Trip Reports - LAX-DAL-LAX on LC (Legend Airlines)

After reading an article by Randy about Legend, and their Double Miles for Life program, I decided to try them out. The only problem with the double deal was you must fly by May 31st to qualify. Living temporarily in the LA area was fortuitous for me, since they only fly to 3 cities right now…LAX, LAS & IAD, all from a base at DAL (Love Field).

The new company I'm working for has an office & showroom in the World Trade Center on Stemmons Freeway in Dallas, and DAL is much more convenient to fly into. Since I'll probably be traveling to the area a lot, that was another reason to check it out.

For those who don't know, Legend is another all Business Class carrier, like Midwest Express. They have configured DC-9's with 56 very comfortable all-leather seats. Leg rests, winged head rests, about 48-50" pitch (more in exit rows) and a DirecTV screen with 24 channels in each seatback. They allow 4 carry-ons, which can be placed in HUGE overhead bins with handrails.

Some friends that I haven't seen in a while just recently moved to Dallas (ironically in Irving, near DFW). And the fact that next weekend is Memorial Day, time was running out if I wanted to qualify. So I checked the website, read all the info about their new terminal at Love Field, and booked a ticket. Since it was last minute, it cost $350, but I've paid lots more than that for last-minute coach seats. BTW, Legend miles can also be used on DL.

Got a weekend B&B rate (includes 2 b'fasts) at the Sheraton Brookhollow, which is about 3 miles from Love, and got a dirt-cheap rate of $21 from Avis Preferred for the weekend day.

Arrived at LAX at 10:20am for the 11:40am flight. Legend is in the DL terminal, and their ticket counter is at the far right end of the DL counters. The flights depart from Gate 52B, tucked just behind the Jamba Juice stand. Went to the CRC (which is just a few steps away) and got a juice and sat down to read the paper.

Celebrity sighting: About 15 people in the CRC and right across from where I sat was a black man reading the LA Times. He had the paper up in front of his face so all you could see were his hands. After a few minutes I looked up and just as I did, he lowered the paper. It was Sidney Poitier. He looked over and smiled, I nodded & went back to my paper. About 10 minutes later a DL Redcoat came & collected him and they left the CRC. He still looks great; a classy looking man! One of my all-time favorite move lines is "They call me MR. TIBBS!"

Got to the gate at 11:00 but no plane yet. Counter said it was on the ground and would be turned around quickly. It pulled in at 11:05 and unloaded about 17 pax. They called for boarding at 11:20, just a simple announcement "all passengers on Legend Flight 12 to Dallas may board now." Since there were only about 20-25 pax, there was no problem. I just happened to be the first one on and was greeted warmly by Tina, one of the FA's. Back to my seat at 7C, stashed my bag in the bin & sat down. At first the seat seemed a bit too firm, but it really is VERY comfortable. Played with all the buttons, looked for a headset (none there) & generally settled in. Tina came by with a basket of headsets (I had hoped for noise-cancelling), but they were the same ones DL uses in domestic FC. Now I could channel surf the DirectTV! (One of the 24 is an Airshow channel that I checked all through the flight.) No one in 7D, so I moved to the window once the door closed.

Flight didn't push back until 11:50am, then pilot informed us we were stuck behind 2 DL 767's that had pushed back, so we'd sit here for a few minutes. Finally took off at 12:10pm on a clear sunny day. Gradually turned to the SE, then east heading straight towards TUS. Levelled off at 34K, cruising at approx. 520 knots. I dozed off for awhile and woke up to the smell of warm towels, but I didn't have one. Tina came by, saw I was awake & literally ran to the front to get me one. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif When she delivered the towel she took my drink order and was back quickly with it and a ramekin of mixed nuts (some of the biggest Pecans and Cashews I've ever seen). The lunch choices were either a hot Chicken Breast w/veggies or a California Wrap sandwich with Salami, Prosciutto, Cheese & Spinach. Took the Wrap, and it was served with a side of corn/tomato salsa (with far too much cilantro for me), herbed redskin potatoes, and a multi-grain crusty roll. Also served with a nice bunch of grapes which helped cleanse the palate after the herb potatoes & salami. Two foil wrapped chocolates in a box finished off the tray, served on real china, with real glasses and real glass S&P shakers. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Passed on wine, but the only one I really saw was a Fetzer white. The guy across the aisle from me had about 3-4 glasses of the red.

Spent some time in the galley with Tina & her crew partner Marcy. Tina flew for AA for 8 years, quit 4 years ago to have a baby & just came back to work with LC and loves it. She told me many of her old AA FA friends are quitting or trying to find other work. Seems the work load & culture at AA is getting really bad. Marcy is a young, pretty blonde with a great tan, but she spells her name BIMBO. She's from CA, but told me she's going to move to LAS since they fly there and she can change her base. She also asked me if I get to LAS much (silly girl!), and I told her at least 2-3 times per year. She was very proud to tell me she also works as a convention hostess for a number of Trade Shows. That I can understand with her looks…

Settled back in to channel surf, but found an Emeril Live that just started and watched it. He had Mario Batalia (Molto Mario) on as his guest and they prepared a dish together at the end. Mario is a terrific Italian chef with a restaurant, wine shop and a few cookbooks published. When that ended I watched an A&E show about the Mafia and Las Vegas (think I saw it before), then surfed around the Travel & Golf Channels. We had just started our descent and I was interested in the flight path. It sure looks different flying into DAL instead of DFW…much nicer over some pretty, lush residential areas instead of the bleak & barren areas around DFW. Landing was smooth on a warm sunny afternoon.

I rented from Avis because they are the recommended partner for LC, and the website said their counter was right next to the ticket counter in LC's private Executive Terminal…wrong! The counter was there and the sign was there, but no people. Finally the agent at the counter called Avis at the main DAL terminal & they sent the shuttle. First time I've used my new Preferred status and it's pretty nice. Gave them my name, showed my license & they handed me my contract already done & walked right outside to a nice Toyota Camry XLE (which has an excellent sound system). Not bad for $21!

Quick trip to the Sheraton, dropped my SPG card on the desk & he handed me my room key. Club Level (12th floor), but no Club on weekends. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Gave me 2 breakfast coupons, told him it was just me, but if he wanted to give me one for dinner instead... He smiled, took one away and that was that. Nice room, big workdesk with HP OfficeJet printer/fax, comfy pneumatic chair and king-size bed. Thick robe folded on the corner of the bed with a welcome letter from the Asst. Manager. Two bottles of water with the ice bucket, coffeemaker and excellent assortment of potions and unguents too. Not bad for the price…

Met my friends at 7:00pm at Dickey*s Barbecue - A Texas Tradition Since 1941 on McArthur Blvd. & Walnut Hill, right down the street from Valley Ranch (where the Cowboys train). Had a wonderful dinner & visit with them, spent time talking about how they'll adjust to the Dallas heat & humidity (they're from ORD) and just catching up. Wished them luck and back to the Sheraton where I just finished watching the Phila. Flyers whip the NJ Devils.

Return flight is at 9:50am Sunday morning, so I may do an addendum to this report once I return. Going to LAS on DL this coming Tuesday to do some interviewing and return on Wednesday. Will only 'file a report' if something REALLY GOOD happens. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif Just called DL & got my U/G on the Tues. flight.

Thoughts about Legend: I really enjoyed the experience flying with them. They still have some work to do, but I feel they can be a great addition to the markets they're in. FA Tina told me they were taking delivery of 1 or 2 more planes soon, but don't have enough FA's to staff all of the flights. A new batch of FA's are starting school next week, I think she said. I wonder what other cities they're considering? Maybe Randy knows…

Loads have been at 40-70%, but Tina said she has worked a couple full loads. Today's load was 17 (of 56) from DAL-LAX and my flight had 25 pax, which is the break-point for adding a 3rd FA. Service today was good, not great, but I attribute part of that to Marcy. It was obvious that Tina was a 'veteran' and very gracious and nice. She really likes her job and does it well. She even waved goodbye as I was outside waiting for the Avis Shuttle & said 'hope to see you again soon'. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

That's all folks….

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I tried so hard to get a ticket on the flight from Dallas to LAX last night. Would have had to drive 300 miles to Dallas, but the flight was both totally sold out and also left before I could make it. But next time I go to Dallas I WILL they them. But not before May 31. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Nuts http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Cilantro http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

I wondered who Legend was. I'd never heard of them, but checked in IAD - ATL yesterday, with their counter right next to the FC/Medallion DL station and a DL agent bouncing back and forth between the two stations, as demand required. Legend clearly got priority.
There was a sign on the Legend counter that said something about Sky Miles, but I didn't really read it, for reasons that will be clear from my later trip report.
Sounds like this might be a line to watch.

Thanks for the report on the new airline, shadow.

I've taken 2 flights on Legend and have another booked for the week after next. Exemplary service and a more convenient (to me) airport.

The Return Trip

Before I give you the details about the flight, there were some interesting articles in the Dallas Morning News today about AA (the 800 lb. gorilla in Dallas) and a couple Letters To The Editor that really ripped AA. I apologize for the length, but anyone who travels to the DFW area regularly should know about this stuff.

I’ll probably be reprimanded for posting them here, but ‘what the hell’. They really do have a positive spin about Legend, and that’s what this report is about. Here goes…

The article was basically about new/upstart airlines fighting for gates at airports. National & Sun Country talked about how difficult its been to get gates that weren’t ‘in the boonies’. “We end up getting the leftovers,” said Lawrence Beckstead, director of properties & facilities for National in LAS. He describes obtaining gates as “an uphill battle.” The rest of the article (about AA & LC):

In Dallas, Fort Worth-based American Airlines – intent on competing with newcomer Legend Airlines – wants to operate 3 new, spacious, upper-level gates at Love Fields east concourse for premium service to LAS & ORD. Instead, the city of Dallas, which owns Love Field, has offered 4 smaller gates on the ground level of the north concourse. The debate escalated last week when the city threatened legal action if American didn’t halt construction of the upper-level gates. American warned it would suspend Love Field operations altogether if the city doesn’t relent by May 28th.

Under FAA regulations, airports receiving federal funds must provide airlines with what the agency calls ‘reasonable access’ to space at their facilities. At Love Field, city officials are just beginning to grapple with how growth at the airport should be handled. Until now, few dreamed that the aging facility would be used for long-haul flights. In February, a federal appeals court gave the airport new life, paving the way for a significant increase in the number of flights.

The appeals court ruled that airlines at Love Field can fly to cities beyond Texas and its four adjoining states as long as they use planes with 56 seats or fewer. Flights by Legend and American to ORD, LAS, LAX and IAD were the first long-haul trips from Love since DFW opened in 1974.

American and the city disagree about the gates and the master plan. And the city’s offer of 4 ground-level gates in the north concourse is not a reasonable accommodation, according to American. In contrast, the newly renovated east concourse gates on the airport’s upper level offer spacious holding rooms, higher ceilings and the look of a modern terminal. It comes closer to matching Legend Airlines new $20 million terminal.

T. Allen McArtor, Legend CEO and President, has said the airline would consider suing the city if American gets the east concourse gates, because the city turned down a similar request by Legend.

Delta, which also requested space at Love Field, was asked to share the same gates provided for American. They have not yet accepted this space. Delta had planned to start new flights as early as June; now it isn’t sure when its service will start, said spokeswoman Peggy Estes.

The Love Field dispute comes as DFW also finds itself stretching at the seams to accommodate new carriers. DFW is now planning to build an international terminal, its first new terminal since the airport opened. Unlike Love Field, DFW enjoys plenty of room to expand. Its master plan envisions growth of up to 12 terminals.

Now the Letters To The Editor:

Let’s see if I have this right: Legend Airlines had to build its own terminal for more than $20 million. Legend spent millions in legal fees fighting for the right to fly out of Love Field against American Airlines and the city of Fort Worth’s wishes, and now American wants to use that right which Legend fought for? That sounds so silly. To top it off, American wants special consideration to use the east concourse even though the city of Dallas has said NO and the city didn’t allow Legend to use it either. American wants its cake and eat it too.

Does American really think the citizens of Dallas are that stupid? We don’t forget that easily.

Here’s a compromise: Let American spend at least $20 million renovating the east concourse, let it sue the city with legal bills running into the millions, and allow the delay to drag on for 3 years just like it dragged Legend’s case, and then maybe we’ll let American use our pretty little airport which it has fought with teeth & nails to keep out good old American competition.

And….

How ironic it is that Allan McArtor’s article calling for an end to Americans stranglehold in the DFW market should appear 18 years to the very day Braniff International parked its aircraft & threw in the towel after Americans’ cut-throat tactics bled it dry. I do not mean to imply that Braniff had no responsibility for its problems, but Bob Crandall’s ruthless and unrelenting pressures were well documented. The day Dallas allowed its hometown airline to crash and burn was the day American became King of the Hill.

Thank you, Legend Airlines, for having the audacity to thumb your nose and tell the Emperor (American) he has no clothes.

Am I bitter about Braniff’s demise? You bet. My husband flew for Braniff for 16 years before it bit the dust. Do I wish ill on American? No, my son-in-law flies for them. But it can be the meanest bully on the block…and it is satisfying to hear it cry and whine at its predicament which occurred by its own actions regarding the Love Field situation.

I fully expect a rebuttal from Dr. Burkey http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Without further interruption, here’s the scoop about the return trip…

LC #1 DAL-LAX Dep 9:50am-Arr 11:10am Seat 1C 5/21/00

Used my breakfast chit for the Buffet at the Sheraton; only 2 others in the restaurant at 7:30am. Food was OK, weak selection for a Sunday Buffet, but had eggs, sausage, grits and fresh fruit. Checked out already, with bill under the door when I got up. Stopped at desk to make sure my SPG number was in the record…OK.

Arrived DAL Executive Terminal at 8:10am, after returning car to Avis, which took about 45 seconds. Went in and got my BP & back outside to enjoy the beautiful sunny morning. Sitting on a bench reading the above articles and who should walk up…Tina the FA from yesterday! She’s on the LAX flight today, but without Marcy. Told me she’d see me onboard shortly. Not 5 minutes later, Capt. Mays, the pilot on the inbound, walked into the terminal; he was also on this flight today. (Once he gets seated in the cockpit he puts on his shades & his Detroit Tigers hat!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif

Finally through security and to Gate 3 for the flight. I noticed at Gate 2 they were installing computers…flat screen monitors being installed & tested by a couple people. Go to Gate 3 and there were 2 installed & working but couldn’t get to one. Looked over someone’s shoulder…they have both Netscape & IE with free access. Looks like there will eventually be 3-6 stations at each gate. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Boarding starts at 10-15 minutes before the flight; today we boarded at 9:40. First one aboard, got a smile from Tina and met her partner on the flight, Brandi. Another young, tanned & attractive lady who is every bit as qualified & good at her job as Tina. There are no pre-flight drinks; they spend most of their time explaining the seats, buttons and TV to first-time LC flyers. Tina told me the load was 24 for this flight. We pushed back at 10:00 and had to wait behind a WN flight in line. Take-off smooth, but Capt. Mays warned us there was bumpy air above. Watching the Airshow, the worst chop was between 10-18K ft., and again at about 25K. We settled at 31K to cruise at about 510 knots, and it was smooth & clear for the duration.

As soon as we got above 20K, Tina & Brandi started with hot towels and then took drink orders. This had been listed as a snack flight so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Ordered tomato juice and it was brought promptly with a ramekin of pecans. Very different pecans…they were glazed, slightly sweet with a hint of some sort of peppery Cajun-type spice. Interesting combination. The tomato juice seemed to be just the right drink to calm the palate afterwards.

After everyone was served drinks, they came back for snack orders. Choices were Fruit Crepes with Yogurt or Poached Salmon with Wild Rice Pilaf. Took the Crepes, and there was enough fruit to feed a family of 4!! Tray delivered with 2 crepes; one with blackberries, raspberries & blueberries, the other with sliced apple/raisin filling, along with a cup of vanilla sauce. Also a real bowl of yogurt with chunks of peach (sure beats eating it out of a plastic cup with foil), another plate with a BIG strawberry, slices of kiwi, canteloupe & honeydew, and 3 sections of pink grapefruit. There was also a rolled slice of prosciutto on the plate and we were offered a choice of French or sourdough rolls. This has got to be one of the biggest SNACKS I’ve ever seen on a plane. If I had known how much food, I probably would have skipped the buffet this morning. BTW, the man across the aisle said the Salmon was excellent too.

Decided to lift my personal ‘no alcohol on flights’ ban, and had a Mimosa. It was so good I had Brandi make me another one. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Finally gave up hoping to eat it all and had them take the tray away. Tina was still filling wine glasses (Fetzer red & Bolla Chardonnay), and taking coffee orders. She tried to ‘sell me’ on coffee with Bailey’s or Kahlua, but told her I was far too full.

Decided to start this report instead of sleeping (and believe me, I could have easily slept after that meal and the champagne). Before I knew it, the Capt. told us we had been cleared for initial descent, but ATC had slowed us down a bit. We should still be in on time, but he was hoping to arrive about 10 mins. early. Landed at 10:55am, taxied and were at Gate 52B at 11:05, still 5 minutes early. Thanked Tina & Brandi for a great flight and stuck my head into the cockpit. The Capt. still had his Tigers hat on; thanked him & told him I really liked the flight. He thanked me for flying with Legend.

No luggage to claim, back to the Residence Inn by 11:45 am.

Another few notes about Legend: This airline could certainly spoil you for regular flights, especially if you don’t fly in F that often. Take 2-3 of these flights in a row, then on a regular flight and it will be a real letdown.

DirecTV is nice, but I sure would have preferred to have music as I was writing this report. If that’s the biggest negative I’ve found, it ain’t so bad! Maybe I should write a letter…

I really like this airline! As Randy said in his article, Double Miles For Life is a great concept as long as the airline has a long life. I sure hope they are financially stable and can keep this going. Everyone should have a chance to experience it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Finis

I really liked this report, Shadow. I hope Legend survives.

I liked Midwest Express when I've flown it although the FAs were a bit cold all the times I've flown them (that Midwestern reserve perhaps.)

Love Field is much better than the alternatives and now this fabulous sounding airline...of course AA is pulling every trick they can, I don't blame them that is the nature of business. The new Frontier airlines has had the same type of problems with UA in Denver, AirTran in Atlanta, the difference here is that the quality of the product blows everything else away.

It is so pleasant boarding a plane with fewer seats and no classes. Nobody has to rush for overhead bin space, no hurry to board, no anxiety.

The trouble is how they will build enough routes to be viable, and whether their model will scale. Business fares have gotten so high that there are fat profit margins for the airlines that can figure out how to maintain high loads while pampering business customers. But to do this they need to continue to appeal to business travelers and get a lot of high fare repeat business. The hardest part is fighting the predatory practices of the Goliaths in each market.

Midwest Express has done it, but they are in much less competitive routes competing with perhaps the worst N. American airline in terms of quality (you know who I'm talking about.) They do have feeder routes in SF, LA, etc. but their dominion is solidly in the Midwest where they don't face much competition. (My wife flew them from LA and had to bear two stops, one in Omaha and the other in Milwaukee, on the way to Washington DC area).

Thanks for the report. I know a couple of people who work there, and it is nice to see what real customers think. I too, think that AA needs to quit taking DFW for granted. Even arriving internationally, I was treated to a bad experience. First I had to boot my laptop to prove it was a computer in order to take it on board, and then at DFW a 400 meter walk to Immigration, in order to walk to the other end of the terminal for baggage. And this is my company's preferred carrier. Good luck LC.

Great reports Shadow! Thank You!

A postscript...AA keep thumbing their nose at the city of Dallas. See below.

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines has reached agreement with Continental Express for a 30-day extension to use its gates at Love Field, which will allow American to continue to operate its full Love Field schedule without interruption. American will continue to pursue permission from the Dallas City Council to temporarily use three gates in the east concourse while the Love Field master plan is developed.

Great report Shadow !!!

Today, I booked my first trip on Legend DAL-IAD-DAL). It's this weekend so I qualify for lifetime miles http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I'm looking forward to the 1st trip, especially after your report. And I live in Euless TX, right next to DFW. Even with the drive to Love, I expect a smoother airport experience.

Talk to yall later

Thanks for this great report, Shadow. I especially enjoyed the very detailed description of your flight experience, make me kind of feel like I am travelling along with you.

I believe that LC plans on offering the double-miles-for-life offer in the future as it adds new cities, in other words for the first few months from each new city it adds you will get a chance to qualify by flying a roundtrip from that city.

That is good news, Beckles. I want to try Legend out, even better to get the double miles for life promo. Unfortuantely, I'll be out of the country for the rest of the month, so I won't be able to catch this promo.

Shadow: Thanks for the great trip report. You've whetted my appetite for giving Legend a try. Next time I'm flying into DAL...

Thanks, Shadow, for that great report. I'll have to try Legends next time I visit my Mom in Texas--I don't have enough AA miles anymore so can't upgrade. Might as well be comfortable.

In case anyone missed it, Legend announced today they are adding 4 daily trips to ORD, sometime in June I think.

I wonder what the chances are of an AA Gold getting Double Miles for Life if I fly the ORD-DAL route the first week they offer it?

Actually, I don't care about the miles. I'd fly ORD-DAL-LAX on Legend just to avoid having to pay $250 in upgrade charges on AA.

I hope Legend can succeed in that market with the premium product. It sounds absolutely fabulous.

Nick, I'm sure you won't be disappointed with a Legend flight. You'll probably pay a bit more, but when you consider your upgrade costs...probably might be a 'wash'.

Looking forward to hearing from steve64 about his trip this weekend.

[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 05-29-2000).]

Bringing thread forward - Enjoy while they lasted!