BlondeBomber
Oct 18, 99, 11:37 am
Just a short note http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, well OK so maybe a little longer.
Travelled on AC from YYC-SFO, upgraded as usual. Served a fine meal, chicken in a special herb sauce, nicely done potato fritters, asparagus (nicely done). A good but not great chocolate cake (at least not as good as some of the gateaux I have had trans-Atlantic). The usual service of fine wines, beer, liquers etc. etc. This is only a 2 hour flight -- UA should take notice.
Met the lovely tree lady in SFO at the RCC (the good RCC upstairs). We had some great conversations about why she can't, won't, might not be able to come to PiP--if you change your mind I'm sure there will be an opening created for you and the gardener! http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Finally, met a frequent flyer who doesn't mind talking about snakes -- and Baobab grew up with REAL SNAKES--vipers and mambas! Too bad our UA flight left SFO for PHX on time (unusual in my experience)--could have continued our conversation much longer.
Trip to PHX on the Sh*ttle (I do like that designator onefreeman) was as expected even though we were in First Class (used 500 mile certificates on a discount fare even though I am non Premier--oh you are Star Gold, we upgrade you folks all the time). My friend who is used to flying up front only in Canada was unimpressed with UA's front cabin service (only pretzels and cellophane wrapped cranberry nut cake on a 2 hour flight in First Class, give me a break!). Free drinks at least (although I had to beg off as I was designated driver for the midnight run through the desert south of PHX looking for snakes, bugs and other critters).
Picked up our AAdvantage Rental (upgraded for free to a much larger than wanted Chrysler Intrepid--good for long distance travel though) for $25/day (pretty good by my standards, but no miles http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif). Arrived in Organ Pipe National Monument for dawn bird chorus and warm temperatures. Also, our unlicensed car attracted the attention of the U.S. border patrol -- they just thought it was another abandoned drug smuggling car. Once we told him we were just watching birds, looking for bugs and snakes, he hightailed it out of there (nothing weirder than nature-loving frequent flyers).
Met OldGold for lunch in Tucson Wednesday and found we had several common interests, including secluded Mexican destinations so arranged to have dinner at a fine Latin American restaurant on Friday. The South Tucson International Frequent Flyer Society did indeed meet:
http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000133.html
A wonderful time was had by all and we found that even if we are weird we are compatibly weird! http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Sent my buddy off to Denver and Calgary Saturday afternoon on UA First Class--found out that the connecting plane never made it to Denver so he had to overnight there and he got home about the same time as me on Sunday. At least on regular UA they fed him a real breakfast (choice of fruits and yogurt or full fried breakfast) so he was a little more impressed with the service. Didn't do anything except to give him a discount for his overnight in Denver (is this usual?--not that it matters as he is covered by trip delay insurance).
I went north to PHX and met up with onefreeman and raeban who seem to be part owners of a restaurant in Scottsdale (apparently spending more time there than some of the staff). Had some more great food (halibut as good as it gets) and wonderful banter. Looking forward to the PiP fashion page Raeban! Then off to the desert again to look for snakes (I still think onefreeman could be convinced to come looking for snakes and bugs).
Wound up at Phoenix International at 5 AM (when the RCC opens). Even though it's small it is quite friendly and they serve sweet rolls and yogurt and juice for breakfast. Caught up on some news and computer work. Tried to get upgrades on UA flights but the reservations had "conveniently" lost my confirmed one way upgrade (it was only confirmed to SFO, and I suspect that when the agent was making the reservation and found that she couldn't confirm the SFO--YCC portion, she didn't put anything in http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif) Oh well, UA gave me an empty seat next to me in the front of coach and it was reasonably comfortable, even if the food was non-existent. SFO-YYC on UA had food (at least it looked like food) but the salad was inedible, the cellophane wrapped garlic breadstick was stale and tough and the vegetarian pasta dish had some strange condiment that I am still tasting this morning. When I have the choice I will avoid UA.
Otherwise flights were uneventful and on time again!
Thanks to all the FTers who came out to meet and greet me--I had a great time (as did my non-frequent flyer buddy).
Travelled on AC from YYC-SFO, upgraded as usual. Served a fine meal, chicken in a special herb sauce, nicely done potato fritters, asparagus (nicely done). A good but not great chocolate cake (at least not as good as some of the gateaux I have had trans-Atlantic). The usual service of fine wines, beer, liquers etc. etc. This is only a 2 hour flight -- UA should take notice.
Met the lovely tree lady in SFO at the RCC (the good RCC upstairs). We had some great conversations about why she can't, won't, might not be able to come to PiP--if you change your mind I'm sure there will be an opening created for you and the gardener! http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Finally, met a frequent flyer who doesn't mind talking about snakes -- and Baobab grew up with REAL SNAKES--vipers and mambas! Too bad our UA flight left SFO for PHX on time (unusual in my experience)--could have continued our conversation much longer.
Trip to PHX on the Sh*ttle (I do like that designator onefreeman) was as expected even though we were in First Class (used 500 mile certificates on a discount fare even though I am non Premier--oh you are Star Gold, we upgrade you folks all the time). My friend who is used to flying up front only in Canada was unimpressed with UA's front cabin service (only pretzels and cellophane wrapped cranberry nut cake on a 2 hour flight in First Class, give me a break!). Free drinks at least (although I had to beg off as I was designated driver for the midnight run through the desert south of PHX looking for snakes, bugs and other critters).
Picked up our AAdvantage Rental (upgraded for free to a much larger than wanted Chrysler Intrepid--good for long distance travel though) for $25/day (pretty good by my standards, but no miles http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif). Arrived in Organ Pipe National Monument for dawn bird chorus and warm temperatures. Also, our unlicensed car attracted the attention of the U.S. border patrol -- they just thought it was another abandoned drug smuggling car. Once we told him we were just watching birds, looking for bugs and snakes, he hightailed it out of there (nothing weirder than nature-loving frequent flyers).
Met OldGold for lunch in Tucson Wednesday and found we had several common interests, including secluded Mexican destinations so arranged to have dinner at a fine Latin American restaurant on Friday. The South Tucson International Frequent Flyer Society did indeed meet:
http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/000133.html
A wonderful time was had by all and we found that even if we are weird we are compatibly weird! http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Sent my buddy off to Denver and Calgary Saturday afternoon on UA First Class--found out that the connecting plane never made it to Denver so he had to overnight there and he got home about the same time as me on Sunday. At least on regular UA they fed him a real breakfast (choice of fruits and yogurt or full fried breakfast) so he was a little more impressed with the service. Didn't do anything except to give him a discount for his overnight in Denver (is this usual?--not that it matters as he is covered by trip delay insurance).
I went north to PHX and met up with onefreeman and raeban who seem to be part owners of a restaurant in Scottsdale (apparently spending more time there than some of the staff). Had some more great food (halibut as good as it gets) and wonderful banter. Looking forward to the PiP fashion page Raeban! Then off to the desert again to look for snakes (I still think onefreeman could be convinced to come looking for snakes and bugs).
Wound up at Phoenix International at 5 AM (when the RCC opens). Even though it's small it is quite friendly and they serve sweet rolls and yogurt and juice for breakfast. Caught up on some news and computer work. Tried to get upgrades on UA flights but the reservations had "conveniently" lost my confirmed one way upgrade (it was only confirmed to SFO, and I suspect that when the agent was making the reservation and found that she couldn't confirm the SFO--YCC portion, she didn't put anything in http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif) Oh well, UA gave me an empty seat next to me in the front of coach and it was reasonably comfortable, even if the food was non-existent. SFO-YYC on UA had food (at least it looked like food) but the salad was inedible, the cellophane wrapped garlic breadstick was stale and tough and the vegetarian pasta dish had some strange condiment that I am still tasting this morning. When I have the choice I will avoid UA.
Otherwise flights were uneventful and on time again!
Thanks to all the FTers who came out to meet and greet me--I had a great time (as did my non-frequent flyer buddy).