shadow
Aug 27, 00, 12:40 pm
Since we'll be moving to CA next week (driving), this is scheduled to be my last flight between cities. Probably the next time I come back to PDX will be for the closing on our house, or for business.
Arrived at LAX at 6:05am for the scheduled 7:00am flight (AS411). LAX was as busy as I've ever seen it until I realized this is the last week before Labor Day…that's why there were so many families w/kids here at 6am.
Had confirmed my upgrade yesterday (2D) and would be using my last MVP coupon (hint) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif . Walked in & found the lines at the AS counters were sooooo long, both regular & MVP. The kiosks were empty, so I made a quick decision to save my coupon & pay the $40 for the U/G.
Checked in at the kiosk, got my B/P and they called me immediately for my checked bag. Those kiosks are GREAT! From the time I punched in my number to the time I walked away from the counter…total time maybe 2 minutes. All this & extra miles too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Through security, stopped & got a coffee and wandered a bit through the busy terminal. I was surprised to see a number of the shops already open at 6:15am. Since I didn't have any more Board Room passes (hint), went to the gate area to read the paper. The PDX gate area, 31A, didn't look that busy.
Finally went to the door at 6:55am to await the call. The Pilot come out to pick-up some paperwork and I recognized him…and he also recognized me. His name is Jerry Pugliese and I've probably flown with him 5-6 times over the last year. Super nice guy who has previously invited me into the cockpit a few times. We chatted briefly and he told me the weather between LAX & PDX was gorgeous, so we should have a very nice flight.
Got the call & was first to board…only 2 other pax behind me at the time. Greeted by a smiling, pretty FA named Heidi who said "great to see you this morning!" Nice way to start a flight, eh? Settled into seat 2D, which had a pillow, blanket & orange juice waiting. Heidi asked if she could get me anything else…no thanks.
It was apparent early on in the boarding process this was not to be a very full flight. Lots of folks at the airport, but most of them obviously don't take their vacations in Portland. The actual headcount on this 737-700 was 7 in F (of 12) and 33 in Y. When I peeked back through the curtain, it looked like there was no one seated beyond row 16. Except for a couple in Row 1, the rest of us in FC had 2 seats each. I moved to the window seat after the door closed.
We pushed back at exactly 7am, quick taxi and a slight wait for a few others ahead for takeoff. Weather was beautiful and this was one of the smoothest flights I've been on in a while. Fell asleep right after takeoff & was wakened by Mary, the FC FA (where's Heidi?) to ask if I wanted breakfast. Fruit, cereal, berry scone & coffee was offered, which I accepted. One thing I did notice for the second straight AS flight was there were no little prayer cards on the tray. That's been such a tradition with AS that you miss it when it's not there. Wonder if they've been getting flak about them from pax?
After breakfast tray was removed, I napped for about ½ hour. Woke up when I heard a crash from the galley (apparently Mary had dropped a tray of coffee mugs). Got up to stretch and spent some time talking to her in the galley and helping her clean up the broken cups. She told me this flight was going to SJC after PDX, then back to PDX, then into OAK. She was working all 4 legs.
Capt. Jerry came on the PA and said we'd be arriving into PDX about 15 minutes early, but the scenery for the last ½ hour of the trip should be great. IT WAS! The part I enjoy so much about flying into/out of PDX is seeing the mountains (Three Sisters, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, etc) and flying down over the Columbia Gorge and into PDX. I've flown into a lot of airports over the years, but PDX will always remain as a special place to fly from/to, especially seeing everything so green year-round. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Gorgeous weather aloft, then through the low clouds into PDX, where it was a bit overcast and cool. Smooth landing and quick taxi to gate C17, I thanked Mary for the great service and bid her adieu. Got to Baggage and my bag was about 6th or 7th to come off, outside & said goodbye to PDX for awhile. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
I will really miss this area, but look forward to finally getting settled in Southern CA. We start the drive down I-5 (note to Matt Wald: in OR we still call it I-5; when you cross the state line into CA it becomes THE 5) next Wednesday and hope to be into our house in Rancho Palos Verdes (overlooking Long Beach Harbor) on Labor Day weekend.
Close this chapter & a new one begins…
Arrived at LAX at 6:05am for the scheduled 7:00am flight (AS411). LAX was as busy as I've ever seen it until I realized this is the last week before Labor Day…that's why there were so many families w/kids here at 6am.
Had confirmed my upgrade yesterday (2D) and would be using my last MVP coupon (hint) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif . Walked in & found the lines at the AS counters were sooooo long, both regular & MVP. The kiosks were empty, so I made a quick decision to save my coupon & pay the $40 for the U/G.
Checked in at the kiosk, got my B/P and they called me immediately for my checked bag. Those kiosks are GREAT! From the time I punched in my number to the time I walked away from the counter…total time maybe 2 minutes. All this & extra miles too. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Through security, stopped & got a coffee and wandered a bit through the busy terminal. I was surprised to see a number of the shops already open at 6:15am. Since I didn't have any more Board Room passes (hint), went to the gate area to read the paper. The PDX gate area, 31A, didn't look that busy.
Finally went to the door at 6:55am to await the call. The Pilot come out to pick-up some paperwork and I recognized him…and he also recognized me. His name is Jerry Pugliese and I've probably flown with him 5-6 times over the last year. Super nice guy who has previously invited me into the cockpit a few times. We chatted briefly and he told me the weather between LAX & PDX was gorgeous, so we should have a very nice flight.
Got the call & was first to board…only 2 other pax behind me at the time. Greeted by a smiling, pretty FA named Heidi who said "great to see you this morning!" Nice way to start a flight, eh? Settled into seat 2D, which had a pillow, blanket & orange juice waiting. Heidi asked if she could get me anything else…no thanks.
It was apparent early on in the boarding process this was not to be a very full flight. Lots of folks at the airport, but most of them obviously don't take their vacations in Portland. The actual headcount on this 737-700 was 7 in F (of 12) and 33 in Y. When I peeked back through the curtain, it looked like there was no one seated beyond row 16. Except for a couple in Row 1, the rest of us in FC had 2 seats each. I moved to the window seat after the door closed.
We pushed back at exactly 7am, quick taxi and a slight wait for a few others ahead for takeoff. Weather was beautiful and this was one of the smoothest flights I've been on in a while. Fell asleep right after takeoff & was wakened by Mary, the FC FA (where's Heidi?) to ask if I wanted breakfast. Fruit, cereal, berry scone & coffee was offered, which I accepted. One thing I did notice for the second straight AS flight was there were no little prayer cards on the tray. That's been such a tradition with AS that you miss it when it's not there. Wonder if they've been getting flak about them from pax?
After breakfast tray was removed, I napped for about ½ hour. Woke up when I heard a crash from the galley (apparently Mary had dropped a tray of coffee mugs). Got up to stretch and spent some time talking to her in the galley and helping her clean up the broken cups. She told me this flight was going to SJC after PDX, then back to PDX, then into OAK. She was working all 4 legs.
Capt. Jerry came on the PA and said we'd be arriving into PDX about 15 minutes early, but the scenery for the last ½ hour of the trip should be great. IT WAS! The part I enjoy so much about flying into/out of PDX is seeing the mountains (Three Sisters, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, etc) and flying down over the Columbia Gorge and into PDX. I've flown into a lot of airports over the years, but PDX will always remain as a special place to fly from/to, especially seeing everything so green year-round. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Gorgeous weather aloft, then through the low clouds into PDX, where it was a bit overcast and cool. Smooth landing and quick taxi to gate C17, I thanked Mary for the great service and bid her adieu. Got to Baggage and my bag was about 6th or 7th to come off, outside & said goodbye to PDX for awhile. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
I will really miss this area, but look forward to finally getting settled in Southern CA. We start the drive down I-5 (note to Matt Wald: in OR we still call it I-5; when you cross the state line into CA it becomes THE 5) next Wednesday and hope to be into our house in Rancho Palos Verdes (overlooking Long Beach Harbor) on Labor Day weekend.
Close this chapter & a new one begins…