine that doesn’t accept bills. Wouldn’t it be a lot easier for most people to use a 10 Euro bill for a 9.10 Euro fare to Paris Gare Du Nord?
The RER B train took approx.. 1 hr going through some rather shady parts of Paris, didn’t take me too long to figure out how to get from the underground to above rail lines at Gare du Nord. Ah France, you have all these shady immigrant ladies selling train tickets. Again using my broken French and English, bought a 2nd class ticket to Cologne, not the cheapest ride I’m afraid, but better to pay a premium in case the flights run late rather than buying a whole new ticket.
You know you’re spoiled when you haven’t sat in a coach seat (2 hrs +) for over 2 years, unfortunately, I caught a rather full train as a Friday mid-day train. Seat assignment was a window with dual seats facing each other. All squeeze in, thank god for jet lag! Zzz……..
1 1/4 hours into Brussels, the person next to me left, yippee, some elbow room for 5 mins lol. The Thalys train continuing to Lille and Cologne was still packed, had a mid-20s girl sit next to me for the rest of the trip to Cologne. Zzz…….., somehow we ended up using each other shoulders for over 45 min. The train finally started to empty out at Lille.
And about 3pm, finally in Cologne, Germany, with some Hyatt points, I did 1 night redeeming it here.
Like any other North America to Europe trip, I always seems to be dead by late afternoon, went to Concierge to have the Brussels and Paris train ticket set up for tomorrow and then off to bed
Woke up around 3am, and started planning out the rest of the day, the walk between the hotel to across the Rhine River to the train station and Cathedral took about 7 mins. I guess a Burger King back at the Hauptbahnhof would suffice at 5:30am in the morning.
Since it was just about the time when the Cathedral opened up (6am), I waited a couple of minutes.
It sure was great to have a more authentic experience than having all the tourists around during the day, just something completely different.
After that, went back to the hotel room to rest and clean up then down for some club breakfast.
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Finally before taking the 11:45 ICE train back to Bruxelles-Midi, I did the Cologne Cathedral climb.
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It personally take myself 30 mins to go up and down and that’s if you are rather speedy, it took me about two 30 sec breaks to get to the top. I’ll advise to the climb as early as you can, I had a lot of traffic on the way down the climb as loads of elementary school kids showed.
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Oh well, its 11 o’clock, time to run back to the hotel, grab my stuff and go, last look at Cologne
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Part 2 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 13, 12, 4:59 am
I pick ICE train 16 as that gave me a nice break during lunch time and gave me a bit of time to cover both Cologne and Brussels in 1 day.
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With the disasterous ride I had with Thalys on the way to Cologne where I was stuffed like a thanksgiving turkey, I went with 1st class ticket for the 2 hour train ride.
The investment paid off pretty well considering I got my own private mini-cabin
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Where’s the German efficiency, we’re 20 mins late
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I was surprised to have some audio entertainment onboard the ICE train, except it must have been satellite based, therefore, every tunnel the train went through, the audio cuts out 10 sec later, D’Oh
Due to my severe lack of research, I really kind of struggle to get out of Brussels South this afternoon, and my dumb luck in figuring out rail station lockers were no better.
At least it was a good test to using some of my lackluster French, the metro did the trick and I did get a number of Brussels hotspot covered
Palais du Roi, Royal Palace
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I surprisingly found this ski lane in the central Brussels, at the time, Europe had a winter problem, lack of cold weather and snow and my buddy in Innsbruck didn’t have enough snow for skiing
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Grand Place
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Hotel De Ville, City Hall
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Manneken Pis
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What’s a trip to Belgium without buying some Chocolates back for the folks, it was the tiny boxes since it needed to fit in my carry-on
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A bit of Christmas Lighting on Avenue Louise
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The shopping on this street is way outside my price range :p
I finally picked a TGV train to Paris CDG at 7:30pm as my overnights was at the Hyatt Regency CDG in Paris
I was so dead at the long day that I completely passed out for the 1 hr 30 min ride to CDG, hopefully I didn’t snore too much to bug everyone else.
1 day vacation day done, the next awaits in Paris!
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Next Part
Part 3 – Always exceeding expectations, Paris, France
pvdecastro
Jul 13, 12, 8:41 pm
Good report. I don´t hate children so I´ll pass the next instalments.
concorde02
Jul 13, 12, 8:43 pm
Wow!, your report is amazing! Love the LX F! I was booked for the same flight this Dec LX YUL-ZRH but LX cancelled the flight on the day (they reduce winter schedule) and it turned out that LX does not open any award F seat anymore.. I had to change to LH.
Love your writing style.. especially about "Pour Moi, je déteste les enfants!" I just have to say "Moi, aussi" .... Dogs, on the other hand, I love!.. especially airport dogs, Beagles.
Looking forward to the next episode!
Short hair Francis
Jul 14, 12, 9:12 am
Good report. I don´t hate children so I´ll pass the next instalments.
I'm sorry if you are offended in anyway.
Here is my viewpoint on it
I have a nephew (from an older sister) that I love very much, he's just about 2 y.o and is very cute and charmful. He certainly flies more now than I was a 2 y.o.
However, I am not one of those guys that have the most amount of patience that would be required for having my own kids (for the time being, whos knows for the future).
With all my flying, the little guy doesn't even know who his uncle is? :(
I know personally from my lifestyle I can't stay put in one place very long and hence the amount of travel.
I simply don't believe I should be putting a new life into this world unless I can 100% be the best dad possible for him/her and will always be there for him/her
If I don't have those feelings for him, it would be a disfavor to him or her.
And I wouldn't be a good parent either if I let my kids hit other people in the airport with rope dividers
Wow!, your report is amazing! Love the LX F! I was booked for the same flight this Dec LX YUL-ZRH but LX cancelled the flight on the day (they reduce winter schedule) and it turned out that LX does not open any award F seat anymore.. I had to change to LH.
Love your writing style.. especially about "Pour Moi, je déteste les enfants!" I just have to say "Moi, aussi" .... Dogs, on the other hand, I love!.. especially airport dogs, Beagles.
Looking forward to the next episode!
"Merci", Thanks very much, i have been hearing that about LX F, its truly sad since its really great product I think most of us would love to fly anyday of the week.
They didn't allow you to switch onto another day LX F, or were they just unwilling to open a seat up for you?
Never heard people love my writing style, so thank you!
But the person you really should thank is SFO777, my french wouldn't be sounding this if it wasn't for his help.
This would be my type of French below, probably shows I'm a making a fool of myself :(
"Ma francais est tres mal parce que j'habite en Vancouver avant et les opportunities pour parle francais est petite." :p
Don't know how to type French on the computer and I barely use French in the last 5 yrs, essentially not much since high school :D
Short hair Francis
Jul 14, 12, 9:42 am
OMG. Two SHF trip reports in two consecutive days! :eek:
Who saids I can't do 3 posting in 3 days, posting another RIGHT NOW!
Trying four for four now, :eek:
Short hair Francis
Jul 14, 12, 9:47 am
Part 3 – Always exceeding expectations, Paris, France
Arriving into the Hyatt Regency CDG at around 10pm, check-in was done quickly as I was pretty tired even with a nice nap on TGV. Apparently my broken French wasn’t that bad as the front desk was able to understand it.
Hyatt Regency Charles de Gaulle
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Diamond Amenity unfortunately was a bottle of French Red, which I don’t drink, so had to go back downstairs to swap a bottle of Evian water.
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A good 8 hours of sleep had me up around 7:30am the next day for another full day of touring, the Hyatt has a full breakfast for the weekend stays as the club is closed on weekend mornings. Great, I love a good breaky, the Hyatt runs a coach bus service at 10am to Opera with a return trip at 6pm. The RER ride the other day took 1 hour so I took the 5 Euro bus to start the day. I however didn’t take the return bus as I was unsure how late would I be out in Paris.
The most amazing thing I found in Paris was that they don’t expect someone like me to speak any French. Parisians obviously like visitors to speak more French rather than straight going to English, I personally didn’t experience the Parisian Snobbery attitude that I’ve heard from others. That being said, I did get 50 percent response in English and 50 percent in French despite starting the conversation in French. I found that rather amusing, haha.
10:45am, Getting off the bus around the Opera, a quick walk to the Louvre and I was immediately surrounded by people with clipboard. Damn, that took a lot of “Non, SVP” to get rid of those guys. I did buy the Louvre ticket in advance to save some time.
The Louvre
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I’ve given myself 60 - 90 mins to cover the museum which is not remotely enough but I have a lot of places to cover in Paris for the whole day
I ended up finish touring the Louvre around 12:15pm which was alright, then off to the Jardin du Royal, soon after that was a lot of Le Metro, which had loads of seating at the station while someone is waiting for the next train. Those seats were savior as I was running around all day it seems.
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12:35pm, Opera
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1:00pm, La Bastille
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1:30pm, Hotel de Ville
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1:40pm, Near Notre Dame
I finally found some tourist shops, I collect city magnets of places I visit
No shoppie, I need 1 and only 1 magnet.
Arret! Stop telling me 2 for Five Euros.
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Found some nice ornaments near the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, which unfortunately took a little while to find outside the Metro exit
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Around 2:30pm, Jardin des Plantes
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2:50pm, Palais du Luxembourg
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3:10pm, Pantheon, I would love to come back here but I didn’t realize EU passport under 25 y.o get in for free, would want to come back on another trip
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3:40pm, Église Saint-Sulpice, feet was killing by now, walked close to 5 hours non-stop and the food I had the whole day was breakfast at Hyatt and cookies from the Metro station
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About 4:10pm when I got to Eglise Saint-Germain-des-Prés, which had a small Christmas market, didn’t found anything I wanted though
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Go away cloud cover, I’m still hoping to go to the Eiffel Tower tonight
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4:45pm, Musée de l'Armée, was another museum I would love to come back the next time I get a chance
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5:15pm, Musée d'Orsay, since I got there so late, the lady gave me a free ticket or was it free, never went to figure it out too much
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6pm, Left the Orsay at closing time, it felt pretty good to sit down for 10 mins and to stretch out the toes, boy were they cramped up.
Around 6:20pm, Eiffel Tower, and it was a debate to go up or not, but if I had haul my butt all the way to Paris, might as well see how bad the line was before fully deciding
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Surprisingly 1 entrance (South Entrance) was closed, 1 (North Entrance)was packed with a line over 1 hour, 1 (West Entrance)was the stair entrance which I didn’t want, had enough stairs from Cologne and somehow the only one left (East Entrance) didn’t had any wait? The ticket guy did advise the top was foggy but why not chance it?
This was taken on my way down but
The thought of the day “Be led and force-fed like a kettle”
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Or “become a leader”
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Part 3 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 14, 12, 9:51 am
Night views from the Eiffel Tower, took about 10 mins to get to the 2nd floor
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Took about another 30 mins of lines to get to the top, that can’t be avoided unfortunately
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Really love the experience but of course going with a girl would be even better ;)
On the way down, the lines were about 5 mins to get back to the 2nd floor but lines down to the ground were horrible so ended up walking down the tower which wasn’t too bad.
Around 7:15pm, I finished at the Eiffel Tower, went back to Centre Georges Pompidou for another snap
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8pm, Last stop, what a day it has been, finally at the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, Wow I’ve been walking close to non-stop for 9 hours
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Debated if I wanted to walk down des Champs-Élysées but was simply too dead tired by then, so I went back to Gare du Nord for some bites
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8:55pm, got a RER B train back to CDG, and luckily got on a express train?
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Back to Roissypole by 9:40pm and the Hyatt at 10:00pm, what a crazy day at Paris!
Asiana First awaits…
Next Part
Part 4 – Flying Solo, or as close as you can get, Asiana First Class FRA-ICN
AA_EXP09
Jul 14, 12, 6:38 pm
But keep in mind that going with a girl = more miles and $$$ spent by you.
I am single by choice, not by lack of opportunity.
Great TR!!!
On a side note, I learned French to get the last few points I needed to enter Canada, but the immigration test is trivial and has nothing to do with how the language is really used, because I don't remember verb rules and tenses when speaking French.
My first language is really only used in one place as well, which is HKG.
Even in CAN they spoke to me in Mandarin first :(.
Short hair Francis
Jul 15, 12, 7:00 am
But keep in mind that going with a girl = more miles and $$$ spent by you.
I am single by choice, not by lack of opportunity.
Great TR!!!
On a side note, I learned French to get the last few points I needed to enter Canada, but the immigration test is trivial and has nothing to do with how the language is really used, because I don't remember verb rules and tenses when speaking French.
My first language is really only used in one place as well, which is HKG.
Even in CAN they spoke to me in Mandarin first :(.
More miles spent on trips yes
More $$$ yes for at home, but on the road, not as much other than airfare.
Things likes hotel are built for more than 1 person. (I'm excluding those Tokyo capsule hotel ;) )
Food and transit there doesn't cost much, I rarely take taxis on the road.
The only place I do was at the YYZ/BUF home and that was because I was heading to the club and wasnt going to drink and drive.
Going to certain places is always better if it can be enjoyed with someone else, Paris and Aruba comes to mind for me.
As someone said on SQ forum saying SQ F was taken over by 4 young-uns girls :D , it would be cool to go mile high club with a hot girl!
As to spoken Mandarin First, if this was China, understandable.
Anywhere else, ouch :mad:
I only remember the easier tenses with French, anything more complicated and I sound like an idiot while talking.
Surprisingly I find Canto to be easier to keep than French.
Thanks for the comment on Great TR, wait until Part 4, I think most would enjoy that section the most :)
Short hair Francis
Jul 15, 12, 7:08 am
Part 4 – Flying Solo, or as close as you can get, Asiana First Class FRA-ICN
Asiana had previously been offering a daily 3 class 747 Service to Frankfurt, but about a month prior to departure, some days including my original date of travel were downgraded to a 2 class 772. Oh well, I had the schedule flexibility, got to chase that Asiana First if I’m burning First Class miles so I shifted my travel day from Dec 11th to 12th. Weirdly, the flight schedule for OZ 542 was also different specifically for Mondays too???
What a good night of sleep, 10 hrs last night, fantastic as yesterday’s trip into Paris was certainly very draining and my left feet was still cramping up and hurting the day after. Guess I need to walk a bit more back home.
Since it was Monday, it was back to the Regency Club for breakfast which I completely missed out on since I was so tired and lazy. Check-out at the Hyatt around 11:30am back to CDG T1.
It took about 1/2 hour with the Hyatt Shuttle back to Roissypole and airport trains back to T1, check-in was speedy with no line-ups
Paris Charles de Gaulle Terminal 1, is it just me or the building is designed to look like dog poop?
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I guess there is 1 advantage to all the tunnels in T1, no wait security, no nude-o-scopes
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Off to Lufthansa Senator Lounges, I’m not going to argue with the LH forum here
Simply put, it is a windowless dungeon, the food wasn’t bad however, did get a nice breakfast and the wifi was quick too
Paris Charles de Gaulle Lufthansa Senators Lounge
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Deutsche Lufthansa 1035
Paris Charles de Gaulle to Frankfurt, Germany
1:45pm – 3:05pm, 1 hr 20 mins flight
Business Class, Seat 1C
Food - Snack
Equipment – Airbus 321-100
No memorable item from this flight, empty Airbus 321-100, but priority boarding lanes in Europe was a bit of a nice surprise
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and so was the extra drink table on the 321 which I didn’t notice before in the new LH intra-Euro J seats, seat is still as unenjoyable as ever
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Quick boarding, delayed push back til 2:00pm due to traffic on tarmac.
A light snack for the 1 hr 20 min flight
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Landing into cloudy Frankfurt was on the new arrival runway, which meant an eternal taxi, arrival at the gate was 18 mins late but I had plenty of time to spread for the connection.
Was planning to visit the LH Schengen Senator Lounge, except it was filled to the brim, hence the leisurely walk over to the non-Schengen side. Leisurely as in 15 min walk via the long FRA A-B tunnel that is.
You know what I miss the most in airport lounges, those small lockers that can store a laptop bag and a rollaboard, luckily, LH lounges tend to have them!
With 5 hours to spread out, I found one of those semi-sleeper seats in the far corner near the bar to surf the net, my friend in Seoul was very excited to see me for one then I saw my plane is even later than before. Original Schedule was first 18:40 days prior, then was changed to 20:05 then today delayed until 21:40. Great, now I got more than 6 hrs here. I guess with a later departure makes it easier to sleep but I wanted that 23 hr 59 min turn in Seoul.
About 3 hrs to departure or 18:30, I stored my stuff in the lounge and went landside to get the Asiana boarding pass.
Yes I’m a boarding pass whore, especially 3 Class First bps :D :D
Crap, where is this check-in for OZ, nope, not in FRA 1B, then I got stuck in this wonderful amount of people. Sensing this was nice TR material, it’s not everyday you get a protest inside the airport afterall. I went clockwise while the protesters were walking counter clockwise, so I can get a pic from the front, Their marching was from the C>A ticketing counters, then to security lines back out to front.
I guess someone has to hate FRAport, but I didn’t on that day, more on that later…
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Part 4 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 15, 12, 7:12 am
Afterwards, I simply went outside to detour around the protesters, and found the OZ counters. Now if anyone wants to figure out OZ business model for FRA-ICN, its not very hard to figure that one out when all they had was 1 counter landside!!! That’s 1 counter for First, Business, and Economy Class.
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So yes, I would say they rely heavily on connections from LH.
Going back to FRAport, with the flight delay, the check-in agent gave me a 30 Euro voucher.
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K great, but what do I do with this? I already ate plenty in the SEN lounge. Well sticking around landside is no good, might as well go back to the non-Schengen section.
First option, I’m going to see my buddy in Seoul, and since he’s a whale, let’s use that dough to buy some booze..
Duty Free agent - scoops down on me as I browse around
Me - I show them the voucher.
Duty Free Agent - Sir, this doesn’t work here.
Me – What do you mean it doesn’t work here? It saids FRAport
Duty Free Agent – Yes, but we’re the duty-free company, talks in more German to another agent, replies again, sorry sir, but we can’t accept that
Me – Ugh, what do I do with this?
Duty Free Agent – Go eat something
Me – I’m flying First Class, and trust me I’ve ate plenty on Lufthansa’s dime
Back to the Central area in Non-Schengen B, well I don’t want to eat, I already ate in the lounge and Asiana has wonderful on-board food, so definitely want to save my stomach for that.
Haagan Dazs?
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Maybe I shouldn’t act so crazy sometimes but I’m the type that likes to hide in the lounge and not be in the concourse.
Me - “How much ice cream can I buy with 30 Euros?”
Ice Cream Girl – “Jaw Drops, 30, as in three-zero euros???”
Me – Yes and shows voucher,
IC Girl – You know you can eat at a restaurant with this right
Me – Ya ya I know, but I already ate
Debates close to 5 mins on what ice cream to get, never knew spending money was so hard. :D :D :D
At the mid-point, a 25-30 y.o girl walks around browsing as I was picking ice cream,
Can’t believe I did that, literally just said, you want free ice cream? Lol
She must have thought was this a pick-up line or am I a pervert or am I insane
More story explaining including showing this girl the OZ boarding pass, and the FRAport voucher.
*If someone can tell me how much each things cost at FRA, I’ll gladly add this into the TR.
“How to spend a 30 dollar voucher at an airport on food and food alone when you’re full and not hungry” #First World Problem
All in all, I bought 7 (5 for myself, 2 for the girl) ice scopes of ice cream, 3 bottles of water, 1 bottle of Coke Zero.
Easily said, this most wasteful of 30 Euros I'll ever spend in my life!!!!
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Back to the lounge, the LH lounge ladies were eyeing those ice cream even in December lol and some more computer surfing to take up some more time
Around 8:30pm, I finally made my way to gate B42, I’m not that patient to sit in the lounge for 5 hrs afterall
After walking around the concourse for another 15 mins, I became a gate lice 10 mins prior to boarding. Yes I’m always a gate lice on new equipment so I don’t get someone’s face in my photos :p
Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400
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*Taken at Seoul Incheon
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Asiana Airlines 542
Frankfurt, Germany to Seoul Incheon
Scheduled - 8:05pm – 2:15pm(+1)[Dec 13], 10 hr 10 mins flight
Delayed Departure – 9:40pm, late inbound from ICN
Delayed Arrival – 4:05pm
First Class, Seat 1A
Food – Dinner, Snack/Brunch
Equipment – Boeing 747-400
I was the first one to board the delayed flight,, and was able to get all of the photos I wanted. The Asiana FAs understood immediately that I wanted take photos and they gave me plenty of time to do so. The check-in/gate agent I had before came onboard and wish me a pleasant flight, he also told me I was the only revenue (mileage :D) customer on that flight. I’m flying solo, yeah!!!!
Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400 First Class Cabin
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Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400 First Class Seat
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After taking most of the cabin photos, the FA came around to ask me for my drink. Unfortunately, no pre-departure champagne as Asiana can’t serve alcohol on the ground, so I sticked with Sprite for non-caffeinated purpose.
She also gave me the amenity kits and pajamas, I decided to give the pajamas to my Seoul friend as I was completely packed in my rollaboard for the RTW trip.
Later on, she even offered me to try out the old OZ J seat.
Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400 Downstairs Business Class Cabin
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Part 4 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 15, 12, 7:14 am
Asiana Airlines Boeing 747-400 Business Class Seat
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Amenity Kit, Slippers, Bose QC 3 Headphones, Pajamas, and no I don’t wear X-Large
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I found the seat fairly comfortable and easily maneuverable to whatever seating position I wish to use. Video screen was also a good sized compare to the old BA and LH first Class. Privacy isn’t the greatest, but at least only 1K could legitimately see what was going on.
Boarding was completed within 15 mins. First Class passengers consist of myself in 1A, and the relief flight officer in 4K. The downstairs Business Class Cabin was completely closed, and everyone in J was forced upstairs, and the FA told me economy that night was at 30 percent. As El Chiflero wrote on my facebook after that flight, lets just say Asiana definitely didn’t make any money on that flight
Take-off was at 10:00pm with a flying time of 9 hours 40 mins to cover the 5300+ mile journey to Seoul Incheon, anticipated arrival time of 3:40pm originally.
Service started promptly as I was the only revenue First class passenger. I also had an attack plan on how to eat as much as possible on this flight. As I am partially an environmental major, I do admit it is rather wasteful to cater the entire menu just for myself but hey the 1st class is where big buck is paid.
EXPECT TODAY OF COURSE :D
I told the FAs what I had planned and not planned to eat so they can eat the food I wasn’t interested so it wouldn’t be wasted.
Sadly, just before the meal service, my entertainment system worked fine but the powerport however didn’t so they had to reset the entire system on the plane for me. Why did I know this? The flight map assumed we started in Poland and not Frankfurt
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OZ 542 Dinner
Starter
Grissini with prociutto Ham, Eggplant and Bell Pepper Roll
Caviar
Roasted Veal Saddle and Roasted Prawns
Carrot Cream Soup or Clear Oxtail Soup
Mixed Greens (Yogurt Lime or French Dressing)
Main Courses
Beef Tenderloin
Served with Madeira Portwine Sauce
Sugar Snap Peas, Carrots, and Baked Potato
Or
Johdory Fillet
Served with Peas Puree and Saffron Zucchini Sauce
Grilled Eggplant and Cherry Tomato
Or
Osso Bucco
Served with Gremolata Sauce
Polenta, Carrot and Turnip
Or
“Mixing and harmonizing”
A Famous Korean Cuisine ‘Bibimbab’
Steamed Rice, Various Kinds of Vegetables and Minced Beef
Mixed with Hot Pepper Paste, Sesame Oil
Accompanied by Assorted Side Dishes and Soup
Cheese and Fruit
Goat, Cream Mountain, Herb
Dessert
Passion Fruit=Chocolate Savarin with Strawberry Sauce
Coffee and Tea
Petit Fours
Asiana First Class Dining and Drinks Menu
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I went with Sprite, still water and champagne, was trying to avoid caffeinated items so I can sleep later on the flight.
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Champagne for the flight, Comtes de Champagne Taittinger blanc de blancs, 2000
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Salad, Mixed Green with French Dressing
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Part 4 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 15, 12, 7:17 am
Now what did I think so far?
I’m still not a Taittinger or Laurent Perrier person, maybe personally because I like a smooth but not bitter, hard to explain. Dom Perignon on TG has me convinced one that one although Charles Heidsieck 2 years ago QF Business I’ve also kept at the back of my mind.
Grissini, not my type of food, tasty, but just not for me.
Caviar, yummy! I miss you, the only other caviar I’ve liked more was from TK First and that product I presume is history and not coming back.
Roasted Veal and prawns was fresh and tasted fresh.
Soup is soup, maybe should’ve went with the cream instead of water based soup, but best to save the stomach for the good stuff.
Here’s where I should be re-educating myself, don’t eat beef on the plane, rarely does it ever turn out good, I never seem to learn.
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Or maybe I’m a really picky person on beef, I don’t freeze my steaks at home even on a college student budget. I wanted it rare and the FA certainly came close to that effect, so probably was just the cut.
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The main FA sensed I wasn’t too happy with the steak, so she asked me what else did would I want. Didn’t want the fish nor the pasta so I went with Korean Ramen from the Refreshment. Beware there is a spicy and an extra spicy version, I went with the former.
Ramen with kimchi and ginger for accompaniment
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Yum, that’s some good noodle, now I’m close to being full
I’m not a big fan of cheese but the FA lend me one for photos :p
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Had a couple nibbles with the fruit plate
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Dessert was very tasty, Passion Fruit=Chocolate Savarin with Strawberry Sauce
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And went well with some hot green tea.
Finally, to finish the meal service, I went with Niagara’s specialty, Icewine.
I was dying to try some even if I didn’t particularly wanted more alcohol, I did 1) its expensive and I never get to drink it. 2) it’s a free chance to try so why not try it, I’m not the most open person when it comes to alcohol. 3) Our group research project is based on Wine so here I know personally our wine is known Worldwide.
A toast to Niagara and the End of university
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The FAs quickly cleaned out all the catering and soon did the bedding for the night.
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I want to become the next Mr. Pillows! Hehe :D
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The bed did the trick as it gave me about 3 hrs of sleep, an optimal amount of sleep considering it was already mid-morning in Korea and hence a short day.
The FA gave me a nice wake-up call as requested before I went to sleep.
They went right back to action after I woke up although I decline the service in lieu of some photo organizing.
OZ 542 Refreshment
Udong
Ramen
Sandwich
Assorted Fresh Fruits
After another 30 mins or so of re-arranging photos, the munchies were back and I was back to eating.
First I had the Udon, which also came with the kimchi and spicy powder
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After that I decided to go with something new, ‘Bibimbab’
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A very nice change of pace compares to most inflight meals, I used most of the sesame oil but held back a lot on the hot pepper paste. Not the biggest person for spicy food
After the very nice refreshment meal, I went back to nap for another 45 mins or so, then the FA came back again to offer the brunch service. I can’t seem to decline food :D
OZ 542 Brunch
Fresh Orange Juice
Fresh Fruit
Cereal and Yogurt
Main Course
Saffron Scllaops
Served with Saffron Tomato Fish Sauce
Mushrooms, Cherry Tomatoes and Black Noodles
Chicken Crepe and Leek Quiche
Served with Grilled Tomato, Sugar Snap Peas
Korean Crabmeat Porridge
Served with Assorted Side Dishes
Selection of Breakfast Bread
Croissant, Ciabatta Roll, nut Puff Pastry, Blueberry Muffin
Jam, Butter
Coffee and Tea
Dining Set Up
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Cereal and Yogurt Selections
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Part 4 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 15, 12, 7:19 am
Went with a Danish and strawberry yogurt in the above selections
For main course, I went with saffron scallops
Similar to the beef, I’ve had scallops once before on a plane and it comes out absolutely horrible.
Thinking it might be because of American Airlines catering previous and not the scallops itself, I gave it another try, bad idea.
Seems like airplane scallops, all you tasted is salt water :(
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With that, I was pretty full with about 40 mins to go in the flights, back out of my personal jammies for street clothes. The FA gave me one of their inflight sales plastic bags so I can store the amenity kits and OZ pajamas for my ICN friend.
Finally I ask them to take a personal pictures of the empty cabin with me in it and they gave me a Links business card holder as a First Class passenger gift.
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With that, both FAs cleared the duvets and bedding for landing.
Landed at ICN about 4:05pm with a 10 min taxiing
Got to the immigration and Mainland Chinese tourists still haven’t learn the concept of queuing, for Christ sakes, don’t line up in the resident line when you are not from Korea. You’re bound to be sent back :mad: About a 15 min wait and I was back in South Korea, first time since 1996.
Next Part
Part 5 - Ugh, Seoul Traffic, Air China Business Class ICN-PEK-HKG
SFO777
Jul 15, 12, 3:09 pm
More great pics and narrative, Francis. Loved the Paris pics including the ones where photos are interdit. ;) I actually thought you were going to buy/eat 30 euros worth of ice cream.
I had forgotten about the OZ private charter. Man, and I thought I could eat. Remind me not to fly with you. I may go hungry! Looking forward to my first OZ First flights, if the UA mistake award tickets are honored.
Omar84
Jul 16, 12, 12:33 am
Great Report Francis,
I gotta ask one (probably stupid) question, it seems your mileage runs are all done on One World and yet you seem to take redemptions on Star Alliance, just wondering how your going about that?
Also what made you choose OZ over LH for first class ex Frankfurt?
ARJ85
Jul 16, 12, 3:07 am
Great Report! Looking forward to the rest.
I took the FRA-ICN in Asiana First last year myself - and i think i only ate half as much as you :D! Well - i will be taking this flight in a few weeks again - lets see how this one will turn out ;)
Short hair Francis
Jul 16, 12, 9:23 am
More great pics and narrative, Francis. Loved the Paris pics including the ones where photos are interdit. ;) I actually thought you were going to buy/eat 30 euros worth of ice cream.
I had forgotten about the OZ private charter. Man, and I thought I could eat. Remind me not to fly with you. I may go hungry! Looking forward to my first OZ First flights, if the UA mistake award tickets are honored.
You lost me with interdit?????
I think 5 scoops of ice cream prior to OZ First is plenty in DECEMBER!
What do you want me to have, high blood pressure, diabetes by 25? :mad:
OZ private charter was amazing, I didn't even notice the rest pilot in 4K.
Now why won't you fly with me :(
Probably would be tough to schedule one considering we're all booked with "RGN", "SQ Flood-Gate" and UA "4 mile" tickets.
I make a killing with the food, you make a killing with the booze :D
That being said, its very hard to doubt me on my eating abilities, especially on a good day^
Don't forget I had dinner at Senators Lounge too.
Great Report Francis,
I gotta ask one (probably stupid) question, it seems your mileage runs are all done on One World and yet you seem to take redemptions on Star Alliance, just wondering how your going about that?
Also what made you choose OZ over LH for first class ex Frankfurt?
Those flights were back in 2011, Long story but I have a theory behind my thinking.
How I have miles for redemption for Star Miles, I used to be YYZ/BUF based so the family had AC miles around and we also stocked up with US miles when the time was right.
Now we only had 120K AC back in Jun 2011, and AC's rules on North America - Asia (incl. HKG) was you can route via TATL or TPAC with 2 stopovers plus destination.
We called them "Mini-RTW"
AC however decided to change the rate from 120K > 175K eff. Jul 15, 2011
, we only had enough miles for 1 ticket and my mom won't fly without my dad so I took them and they got CX F from me.
Thus, this ticket was a "Burn, baby, Burn"
That AC ticket was
Used in September
HKG-BKK-FRA (TG F)
FRA-CPH (LH J), Stopover, went on a 12 day cruise, Sept
CPH-MUC-ORD (LH J/F)
ORD-YYZ (UA F), Destination
Used in December
YYZ-YUL (AC J)
YUL-ZRH-CDG (LX F/J) Stopover
CDG-FRA (LH J)
FRA-ICN (OZ F)
ICN-PEK-HKG (CA J)
Why I went with OZ F over LH F,
I've done LH F a couple times prior, never on OZ F
I had the 346 on LH F on that MUC-ORD and I found the product old and starting to get repetative.
FRA-ICN was served by a LH 346 at that time.
I like the service on OZ over LH, but FCT is hard to beat.
Great Report! Looking forward to the rest.
I took the FRA-ICN in Asiana First last year myself - and i think i only ate half as much as you :D! Well - i will be taking this flight in a few weeks again - lets see how this one will turn out ;)
Haha, only half, No Way ;)
Its very enjoyable and I didn't found the seat to be fine if you ask me.
SFO777
Jul 16, 12, 9:53 am
You lost me with interdit?????
LOL. French for forbidden, not permitted, verbotten.
As in "monsieur, no photo ear at Notre Dame" :D
Short hair Francis
Jul 16, 12, 9:59 am
LOL. French for forbidden, not permitted, verbotten.
As in "monsieur, no photo ear at Notre Dame" :D
Thankfully the places were packed with people so everyone was doing it.
You know its bad when I understand verbotten and not interdit :eek::eek::eek:
Since when did I learn German ;)
Danke SFO777 :p
Short hair Francis
Jul 16, 12, 10:11 am
LOL. French for forbidden, not permitted, verbotten.
As in "monsieur, no photo ear at Notre Dame" :D
Aren't either of the 2 photos below be WAY MORE "interdit" then the Notre Dame? :eek:
Amber Room, from Catherine Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Thanks zcat18, I know its been a long time since I've written a TR.
Close to a year but its good to be trying to write them again.
I see you took the UA 2P route, has Smi/J been nice to you?
SIN DO? Way too early right now to know, probably won't make up my mind until October or November at the earliest
Short hair Francis
Jul 17, 12, 3:04 am
Part 5 – Ugh, Seoul Traffic, Air China Business Class ICN-PEK-HKG
With the long trip on the ICN airport train and the continuing Seoul subway ride, it was almost 6pm before I reach the Grand Hyatt. Thankfully I was slightly ahead of my friend at arriving the hotel, he did however left me a message at the hotel for me.
For any of you that have previously stayed at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, you would know it is on top of hill at Itaewon. My friend thinking it was a short walk decided to walk all the way up from the metro station lol :D
Grand Hyatt Seoul
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*Would the TSA allow ice skates in carry-on or is that a weapon?
As he has become an English teacher in Seoul, he has been falling in love with Korean food and everything else Korean, but he didn’t mind some nice Western food at the Grand Club.
A very nice amount of Hors D’Oeuvre as they were closing the drinks and food at 8pm, the Grand Club ladies told me take as much as I wanted
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A couple of drinks and my friend simply show me a bit of Itaewon due to the numerous delays that had built up during the day so I just simply ran out of time.
Due to an early wake up time needed for the morning flight and being a weekday, didn’t spent too long partying.
My friend did beg me to no-show for my flight so I can stay longer, couldn’t do that but I did promise him to go to ICN again in 2012 if he’s still teaching
Had an early breakfast around 6:30am prior to checking out of the hotel, and try to squeeze a couple sights prior to leaving for Incheon airport.
Let say I try to squeeze way too much. :(
As you see, turn out to be an extremely dumb idea as I didn’t leave the Grand Hyatt until around 8:40 when your flight leaves 10:25am. Plus the stupid cabbie that drove in the Namsan tunnel and got me stuck in traffic for over 30 mins to Seoul Station.
AHH!!!!!
I stinkin hate you cabbies who take advantage of people, here’s a 50000 Won bill for a 7700 Won ride. Let’s just say this Korean cab driver who speaks no English literally had to dig out his entire cab to give me the change and to top it off, no tip for you for screwing me over!!!!
Didn’t catch an airport train until 9:30am from Seoul station, which meant I completely miss my flight.
D’OH!!!!! First time that’s happen to me, at least I had no bags and I was on my last leg going home. Ugh….
I definitely pass the newsto my friend on fb, what did you say about “No-show”??? I actually friggen missed my flight!!!!!
Got to the TG desk around 10:10am, they were absolutely no help as they refused to do anything for me and only pointed me to go to the AC office.
That took me about 3 tries to find as it was extremely well hidden, the door is a grey unmarked door :(
Fortunately with the help of the AC ICN baggage office which lend me their phone line, some lucky open award space. I was rebooked to connecting through PEK on Air China.
It’s the first time I’ll say I was grateful to be flying Air China in Business lol :D :D
Dec 12, 2011 – Wednesday (Rebooked)
CA 124 ICN-PEK 1:05pm – 2:05pm (332/J)
CA 117 PEK-HKG 5:30pm – 8:50pm (321/J)
By the time I completely re-did my ticket, it was already close to 11:30am and the CA desk was open. KE manages the CA operation at ICN and the lounge invite was for the KE lounge at the satellite concourse.
Having never remotely ever touched anything Skyteam, it was interesting to see a different perspective although it was just a mediocre lounge and the lounge ladies later asked me to take no more photos :(
Seoul Incheon Korean Airlines Satellite Lounge
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Having finally found some time to check out the CA equipment on ef, I found out I get the new CA 332 on the ICN-PEK flight but unfortunately a regional 321 on PEK-HKG segment. Better than another day in ICN I guess
Air China International Airbus 330-200
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Air China International 124
Seoul Incheon to Beijing Capital
Scheduled - 1:05pm – 2:05pm, 2 hr flight
Delayed Departure – 2:05pm, ATC delay from Mainland China
Delayed Arrival – 3:22pm
Business Class, Seat 11C
Food - Lunch
Equipment – Airbus 330-200
Boarding was started at T-30 minutes, and like my usual routine, new equipment means Premium Gate Lice :D
Fortunately this flight was beyond empty and I had more than enough time to take all the pics I wanted. The FA also quickly hang my coat :)
Air China International Airbus 330-200 Business Class Cabin
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Air China International Airbus 330-200 Business Class Seat
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I was originally seated in 11C but as the J cabin was so empty, it ended up 5/30.
I moved myself to 13C where I had the entire row all to my own privacy.
For anyone familiar with regional flights concerning mainland China, you know tarmac delays for up to 2 hrs is not uncommon and the Chinese Air force can shut down the air route at anytime they please. Business Class usually works out better in these situations as you will be sitting in the plane on the tarmac waiting for a slot.
Today’s delay was 1 hour so I had plenty of time to try out the seat and the captain even allowed electronics on and drink service in Business.
The FA did a tray service for PDB and an open bar service during the tarmac delay
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The AVOD system was also turn on by the FA which was great seeing sometimes CX won’t even do that for PVG-HKG flights
Part 5 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 17, 12, 3:11 am
Just around 2pm we pushed back and started taking off to the Northwest and very close to North Korean airspace :p
At least they don’t mind the airline I’m flying on today!
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As usual CA like most other airlines stayed far away from the North Koreans
CA has a menu but they only have 1 copy, so if you want to future reference yourself, ask to take a photo of the menu!
From what I can remember based on both flight, there is a (Chinese Meat Main), (Chinese fish main) and a (Western Main).
For CA 124, I went with the chicken which turned out quite nicely and better than what I thought.
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Shortly after the meal service, I tried some more with the CA AVOD system and it did have some western audio music like Britney Spears and Foster the people.
Sadly, CA should’ve bought better control console, as the seat next to me had a broken console
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Wonder if it was “Made in China” lol :D
I had about a 20 min nap on the flat bed and the seat itself is plenty long for me personally
Connection in PEK was done relatively easily, a swip with the visa and back downstairs to reclear security and I’m back to the departure area.
How can I be sweating in December, too much heat in the airport, off to a shower in the CA J lounge. Nothing memorable here but they do give you a pair of flip flops for the shower which is highly recommended. Also meet 2 Canadian female gymnastic girls in the lounge which was awaiting their flights back to Vancouver, haha, that made a nice conversation seeing I had lived in YVR prior.
Everyone in the lounge had an annoying time figuring out the wifi internet at PEK including myself, this is a new wall building alright
About 4:45pm, I was simply bored and started walking to E59 which was a bus gate
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Air China International 117
Beijing Capital to Hong Kong
Scheduled - 5:30pm – 8:50pm, 3 hr 20 min flight
Delayed Departure – 5:50pm, inbound equipment delay
Delayed Arrival – 9:49pm
Business Class, Seat 2C
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Airbus 321-200
Luckily as a HKG flight, most people start queuing very early for the flight, HKGer do love to queue!
Boarding was delayed from 5:00 > 5:30pm due to inbound equipment delay, J passenger have a private van whereas everyone else gets stuck in the big bus.
Air China International Airbus 321-200 (Sadly, a crappy pic)
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J seat was similar to the old AA 738 F seats and the Y boarding crush came. My seat neighbor, he did look like a mandopop or cantopop singer? Completed dressed like he just came out of bed, not shaven and still severely hungover or drug high?
Didn’t really care, he boarded with Y and was definitely not my top 10 best seatmates ever.
Takeoff at PEK at a peak hour, wait for a takeoff slot of course, took off about 6:40pm, didn’t remember too much from this flight unfortunately but was served a Chinese fish main for this flight
Fell asleep after the meal service as I was dead tired, and woke up near the approach into HKG.
What do I think about CA premium service
Boarding and Check-in – They do separate lines, and the premium mini-van is a nice consideration
Seats – Dependent on equipment, I would rather fly KA J instead of the CA 321 J on PEK-HKG if I had a choice
Food - Average, no worse than US airlines if you don’t mind Chinese food, quality seems to better ex-PEK vs. ex-PVG. I refuse to eat ex-PVG catered food
Service - Surprisingly good onboard, English wasn’t shabby either but having limited Mandarin speaking skill like myself would help by all means.
Lounge? Save your time elsewhere
Sadly was parked at a tarmac position at HKG but I did position myself correctly on the bus so was the first to clear HKG immigration
I’m back at my 2nd home for 3 weeks. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.
Next Part
Part 6 – A fresh start to 2012, Taipei, Taiwan
zcat18
Jul 17, 12, 2:29 pm
Thanks zcat18, I know its been a long time since I've written a TR.
Close to a year but its good to be trying to write them again.
I see you took the UA 2P route, has Smi/J been nice to you?
Smi/J has thus far spared me the pain that many of the Plats, 1K, and GS are feeling. However, I am seriously considering making the jump to US in 2013. Despite the reputation, I have excellent luck with them almost without fail (their customer service is well beyond the UA standard) and their access to upgrades for lower-level elites blows United out of the water. If it weren't for the AA merger rumors, I would have taken their challenge and made the move already.
At any rate...your TR continues to seriously impress!
Short hair Francis
Jul 17, 12, 8:38 pm
Smi/J has thus far spared me the pain that many of the Plats, 1K, and GS are feeling. However, I am seriously considering making the jump to US in 2013. Despite the reputation, I have excellent luck with them almost without fail (their customer service is well beyond the UA standard) and their access to upgrades for lower-level elites blows United out of the water. If it weren't for the AA merger rumors, I would have taken their challenge and made the move already.
At any rate...your TR continues to seriously impress!
That's good considering all the drop flight, miss upgrade, Jump Ship to AA i've been hearing since 3/3.
I've been doing those 100% US miles things for awhile and they aren't bad for rewards if you ask me. Very flexibile rules.
Thank you, will continue to try to impress! :D
Short hair Francis
Jul 17, 12, 8:45 pm
Part 6 – A fresh start to 2012, Taipei, Taiwan
The Second Section of the trip report covers Part 6 – 7 which is The January family vacation, Jan 1 – 4 (HKG-TPE-NRT-TPE-HKG).
Just like eightblack, family vacations I think brings out the best and the worst out of everyone in the family.
Me – Everything premium please, the more the merrier, First Class over Business
Mom – Just make me comfortable but affordable, no coach over 3 hrs preferable
First Class, whatever? No alcohol for me and hardly eat anything. Lie Flat Business will do
Dad – You do everything, you plan everything, Whatever don’t bug me. Make sure its First or Business and have people serve me. You better be marrying a girl before coming to me was my old family motto for Dad ;)
This trip was a long time waiting, mom had long for a family trip to Japan. And sadly, I’m never have enough days in Asia to spring 1. This year, I had 1 month off during winter break, saved 3 days of mileage running later in the week.
CX runs a HKG-TPE-NRT route, and take advantage of a <24 hr connection in TPE. I get to visit TPE since I’ve never been there and I agree to open the mileage bank for a Japan trip.
Family gets a CX J HKG-TPE-NRT and CX F NRT-HKG on AA miles,
I went and got some AS miles via a 40% bonus sale and got a CX J HKG-TPE-NRT-TPE-HKG ticket, needed the later TPE stopover for another ticket
After another HKG NYE DO, seems to be the only time to HKG gang seems to be less busy. It was great to meet Friendly Skies, wolf539, kchika and percysmith as well meeting kaka again.
Sadly for 2012, I’ll be in North America for NYE courtesy of the Burmese Junta.
Like other 2 class service, if flight is served by a 3 class planes on CX, first come first serve for CX Diamonds/OW Emeralds among others. And I manage to get the family out of the house by 9:30am on New Years Day, and get to HKG by 10:30am.
Originally assigned 11A, 12A, and 14A on a 744, check in at the First Class counter and with some supervisor input, managed to get 1A, 1K, and 2A on a 744 for the family.
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Travel on New Years means the airport was just DEAD…..
And so was the CX Wing F lounge, which will be one of the last time I transit there before the upcoming renovation. Definitely gonna miss the cafeteria for the next 9 months or so.
Here’s for remembering the old CX F Wing Lounge, with X-mas decoration
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Like most family trips, dad is simply bored with a drink and a newspaper, I go lounge hopping and taking photos and mom goes shopping, everyone is happy and we meet back just prior to boarding.
I went to tour the cabin a bit which I did enjoy but the Wing will always have my heart in HKG <3
Around 12:20pm, got back to the Wing and got the entire family to walk out to Gate 64.
Cathay Pacific Airways Boeing 747-400
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CX 564 to Taipei and continuing service to Osaka Kansai
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*1st flight, 501 Miles flown this year
Cathay Pacific Airways 564
Hong Kong to Taipei Taoyuan
1:15pm – 2:55pm, 1 hr 40 min flight
Business Class (First Class Cabin), Seat 1A
Food – Lunch
Equipment – Boeing 747-400
It’s been such a long time since I’ve been in a CX First Class cabin, its always a nice surprise to see an old friend
F cabin ended up being 7 out of 9, with the family up in 1A, 1K, and 2A, a lady in 2K, a Japanese couple in 3A, and 4A and a Chinese kid in 4K.
Still, this provided a very comfortable 1 hr 15 min flight to TPE.
Flight was on time with takeoff from 26L. Crew sprang into action very quickly on this short leg with the meal service
CX 564 Lunch
Starter
Fresh seasonal fruit
Main Course
Wok-fried Kurobuta pork in sweet chilli sauce steamed jasmine rice and Chinese vegetables
Pan-fried ling fish with lemon butter, braised beans, roasted fennel and spinach
Dessert
Steamed meringue on vanilla sauce
Tea and Coffee
Had the pork this afternoon despite a good brunch at the Wing.
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Wish I can find the translations but I hated those Chinese vegetable
And hopefully CX can change its AVOD policies, limit all those extra videos shown at the beginning of the flight. On a TPE flight, you can barely watch anything, I probably had 20 mins max after the meal service and prior to prepare the cabin for landing.
And others might criticize me on this, neither myself nor my mom enjoyed row 1 :D
Guess we both are a bit claustrophobic, my dad however prefers row 1, next time he can have it.
A very speedy immigration as I found in later months in Taipei as well and it’s the first time I’m here since? When I was 10 y.o? Can’t remember :D
Took a couple mins to figure out to figure out the various bus which took us to the Grand Hyatt, thankfully the family was here a couple months ago on a TPE turn.
With the 1 hr bus ride plus the wait for the bus itself, it was around 4:45pm before getting to the Grand Hyatt Taipei.
Grand Hyatt Taipei
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Part 6 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 17, 12, 8:46 pm
Diamond Check in was done on the Grand Club floor which was 15 I believe
Grand Club
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Club King Room, assigned on the 17th floor
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With some light snacks and drinks at the Grand Club with Mom, dad wanted some rest. Later on, we headed out light dinner near the Taipei City Hall metro station which was a 10 min walk from the Hyatt.
And off to Taipei’s nighttime favorite after dinner, Shilin Night Market
The metro ride took about 30 mins to get to Jiantan station on the Tamsui line
Dead tired after all the snacks and various good shopping, went back to Hyatt for the overnight.
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Woke up around 6:30am for breakfast, now here’s why I love my mom, she like myself will treasure our down times at home but not on vacation. So in the morning, we decided to see a couple more sights before going back to TPE by 9:30am
Around 9:30am, we checked out the Grand Hyatt and catch another airport bus back to Taipei Taoyuan airport
Next Part
Part 7 – Hi Tokyo, I’m not connecting today
SFO777
Jul 17, 12, 9:17 pm
Just like eightblack, family vacations I think brings out the best and the worst out of everyone in the family.
Me – Everything premium please, the more the merrier, First Class over Business
Mom – Just make me comfortable but affordable, no coach over 3 hrs preferable
First Class, whatever? No alcohol for me and hardly eat anything. Lie Flat Business will do
Dad – You do everything, you plan everything, Whatever don’t bug me. Make sure its First or Business and have people serve me. You better be marrying a girl before coming to me was my old family motto for Dad ;)
Classic. Having met your folks a couple of times, this is so funny.
Your description of your dad is hilarious. "You do everything, you plan everything, Whatever don’t bug me. Make sure its First or Business and have people serve me." :D
Short hair Francis
Jul 17, 12, 9:58 pm
Classic. Having met your folks a couple of times, this is so funny.
Your description of your dad is hilarious. "You do everything, you plan everything, Whatever don’t bug me. Make sure its First or Business and have people serve me." :D
Will you agree with my statement? You're one of two FTers that have met my parents. Many have met me before.
I think my family motto holds true tho
"You better be marrying a girl before going to find Daddy" :D
kaidus
Jul 18, 12, 9:42 am
Great pics... Hyatt looks awesome in any place!
Short hair Francis
Jul 20, 12, 6:36 am
Great pics... Hyatt looks awesome in any place!
I said Hyatt in general has been great for me.
The only places where I wouldn't bother going back are
Hyatt Regency Montreal, it was kinda beaten down and in January, -30C is exactly comfortable weather to be outside.
and
Hyatt Lisle, which was kinda also beaten down
Sorry for the late posting, had a last minute travel this past couple days so I wasn't around
wolf539
Jul 21, 12, 10:06 am
This week I'm traveling on CX HKG-ORD in F and connecting to HKG-BKK in J. As the Wing F lounge is closed for renovations, do you have any recommendations for the best lounge experience during my layover?
I've traveled CX J a number of times, but this is my first First Class trip with CX. I have high hopes...! :)
WChou
Jul 21, 12, 12:18 pm
Always enjoy your trips reports. Shows what some hard work and good planning can accomplish. MOAR pleez!
Short hair Francis
Jul 21, 12, 1:34 pm
This week I'm traveling on CX HKG-ORD in F and connecting to HKG-BKK in J. As the Wing F lounge is closed for renovations, do you have any recommendations for the best lounge experience during my layover?
Really depends, like the open concept of a lounge, CX "The Wing" J.
"The Cabin" has those nice Solus chairs and some nice juices/smoothies but i always find it way too packed.
"The Pier" F is nice and reclusive with the buffet but it is a bit of a hike considering your flight is HKG-ORD so its probably leaving either gate 3/4/21
"QF J lounge" can be a very nice hideout between 10am-2pm when BA/QF don't have flights flying out but it has the fewest amenities around.
"QF F lounge" isn't open during their off hours unlike the QF J, so I don't know if you can access it.
G16 Lounge - don't waste your time
Hopefully your CX F will be better than mine last month, hardware good as always but man, the FAs for that flight was all over the flights forgetting stuff.
Worst was that my rice was cooked halfway between congee and Japanese rice, inedible :mad:
Always enjoy your trips reports. Shows what some hard work and good planning can accomplish. MOAR pleez!
Thank you! I hope so I can finish this in short order, this thing is simply GIGANTIC!
quirrow
Jul 21, 12, 5:59 pm
Mom – Just make me comfortable but affordable, no coach over 3 hrs preferable
First Class, whatever? No alcohol for me and hardly eat anything. Lie Flat Business will do
Dad – You do everything, you plan everything, Whatever don’t bug me. Make sure its First or Business and have people serve me. You better be marrying a girl before coming to me was my old family motto for Dad ;)
That just sounds like my parents...
Otherwise great trip report! Looking forward to more please ^
wolf539
Jul 23, 12, 7:34 am
"The Pier" F is nice and reclusive with the buffet but it is a bit of a hike considering your flight is HKG-ORD so its probably leaving either gate 3/4/21
Hopefully your CX F will be better than mine last month, hardware good as always but man, the FAs for that flight was all over the flights forgetting stuff.
Worst was that my rice was cooked halfway between congee and Japanese rice, inedible :mad:
I'm actually arriving from ORD in F, and connecting to BKK in J. I think I'll give The Pier a try; I wouldn't mind having a shower if time permits!
I have really high hopes for CX F; back in January in flew the new J and it was excellent. I wonder if they'll have PJ's that will fit me? (Former football player...)
Short hair Francis
Jul 23, 12, 7:53 am
I'm actually arriving from ORD in F, and connecting to BKK in J. I think I'll give The Pier a try; I wouldn't mind having a shower if time permits!
I have really high hopes for CX F; back in January in flew the new J and it was excellent. I wonder if they'll have PJ's that will fit me? (Former football player...)
Oh arriving from ORD, your gate can be anywhere then.
Remember the Pier has 2 entrance, 1 F, 1 J
PJ, i'm not sure, i usually take it home so I can use it as gift later
Seat 2A
Jul 23, 12, 9:20 am
I've really enjoyed this very nicely photographed report. Six hours and 20 minutes is far too short a flight in Swiss's First Class...
mattyb2233
Jul 23, 12, 8:34 pm
Great report! I am surprised how nice CX first looked.
Short hair Francis
Jul 24, 12, 12:52 am
That just sounds like my parents...
Otherwise great trip report! Looking forward to more please ^
Glad someone else other than me share the same experiences :p
I've really enjoyed this very nicely photographed report. Six hours and 20 minutes is far too short a flight in Swiss's First Class...
Thank you, Seat2A, i'm still a little jealous you had that record of 87 segments in 2 months and I thought I was a crazy FTer
Great report! I am surprised how nice CX first looked.
The hardware is very nice and very up there with the best but sadly CX catering seems to have gone worse and worse the last 2 years.
Short hair Francis
Jul 24, 12, 10:05 am
Part 7 – Hi Tokyo, I’m not connecting today
The sometime bumpy Taiwan airport bus took an hour back to TPE, where I caught some much needed sleep. Back at TPE just about 11am for a 12:45pm flight, great plenty of time.
Jan 2, 2012 – Monday
CX 450 TPE-NRT 12:45pm-5:00pm (333/J)
Check in was done swiftly at the First Class counter and with almost no wait at immigration and security. We were quickly in the CX lounge.
The CX lounge is divided into F and J sections, J section has a extra noodle bar and I notice F has more alcohol selection, a fried rice in the afternoon and some pastries.
The lounge ladies are having a battle
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*2nd flight, 1857 Miles flown this year
Cathay Pacific Airways 450
Taipei Taoyuan to Tokyo Narita
12:45pm – 5:00pm, 3 hr 15 min flight
Business Class, Seat 12A
Food – Lunch
Equipment – Airbus 330-300 Regional
Cathay Pacific Airbus 330-300 Business Class Cabin
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Was a first time onboard a regional aircraft on CX, wasn’t expecting too much but the bulkhead tends to be a great choice as I can use my laptop bag as a legrest during the flight. Sadly, power outlets don’t work on these old empower outlets and a overhaul is kinda due for all these planes.
Boarding was done rather speedy as we were finished by 12:35pm and with the doors closed, we headed off to NRT with a flight time of 2hr 37 mins.
CX 450 Lunch
Starters
Smoked salmon rosette with capsicum salsa
Seasonal salad with thousand island dressing
Soba noodles with crab claw and shimeji mushroom
Main Course
Steamed chicken with yam and chestnut paste, Japanese rice with seaweed powder and Japanese mixed vegetables
Fettuccine topped with garlic beef slices
Sauteed seafood with tomato and fish sauce, steamed rice, turnip carrot and green beans
Cheese and Dessert
Cheese selection
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Haagan-Dazs Ice Cream
Tea and Coffee
Pralines
CX slightly changes its catering with a Japanese theme such as the wasabi beans in the nut mix
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Can’t complain with the quality of TPE catering, and the chicken with chestnut paste was a really good J meal on CX in the last little while.
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A pic of Mt. Fuji
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And with the strong tailwinds during this time of the year, this flight flew by very quickly
Locating the Keisei Skyliner was very easy but with the huge travel time on Skyliner and Tokyo Metro to the Grand Hyatt Tokyo at Ropoogni.
Finding a suitable hotel for Tokyo was a huge headache for this trip, we didn’t want a Japanese size room which we would be so close to each other so that we couldn’t breathe. After having a lot of problems trying to get a suite at the Park Hyatt, ended up getting authorized for staying 2 nights at the Grand Hyatt along with burning a suite upgrade.
This was also highly recommended by someone close to me as a fantastic hotel especially Mr. Victor at the Grand Club, thanks again!!!
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
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Diamond Check-in similar to Taipei taken place at the Grand Club
The Grand Club
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Got assigned a suite which was fantastic size for staying at Tokyo
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We were very happy with what we got with the suite upgrade, a cert well spent if you ask me!
Ladies need their shopping time at Ginza
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After getting hungry and it was just about lunch time, why not head to Tsukiji
If its anything my dad likes more, its car and good food.
Tsukiji Market was closed because of New Years
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But don’t get too drunk prior to coming
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First some fresh salt-water cooked oyster
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Then some sushi and sashimi, don’t get too fat and fall off that window
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Yasukuni Shrine, not entirely sure if it’s appropriate for me considering the prior history
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They did however have tasty vendors,
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After a quick venture to Meiji Shrine, back to Roppongi to grab Dad and off to Shibuya for dinner
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These would definitely be illegal back home
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Then finally off to enjoy Shinjuku for the rest of the night,
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I’ll have the save the partying for another trip
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I had to take a photo of this in Japan, Mods, please delete the pic if found inappropriate
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Naughty Japanese School Girl outfits!!!!
Part 7 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 24, 12, 10:08 am
And what’s a trip to Tokyo without a ride on the Yamanote Line
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Sadly I caught something the Japanese weren’t the most efficient, broken turnstile
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And catching Friendlyskies at the Grand Hyatt next morning, went up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Building for some fantastic and free views of the city.
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After the mini excursion in the morning, said farewell to FriendlySkies and Mr. Victor , got my Dad at the Hyatt just a shy prior to 10:45am.
I did pay a closer study to the Skyliner train time so the connection wait would be shorter.
Sadly I connected so well that I got to Narita at 12:30pm before the CX counters were open for the afternoon.
Tokyo Narita International Airport Terminal 2
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Luckily the wait was only 10 mins and my parents had an even greater surprise awaiting them, apparently no one was flying on CX 521 on a 744 today so they have the entire F cabin to themselves, lucky parents.
The check-in agent also advised us where the CX lounges are but I told them we’ll be heading to the JL F lounge today :p
Cathay Pacific First Class Check-In
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Immigration had no line and as usual, security was calm and a good smooth pace for the traveler. No yelling like Canada or the United States.
Tokyo Narita Japan Airlines First Class Lounge
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Mom wanted his usual shopping, I wanted the JL massage, and Dad just wants to be left alone?
Massage didn’t begin til 2pm so off I went in shopping, Mom found a great price for a handbag, hehe :D
Back to the lounge, still have plenty of time so got some beef curry, Dad said it’s Average, crap me, who said Sons are hard to handle? How about Dads???
Ugh, I needed this massage for stress relief a long time ago, man do I miss you…
The time in the F lounge starting to click down and I headed off to Gate 64 for CX 451
CX sure boards plane really quick on most days, I left the F lounge at 3:05pm, gate was 2 min walk away and the flight was already at final call.
Door were closed 3:19pm
Cathay Pacific Airways Airbus 330-300
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*3rd flight, 3213 Miles flown this year
Cathay Pacific Airways 451
Tokyo Narita to Taipei Taoyuan
3:30pm – 6:35pm, 4 hr 5 min flight
Business Class, Seat 12C
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Airbus 330-300
Like other CX flight, the ISM is usually at the 1st door to greet First and Business Class passenger, and some days you know you have a great ISM that day. Today was one of those, had a simply fantastic Indian ISM with a wonderful sense of humor.
Flight time was a little scary to say the least, 3 hr 55 mins to cover 1356 miles between Narita and Taipei. That mean the plane is only gaining 340ish miles per hour.
165 Mph head winds, DAMN!!!
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Another speedy start by the trusty CX crew, with the same wasabi beans in the nut mix as the outbound NRT flight. Probably didn’t need to be speedy with the extended flight time today.
Starter
Roasted duck breast with asparagus, cucumber, green apple and celery salad
Mixed salad with kalamata olive and balsamic vinegar dressing
Mugwort soba noodles
Main Course
Baked Salmon with sea urchin cream sauce, Japanese rice and mixed vegetables
Grilled Australian Prime beef tenderloin, potato mash with sun-dried tomato, roasted shallots, carrot and asparagus
Hong Kong style curry chicken with steamed jasmine rice and Shanghainese pak choy
Cheese and Dessert
Cheese selection
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Haagan-Dazs Ice Cream
Once again, went with the Japanese option just to change up the meal choice, was average
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After the meal, actually had a chance to have some casual talk with the ISM, apparently this was the 2nd day of their 2 day trip. HKG-NRT-TPE-HKG. CX crew seems to have an easier process to change into flying different routes, the company gives them a monthly schedule and the crew is free to trade with others for flight time. In comparison, the US system is more Seniority above all else, hence why we see older crew on longer routes.
Maybe this is one way to keep the crew more energize, I know for 1 thing, don’t 99% expect to see any purser on AA under 25 years seniority on a long haul.
Just before, I was originally booked on the later CX 531 TPE-HKG, but with such a great crew, I promised to try to switch to the earlier continuation CX 451 TPE-HKG
TPE is such a wonderful airport when it comes to airside connection, walk out to the arrival hallway, turn right for connecting security checkpoint and you’re easily back to the departure level.
And luckily, for CX 451, I did get my old seat back for the TPE-HKG flight.
*4rd flight, 3714 Miles flown this year
Cathay Pacific Airways 451
Taipei Taoyuan to Hong Kong
7:45pm – 9:30pm, 1 hr 45 min flight
Business Class, Seat 12A
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Airbus 330-300
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As I was a little late for boarding because of the flight change, I was boarding around the middle of the pack on the Business Class Jetbridge, the crew welcome me back just like family which kinda surprised everyone else in J.
As I park myself in the same seat as before in 12A, I noticed such disgraceful behavior from a female passenger in Business Class in 14D.
The old saying is definitely true “Money can’t buy class” and sadly the old attitude back home hasn’t changed either “I have money, I can do anything I want!”
The “Da – Lu” lady in her upper 50s to low 60s y.o proceed to enjoy her time while the plane was still on the ground.
The seat in front of you is for your magazines, not your legrest
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I’m done with the newspaper thanks, I’ll just throw it in the seat in front of me, LITERALLY!
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And above all, just after take-off, I’m cold, you have a spare blanket, I’m taking it.
Seriously, you can’t ask the FA instead just grab the blanket off 12C which happened to be empty.
Ugh!!!
Now, the crew was still good as prior and was serving a lot quicker than as the short 1 hr 21 mins to HKG gives little leeway to finish the service.
CX 451 TPE – HKG Dinner
Starter
Smoked Salmon with honey mustard potato salad
Main Courses
Steweed pork belly with scallion, steamed rice, green beans, carrot and black mushroom
Pan-fried chicken with marjoram red wine sauce, boiled new potato with parsley, cucumber and pepers
And with the short flight to HKG, the trip to Tokyo is over and time to head back to North America for a final semester.
Next Part
Part 8 – Rectifying a bad mistake Cathay Pacific “Cirrus’ Business Class, HKG-LAX
david-alexis
Jul 24, 12, 1:58 pm
Thanks for the great TR!
In regards to your comment about kids, I don't know you but from your writing style you seem to be quite young (right?), you hate kids that are misbehaved yet I am sure some 40 year old may say that they hate kid talking about you taking numerous pictures in F probably standing in the middle of the cabin...
Just saying :-)
Short hair Francis
Jul 25, 12, 7:16 am
Thanks for the great TR!
In regards to your comment about kids, I don't know you but from your writing style you seem to be quite young (right?), you hate kids that are misbehaved yet I am sure some 40 year old may say that they hate kid talking about you taking numerous pictures in F probably standing in the middle of the cabin...
Just saying :-)
Thank you, hope you've been enjoyed my writing and photography
Whether or not I am young depends on who's perspective are you looking from.
Some might still see me as a young-uns, while other may just see me as wringly old.
All in the eyes of the beholder ;)
The reason I might not like kids simply because their parents do not exercise any parenting controls on them in public area.
I doubt most of us here would love a running kid right in front of them at the airport either.
As to photos in F, there is a methodology I do use as all times that minimizes conflict.
First to board, yes I will be a premium gate lice at those times.
No flash during any time ever, be it in the lounge or on the plane
No direct intent and do not take photos of others directly, facially anyway.
And desist taking cabin photos except around your own seating area when others start boarding.
Of course, the above tactic does not always work.
At the end of the day, some passenger simply feel you have no place in 3 Class First :(
Short hair Francis
Jul 28, 12, 4:10 am
Part 8 – Rectifying a bad mistake Cathay Pacific "Cirrus" Business Class, HKG-LAX
The Third Section of the trip reports covers Part 8 – 12 which are the first set of Mileage Runs, Jan 4 – 8
(HKG-LAX-BNA-LAX-DFW-MCI-ORD-LAX-DFW-OMA-DFW-ORD-BUF)
I originally booked 3 days of MRs in October since Southwest fares was matched by most other carriers and hence the 3 days MRs to BNA, MCI, OMA. I also built in 2 day time turns in MCI, OMA just to visit cities you might otherwise never visit in your lifetime.
The CX HKG-LAX leg was the reposition leg back to North America for the last term of college.
With an irregular connection at HKG today, I am part-time HKG based overall. Definitely felt odd to be connecting instead of heading home. This leg was for me to reposition back to North America and to LAX to start my original 3 day Mileage Run.
With a gate arrival at 25, a short walk back to the checkpoint near Gate 1, 10 mins and back airside and into the CX Wing where it will soon be renovated.
It was somewhat packed as expected due to the red-eye rush to Europe, Australia and to North America.
A cabana wait of 20 mins was needed and sadly this place is starting to get worn out but a March renovation hopefully will be nice.
With the food eating, shower, and some last minute emails, I was at the exclusive US security checkpoint for Gate 3/4 about 40 minutes out. Thankfully there is a premium lane for the secondary check and a similar fashion for the boarding process.
Being an early January flight, this flight was 100% packed.
For anyone needing a refresher why most people do not like the Old CX Business Class, it isn’t called the coffins or fishbone for nothing.
It’s too narrow to read newspaper, hard to see out of windows, couples can’t see each other, and the cloth material seems to worn out easily as well.
*5th flight, 10962 Miles flown this year
Cathay Pacific Airways 880
Hong Kong to Los Angeles
11:45pm – 8:15pm, 12 hr 30 min flight
Business Class, Seat 11A
Food – Dinner, Snack/Brunch
Equipment – Boeing 777-300ER “Cirrus” (6F/53J/238Y)
Despite not being on my usual Gate Lice behavior due to my lateness leaving the lounge, I was still lucky enough to get a photo of the Mini Cabin of the new Cirrus seats.
Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER “Cirrus” Business Class Cabin
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Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER “Cirrus” Business Class Seat
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Luckily I had boarded early, it had given me a lot of time to try out all the features of the new seat. I really liked the new storage area where you can store assortments in them, the shoe cabinet underneath the seat you’re on, the view, its actually pretty easy to see outside again. The huge side table is also good so you can put your drinks or snacks on without easily being knocked over and the storage area under the side table can also stored a lot of stuffs. Simply put, this new seat uses all the space rather nicely.
About a 5-7 min departure delay due to boarding delays, some rain and about a 20 min wait before takeoff, finally made our ways across the Pacific.
Flight time of 11 hours 35 mins to Los Angeles
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The supper service started quickly as it was already 12:40am HKG time, CX operates a full and quick supper service for red-eye service
CX 880 Supper
Starter
Oven-dried cherry tomato salad, Italian X.O marinated prawns and citrus vinaigrette
Main Course
Sauteed beef with assorted mushroom in oyster sauce, steamed rice and jade melon with red medlar seeds and garlic
Braised duck leg a la Boulangere, sherry wine, soy and parsley
Cheese and Dessert
Bleu d’Auvergne, Red Leichester, Taleggio
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Chocolate and caramel mousse cake with vanilla sauce
Tea and Coffee
Pralines
Light Meal
If you would like to have a lighter meal before resting or later in the flight, we have prepared a menu for you
Mushroom cream soup
Mesclun salad with poached salmon and citrues vinaigrette
Fresh berries
Chocolate and caramel mousse cake with vanilla sauce
The crew tends to serve all the light meals prior to doing the full service.
I wonder if I’m the only one but I absolutely hate jade melons myself, thankfully the food wasn’t as bad as some CX J food seen recently. And by the time the service was completed, it was 2:30am, time for Zzz…..
As I previously stated, I love these long red-eye flight since you get to sleep and also enjoy the entertainment and also the food in some cases. This flight was a bit odd as I slept over 8 hrs, oops
CX 880 Snack
Pan-fried beef skewer on cheese and spring onion potato cake with tomato relish
Soya duck and preserved sweet vegetable in rice vermicelli soup
Haagan-Dazs Ice Cream
Only had time for the noodles
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The sun sets again on this flight as it crosses the Pacific
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CX 880 Brunch
Starters
Orange or apple juice
Forest berry smoothie
Fresh seasonal fruit
Fruit yoghurt
Assorted cereals
Main Courses
Sun-dried tomato and feta cheese frittata, pan-fried potato cake with cheese and spring onion, maple turkey sausage, creamed spinach and vine ripened tomato
Dim sum with chilli sauce
Pork siu mai with crab roe, preserved vegetables crystal dumpling, shrimp dumpling, mini glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf
Blueberry pancake with veal sausage and vine ripened tomato
Bread Basket
Asoorted breakfast bread
Served with preserves, honey and butter
With a rather good tailwind, the plane got parked at 8:01pm at Gate 103 and with a 45 min wait at immigration at TBIT, finally got to the overnight hotel at the Four Points LAX around 9:30pm. Time for yet Zzz…
Next Part
Part 9 – Where’s the BBQ? Kansas City, Missouri
SFO777
Jul 28, 12, 4:33 am
Back home and catching up on your great reports. Man, you sure are cranking these out. This is so un-Francis like. :D
Seriously, great pics and great report! ^
Short hair Francis
Jul 28, 12, 7:58 am
Back home and catching up on your great reports. Man, you sure are cranking these out. This is so un-Francis like. :D
Seriously, great pics and great report! ^
I think its alot easier to write them at home vs. being whipped by thesis partners, or professors ;)
Not all the pics turned out as good as I would like, now when are we going to see the next SFO777 TR?
Short hair Francis
Jul 30, 12, 2:36 pm
Part 9 – Where’s the BBQ? Kansas City, Missouri
A early wake up at 7:00, a breaky at the BK across the street and almost ready for the to the 1st of 20 legs this week for mileage running.
Yes, when I MR, I am a nutter ;)
Jan 5, 2012 – Thursday
AA 1974 LAX-BNA 11:40am – 5:10pm (738/F)
AA 1307 BNA-LAX 6:25pm – 9:05pm (738/F)
Jan 6, 2012 – Friday
AA 2404 LAX-DFW 1:05am – 5:55am (738/F)
AA 1026 DFW-MCI 6:40am – 8:10am (S80/F)
Those red jackets are really good at LAX at keeping the Coach people and Paparazzi out
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No line at the LAX premium lane as usual, this was around 10:15am, no nudies yet at premium security thankfully, hmm, hot college chick right in front of me too at the premium side. Did I hit the jackpot? :D Head over to the AC for about 40 mins and she’s still in front of me heading to the same place. What is going on?
Head down to gate 40 and she’s there at the gate, can’t be seated in first right?
Hell, she ends up getting 3F, dang it why didn’t I nab 3E instead of 3B
American Airlines Boeing 737-800, will be seeing you ALOT this month
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*6th flight, 12754 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1974
Los Angeles to Nashville
11:40am – 5:10pm, 3 hr 30 min flight
First Class, Seat 3B
Food – Lunch
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
On time pushoff, flight time of 3hr 32 mins due to eastbound headwinds :(
The LAX based crew does the full turn at Nashville today, and thankfully the flight had GoGo, think this is the first time my travels are so busy making it worth to get a month pass.
AA 1974 Lunch
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Sides
Pita chips with hummus is served with the Chicken Club Salad
A bag of Mrs Vickies Chips is served with the Cheeseburger
Main Course
Chicken Club Salad
Grilled Chicken on Mixed Greens served with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese and Creamy Ranch dressing
Or Cheeseburger
Juicy beef patty burger served with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles with condiments of mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup. A bag of Mrs. Vickies chip
Dessert
Freshly baked on board cookies (Chocolate Chip)
Went with a safe choice today, Cheeseburger isn’t the best food to eat while I’m on a MR, and for other purposes. Some computer surfing and some Zzz…
Still jet lagged from Tokyo apparently.
With the very strong headwind eastbound, can’t believe I said that, didn’t get into Gate at 5:41pm with a departure back to LAX at 6:25pm. AA can’t turn a plane in 40 mins right?
As I promised, the #1 FA saved me a Chicken for the flight home and I got her sweet potato fries at the Concourse.
Even had time to jolt into the Nashville AC, and even time to grab a Southern Sweet Tea
Nashville Admiral’s Club
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Head back down to C2 around 6:00pm and boarding was just about to start, hmm, the FA were right, those BNA cleaners sure are quick to turn the plane around
*7th flight, 14546 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1307
Nashville to Los Angeles
6:25pm – 9:05pm, 4 hr 40 min flight
First Class, Seat 5B
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
First one to board, what a surprise for me
Potato fries for the FA and get settled in
Yes I ask the FA to give me a garbage bag to carry all the extra stuff around :D
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Boarding finished in 20 Minutes, wow 20 mins and got pushed back on 6:23pm, turn towards runway 2R and back in the air towards LAX.
The heavy headwind on the way out meant a good wind on the way home, flight times of 3 hr 40 mins on 1307 BNA-LAX
AA 1307 Dinner
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Salad
Romaine Salad with grated cheese on Caesar Dressing
Main Course
Chipotle Chicken
Grilled Chicken Breast on pesto sauce sprinkled with chipotle powder and pepper served with carrots, green beans and white rice
Cheese Tortellini
Tortellini with chopped tomato, mushroom and onion bits on cheesy gravy sauce
Dessert
Raspberry Cheesecake
Baked Cream Cheese and Raspberry Sauce cheesecake on a pastry base
I don’t usually get double catered stations like BNA, PIT or FAT. But in this case, not shabby and the cheesecake is a good change-up vs. the usual pre-made sundaes on Mid-Con dinner flights.
More internet and more sleep, was very early into LAX, got in 25 mins early, parked at the gate at 8:38pm, scheduled time was 9:05pm.
Back into my home for the next 2 nights, LAX Admiral’s Club
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Why did I book myself into 2404, the last flight of the night?
Thankfully it was on time
*8th flight, 15748 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 2404
Los Angeles to Dallas Ft. Worth
1:05am – 5:55am, 2 hr 50 min flight
First Class, Seat 5B
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/144Y)
Door closed on 0:55am, guess that’s something good on such a late and short red-eye, people board hella-quick to catch some sleep.
Nothing to remember much on this flight, no drinks, landed on time at C4 and headed over to A19 for flight to MCI.
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*9th flight, 16208 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1026
Dallas Ft. Worth to Kansas City
6:40am – 8:10am, 1 hr 30 min flight
First Class, Seat 3E
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – McDonnall Douglas MD 80
Boarding started at T-30 and had a light load being a early flight from a hub flight, doors closed 14 mins ahead of schedule, can we keep up the tread AA!
Had some biscoffs and Iced Coffee on this flight
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Part 8 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Jul 30, 12, 2:38 pm
Beautiful Sunrise over the Midwest
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Flying over MCI before turning back for landing
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Another on time arrival, this time 18 mins into Kansas City. After helping Majuki with his flight meltdown since he’s was on a plane and thus unable to call AA. I took off for a half day trip in Kansas City, 8am – 4pm should be plenty of time. 62 degrees in Kansas City in January? What has this world come too?
First had to go back to the old TWA Headquarters
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National World War I Memorial and Liberty Memorial
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Took the elevator up to the top of the memorial which gives a wonderful view of Kansas City, don’t forget to ring the bell for service to get down from the memorial
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Skyline of Kansas City, Missouri
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I really enjoyed my time in the museum despite being of a WW2 geek myself, I actually spent 1 1/2 hr at a museum for one :D
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By the time I was finishing touring the museum, it was almost 12pm and when you go to Kansas City, you have to go for barbeque!!! :)
Luckily Friendlyskies gave me the suggestion of Jack Stacks BBQ
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Also went to Union Station to understand the Kansas City Massacre
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With a quick day trip in Kansas City, time to head back to MCI for another flight out west then off to Omaha the next morning.
I wonder how many mid-con consecutive day Red-Eye I have to do to set a FT record?
Would 3 do it? :eek:
Next Part
Part 10 – Who said you need alcohol to black out? AA 889 ORD-LAX
CMK10
Jul 30, 12, 2:44 pm
Good call visiting the World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial. The WWI Museum is in my opinion one of the best war museums in the world.
iceman77_7
Jul 30, 12, 5:26 pm
No line at the LAX premium lane as usual, this was around 10:15am, no nudies yet at premium security thankfully, hmm, hot college chick right in front of me too at the premium side. Did I hit the jackpot? :D Head over to the AC for about 40 mins and she’s still in front of me heading to the same place. What is going on?
Head down to gate 40 and she’s there at the gate, can’t be seated in first right?
Hell, she ends up getting 3F, dang it why didn’t I nab 3E instead of 3B
Pics or it didn't happen. :D
Tony3021990
Jul 30, 12, 5:52 pm
Pics or it didn't happen. :D
LoL
wolf539
Jul 30, 12, 7:30 pm
Thanks for the great TR!
In regards to your comment about kids, I don't know you but from your writing style you seem to be quite young (right?), you hate kids that are misbehaved yet I am sure some 40 year old may say that they hate kid talking about you taking numerous pictures in F probably standing in the middle of the cabin...
Just saying :-)
Having met Short hair Francis during my travels I can tell you he is a gentleman, not a kid. Your comments are inaccurate...
Short hair Francis
Jul 31, 12, 12:51 am
Good call visiting the World War I Museum and Liberty Memorial. The WWI Museum is in my opinion one of the best war museums in the world.
It was really good and normally I'm not a museum person at all.
Sadly the TWA museum wasn't open in January, or maybe I just couldn't find it :( :(
Pics or it didn't happen. :D
LoL
Oh come on, play nice :(
I haven't taken SFO777 Hot Girls Photography 101 yet ;)
Having met Short hair Francis during my travels I can tell you he is a gentleman, not a kid. Your comments are inaccurate...
Thank You for the complement, I'm surprised I left a good impression at the HKG New Years DO.
Very happy to leave a good impression for other FTers :)
Short hair Francis
Jul 31, 12, 12:53 am
Part 10 – Who said you need alcohol to black out? AA 889 ORD-LAX
Jan 6, 2012 – Friday
AA 1326 MCI – ORD 4:05pm – 5:40pm (S80/F)
AA 889 ORD – LAX 6:25pm – 8:55pm (752/F)
Back at Kansas City Airport, didn’t need to check in since I already had my boarding passes, printed them out in the morning. Sadly, the security was friendly yet mid-western slow.
And since the Kansas City Admiral’s Club is stated to be close July 31, 2012, here are some pics for memories
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7682370262_143b3f9831_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8152/7682369470_0912a7201e_z.jpg
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I will be truly sad the days when the Mad Dog is finally retired.
I had my college education on that
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7682367552_5dc1e074d1_z.jpg
*10th flight, 16610 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1326
Kansas City to Chicago O’Hare
4:05pm – 5:40pm, 1 hr 35 min flight
First Class, Seat 3E
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – McDonnall Douglas MD 80
Flight display screen was a complete error but we did board and close on time.
I got seated next to a pharmaceutical lady who had a daughter who went to Rochester for school and apparently most fly to Buffalo since its cheaper.
On time arrival and 1326 got parked over in L concourse, its been ages since I’ve been out that way.
A 5 min walk to K5 which was the gate for 889 tonight, and its pretty packed but luckily I caught a refurbished 757-200
*11th flight, 18350 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 889
Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles
6:20pm – 8:55pm, 4 hr 35 min flight
First Class, Seat 4B
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 757-200 (24F/166Y)
I got these pics in the end when the whole plane was de-boarding.
American Airlines Boeing 757-200 Refurbished First Class Cabin
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7138/7682365714_72fb9ba90a_z.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7682365172_184bcdb963_z.jpg
Due to all that continuous non-stop flying I’ve been doing in the past 6 days, its finally started to catch up to me as I apparently warn my seat neighbor to the tell the FA to wake me up during the meal service and I also somehow took the pics.. Sadly I didn’t remember how I even got the chicken for dinner or even if I order the chicken?
AA 889 Dinner
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Appetizer
Shrimp Cocktail
Peeled Shrimp with lemon wedge and cocktail sauce
Salad
Green Salad with cherry tomato and mushroom accompanied with creamy vinaigrette
Main Course
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Soft Pasta shells with cheese stuffing on marinara sauce with grated parmesan cheese
Chicken with Sweet Potato
Baked Chicken accompanied with Sweet Potatoes and Green beans
Dessert
Pre-Made Sundae
Vanilla Ice Cream with icy peach puree and sweet granolas
Or Cheese Plate
Fine selection of cheese and seasonal fruit
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7682363868_d0e8365d69_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7682363224_5882c64219_z.jpg
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All least I remember to take photos of what I eat, without that wouldn’t know what happen on this flight since I was passed out pretty much and don’t have an account of what happen during that 4 hour flight.
There you have it, apparently too much flying can also cause memory loss and blacking out just like getting too drunk :eek:
At least we parked 10 mins ahead of schedule at LAX and back to the AC for another shower!
Next Part
Part 11 – Off to see my Private Line Agent, Omaha, Nebraska
Short hair Francis
Aug 2, 12, 5:57 am
Part 11 – Off to see my Private Line Agent, Omaha, Nebraska
Back to LAX, straight off to the club as usual for a nice, hot and relaxing shower, what would I do on consecutive day mileage runs without them. Follow by a couple drinks while looking out towards the jumbo parked along Tom Bradley terminal
Jan 7, 2012 – Saturday
AA 2404 LAX – DFW 1:05am – 5:55am (738/F)
AA 1020 DFW – OMA 8:40am – 10:20am (S80/F)
Around 11:30pm, the departure screen for 2404 suddenly changed to 2:45am from 1:05am, we were waiting for the First Officer from 2495 BDL-DFW-LAX, the equipment they had in DFW broke down so they needed a new plane to get them over to LAX to fly us back.
Got a couple photos at the emptied out LAX Admiral’s Club
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http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8427/7697322472_e6eea40011_z.jpg
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Talk about a bad turn of events, one I was still safe on my connection to Omaha. However if I miss it, I might as not bother flying there. Two was does Admiral’s club close due to flight delay, the answer is it depends, it depends on how many club customers is still there, each club has a quota and if its above that, they keep it open. Sadly, there weren’t enough people on my delayed flight, so got kicked out at 1am.
*12th flight, 19552 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 2404
Los Angeles to Dallas Ft. Worth
Scheduled - 1:05am – 5:55am, 2 hr 45 mins flight
Delayed Departure – 2:55am, awaiting crew on AA 2495 from Hartford/Dallas
Delayed Arrival – 7:56am
First Class, Seat 4E
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/144Y)
Don’t think I’ve ever seen as tired and deflated crowd at a gate area, the quietest one will ever hear since people just want to get to sleep. I guess LAX-DFW red-eye are a love/hate thing, they save u a night hotel, and some time but hell is it hard on the body and it’s my 2nd consecutive day on 2404.
Luckily I caught a lot of sleep on 889 so I wasn’t so bad, 2 hr 20 mins flying time to DFW and mostly asleep. Arrive into C36 and out to Omaha on C29, not too bad for a connection today.
*13th flight, 20135 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1020
Dallas Ft. Worth to Omaha
8:40am – 10:20am, 1 hr 40 min flight
First Class, Seat 3E
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – McDonnall Douglas MD 80
Boarding was on time at C29, no big issue again, sent a last-minute text message to my agent and off I go to Omaha, 1 hr 24 mins to OMA.
You’re in American Airlines territory, all others stay away :p
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Cloudy and gloomy in Omaha, at least its 45 degrees, in January, in god-freakin Omaha!!!
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My private line agent was there as promised, 6 hrs on the ground in Omaha.
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She took me to a breakfast place down at the Old Market, and it was my treat since she was showing me around
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After she took me infront of ConAgra food headquarter which didn’t leave a the best taste as I’m not sold on GM foods myself
Later she took me over to Council Bluffs, just so I can say I’ve been to the state of Iowa and the short one at that of 35 mins :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7697360240_117373fdd1_z.jpg
Skyline of Omaha taken from the Gambling Riverboats on the Missouri River
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She even had time to take Rosenblatt Stadium, former home of the NCAA Division 1 College Series
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7697361458_42bcf6b495_z.jpg
And finally for everyone waiting, this is probably where your Hyatt Private Line agent is picking up your call, in Ralston, Nebreska
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7697360908_4384660fb8_z.jpg
After that was some coffee and talk time with my agent then finally I got driven back to Omaha airport for another red-eye turn.
*I would love to thank my Private Line agent, Ms. N for showing me around Omaha and for being such a wonderful agent for the past year and a half :)
Next Part
Part 12 – Should I be grateful for this bed?
AA_EXP09
Aug 2, 12, 8:55 am
No line at the LAX premium lane as usual, this was around 10:15am, no nudies yet at premium security thankfully, hmm, hot college chick right in front of me too at the premium side. Did I hit the jackpot? :D Head over to the AC for about 40 mins and she’s still in front of me heading to the same place. What is going on?
Head down to gate 40 and she’s there at the gate, can’t be seated in first right?
Hell, she ends up getting 3F, dang it why didn’t I nab 3E instead of 3B
At least you didn't have to sit in Y!
It's not that HKG has no hot girls....
Short hair Francis
Aug 4, 12, 11:48 am
At least you didn't have to sit in Y!
It's not that HKG has no hot girls....
Better F than Y yes :D
I agree HKG has its fair share of hot girls, just not sure if the Mongkok type is right for me however :p
According to the WSJ, this is a big problem in HKG
http://live.wsj.com/video/why-hong-kong-women-may-never-find-a-husband/7FF675BB-3A6D-4358-B944-4523F0574BE8.html#!7FF675BB-3A6D-4358-B944-4523F0574BE8
or FT version, Speed Dating Flight Attendants :p
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hong-kong-macau/1345065-speed-dating-flight-attendants.html
Short hair Francis
Aug 4, 12, 11:52 am
Part 12 – Should I be grateful for this bed?
One final hug with my private line agent and off to security for 3rd consecutive night onboard a plane. No Nuddies at Omaha is a definitely plus. Flying to DFW then SFO on the night flight, to catch the red-eye back to Chicago then back to Buffalo to go home. Sounds easily enough :p
Jan 7, 2012 – Saturday
AA 1875 OMA – DFW 4:20pm – 6:20pm (S80/F)
AA 1575 DFW – SFO 9:20pm – 11:05pm (738/F)
AA 1522 SFO – ORD 11:55pm – 5:50am [+1/Jan 8] (738/F)
Jan 8, 2012 – Sunday
AA 4213 ORD – BUF 8:45am – 11:20am (ER4/Y)
Do any of you remember this from “Up in the Air”?
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American Airlines McDonnall Douglas MD 80
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*14th flight, 20718 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1875
Omaha to Dallas Ft. Worth
4:20pm – 6:20pm, 2 hr flight
First Class, Seat 3E
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – McDonnall Douglas MD 80
Back on my favorite Mad Dog once again, I don’t understand why people hate them?
Well yes, if you are in the last row where your view is blocked by the engine, its crap but up front it’s a great plane especially if equipped with Wifi.
Flying in the world of bliss
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Have a drink off for some sleep, this back to back LAX-DFW red-eyes are starting to catch up to my system.
Get to DFW ontime, thankfully, off to the B terminal club as that tends to be the quietest one of them all I found.
While waiting there, AA people complain boarding starts 45 mins prior
Try 1 hr 40 mins earlier
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7711057466_af16cbd927_z.jpg
Left the lounge around 8:20pm since I was worn out and dying for more sleep and the departure gate was A36, so I needed the skylink.
Leg Cancelled/Trip In Vain
American Airlines 1575
Dallas Ft. Worth to San Francisco
9:20pm – 11:05pm, 3 hr 45 min flight
First Class, Seat 5B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 “Sky Interior” (16F/144Y)
Boarding was a bit of a mess as expected with most SFO flight, luckily I did board early enough to get a photo of the Sky Interior Cabin
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7711055810_b7e1f6facb_z.jpg
The most time I flew the Sky Interior plane back in Nov 2011, my experiences were a bit of a joke, the video system completely crapped out so the FA had to do the old school safety demo like on a Mad Dog, audio didn’t worked and video didn’t work in the air. At least we did have gogo the last time.
Step forward 2 months, since I was completely dead after 2 consecutive nights flying LAX-DFW red-eyes, I passed out while on the ground. Eventually I woke up an hour later and ask my seatmate where we’re.
What do you mean we’re still in Dallas!!!
There goes my connection in San Francisco :(
After 1 hr has passed, the plane was declared out of service.
The good thing is they had another 738 10 gates over ready to go to SFO, bad thing is my trip is in vain since all the ORD-BUF are all sold out since everyone is heading back to school.
After talking to the lead agent and explaining my problem, he gave me a hotel due to the mechanical, a family of 5 as well got the hotel voucher as their trip was trip in vain. Rebooked on the first DFW-ORD in upgraded First 5:45am flight to make sure I can get back to original ORD-BUF flight.
Grateful for this bed, I don’t know?
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Got booked into the Wingate Inn, great its already midnight, I get 3 hr 45 mins in a bed before I have to wake up and go back to DFW, and I lost 2500 miles of actual flying tonight. ORC helps tho
Better drop the parents a call, I need a personalized wake-up call :p
Jan 8, 2012 – Sunday (Rebooked)
AA 2320 DFW – ORD 5:45am – 8:10am (S80/F)
AA 4213 ORD – BUF 8:45am – 11:20am (ER4/Y)
Back at DFW around 4:30am, no food but McDs for breakfast, oh well, I’ll hold out until I get on the plane.
2320 was leaving out of A17 this morning, I don’t know what DFW is doing to A9-A14 but hopefully the renovations will look nice since its all boarded up right now
*15th flight, 21520 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 2320
Dallas Ft. Worth to Chicago O’Hare
5:45am – 8:10am, 2 hr 15 min flight
First Class, Seat 3E
Food – Continental Breakfast
Equipment – McDonnall Douglas MD 80
On time departure and rolled towards 17R for takeoff, not much to remember else on this flight, other than having 2 rum and cokes at 6am which surprised the Texan lady next to me, continental breakfast was fine for a short flight
AA 2320 Continental Breakfast
To Start
Breakfast Bread
Raisin Bagel or Biscuit with strawberry jam, cream cheese or butter
Fruits
A wholesome banana along with a strawberry and blueberry sidedish
Yogurt
Non-Fat Strawberry Yogurt
Main Course
Cereal
Double K cereal with cold milk and raisin package on the side
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7711053324_bb311164cf_z.jpg
Could use cleaner cutlery however
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7711052274_f7990a138b_z.jpg
Arrived at 7:40am, a lot more time to go over to Eagle Concourse.
One more flight, time to sleep in my own bed for one night.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7711051620_d54e46ca72_z.jpg
*16th flight, 21992 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 4213
Chicago O’Hare to Buffalo
8:45am – 11:20am, 1 hr 35 min flight
Economy Class, Seat 12B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Embraer 145 Operated By American Eagle
Another Jungle Jet flight, sleep, another mini to my collection….
On time departure/arrival.
Back at Buffalo airport
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8142/7711049508_64af30068f_z.jpg
45 min wait, 1 hr ride on the Shuttle bus back to my house, home at 2pm, its been a month since I was last home.
1 night of sleep in my bed, 1 morning class then straight on the road, 3pm flight tomorrow.
I sound just about like a road warrior :D
Next Part
Part 13 – Who burns a Systemwide Upgrade on a mid-con flight, I do!
Short hair Francis
Aug 4, 12, 11:59 am
Part 13 – Who burns a Systemwide Upgrade on a mid-con flight, I do!
The Fourth Section of the trip reports covers Part 13 – 14 which are the Second set of Mileage Runs, Jan 9 - 11
(ROC-ORD-SFO-ORD-SFO-ORD-SFO-ORD-ROC)
Now why would if you have been keeping track, I just had a RTW this last month and 3 day non-stop Mileage Run that just ended the just previous day. Why would I be doing this?
First of all, I am in the progress of completing a group thesis with other members. I only had Monday, Thursday and Friday classes so if I want to, squeezing a mileage run the first Tuesday and Wednesday would most likely minimize any trouble that will be caused by my absences.
Second, I had the prospects where I’ll be moving to a very Mileage-Run inefficient place maybe because of cost after Jun 2012.
Third, I’m always one to do mileage runs in January/February so it is easier to find time to do them.
So, when AA back in Late October decided to drop the bombshell that they will be doing a Double Elite Miles Promo between LAX/SFO-ORD/DFW, this was my chance to get a majority of my EQMs out of the way so I wouldn’t have to worry about them later in the year.
With my prior 3 day mileage run I completed, I already got 27.6K EQM done 8 days into the year. And as the DEQAA promo on the network wide double elite miles promo came into effect between Dec, 2011 and Jan, 2012, it was a big reason to celebrate as my worries about qualifying for EXP were over.
This 3 day mileage run would put another 24.1K EQM into the bank and would put my 2012 EQM totals to 51.7K EQM by January 11th. Not too shabby in terms of number ;)
Jan 9, 2012 – Monday
AA 4346 ROC – ORD 3:10pm – 4:35pm (ER4/Y)
AA 1561 ORD – SFO 7:15pm – 9:55pm (738/F)
AA 1522 SFO – ORD 11:55pm – 5:50am [+1/Jan 8] (738/F)
Jan 10, 2012 – Tuesday
AA 1341 ORD – SFO 6:45am – 9:25am (738/F)
AA 556 SFO – ORD 10:35am – 4:55pm (738/F)
After getting a good 12 hours of sleep, I did completed 7 days of non-stop of flying travelling including no less than 2 back to back Red-Eyes on LAX-DFW.
Up by 4am, still kinda jetlagged from Tokyo but that’s isn’t too much trouble.
One call to the Private Line agent, at 8am eastern, 7 central.
One big meeting about the Group Thesis between 8 – 10:30am, my thesis group weren’t the happiest when I weren’t always around, thankfully Admiral’s Club printing helps our printing budget mightily!
Straight back to the border at 11:30am, this time I’m starting in Rochester?
Yes Rochester because the positioning to San Francisco was 75 bucks cheaper than Buffalo, 1 hr 15 mins of driving one way plus 2 dollar toll is worth it in my opinion.
After explaining I was going to San Francisco, to see friends at the border. Fellow Flyertalkers Mileage Running counts right ;)
I left the Rainbow Bridge crossing at the Falls around 11:45am and got to Rochester airport at 1:00-1:05pm. Covered the 83 miles of driving around 1 hr 10 mins or so can’t be bad, I did 90 on the thruway to make sure I had time for lunch.
What do I like flying out of Rochester, parking is 5.99 a day! And Free wifi to boot! Woohoo, that’s cheap compared to
Buffalo, 9.99 and no wifi
and Toronto, more than 15 a day but it does have free wifi.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7711338194_59b0725a4e_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7711337066_129ccf8fec_z.jpg
American Eagle Embraer 145, how many road warriors miss this plane :D
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7711335854_f34a641630_z.jpg
*17th flight, 22519 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 4346
Rochester, NY to Chicago O’Hare
3:10pm – 4:35pm, 2 hr 25 min flight
Economy Class, Seat 12B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Embraer 145 Operated By American Eagle
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7711334332_5324e7bf2a_z.jpg
Back on another Jungle Jet, but luckily got a poor mans First Class.
Seated in 12B with no seat partner, free drink and snack as EXP ^
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7711333332_59525763b3_z.jpg
Got into Chicago on-time, off for a shower and meet up with the all the Flyertalkers MRing tonight to San Fran.
What’s was the most used words the 1st two weeks into the SFO Mileage Runs, delAAys :(
This was no exception as our original assigned aircraft had diverted to ALB during a ORD-BOS-ORD, so our flight crew were all stranded and running late coming in from BOS. Luckily for our sake, we stole another 738 coming in from JFK so only a 45 min delay. Very fortunately in my opinion when I look back at it a couple months later.
Boarding started at 7:30pm since the flight attendants were ORD and to hence leaving, the plane was pre-boarded waiting for the pilots. I easily got my upgrade at T-107 while allensun and aussieflyer were in Y for this leg in MR.
*18th flight, 24361 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1561
Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco
Scheduled – 7:15pm – 9:55pm, 4 hr 35 min flight
Delayed Departure – 8:00pm
Original assigned A/C MX diverted to ALB/BOS, awaiting new aircraft from JFK, awaiting flight crew from BOS
Delayed Arrival – 10:40pm
First Class, Seat 6E
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7711332156_a1ea37d9de_z.jpg
In addition to adding delAAys into the FT dictionary, who doesn’t like the word of Ch. 11 bankruptcy. Sadly for me on this flight, we cut back so much that I had a broken headrest at 6E. I was wondering what to do, I definitely didn’t want to cause more delays since this was a 6 Leg mileage run and the last thing I or anyone would want is “This plane is out of service”
So I improvised with the FAs, we used the flight restraining tape to make sure the headrest can stay up.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7711331704_f708573f6d_z.jpg
My thesis group would’ve kill me if I wasn’t able to stay in touch, thanks GoGo!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8425/7711330248_e2fff8125e_z.jpg
AA 1561 Dinner
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Appetizer
Shrimp Cocktail
Peeled Shrimp with lemon wedge and cocktail sauce
Salad
Green Salad with articokes, cherry tomato and mushroom accompanied with creamy vinaigrette
Main Course
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Soft Pasta shells with cheese stuffing on marinara sauce with grated parmesan cheese
Herb Crested Chicken
Basil and Oregano crested baked chicken with alfredo sauce accompanied with Sweet Potatoes and Snow peas
Dessert
Pre-Made Sundae
Vanilla Ice Cream with icy peach puree and sweet granolas
Or Cheese Plate
Fine selection of cheese and seasonal fruit
You know once upon a time, I don’t mind eating chicken on AA, but that was until the selection was chicken or chicken or eating this meal below 7 times in a month?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/7711329152_fc3d78984b_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7711328116_519dd4cf65_z.jpg
On this flight, we would be awaiting Tom911, jetsetr, maize&blue, Legendary Poster to join myself, allensun and aussieflyer on the 1522 that night back to Chicago.
For some reason, I kept remembering I was seated in 5E on 1522, but that was refuted on FT since that was jetsetr’s seat. It gets bad when you don’t remember what seat you’re in since you’re flying too much
#Signs you travel too much
This sign would come back multiple times this month.
Some gogo, some work done, some sleep and that 4 hrs passes by rather quickly
Arrival into SFO was late as expected, 10:40pm but it was still good to ensure a good turn back to ORD, 20 mins for some drinks and meet-up in the SFO Admiral’s Club and back on the plane.
*19th flight, 26203 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1522
San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare
11:55pm – 5:50am(+1) [Jan 10], 3 hr 55 min flight
First Class, Seat 4E
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8141/7711327286_8b7ea96e5b_z.jpg
Since I was still not completely ridden of my Asian jetlag, had a cookie and a drink during the flight
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7122/7711326622_33559bb09d_z.jpg
Dead on time, 1 min late at the gate, 55 min turn in ORD so it means, everyone got a shower in the AC, toomanybooks joined us on this leg, most grabbed a coffee or water from the club then back down to K15 for flying back to SFO.
To go back to the title for this part, “Who burns a Systemwide Upgrade on a mid-con”, well I was worried about this flight since it was F1 or F2 two weeks out. Most days of the week, I wouldn’t worry about a 4 hr mid-con flight but this was 24(originally 25) flights in 11 days, and 7 days of non-stop flying so very serious if you ask me.
Either way, even though it doesn’t help my EVIP balance.
Burning for an A class on this leg was invaluable in the end since
1) the Upgrade List was 40 people with 27 EXPs,
and 2) everyone on this leg was either F, A, P or Z so no free upgrades were available.
So I was up front while every Flyertalkers was in coach this flight, kinda weird with not 1 sticker upgraded seat in First
*20th flight, 28045 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1341
Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco
6:45am – 9:25am, 4 hr 40 min flight
First Class, Seat 5A
Food – Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7711325820_c0cc581790_z.jpg
Doors shut on 6:38am, no more delAAys please
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7711325142_a2c765ca3b_z.jpg
AA 1341 Breakfast
Breakfast Bread
Raisin Bagel or Biscuit with strawberry jam, cream cheese or butter
Fruits
Side Fruit Plate consisting of Cantalope, Honeydew and Strawberry
Main Course
Egg Omelette
An Omelette with hash browns and chopped pepper and tomatoes served in a cheesy gravy sauce
Cereal
Quaker Oats served with 2 percent milk and a side cranberry and blueberry dish
Omelette because I need the protein but can we have some meats in our AA breakfast someday please
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7711324378_59eaf18b75_z.jpg
Part 13 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Aug 4, 12, 12:00 pm
Another average flight, caught some nap and the cabin crew was doing the same turn as us FTers so they are heading back on 556 back to Chicago too.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7711323494_fcb77a9c51_z.jpg
So I got them to announce the return flight too! ^
And to all the newcomers from United,
“We know Why You Fly, We’re American Airlines”
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7711322252_af9592e452_z.jpg
10 mins early into SFO, 1 hr 20 min turn today so more time in the SFO, we bid farewell to jetsetr and maize&blue, both SFO based and went back to work.
The rest of us, myself, allensun, aussieflyer, toomanybooks, and Legendary Poster kept at it, MORE FLYING!
*21st flight, 29887 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 556
San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare
10:35am – 4:55pm, 4 hr 20 min flight
First Class, Seat 3B
Food – Snack/Brunch
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8424/7711373656_614a471c55_z.jpg
Another on-time departure, not shabby considering this is SFO we’re talking about and the fog can always screw a schedule on a moment’s notice
American Airlines Boeing 737-800 Old First Class Cabin
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7711320608_3a6f6f8356_z.jpg
Got my favorite seat on the 738, 3B, FEBO permitting of course
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7711319828_4f28bd7d68_z.jpg
3 hr 25 mins of flying to ORD, K now I need to figure out how to write that ethics paper due in 3 weeks. Hope my prof likes my essays on the morals of flying only for the reason of earning miles
AA 1341 Snack/Brunch
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Sides
Pita chips with hummus is served with the Chicken Club Salad
A bag of Mrs Vickies Chips is served with the Cheeseburger
Main Course
Chicken Club Salad
Grilled Chicken on Mixed Greens served with sliced tomatoes, grated cheese and Creamy Cilantro dressing
Or Cheeseburger
Juicy beef patty burger served with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles with condiments of mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup.
Dessert
Freshly baked on board cookies (Chocolate Chip)
The cheeseburger was the snack I went with on this flight, I also had a FTer seated next to me, unfortunately I forgot to jog down his handle, he’s SMF based and is a doctor of some sort, so hopefully someone might be able to tell me. Sadly I wish I had his kind of mileage balance but I’m still a young-un so it will take time.
And with that, back to ORD again for another AA 1561 ORD-SFO , 1/2 turn today to go and 2 more legs tomorrow back to Rochester
According to the WSJ, this is a big problem in HKG
http://live.wsj.com/video/why-hong-kong-women-may-never-find-a-husband/7FF675BB-3A6D-4358-B944-4523F0574BE8.html#!7FF675BB-3A6D-4358-B944-4523F0574BE8
Something tells me that Miss RBS won't have a problem.
SFO-ORD-SFO-ORD etc... just like a marathon ping pong match. :D
Brings back memories of my own 1522/1341/556/1561 cycles later that month.
I also used an SWU when it looked tight.
bludnik
Aug 5, 12, 2:27 pm
Something tells me that Miss RBS won't have a problem.
i'll be moving to HK around newyears and I hope that there will be more educated girls with the looks of miss RBS there :rolleyes:
Short hair Francis
Aug 6, 12, 1:50 pm
Something tells me that Miss RBS won't have a problem.
You might be surprised when it comes to that one
SFO-ORD-SFO-ORD etc... just like a marathon ping pong match. :D
Brings back memories of my own 1522/1341/556/1561 cycles later that month.
I also used an SWU when it looked tight.
Keep on reading SFO777, i did some 1522/2099/1372/1561 to change things up, I mean how many times did I see that chicken in January ;)
i'll be moving to HK around newyears and I hope that there will be more educated girls with the looks of miss RBS there :rolleyes:
Central Monday - Friday should do the trick, you can also try sundays but that might not be the kind your looking for :D
Mongkok girls might be funner as well :p
Short hair Francis
Aug 6, 12, 1:56 pm
Part 14 – Luck, laughter, annoyance…
Still on the 2nd batch of my massive mileage runs and huge travels in January and February, now I’m not going to be doing 8 leg turns in 2 days like other SFO Mileage Runners have since I had a lot of previous travel within the last 10 days.
An overnight would do me some good anyway to recover for the week ahead.
Jan 10, 2012 – Tuesday
AA 1561 ORD – SFO 7:15pm – 9:55pm (738/F)
Jan 11, 2012 – Wednesday
AA 554 SFO – ORD 2:10pm – 8:30pm (738/F)
AA 3960 ORD – ROC 9:40pm – 0:20am(+1)[Jan 11] (ER4/Y)
Another shower at the ORD AC, I don’t even know how many showers I’ve done this year but its more than worth the 300 renewal price. And how was I on First Name basis with most of the ORD AAngels? Am I really that memorable or leave that good of an impression. WanderLuster joined us for this 1561 leg although she would turn back on 1522 that very night, Aussieflyer headed back to LAX that night and me, allensun and Legendary poster kept going at it on these runs.
For once, no stupid delays on this flight, finally!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7727347114_eac9d570c7_z.jpg
*22nd flight, 31729 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1561
Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco
7:15pm – 9:55pm, 4 hr 35 min flight
First Class, Seat 6B
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
Thanks AA for the garbage bag, as I did more MRs, I resorted to bringing a pillow and slippers my MRs for comfort
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8434/7727345636_d6a54dd522_z.jpg
And we also had a non-FTer that joined us on this flight, he was on our 1522 36 hrs ago that was going to Chicago for an AA interview, he sat in front of me in 5B.
Flight time of 3 hr 47 mins to SFO, no fog delays which was great.
Meal Options weren’t going to be different since I just flew this route yesterday, it was still the Stuffed Pasta Shells or Herb Crested Chicken.
I wanted a change-up too.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7727343790_452de68342_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7727341232_2d0345e291_z.jpg
As I found out, the crew on tonight 1561 weren’t doing a straight turn on the red-eye but am leaving on 554 tomorrow, so they will see me on the way back too. More on that later. Up front, we had a 12 years seniority FA as the #1 tonight, 12 years is as young as you find on AA unfortunately and he tells me he was very lucky to get this trip, usually its West Palm Beach or LaGuardia. And the curious me, what are the worst flights to do? No doubt, West Palm Beach or sometimes Vail!
I ended up uploaded some pics into my computer and got 2 more hours of sleep, 27 hrs of non-stop flying on mid-cons and jungle jets are starting to get to me.
Got in on-time at 9:45pm, joined the rest of the gang as well as Hyperacusis who was doing a JFK turn at the SFO Club for another hour, I only had a 2pm departure tomorrow so I had the time to sleep in
Around 10:30pm, I bid farewell to everybody and off to the Hyatt Regency SFO Airport.
Luckily I didn’t do another turn tonight, since next morning 6:45am ORD-SFO had a mechanical.
I guess this is my personal preference but I like looking out the window in the morning to hopefully see the sun or at this property, a view of SFO with planes going in/out. However, they really like to put their Diamonds members on the Club Level inside view for some reason.
And they were still selling outside room when I double checked later in the room, but they lied to me and said they sold out. :mad:
So you guess it, next morning, I went down to talk to the on-duty GM as well as a call to my private line agent. In my convo on the airport shuttle with my agent and the AS FAs around “Hi xxxxx, You know what, is there any way possible to note in my profile I don’t want inside view EVER!!! I don’t mind being naked in my room on my own time, but I can’t exactly do that with an inside room can I if people can see my junk publicly. And its not like they aren’t getting enough attention from the TSA currently as it is:mad:.” Let just say those FAs got a REAL GOOD laugh out of that.
Back to SFO Terminal 2, can I move in already, I’ve been here like 5 times in the last 48 hrs?
Photos of the San Francisco Admiral’s Club for good time sake!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7727509694_0a92c9950e_z.jpg
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Less Flyertalkers to meet today in the AC, met Hyperacusis and Milesbuilder who were headed back to DFW while myself, Plainsman +1 were headed back to ORD.
*23rd flight, 33571 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 554
San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare
2:10pm – 8:30pm, 4 hr 20 min flight
First Class, Seat 3E
Food – Snack/Brunch
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8422/7727623958_1f5f5abee1_z.jpg
Upgraded cleared T-100 which was nice, kinda rare with my SFO travels, got my 3E and had the same FA as expected from 1561 last night.
First thing into the cabin, the same #1 FA said, didn’t you forget something on the plane last night?
Wasn’t aware of anything, but apparently I left my camera to computer connector cable on the side of the seat and left it on the plane, thank god I caught the same flight back.
Boy was I lucky there, and here you go, have some of my AA applause certs
Another full SFO flight which was the pattern for Early January, we did luckily got the door closed rather early, 3 hr 17 mins to ORD.
AA 554 Snack/Brunch
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Sides
Pita chips with hummus is served with the Chicken Club Salad
A bag of Mrs Vickies Chips is served with the Cheeseburger
Main Course
Chicken Fajita Salad
Grilled Chicken on Mixed Greens served with sliced tomatoes, grated cheese, black olives, tortilla chips on Creamy Cilantro dressing
Or Cheeseburger
Juicy beef patty burger served with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles with condiments of mustard, mayonnaise and ketchup.
Dessert
Freshly baked on board cookies (Chocolate Chip)
Decided to change it up and went for the healthier option for Chicken Fajita Salad. I wonder what would be worse? Eating a super amount of McDs or continuous flying while only eating the AA burger :p
Try to catch up on some of the thesis and other essay work on this flight, a shower at the ORD club as usual, some printing in the AC, that was very helpful for my thesis group so thank you American Airlines.
*24th flight, 34098 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 3960
Chicago O’Hare to Rochester, NY
9:40pm – 0:20am(+1)[Jan 12], 1 hr 40 min flight
Economy Class, Seat 12B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Embraer 145 Operated By American Eagle
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7727621154_f6f5794903_z.jpg
No delays on the Eagle flight luckily. Tarmac is usually smooth at that hour, takeoff at 32L like most departures. Got seated next to a man ROC based that had to go to Fargo on a business trip, we were all noting the abnormal weather in Upstate NY, a severe lack of snow!. Caught some sleep and grabbed a can of dp from the FA for the drive home.
Landed at 0:15am, into my car by 0:25am and with absolutely no traffic got back to my house in 1 hr 25 mins from Rochester airport, 100 mile away.
Home at 1:50am and I have a lecture at 8am to 11am, I’m truly back in school!
No pain No Gain, 51K EQM down in 11 days for the quest to Executive Platinum
7 days at home and back on the road again, woohoo, what a wonderful month!
And my thesis group can’t complain either, who in College doesn’t like some Alcoholic fun
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7727619612_e0d945884f_z.jpg
Next Part
Part 15 – You’re going to Dallas for a leisure purpose???
Short hair Francis
Aug 7, 12, 8:35 am
Part 15 – You’re going to Dallas for a leisure purpose???
The Fifth Section of the trip reports covers Part 15 – 17, Chasing the Whalejet, Jan 19 – 22 (YYZ-DFW-FRA-BUD-FRA-JFK/LGA-YYZ)
Back in September, with the heads-up from SFO777 and globalhappytraveller, SQ were planning to change their SIN-FRA-JFK from 744 to 388, I snagged a reward seat for January 22 since that was a Sunday morning in estimating for the change. I ended up using the outbound in Nov on OS J to MUC to see a buddy playing hockey in Innsbruck, Austria. At around the same time, AA had a BUD-North America sale from 480 to 600 bucks return.
Here was the plan, nest the award ticket as this 1st and 4th leg and use the revenue ticket as the 2th and 3rd legs, one I get some more AA miles before the MM rule change on Dec 2011, and I get some EQM in January to start the year.
Nov (outbound) – YYZ-VIE-MUC(stop)-BUD(destination) on OS/LH J
Nov (inbound) – BUD-JFK-DFW-YYZ on AA J
Jan (outbound) – YYZ-JFK-BUD on AA J
Jan (inbound) – BUD-FRA-JFK on LH/SQ J, LGA-YYZ AC J
As expected in October, SQ had changed their SQ 25/26 to an Airbus 380 which was great since those aren’t the easiest seat to redeem on.
Then things started went south, JFK-BUD got discontinued due to seasonal traffic and later not reinstated with the demise of Malev in Feb.
Now what was I going to do, the BUD-FRA I had booked was leaving 7:05pm on Saturday. How am I going to reroute to BUD to give me enough time on the ground? BA LHR-BUD flight doesn’t get in til 5pm and MA CDG-BUD flight until 1pm.
Luckily someone found the DFW-FRA-BUD on the FT thread so I rebooked on that since I get in around 11:20am.
There is of course another problem? AA doesn’t fly to FRA other than DFW and that leaves at 3:20pm, YYZ-DFW are at 6am, 3:15pm, or 6:20pm.
So in my case, I had to take an off date on Friday regardless, so I either fly on the thurs night 6:20pm and get a nice rest and tours a new city or Friday morning 6am, sit in DFW the whole day and have to wake up at 3am to drive out to Pearson .
Step forward a week from the last section, its Thursday morning again, so 8-11am lecture, another group meeting from 11-2, with the thesis group, group gave me a list of things to print out in the AC. Some BBQ pork rice in Mississauga for late lunch and off to Pearson for another week.
Jan 19, 2012 – Thursday
AA 1601 YYZ – DFW 6:20pm – 9:00pm (738/F)
Got welcomed just like usual from my wonderful group of YYZ AAngels, its nice to have this retreat here. The AAngels did found it kind of odd for me to be there then, I actually have never the 6pm batch of flight ex-YYZ, outside of 2 YYZ-LAX flight I did 3 years ago. My pattern were always 6am or 3pm ex-YYZ.
*25th flight, 35295 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1601
Toronto to Dallas Ft. Worth
6:20pm – 9:00pm, 3 hr 40 min flight
First Class, Seat 5B
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/144Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7732886978_8689a4a832_z.jpg
As a younger FTer, it’s a nice delight to see females around my age up front, a nice of change of pace anyway. This flight however was far from it. If your dating crowd is 30-50 y.o, male, a suit and always flying away on Business trip, this flight is for you.
There was not a single one 12 – 30 y.o person on this flight, male or female.
Seriously what did I expect, it’s a Thursday flight afterall. And hell, 8 people in F greeted each other like they worked in the same company.
And I also got the deathly stare from the Suits for being up front, one I actually used a Systemwide Upgrade for, in conjunction with the DFW-FRA. This really was a case where I would’ve been better off if I taped my EXP card to my forehead. :(
AA 1601 Dinner
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Appetizer
Shrimp Cocktail
Jumbo sized Peeled Shrimp with lemon wedge and cocktail sauce
Salad
Caesar Salad with a grated cheese and slice of tomato
Main Course
Penne Marinara
Whole Wheat Penne served on Marinara Sauce and cheese
Herb Crested Chicken
Basil crested baked chicken with creamy onion sauce accompanied with cheese Spanish rice and edamame beans
Dessert
Pre-Made Sundae
Caramel glazed Vanilla Ice Cream with raspberry cheesecake bits and berry puree
Or Cheese Plate
Fine selection of cheese and seasonal fruit
Other AA FAs always comment on the quality of Canadian catered food, I never found a difference prior to today.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7732889024_5a2b95c96b_z.jpg
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The seat power for my seat didn’t work but luckily the suit next to me wasn’t going to use his, hmm, I met a nice suit!
Landed at 8:45pm and parked into Gate D40.
Now I love Texas for its Barbeque, what I don’t like are Hertz pricing at DFW.
Needed a car between 9:30pm to 2:30pm the next day, and when you’re in Dallas, you literally have no legs without a car.
That being said, its just me on a mini-vac, I want a convertible especially if daytime temps tomorrow is 78 degrees in mid-january.
This is Hertz thinking, Texans love big cars
Ford Escape – 51 Dollars, Cadillac Escalade – 60 Dollars, Chevy Malibu – 85 dollars, Toyota Camry – 90 Dollars.
Holy crap, you really know you’re in Texas when renting an Escalade is cheaper than a Camry, yikes!!!
Ended up booking the Escape and 15 buck upgrade to the Eclipse
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7732933014_18629326aa_z.jpg
Booked myself an overnight at the Hyatt Place Grand Prairie, nothing to comment about really except for this photo.
What’s wrong with the above photo?
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8430/7732931680_63ec428603_z.jpg
The shower and the divider glass are both on the same side, great. :mad:
However, in order to enter/get out of the shower, the only way is to squeeze by the toilet!
I don’t know who’s stupid enough to design the shower this way but Hyatt hired horrible contractors for this hotel.
Luckily I’m not a senior person, a slip because of the hotel’s design and Hyatt might just have a lawsuit on their hands.
Skyline of Dallas
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7732934578_62cc6332a7_z.jpg
Ended up visiting the Texas book depository while in Dallas and later some shopping, I need replacement cushions for my QC 15s
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For the remainder of the afternoon, I went to the American Airlines museum
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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/7732985002_c4696c2b82_z.jpg
Who remembers these from the SlAAveship
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8427/7732986074_3854bcbb51_z.jpg
How many airport codes can you recognize on this flipboard?
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8289/7732987642_5a2f463121_z.jpg
And What’s a visit to the C.R Smith museum without going in the DC 3
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7732988666_44c4f4db63_z.jpg
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Seems like the legroom in coach was better in the 40’s than today
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7733036820_31e6dce4e3_z.jpg
Oh boy, I’m running late, its already 1:40pm
Frankfurt flight is 3:20pm, need to go return my car to Hertz.
Time to go to Europe, “We know why you fly, We’re American Airlines”
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8293/7733033242_6afde18434_z.jpg
Next Part
Part 16 – What else can go wrong?
SFO777
Aug 7, 12, 12:59 pm
Never knew there was an AA museum. Is it near DFW?
That would be cool to see. :cool:
FriendlySkies
Aug 7, 12, 1:03 pm
Never knew there was an AA museum. Is it near DFW?
That would be cool to see. :cool:
http://www.crsmithmuseum.org/home.aspx
About ten~ from DFW. Connected to the FA/Pilot training center.
wolf539
Aug 7, 12, 11:10 pm
This really was a case where I would’ve been better off if I taped my EXP card to my forehead.
I would go with a heavy gold necklace and have the EXP card/medallion encrusted in diamonds. Add a bit of bling...!
Short hair Francis
Aug 8, 12, 10:42 am
Never knew there was an AA museum. Is it near DFW?
That would be cool to see. :cool:
http://www.crsmithmuseum.org/home.aspx
About ten~ from DFW. Connected to the FA/Pilot training center.
Yep, that's the one FriendlySkies pointed out,
its like 5 mins max away from the DFW Rental Car Center.
Basically head south on Int'l Parkway away from the terminals, and follow right and go towards TX-360/Amon Carter Blvd, and its like the 1st exit on the right after you go through an S-type interchange.
Its a neat little museum you can spend an hour, its more for us AA geeks, although they have some nice keychains and license plate frames for sell there too.
I bought 2 Keychains and 1 frame last time I was there.
1 Keychain and frame of "I rather be flying" :D :D
and 1 extra keychain of "I love flying" :)
I have to admit I like having a "I rather be Flying" frame on my college car
I would go with a heavy gold necklace and have the EXP card/medallion encrusted in diamonds. Add a bit of bling...!
Medallion? D'Oh, since when did I switched to flying Duh-ta :mad:
Heavy gold necklace and diamonds, hmm.....
Are you trying to convert Short hair Francis to rapper Francis? ;)
In that case, I need saggier pants, basketball or skater shoes, and some bling! :eek:
That way, I CAN REPRESENT! :D
I have to say, I've written at a much quicker pace than I have ever before
16 parts here, 6 parts on the UA "4 Mile" F, and 1 CX F JFK-YVR,
Total - 23 Parts in 28 days
Hopefully I can keep this up ^
Short hair Francis
Aug 8, 12, 10:47 am
Part 16 – What else can go wrong?
Sorry for the lack of photos in this section, as you will found out later in this part, I screwed up fantastically
Jan 20, 2012 – Friday
AA 70 DFW – FRA 3:20pm – 8:05am (+1)[Jan 21] (763/J)
Jan 21, 2012 - Saturday
MA 521/AA 8116 FRA – BUD 9:45am – 11:20am (738/Y)
LH 1341 BUD – FRA 7:05pm – 8:15pm (319/J)
After rushing back to DFW, I got back around 2:20am and had a bucktooth 60+ TSA giving the usual massages. I swear my goodies haven’t felt the same since that patdown. Literally got karate chop up there :(
Had to go back to the Admiral’s Club to ticket some of my held reservations, and make some print offs for my thesis group.
Guess I kept a real bad track of time, since I got a call on my cellphone, the GAs were waiting for me to board to close the door.
Oh no, run down to gate D25 downstairs for AA 70
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7740207966_3885741d52_z.jpg
*26th flight, 40425 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 70
Dallas Ft. Worth to Frankfurt, Germany
3:20pm – 8:05am(+1) [Jan 21], 9 hr 45 min flight
Business Class, Seat 3H
Food – Dinner, Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 767-300
Door closed 14 mins ahead of schedule. You guess it, I left my camera battery and charger at the work desk but I did have my camera and the memory card. Well a digital camera isn’t of much camera without a battery. :( :( :(
9 Hours flying time to FRA, get in the air in quick time. I asked the FA to hold back a tikka masala for me as I wanted to sleep first.
Got about 3 hrs of sleep right of the bat, I was tired from the DFW day trip.
AA 70 Dinner
To Start
Warm Mixed Nuts
or
Marinated Cheese Antipasto
Appetizer
Smoked Salmon and Herb Marinated Shrimp
Salad
Fresh Seasonal Greens and and an assortment of fresh vegetables offered with sour cream and herb dressing or premium extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Bread Basket
Assorted gourmet breads
[b]Main Course
Beef Fillet with Foyot Sauce
Chooza Tikka Masala
Seared Tilapia with Herb Sauce
Stuffed Shells Pomodoro
Dessert
Ice Cream Sundae
or
Fruit and Cheese
After the meal service was my frantic search of all my luggage, of course they weren’t there and sadly I was up for the entire overnight and body clock was a horrible mess yet again.
AA 70 Breakfast
Select from
Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Skillet
Fried corn tortillas topped with scrambled eggs with cream cheese, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese and tortilla strips
or
Yogurt
or
Cereal
Went with the omelette and ended up getting 1/2 hour of sleep just prior to arrival.
Had an early Arrival into FRA, half an hour, and of course landed at that faraway FRA runway so took some time taxiing to the FRA T2.
Apparently I met a FTer couple who were doing a FRA run this weekend, sorry I forgot your handle.
Took the train back to FRA T1 to clear Schengen, and off to my hotwired hotel, the FRA Sheraton which was perfect for this trip.
I even packed a small backpack I was going to use during the day trip to BUD, while dropping everything else at my hotel room.
Transfer the necessity and off I go.
Took some hard finding to locate the MA counters, I had originally 3B, but the business/economy curtain got shifted so I got bumped out. Luckily I score the exit row which was fine for the leg.
Get passed security and into the IB lounge, you guess it, I had another brain fart.
I forgot to transfer my Euros and Hungarian Forint into my wallet from my travel folder.
So great, I have 20 dollars Canadian in my wallet for my 8 hours in Budapest.
Boards MA flight, free-for-all boarding on Euro flights prevalent here
*27th flight, 40943 Miles flown this year
Malev Hungarian Airlines 521
Frankfurt, Germany to Budapest
9:45am – 11:25am, 9 hr 40 min flight
Economy Class, Seat 9C
Food – Snack
Equipment – Boeing 737-600
Have a small 736 parked way out in the boonies requiring the usual FRA buses.
Have a couple seated next to me but no matter, I simply passed out after asking the FAs if I could open the exit row.
The FA left me a sandwich and a small water on my tray table which was nice.
Another on time arrival, weirdly BUD is not really configure that well so deplaning in my both times there were via stairs and a bus ride.
Try to go back upstairs to departure to find a LH agent to check-in for my return. Sadly none were found until a LH contracted agent was found working on the MUC flight, they promised to help me after their flights.
They couldn’t quite do it but the agents got me a back-way to leave the secured area and back out to the check-in counters.
Took close to an hour to figure out what happen as the US airways ticket was having some problems with the LH system.
Eventually they told me to go look for the camera battery at digidog 1 bus stop away.
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*Taken From my previous trip to BUD
Getting off the bus stop, and walking across the street, had to jump across a ditch, to get to digidog, you guess it, I partly fell into the ditch.
Was wearing my leather gloves so only the gloves got muddied up, sadly Digidog did have some camera battery but not the one I needed.
As I only had a small amount of money, I headed back to airport, where they finally got my boarding pass issued. In the end, I simply gave up and went back airside into the contract lounge and manage to sleep for 3 hrs in there.
This trip couldn’t end soon enough with all the bad luck I had within 24 hours.
*28th flight, 41461 Miles flown this year
Deutsche Lufthansa 1341
Budapest to Frankfurt, Germany
7:05pm – 8:55pm, 1 hr 50 min flight
Business Class, Seat 2C
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Airbus 319-100
Boarding started at T-30, ended up me in 2C and another person in 3D and that was it for Business Class, empty flight on a sat night. A hot Hungarian girl walks back towards coach, oh well I’m way too tired to care for girls right now, I want to be back in my hotel room, stat.
1 hr 20 min flight and back to rainy Frankfurt.
What am I going to with SQ 388 J tomorrow when I have a non-working camera, this weekend has sucks big time :mad:
Next Part
Part 17 – As good as advertised, Singapore Airbus 380 Business Class FRA-JFK
ok2uselane
Aug 8, 12, 1:31 pm
What am I going to with SQ 388 J tomorrow when I have a non-working camera, this weekend has sucks big time :mad:
Ugh!
Reminds me of the time I was in the Galapagos with my mother... She fell into the surf getting back into the zodiac boat. Yep, she had the camera in her hand... So, no pics from that trip!
:(
CMK10
Aug 8, 12, 3:43 pm
Sorry to hear about the camera situation :( Luckily, your writing style makes up for lack of photos.
I went to Europe last year and only brought 4 extra AAs and they were some crappy brand. They ran out halfway through my flight home (CDG-IAD in J) and I missed some meal pics and cabin pictures. I felt really stupid myself :(
Short hair Francis
Aug 9, 12, 9:50 am
Ugh!
Reminds me of the time I was in the Galapagos with my mother... She fell into the surf getting back into the zodiac boat. Yep, she had the camera in her hand... So, no pics from that trip!
:(
Sorry to hear about the camera situation :( Luckily, your writing style makes up for lack of photos.
I went to Europe last year and only brought 4 extra AAs and they were some crappy brand. They ran out halfway through my flight home (CDG-IAD in J) and I missed some meal pics and cabin pictures. I felt really stupid myself :(
Keep on reading you two ^
Thanks CMK10, pretty sure there is only one person who's writing style can completely make up for the lack of photos, and that is Eightblack
That being said, I do feel I have markedly improved in the last 2-3 yrs
Short hair Francis
Aug 9, 12, 9:56 am
Part 17 – As good as advertised, Singapore Airbus 380 Business Class FRA-JFK
Get off the previous LH 1341, around A29, began the long walk back to the FRA Sheraton, what a crappy day this has been.
Might as well give those FRA airport shops a try, it can’t hurt. Seeing I have a SQ 388 J leg coming up tomorrow which I don’t know if I’ve ever fly on again, simply have to try regardless.
Luckily I did get a find a battery itself at the shop outside security between FRA A-B and the charger at FRA C, it was a big blessing but at a heavy price, bye bye 100 Euros :(
Hmm, that Hungarian girl was also at that FRA C Electronic shop again. Why can’t you be around on a different day, I’m dead tired and have a flight of my life tomorrow.
Time to some Zzz…. After one crap of a day…
Jan 22, 2012 – Sunday
SQ 26 FRA – JFK 8:15am – 11:10am (388/J)
AC 721 JFK – YYZ 5:30pm – 7:15pm (320/J)
Woke up around 4am, 6 hrs of sleep isn’t bad, this time I made sure I packed all my supplies including a lot of electronics.
Oh ya, why did I stupidly checked out so quick, now I’m waiting to check-in for my SQ 380 flight. Cue the curiosity, Counter opens at 5:15am
Wonder when will I ever get that Suites Class?
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7132/7740267328_9a52bf5ed3_z.jpg
First one to check-in then straight off to the Lufthansa B42 Non-Schengen Business Class Lounge to store my items.
Some breakfast goodies then head off to do my VAT refunds for the new camera charger and battery.
Pretty sure I enter/exited the Schengen about 5-6 times in an hour if I ever had to find out my immigration records. Essentially, a good hour was done going through various end-around. Go to the VAT office at baggage claim, go to this VAT office at check in counter, go to this office outside Schengen, go back to your original store to get your money, go to this counter, I need to see your item before approving your returns.
What a wasted 1 hr that was for 10 Euros :mad:
All set and done, finally finish at 7:10am, 1 hr prior to SQ 26.
Not going to put up pics of the LH B42 Lounge, sure many have been in there.
Singapore Airlines Airbus 380-800
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*29th flight, 45307 Miles flown this year
Singapore Airlines 26
Frankfurt, Germany to New York Kennedy
8:15am – 11:10am, 8 hr 55 min flight
Business Class, Seat 12A
Food – Breakfast, Lunch
Equipment – Airbus 380-800 (12R/60J/399Y)
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Back at the SQ check-in earlier, I asked if SQ rips the bp or lets you keep the entire section. Unfortunately, they rip. The check-in girl was a sweetie so I just went back to the gate counter later. Sorry I can’t find my bp. Me and my exotic boarding pass collection, just don’t try this in Mainland China :D
Of all the days I would be at my Premium Gate Lice day, it would be this one ^
Suites got their escorts in short order and I was #1 into the Business Class.
Time to flash away :)
Singapore Airlines Airbus 380-800 Front Business Class Cabin
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Singapore Airlines Airbus 380-800 Business Class Seat
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Went with the just water for PDB, decided to hold off the booze until later in the morning.
Did various testings with the J seat, legrest doesn’t come up full during recline mode as others have said. Did the bed test, I definitely agree it is a bit bumpy/uneven surface to sleep on with the head cutoff in a weird position. Seat is super wide, enough to seat 2 people if 1 wishes to spend some time with a GF/SO. Cosmetic mirror for the ladies is genius. I like the powerport/USB port set up, went perfect with the space they have for your phones/ipod/blackberry. I found the drink holder, one on your seat and one in front of you is a bit misplaced and out of sync. Side bins on the 380 are fantastic. The space in front of your seat is very generous, more than enough for a big computer bag, plus a purse for our FT ladies.
Pushback was on time with the upper jetbridge first to leave.
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A taxi out to runway 18 took about 30 mins due to heavy traffic but after a couple of short haul LH planes left, we were in the air towards JFK around 8:50am.
If it was anything SQ is rather weak on, it’s the amenity kit or the lack of it.
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I’m pretty sure I gave it to someone in school who was travelling in Spring Break.
8 Hours 24 mins to New York Kennedy today
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*I’m very sorry that I have mis-placed this flight’s menu, I’m pretty sure they are in my boxes which are stored elsewhere so I will not have access to them in the near future.
I do however still have the food description in the meanwhile since they were in my fb photos.
Coke Zero and Water to start off, I didn’t quite drink as much on this flight
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Must have a Singapore Sling when flying on SQ
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Main Course #1, Braised Egg Noodles with Beef, Mushroom and Chinese Greens
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I really like the SQ service, crew seems to be more confident than my January CX flight, food seems to be of higher quality and main course is not pre-plated. On other hand, why didn’t I BTC the lobster or something else?
Either way, it’s the same as usual programming, I need double main course
Main Course #2, Tomato-Cheese Souffle served with bacon, spinach, and roasted potatoes
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Dessert, Panna Cotta, Cream Timbale with fruit
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A little surprised to see dessert on a breakfast flight, meal finished rather quickly and I was off to take a couple photos on the airplane
Stairs to the Holy Grail
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If you were in HKG, this lavatory might qualify as a room
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I asked one of the J FAs to show me this Airbus 380-800, so I was led downstairs and saw Y, seems like Y was a never ending dungeon on this flight
Y loads I would say was about 70% this flight, J loads were maybe 25%, if SQ ever swaps out the 388 off SQ 25/26, I would certainly understand why.
I got about a 1 hr of sleep in the Business Class seat.
And about 1 hr 30 out, the second meal started. I think this is the best 2nd TATL westbound meal I have had. No one serves better food on that 2nd meal especially these shorter TATLs.
My favorite Garlic Bread
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Part 17 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Aug 9, 12, 9:58 am
The champagne and water were not cooperating
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Salad, Caesar Salad with marinated Shrimps and asparagus
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Main Course, Stir Fried Chicken with ginger and spring onion, selected vegetables and fragrant rice
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You’ve done it SQ, tasty Asian yet not super greasy food^
Dessert, Opera Cake with Coffee Sauce
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Almost at New York
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We landed into Snowy JFK around 11:05am, I did take a photos of the SQ Suites as allowed by the FAs,
Wonder when will I get to sit on you?
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One Last Look at the “Whale-Jet”
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No lines at the T4 and CBP was a snap, where is that FT tag from, turns out I caught the organizer of the SIN DO, bschaff1
I stayed to chat a bit but he was unfortunately directed by UA to go from JFK>EWR, ouch.
Hence I went off to the Airtrain > Jamaica Center > E train > Roosevelt Ave > Q33, that took a solid 1 hr 15 min away.
Nothing much to discuss about the AC operation at LGA, the COdbaUA lounge outside A is more like the size of a shoe closet vs. a real lounge.
New York LaGuardia United Airline Concourse A Club.
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God, if I thought concourse C and D where AA and Eagle fly out of is a dump.
This lounge would be the equivalent of an alleyway on Vancouver downtown eastside with syringes sticking out of walls with wild running rats on the asphalt.
Probably sat more than 2.5 hrs here doing some work and other what nots while I was there and Ending up leaving the lounge around 4:40pm for the gate
The entire gate area was absolutely packed to the gill as was the plane. Canadians mostly fill this plane, its hard not to pull out Ontarians in people’s speeches, the eh also helps ;)
*39th flight, 45663 Miles flown this year
Air Canada 721
New York LaGuardia to Toronto Pearson
5:30pm – 7:15pm, 1 hr 45 min flight
Business Class, Seat 2C
Food – Snack
Equipment – Airbus 320-200
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Nowhere else to stand but the front of the line, boarding at T-30 and it took forever.
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Had a suit seated next to me on this short 1 hr 5 min flight up to Toronto, completely ignored anything on this flight, English/French, drink service.
Rolling the drink cart down the aisle for 14J, is unacceptable.
Thankfully the inflight map worked
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/7740638614_dc6e8b3362_z.jpg
Snack, Chicken Skewers with chopped vegetables
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Landed on time into YYZ, wasn’t bad considering labor turmoil is never too far away on a AC flight, back at 9pm into Niagara and I still have a night meeting to go to, GREAT!
One crappy weekend where everything went wrong, left money in the hotel room, left camera charger at the DFW Admiral’s Club, fell in a ditch in Budapest, time to get back to school mode for one real hectic week, then off to another 7 day Mileage Run next Monday including my 1 Million Miler flight ^
Next Part
Part 18 – Sales, Black Outs, and the Pot Kettle Black?
jfkeze
Aug 9, 12, 10:06 am
Dessert for Breakfast? hehe :D
also I think it's the Q33 and Q47 from Roosevelt... M60 goes into Manhattan close to 125th Street...
SFO777
Aug 9, 12, 10:22 am
OK, if I must fly J, SQ is place to be. Maybe I'll just tell Mrs. SFO that its all Y downstairs. :D
Great pics. That 100 euros was well worth it. ;)
Some breakfast goodies then head off to do my VAT refunds for the new camera charger and battery.
Pretty sure I enter/exited the Schengen about 5-6 times in an hour if I ever had to find out my immigration records. Essentially, a good hour was done going through various end-around. Go to the VAT office at baggage claim, go to this VAT office at check in counter, go to this office outside Schengen, go back to your original store to get your money, go to this counter, I need to see your item before approving your returns. What a wasted 1 hr that was for 10 Euros :mad:
I've had the same miserable experience dealing with these bureaucratic yahoos. I've left 100s of euros unclaimed since its such a PIA. The only sure fire pleasant way is to fly LH/LX and use the FCT at FRA where the VAT agent will make "house calls" to the FCT. ^
Short hair Francis
Aug 10, 12, 11:45 am
Dessert for Breakfast? hehe :D
also I think it's the Q33 and Q47 from Roosevelt... M60 goes into Manhattan close to 125th Street...
Dessert for Breakfast, as McDonalds would put, "I'm Loving it" :p
My bad for screwing up the routes, I just know when and where to get off, walk upstairs to street level and get on that exact bus
OK, if I must fly J, SQ is place to be. Maybe I'll just tell Mrs. SFO that its all Y downstairs. :D
Great pics. That 100 euros was well worth it. ;)
I've had the same miserable experience dealing with these bureaucratic yahoos. I've left 100s of euros unclaimed since its such a PIA. The only sure fire pleasant way is to fly LH/LX and use the FCT at FRA where the VAT agent will make "house calls" to the FCT. ^
Is it even possible to sell SQ J to Mrs. SFO :D
Won't she be a Suites madame or nothing ;)
100 Euros still hurts at the end of the day, but SQ J on miles is rather rare short of "SQ Flood-Gate"
Unfortunately, a painful lesson not to push my times so tight. :(
The VAT return was a gong show, and a horrible experience, but I did 10 Euros back.
At this point of life, I can't exactly overlook 100s of euros :D
Short hair Francis
Aug 10, 12, 11:49 am
Part 18 – Sales, Black Outs, and the Pot Kettle Black?
The Sixth Section of the trip reports covers Part 18 – 19 which are the third set of Mileage Runs, Jan 30 – Feb 1 (BUF-ORD-SFO-DFW-AUS-DFW-SFO-ORD-BUF)
Continuing to add up my EXP math, 51.7K EQM from Jan 1 – 11, plus another half of BUD flight on Jan 19 would put me at 65.K by Jan 22. However, if I really wanted to narrow the gap some more, Jan 30 – 31 would’ve been my last chance at TEQM as I couldn’t fly between Jan 23 -30 due to school matters.
Then AA drops the fare on SFO-AUS to 89ow at Dec 24, that’s good, 1 day time trip to AUS, double red-eyes (SFO-DFW) there and (SFO-ORD) back and that will add another 24000+ EQM pushing me into 89.2K EQM for the year. I can easily find 10K in Feb to get everything done.
Jan 30, 2012 - Monday
AA 4247 BUF – ORD 4:55pm – 6:05pm (ER4/Y)
AA 1561 ORD – SFO 7:15pm – 9:55pm (738/F)
Jan 31, 2012 - Tuesday
AA 2042 SFO – DFW 0:25am – 5:35am (738/F)
AA 1109 DFW – AUS 7:55am – 8:50am (S80/F)
A critical presentation on Monday morning, up by 5:30am, 2 1/2 hrs of prep, presentation at 9am
When will I be in the “World of Bliss” as George Clooney put it. :D
I couldn’t have been happier to have that presentation out of the way.
Sadly my real presentation wasn't until I was at the Rainbow Bridge border, the CBP was not buying a day trip in AUS, with 8 leg MRs within 36 hours.
Thankfully I had both the AA double miles print-out, the SFO-ORD promo code printed out, the rental car in AUS, the timing, the cost and the excuse, needed miles for my graduation.
Otherwise I could have easily joined Omar Khadr as the next Canadian in Guantanamo. :mad:
Let just say after this, I can easily sell any MR to anyone after getting shaken down for 45 mins at the border, and my car thoroughly searched East German style.
Another lunch time at the Walden Galleria and drove over to BUF around 90 mins out.
Departure Screen was completely dead for this flight with some flurries in/out of ORD, come on, lets get this trip started already.
*40th flight, 46135 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 4247
Buffalo to Chicago O’Hare
4:55pm – 6:05pm, 2 hr 10 min flight
Economy Class, Seat 12B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Embraer 145 Operated By American Eagle
Other than another mini to add to my collection, has some sleep on another jungle jet, on time arrival getting into ORD. Another meet-up in the ORD H/K Admiral’s Club, trust me all MRers left a big impression for all the AAngels at ORD in January.
Another shower, got changed into my Burgundy Red Shirt, shorts and flip flops, I am ready for 70+ degrees in AUS tomorrow.
When just before heading down to gate H10, you’ve guessed it.
From Wiz Khalifa’s lyric
“You know what it is” It wasn’t Black and Yellow ;)
Its SFO, what did you expect, of course its FOG. :D
We did managed to get aussieflyer who was booked on 1521 swapped over to 1561 for safety measures. 1521 was delayed until 8:45pm.
*41st flight, 47977 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1561
Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco
Scheduled – 7:15pm – 9:55pm, 4 hr 35 min flight
Delayed Departure – 8:30pm, SFO ATC Flow Control due to Fog
Delayed Arrival – 11:25pm
First Class, Seat 5E
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
We finally boarded at 8pm dead on, I had travelmi next to me on this flight, it wasn’t too hard to guess who was the FTer when the flight was originally booked 1/16 in F.
Just about when the door at 8:20pm, I guess what I spoke too soon about that “Black and Yellow Part” because that’s exactly what happened.
We went suddenly pitch black. :eek: :eek: :eek:
Only the 2nd time this has ever happened to me ever when a plane goes pitch black and all the emergency light went on.
The ORD ground crew pulled the plug on the APU unit too early before the engines were started.
So if anybody ever wants to piss off or to get a pilot to yell at them. Pull the APU too early is probably the best trick. Guarantee you can’t get a pilot to scream at you faster than that.
Took off finally around 8:45pm with no wait on 32L, hard to be waiting at this hour.
AA 1561 Dinner
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Appetizer
Shrimp Cocktail
Peeled Shrimp with lemon wedge and cocktail sauce
Salad
Green Salad with artichokes, cherry tomato and mushroom accompanied with creamy vinaigrette
Main Course
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Soft Pasta shells with cheese stuffing on marinara sauce with grated parmesan cheese
Herb Crested Chicken
Basil and Oregano crested baked chicken with alfredo sauce accompanied with Sweet Potatoes and Snow peas
Dessert
Pre-Made Sundae
Vanilla Ice Cream with icy peach puree and sweet granolas
Or Cheese Plate
Fine selection of cheese and seasonal fruit
How many times have I had this chicken this month, either way its simply too many.
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After chatting with travelmi for awhile and getting some other work done, ended up getting 2 hrs of sleep before coming into SFO.
Ended up landing into SFO at 11:26pm where scores of FTers were waiting for I, travelmi and aussieflyer. As the unofficial last night of SFO meets here, we had a very nice and big crowd of people at the SFO Admiral’s Club. We probably had at least 10 FTer if not 15 in the lounge that day. Jetsetr, Aussieflyer, Allensun, all 3 I met before were all going to ORD tonight and I was joining 869 and nerfgirl going to DFW, I believe one or two people also headed to BOS via DFW as well.
The group finally bid farewell at 11:45pm as the ORD crowd headed off for their flight.
Soon after the DFW group also went to 56A for our flight. 2-3 Min walk, the GA announced as we got there “This plane is out of service”
But we have another plane ready down at gate 55, please head over to that gate now.
The gate now was packed due to the switch with FTers and suits alike battling for boarding.
Nerfgirl left me one of the better impression of this flight, as a PLT, I thought I would put my shot in the ring for an upgrade, nope, I’m #16 for an upgrade, ouch.
*42nd flight, 49438 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 2042
San Francisco to Dallas Ft. Worth
Scheduled – 0:25am – 5:35am, 3 hr 10 min flight
Delayed Departure – 0:40am, Plane swap, original plane out of service
Delayed Arrival – 6:00am
First Class, Seat 3B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/144Y)
What keeps happening to me, I keep sitting in someone else seat, usually I either do the within 1 row or across.
I somehow thought I was in 3E, until 3E showed up, luckily 3B and 3E has no difference on this plane, so he told me to just stay put. My bad, and he had a Singapore Airlines issued J class bp too. :p
After that was more sleep, was sleeping for almost the entire flight, didn’t wake up until 5:30am central.
As we were ready for landing into 18R, the aircraft lined up for 18L stray into our airspace, I just had our 1st go-around, luckily it was completely cloudy and so we didn’t even notice the other aircraft. 15 min go around and 15 mins taxiing had us over at A about 6am, the BOS guys had to run for their flight while I was still comfortable with AUS connection.
Another shower to freshen up at DFW A, simply the best shower possible out there in the airline lounges there.
*43rd flight, 49621 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1109
Dallas Ft. Worth to Austin
7:55am – 8:50am, 55 min flight
First Class, Seat 3E
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – McDonnall Douglas MD 80
Gate A21 for the Austin flight, AUS is simply an EXP infested airport, F was completely full, Y was at 60% like my other previous early flights ex-DFW.
38 mins flying to Austin, start taking off on 17R.
I know we have the FT term Kettle for newbie travelers or simply Pot Kettle Black, but when is the 1st time you have had a coffee kettle roll down the aisle on takeoff?
I surely haven’t, had to stick my leg out in the aisle to stop it from rolling further.
Other than that, an iced coffee for this flight and on time arrival into Austin.
64 Degrees at 9am on a January day, sounds fantastic to me ^
Next Part
Part 19 – Austin, Texas, the tiny blue in the giant red
ok2uselane
Aug 10, 12, 8:12 pm
It's nice that you got your camera working, but sucks that it set you back €100 and you had to deal with all the VAT shenanigans.
Ugh!
:(
Short hair Francis
Aug 11, 12, 7:43 am
It's nice that you got your camera working, but sucks that it set you back €100 and you had to deal with all the VAT shenanigans.
Ugh!
:(
Painful but necessary, just like how things are these days
Short hair Francis
Aug 11, 12, 7:48 am
Part 19 – Austin, Texas, the tiny blue in the giant red
Get out to the Hertz counter, car good to go, Hertz Gold is a savior on that field.
Why did I rent a Malibu again, it drives like a Crown Victoria, or cop car or a taxi cab.
Oh ya, cause its cheap. Either way I got a brand new car with 2 miles on it.
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Day Planned for Austin
- Go to State Capitol
- Go to President Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library
- Meet up with Hyperacusis for Lunch
- Meet up with FreeUpgrade at AUS AC for AA 1803/AA 1415.
Sounds like a reasonably easy plan for 5 1/2 hours
First headed off to State Capitol before, I’ve been there on a hot summer day before loaded with school kids but not so much on a quieter day.
Texas State Capitol
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Is he your favorite President? ;)
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What about him, did you like his Presidential Campaign of 2012?
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With hints from other, I guess Austin isn’t as Red as other part of Texas
Since when is Striking is legal in Texas?
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I think we could use this sign in HKG Shopping Malls for some of our more non-western visitors
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A ride in the Presidential Limo
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If I took anything from the LBJ library, this was definitely it
All of us are very fortunate as Flyertalkers flying worldwide in Premium Cabins
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Austin Admiral’s Club
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The AAngels easily introduced me to FreeUpgrade whom I knew from FT chat but have personally never met. I was lucky enough to convince him to go on this MR.
We met a female suit in the AC who was on her last week of work, she has had enough of 80 hour work weeks.
We both made our way down to Gate 14 at T-35, the whole gate area was a mess but luckily made it through fairly easy.
For this leg, I had 5F and FreeUpgrade was in 5E.
American Airlines Boeing 737-800
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8439/7757951438_ca5dd5d20d_z.jpg
*44th flight, 49804 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1803
Austin to Dallas Ft. Worth
3:20pm – 4:20pm, 1 Hour flight
First Class, Seat 5F
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/144Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7757950790_fecd47f2d7_z.jpg
Part 19 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Aug 11, 12, 7:50 am
Yo boys, American is in Chapter 11, do we really need 3 luggage handlers?
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Takeoff from Austin
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As FTers, I think most of us enjoy to shared travel experience with one another, sadly Mr. 6F was an absolute D-Bag/DYKWIA, who thinks saying “Queer, shut the F up” is appropriate language on a plane :mad:
I hope Mr. 6F like to be boxed in since I completely reclined fully after that, have some seat in your face for saying that.
Two drinks to calm my nerves, Freeupgrade was impressed with my January tabulations. I thought I could’ve still flown more this month however. Landed at 4:30pm, a nice shower over in DFW A club again.
I decided on a guessing game with freeupgrade, we were betting how many were on the upgrade list, my guess was 11 and his guess was 8.
*45th flight, 51265 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1415
Dallas Ft. Worth to San Francisco
7:15pm – 9:00pm, 3 hr 45 mins flight
First Class, Seat 4B
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 757-200 (22F/166Y)
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Boarding started at T-30 with me in 4B and freeupgrade in 4E. Think god the GA warned us on the gap between the jetbridge and the plane.
Mind the Gap Please
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The old Brown Leather Seats on the SlAAveship
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Unfortunately we seem to have caught a bad head-wind day, flying time was 3 hours 42 mins to SFO. Luckily I could use the sleep.
Back to this same exact dinner menu again, how many times have I had the chicken this month?
AA 1561 Dinner
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Appetizer
Shrimp Cocktail
Peeled Shrimp with lemon wedge and cocktail sauce
Salad
Green Salad with articokes, cherry tomato and mushroom accompanied with creamy vinaigrette
Main Course
Stuffed Pasta Shells
Soft Pasta shells with cheese stuffing on marinara sauce with grated parmesan cheese
Herb Crested Chicken
Basil and Oregano crested baked chicken with alfredo sauce accompanied with Sweet Potatoes and Snow peas
Dessert
Pre-Made Sundae
Vanilla Ice Cream with icy peach puree and sweet granolas
Or Cheese Plate
Fine selection of cheese and seasonal fruit
Last time having this meal for awhile, I am dying for the new dining menu on Thursday when it changes to a February offering
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After the meal was some absolutely needed sleep, red-eyes and day trips are hard on the body. With the strong headwind, 1415 didn’t get in until 9:08pm but that’s still a nice turn time to for the red-eye 1522 back to ORD.
And finally meeting our central planner for the 1st time, 2millionquest was also on this last final Triple Elite Miles flight back to Chicago.
*46th flight, 53107 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 1522
San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare
11:55pm – 5:50am(+1)[Feb 1], 3 hr 55 mins flight
First Class, Seat 4B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
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No delays for this final January flight, down to gate 57, quick set up for the flight and off to sleep straight away back to Chicago. Can’t believe I just flew more than 53000+ actual miles in a month.
ZZzzz……..
3 hr 20 mins later, we were into ORD K15, bid farewell to 2millionquest as she headed home, thanks again for organizing the Giga AA TEQM thread in January.
Time for a shower and to change out of my t-shirts and flip flops, they are not meant for mid 30s in Chicago and my toes are getting frozen and I’m getting looked by everyone thinking I had leprosy
Some time getting extra printing done again at the ORD H/K AC, and some wait time at the gate
H1B was today’s gate, almost made it down the wrong jetway until I realize it was the wrong equipment.
*47th flight, 53579 Miles Flown this year
American Airlines 4213
Chicago O’Hare to Buffalo
8:45am – 11:20am, 1 hr 35 min flight
Economy Class, Seat 12B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Embraer 145 Operated By American Eagle
Another Eagle flight, another mini, another trail mix pack, 1 hr 15 mins over, seems like the regular pattern.
Back into Buffalo at 11:15am slightly ahead of schedule, ended up dallying around Buffalo for an extra hour to make sure I was at the 48 hour mark for leaving Canada and hence more duty free booze.
Back home for 1 night, a meeting tonight, thurs 8am class, then out to the YY-Zee for My 1 Million Miler Weekend
Next Part
Part 20 – I still feel like a peon, last flight before 1 million miler
Tony3021990
Aug 11, 12, 12:53 pm
Geez, how much did all this cost you. Unreal, awesome TR though. You've given me a lot of MR ideas.
Short hair Francis
Aug 13, 12, 7:49 am
Geez, how much did all this cost you. Unreal, awesome TR though. You've given me a lot of MR ideas.
I think I prefer the "Don't ask, don't tell" Policy Lol :p
A good amount of miles of course, and a fair amount of money of course, I did have a goal of earning about 220K RDM in about 2 months which I hit rather easily.
With MR, sometime creativity is good with routing.
Most people do East - West Coast MRs for example to max miles, I however will mix a couple mid-west ones in to change it up and get to visit a city I might otherwise not go.
I mean, I went to snowy Nashville in January at 33F and Wichita, Kansas at -4F degrees on a mileage run before
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-reports/1181228-wait-didn-t-you-just-had-rtw-trip-year-aa-f-cx-f-tk-f-j-lh-f-j-ua-f-4.html#post16264719
Short hair Francis
Aug 13, 12, 7:54 am
Part 20 – I still feel like a peon, last flight before 1 Million Miler
The Seventh Section of the trip reports covers Part 20 – 23 which was the 1 Million Miler Weekend, Feb 2 – Feb 5 (YYZ-ORD-SFO-ORD-LAX-ORD-SFO-ORD-LAX-ORD-YYZ)
Originally as stated before, the original plan was to get the EQM numbers close enough to 90K as I had scheduled travel in Feb to HKG which would’ve been my EXP re-qualifying flights. I originally had no plans to fly until my Friday professor decide he had an urgent conference to head off for Feb 3, that he announced back on Jan 20. Suddenly, on January 23rd, AA decided to throw in a 79 one way fare for ORD-LAX, the only problem was that SFO-ORD was the only red-eye at the time so day time turns were done in LAX, night turns were in SFO to spice things up. A 4500 Avios ticket YYZ-ORD for reposition, sure is cheaper than a $500 W fare 10 days out. Then later on, Jan 27, the professor changes his mind and stated he needed Feb 9 off instead. For all the teachers/professors out there, please be 100% sure you need to take a day off prior to announcing to your students.
Either way, he said he won’t deduct marks for me being away since it was his fault.
With all my calculations, Feb 2 AA 1522 would be the flight that would’ve got me past the 1 Million Mile mark and 1 full day down in the O.C to celebrate the new accomplishment.
Back home on a Wednesday, I guess I slept a bit too much, and slept past the meeting I had. Thankfully, the group had nothing done that day so I got off easy.
Feb 2, 2012 – Thursday
AA 4034 YYZ – ORD 2:20pm – 3:15pm (ER4/Y)
AA 1521 ORD – SFO 8:15pm – 10:50pm (738/F)
Another 8am Thursday Class, why did I chose to take Intercultural Studies class again? Oh ya, it’s a cross-dept. class that offers a major credit. Pretty sure I was one of this professor more interesting student, with a crazy flying attitude completely different from most cultures.
10:40am, get back to the car, head off to YYZ, but first some lunch on the way.
1pm, back in my homeclub. This time, to celebrate my 1 Million Miler weekend, I decided to bring a yellow bristleboard and have FTer, FAs, Pilots, AAngels plus any other people to sign on it.
*48th flight, 54013 Miles Flown this year
American Airlines 4034
Toronto to Chicago O’Hare
2:20pm – 3:15pm, 1 hr 55 min flight
Economy Class, Seat 12B
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Embraer 145 Operated By American Eagle
Boarding was at T-25 down at B6 or A9? Same place, Eagle Pen, YYZ just keeps re-numbering the gates lately.
A quick 1 hr 32 mins to Chicago today, let’s make this happen
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Another drink, another mini, another trail mix to add in to the collection.
Plane gets into G17, a short walk to G club for a drink. Luckily I got my 1st present from American Airlines, since one of the PS agent had to drive back to H/K anyway and I hitchhike/caught a golf cart ride in Chicago.
Sweet :)
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Back to the H/K club, I guess after flying around Chicago during the afternoon for awhole month. Everyone pretty much remembers you by now, photos and signing please.
From one of the ORD H/K AAngels, “Your still here, SERIOUSLY, when are you gonna head home” :D :D
A picture of the 1 Million Miler Bristleboard with AA tails in the background
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About 1 hr 15 mins out, I decide to head down to the concourse, booking a 5 hr connection time was definitely way too boring.
In the meanwhile, SFO777 decides to post my entire full name to everyone on Flyertalk, talk about a full blown heart attack, RETRACT RETRACT!!!
Congratulations to Short hair Francis on hitting 1MM today!
Bravo my friend!
At the ripe old age of 22.
For those of you on 1521 and 1522 tonight, say congrats and sign the board.
Hope I embarrassed you Francis! :cool
AA 1561 pushes away from H17 and doing the 1522 turn tonight.
N731AN, I will see you in San Fran later for some personal history making
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The Boeing 737-800 taking me to SFO
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*49th flight, 55855 Miles Flown this year
American Airlines 1521
Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco
8:15pm – 10:50pm, 4 hr 35 min flight
First Class, Seat 4E
Food – Snack/Brunch
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
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I was pretty antsy getting on the flight, time for history. Another brain fart, somehow brain decided to sit in 4B instead of 4E today, got corrected, and moved back in short order. I have to stop flying so much all in a hurry. One of my closest ORD AAngels, we got way back, like Sophomore year back. She’s been a CK agent the last few year and she wanted to escort me onto the plane, sadly I wasn’t found since I boarded already, so she came instead came onboard to wish me congratulations again and hugs. Got a very nice look from the entire F cabin that night, being treated like CK royalty ^
Door closed 10 mins early tonight at 8:05pm and was in the air in short order for the 1 hour turn in SFO, 3 hr 36 mins flying time tonight.
You don’t know how glad I was to see something else other than herb crested chicken or stuffed pasta shells for once.
This might be a snack flight on AA 1521 vs. dinner on 1561 but still, anything new is to die for at the rate I was flying.
49 flights in 33 days to be exact, average of 1.48 flights a day, HOLY COW!
or even worse, 55855 Miles in 33 days, average travel distance of 1693 Miles/day :eek:
AA 1521 Snack/Brunch
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Sides
Pita chips with hummus
Side Green Salad with Mushroom and Pepper Corn Dressing
Main Course
Turkey and Roast Beef Sandwich
Turkey and Roast Beef slices on White Cheese sauce served on Flatbread
Southwest Chicken Salad
Grilled BBQ Chicken on Green salad with corn and Mexican beans on Pepper Corn Dressing
Dessert
Freshly baked on board cookies (Coconut Toffee)
After the meal, I talked to the #1 FA to explain my situation, they gladly had all the FA sign the bristleboard as well as to pass it along to the pilots when they came out for the lavatory later on.
The FAs tonight were doing the ORD-SFO-ORD red-eye turn tonight so they will be on the same flight. And they promised to take a photo in SFO while they switched equipment then. Lovely!
Got about 2 hours of sleep on AA 1521, and our plane got into the gate at 10:18pm, 30+ mins ahead of scheduled time.
1 1/2 hrs to go, history awaits ^^^
Next Part
Part 21 – AA loves you but we’re still going to make you sweat, the 1 million miler flight
Short hair Francis
Aug 13, 12, 10:01 am
Part 21 – AA loves you but we’re still going to make you sweat, the 1 million miler flight
Feb 2, 2012 – Thursday
AA 1522 SFO – ORD 11:55pm – 5:50am(+1)[Feb 3] (738/F)
Feb 3, 2012 – Friday
AA 2099 ORD – LAX 6:45am – 9:15am (738/F)
Get off the plane, I waited until all the passenger to get off and as the FA got off at Gate 56B to transfer over 58A, got the pic with all 4 FAs onboard tonight AA 1522.
Then off to meet with SFO777 (He didn’t live in Denver yet), I managed to convince him to come airside tonight.
As Mrs. SFO would love to put it, why are you heading to the airport at 10:30pm on a day you aren’t flying. :confused:
Sorry, Mrs. SFO, I’m sure you love me too but I added an item on his “Honey-Do” List for tonight :D
Luckily Jaimie was in the club as I was coming, and yes, Mr. SFO777 is my guest, please have a counter agent give him a gate pass please.
No worries, Jaimie signed my bristleboard too.
Sadly, only got to enjoy 20 mins and 2 drinks tonight with SFO, still in a crunch about that upgrade, gritting my teeth…
Jaimie saids I have a shot but to head out at T-30, why did I booked a Thursday red-eye less than 2 weeks out, oh ya cheap fares ;)
Tik Tok, Tik Tok, just like Kesha lol
I know why AA loves me, but still, why make me sweat like this :(
Finally I got the last and only gate upgrade at T-15 mins, needed a no-show for that to happen.
Should’ve seen the joys of me jumping up and down for a domestic upgrade
*50th flight, 57697 Miles Flown this year
American Airlines 1522
San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare
11:55pm – 5:50am(+1)[Feb 3], 3 hr 55 min flight
First Class, Seat 3A
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
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Walk down the crowded jetway and onto the plane, the FAs asks away, I got it!
Yippee, a photo with tonight’s pilots, thanks again Captain Carboneau and First Officer Fischer^
Door closes at 11:46pm, Bye Bye jetway, let’s get in the air :)
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Got in the air by 0:02am, taking off from 1L, 3 hr 47 flying time to Chicago tonight
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N971AN was the American Airlines Boeing 737-800 I was on tonight
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Had a glass of California sparkling wine on the flight, still nasty as ever, but this flight still calls for it. I ended up getting asleep once we’re past Winnemucca, NV and all the way to Chicago.
A very foggy morning in O’Hare plus long flying time eastward overnight, however got in at 5:52am, only 2 mins late.
Another K to H stroll, seems to be the pattern this past month with all these mileage runs.
A very quick shower in the H/K club and headed back down to the concourse.
H16 was today’s gate for 2099 to LAX
*51th flight, 59437 Miles Flown this year
American Airlines 2099
Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles
6:45am – 9:15am, 4 hr 30 min flight
First Class, Seat 6E
Food – Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
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Guess the GAs decided to board a little this morning, no matter, this flight was pretty empty
I’m still flying these old First Class Seat
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Coach cabin did fill up a bit in the end but not much
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This flight ended up 16/16 in First, but a staggering 29/132 in the back.
Pretty crazy indeed even if its Early Feb which is dead time for flying in the US.
Door closed at 6:43 so an on time departure with a dead-on 4 hours flight time to LAX this morning.
California, Here I Come^, wait I was just there lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkzUDT9r8g4
I was still in High School when this sitcom started, pretty sure you can guess how old I am @:-)
FAs asked us if we just wanted drinks to start and hold back the breakfast for later which most of First seem to like as a suggestion.
Breakfast ended up starting just around 8:30am central time.
AA 2099 Breakfast
Breakfast Bread
Plain Bagel or Biscuit with strawberry jam, cream cheese or butter
Fruits
Side Fruit Plate consisting of Cantalope, Honeydew and Strawberry
Main Course
Egg Quesadilla
A scrambled egg filled corn tortilla shell with hot salsa on the side accompanied with sausage and pineapple
Cereal
Crisp X Cereal served with 2 percent milk and a side cranberry and blueberry dish
Meat, delicious meat, since when did American Airlines breakfast ever have meat!?!
1 Million Miler is starting out rather nicely.
As the plane was basically empty in the back, I went to the back to take some outside pics.
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Part 21 Continues Below
Short hair Francis
Aug 13, 12, 10:02 am
I got about 1 1/2 hours of sleep after that and just before landing, got this picture
Thanks for all the wonderful and not-so-wonderful memories American Airlines.
Your humble 1 Million Miler, Short hair Francis
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Landed at LAX at 8:50am, 25 mins early, you know the deal, when you’re that early, you are parked in the penalty box waiting.
Early arrival essentially evaporated, parked at the gate at 9:11am.
Time for my mini 24 Hours vacations in Orange County.
Stayed at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, 2500 points for closed club on the weekend, plus a wonderful weekend breakfast buffet made my decision rather easy.
As I was still tired, got another 3 hrs of sleep and woke up around 2pm.
Headed over to Little Saigon for a late Lunch and spent the rest of my time down at Huntington Beach
For a Canadian that is still in winter mode, light winter (40 degrees doesn’t really count), it is still much of joy to be experiencing a day at the beach, clear skies and 72 degrees in early February.
As freeupgrade was also in town, I decided to visit him near LAX to get him to sign the bristleboard as well, took the Eclipse out for a spin and off to every FTers favorite stop in LAX, in-n-out!
Yes, I was very hungry, so those 2 burgers disappeared rather quickly, 24 hrs in LAX/Orange County has been fantastic, what else would this weekend bring?
Next Part
Part 22 – Are you insane, you are CFCing to a flight that is delayed?
Haha I know, some of those food pics are so tempting just like some First Class cabins are :D
Sorry for the delay, I have had some stuff that has come up the last 2 days hence the delay.
Should be able to get the next part on by tomorrow morning (EDT) :(
Short hair Francis
Aug 16, 12, 7:45 am
Part 22 – Are you insane, you are CFCing to a flight that is delayed?
Feb 4, 2012 – Friday (Original)
AA 1196 LAX – ORD 9:30am – 3:30pm (763/Y)
AA 1561 ORD – SFO 7:15pm – 9:55pm (738/F)
AA 1522 SFO – ORD 11:55pm – 5:50am [+1/Feb 5) (738/F)
Breakfast at 6am at the Hyatt Regency Irvine then straight out to LAX, arrived back at Hertz at 7:15am.
Put myself on the upgrade list for AA 1196, 2 F seats left, #2 on the list, why did I book this flight, oh ya, 763 with slanted lie-flat seats.
Then something critical happens, the 8am AA 2004 LAX-ORD went mechanical so all the F ticket people flying to IND for the super bowl took 1196 instead.
There goes my chances for an upgrade…
Let’s try it this way, those Super Bowl People who paid a First Class ticket can take my coach seat, I’m paying 75 bucks and CFC (Confirmed Flight Change) to their Mechanical Delayed flight.
As one of the LAX Daytime AAngel said and she knows me, “Are you CRAZY!!!! Little Risky, no? This plane might not even fly”
Yes AA 2004 had a decision time of 9:30am, Decision Time!!!
AA wasn’t even sure if it could fly but the thought is it was worth risking it.
Out of 22 F people originally booked on 2004, 14 had jump ship over to 1196 to make sure they went to the super bowl, some even took coach seats.
At 9:05am, just after 1196 have started boarding, good news, 2004 is gonna fly and start boarding now, departure time 9:40am.
Gamble paid off as I was #1 on the upgrade list, and they clear just about anyone on the list including a standby EXP and 1 person travelling on buddy pass into First.
Feb 4, 2012 – Friday (Rebooked/CFC)
AA 2004 LAX – ORD 8:00am – 2:05pm (763/Y)
AA 1561 ORD – SFO 7:15pm – 9:55pm (738/F)
*52nd flight, 61177 Miles Flown this year
American Airlines 2004
Los Angeles to Chicago O’Hare
8:00am – 2:05pm, 4 hr 5 mins flight
Delayed Departure – 9:30am, Mechanical Problem with Original Equipment/Plane Swap
Delayed Arrival – 3:22pm
First Class, Seat 2E
Food – Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 757-200 (22F/166Y)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7795006628_b65a8f54d6_z.jpg
I think this is where some luck and a lot of experience comes into play. Almost no one will ever take a chance to jump over to a delayed flight instead of a confirmed flight they were already on. Talk about a gamble and paying off for a 3 hr 15 min flight.
Hello SlAAveship First Class, I deserved to fly on you today!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8282/7795006104_6f4dd757fe_z.jpg
And since almost everyone jump ship over to 1196, our Boeing 757-200 was simply close to empty. We all heard of weight and balancing on an Embraer or on a Canadian Regional Jet, have you ever heard of weight/balance a 757 before?
And today, I had the pics to prove it, First Class ended up 21 out 22
but Economy, woah! 29 out of 166, a picture later.
Door closes at 9:26am with so few passengers left although we didn’t get pushback untl 9:40am due to calculations.
With such a light wind, we took off of 25R like usual and we already pulled up even before hit the Sepulveda Blvd. tunnel. Holy Smokes ^^^
Serving First Class today was #1 FA Breck and #3 FA Marie, simply a great LAX-based crew with drink service at all times.
AA 2004 Breakfast
Breakfast Bread
Cinnamon Raisin Bagel or Biscuit with strawberry jam, cream cheese or butter
Fruits
Side Fruit Plate consisting of Cantalope, Honeydew and Strawberry
Main Course
Southwest Omelette
An cheddar cheese Omelette with corn, beans, chopped onions, pepper and hash brown in a Southwest spicy sauce
Cereal
Crisp X Cereal served with 2 percent milk and a side cranberry/blueberry dish and a banana
Back to regular programming today, no meats in this breakfast.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8286/7795119626_7c05a078e0_z.jpg
Breck and Marie couldn’t believe I was already a 1MM so I had to pull my camera and show them new 1 Million Miler printout plus the big bristleboard of mine :)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7795004678_81d1f2fb58_z.jpg
Still don’t believe 29 out of 166 is possible in today’s flying world?
The captain even mandated no one can sit in row 9 – 13 on today’s flight due to W&B
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7276/7795025486_fa21f1b125_z.jpg
3 hr and 15 mins passed rather quickly with some stories sharing and sleeping.
Captain Mary-Ann also welcomed me to the cockpit after the flight, the crew was actually happy to have the delay as they would’ve needed to wait 4 hrs for their next flight to BOS.
I curiously asked Mary-Ann why we shot up like a rocket on the 757 today. I always knew the 75s were certainly capable and have heard stories prior. Those that fly the 752 out of Orange County know very well.
The problem was a slight 8 mp/h tailwind on Runway 25R today, so for safety measure, they did a max take off at LAX hence why the early pull-up, we only used 3500 feet out of 12000+ feet of runway space this morning.
A Boeing 757-200 Cockpit
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7795024246_bddcfa4222_z.jpg
With a light airplane and everything, we got to the gate at 3:22pm, only 20 mins later than 1196.
Suckers to those that paid First and flew Coach today :D
Another 4 hr turn in ORD, another shower and got more work done.
Gate was down K18, why are all these ORD-LAX/SFO flight always so far away???
Why can’t we have a K2 or H5 or something?
Some early gate lice for today’s flight
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8307/7795023272_3acc032b3a_z.jpg
*53rd flight, 63019 Miles Flown this year
American Airlines 1561
Chicago O’Hare to San Francisco
7:15pm – 9:55pm, 4 hr 40 mins flight
First Class, Seat 3B
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8297/7795022348_2a88406816_z.jpg
I guess February brought a huge change to the SFO route, no more crazy full planes, no more 40 people deep upgrade list.
Another super light load on tonight, 8/16 in First, and 40/132 in the back.
Why didn’t Flyertalkers choose to fly this flight instead, talk about an easy upgrade.
Door closes at 7:09pm with an on-time departure
But first, an open bar Pre-Departure Beverage, this is AA right?
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7795021436_3d50c7cb59_z.jpg
A 5 plane wait at 32L and we’re in the air tonight for one final MR turn in San Francisco
3 hours and 57 minutes flying time tonight
Shooting off to the lit skies!
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8440/7795020740_1a3a1bb991_z.jpg
AA 1561 Dinner
To start
Warm Mixed Nuts
Appetizer
Shrimp Cocktail
Large Shrimp served with lemon wedge and cocktail sauce
Salad
Side Greek Salad with chopped tomatoes and cucumber with feta cheese and Creamy ranch dressing
Main Course
Tomato Ravioli
Stuffed Cheese Ravioli served on tomato sauce with melted grated cheese
Baked Salmon
Baked salmon strip on white sauce served along broccoli and fried white rice
Dessert
Fruit and Cheese Plate
Assorted cheese wedges with crackers and red grapes
Brownie Sundae
Rich Chocolate Brownie served with a scope of Vanilla Ice cream
Sure am I glad to see any changes to the dinner menu this month, that herb crested chicken or stuffed pasta shell sure got real old quick.
As I was a bit hungry tonight, when was the 1st time you can eat double meals on American Airlines domestic First :D
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8299/7795019802_5f205c16ee_z.jpg
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7795018892_001ae469d2_z.jpg
I’m pretty sure a months of gogo has more than paid its dividend this past 30 days, so 2 more hours on the internet.
Flight was very early back into SFO, arrived at 9:20pm.
A blessing was to have a shower at SFO, as we were actually early for once, I had a shower at the AC.
Got change into more comfortable clothes for sleeping tonight
Sadly, a person I didn’t want to see was in the club, and also was on 1522 tonight too. YIKES!!! :( :(
Simply can’t get the clock to tick faster, I want to get out of here STAT :mad:
I ended up bailing from the Admiral’s Club at T-45.
*54th flight, 64861 Miles Flown this year
American Airlines 1522
San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare
11:55pm – 5:50am(+1/Feb 5), 3 hr 55 mins flight
First Class, Seat 3E
Food – Beverage Service
Equipment – Boeing 737-800 (16F/132Y)
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/7795018164_950b49c455_z.jpg
Pretty sure I was head gate lice tonight, I couldn’t get strapped into that seat fast enough nor fall asleep fast enough either. Thankfully, body decides to be a good friend tonight.
Barely awake to note the door close time, 11:45pm, let this nightmare end now PLEASE!!!!
Next Part
Part 23 – We are cutting capacity right? Or are we just going bankrupted?
warreng24
Aug 16, 12, 2:21 pm
Thanks for the report Short hair Francis. I enjoy reading about your adventures.
Central Monday - Friday should do the trick, you can also try sundays but that might not be the kind your looking for :D
Mongkok girls might be funner as well :p
Please tell us more about these kind of girls. :D
discoseal
Dec 18, 12, 10:43 pm
Wow, you weren't kidding when you said that you take weeks to finish trip reports. :rolleyes:
Sorry for bumping old TR's but I'd say this is one of the finest ones I've read and I'm still excited to see what's next.
gotofly
Apr 3, 13, 11:42 am
Part 16 – What else can go wrong?
Sorry for the lack of photos in this section, as you will found out later in this part, I screwed up fantastically
Jan 20, 2012 – Friday
AA 70 DFW – FRA 3:20pm – 8:05am (+1)[Jan 21] (763/J)
Jan 21, 2012 - Saturday
MA 521/AA 8116 FRA – BUD 9:45am – 11:20am (738/Y)
LH 1341 BUD – FRA 7:05pm – 8:15pm (319/J)
After rushing back to DFW, I got back around 2:20am and had a bucktooth 60+ TSA giving the usual massages. I swear my goodies haven’t felt the same since that patdown. Literally got karate chop up there :(
Had to go back to the Admiral’s Club to ticket some of my held reservations, and make some print offs for my thesis group.
Guess I kept a real bad track of time, since I got a call on my cellphone, the GAs were waiting for me to board to close the door.
Oh no, run down to gate D25 downstairs for AA 70
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7740207966_3885741d52_z.jpg
*26th flight, 40425 Miles flown this year
American Airlines 70
Dallas Ft. Worth to Frankfurt, Germany
3:20pm – 8:05am(+1) [Jan 21], 9 hr 45 min flight
Business Class, Seat 3H
Food – Dinner, Breakfast
Equipment – Boeing 767-300
Door closed 14 mins ahead of schedule. You guess it, I left my camera battery and charger at the work desk but I did have my camera and the memory card. Well a digital camera isn’t of much camera without a battery. :( :( :(
9 Hours flying time to FRA, get in the air in quick time. I asked the FA to hold back a tikka masala for me as I wanted to sleep first.
Got about 3 hrs of sleep right of the bat, I was tired from the DFW day trip.
AA 70 Dinner
To Start
Warm Mixed Nuts
or
Marinated Cheese Antipasto
Appetizer
Smoked Salmon and Herb Marinated Shrimp
Salad
Fresh Seasonal Greens and and an assortment of fresh vegetables offered with sour cream and herb dressing or premium extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Bread Basket
Assorted gourmet breads
[b]Main Course
Beef Fillet with Foyot Sauce
Chooza Tikka Masala
Seared Tilapia with Herb Sauce
Stuffed Shells Pomodoro
Dessert
Ice Cream Sundae
or
Fruit and Cheese
After the meal service was my frantic search of all my luggage, of course they weren’t there and sadly I was up for the entire overnight and body clock was a horrible mess yet again.
AA 70 Breakfast
Select from
Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Skillet
Fried corn tortillas topped with scrambled eggs with cream cheese, pico de gallo, cheddar cheese and tortilla strips
or
Yogurt
or
Cereal
Went with the omelette and ended up getting 1/2 hour of sleep just prior to arrival.
Had an early Arrival into FRA, half an hour, and of course landed at that faraway FRA runway so took some time taxiing to the FRA T2.
Apparently I met a FTer couple who were doing a FRA run this weekend, sorry I forgot your handle.
Took the train back to FRA T1 to clear Schengen, and off to my hotwired hotel, the FRA Sheraton which was perfect for this trip.
I even packed a small backpack I was going to use during the day trip to BUD, while dropping everything else at my hotel room.
Transfer the necessity and off I go.
Took some hard finding to locate the MA counters, I had originally 3B, but the business/economy curtain got shifted so I got bumped out. Luckily I score the exit row which was fine for the leg.
Get passed security and into the IB lounge, you guess it, I had another brain fart.
I forgot to transfer my Euros and Hungarian Forint into my wallet from my travel folder.
So great, I have 20 dollars Canadian in my wallet for my 8 hours in Budapest.
Boards MA flight, free-for-all boarding on Euro flights prevalent here
*27th flight, 40943 Miles flown this year
Malev Hungarian Airlines 521
Frankfurt, Germany to Budapest
9:45am – 11:25am, 9 hr 40 min flight
Economy Class, Seat 9C
Food – Snack
Equipment – Boeing 737-600
Have a small 736 parked way out in the boonies requiring the usual FRA buses.
Have a couple seated next to me but no matter, I simply passed out after asking the FAs if I could open the exit row.
The FA left me a sandwich and a small water on my tray table which was nice.
Another on time arrival, weirdly BUD is not really configure that well so deplaning in my both times there were via stairs and a bus ride.
Try to go back upstairs to departure to find a LH agent to check-in for my return. Sadly none were found until a LH contracted agent was found working on the MUC flight, they promised to help me after their flights.
They couldn’t quite do it but the agents got me a back-way to leave the secured area and back out to the check-in counters.
Took close to an hour to figure out what happen as the US airways ticket was having some problems with the LH system.
Eventually they told me to go look for the camera battery at digidog 1 bus stop away.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7740217178_bba6b93b0d_z.jpg
*Taken From my previous trip to BUD
Getting off the bus stop, and walking across the street, had to jump across a ditch, to get to digidog, you guess it, I partly fell into the ditch.
Was wearing my leather gloves so only the gloves got muddied up, sadly Digidog did have some camera battery but not the one I needed.
As I only had a small amount of money, I headed back to airport, where they finally got my boarding pass issued. In the end, I simply gave up and went back airside into the contract lounge and manage to sleep for 3 hrs in there.
This trip couldn’t end soon enough with all the bad luck I had within 24 hours.
*28th flight, 41461 Miles flown this year
Deutsche Lufthansa 1341
Budapest to Frankfurt, Germany
7:05pm – 8:55pm, 1 hr 50 min flight
Business Class, Seat 2C
Food – Dinner
Equipment – Airbus 319-100
Boarding started at T-30, ended up me in 2C and another person in 3D and that was it for Business Class, empty flight on a sat night. A hot Hungarian girl walks back towards coach, oh well I’m way too tired to care for girls right now, I want to be back in my hotel room, stat.
1 hr 20 min flight and back to rainy Frankfurt.
What am I going to with SQ 388 J tomorrow when I have a non-working camera, this weekend has sucks big time :mad:
Next Part
Part 17 – As good as advertised, Singapore Airbus 380 Business Class FRA-JFK
Hello Short Hair Francis
My 18 year old son is doing the same flight from DFW to FRA on June 20th on AA flight 70 and he is in Business, my question is the business class seats are they lie flat bed or comfortable or not, as LH has very limited recline even in business.
Thanks
Short hair Francis
Apr 4, 13, 2:18 am
Hello Short Hair Francis
My 18 year old son is doing the same flight from DFW to FRA on June 20th on AA flight 70 and he is in Business, my question is the business class seats are they lie flat bed or comfortable or not, as LH has very limited recline even in business.
Thanks
When I flew this flight over 1 year ago, it was an AA Boeing 767-300.
2-2-2 config with slanted lie-flats.
And that to my knowledge is not so different compared with the old Lufthansa Business I'm afraid