TPA us ff
Sep 13, 01, 9:26 am
PHOTO TRIP REPORT: TPA-PHL-DCA; IAD-PIT-TPA in F on US Airways
I needed to conclude a quick client meeting and Labor Day weekend seemed like a good candidate for travel. Along the way I was pleasantly surprised by an outstanding domestic airline meal, very pleasant service, and empty cabins.
US 1860, TPA-PHL
Lv. 6:10P Ar 8:38P
B757-200, N627
Once again, usairways.com bungled my tickets. After dealing with one of their surly “customer disservice” agents, an angel of a supervisor made arrangements to have my tickets delivered the morning of my trip. Thanks “AH”! Like many other US FT’ers, I’m questioning the value of the 1,000 mile on-line ticketing bonus as opposed to simply using the Gold Preferred rez line or a travel agent.
At any rate, I arrived at the ticket counter about one hour before the scheduled departure. I was surprised to see the extensive scaffolding for renovations newly underway at US’s TPA ticket counter. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/1TIA.jpg The FC/Preferred line was empty and Jeanette quickly checked me in and informed me that I was the only passenger in FC; I thanked her for blocking the cabin for me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif and made my way to the US Airways Club. The Club was empty and after a few minutes I walked to the gate and boarded the B757 (delivered in 1995) through 2L. The ground crew was busy with final luggage and refueling. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/2757ext.jpg Unfortunately, the recline-lock on my 1C seat was broken (permanent recline) and I switched to 3D. The pleasure of an empty cabin changed as the gate agent upgraded an additional 4 travelers. Nonetheless, it was unusual to see the 757 cabin so empty on a popular dinner flight http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/3757int.jpg . Coats were immediately taken and pre-departure drinks offered.
Cabin doors closed at 6:07 PM, 3 minutes ahead of schedule and the usual door security and cross-check was performed. Our departure was from 18R; the captain announced a circuitous route to PHL as were to head south to Cape Canaveral then north to avoid storms. As we gained altitude, the rain clouds mixed with the low sun to create a silver-blue view towards St. Petersburg. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/4bay.jpg
In a few moments we were above 10,000 and the crew began dinner preparations. As part of my practice I represent restaurants. I always note food and have seen some of the worst and best food served airborne. Tonight’s offering was happily one of the latter. Choices were either a chilled seafood plate including 4 jumbo shrimp with marinated vegetables and pasta salad or my choice of hot “Italian Chicken.” I’m not sure I would agree with the caterer’s nomenclature, but the main course (which seemed more French) was ½ baked chicken breast with cabernet sauce and a glazed shallot, sauteed cucumbers and leeks in a cream sauce, and diced red potatoes. The mixed salad contained the usual greens and mesclun, topped with tomatoes and marinated hearts of palm. Hot rolls (sour dough or herb) were offered too. Cheesecake was the dessert. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/5chixdin.jpg Although I did not try the other wine choices, I selected the 1998 Haywood Chardonnay (I thought a bit too oaky) with dinner. A 1999 Geyser Peak Merlot was also offered. After the plates were cleared, post dinner drinks were offered and I enjoyed a VSOP as the ride turned a bit choppy. The flight attendants joked as to whether the “Italian Chicken” was an experimental dinner offering because it looked and smelled “too good.” In light of this great service, I was surprised that the hot towels were not offered. The time passed quickly and about a half an hour later, we made an on-time arrival in PHL.
US 164, PHL-DCA
Lv. 9:45P Ar. 1042P
A319, N722
After a quick concourse change, passengers were already boarding when I arrived at the gate. As I seated myself in 1C on this 22nd A319 delivered to US, I noticed that all but two seats were taken on this short hop to Washington. Again, coats were taken and pre-departure drinks offered as the cabin attendant politely referred to passengers as “sir” or “madam.” Once she received the manifest from the gate agent, she addressed everyone by name. After take-off, drinks in glassware were offered along with the snack basket. A few passengers were seen stuffing extra Milano’s in their pockets http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. Twenty minutes later we were on the ground in Washington and the baggage claim sign reminded me of an old Groucho Marx line. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/6DCAbagsign.jpg
US 1635, IAD-PIT
Lv. 7:15A Ar. 8:15A
B737-300, N527
It had been a while since I was at Dulles and had forgotten about the diesel transport trucks between the main terminal and the gates. There was no US Airways Club but I did peek into Virgin’s lounge which looked very elegant. When I arrived at gate B14, a mere handful of passengers awaited boarding of this tired-looking 737 in old livery (this a/c was put into service in August, 1988). I took my seat in 1C as drinks were offered and my jacket was taken. The freshly-brewed coffee definitely beat the java I grabbed at Burger King in the terminal. The ubiquitous video http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/7video.jpg ran including the recorded welcome to preferred members. Once airborne, the curtain was closed, the snack basket was offered and I enjoyed being the sole passenger in the cabin. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/8737int.jpg The polished engine nacelle afforded a nice view of the fuselage reflected back to the cabin. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/9engine.jpg About 20 minutes east of Pittsburgh I was surprised to look down and see a bank of windmills on a mountain ridge. Does anyone from the Keystone state know what these are? http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/10mills.jpg We arrived in PIT about 20 minutes early to no avail as we waited for departing aircraft to push back from our gate. I stopped by the Club to catch up on some work; a view from reception area to the tarmac suggested a busy day but there were actually few passengers at the airport on this early holiday weekend morning. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/11pitclub.jpg After a quick call home to check in with the frau, it was time to head down to B32 for the flight home to TPA.
US 831, PIT-TPA
Lv. 9:05A Ar 11:20A
MD80, N804
By the time I arrived at the gate, the call for FC, Preferreds and the needy was made and I settled in to 1C. The f/a made her way to each of the other 4 passengers taking coats and offering drinks. The pilots were busy making their final check lists http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/12pilots.jpg as the doors closed 5 minutes early and we taxied to the runway. Although this aircraft was 20 years old (it began life in 1981 as PSA’s ‘The Smile of Washington’), I was reminded how quickly V2 is reached and how quiet the cabin is under full throttle. Once we reached 10,000 the crew prepared for breakfast that was a choice of cold cereal, fruit, and yogurt or a hot omelet with fruit. Neither looked overwhelming and I was glad that my special request for cold breakfast seafood was accommodated. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/13sfbreak.jpg The tray table was set with white linen. I was served four generous slices of smoked salmon, cream cheese, a bagel, and fresh fruit that were delightful with a glass of the nv Paul Cheneau Blanc de Blancs sparkling white.
During this flight I noticed that the gregarious flight attendant seemed particularly outgoing and happy. She stopped by the seat of each Preferred, addressed the passenger by name, and thanked them for making US Airways their “carrier of choice.”
She told me that she was 52 years old, loved her job as a f/a, and had wanted this career since she was a little girl. The great point of her story was that she had only been flying for 1 ½ years as she had sold her previous business and decided to follow her career passion. It showed in super customer service!
After the plates were cleared, I enjoyed an old reliable: “Caddyshack” on my laptop. Before long, we were 44 miles north of TPA and we soon landed on 18R.
Please accept my apologies if this domestic report has more details than our seasoned FlyerTalk members may be interested in reading. Although these trips may be tiring at times, it always seems that there are new sites to see and great people to meet. Upcoming: trips to SAN and LAX.
[This message has been edited by TPA us ff (edited 09-13-2001).]
I needed to conclude a quick client meeting and Labor Day weekend seemed like a good candidate for travel. Along the way I was pleasantly surprised by an outstanding domestic airline meal, very pleasant service, and empty cabins.
US 1860, TPA-PHL
Lv. 6:10P Ar 8:38P
B757-200, N627
Once again, usairways.com bungled my tickets. After dealing with one of their surly “customer disservice” agents, an angel of a supervisor made arrangements to have my tickets delivered the morning of my trip. Thanks “AH”! Like many other US FT’ers, I’m questioning the value of the 1,000 mile on-line ticketing bonus as opposed to simply using the Gold Preferred rez line or a travel agent.
At any rate, I arrived at the ticket counter about one hour before the scheduled departure. I was surprised to see the extensive scaffolding for renovations newly underway at US’s TPA ticket counter. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/1TIA.jpg The FC/Preferred line was empty and Jeanette quickly checked me in and informed me that I was the only passenger in FC; I thanked her for blocking the cabin for me http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif and made my way to the US Airways Club. The Club was empty and after a few minutes I walked to the gate and boarded the B757 (delivered in 1995) through 2L. The ground crew was busy with final luggage and refueling. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/2757ext.jpg Unfortunately, the recline-lock on my 1C seat was broken (permanent recline) and I switched to 3D. The pleasure of an empty cabin changed as the gate agent upgraded an additional 4 travelers. Nonetheless, it was unusual to see the 757 cabin so empty on a popular dinner flight http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/3757int.jpg . Coats were immediately taken and pre-departure drinks offered.
Cabin doors closed at 6:07 PM, 3 minutes ahead of schedule and the usual door security and cross-check was performed. Our departure was from 18R; the captain announced a circuitous route to PHL as were to head south to Cape Canaveral then north to avoid storms. As we gained altitude, the rain clouds mixed with the low sun to create a silver-blue view towards St. Petersburg. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/4bay.jpg
In a few moments we were above 10,000 and the crew began dinner preparations. As part of my practice I represent restaurants. I always note food and have seen some of the worst and best food served airborne. Tonight’s offering was happily one of the latter. Choices were either a chilled seafood plate including 4 jumbo shrimp with marinated vegetables and pasta salad or my choice of hot “Italian Chicken.” I’m not sure I would agree with the caterer’s nomenclature, but the main course (which seemed more French) was ½ baked chicken breast with cabernet sauce and a glazed shallot, sauteed cucumbers and leeks in a cream sauce, and diced red potatoes. The mixed salad contained the usual greens and mesclun, topped with tomatoes and marinated hearts of palm. Hot rolls (sour dough or herb) were offered too. Cheesecake was the dessert. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/5chixdin.jpg Although I did not try the other wine choices, I selected the 1998 Haywood Chardonnay (I thought a bit too oaky) with dinner. A 1999 Geyser Peak Merlot was also offered. After the plates were cleared, post dinner drinks were offered and I enjoyed a VSOP as the ride turned a bit choppy. The flight attendants joked as to whether the “Italian Chicken” was an experimental dinner offering because it looked and smelled “too good.” In light of this great service, I was surprised that the hot towels were not offered. The time passed quickly and about a half an hour later, we made an on-time arrival in PHL.
US 164, PHL-DCA
Lv. 9:45P Ar. 1042P
A319, N722
After a quick concourse change, passengers were already boarding when I arrived at the gate. As I seated myself in 1C on this 22nd A319 delivered to US, I noticed that all but two seats were taken on this short hop to Washington. Again, coats were taken and pre-departure drinks offered as the cabin attendant politely referred to passengers as “sir” or “madam.” Once she received the manifest from the gate agent, she addressed everyone by name. After take-off, drinks in glassware were offered along with the snack basket. A few passengers were seen stuffing extra Milano’s in their pockets http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif. Twenty minutes later we were on the ground in Washington and the baggage claim sign reminded me of an old Groucho Marx line. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/6DCAbagsign.jpg
US 1635, IAD-PIT
Lv. 7:15A Ar. 8:15A
B737-300, N527
It had been a while since I was at Dulles and had forgotten about the diesel transport trucks between the main terminal and the gates. There was no US Airways Club but I did peek into Virgin’s lounge which looked very elegant. When I arrived at gate B14, a mere handful of passengers awaited boarding of this tired-looking 737 in old livery (this a/c was put into service in August, 1988). I took my seat in 1C as drinks were offered and my jacket was taken. The freshly-brewed coffee definitely beat the java I grabbed at Burger King in the terminal. The ubiquitous video http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/7video.jpg ran including the recorded welcome to preferred members. Once airborne, the curtain was closed, the snack basket was offered and I enjoyed being the sole passenger in the cabin. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/8737int.jpg The polished engine nacelle afforded a nice view of the fuselage reflected back to the cabin. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/9engine.jpg About 20 minutes east of Pittsburgh I was surprised to look down and see a bank of windmills on a mountain ridge. Does anyone from the Keystone state know what these are? http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/10mills.jpg We arrived in PIT about 20 minutes early to no avail as we waited for departing aircraft to push back from our gate. I stopped by the Club to catch up on some work; a view from reception area to the tarmac suggested a busy day but there were actually few passengers at the airport on this early holiday weekend morning. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/11pitclub.jpg After a quick call home to check in with the frau, it was time to head down to B32 for the flight home to TPA.
US 831, PIT-TPA
Lv. 9:05A Ar 11:20A
MD80, N804
By the time I arrived at the gate, the call for FC, Preferreds and the needy was made and I settled in to 1C. The f/a made her way to each of the other 4 passengers taking coats and offering drinks. The pilots were busy making their final check lists http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/12pilots.jpg as the doors closed 5 minutes early and we taxied to the runway. Although this aircraft was 20 years old (it began life in 1981 as PSA’s ‘The Smile of Washington’), I was reminded how quickly V2 is reached and how quiet the cabin is under full throttle. Once we reached 10,000 the crew prepared for breakfast that was a choice of cold cereal, fruit, and yogurt or a hot omelet with fruit. Neither looked overwhelming and I was glad that my special request for cold breakfast seafood was accommodated. http://www.tampaexecutive.com/Photos/13sfbreak.jpg The tray table was set with white linen. I was served four generous slices of smoked salmon, cream cheese, a bagel, and fresh fruit that were delightful with a glass of the nv Paul Cheneau Blanc de Blancs sparkling white.
During this flight I noticed that the gregarious flight attendant seemed particularly outgoing and happy. She stopped by the seat of each Preferred, addressed the passenger by name, and thanked them for making US Airways their “carrier of choice.”
She told me that she was 52 years old, loved her job as a f/a, and had wanted this career since she was a little girl. The great point of her story was that she had only been flying for 1 ½ years as she had sold her previous business and decided to follow her career passion. It showed in super customer service!
After the plates were cleared, I enjoyed an old reliable: “Caddyshack” on my laptop. Before long, we were 44 miles north of TPA and we soon landed on 18R.
Please accept my apologies if this domestic report has more details than our seasoned FlyerTalk members may be interested in reading. Although these trips may be tiring at times, it always seems that there are new sites to see and great people to meet. Upcoming: trips to SAN and LAX.
[This message has been edited by TPA us ff (edited 09-13-2001).]