jongar
Apr 10, 01, 3:43 pm
RTW Part 2 Waldorf Astoria FT meet and EWR-SFO F - Class.
Well I got to stay one night at the Waldorf-Astoria, and what can I say. It was the essence of timeless splendor and opulence. Arriving at the side entrance on Lexington, I proceeded up the escalator to the lobby. A function was taking place, and the number of gentlemen in Black Tie and women in wonderful ball gowns, coupled with the surroundings, and the clock in the center, brought images of a cinemaesque 30's. I proceeded to check in and after a few minutes, checked in. Handing over the usual gamut of plastic, Amex,Hhonors and FF card, she found my booking, and asked me for my coupon (I was using points). Explaining that it should have been faxed to them, she disappeared into the back, to reemerge with empty hands. I signed in and (Just noticed the guy next to me is on an award ticket, judging by the way he's necking those scotch and soda's he doesn’t doe this to often http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) was assigned room 1507. A little disheartened, (I was hoping for something higher) I proceeded to the lift. Why would I mention a lift. Let me explain. Mahogany and teak. The lift not only transports you to your floor, but back in time, when value's were higher. I felt like I was taking part in some grande tour of yesteryear. I proceeded down the corridor, and down a ginnel. I became a bit concerned when my room appeared to be in A DARK CORNER OF THE HOTEL, AND THE WALLPAPER had peeled a little, and however as I opened the door, I was very disappointed. Bt that only lasted a few seconds. Not only had I received a lovely corner room, with a wonderful view down Lexington, but it was a junior suite, with my own private dressing room, and a bathroom that just spelled luxury. Taking a bath, could form part of a fitness regime, as you could do laps in it, the French sink, reminded me of some of the rooms at the Dorchester. The bed of course was wonderful. I had made plans to meet some friends in the city later on, so I concentrated on the impossible. Making myself look beautiful. I am led to believe there are 1.2 million single women in Manhattan. With a combination of charm, personality, a British accent and an unchristian amount of vodka, one of them would succumb, I was shore of it. Well despite my friends assurances, and the number of bars we went to, Samantha from Sex in the City, must of been playing away from home tonight. We had dinner at a wonderful little Italian, even the waiter was a little Italian. The food was simple, but perfectly executed. The tomato's so sweet, they rot your teeth. We finished of the evening in a bar with the most offensive, gratuitously obnoxious, anti-Semitic, anti-white, Hispanic, Caribbean, with or without pulse, but absolutely brilliant comic I have seen in years. Slender toned women, left with stretch marks from the laughing. The secret to life is to be out firepower the taxi driver in queens. I retired to the hotel at about 2.00 and promptly fell asleep, I was to have been woken at 09.0 by a call from Amex, but that call never came. Details of that can be found at this link. - interesting read. Anyway, I packed my bags, and checked out. I must say I do like the TV checkout feature. Not seen that before. I dumped my bags with the Bell Captain and caught a cab to Macy's for a little retail therapy - that’s right ladies we do it as well. Once Mr. Armani and his Colezoni Mafia had relieved me of some hard earned money. I returned to the hotel to get the car to Newark. I had booked a car with Tel Aviv for 3.30. I arrived at the hotel entrance at 3.31. I waited. The Commissar, asked whom I was waiting for, and he rang the guys at the side entrance. To ask them to keep an eye out. At 3.45 I rang them to ask where they were. Operator 54 told me the guy was running late, cos of traffic. I rang at 3.55 and was told, my driver had gone and there was no way they could get anyone to me. Oh and I was a liar. Because there was no way they could make a mistake. And no there was not a manager available because it was Saturday - and that is why the monkeys don’t run the zoo. I got a yellow to the Hilton at Newark. The driver was a really nice guy, although we had a little fun fining the hotel. Another day, another checkin, and yet another gauntlet of plastic cards. LarryU had been in before me, and read them the riot act on Hhonor procedure. Sure enough, a complimentary breakie and an upgrade to the hhoor floor followed. When he heard me talking to Larry, about pre-dinner drinks he gave me a free drink coupon.
The room was like every other, my main concern was to get wired up and get my email. The FT dinner was fun, and I am glad to have met Catman. Whichever plonkers it was who drove him off the board, please be ashamed of yourself. You removed a valuable knowledge base through your actions.
And so onto my flight. EWR-SFO in F. Larry told me I should fly from JFK as they run a 3 class config, and with hindsight I should have. Unfortunately 375% mileage took hold and I couldn't help myself. My flight UA837 Departs EWR at 9.00 I got the shuttle from the hotel, and then the monorail to Terminal A. Through to departures, and then up to checkin. A lack of signage sent me down to the far end by US airways before an about turn and walk back to the United deck. Into the *A Gold and check the bag. Must say, I like the Gold boarding passes. 8.20 ten minutes to boarding, and its trough security and into the RCC. Now I hear a lot about the RCC's and I must say I was quite impressed. A quick double check of my LH Sen card, and I was in. Cup of coffee in one hand and a half croissant. Now that pissed me off. HALF a croissant. What kind of self-deluded bureaucrat decided that croissants should be cur in half so they go stale Eat croissant and drink coffee, steal cup, and I to the boarding area, pick up a NYT and onto the plane. Onto plane, and can see ECO on right so assume first must be on left - what a surprise. WHERE IS FIRST CLASS. I have an F class ticket it says 6C and I am looking at this seat and the stub and the seat and the stub and the seat and the stub ad the seat and the stub. I now have the task of manouvering my self into this F seat. Americans - You have been lied to you, hoodwinked, robbed and made to look foolish more so than when you wear those morose pastel sweaters. This is not first class. This is a seat for people with a fat arse and stumps for legs. F Class means comfort, style and above all exclusivity. Looking out from my vantage point here at the back of the cabin I see every kid of life, and some sub species as well. This is Business class - not F. Write to your congressman now and point out this gross injustice. Fly LH F on a six hour flight and then do this journey. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE DEPRESSURIZE THE PLANE, I WANT TO GO TO JFK. Please grant fly through rights to SQ, TG, BA, VS - you wont regret it. Thats if AA members get mile on BA flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Anyway, once realism had set in, and that I could hijack the plane with a palmtop and length of cable, I settled in. We have two FA's in F today. Maria - charming Hawaiian girl, and Dana, the spare wheel from Jersey.
Maria busied herself taking and fulfilling drinks orders. After a short while and while taxiing Dana, or TSWFJ took orders from the pax for breakie. Now I have read about procedure on these flights before, and I understand that 1K, get priority. Not today, I was first, then the 1K's. This I found strange, later I asked Maria why this was and didn’t they fid it annoying asking in a given order. Yes they do find it annoying, and the reason I was asked first - there is a note on the list that says Garside. J *GLH - and then written in ink 'SENATOR' the SWFJ thought I was a politician.
Anyway breakie, consisted of :
TO BEGIN
Muffins, Croissants and bagels
MAIN COURSE
Mediterranean omlette with smoked mozzarella cheese
Cherry and Pecan nut souffle with custard cream sauce.
Seasonal fresh fruit with cold cereal
I had after that I watched the film and typed this. I must point out I have a new toy. I have had an Ipaq for a while, but on Tuesday I took delivery of a targus keyboard for it. It is superb, not only that but I can listen to mp3's at the same time as type. Lunch is here so ill pack up for the time being.
Just received what I think is called a deli tray, again not bad-not good either. Would it kill them to allow the food to warm to room temperature???
Anyway my co pax is one his 5th scotch and soda, hope im not behind him in the rental queue. Next stop SFO Hilton and a say in San Fran, riding the trams- I hear there’s one named after an Apple - Desiree ??
Jon
Well I got to stay one night at the Waldorf-Astoria, and what can I say. It was the essence of timeless splendor and opulence. Arriving at the side entrance on Lexington, I proceeded up the escalator to the lobby. A function was taking place, and the number of gentlemen in Black Tie and women in wonderful ball gowns, coupled with the surroundings, and the clock in the center, brought images of a cinemaesque 30's. I proceeded to check in and after a few minutes, checked in. Handing over the usual gamut of plastic, Amex,Hhonors and FF card, she found my booking, and asked me for my coupon (I was using points). Explaining that it should have been faxed to them, she disappeared into the back, to reemerge with empty hands. I signed in and (Just noticed the guy next to me is on an award ticket, judging by the way he's necking those scotch and soda's he doesn’t doe this to often http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) was assigned room 1507. A little disheartened, (I was hoping for something higher) I proceeded to the lift. Why would I mention a lift. Let me explain. Mahogany and teak. The lift not only transports you to your floor, but back in time, when value's were higher. I felt like I was taking part in some grande tour of yesteryear. I proceeded down the corridor, and down a ginnel. I became a bit concerned when my room appeared to be in A DARK CORNER OF THE HOTEL, AND THE WALLPAPER had peeled a little, and however as I opened the door, I was very disappointed. Bt that only lasted a few seconds. Not only had I received a lovely corner room, with a wonderful view down Lexington, but it was a junior suite, with my own private dressing room, and a bathroom that just spelled luxury. Taking a bath, could form part of a fitness regime, as you could do laps in it, the French sink, reminded me of some of the rooms at the Dorchester. The bed of course was wonderful. I had made plans to meet some friends in the city later on, so I concentrated on the impossible. Making myself look beautiful. I am led to believe there are 1.2 million single women in Manhattan. With a combination of charm, personality, a British accent and an unchristian amount of vodka, one of them would succumb, I was shore of it. Well despite my friends assurances, and the number of bars we went to, Samantha from Sex in the City, must of been playing away from home tonight. We had dinner at a wonderful little Italian, even the waiter was a little Italian. The food was simple, but perfectly executed. The tomato's so sweet, they rot your teeth. We finished of the evening in a bar with the most offensive, gratuitously obnoxious, anti-Semitic, anti-white, Hispanic, Caribbean, with or without pulse, but absolutely brilliant comic I have seen in years. Slender toned women, left with stretch marks from the laughing. The secret to life is to be out firepower the taxi driver in queens. I retired to the hotel at about 2.00 and promptly fell asleep, I was to have been woken at 09.0 by a call from Amex, but that call never came. Details of that can be found at this link. - interesting read. Anyway, I packed my bags, and checked out. I must say I do like the TV checkout feature. Not seen that before. I dumped my bags with the Bell Captain and caught a cab to Macy's for a little retail therapy - that’s right ladies we do it as well. Once Mr. Armani and his Colezoni Mafia had relieved me of some hard earned money. I returned to the hotel to get the car to Newark. I had booked a car with Tel Aviv for 3.30. I arrived at the hotel entrance at 3.31. I waited. The Commissar, asked whom I was waiting for, and he rang the guys at the side entrance. To ask them to keep an eye out. At 3.45 I rang them to ask where they were. Operator 54 told me the guy was running late, cos of traffic. I rang at 3.55 and was told, my driver had gone and there was no way they could get anyone to me. Oh and I was a liar. Because there was no way they could make a mistake. And no there was not a manager available because it was Saturday - and that is why the monkeys don’t run the zoo. I got a yellow to the Hilton at Newark. The driver was a really nice guy, although we had a little fun fining the hotel. Another day, another checkin, and yet another gauntlet of plastic cards. LarryU had been in before me, and read them the riot act on Hhonor procedure. Sure enough, a complimentary breakie and an upgrade to the hhoor floor followed. When he heard me talking to Larry, about pre-dinner drinks he gave me a free drink coupon.
The room was like every other, my main concern was to get wired up and get my email. The FT dinner was fun, and I am glad to have met Catman. Whichever plonkers it was who drove him off the board, please be ashamed of yourself. You removed a valuable knowledge base through your actions.
And so onto my flight. EWR-SFO in F. Larry told me I should fly from JFK as they run a 3 class config, and with hindsight I should have. Unfortunately 375% mileage took hold and I couldn't help myself. My flight UA837 Departs EWR at 9.00 I got the shuttle from the hotel, and then the monorail to Terminal A. Through to departures, and then up to checkin. A lack of signage sent me down to the far end by US airways before an about turn and walk back to the United deck. Into the *A Gold and check the bag. Must say, I like the Gold boarding passes. 8.20 ten minutes to boarding, and its trough security and into the RCC. Now I hear a lot about the RCC's and I must say I was quite impressed. A quick double check of my LH Sen card, and I was in. Cup of coffee in one hand and a half croissant. Now that pissed me off. HALF a croissant. What kind of self-deluded bureaucrat decided that croissants should be cur in half so they go stale Eat croissant and drink coffee, steal cup, and I to the boarding area, pick up a NYT and onto the plane. Onto plane, and can see ECO on right so assume first must be on left - what a surprise. WHERE IS FIRST CLASS. I have an F class ticket it says 6C and I am looking at this seat and the stub and the seat and the stub and the seat and the stub ad the seat and the stub. I now have the task of manouvering my self into this F seat. Americans - You have been lied to you, hoodwinked, robbed and made to look foolish more so than when you wear those morose pastel sweaters. This is not first class. This is a seat for people with a fat arse and stumps for legs. F Class means comfort, style and above all exclusivity. Looking out from my vantage point here at the back of the cabin I see every kid of life, and some sub species as well. This is Business class - not F. Write to your congressman now and point out this gross injustice. Fly LH F on a six hour flight and then do this journey. WILL SOMEONE PLEASE DEPRESSURIZE THE PLANE, I WANT TO GO TO JFK. Please grant fly through rights to SQ, TG, BA, VS - you wont regret it. Thats if AA members get mile on BA flights http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Anyway, once realism had set in, and that I could hijack the plane with a palmtop and length of cable, I settled in. We have two FA's in F today. Maria - charming Hawaiian girl, and Dana, the spare wheel from Jersey.
Maria busied herself taking and fulfilling drinks orders. After a short while and while taxiing Dana, or TSWFJ took orders from the pax for breakie. Now I have read about procedure on these flights before, and I understand that 1K, get priority. Not today, I was first, then the 1K's. This I found strange, later I asked Maria why this was and didn’t they fid it annoying asking in a given order. Yes they do find it annoying, and the reason I was asked first - there is a note on the list that says Garside. J *GLH - and then written in ink 'SENATOR' the SWFJ thought I was a politician.
Anyway breakie, consisted of :
TO BEGIN
Muffins, Croissants and bagels
MAIN COURSE
Mediterranean omlette with smoked mozzarella cheese
Cherry and Pecan nut souffle with custard cream sauce.
Seasonal fresh fruit with cold cereal
I had after that I watched the film and typed this. I must point out I have a new toy. I have had an Ipaq for a while, but on Tuesday I took delivery of a targus keyboard for it. It is superb, not only that but I can listen to mp3's at the same time as type. Lunch is here so ill pack up for the time being.
Just received what I think is called a deli tray, again not bad-not good either. Would it kill them to allow the food to warm to room temperature???
Anyway my co pax is one his 5th scotch and soda, hope im not behind him in the rental queue. Next stop SFO Hilton and a say in San Fran, riding the trams- I hear there’s one named after an Apple - Desiree ??
Jon