Seiple
Apr 1, 02, 8:06 pm
Just a quick trip home to STL for the weekend to help my parents unpack in our new house in Chesterfield/Wildwood.
AA 2619 (Op. by TWA)
28 March 2002
JAX-STL MD-80
Seat: 3A
I exited I-95 at the airport around 4:00pm. As always, the parking situation at JAX was terrible and I ended up in the daily surface lot ($7 daily instead of the $14 daily in the garage) as I refuse to park out in the boonies at long term and have to deal with a bus. I made it to the American First Class check-in by 4:30pm and was promptly told “This is the First Class line” by somebody wearing an American Eagle polo behind the counter. I replied that I was aware of that. About 90 second later somebody came over to check me in (and now another person in line behind me). I was not checking bags, and wasn’t even asked the three security questions. Actual check-in process took about 45 seconds. Security line took about 15 minutes as there is only one and people are crammed into a small divided walkway only large enough for a single file line of thin people. The gate was unattended, and the pilots (who forgot the passcode and were locked out of the plane) were accosted by probably 20 different people looking for the gate agent (who showed up 30 minutes before departure to start boarding and then was annoyed when people wanted to check-in at the gate).
I was third in line for boarding behind one gentlemen who with a “I’m Platinum, let me through” pushed his way up to the passreader and a woman who was selected for secondary screening (instructed to “See the old lady around the corner standing by a table”). The MD-80 was operated by TWA with TWA interiors and the dinky overhead bins. My small rollaboard (smaller than normal size) would only fit length-wise in the bin. I was just taking my seat of 3A when Mr. Platinum ran up from coach saying “My seat’s broken, my seat’s broken. Can I have an upgrade?” The flight attendants told him to stand by and they’d get him another seat in coach. He launched into a short tirade about how he would not sit in any middle seat or sit in the back of the plane. The flight attendant said she was done with the discussion and told him to go see the gate agent. Meanwhile, First Class filled up with the exception of the seat next to me, which Mr. Platinum came to occupy.
Pre-takeoff drinks were bottled water or orange juice. Flight time was announced as 2:06, which is a little long for this route as we had to go around some weather. There was a significant upgrade in service since the last time I took this flight (March 1). Then it was just the white box with sandwich/chips/potato salad in First. The flight attendant offered a choice of chicken pasta or fajita salad. I chose the chicken pasta. We were off the gate a few minutes early of our 6:00pm departure time and took off runway 7 before turning toward the northwest. At altitude, the flight attendant stood at the front of the cabin and announced “First Class, take out your trays!” I was served first. The tray had a warm tube pasta in vegetable sauce (barely any sauce) with a piece of chicken set on top. There was a small salad with a tub of raspberry vinaigrette dressing and a piece of cheesecake that was actually decent. The chicken and pasta was overcooked but okay once the salt shaker was emptied onto it. Two refills of drinks were offered before the flight attendants disappeared for the second hour of the flight. Landing was at 7:10pm and we pulled into C-32 by 7:15pm, one minute late. I then began the long walk out of security.
AA 2653 (Op. by TWA)
31 March 2002
STL-DFW MD-80 (N908TW)
Seat: 3A
I arrived at Lambert at 1:15pm for my 2:35pm flight. As I was checking a bag (carrying some items that the security screeners may think of as contraband), I joined the First Class line on the south side of the terminal. It took only about two minutes to check-in, and after declining the agent’s offer of directions to my gate, I went through the Premium security line where there was no line. Apparently a set of x-ray machines/magnometers has been unofficially dedicated to this line. I escaped being felt up this time and walked down to C-17 to await boarding of TWA err… American 2653 (N908TW) to DFW.
I was fourth to board the aircraft at 2:00pm. My coat was hung up and I was offered my choice of any beverage. I was the only passenger in the first row. First only had five occupants including one non-rev (the mother of an employee). Pushback was on time at 2:35pm. We were number one for departure when we turn around and taxied back toward the terminal. Apparently the door open light was illuminated for the L1 door so we pulled up in the penalty box near the end of concourse C while the door could be opened and shut again. This solved the problem with the light and we were now number three for departure. The flight went quickly with constant refilling of drinks and offers of the snack basket (Rold Gold Cheddar Snack Mix, Biscoff cookies, or some pretzels). The flight attendant uniforms were typical TWA…. No two the same. It was nice to see little things like this still around… things that gave TWA personality for me at least. Landing was on time at DFW on runway 35R, subsequently followed by a long taxi over to gate B12. My connecting gate was A25 and I decided to walk and use the time to go through and return the six voice mail messages I had somehow picked up in the last three hours my phone was off.
AA 1660
31 March 2002
DFW-STL MD-80
Seat: 3A
Boarding for the 5:35pm departure started at about 5:00pm on the dot. The security screener grabbed a person at random from the gate area for his first search of the day so those first in line were safe. I boarded AA 1660 after the first dozen people or so and took seat 3A. Before I sat down, a flight attendant hung up my coat and took my beverage order. The load in First was 8/14 with row 3 open except for me. Coach was about 95% full with a few middle seats open. We powerbacked on time and joined the long take-off queue while the lead flight attendant took our dinner orders. My order was taken first (I guess as it is an even-numbered flight and I was in front). Offerings were poached salmon or beef stew. The F/A also took salad dressing orders: herb vinaigrette or pesto ranch. I chose the ranch and the stew. After take-off, our drinks of choice were brought around by a second flight attendant along with a choice of cheddar snack mix or cashews. A hot towel followed. Shortly afterwards, my tray was delivered. In the center was a smallish salad (thankfully with much less ruffage than the one on TWA) with the dressing already poured. Olives and tomatoes garnished the salad. A shrimp cocktail of four small shrimp was also present along with the same cheesecake-like dessert as on the TWA flight three days earlier. I was offered wine but declined. The flight attendant filled the wine glasses of those abstaining with some Evian. The salad was quite good and I enjoyed the dressing as it was a new flavor for me. He then offered a basket of warmed sourdough or cheese rolls. My salad plate was taken promptly once I finished and I was asked if I was ready for my main course. As I was, the F/A brought out the bowl of stew. It consisted of large beef chunks with potatoes and assorted other vegetables. Texture on the vegetables was surprisingly okay. Trays were collected quickly after dinner and more drinks were offered for the rest of the flight. Shortly before landing, a tray of candies was brought around. As usual, coats were passed out on final approach. Landing was on time at JAX just before 9:00pm. Also as usual for JAX, bags took 40 minutes to start coming out. Mine was second to last on the belt, with me finally pulling up to the toll booth one hour after landing. Oh how I hate the JAX airport…..
This was my first time in First Class on AA metal. I was very impressed. I have been missing out these years on TWA, but for my purposes (short haul flights under two hours) TWA has worked out just fine. I don't think I'll know what to do when the uniforms change over and I board a TWA aircraft to be greeted by three persons all in the same uniform. At least the TWA people will still be around... they are what has kept me and my family loyal to the airline... at least since my first flight on them at two weeks of age in 1982. I believe that now more than before flying First Class is worth it... it sure cuts down on the hassles. If only AA would implement a domestic priority bag tag system like Northwest has, it would make the service complete.
------------------
Jason Seiple
JAX
AA 2619 (Op. by TWA)
28 March 2002
JAX-STL MD-80
Seat: 3A
I exited I-95 at the airport around 4:00pm. As always, the parking situation at JAX was terrible and I ended up in the daily surface lot ($7 daily instead of the $14 daily in the garage) as I refuse to park out in the boonies at long term and have to deal with a bus. I made it to the American First Class check-in by 4:30pm and was promptly told “This is the First Class line” by somebody wearing an American Eagle polo behind the counter. I replied that I was aware of that. About 90 second later somebody came over to check me in (and now another person in line behind me). I was not checking bags, and wasn’t even asked the three security questions. Actual check-in process took about 45 seconds. Security line took about 15 minutes as there is only one and people are crammed into a small divided walkway only large enough for a single file line of thin people. The gate was unattended, and the pilots (who forgot the passcode and were locked out of the plane) were accosted by probably 20 different people looking for the gate agent (who showed up 30 minutes before departure to start boarding and then was annoyed when people wanted to check-in at the gate).
I was third in line for boarding behind one gentlemen who with a “I’m Platinum, let me through” pushed his way up to the passreader and a woman who was selected for secondary screening (instructed to “See the old lady around the corner standing by a table”). The MD-80 was operated by TWA with TWA interiors and the dinky overhead bins. My small rollaboard (smaller than normal size) would only fit length-wise in the bin. I was just taking my seat of 3A when Mr. Platinum ran up from coach saying “My seat’s broken, my seat’s broken. Can I have an upgrade?” The flight attendants told him to stand by and they’d get him another seat in coach. He launched into a short tirade about how he would not sit in any middle seat or sit in the back of the plane. The flight attendant said she was done with the discussion and told him to go see the gate agent. Meanwhile, First Class filled up with the exception of the seat next to me, which Mr. Platinum came to occupy.
Pre-takeoff drinks were bottled water or orange juice. Flight time was announced as 2:06, which is a little long for this route as we had to go around some weather. There was a significant upgrade in service since the last time I took this flight (March 1). Then it was just the white box with sandwich/chips/potato salad in First. The flight attendant offered a choice of chicken pasta or fajita salad. I chose the chicken pasta. We were off the gate a few minutes early of our 6:00pm departure time and took off runway 7 before turning toward the northwest. At altitude, the flight attendant stood at the front of the cabin and announced “First Class, take out your trays!” I was served first. The tray had a warm tube pasta in vegetable sauce (barely any sauce) with a piece of chicken set on top. There was a small salad with a tub of raspberry vinaigrette dressing and a piece of cheesecake that was actually decent. The chicken and pasta was overcooked but okay once the salt shaker was emptied onto it. Two refills of drinks were offered before the flight attendants disappeared for the second hour of the flight. Landing was at 7:10pm and we pulled into C-32 by 7:15pm, one minute late. I then began the long walk out of security.
AA 2653 (Op. by TWA)
31 March 2002
STL-DFW MD-80 (N908TW)
Seat: 3A
I arrived at Lambert at 1:15pm for my 2:35pm flight. As I was checking a bag (carrying some items that the security screeners may think of as contraband), I joined the First Class line on the south side of the terminal. It took only about two minutes to check-in, and after declining the agent’s offer of directions to my gate, I went through the Premium security line where there was no line. Apparently a set of x-ray machines/magnometers has been unofficially dedicated to this line. I escaped being felt up this time and walked down to C-17 to await boarding of TWA err… American 2653 (N908TW) to DFW.
I was fourth to board the aircraft at 2:00pm. My coat was hung up and I was offered my choice of any beverage. I was the only passenger in the first row. First only had five occupants including one non-rev (the mother of an employee). Pushback was on time at 2:35pm. We were number one for departure when we turn around and taxied back toward the terminal. Apparently the door open light was illuminated for the L1 door so we pulled up in the penalty box near the end of concourse C while the door could be opened and shut again. This solved the problem with the light and we were now number three for departure. The flight went quickly with constant refilling of drinks and offers of the snack basket (Rold Gold Cheddar Snack Mix, Biscoff cookies, or some pretzels). The flight attendant uniforms were typical TWA…. No two the same. It was nice to see little things like this still around… things that gave TWA personality for me at least. Landing was on time at DFW on runway 35R, subsequently followed by a long taxi over to gate B12. My connecting gate was A25 and I decided to walk and use the time to go through and return the six voice mail messages I had somehow picked up in the last three hours my phone was off.
AA 1660
31 March 2002
DFW-STL MD-80
Seat: 3A
Boarding for the 5:35pm departure started at about 5:00pm on the dot. The security screener grabbed a person at random from the gate area for his first search of the day so those first in line were safe. I boarded AA 1660 after the first dozen people or so and took seat 3A. Before I sat down, a flight attendant hung up my coat and took my beverage order. The load in First was 8/14 with row 3 open except for me. Coach was about 95% full with a few middle seats open. We powerbacked on time and joined the long take-off queue while the lead flight attendant took our dinner orders. My order was taken first (I guess as it is an even-numbered flight and I was in front). Offerings were poached salmon or beef stew. The F/A also took salad dressing orders: herb vinaigrette or pesto ranch. I chose the ranch and the stew. After take-off, our drinks of choice were brought around by a second flight attendant along with a choice of cheddar snack mix or cashews. A hot towel followed. Shortly afterwards, my tray was delivered. In the center was a smallish salad (thankfully with much less ruffage than the one on TWA) with the dressing already poured. Olives and tomatoes garnished the salad. A shrimp cocktail of four small shrimp was also present along with the same cheesecake-like dessert as on the TWA flight three days earlier. I was offered wine but declined. The flight attendant filled the wine glasses of those abstaining with some Evian. The salad was quite good and I enjoyed the dressing as it was a new flavor for me. He then offered a basket of warmed sourdough or cheese rolls. My salad plate was taken promptly once I finished and I was asked if I was ready for my main course. As I was, the F/A brought out the bowl of stew. It consisted of large beef chunks with potatoes and assorted other vegetables. Texture on the vegetables was surprisingly okay. Trays were collected quickly after dinner and more drinks were offered for the rest of the flight. Shortly before landing, a tray of candies was brought around. As usual, coats were passed out on final approach. Landing was on time at JAX just before 9:00pm. Also as usual for JAX, bags took 40 minutes to start coming out. Mine was second to last on the belt, with me finally pulling up to the toll booth one hour after landing. Oh how I hate the JAX airport…..
This was my first time in First Class on AA metal. I was very impressed. I have been missing out these years on TWA, but for my purposes (short haul flights under two hours) TWA has worked out just fine. I don't think I'll know what to do when the uniforms change over and I board a TWA aircraft to be greeted by three persons all in the same uniform. At least the TWA people will still be around... they are what has kept me and my family loyal to the airline... at least since my first flight on them at two weeks of age in 1982. I believe that now more than before flying First Class is worth it... it sure cuts down on the hassles. If only AA would implement a domestic priority bag tag system like Northwest has, it would make the service complete.
------------------
Jason Seiple
JAX