ClueByFour
Mar 25, 02, 11:13 am
Having conned AA into extending my GLD membership an extra year (originally obtained via challange), I was not suprised to learn that I was one of the few and the proud who was not extended thru this year. So, at the end of last month, said status went "poof." The original root cause of getting status with AA was to ensure that I'd have somewhere to go way back when That Airline I'm Never Flying Again was going to borg my beloved US. Recently, AA announced one helluva fare sale to the west coast from PIT. My fellow PIT victims will understand that $200 to the west coast from here is about as good as it ever gets, so I decided to make a run at PLT on AA (as an aside, US, in their infinite wisdom, did not match said fares, preferring to continue to hold the loyal PIT lemmings hostage, but I digress. They just lost a bunch of my business).
So, the following series of reports will detail my efforts to rack up 10k q-points on AA in 90 days. First of the set was a weekend trip to SFO.
I had a co-worker of mine run me over to PIT around 1400 on Friday, on the theory that without status the whole process of flying might indeed suck as badly as some of the mainstream press might lead me to believe. Security at PIT sucks equally for everybody, as the only "expedite" lane is for flight crew--but I witnessed the coolest move I've seen yet at the security check: I guess that the airlines are only allowed to control the folks who check IDs and "assign" a line. The screening itself is now apparently under federal oversight. This guy gets his ticket and ID checked, and proceeds (over the outraged objections of every Hutleigh employee in site) to the expedite line. Oddly enough, I cleared security without problems, and made my way airside.
PIT has 4 jet concourses. A & B are US. C is US International, and *A (UA plus UA handling ops for AC). D is "everybody else." AA is all the way at the end of the D concourse. I proceeded out to the gate to discover that they were beginning to think about volunteers. I tried to work an early deal with the gate agent to take the bump and be interlined onto the US direct flight to SFO 90 minutes after my scheduled AA departure, but they were not sold on the idea. Figuring that I might later get my wish, I headed down to the nearest TGI Fridays for a beer (Yuengling) and a smoke. While there, I called techgirl and arranged to meet in the Admiral's Club at DFW, and chatted with a (the?) friendly Huntleigh employee, who was somewhat phased after checking in two full 727 Cancun charters full of spring break revelers.
Around 35 minutes before departure, I headed back to the gate. Glancing at my boarding pass, I noticed that I was in boarding group 4, which struck me as odd as my seat was closer to the back of this particular super 80. As it turns out, this was not a problem as groups 3 and 4 were called at the same time. I did enjoy watching the gate agent try to get the kiosk working (ctrl-alt-del--lockup--open kiosk--reboot) and the security screening selection process (pair of screeners working folks over and then yelling "pull another one!"). Settled into my seat after muscling my rollaboard into the not-yet-more-roomed overhead until they closed the door, at which point I grabbed the empty aisle seat on the other (3 across) side--after checking this with the window seat occupant. Considering they were allowing me to negotiate a bump at the gate, I was suprised at the number of empty seats.
AA does something I've not experienced in some time at PIT--they power back the S-80 off the gate (pop the thrust reversers and goose the engines to roll back in leiu of a push from a tug). Takeoff and departure were smooth. I always enjoy the flight crew annoucements on AA--they like to tell you the gross takeoff weight of the plane, flight time and computed speeds, cruising altitude and the like. Service was a bag of snack mix (roughly analagous to my beloved US sky mix) and 2 rounds of drinks. About 90 minutes into the flight I'd concluded that if you are going to fly coach, you are nuts not to be on AA, as MRTC really does make a difference (the adjustable headrests are also a nice touch). Pilot announced the approach from the north, and we were on the ground in DFW about 5 minutes ahead of schedule, although this was pretty much shot with the DFW taxi (forever, as usual).
Trooping off into the C concourse at DFW, I called Techgirl who was having some parking woes, so I took a peek at the nearest security line and decided I could risk a jaunt outside for a smoke. While there, Techgirl found me and we went back in to clear security en route to the Admiral's Club in C. Since I was too busy gabbing, I forgot to empty pockets and whatnot and dinged the metal detector. While being wanded (all airports could learn from how DFW is doing this--polite screeners, asking if they can touch you, having you face your luggage, etc), I noticed the rent-an-non-english-speaker tearing thru the top pocket of my rollaboard. After I passed the wand test, I asked the problem. She held out my zippo lighter and said "empty the gas." I pulled it open and pointed out that it is one big wick inside, and would therefore be tough to empty. I then asked for a place to stash it until I Techgirl left so that I would not have to pitch it. Screener continues to babble about "empty the gas." By this point, the befuddled GSC came over and I repeated my request to hold the thing until my friend left. Fortunately, the Guardsman on the checkpoint came over and said "It's a friggen zippo, not a torch or camping torch. If it lights, let him thru." I lit it, snapped it shut, smiled at the GSC, thanked the Guardsman (who was shaking his head and laughing) and proceeded to the Admirals Club. By this point, we were down to 25 minutes until boarding. A power-half-hour of 3 Shiner Bocks for me and 2 for Techgirl followed while we caught up about life as of late. We walked to my gate where boarding had long since commenced, bid each other farewell, and I boarded (grabbing my bistro bag on the way down the jetway).
I think (having not seen the outside of the bird) that this was an ex-TWA 757, as while the seats had been MRTC-ized in terms of space, they were not the new blue variety, and the overheads looked to be stock 757 models. Fortunately, I had an open seat next to me. That was the good news. After a 20 minute taxi, the pilot announces that SFO has flow control, and we can't get off the ground for another hour. So he rolled into a penalty box apron area, killed the engines and fired up the APU. AA handled it pretty well--threw in a video program and came around with water and OJ. I made a few phone calls (another good move on their part--allowing electronic usage) and killed the remainder of my book and most of the contents of my bistro bag (eating the turkey sandwich was a bad move as I'd discover later). About 40 minutes hence, we were cleared to leave, and the pilot promised he'd try to make up some time en route. Takeoff was quick and we turned west. Upon reaching cruising altitude, the pilot came back on to annouce that he was going to try really hard to make up time, but this would probably result in a bumpy ride. Nobody complained and the ride was not that bumpy. As it turned out, he made good time to the bay area, but we ended up circling a couple of times before a pretty choppy descent into SFO. Taxi was long, and we hung off the gate for 5 minutes, waiting for somebody to do something, apparently.
I made my way thru security, where BingoSF was waiting to meet me for an evening of (suprise!) drinks in SFO. As an aside, I'm thinking that AA may be increasing my MoJo count by a factor of magnitude, since this is the first time I can ever remember being met at two different airports in one single day by beautiful women (never happened that way on US.....) Proceeded into San Francisco for some late night libation. By this point, I was ready to pass out (having consumed a turkey sandwich and a gratis sixer of Amstel on the plane) and still having the body clock set to EST. Bailed the bar at around 1am or so PST.
Saturday night brought me to yet another FT dinner, this one the brainchild of kluau88
. Upon arrival at Fringale, bluau88, SFOJFK, Horizons, HollyHP, BingoSF and I met and ran into a bit of trouble regarding our reservation. We hopped back in the respective cars and headed down to Momo's (IIRC), where we enjoyed dinner (I had a fair-middlin swordfish). Most everybody then proceeded out to the SFO Marriot to await Rudi's arrival. I turned into a pumpkin and ended up leaving at around 10pm PST (body clock and alcohol induced fatigue).
Sunday morning found me back at SFO about 90 minutes prior to my DFW bound departure. Cleared security without a hitch--well, the rent-a-dweeb almost did not let me thru with merely an AA printed itin/receipt on ticket stock, but I was not subject to the secondary search BS. I proceeded to the gate to find the line to check in was 12 people deep and moving at a snail's pace (one agent). I finally got my BP at flight - 29 minutes. I discovered that my seat had been changed and I was all the way in the rear of the aircraft, right beside the engines. When I inquired as to what was going on, the agent told me that since I did not check in 30 minutes prior, my original seat had been released. I then pointed out that I was physically at the gate 60 minutes prior, but due to AA's staffing problem I was not checked into the computer until 29 minutes prior. I then realized that they had also moved my seat on the DFW-PIT leg. Note to self: write the letter to AA.....
Boarding proceeded smoothly, despite a full fight (and the bistro bag routine on the jetway). This particular S-80 had the new overheads, so space was not a problem. Despite being a "full flight", I at least had an open middle seat next to me. The bad news was that I was 1 row in front of the engine, so I fully anticipated being deaf by DFW. Takeoff and taxi were quick, and the pilot informed us that he was estimating an arrival almost 40 minutes early. Cool. I killed the contents of the bistro bag, enjoyed a couple of Diet Coke's (long weekend of libation and timezone changes, so I needed the boost) and read my book. The approach into DFW was bumpy and involved several pretty dramatic thrust corrections and an arresting wire upon landing (the captain was kind enough to actually come on the PA during the taxi an annouce that the first officer handled the landing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ). In his defense, it looked like about a 30 mph crosswind at DFW....
I deplaned to find Techgirl and kokonutz in the DFW chapel, err, a nearby bar (with much help--I had to be instructed as to which way to turn and look from a distance of 20 yards via cell phone--nothing like a long weekend...). Apparently, these two were on their way to Austin http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. I left most of my stuff with them and shot outside for a smoke. Upon returning and clearing security (subject to a wanding again because the detector pinged on the foil in my pack of smokes), we all headed up to the Admirals Club for a few more Shiner Bocks. To my shock and amazement, Techgirl decided that they were not going to Austin after all, and had the full-Y tickets refunded http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.
After another power-half-hour of discussion, I bid the shepherd and her sheep goodbye and
cruised to the gate for my flight to PIT. I arrived right as group 3 was called to board. I trooped back to the same aisle seat by the engine as I had to DFW and stowed my stuff. Power back (there it is again) was quick, taxi was not. Eventually, we were in the air and PIT bound, when the pilot announced a short flight of 1hr 58m. I killed the rest of my book and snoozed thru the beverage/snack mix service. Arrival into PIT was on 28R with a relatively long taxi. Grabbed a cab back to the office (and hence my car) and drove home.
My overall impressions of AA are the same as when I had a brief flirt with them a couple of years ago--the service is very similar across all flights--not nearly the same number of subtle differences in the way they do things onboard as say, US, CO, and the rest of the majors. And, I'm convinced that if you are stuck in coach, it might as well be on AA--on the theory that any MRTC seat as almost as good as a typical exit row or the E+ fud on That Airline I'm Never Flying Again. A good trip.
Parts II, III, and IV to follow.
------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.
[This message has been edited by ClueByFour (edited 03-25-2002).]
So, the following series of reports will detail my efforts to rack up 10k q-points on AA in 90 days. First of the set was a weekend trip to SFO.
I had a co-worker of mine run me over to PIT around 1400 on Friday, on the theory that without status the whole process of flying might indeed suck as badly as some of the mainstream press might lead me to believe. Security at PIT sucks equally for everybody, as the only "expedite" lane is for flight crew--but I witnessed the coolest move I've seen yet at the security check: I guess that the airlines are only allowed to control the folks who check IDs and "assign" a line. The screening itself is now apparently under federal oversight. This guy gets his ticket and ID checked, and proceeds (over the outraged objections of every Hutleigh employee in site) to the expedite line. Oddly enough, I cleared security without problems, and made my way airside.
PIT has 4 jet concourses. A & B are US. C is US International, and *A (UA plus UA handling ops for AC). D is "everybody else." AA is all the way at the end of the D concourse. I proceeded out to the gate to discover that they were beginning to think about volunteers. I tried to work an early deal with the gate agent to take the bump and be interlined onto the US direct flight to SFO 90 minutes after my scheduled AA departure, but they were not sold on the idea. Figuring that I might later get my wish, I headed down to the nearest TGI Fridays for a beer (Yuengling) and a smoke. While there, I called techgirl and arranged to meet in the Admiral's Club at DFW, and chatted with a (the?) friendly Huntleigh employee, who was somewhat phased after checking in two full 727 Cancun charters full of spring break revelers.
Around 35 minutes before departure, I headed back to the gate. Glancing at my boarding pass, I noticed that I was in boarding group 4, which struck me as odd as my seat was closer to the back of this particular super 80. As it turns out, this was not a problem as groups 3 and 4 were called at the same time. I did enjoy watching the gate agent try to get the kiosk working (ctrl-alt-del--lockup--open kiosk--reboot) and the security screening selection process (pair of screeners working folks over and then yelling "pull another one!"). Settled into my seat after muscling my rollaboard into the not-yet-more-roomed overhead until they closed the door, at which point I grabbed the empty aisle seat on the other (3 across) side--after checking this with the window seat occupant. Considering they were allowing me to negotiate a bump at the gate, I was suprised at the number of empty seats.
AA does something I've not experienced in some time at PIT--they power back the S-80 off the gate (pop the thrust reversers and goose the engines to roll back in leiu of a push from a tug). Takeoff and departure were smooth. I always enjoy the flight crew annoucements on AA--they like to tell you the gross takeoff weight of the plane, flight time and computed speeds, cruising altitude and the like. Service was a bag of snack mix (roughly analagous to my beloved US sky mix) and 2 rounds of drinks. About 90 minutes into the flight I'd concluded that if you are going to fly coach, you are nuts not to be on AA, as MRTC really does make a difference (the adjustable headrests are also a nice touch). Pilot announced the approach from the north, and we were on the ground in DFW about 5 minutes ahead of schedule, although this was pretty much shot with the DFW taxi (forever, as usual).
Trooping off into the C concourse at DFW, I called Techgirl who was having some parking woes, so I took a peek at the nearest security line and decided I could risk a jaunt outside for a smoke. While there, Techgirl found me and we went back in to clear security en route to the Admiral's Club in C. Since I was too busy gabbing, I forgot to empty pockets and whatnot and dinged the metal detector. While being wanded (all airports could learn from how DFW is doing this--polite screeners, asking if they can touch you, having you face your luggage, etc), I noticed the rent-an-non-english-speaker tearing thru the top pocket of my rollaboard. After I passed the wand test, I asked the problem. She held out my zippo lighter and said "empty the gas." I pulled it open and pointed out that it is one big wick inside, and would therefore be tough to empty. I then asked for a place to stash it until I Techgirl left so that I would not have to pitch it. Screener continues to babble about "empty the gas." By this point, the befuddled GSC came over and I repeated my request to hold the thing until my friend left. Fortunately, the Guardsman on the checkpoint came over and said "It's a friggen zippo, not a torch or camping torch. If it lights, let him thru." I lit it, snapped it shut, smiled at the GSC, thanked the Guardsman (who was shaking his head and laughing) and proceeded to the Admirals Club. By this point, we were down to 25 minutes until boarding. A power-half-hour of 3 Shiner Bocks for me and 2 for Techgirl followed while we caught up about life as of late. We walked to my gate where boarding had long since commenced, bid each other farewell, and I boarded (grabbing my bistro bag on the way down the jetway).
I think (having not seen the outside of the bird) that this was an ex-TWA 757, as while the seats had been MRTC-ized in terms of space, they were not the new blue variety, and the overheads looked to be stock 757 models. Fortunately, I had an open seat next to me. That was the good news. After a 20 minute taxi, the pilot announces that SFO has flow control, and we can't get off the ground for another hour. So he rolled into a penalty box apron area, killed the engines and fired up the APU. AA handled it pretty well--threw in a video program and came around with water and OJ. I made a few phone calls (another good move on their part--allowing electronic usage) and killed the remainder of my book and most of the contents of my bistro bag (eating the turkey sandwich was a bad move as I'd discover later). About 40 minutes hence, we were cleared to leave, and the pilot promised he'd try to make up some time en route. Takeoff was quick and we turned west. Upon reaching cruising altitude, the pilot came back on to annouce that he was going to try really hard to make up time, but this would probably result in a bumpy ride. Nobody complained and the ride was not that bumpy. As it turned out, he made good time to the bay area, but we ended up circling a couple of times before a pretty choppy descent into SFO. Taxi was long, and we hung off the gate for 5 minutes, waiting for somebody to do something, apparently.
I made my way thru security, where BingoSF was waiting to meet me for an evening of (suprise!) drinks in SFO. As an aside, I'm thinking that AA may be increasing my MoJo count by a factor of magnitude, since this is the first time I can ever remember being met at two different airports in one single day by beautiful women (never happened that way on US.....) Proceeded into San Francisco for some late night libation. By this point, I was ready to pass out (having consumed a turkey sandwich and a gratis sixer of Amstel on the plane) and still having the body clock set to EST. Bailed the bar at around 1am or so PST.
Saturday night brought me to yet another FT dinner, this one the brainchild of kluau88
. Upon arrival at Fringale, bluau88, SFOJFK, Horizons, HollyHP, BingoSF and I met and ran into a bit of trouble regarding our reservation. We hopped back in the respective cars and headed down to Momo's (IIRC), where we enjoyed dinner (I had a fair-middlin swordfish). Most everybody then proceeded out to the SFO Marriot to await Rudi's arrival. I turned into a pumpkin and ended up leaving at around 10pm PST (body clock and alcohol induced fatigue).
Sunday morning found me back at SFO about 90 minutes prior to my DFW bound departure. Cleared security without a hitch--well, the rent-a-dweeb almost did not let me thru with merely an AA printed itin/receipt on ticket stock, but I was not subject to the secondary search BS. I proceeded to the gate to find the line to check in was 12 people deep and moving at a snail's pace (one agent). I finally got my BP at flight - 29 minutes. I discovered that my seat had been changed and I was all the way in the rear of the aircraft, right beside the engines. When I inquired as to what was going on, the agent told me that since I did not check in 30 minutes prior, my original seat had been released. I then pointed out that I was physically at the gate 60 minutes prior, but due to AA's staffing problem I was not checked into the computer until 29 minutes prior. I then realized that they had also moved my seat on the DFW-PIT leg. Note to self: write the letter to AA.....
Boarding proceeded smoothly, despite a full fight (and the bistro bag routine on the jetway). This particular S-80 had the new overheads, so space was not a problem. Despite being a "full flight", I at least had an open middle seat next to me. The bad news was that I was 1 row in front of the engine, so I fully anticipated being deaf by DFW. Takeoff and taxi were quick, and the pilot informed us that he was estimating an arrival almost 40 minutes early. Cool. I killed the contents of the bistro bag, enjoyed a couple of Diet Coke's (long weekend of libation and timezone changes, so I needed the boost) and read my book. The approach into DFW was bumpy and involved several pretty dramatic thrust corrections and an arresting wire upon landing (the captain was kind enough to actually come on the PA during the taxi an annouce that the first officer handled the landing http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ). In his defense, it looked like about a 30 mph crosswind at DFW....
I deplaned to find Techgirl and kokonutz in the DFW chapel, err, a nearby bar (with much help--I had to be instructed as to which way to turn and look from a distance of 20 yards via cell phone--nothing like a long weekend...). Apparently, these two were on their way to Austin http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. I left most of my stuff with them and shot outside for a smoke. Upon returning and clearing security (subject to a wanding again because the detector pinged on the foil in my pack of smokes), we all headed up to the Admirals Club for a few more Shiner Bocks. To my shock and amazement, Techgirl decided that they were not going to Austin after all, and had the full-Y tickets refunded http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif.
After another power-half-hour of discussion, I bid the shepherd and her sheep goodbye and
cruised to the gate for my flight to PIT. I arrived right as group 3 was called to board. I trooped back to the same aisle seat by the engine as I had to DFW and stowed my stuff. Power back (there it is again) was quick, taxi was not. Eventually, we were in the air and PIT bound, when the pilot announced a short flight of 1hr 58m. I killed the rest of my book and snoozed thru the beverage/snack mix service. Arrival into PIT was on 28R with a relatively long taxi. Grabbed a cab back to the office (and hence my car) and drove home.
My overall impressions of AA are the same as when I had a brief flirt with them a couple of years ago--the service is very similar across all flights--not nearly the same number of subtle differences in the way they do things onboard as say, US, CO, and the rest of the majors. And, I'm convinced that if you are stuck in coach, it might as well be on AA--on the theory that any MRTC seat as almost as good as a typical exit row or the E+ fud on That Airline I'm Never Flying Again. A good trip.
Parts II, III, and IV to follow.
------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.
[This message has been edited by ClueByFour (edited 03-25-2002).]