richard
Aug 19, 00, 9:34 pm
The flight IAD-LAX
Late Thursday Steve's terrific sedan plucked me from my office and we speeded to Dulles airport. The UAL PE lady assured me that the 5:35 IAD-LAX was on time.
I had to ask a million questions..."Is the equipment there? Has the mechanic checked it? Has the catering truck avoided colliding with it? What about that cap of dark storm clouds?" She convinced me that everything was a go. Everything smooth at the RCC, went to the gate and
delay. Delay. But suddenly...we're boarding.
Maybe it was my imagination but they were really trying, at least at the beginning of the flight. Even refilled my cheap plastic champagne glass pre-takeoff.
Anyone else notice that Channel 9 is a casualty these days? I went to the cockpit and asked the Captain to turn it on. He cheerfully flipped a switch and said, "you got it." First flight in about 8 or 10 with Channel 9 on.
The FAs only abandoned us after the meal had been served, then neither hide nor hare was to be seen until near landing, natch. But that I expect.
Smooth flight, the better C seats (not the best but better) with individual LCD monitors. Great landing, on time arrival.
The Avis situation
LA was a zoo, but Avis was worse. My first car, a Lumina, had a very whiney air conditioner. About a mile from Avis I knew I'd either return the car or go totally nuts so I went back, returned it, and had to go in to do an exchange. I was promised an Impala. I found it, drove to the exit with my contract, and the guard said I had the wrong car.
They had put the car in the wrong space. Now I was perturbed. I got the Preferred Manager and explained the problem and we negotiated a free day of rental for my trouble. Avis has been great and it is when I have a problem which is seldom, that they always come through. So I drove off in a new Impala with 78 miles on the odometer.
Stayed at the Four Points at the airport. So much Demo Convention traffic that everything else was stuffed up (full). Four Points service was excellent. They gave me a suite with a couch and chairs and two desks and a king bed, for $140. I was very pleased. Breakfast continued with excellent service, really unusual.
Next day, Friday, drove to Westlake, drove to Long Beach, had a very pleasent long meeting at the Marriott at the Long Beach airport on the patio. It couldn't have been a prettier spot or a nicer day. Occasionally a jet would take off and my only regret was it was hard to spot through the canopy of trees.
The Dinner
Then we drove to Pico Rivera to meet QuietLion and Hunnybear at a favorite spot, the Dal Rae Steak House. For those of you in LA, you know that Pico Rivera has an undeserved reputation for being not so nice, but Dal Rae was incredible.
It was wonderful finally meeting QL and Hunnybear. The head waiter and the Maitre'D stopped by and paid their respects. I think QL must secretly own the place http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time...fantastic spinach salad, incredible filet mignon with a rich peppery sauce and wild mushrooms, garlic bread to die for, and they really know how to make a martini!!
I really enjoyed great conversation with QL and Hunnybear. I am looking forward to doing it again soon.
My only regret was having to leave at 8:30 to get to the airport. UA assured me the flight was leaving at 9:55. Traffic was horrendous, the worst I've ever seen at LAX. We crawled along, so that it was 9:30 when I got to the terminal and the gate is quite a ways away. I called UA as I scooted the 3 miles to the gate and they said the flight was definitely, positively, completely, 100% on time 9:55 count on it Buster don't have a doubt in the world.
Except when I got to gate 66, in the wilderness way out far away, the sign said 10:30. Uhhhh, a sudden mechanical, something to do with brakes.
Then the sign said 11:00. I was very tired at this point. I took matters into my own hands and trudged up to the Customer Service Department and asked for some compensation.
In my nicest manner.
The agent told me, "you're a Premier member and so many are so nasty at times like these" and printed up and gave me an upgrade coupon good for anywhere including Hawaii on any published fare. I felt that was more than fare.
At 11:30 WE FINALLY BOARDED the A319. Surprisingly, F had an empty seat. I settled in and slept through what was a rather bumpy flight and arrived in Dulles at about 7:30am.
Late Thursday Steve's terrific sedan plucked me from my office and we speeded to Dulles airport. The UAL PE lady assured me that the 5:35 IAD-LAX was on time.
I had to ask a million questions..."Is the equipment there? Has the mechanic checked it? Has the catering truck avoided colliding with it? What about that cap of dark storm clouds?" She convinced me that everything was a go. Everything smooth at the RCC, went to the gate and
delay. Delay. But suddenly...we're boarding.
Maybe it was my imagination but they were really trying, at least at the beginning of the flight. Even refilled my cheap plastic champagne glass pre-takeoff.
Anyone else notice that Channel 9 is a casualty these days? I went to the cockpit and asked the Captain to turn it on. He cheerfully flipped a switch and said, "you got it." First flight in about 8 or 10 with Channel 9 on.
The FAs only abandoned us after the meal had been served, then neither hide nor hare was to be seen until near landing, natch. But that I expect.
Smooth flight, the better C seats (not the best but better) with individual LCD monitors. Great landing, on time arrival.
The Avis situation
LA was a zoo, but Avis was worse. My first car, a Lumina, had a very whiney air conditioner. About a mile from Avis I knew I'd either return the car or go totally nuts so I went back, returned it, and had to go in to do an exchange. I was promised an Impala. I found it, drove to the exit with my contract, and the guard said I had the wrong car.
They had put the car in the wrong space. Now I was perturbed. I got the Preferred Manager and explained the problem and we negotiated a free day of rental for my trouble. Avis has been great and it is when I have a problem which is seldom, that they always come through. So I drove off in a new Impala with 78 miles on the odometer.
Stayed at the Four Points at the airport. So much Demo Convention traffic that everything else was stuffed up (full). Four Points service was excellent. They gave me a suite with a couch and chairs and two desks and a king bed, for $140. I was very pleased. Breakfast continued with excellent service, really unusual.
Next day, Friday, drove to Westlake, drove to Long Beach, had a very pleasent long meeting at the Marriott at the Long Beach airport on the patio. It couldn't have been a prettier spot or a nicer day. Occasionally a jet would take off and my only regret was it was hard to spot through the canopy of trees.
The Dinner
Then we drove to Pico Rivera to meet QuietLion and Hunnybear at a favorite spot, the Dal Rae Steak House. For those of you in LA, you know that Pico Rivera has an undeserved reputation for being not so nice, but Dal Rae was incredible.
It was wonderful finally meeting QL and Hunnybear. The head waiter and the Maitre'D stopped by and paid their respects. I think QL must secretly own the place http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time...fantastic spinach salad, incredible filet mignon with a rich peppery sauce and wild mushrooms, garlic bread to die for, and they really know how to make a martini!!
I really enjoyed great conversation with QL and Hunnybear. I am looking forward to doing it again soon.
My only regret was having to leave at 8:30 to get to the airport. UA assured me the flight was leaving at 9:55. Traffic was horrendous, the worst I've ever seen at LAX. We crawled along, so that it was 9:30 when I got to the terminal and the gate is quite a ways away. I called UA as I scooted the 3 miles to the gate and they said the flight was definitely, positively, completely, 100% on time 9:55 count on it Buster don't have a doubt in the world.
Except when I got to gate 66, in the wilderness way out far away, the sign said 10:30. Uhhhh, a sudden mechanical, something to do with brakes.
Then the sign said 11:00. I was very tired at this point. I took matters into my own hands and trudged up to the Customer Service Department and asked for some compensation.
In my nicest manner.
The agent told me, "you're a Premier member and so many are so nasty at times like these" and printed up and gave me an upgrade coupon good for anywhere including Hawaii on any published fare. I felt that was more than fare.
At 11:30 WE FINALLY BOARDED the A319. Surprisingly, F had an empty seat. I settled in and slept through what was a rather bumpy flight and arrived in Dulles at about 7:30am.