Trip Reports - on my way to DCA-HSV-DFW-SEA-ORD-? (US/AA)

Hey FT-ers, I'm on my way via regional jet on US to Huntsville (HUNTS-vul) and so on. I'll look forward to letting you know how all things go.

QuietLion, are you going to be around Seattle on Thursday?

Little known benefit of Huntsville airport ~ There is a busniness lounge on the third floor after security and before the gates. It's absoultely free and has phone lines/copier/fax machine, couches and comfortable chairs, TV's, a bar, basically all around more comfortable than the gate area and never crowded. No fees to get in up there (no free drinks either tough for us CRC members to get used to ...).

Darn it, no, Richard... I'm away at a retreat, then off to Nassau for a few days, then Montreal. I won't be back in Seattle till 11/7 (in time to celebrate my 40th birthday on the 10th! http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif). Sorry to miss you again.

Next time I hope, QL.

Wednesday I took the US Canadair DCA-HSV. I wish the seats would recline, it was like torture, 1 1/2 hour ride. But there are overhead compartments, beats the heck out of turboprops, all in all it was acceptable.

and yes, I did discover the wonderful free lounge at HSV. In fact I invaded this great conference room there and conducted a phone conference call all by my lonesome in this great big conference room.

Had a meeting, then on the way to DFW on a Fokker 100 via AA. I had requested an upgrade for myself and my companion, but for some reason didn't get it. Then I requested it again. A very nice AA agent upgraded him (he has no status) based on my platinum, then said "can you come with me up to the gate and we'll finish there." So we got an escort through security to the gate. There, she found that (of course) there was no room to upgrade me to DFW. So I rode in back, center seat, although it was an exit row. Some businessman remarked good naturedly, "how did you get that great seat?"

The flight to DFW was long (completely full Fokker 100 in Y) but a decent flight. Transferred to the AA MD-80 where both me and my colleague had upgraded to F. Served choice of the filet mignon au poivre, jamaican BBQ chicken, or some pasta dish. I had the steak. Service was excellent, the wine was decent, the steak was good. I had fruit for dessert.

Apparently I was a bit early for the big storm so the flight and landing were smooth.

At the Avis counter, they gave me an Alero. I objected because I am supposed to be upgraded automatically, but it is an "as available" upgrade. The folks in Avis who work there late are never as friendly as the regulars. Although she did offer me a mini-van. I drove the Alero which is IMHO a terrible car.

Stayed at Courtyard by Marriott, which is spartan but decent. Tmrw it's on to DFW for a meeting (I was going through ORD but changed it. AA was going to charge

$500

because my layover was 4 hours 8 minutes. And this is PER PERSON. $1000 for 8 minutes is a lot of money, so I booked a flight so that there will be a 2.5 hour layoover and I figure that nobody at the airport will charge me if I stay over and take the next flight.

We'll see!

I was surprised that US Airways had RJ service between Huntsville and DCA. I thought they only had a few flights to CLT. You learn something new everyday...

Chairman's Preferred