AtlMan
Jun 1, 00, 5:26 pm
Since Evergreen State asked about my trip to SEA, I'll attempt a synopsis of the weekend's events. I'm not one to remember all the details like so many of the great reports I've read here, so this report may be a little lacking in pizazz.
PSP-SEA AL Flt 573 - 5/26 @ 359P
Flight was a bit late leaving PSP. Flight time of 2h31m. Fully loaded 737-700, the new bird to the AL fleet. Sat in seat 7A, second row of coach. Seat was comfortable. Pitch was adequate. In flight service consisted of a hot chicken breast sandwich on a warm roll with provolone cheese, dijonnaise, side container of potato salad, an apple, and cookie for dessert. Actually, not bad, and they passed through twice with the cart to serve drinks and a third asking if they could get us anything else. Flight arrived at 1900, about 30m late, at Gate D4, so not too much walking through SEA.
The weather was just the opposite of what was forecast. There was sun mixed with the clouds every day except Tuesday, which is the morning I returned to PSP. Great overall, and a hell of a lot better than the 110-113 range that I would have suffered through in PSP. This trip was literally to escape the heat.
Stayed with a friend who lives in Seattle, just east of Boeing Field. Friday night, had dinner at Anthony's Bell Street Diner. The wait for the main restaurant upstairs was long, as we did not have reservations, so we chose to dine downstairs. Food was very good as was the service. Location could hardly be beat as it is right on Puget Sound, next to a small marina and the cruise ship terminal. Great atmosphere, very upbeat/lively place.
Not much else to speak of on the food side, other than a visit to Claim Jumper restaurant. Was curious to know what this place was like, as they are building one in my area. Let me just say that two appetites to finish one of their menu items. Incredible amounts of food, whether an appetizer, entree, or dessert. Thought that the food was great, a super deal for the money, and look forward to the local opening later this year.
Went to the Supermall, Seattle's answer to the Mills malls, the huge-outlet malls sprouting up outside major metro areas nationwide (Discover Mills is under construction in Gwinnett County, just north of Atlanta). Spent a couple of hours there, looking and buying. Only reason to go there was to kill some time before our evening plans.
Visited the Museum of Flight, which was pretty cool. Wanted to get into either the Renton or Everett Boeing plants, but my friend (a Boeing employee) was not able to get a visitors pass.
This friend is also a private pilot, and she wanted to take me flying. Tried on Saturday and Sunday, but the conditions weren't favorable for the islands north and west of Seattle. Monday late morning was the same story. But Monday evening we got the green light.
Took a Piper Warrior out of Renton, did a couple of touch-and-go's, flew over Sea-Tac midfield at approx. 2000 feet. Got what I hope is a great shot of the terminal complex. Turned north and headed towards downtown Seattle.
Landed at Boeing Field, where I once again spotted the Delta 764, along with two other 764s in Boeing colors (one with a special livery, perhaps for Farnborough), and about 20 other various Boeing jets for South African, Condor, Alaska, Copa, etc. From there, headed north past downtown Seattle towards Paine Field (Everett).
I took the controls just north of downtown and piloted the plane until we were ready to descend into Paine. Those days of taking flying lessons (no private pilots license) came right back to me. Landed at Paine, and decided to taxi past the line of Boeing big-boys on the ramp. Spotted 2 AA 777s, an Air France 777, ANA 777-300, and four Delta planes, 3 767s (at least two 764s) and a 737-800.
Took to the skies heading back to Renton and landed there about 15 minutes later. It was great, and she is a darn good pilot.
At Renton, saw a slew of 737s, mostly 800s. Korean Air, Delta, AA, South African, and others were on the ramp there.
SEA-PSP AL Flt 510 - 5/30 @ 915A
As always when flying AL, checked-in using the ITMs. Hassle free and quick. Had reserved an exit row window on the MD80, which was somewhere around row 21 or 22. Noticed that when my boarding pass printed, it displayed seat 12F, but asked me the questions about exit row seating. A bit confused, I asked the Alaska agent manning the ITM area which exit row was this. He replied, it is the only one. Ding! This meant that they had done an a/c swap and that the return flight would also be on a new 737-700.
Departing from Gate D10, at the end of the concourse. Discovered the load for the flight was 7F/88Y, not quite full. Decided to upgrade to first for $40. Plane must have come across the field from the hangar, because no one deplaned after it parked at the gate. Boarding was smooth, and I took my seat, 2F. Had bottled water at each seat. FA took drink orders. First class filled up with 12 bodies, coach cabin boarded efficiently, and we backed off the gate right on time.
I began a conversation with the lady sitting beside me, so I hardly noticed takeoff, but we must have been first or second in line to go. Captain informed us that this plane had just been delivered to AL six days prior to our flight, so this may have been its second or third day in service. Flight time of 2h15m. Estimated arriving in PSP 15m early.
Breakfast consisted of a Fair Scone filled with raspberry preserves, and a fresh fruit plate. Very good, and while not a knock your socks off spread, coach had no meal to speak of. Smooth flight all the way, and arrived into PSP at 1140a, 14m ahead of schedule.
Had a great time. There are other things that I could put in here, but it is probably already too long for some to successfully finish reading, so I will leave it alone. Hope somebody finds this report interesting.
Next up: SFO/OAK 6/12-6/18.
PSP-SEA AL Flt 573 - 5/26 @ 359P
Flight was a bit late leaving PSP. Flight time of 2h31m. Fully loaded 737-700, the new bird to the AL fleet. Sat in seat 7A, second row of coach. Seat was comfortable. Pitch was adequate. In flight service consisted of a hot chicken breast sandwich on a warm roll with provolone cheese, dijonnaise, side container of potato salad, an apple, and cookie for dessert. Actually, not bad, and they passed through twice with the cart to serve drinks and a third asking if they could get us anything else. Flight arrived at 1900, about 30m late, at Gate D4, so not too much walking through SEA.
The weather was just the opposite of what was forecast. There was sun mixed with the clouds every day except Tuesday, which is the morning I returned to PSP. Great overall, and a hell of a lot better than the 110-113 range that I would have suffered through in PSP. This trip was literally to escape the heat.
Stayed with a friend who lives in Seattle, just east of Boeing Field. Friday night, had dinner at Anthony's Bell Street Diner. The wait for the main restaurant upstairs was long, as we did not have reservations, so we chose to dine downstairs. Food was very good as was the service. Location could hardly be beat as it is right on Puget Sound, next to a small marina and the cruise ship terminal. Great atmosphere, very upbeat/lively place.
Not much else to speak of on the food side, other than a visit to Claim Jumper restaurant. Was curious to know what this place was like, as they are building one in my area. Let me just say that two appetites to finish one of their menu items. Incredible amounts of food, whether an appetizer, entree, or dessert. Thought that the food was great, a super deal for the money, and look forward to the local opening later this year.
Went to the Supermall, Seattle's answer to the Mills malls, the huge-outlet malls sprouting up outside major metro areas nationwide (Discover Mills is under construction in Gwinnett County, just north of Atlanta). Spent a couple of hours there, looking and buying. Only reason to go there was to kill some time before our evening plans.
Visited the Museum of Flight, which was pretty cool. Wanted to get into either the Renton or Everett Boeing plants, but my friend (a Boeing employee) was not able to get a visitors pass.
This friend is also a private pilot, and she wanted to take me flying. Tried on Saturday and Sunday, but the conditions weren't favorable for the islands north and west of Seattle. Monday late morning was the same story. But Monday evening we got the green light.
Took a Piper Warrior out of Renton, did a couple of touch-and-go's, flew over Sea-Tac midfield at approx. 2000 feet. Got what I hope is a great shot of the terminal complex. Turned north and headed towards downtown Seattle.
Landed at Boeing Field, where I once again spotted the Delta 764, along with two other 764s in Boeing colors (one with a special livery, perhaps for Farnborough), and about 20 other various Boeing jets for South African, Condor, Alaska, Copa, etc. From there, headed north past downtown Seattle towards Paine Field (Everett).
I took the controls just north of downtown and piloted the plane until we were ready to descend into Paine. Those days of taking flying lessons (no private pilots license) came right back to me. Landed at Paine, and decided to taxi past the line of Boeing big-boys on the ramp. Spotted 2 AA 777s, an Air France 777, ANA 777-300, and four Delta planes, 3 767s (at least two 764s) and a 737-800.
Took to the skies heading back to Renton and landed there about 15 minutes later. It was great, and she is a darn good pilot.
At Renton, saw a slew of 737s, mostly 800s. Korean Air, Delta, AA, South African, and others were on the ramp there.
SEA-PSP AL Flt 510 - 5/30 @ 915A
As always when flying AL, checked-in using the ITMs. Hassle free and quick. Had reserved an exit row window on the MD80, which was somewhere around row 21 or 22. Noticed that when my boarding pass printed, it displayed seat 12F, but asked me the questions about exit row seating. A bit confused, I asked the Alaska agent manning the ITM area which exit row was this. He replied, it is the only one. Ding! This meant that they had done an a/c swap and that the return flight would also be on a new 737-700.
Departing from Gate D10, at the end of the concourse. Discovered the load for the flight was 7F/88Y, not quite full. Decided to upgrade to first for $40. Plane must have come across the field from the hangar, because no one deplaned after it parked at the gate. Boarding was smooth, and I took my seat, 2F. Had bottled water at each seat. FA took drink orders. First class filled up with 12 bodies, coach cabin boarded efficiently, and we backed off the gate right on time.
I began a conversation with the lady sitting beside me, so I hardly noticed takeoff, but we must have been first or second in line to go. Captain informed us that this plane had just been delivered to AL six days prior to our flight, so this may have been its second or third day in service. Flight time of 2h15m. Estimated arriving in PSP 15m early.
Breakfast consisted of a Fair Scone filled with raspberry preserves, and a fresh fruit plate. Very good, and while not a knock your socks off spread, coach had no meal to speak of. Smooth flight all the way, and arrived into PSP at 1140a, 14m ahead of schedule.
Had a great time. There are other things that I could put in here, but it is probably already too long for some to successfully finish reading, so I will leave it alone. Hope somebody finds this report interesting.
Next up: SFO/OAK 6/12-6/18.