das
May 22, 00, 12:02 am
A few notes about this trip… It was not a mileage run per se, although the miles help. My overnight “detour” to TPA is a result of the crazy pricing structure in the Northeast. A one way SYR-DCA ticket would have cost well over $350 (and a round trip, discarding the return about $300) , so my SYR-PIT-TPA-DCA ticket at $187.50 turned out to be a cheaper option. The other alternative was Greyhound…but it would have cost nearly $100…and I was busy until 4pm, so it would have meant a 4am arrival in DC (not what I wanted…)
US 1125, Tuesday May 16
SYR – PIT 6:30pm to 7:35pm
DC-9-30, N925VJ
I arrived at SYR around 5:30pm, check in was very quick. There are two terminals in SYR, one for US and NW and another for the other airlines. The US terminal was dead quiet – US used to have a hub here, but its operation is downsized significantly. US is still the dominant carrier in SYR, but the jet flights are all to hub cities. They have prop flights to all over the place, though.
Flight was about half full, and boarding, take off, etc. all on time and routine. There was a drink service offered. Surprise! They actually brought around a cart full of choices instead of just a tray of Pepsi and Diet Pepsi. It was a short one hour flight, everything on time and smooth. Very nice river view on the approach into PIT. Crew was Boston based and the plane (not the flight #) continued on to BOS. Forgot to mention the plane was old logo.
Had 1:20 layover in PIT, so I checked out the shopping. Not really too impressive, given all the talk about the “shopping mall.”
US 1674, Tuesday May 16
PIT – TPA 8:55pm to 11:14pm
MD-80, N822US
Another old logo plane! But no big deal. This flight was just over half full – they guy next to me grunted when I sat down and then moved. The Southwest model certainly works better on emptier flights, since people just seem to take whatever seat they want anyway. Was a comfortable ride with an empty seat adjacent to me.
Eveything was on time, like clockwork. Service was the full drink cart, plus a tiny bag of pretzels. It was a bag with an advertisement for kennethcole.com. Listen people, why do you all mock Metrojet and Southwest? How on earth did this mainline flight differ from Metrojet or Southwest, in terms of service. (Assigned seats didn’t mean anything, and you certainly can’t argue pretzels beat peanuts.)
I was in coach, but FC was completely full. One group of business people had only one person in the group clear the upgrade and the rest were jealous, so the F/C F/A offered them the F/C snacks (didn’t look too impressive – just packaged cookies).
The F/As were very friendly on this flight (I was thinking…am I on US Airways??), and even asked if I wanted another beverage when picking up the trash. Seems like a complete contrast to my BWI-PIT flight last October (with 32 pax on board, I might add), when the F/A got annoyed at me because I wouldn’t take Diet Pepsi, and that was all she had left on her tray.
Landing in TPA was early…around 11pm, and we were at the gate by 11:05pm. After a short ride on the peoplemover, I was at baggage claim, and, surpise, bags were already coming out. I was into a Taxi by 11:15pm and at my hotel (Homestead Village) by 11:30pm. Wow!
The Homestead Village was booked on Priceline for $40 a night. Honestly, I was hoping for something with a free airport shuttle, because the $10 cabfare each way made it quite an expensive place to stay. But it was a very new extended stay property, small room with one queen bed and kitchenette. Clean and quiet, all I cared about for my short layover.
US 1610, Wednesday May 17
TPA – DCA, 7:20am to 9:20am
737-200
I arrived at TPA around 6:10am. Yes, it was a short night of sleep, but I had to do some business at the Southwest ticket counter, so I ensured I arrived early. It was a good thing because my flight to DCA was cancelled. It was a sold out flight, so that made it even more difficult. But I was early and had three options for reprotection:
- Metrojet to LGA and Shuttle to DCA, arriving at 12:00pm
- United to IAD and ground transportation to DCA, arriving IAD at 10am
- Midway to DCA via RDU, arriving at 11am
In hindsight, I should have taken United, because I am Premier and want to make sure I requalify, but I opted for Midway instead, because, honestly, I didn’t want to fuss with Dulles since I was headed for downtown DC. (That’s why I booked myself into DCA, for the same price as IAD or BWI.)
I was VERY impressed that US didn’t try to force me onto the LGA connection. If it was Delta, they’d keep me sitting in TPA for 6 hours, instead of putting me on another airline. (I’ve had experiences like that.) But honestly, they had to reaccommodate so many people, the LGA flight probably filled anyway, and I know the CLT flight was full. I was told I was the last passenger Midway would reprotect because they were now sold out. I also asked to get my Dividend Miles credit for the cxld leg…no problem, the agent filled out a form.
JI 372, Wednesday May 17, 2000
TPA – RDU, 7:40am to 9:25am
Fokker 100, reg # 110
Delta handles Midway checkin at TPA, and gladly took my AAdvantage number. So looks like I double dip for this trip – and since I can pool my US and AA miles, it’s essentially double miles.
I explored the TPA airport looking for somewhere to eat breakfast. Looks like another Sodexho Marriott monopoly, because there is literally nothing good to eat. I can’t understand why airports don’t have competition among their concessions – when there is one company controlling all the outlets, there is no incentive to provide decent prices of good food.
Boarding began around 7:20am and we pushed back on time at 7:40am. Flight was about 2/3 full..hmm why did Midway not want any more passengers from US? Again, I was in coach (unlike the rest of you, flying up front is a rarity for me), but it was interesting that there was only one passenger in F.
Service was a shrink wrapped blueberry muffin (read: preservatives) and beverage. They offered hazelnut flavored coffee, which tasted quite good.
Am a bit confused. Midway argues they are full service, while Southwest is cut rate service. Besides the assigned seat, I don’t see how Midway is any different? Southwest serves those garbage prefabricated muffins at the gate, it’s just the same as Midway.
An interesting tidbit…Midway has two restrooms for coach, a ladies restroom and a unisex restroom. And hot towels were handed out just before landing. Nice touch, but I’m not going to choose an airline just because they give me hot towels.
Landing in RDU was right on time at 9:25am; the flight # and crew continued on to Hartford, but the plane was going onto LGA. Lots of upset passengers who thought they had a through flight.
RDU concourse looks like it has seen better days. It was desserted, and just like TPA, no good food. (Wishing I was in PIT, SFO, LAX, AUS, LGA…just an airport where I can eat!!) It was a long hike through a very quiet concourse for my connection to DCA.
JI 930, Wednesday May 17, 2000
RDU – DCA, 10:10am to 11:08am
Canadair Regional Jet
Boarding the RJ commenced around 9:55am. It was through a jetway, which was convenient. Other than the very low ceiling, the RJ cabin was relatively comfortable. The flight again was 2/3 full, am still mystified why Midway didn’t want more US passengers. Lots of no shows I guess?
The funny thing about this flight was there were 2 F/As for the 50 pax cabin. Was it a training flight, or is this the norm? Couldn’t believe it could be the norm…
Anyway, push back was right on time, and after a short wait, we took off. Service was just a beverage and bag of peanuts. I’m not expecting a full meal or anything else, but am still confused how Midway is more full service than Southwest…..
Flying time was just over 40 minutes. We circled over Arlington, Tysons Corner, etc. on approach to DCA. Seemed like a circuitous approach, but it was a very scenic landing. We parked at the Northwest/TWA/ATA terminal, which is VERY old and a bit run down. I was, of couse, expecting the new terminal where all the other airlines seem to be.
There was a short wait for baggage, then it was off to the Metro. But, darn, the Metro is from the main terminal. So I get on a bus to the main terminal and get on the Metro into DC, with my 2 pieces of luggage, laptop, and carry on. Big hassle. Should have taken a cab, but it was only $1.10. Dropped my luggage at the Loews Hotel, and work on my business downtown.
After I’m done, I pick up my luggage, and take a cab to the Omni Shoreham, located adjacent to Woodley Park, where I am actually staying. Booked this one through Priceline for $100 a night. A real steal, considering it’s a 1 night stay on Wednesday and the city is sold out. I would have paid more to stay at the HoJo.
The check in agent scolds me for not standing in line (I ask, “Where is the line, I’d be glad to join it?”) and she tells me that no one is in line. But she is angry at me. Moral of the story: If someone scolds you, let them scold you, so they don’t get angry at you. I knew she was angry at me because she refused to give me 2pm checkout and was quite stubborn about it. As a side note, there is no sign for a line, and people just seemed to be waiting wherever they pleased.
I have a DCA-JFK-SFO-SYD trip and really would like to have a swim and take a shower before getting on the plane. It’s not like they need all their rooms vacated by Noon to get them clean for the arrivals (because, duh, many arrivals are very late in the day).
But she refuses. Her excuse: “We are sold out and I am not allowed to.” I ask who I should ask for an exception. And she tells me to call the manager when I get up to my room. (And refuses to ask herself.) So I get to my room, explain the situation nicely to the desk manager, and even modify my departure time to 1:30pm (my flight is at 3:15pm so 2pm is cutting it close), and of course it’s no problem. I’ve worked in the hotel business and the one thing I’ve learned is that reasonable requests can always be accommodated if you talk to someone with authority.
The room is huge – or maybe I am just being deceived because the beds are small – but it seems much wider than most hotel rooms. Old fashioned décor, which I’m not a fan of, but a nice view of Woodley Park and a large desk. For the price I am paying on a midweek night, I have no complaints. (And am glad I am not paying $75 to stay out at
Dulles, which is what I did last time I had to be in downtown DC midweek … those savings evaporated quickly with the $8 shuttle from Dulles to Falls Church Metro…not
to mention my time.)
But if you use Priceline, try a bid less than $100 first. It’s just that this week the city was very busy…I tried bids from $50 to $100 in various increments (by adding zones, star ratings, etc.) I got the Wyndham Washington (a great hotel , IMHO) for $45 on a Monday night on October, probably because it’s Columbus Day.
US 1125, Tuesday May 16
SYR – PIT 6:30pm to 7:35pm
DC-9-30, N925VJ
I arrived at SYR around 5:30pm, check in was very quick. There are two terminals in SYR, one for US and NW and another for the other airlines. The US terminal was dead quiet – US used to have a hub here, but its operation is downsized significantly. US is still the dominant carrier in SYR, but the jet flights are all to hub cities. They have prop flights to all over the place, though.
Flight was about half full, and boarding, take off, etc. all on time and routine. There was a drink service offered. Surprise! They actually brought around a cart full of choices instead of just a tray of Pepsi and Diet Pepsi. It was a short one hour flight, everything on time and smooth. Very nice river view on the approach into PIT. Crew was Boston based and the plane (not the flight #) continued on to BOS. Forgot to mention the plane was old logo.
Had 1:20 layover in PIT, so I checked out the shopping. Not really too impressive, given all the talk about the “shopping mall.”
US 1674, Tuesday May 16
PIT – TPA 8:55pm to 11:14pm
MD-80, N822US
Another old logo plane! But no big deal. This flight was just over half full – they guy next to me grunted when I sat down and then moved. The Southwest model certainly works better on emptier flights, since people just seem to take whatever seat they want anyway. Was a comfortable ride with an empty seat adjacent to me.
Eveything was on time, like clockwork. Service was the full drink cart, plus a tiny bag of pretzels. It was a bag with an advertisement for kennethcole.com. Listen people, why do you all mock Metrojet and Southwest? How on earth did this mainline flight differ from Metrojet or Southwest, in terms of service. (Assigned seats didn’t mean anything, and you certainly can’t argue pretzels beat peanuts.)
I was in coach, but FC was completely full. One group of business people had only one person in the group clear the upgrade and the rest were jealous, so the F/C F/A offered them the F/C snacks (didn’t look too impressive – just packaged cookies).
The F/As were very friendly on this flight (I was thinking…am I on US Airways??), and even asked if I wanted another beverage when picking up the trash. Seems like a complete contrast to my BWI-PIT flight last October (with 32 pax on board, I might add), when the F/A got annoyed at me because I wouldn’t take Diet Pepsi, and that was all she had left on her tray.
Landing in TPA was early…around 11pm, and we were at the gate by 11:05pm. After a short ride on the peoplemover, I was at baggage claim, and, surpise, bags were already coming out. I was into a Taxi by 11:15pm and at my hotel (Homestead Village) by 11:30pm. Wow!
The Homestead Village was booked on Priceline for $40 a night. Honestly, I was hoping for something with a free airport shuttle, because the $10 cabfare each way made it quite an expensive place to stay. But it was a very new extended stay property, small room with one queen bed and kitchenette. Clean and quiet, all I cared about for my short layover.
US 1610, Wednesday May 17
TPA – DCA, 7:20am to 9:20am
737-200
I arrived at TPA around 6:10am. Yes, it was a short night of sleep, but I had to do some business at the Southwest ticket counter, so I ensured I arrived early. It was a good thing because my flight to DCA was cancelled. It was a sold out flight, so that made it even more difficult. But I was early and had three options for reprotection:
- Metrojet to LGA and Shuttle to DCA, arriving at 12:00pm
- United to IAD and ground transportation to DCA, arriving IAD at 10am
- Midway to DCA via RDU, arriving at 11am
In hindsight, I should have taken United, because I am Premier and want to make sure I requalify, but I opted for Midway instead, because, honestly, I didn’t want to fuss with Dulles since I was headed for downtown DC. (That’s why I booked myself into DCA, for the same price as IAD or BWI.)
I was VERY impressed that US didn’t try to force me onto the LGA connection. If it was Delta, they’d keep me sitting in TPA for 6 hours, instead of putting me on another airline. (I’ve had experiences like that.) But honestly, they had to reaccommodate so many people, the LGA flight probably filled anyway, and I know the CLT flight was full. I was told I was the last passenger Midway would reprotect because they were now sold out. I also asked to get my Dividend Miles credit for the cxld leg…no problem, the agent filled out a form.
JI 372, Wednesday May 17, 2000
TPA – RDU, 7:40am to 9:25am
Fokker 100, reg # 110
Delta handles Midway checkin at TPA, and gladly took my AAdvantage number. So looks like I double dip for this trip – and since I can pool my US and AA miles, it’s essentially double miles.
I explored the TPA airport looking for somewhere to eat breakfast. Looks like another Sodexho Marriott monopoly, because there is literally nothing good to eat. I can’t understand why airports don’t have competition among their concessions – when there is one company controlling all the outlets, there is no incentive to provide decent prices of good food.
Boarding began around 7:20am and we pushed back on time at 7:40am. Flight was about 2/3 full..hmm why did Midway not want any more passengers from US? Again, I was in coach (unlike the rest of you, flying up front is a rarity for me), but it was interesting that there was only one passenger in F.
Service was a shrink wrapped blueberry muffin (read: preservatives) and beverage. They offered hazelnut flavored coffee, which tasted quite good.
Am a bit confused. Midway argues they are full service, while Southwest is cut rate service. Besides the assigned seat, I don’t see how Midway is any different? Southwest serves those garbage prefabricated muffins at the gate, it’s just the same as Midway.
An interesting tidbit…Midway has two restrooms for coach, a ladies restroom and a unisex restroom. And hot towels were handed out just before landing. Nice touch, but I’m not going to choose an airline just because they give me hot towels.
Landing in RDU was right on time at 9:25am; the flight # and crew continued on to Hartford, but the plane was going onto LGA. Lots of upset passengers who thought they had a through flight.
RDU concourse looks like it has seen better days. It was desserted, and just like TPA, no good food. (Wishing I was in PIT, SFO, LAX, AUS, LGA…just an airport where I can eat!!) It was a long hike through a very quiet concourse for my connection to DCA.
JI 930, Wednesday May 17, 2000
RDU – DCA, 10:10am to 11:08am
Canadair Regional Jet
Boarding the RJ commenced around 9:55am. It was through a jetway, which was convenient. Other than the very low ceiling, the RJ cabin was relatively comfortable. The flight again was 2/3 full, am still mystified why Midway didn’t want more US passengers. Lots of no shows I guess?
The funny thing about this flight was there were 2 F/As for the 50 pax cabin. Was it a training flight, or is this the norm? Couldn’t believe it could be the norm…
Anyway, push back was right on time, and after a short wait, we took off. Service was just a beverage and bag of peanuts. I’m not expecting a full meal or anything else, but am still confused how Midway is more full service than Southwest…..
Flying time was just over 40 minutes. We circled over Arlington, Tysons Corner, etc. on approach to DCA. Seemed like a circuitous approach, but it was a very scenic landing. We parked at the Northwest/TWA/ATA terminal, which is VERY old and a bit run down. I was, of couse, expecting the new terminal where all the other airlines seem to be.
There was a short wait for baggage, then it was off to the Metro. But, darn, the Metro is from the main terminal. So I get on a bus to the main terminal and get on the Metro into DC, with my 2 pieces of luggage, laptop, and carry on. Big hassle. Should have taken a cab, but it was only $1.10. Dropped my luggage at the Loews Hotel, and work on my business downtown.
After I’m done, I pick up my luggage, and take a cab to the Omni Shoreham, located adjacent to Woodley Park, where I am actually staying. Booked this one through Priceline for $100 a night. A real steal, considering it’s a 1 night stay on Wednesday and the city is sold out. I would have paid more to stay at the HoJo.
The check in agent scolds me for not standing in line (I ask, “Where is the line, I’d be glad to join it?”) and she tells me that no one is in line. But she is angry at me. Moral of the story: If someone scolds you, let them scold you, so they don’t get angry at you. I knew she was angry at me because she refused to give me 2pm checkout and was quite stubborn about it. As a side note, there is no sign for a line, and people just seemed to be waiting wherever they pleased.
I have a DCA-JFK-SFO-SYD trip and really would like to have a swim and take a shower before getting on the plane. It’s not like they need all their rooms vacated by Noon to get them clean for the arrivals (because, duh, many arrivals are very late in the day).
But she refuses. Her excuse: “We are sold out and I am not allowed to.” I ask who I should ask for an exception. And she tells me to call the manager when I get up to my room. (And refuses to ask herself.) So I get to my room, explain the situation nicely to the desk manager, and even modify my departure time to 1:30pm (my flight is at 3:15pm so 2pm is cutting it close), and of course it’s no problem. I’ve worked in the hotel business and the one thing I’ve learned is that reasonable requests can always be accommodated if you talk to someone with authority.
The room is huge – or maybe I am just being deceived because the beds are small – but it seems much wider than most hotel rooms. Old fashioned décor, which I’m not a fan of, but a nice view of Woodley Park and a large desk. For the price I am paying on a midweek night, I have no complaints. (And am glad I am not paying $75 to stay out at
Dulles, which is what I did last time I had to be in downtown DC midweek … those savings evaporated quickly with the $8 shuttle from Dulles to Falls Church Metro…not
to mention my time.)
But if you use Priceline, try a bid less than $100 first. It’s just that this week the city was very busy…I tried bids from $50 to $100 in various increments (by adding zones, star ratings, etc.) I got the Wyndham Washington (a great hotel , IMHO) for $45 on a Monday night on October, probably because it’s Columbus Day.