Kurt
May 17, 00, 8:32 pm
Sat., May 13
UA252 DEN-ORD
777-200 N781UA
Seat 10H
Kind of a long-ish SkyRide from downtown to DIA on this beautiful, slightly hazy (Los Alamos fires) day. SkyRide is popular; it was a very full bus. I checked in at the West RCC and surrendered 1,500 in certs - no freebies today, I'm afraid. Lots of 757s lined up from B-32 to B-26.
After getting a shoeshine I headed for B36. Boarding commenced at 12:10. This aircraft was equipped with old seats but in-seat video unlike N785UA which I flew on in February. Champagne (Vueve Amiot or Bouvet) /OJ/mimosas were served. Yes, first class was full of employees save for two or three seats. There was some confusion with an in-uniform F/A sitting in 9H; she was approached by another F/A and after a brief conversation she gathered up her things and left.
We pushed back to-the-second on-time at 12:40 and were off the ground about 12:50 or so. Channel 9 was on; found out that UA250, the 12:39 767 DEN-ORD was behind us. Slight bumpiness on initial climb was followed by a smooth ride.
I have to say that the service was a bit perfunctory-feeling. Our flight time was only 1:40 but the whole meal service seemed rushed, then the crew disappeared. Lunch (no choice) was fettuccine primavera (mine had broccoli, squash and a couple of sun-dried tomato bits, but others seemed to have mostly carrots), roll and salad (with tomatoes). Neither the shakers nor tubes were present, just a combo salt/pepper paper packet a la McDonald's. A new low? Dessert was a delicious fruit tart.
I amused myself watching Sundance Channel (a short called Holiday Romance about a woman who lures a man into her apartment, then locks him inside to take care of her dog while she's away on vacation, was quite amusing). We landed at about 3:40 (after we were advised of an early arrival), then sat in the penalty box for 15 minutes and arrived right on time at C12 at 4:00. Looks like the aircraft went on to Paris.
UA882 ORD-IAD
727-200 N7284U
Seat 3B
This flight had about 15 flight attendants deadheading to IAD for a flight to Paris. None sat in first, however. There were two empty seats, then a deadheading captain (four stripes) popped out of the flight deck at the last minute and sat in 3C. A full drink service was offered before departure. We were informed by the crew that because of a huge line of thunderstorms plaguing the East Coast we would be waiting at the gate for 15 minutes. No problem; the crew offered us more drinks. The woman next to me was headed to the Million Mom March and was unfamiliar with flying in first class. After she had consumed a few glasses of red wine, she asked me when she was supposed to pay and was surprised to learn that drinks were free. She was quite friendly and offered me her Sunday Chicago Tribune to read. After pushing back from B14 at 5:15 (departure was supposed to be at 4:51), we taxied to a holding area where 10 or 12 other aircraft were parked in neat rows, waiting. The engines were shut down and the crew informed us that we would be waiting for the storm to pass. We were given permission to get up and use cell phones/electronics if we wanted. I monitored Channel 9. We sat for about 50 minutes, during which time the crew was very attentive, refilling drinks, chatting with passengers and answering questions.
After we got the go-ahead we were off the ground within four minutes. A dinnertime snack soon arrived; choice of a chicken sandwich on a very thick roll or pasta salad with shrimp. I had the sandwich and it was a little on the tough side. I ate just a little bit of the roll and some of the tomato relish. Glass salt and pepper shakers were present. Surprisingly, no dessert of any sort was offered; I was expecting a cookie or something but nada came. I listened to Channel 9 for a good deal of the flight. Sound quality on the 727s is pretty bad but it's better than nothing. Another UA flight, 1882, was also approaching IAD at the same time as we were, resulting in it being identified as "one thousand eight hundred eighty two," a bit strange but I guess you don't want any confusion in that department.
The flight was fairly smooth and after being treated to a spectacular sunset approach with lightning from the departing storm flashing, we arrived at gate D-6 at 8:55 (7:38 was scheduled), off we went.
I went with Thrifty for my car rental. I was surprised when the shuttle took me not to the row of rental agencies but to the nearby Fairfield Inn. I was further surprised when I got into the bright red Focus ZX3 hatchback ($18.99 a day; that's why I went with Thrifty) and found a 5-speed transmission -- the first time I've ever had a manual transmission in an American rental car. What a treat -- the car was a ball to drive.
Tue., May 16
UA7274 IAD-BWI
Jetstream J-31 N473UA
Seat 4C
After enjoying some very pleasant cool, sunny weather in Washington I arrived at Dulles at about 2:30 for a 3:25 departure to Baltimore. As I was hoping the United Express agent did not collect certs for the BWI-DEN leg. The A/B concourse is so nice compared to C and D; it doesn't feel like the ceiling is closing in on your head. Saw the Lufthansa Star Alliance A340 and a newly-painted Virgin 747-400. Empty seat next to me and good exit row legroom made for a pretty comfortable flight.
We departed right on time and were informed that it would be a bumpy ride. The woman behind me soon became very queasy, grabbing the seat ahead of her every time the plane pitched around, sweating and eventually putting her face in an airsick bag (fortunately she didn't actually use it so that telltale smell never came wafting along). On our climb out of IAD I noticed an Air France A340 cross our path about 3,000 feet below as it headed straight for Dulles -- a nice sight. We arrived on time at 4:05.
I went upstairs to the RCC to wait; at this time of day the very small BWI club was crowded. I wanted to get an aisle seat but the RCC agent (I think Helene is her name; I've seen her there a few times) was not able to offer anything other than rows 1 or 6 so I stayed put in 3A. Helene was quite nice to a man who said that when he flew last week a mix-up resulted in his being downgraded without a downgrade kit being issued: she handed five 500 mile certs to him from her "collected" pile so he wouldn't have to write a letter.
UA1507 BWI-DEN
757-200 N574UA
Seat 3A
By the time I boarded it was only about 15 minutes until departure and all of the overhead space was taken. I ended up putting my largish carry-on about 10 rows back in economy. The aircraft was equipped with new style seats and enlarged overhead bins but no Empower. Champagne and OJ were offered. Saw the WN “California Bear” special paint 737 taxi by.
We pushed back right on time at 5:15 and were airborne within 10 minutes. Menus (small “short haul” style) were distributed. The flight attendant used the manifest to offer meal choice by MP status; I think I was the last person to get a choice since I’m only a Premier Exec.
Menu (for Carfield):
Garden fresh salad, accompanied by country French or classic Caesar dressing
Grilled strip steak with wild mushroom sauce, complemented by garlic potatoes and haricorts verts
Pan-seared halibut with rustic tomato ragoût, offered with roasted red potatoes and Chinese snow peas with yellow bell pepper
Dessert: Eli's Peach Blueberry tart
I had the steak and thought it was above average; fairly tender and not overcooked. I would have preferred to have the sauce served on the side rather than on top, however. The garlic mashed potatoes were delicious. Hot rolls were distributed from a basket and real S&P shakers were present and accounted for. The salad (no French dressing; it was vinaigrette instead) was assorted designer greens, a large tomato slice and some asparagus spears and was quite good. The tart arrived on a tray after dinner was cleared away. Too bad it was quite cold like it hadn't thawed all of the way.
I watched the film, RKO 281 mostly to pass the time; it was not especially memorable; I kept expecting to see the action from inside John Malkovich as another person occupied his body but it never happened. Wasn't this shown on HBO originally? Seems like they could at least show theatrical releases. After the film the usual short subjects came on, including an episode of Suddenly Susan, a show which has been suddenly cancelled so it probably won't be around the friendly skies much longer.
The crew was proficient but not really very warm and personable. Overall the impression was one of a cabin filled with businesspeople being served by a businesslike crew. About an hour into the flight the crew called for a doctor and the man next to me in 3B stood up. Evidently a woman was having some sort of panic attack which turned out to be not serious.
It got a little bit bumpy on our approach but the flight was generally smooth. We landed late for some inexplicable reason given our on-time departure and quick takeoff. Arrival at B28 was at about 7:05, maybe 12 minutes late. I fought the tide coming out of economy, retrieved my bag and was quickly on my way home. Aside from the weather-related delay I give United above-average but not outstanding marks for this trip.
UA252 DEN-ORD
777-200 N781UA
Seat 10H
Kind of a long-ish SkyRide from downtown to DIA on this beautiful, slightly hazy (Los Alamos fires) day. SkyRide is popular; it was a very full bus. I checked in at the West RCC and surrendered 1,500 in certs - no freebies today, I'm afraid. Lots of 757s lined up from B-32 to B-26.
After getting a shoeshine I headed for B36. Boarding commenced at 12:10. This aircraft was equipped with old seats but in-seat video unlike N785UA which I flew on in February. Champagne (Vueve Amiot or Bouvet) /OJ/mimosas were served. Yes, first class was full of employees save for two or three seats. There was some confusion with an in-uniform F/A sitting in 9H; she was approached by another F/A and after a brief conversation she gathered up her things and left.
We pushed back to-the-second on-time at 12:40 and were off the ground about 12:50 or so. Channel 9 was on; found out that UA250, the 12:39 767 DEN-ORD was behind us. Slight bumpiness on initial climb was followed by a smooth ride.
I have to say that the service was a bit perfunctory-feeling. Our flight time was only 1:40 but the whole meal service seemed rushed, then the crew disappeared. Lunch (no choice) was fettuccine primavera (mine had broccoli, squash and a couple of sun-dried tomato bits, but others seemed to have mostly carrots), roll and salad (with tomatoes). Neither the shakers nor tubes were present, just a combo salt/pepper paper packet a la McDonald's. A new low? Dessert was a delicious fruit tart.
I amused myself watching Sundance Channel (a short called Holiday Romance about a woman who lures a man into her apartment, then locks him inside to take care of her dog while she's away on vacation, was quite amusing). We landed at about 3:40 (after we were advised of an early arrival), then sat in the penalty box for 15 minutes and arrived right on time at C12 at 4:00. Looks like the aircraft went on to Paris.
UA882 ORD-IAD
727-200 N7284U
Seat 3B
This flight had about 15 flight attendants deadheading to IAD for a flight to Paris. None sat in first, however. There were two empty seats, then a deadheading captain (four stripes) popped out of the flight deck at the last minute and sat in 3C. A full drink service was offered before departure. We were informed by the crew that because of a huge line of thunderstorms plaguing the East Coast we would be waiting at the gate for 15 minutes. No problem; the crew offered us more drinks. The woman next to me was headed to the Million Mom March and was unfamiliar with flying in first class. After she had consumed a few glasses of red wine, she asked me when she was supposed to pay and was surprised to learn that drinks were free. She was quite friendly and offered me her Sunday Chicago Tribune to read. After pushing back from B14 at 5:15 (departure was supposed to be at 4:51), we taxied to a holding area where 10 or 12 other aircraft were parked in neat rows, waiting. The engines were shut down and the crew informed us that we would be waiting for the storm to pass. We were given permission to get up and use cell phones/electronics if we wanted. I monitored Channel 9. We sat for about 50 minutes, during which time the crew was very attentive, refilling drinks, chatting with passengers and answering questions.
After we got the go-ahead we were off the ground within four minutes. A dinnertime snack soon arrived; choice of a chicken sandwich on a very thick roll or pasta salad with shrimp. I had the sandwich and it was a little on the tough side. I ate just a little bit of the roll and some of the tomato relish. Glass salt and pepper shakers were present. Surprisingly, no dessert of any sort was offered; I was expecting a cookie or something but nada came. I listened to Channel 9 for a good deal of the flight. Sound quality on the 727s is pretty bad but it's better than nothing. Another UA flight, 1882, was also approaching IAD at the same time as we were, resulting in it being identified as "one thousand eight hundred eighty two," a bit strange but I guess you don't want any confusion in that department.
The flight was fairly smooth and after being treated to a spectacular sunset approach with lightning from the departing storm flashing, we arrived at gate D-6 at 8:55 (7:38 was scheduled), off we went.
I went with Thrifty for my car rental. I was surprised when the shuttle took me not to the row of rental agencies but to the nearby Fairfield Inn. I was further surprised when I got into the bright red Focus ZX3 hatchback ($18.99 a day; that's why I went with Thrifty) and found a 5-speed transmission -- the first time I've ever had a manual transmission in an American rental car. What a treat -- the car was a ball to drive.
Tue., May 16
UA7274 IAD-BWI
Jetstream J-31 N473UA
Seat 4C
After enjoying some very pleasant cool, sunny weather in Washington I arrived at Dulles at about 2:30 for a 3:25 departure to Baltimore. As I was hoping the United Express agent did not collect certs for the BWI-DEN leg. The A/B concourse is so nice compared to C and D; it doesn't feel like the ceiling is closing in on your head. Saw the Lufthansa Star Alliance A340 and a newly-painted Virgin 747-400. Empty seat next to me and good exit row legroom made for a pretty comfortable flight.
We departed right on time and were informed that it would be a bumpy ride. The woman behind me soon became very queasy, grabbing the seat ahead of her every time the plane pitched around, sweating and eventually putting her face in an airsick bag (fortunately she didn't actually use it so that telltale smell never came wafting along). On our climb out of IAD I noticed an Air France A340 cross our path about 3,000 feet below as it headed straight for Dulles -- a nice sight. We arrived on time at 4:05.
I went upstairs to the RCC to wait; at this time of day the very small BWI club was crowded. I wanted to get an aisle seat but the RCC agent (I think Helene is her name; I've seen her there a few times) was not able to offer anything other than rows 1 or 6 so I stayed put in 3A. Helene was quite nice to a man who said that when he flew last week a mix-up resulted in his being downgraded without a downgrade kit being issued: she handed five 500 mile certs to him from her "collected" pile so he wouldn't have to write a letter.
UA1507 BWI-DEN
757-200 N574UA
Seat 3A
By the time I boarded it was only about 15 minutes until departure and all of the overhead space was taken. I ended up putting my largish carry-on about 10 rows back in economy. The aircraft was equipped with new style seats and enlarged overhead bins but no Empower. Champagne and OJ were offered. Saw the WN “California Bear” special paint 737 taxi by.
We pushed back right on time at 5:15 and were airborne within 10 minutes. Menus (small “short haul” style) were distributed. The flight attendant used the manifest to offer meal choice by MP status; I think I was the last person to get a choice since I’m only a Premier Exec.
Menu (for Carfield):
Garden fresh salad, accompanied by country French or classic Caesar dressing
Grilled strip steak with wild mushroom sauce, complemented by garlic potatoes and haricorts verts
Pan-seared halibut with rustic tomato ragoût, offered with roasted red potatoes and Chinese snow peas with yellow bell pepper
Dessert: Eli's Peach Blueberry tart
I had the steak and thought it was above average; fairly tender and not overcooked. I would have preferred to have the sauce served on the side rather than on top, however. The garlic mashed potatoes were delicious. Hot rolls were distributed from a basket and real S&P shakers were present and accounted for. The salad (no French dressing; it was vinaigrette instead) was assorted designer greens, a large tomato slice and some asparagus spears and was quite good. The tart arrived on a tray after dinner was cleared away. Too bad it was quite cold like it hadn't thawed all of the way.
I watched the film, RKO 281 mostly to pass the time; it was not especially memorable; I kept expecting to see the action from inside John Malkovich as another person occupied his body but it never happened. Wasn't this shown on HBO originally? Seems like they could at least show theatrical releases. After the film the usual short subjects came on, including an episode of Suddenly Susan, a show which has been suddenly cancelled so it probably won't be around the friendly skies much longer.
The crew was proficient but not really very warm and personable. Overall the impression was one of a cabin filled with businesspeople being served by a businesslike crew. About an hour into the flight the crew called for a doctor and the man next to me in 3B stood up. Evidently a woman was having some sort of panic attack which turned out to be not serious.
It got a little bit bumpy on our approach but the flight was generally smooth. We landed late for some inexplicable reason given our on-time departure and quick takeoff. Arrival at B28 was at about 7:05, maybe 12 minutes late. I fought the tide coming out of economy, retrieved my bag and was quickly on my way home. Aside from the weather-related delay I give United above-average but not outstanding marks for this trip.