Carfield
Mar 20, 02, 6:23 pm
March 13, 2002
UA 971 IAD-SFO Lv1735 Arr2017
Boeing 777-200 N785UA with First Suite
Why did I fly to SFO, instead of to LAX directly? It was due to 29,000 miles limitation on my Star Alliance RTW ticket. If I flew to LAX, I will need to buy the price for the 32,000miles. That is the reason for buying an extra ticket from LAX to SFO on AA. Anyway, after arriving at Concourse C, I immediately looked for the 1K desk to get my boarding pass printed. Of course, I found a 1K room with three agents and no one waiting. The three agents were as unfriendly as possible, and there was no surprise that no one was here. None of them were smiling and since I only had my old card, the agent MADE an extra effort to check my current status. Wow, I was brought back to REALITY immediately. Well, she printed my boarding pass and did not say anything. Off I went and I would make a mental note that used a regular customer service desk in the future. Anyway, I went to gate D7 and our flight was absolutely full. There were three gate agents but fortunately, there were two boarding gates. Boarding began at 4:55pm and F/J passengers used the "A" door, and Y passengers used the "B" door. Therefore, both the premium passengers and elite passengers sitting in Y could board in the same time. There were two security stations and random passengers were picked through the crowd. Once aboard, the flight attendant offered me a pre takeoff beverage of my choice. I had another coke and was amazed at how these suites look tired after only a few years in service. The TV screen was hanging loose from the stand. Not a good sign! But the proper duvet and blankets were there. Of course, employees filled the F cabin in the last five minutes, and door was closed five minutes early. However, IAD was extremely busy this evening and we were pushed back late. The line was long with CRJs and Boeing 777s and 737s from United. We finally took off from R/W30 at 6pm.
Flying was five hours and twenty minutes, due to strong head winds along the way. We first climbed to 35,000ft and then we climbed to 39,000ft after passing Charleston, VA, and Lexington, KY. Beverge service began with cold mixed nuts, and here is the menu and wine list! As you all know, the size of the menu is just a small card, like the old UA's short haul F class menus.
To Begin
Shrimp and smoked salmon with Champagne vegetable slaw
Dill Mayonnaise and fresh lemon
A pretty nice appetizer 3 cocktail shrimps and nice salmon!
Windy City Salad with Kalamative Olives and Parmesan cheese
Country French or ranch dressing
Main Course
Tenderloin of Beef with green peppercorn sauce
Garlic mashed potatoes and haricots verts with bell peppers
Spinach and ricotta stuffed chicken with tarragon cream sauce
Potatoes au gratin and stir-fried vegetables
Very good and moist chicken with good sauce and vegetables…
Lamb en coute with a roasted garlic demi-glace
Cheese grits and steamed baby spianch
Dessert
Ben and Jerry's ice cream with sundae topping
Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream with hot fudge sauce - no more whipping cream and chopped nuts
Featured Wines
White Wine
Geyser Peak Sonoma County Chardonnay 1999
Burgundy Macon 2000, Lugny St. Pierre Bouchard Pere et Fils
Red Wine
Chateau Los Boldos Requinoa Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Carmen Valle Central Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
After dinner, there are personal TV with movies and short features, but I chose to take advantage of the suite and had a nice nap over the US continent. I woke up forty five minutes prior to arrival and the F/As immediately served me a beverage of my choice. I had more ginger ale and then she passed out glasses of water, as we began our descent. Hot towel was served after the seat belt sign was turned on. The landing was excellent as we touched down on Runway 28R at 8:20pm. We quickly made our ways to Gate 82 at 8:24pm. Two doors were used once again and my first UA flight in 2002 went smooth - nothing impressive but not disappointed.
March 14, 2002
AA 1923 SFO-LAX Lv1315 Arr1443
McDonald Douglas MD-80 N458AA (real AA a/c with more rooms throughout coach)
The "check in" lines were pretty busy this afternoon at AA's premium lines. Anyway, the agent was pretty efficient and all my bags were checked to LA. I got a seat at 9F and boarding began at 12:45pm. The load was pretty light and general boarding began after elite members boarded. Only ˝ full this afternoon. F class was also half full. Door was closed at 1:07pm and we took off from Runway 1L at 1:22pm. Flying time was fifty minutes with a cruising attitude of 33,000ft. Beverage service was offered at 1:34pm and the F/A gave each passenger the whole can of soda and Rold Gold's Colossal Cheddar Snack mix. The flight went by quickly and it was a nice scenic ride down to LA. LA is sunny, but there are few scattered clouds and strong winds. WE began our descent at 1:53pm and landed on R/W24R at 2:12pm. We parked at gate 35 and bags came off in fifteen minutes. Very efficient and nice AA flight down the coast, and I appreciate the extra coach legroom.
I hope you enjoy all the trip reports! The next report will come on early April!
Carfield http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
UA 971 IAD-SFO Lv1735 Arr2017
Boeing 777-200 N785UA with First Suite
Why did I fly to SFO, instead of to LAX directly? It was due to 29,000 miles limitation on my Star Alliance RTW ticket. If I flew to LAX, I will need to buy the price for the 32,000miles. That is the reason for buying an extra ticket from LAX to SFO on AA. Anyway, after arriving at Concourse C, I immediately looked for the 1K desk to get my boarding pass printed. Of course, I found a 1K room with three agents and no one waiting. The three agents were as unfriendly as possible, and there was no surprise that no one was here. None of them were smiling and since I only had my old card, the agent MADE an extra effort to check my current status. Wow, I was brought back to REALITY immediately. Well, she printed my boarding pass and did not say anything. Off I went and I would make a mental note that used a regular customer service desk in the future. Anyway, I went to gate D7 and our flight was absolutely full. There were three gate agents but fortunately, there were two boarding gates. Boarding began at 4:55pm and F/J passengers used the "A" door, and Y passengers used the "B" door. Therefore, both the premium passengers and elite passengers sitting in Y could board in the same time. There were two security stations and random passengers were picked through the crowd. Once aboard, the flight attendant offered me a pre takeoff beverage of my choice. I had another coke and was amazed at how these suites look tired after only a few years in service. The TV screen was hanging loose from the stand. Not a good sign! But the proper duvet and blankets were there. Of course, employees filled the F cabin in the last five minutes, and door was closed five minutes early. However, IAD was extremely busy this evening and we were pushed back late. The line was long with CRJs and Boeing 777s and 737s from United. We finally took off from R/W30 at 6pm.
Flying was five hours and twenty minutes, due to strong head winds along the way. We first climbed to 35,000ft and then we climbed to 39,000ft after passing Charleston, VA, and Lexington, KY. Beverge service began with cold mixed nuts, and here is the menu and wine list! As you all know, the size of the menu is just a small card, like the old UA's short haul F class menus.
To Begin
Shrimp and smoked salmon with Champagne vegetable slaw
Dill Mayonnaise and fresh lemon
A pretty nice appetizer 3 cocktail shrimps and nice salmon!
Windy City Salad with Kalamative Olives and Parmesan cheese
Country French or ranch dressing
Main Course
Tenderloin of Beef with green peppercorn sauce
Garlic mashed potatoes and haricots verts with bell peppers
Spinach and ricotta stuffed chicken with tarragon cream sauce
Potatoes au gratin and stir-fried vegetables
Very good and moist chicken with good sauce and vegetables…
Lamb en coute with a roasted garlic demi-glace
Cheese grits and steamed baby spianch
Dessert
Ben and Jerry's ice cream with sundae topping
Vanilla and Strawberry ice cream with hot fudge sauce - no more whipping cream and chopped nuts
Featured Wines
White Wine
Geyser Peak Sonoma County Chardonnay 1999
Burgundy Macon 2000, Lugny St. Pierre Bouchard Pere et Fils
Red Wine
Chateau Los Boldos Requinoa Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Carmen Valle Central Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
After dinner, there are personal TV with movies and short features, but I chose to take advantage of the suite and had a nice nap over the US continent. I woke up forty five minutes prior to arrival and the F/As immediately served me a beverage of my choice. I had more ginger ale and then she passed out glasses of water, as we began our descent. Hot towel was served after the seat belt sign was turned on. The landing was excellent as we touched down on Runway 28R at 8:20pm. We quickly made our ways to Gate 82 at 8:24pm. Two doors were used once again and my first UA flight in 2002 went smooth - nothing impressive but not disappointed.
March 14, 2002
AA 1923 SFO-LAX Lv1315 Arr1443
McDonald Douglas MD-80 N458AA (real AA a/c with more rooms throughout coach)
The "check in" lines were pretty busy this afternoon at AA's premium lines. Anyway, the agent was pretty efficient and all my bags were checked to LA. I got a seat at 9F and boarding began at 12:45pm. The load was pretty light and general boarding began after elite members boarded. Only ˝ full this afternoon. F class was also half full. Door was closed at 1:07pm and we took off from Runway 1L at 1:22pm. Flying time was fifty minutes with a cruising attitude of 33,000ft. Beverage service was offered at 1:34pm and the F/A gave each passenger the whole can of soda and Rold Gold's Colossal Cheddar Snack mix. The flight went by quickly and it was a nice scenic ride down to LA. LA is sunny, but there are few scattered clouds and strong winds. WE began our descent at 1:53pm and landed on R/W24R at 2:12pm. We parked at gate 35 and bags came off in fifteen minutes. Very efficient and nice AA flight down the coast, and I appreciate the extra coach legroom.
I hope you enjoy all the trip reports! The next report will come on early April!
Carfield http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif