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Feb 19, 00, 5:41 pm
Here's my first attempt at a trip report...
MONDAY, 02/14/00 DBQ-MSP-CVG...NW 2824 / NW 1424
Arrive at our little hometown airport about 45 minutes before flight time. My last flight out of Dubuque was back in November for a Thanksgiving flight to Tennessee to visit my folks. I remembered the agent because we chatted for a while back then...I made sure to get in her line. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif I greeted her by name and she was VERY IMPRESSED that I had remembered her name from so long ago. I asked about first class upgraded seating, telling her I had some certificated to use, even though I am NOT YET an Elite member. Her terminal was down, so she had to go "into the back" to check me in. When she emerged, I was booked in First Class from MSP-CVG and back! A little kindness goes a long way! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
The commuter flight from DBQ-MSP was smooth and relatively on-time...we landed in MSP about ten minutes late, but with a 2:35 scheduled layover this was no problem. My next goal for the day was to purchase a one-year membership to NW's WorldClubs lounge program.
I went to the first lounge I could find at MSP (the smaller of the two) and asked the woman behind the counter for some help. Being non-NW-Elite, I had a coupon from CO (from their Prestige Pack) which would waive the $75 initiation fee for joining the Clubs program. I asked if NW would be willing to "comp" me this fee or just accept in in lieu of joining the President's Club since I'd be flying exclusively on NW. She called a supervisor or someone and them politely told me "NO!"...they would NOT be willing to accept this coupon. I pleaded with her using the arguement that didn't they want my money and business instead of giving it to CO? She didn't care so I left.
I decided "what the hell"...I'll go down to the other NW WorldClub location and try my plea there, what can it hurt? Sure enough, I walk in there, make the same pitch and the ladies first words are "of course we can do that!" So, I hand over my credit card, she does not need the voucher, and $225 later I'm a WorldClubs lounge member! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif I have to agree with you guys...these clubs are very nice and have quite a few amenities.
After a nice meal in the outdoor "cafe" area of Chili's Too, I head back in the WorldClub for a little internet time and a check of voice-mails.
The flight from MSP-CVG is on a DC-9 and I'm in 3A. I boarded a bit late due to extneded time online in the club, and me and my seatmate arrived at the same time. We settle in, and missed the pre-flight drink...our FA says she'll make it up to us. She doesd later by bringing my seatmate a huge bag of dry roasted peanuts, which he was specifically looking for! He even brought them all with him. We have a very interesting conversation (about golf, of course...my passion) and I know I've seen this guy's face before. To make a long story short, he turns out to be Justin Leonard's (PGA tour pro...hit the winning putt in the Ryder Cup) cousin, and looks very similar to him! Cool!
Rented a car from Avis in Cincinnati, a nice Buick that was already warmed up for me. Stayed the evening at the airport Hilton...nothing special but a decent room. Turns out there is a Krispy Kreme doughnuts two blocks away...guess what I had for breakfast the next morning? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Had dinner that evening downtown right near the ballfields on the waterfront called the Montgomery Inn...great ribs and a very nice homebrew. Sat upstairs right on the glass with a great view of the stadiums and riverfront area. Also, this place has TONS of cool sports memorabilia for those of you (like me) that dig that kind of stuff.
TUESDAY, 02/15/00 CVG-MSP-DBQ...NW 1431 / NW 2995
The trip home was much less eventfull. The DC-9 First Class service was okay I guess...no pre-flight drink service and neither flight (up or back) had any type of meal or snack, just peanuts, etc. I ended up with two FC seats to myself as a post-door-clsoing seat shuffle ensued so folks who wanted to sit together could...maybe I should shower more often! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif We departed and landed on-time at MSP and I headed back to the larger WorldClubs for my 1:30 layover.
The late MSP-DBQ flight was also on-time and completely full. I again had the one seat side (my preference) and my seratmates in the immediate area were fun and we all talked the whole way back. We had a UA flight attendant on our plane (visiting her folks in Minneapolis) who was actually stationed in DBQ if you can beleive that...she was also very chatty in our little group. Flight landed on-time and it was home by 10:30pm and then up at 5:30 am for my weekly trip into Chicago for work (DRAT!)
All in all a very pleasant trip experience...my first of the year...with on-time flights, nice conversations on the planes and some good food in Cincinnati, even during our day-long meetings.
MONDAY, 02/14/00 DBQ-MSP-CVG...NW 2824 / NW 1424
Arrive at our little hometown airport about 45 minutes before flight time. My last flight out of Dubuque was back in November for a Thanksgiving flight to Tennessee to visit my folks. I remembered the agent because we chatted for a while back then...I made sure to get in her line. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif I greeted her by name and she was VERY IMPRESSED that I had remembered her name from so long ago. I asked about first class upgraded seating, telling her I had some certificated to use, even though I am NOT YET an Elite member. Her terminal was down, so she had to go "into the back" to check me in. When she emerged, I was booked in First Class from MSP-CVG and back! A little kindness goes a long way! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
The commuter flight from DBQ-MSP was smooth and relatively on-time...we landed in MSP about ten minutes late, but with a 2:35 scheduled layover this was no problem. My next goal for the day was to purchase a one-year membership to NW's WorldClubs lounge program.
I went to the first lounge I could find at MSP (the smaller of the two) and asked the woman behind the counter for some help. Being non-NW-Elite, I had a coupon from CO (from their Prestige Pack) which would waive the $75 initiation fee for joining the Clubs program. I asked if NW would be willing to "comp" me this fee or just accept in in lieu of joining the President's Club since I'd be flying exclusively on NW. She called a supervisor or someone and them politely told me "NO!"...they would NOT be willing to accept this coupon. I pleaded with her using the arguement that didn't they want my money and business instead of giving it to CO? She didn't care so I left.
I decided "what the hell"...I'll go down to the other NW WorldClub location and try my plea there, what can it hurt? Sure enough, I walk in there, make the same pitch and the ladies first words are "of course we can do that!" So, I hand over my credit card, she does not need the voucher, and $225 later I'm a WorldClubs lounge member! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif I have to agree with you guys...these clubs are very nice and have quite a few amenities.
After a nice meal in the outdoor "cafe" area of Chili's Too, I head back in the WorldClub for a little internet time and a check of voice-mails.
The flight from MSP-CVG is on a DC-9 and I'm in 3A. I boarded a bit late due to extneded time online in the club, and me and my seatmate arrived at the same time. We settle in, and missed the pre-flight drink...our FA says she'll make it up to us. She doesd later by bringing my seatmate a huge bag of dry roasted peanuts, which he was specifically looking for! He even brought them all with him. We have a very interesting conversation (about golf, of course...my passion) and I know I've seen this guy's face before. To make a long story short, he turns out to be Justin Leonard's (PGA tour pro...hit the winning putt in the Ryder Cup) cousin, and looks very similar to him! Cool!
Rented a car from Avis in Cincinnati, a nice Buick that was already warmed up for me. Stayed the evening at the airport Hilton...nothing special but a decent room. Turns out there is a Krispy Kreme doughnuts two blocks away...guess what I had for breakfast the next morning? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Had dinner that evening downtown right near the ballfields on the waterfront called the Montgomery Inn...great ribs and a very nice homebrew. Sat upstairs right on the glass with a great view of the stadiums and riverfront area. Also, this place has TONS of cool sports memorabilia for those of you (like me) that dig that kind of stuff.
TUESDAY, 02/15/00 CVG-MSP-DBQ...NW 1431 / NW 2995
The trip home was much less eventfull. The DC-9 First Class service was okay I guess...no pre-flight drink service and neither flight (up or back) had any type of meal or snack, just peanuts, etc. I ended up with two FC seats to myself as a post-door-clsoing seat shuffle ensued so folks who wanted to sit together could...maybe I should shower more often! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif We departed and landed on-time at MSP and I headed back to the larger WorldClubs for my 1:30 layover.
The late MSP-DBQ flight was also on-time and completely full. I again had the one seat side (my preference) and my seratmates in the immediate area were fun and we all talked the whole way back. We had a UA flight attendant on our plane (visiting her folks in Minneapolis) who was actually stationed in DBQ if you can beleive that...she was also very chatty in our little group. Flight landed on-time and it was home by 10:30pm and then up at 5:30 am for my weekly trip into Chicago for work (DRAT!)
All in all a very pleasant trip experience...my first of the year...with on-time flights, nice conversations on the planes and some good food in Cincinnati, even during our day-long meetings.