Trip Reports - PDX-ATL-PHL/EWR-PDX

Saturday 10/23/99 PDX-ATL-PHL (real time)

Arrived at terminal at 6:30am for 6:40am flight. Between heavy fog, some surprise road work and a sl-o-o-o-ow shuttle bus from the Economy Parking lot, all contributed to my missing my original flight. Fortunately one of my DL front counter 'angels' was on duty, and she was able to get me on the 8:30 ATL flight, which I've flown about 6 times in the past 4 months. Connection gets me into PHL about 2 hours later than expected, but I got FC seats all the way using E-segments.

Went to the CRC for coffee and to check E-mail…got mail from RichG telling me the mini-group meeting in NYC Friday night w/Catman, Punki, Boomer & others was fun. Hopefully Rich, Catman & I will meet for dinner on Tuesday in NYC.

DL has permanently closed the CRC by Gate D7, and switched to the one at Gate D10. This one was originally open limited hours, just to accommodate the Asian flights at midday. I hadn't been in this one for about a year, and it is smaller than the other. Can't imagine what it's like before the Asian flights leave. Pilot was the same one for my last 2 trips on this flight; for the first time I can remember we had a female First Officer (that's info only…not a political or sexist statement!)

As always, this flight was packed…L1011-500, it goes to ATL then on to MIA (codeshare w/SR). When I checked in I had a choice of 4 seats in FC, but they were filled by the time we boarded. Only 3 open seats in the back, according to the FC FA. BTW, the FC crew was all-Asian, which is unusual for an Eastbound DL flight. Since most are based in PDX, I've been on a few westbound flights with them before. Obviously, DL's cutback in the Asian market has given them more choices to fly domestically. Wonderful service…can't remember when I've seen 3 FC FA's that smiled for the entire flight, and seemed happy to do their job. Reminded me of the flights I used to take on CX & TG when I traveled BKK, TPE, HKG, SEL for 3 years.

Flight time 3:55 to ATL, movie was Lake Placid (I passed), relatively smooth and quiet the whole way. Mountain views on takeoff were spectacular, as always. My seatmate was a nice Japanese gentleman (Plat. & 2 Mil. Miler) who takes this flight every week (yukk!), and we were seatmates on this flight 2 week ago.

Only other item of note was the wine. An Argentinian Merlot, Bodega Norton 1990. No kidding, that's really the name. Very smooth & flavorful, it was really nice.

Arrived on time, Gate T-5 and my connection was at A-5. Hopped on the train to A, got to gate just as they started boarding. Didn't seem like enough people for a flight. There were a total of 44 on this flight, 6 in FC (4 rev. and 2 pilots-1 DL and 1 US), and 38 in back. Took off on time, was served a Chicken Caesar Salad, and arrived 35 minutes early. Then it took about 10 minutes to get the jetway in place…seems the gate agent couldn't get it high enough to match the plane door. Finally on the 4th try they did it, and off to baggage claim. My bag was waiting when I got there (with only 44 pax, it should have been there), on the National bus, picked up a Chevy Blazer on the Emerald Aisle. Quick trip to the Marriott Courtyard in Mt. Laurel, NJ to drop my stuff, and met friends for dinner. On to Baltimore tomorrow to visit with my son….more on Monday.

no Wow Cow?

They aren't open that early in the morning, Mr. Smart Guy... http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Oh, I'm well aware of that, my friend. No Wow Cow till 10 a.m. straight up.

What are they thinking? http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

What is a WOW COW? A special kind of milk?

Please explain, remember I am a novice when it comes to certain liquids! http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Catman: Wow Cow is the official FlyerTalk treat when traveling through Portland (OR) airport. It is ONLY available in Oregon. Wow Cow is a non-dairy, non-sugar, low-calorie icy creamy food substitute.

Hunnybear and I have been known to fly SEA-SFO sonnecting in PDX just for a Wow Cow.

[This message has been edited by QuietLion (edited 10-25-1999).]

shadow:

The Bodega Norton is a nice wine. I've noticed and appreciate that DL serves well chosen value wines in domestic F. The Norton sells for about $6-8. While it would be great if they would serve wines in the $10-20 range, I appreciate that someone makes an effort to provide interesting wines that I sometimes find myself buying.

the scribbler

scribbler, I've hoped for DL to get the Australian Shiraz backon board, but they haven't had it in a while. The Norton is a decent replacement...

Sunday Oct. 24th

Spent a gorgeous, sunny fall day inBaltimore with my son. I've not been to the Inner Harbor area for about 3 years, so we went there to check it out. The Power Plant complex, which is just a block east of the Harborplace shops & restaurants, has been remodeled & now has a Hard Rock Café, ESPN Zone (quite interesting place) and a Barnes & Noble 2-level store. The B&N is in the middle, and they have kept the HUGE smokestacks intact inside (this really was a working power plant in the early 1900's).

Cruised through the shops and food court area, and decided to have lunch at the Clipper City Brewing Co. pub. Food was OK, but I had a Scotch Ale that was great and my son had a Porter that was also very good (newself, are you listening?). Typical pub food, heavy on appetizers, but the portions are monstrous in size. It's right next to H00ter's in the Light St. Pavilion, and there's even a common glass wall between them, so you can watch the H00ter's girls if you like (my son sure did). We could look across Light St. and see Camden Yards from a seat at the bar. What a great downtown stadium! (JonToner, I know Fenway has a lot of history, but you need to come to a game here!)

Left downtown and headed to dinner with good friends in the town of Hampstead, northwest of the city. Had a great time visiting, dropped my son off at his place and drive back to NJ.

Monday Oct. 25th

Breakfast meeting with business acquaintances in Mt. Laurel,NJ (where I lived for 4 years), back to the Courtyard to make calls & check e-mail. Spoke with RichG, and we firmed up plans for dinner on Tuesday night in Hoboken with Catman.

Drove to North Jersey and checked in to the Hilton in Hasbrouck Heights. Stayed here 2 months ago, still a lackluster place. Flashed my new VIP Gold card at check-in, it got me an 'upgraded' room, one floor above the Club Level (10th). I'm across the hall from the Duchess Suite (yawn). This room is exactly the same as the one 2 months ago, when I was on the 7th floor, with the exception of what looks like new carpet and a nicer bathroom. Found out later that the coffee maker does not work. They still don't have a clue when it comes to a workspace…desk is the size of a postage stamp, with a straight back hard chair that is too low to work from (the Manhattan phone book almost gets you to the proper height). Once you move all the signs & placards off the desk, you have enough room for the phone, laptop and a small notepad, that's it. After staying at the C'yard for the past 2 nights, it amazes me how they 'get it' so much better than other hotel chains. This room has so much wasted space that could be utilized far more efficiently, especially with all of the business travelers they get here.

Tried to get into the Exec. Lounge at 4:30, but the lady said they probably would not open until 5:15 tonight. Went back at 5:30 and they were open; but other than the lady at the desk, I was the only one there. Asked her if I need to sign in and she said "whatever...only if you want to". They had 3 different hot appetizers; mushroom & cheese in a phyllo dough, a rolled pastry tube with meat/onion mixture and a crescent shaped dough with ??? filling. Other than the mushroom thingy, they were tasteless. Nice spread of cheeses/crackers & sliced melon and grapes. Honor bar (alcohol) at $3 per, but very limited selection. For Catman…their cola choices are either Pepsi or Diet Pepsi, along with Tonic Water, Club Soda & Slice. They close at 10PM, and reopen for breakfast at 6AM. Two other people showed up while I was there.

What was really great about the Lounge was the view. Facing ENE, I think…it overlooked the Teterboro Airport (general aviation & lots of corp. aircraft such as Johnson & Johnson, Merck, etc.) and the complete Manhattan skyline. It was a beautiful, sunny & clear day, so the view was spectacular! From the angle of this direction, the World Trade Center looked like only 1 building; got a perfect view of the Empire State Bldg. and just the top of the very distinctive Chrysler Bldg.

Watched about 12 LearJets, Gulfstreams & props take-off while I was there, which felt strange as I listened to the news on TV about the crash today with Payne Stewart aboard. This is also on the flight path for EWR, so also saw 3 commercial planes banking to get into rotation for landing. Just as I was getting up to leave, I took one more look at the skyline and saw an F-16 flying from west to east, then looked down toward Teterboro and watched the Amtrak train go by. This was a real beehive of transportation activity…all in a space of about 20 minutes.

Meetings all day Tuesday here, then on to dinner. More to follow on Wednesday….




[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 10-25-1999).]

thank you http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Shadow: I believe the Rosemount Shiraz is what you're talking about and I couldn't agree with you more. Great wine every vintage. Someone must have just gotten board of it because there seems to be plenty of it everywhere i look. http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

scribbler

Shadow,
We will have to find the real good Porter in HNL while waiting for the others. A buddy of mine wants me to fly out to visit him and his wife and mentioned Baltimore and the same places that you mentioned.

Shadow and Rich G and I are going to the Clam Broth House in Hoboken, which has been there longer than all of us except ancient arturo! I have not been there in years but looking forward to good seafood (since Steak is on the menu friday with Geo1004 and anyone else who wants to join us!)

Never been to Baltimore so maybe I should make a trip there sometime if I can be INSPIRED TO!!

The beer sounds tasty! Can't wait to try some at the PIP! THINK PIP!!!

Wed. Oct. 27th EWR-CVG-PDX

Very enjoyable supper with Catman & RichG last night in Hoboken, NJ. See Catman's post under FT Community. Catman told me Michael Weiss (mweiss) was coming into NYC tonight. Sorry I wasn't in town 1 more day. Would have enjoyed seeing him again.

Did the Exec. Lounge for breakfast today, decent spread, but nothing special. Cereal, juice, bagels, muffins, etc. Only 3 other people in there at 8:30am. Checked out at 11:00am and headed to EWR for a 1:20pm flight. Left a comment card at the Front Desk telling them this is likely to be the last time I stay there, due to the excessive phone charges.

Car return quick at National, took the monorail to Terminal B to check in. No one in line at DL counter so I decided to check-in there instead of CRC, which is inside security. Very nice lady at counter, we started to talk about how pretty the Northwest is, then I asked her if she was a Yankee fan. She was, and boy was she excited about last night's game. Well, she forgot
to ask me the security questions even though I showed her my ID. She also didn't ask for my SWU, which was another bonus. That makes at least 4 times this year that I've been upgraded without giving up paper or
E-certs….I love it!

I may actually have a couple SWU's that expire before I can use them, since my success rate at switching to E-certs has been about 85% this year. Should get 2 more SWU's in the mail shortly, and will make Gold Medallion for 2000 on the PIP trip.

CRC was not very busy. Small but well stocked with papers and plenty of cubicles & work areas. Windows face the runways & taxiways, so good views on a clear day like today. Stayed until 5 minutes before boarding, then on to gate.

DL 1532 (757) EWR-CVG Where is everyone? This can't be all the pax, but it was. Total of 68, with 17 FC & 51 in back. FA crew was Seattle-based, and I have been on flights with some of them before. Spent 30 minutes of the 1:20 hr. flight in the galley with the FA's. BTW, no non-revs on this flight, of the 17 upfront, only 2 had no elite status (4 PM, 9 GM, 2 SM, 2 FF).

Push back on time, take off to the North, do gentle bank to the NE, fly directly over the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, turn back to NW and then steep turn toward the SW. Very smooth, little or no cloud cover, we were at 10K ft. in what seemed like no time at all. Served a cold snack, grilled chicken breast over fusilli pasta with a small salad & roll….pretty tasty. Arrived 5 min. early at Gate B27, connection at B18.

DL 1903 (757) CVG-PDX This flight is a code-share with AF & SR, so it was full front & back. Take off on time, flight time 4:16 (strong head winds) and quite bumpy. At one point the pilot told the FA's to stop serving & sit down…that lasted about 20 minutes. We went up to 33K and it got better. Shrimp cocktail appetizer with 5 medium shrimp, good dinner (3 choices-chicken, steak or fish) and ice cream sundaes for dessert. Took about a 1½ hr. nap and woke up 45 minutes before landing. Descent was a bit rough , but no problems and landed on time at 6:20pm.
Luggage took about 25 minutes, and it was raining pretty hard, so most came in pretty wet.

Next trip is the PIP, leaving next Wednesday.

Sorry I missed you, shadow. I hope all is well with you.

I'm sitting in the big Presidents Club at EWR right now. Wrapping up my report from last week's trip, and I'll have my real-time of todays CO125 probably tomorrow AM.

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Michael
OnePass Platinum