jsmeeker
Jul 9, 02, 1:19 pm
It was time for my weekend trip to the Bahamas. A cousin was getting married, so it was a great excuse to take a trip. It was my *first* non business airline flight in a few years and my first flight not to LAX from Dallas in 2 and a half years.
July 5th
AA 1614 -- DFW-MIA Departs 11:20 AM
767-300
Seat 3H
My upgrade cleared! Checkin was pretty easy. Short line at first class checkin at Terminal A. Checked bag was scanned by the big machine. No elite line for security, but it didn't matter as there was no line. Breezed through security. No laptop bag. So much easier.
Went to the Admirals Club. I *really* like the one in A. Its very, very nice. Chilled there for a while. Just before boarding time, I headed to the gate. Waited. Screeners started to pick people fro mthe crowd prior to boarding. Boarding call was made, and I was the first person. Long walk down a maze of halls and jet bridges and stepped onto the plane. Settled into my "coffin". First time in one of those. Lots of buttons to control the seat.
Pre-departure drinks are offered. Anything you want. I had a ginger ale. Push back was on time. Taxi out. Wait a bit. Then, off we went.
Once we got airborn, lunch started. Choice of turkey sandwhich or some sort of salad with chicken. I pick the sandwhich. And a Heineken. While I wait, I play with the seat. Weird to control. Adjusting one part will adjust others depending on how the seat is. Other PAX "struggle" with it was well. What the seat really needs is a "memory" setting.
Beer arrives, along with choice of peanuts or that cheddar stuff. Both in a bag. Lunch follows. Sandwich, with a little, tiny bit of salad and potato salad. Sandwhich is OK. Potato salad is rather tasty. Small plate of crackers and cheese , along with a pack of cookies finish the plate. I have some wine too. When I am done, I have a vodka tonic. Put the seat into bed mode, and nap. Not too bad.
We arrive into Miami a little late. Now, I have a conection to make.
AE 4969 -- MIA-FPO
ATR-42
Seat 10B
I make it over from Terminal E to Terminal D. Boarding is supposed to be underway, according to the boarding pass. But its not. Delay because of lightning. Then, delay with crew clearing customs. Evetually, the line us up, but us on the bus, take us to the Eagle ramp. We start to board. It starts to rain again. Everyone gets on. This is my first time on an Eagle flight. The ATR isn't that small. Seat pitch is tight, but other than that, its OK. Taxi out, right onto the runway, and off we go. Short flights. 35 minutes later, in the Bahamas. Off plane, clear immigration. Wait for bag. Clear customs. Super simple. In a cab, and off to the resort.
July 5-8
Our Lucaya. Grand Bahama Island. Very nice place. Ocean view room. Pool. Beach. Beer. Dinners. Wedding. Perfect.
July 8
AE 4968 -- FPO-MIA Departs at 3:18 PM
Super ATR
Seat 11B
Got to FPO about 2 hours early. Wait in line to check in. Check in. Pay the $18 departure tax. Agent tags my checked bag. I take that and my carry on and everything else to security. Go through. Now, you do US Immigration and customs. Immigration guy stamps the passport, as I "enter" the US. Customs guy takes my delcaration form. Asks me a few quetions, and sends me on my way. I give my checked bag (garment bag to a guy). I forget to take the strap off. (this was a mistake)
Wait. And wait. And wait. Watch planes come and go. Boarding time, and no Eagle ATR in sight. Announcement is made. Mechanical delay in Miami. Estimate 4:10 departure. Uh-oh.. I have to connect. Plane comes, but no way are we leaving at 4:10. Finally, at 4:30, we leave. Really tight for the 5:40 flight to DFW. If everythign works out, I *might* make it. Short flight. Plane lands. No bus. Wait for bus. Ughh! No way can I make my flight to Dallas. Bus comes. On bus to terminal D. Off bus. *run* to gate in E terminal. Plane is there. But jet bridge is pulled back. Too late. ****. One time I wish a flight was running late. I'm bummed out, as I was hoping to score a first class upgrade and ride in a flagship suite. Stupid mechanical problems.
AA 1265 -- MIA-DFW departs 7:20 PM
757
Seat 3A
Missed my flight. Go to the agents at the gate for my original flight. Eagle already booked me a confirmed seat on AA 1265. I ask for an upgrade. I go to the top of the standby list, Flight departs terminal B. I walk over there. Long way. Crummy, narrow, winding hallways to get there. Go to the Admirals club. Agent there takes a look at my boaring pass. I ask about baggage. He says it should be fine, and they will see what flight you are on an get the bag there. Then, he gives me a new coach seat. I was assigned to a middle seat, and he moves me to a window on row 10. Very nice.
I chill out in the club. It is small. Very plain. But far better than the regular waiting area. Grab a coke, some chips, cheese, crackers, cookies and a newspaper. Evetually, it is time to head to gate B15. Lots of people waiting. When I get there, people are walking off the plane parked at the gate. Well, that is a clear sign we will be late. My name is called. Gate agent hands me my first class boaring pass. Boaring commences 10 minutes later.
Plane loads up. Push back at about 7:35 PM. taxi out. Wait a bit. Off we go. Service starts a little late. Choppy air keeps the FAs seated longer than normal. For dinner, I order the fillet. And a vodka tonic. that gets delivered with the warm nuts. Salad comes. Basic salad, but big and tasty, as usual. Tray also has small cheese cake dessert. No ice cream, I suppose. Dinner is delivered. But its all in one pre-assembled dish. Its not plated like the dinner flights out of LAX to DFW. No big deal. The meat is fine. Finish that. Eat a roll. Eat part of the cheese cake. The flight attendent is having fun with the wine service. Trying to make it "formal", instead of saying "red or white". Kinda funny. Nice touch.
After dinner is cleared, I order a Bailey's Irish. Nice way to end my vacation. Touch down at DFW. Taxi. Wait for a gate. Thunderstorms earlier in the day have dleayed lots of outbound flights, and they are still at the gates arriving flights need.
Eventually, we make the gate. I get in much later than originally planned. Time to claim the bag. Typcial long wait. Out comes the bag. Stap look like its still there! Well, it is, but one "hook" is broken. Darn!! Oh well, my bad. I knew to take it off and didn't do it.
With the exception of the long delay out of FPO, everything went very well. I'll have to try for a 777 flagship suite some other time.
July 5th
AA 1614 -- DFW-MIA Departs 11:20 AM
767-300
Seat 3H
My upgrade cleared! Checkin was pretty easy. Short line at first class checkin at Terminal A. Checked bag was scanned by the big machine. No elite line for security, but it didn't matter as there was no line. Breezed through security. No laptop bag. So much easier.
Went to the Admirals Club. I *really* like the one in A. Its very, very nice. Chilled there for a while. Just before boarding time, I headed to the gate. Waited. Screeners started to pick people fro mthe crowd prior to boarding. Boarding call was made, and I was the first person. Long walk down a maze of halls and jet bridges and stepped onto the plane. Settled into my "coffin". First time in one of those. Lots of buttons to control the seat.
Pre-departure drinks are offered. Anything you want. I had a ginger ale. Push back was on time. Taxi out. Wait a bit. Then, off we went.
Once we got airborn, lunch started. Choice of turkey sandwhich or some sort of salad with chicken. I pick the sandwhich. And a Heineken. While I wait, I play with the seat. Weird to control. Adjusting one part will adjust others depending on how the seat is. Other PAX "struggle" with it was well. What the seat really needs is a "memory" setting.
Beer arrives, along with choice of peanuts or that cheddar stuff. Both in a bag. Lunch follows. Sandwich, with a little, tiny bit of salad and potato salad. Sandwhich is OK. Potato salad is rather tasty. Small plate of crackers and cheese , along with a pack of cookies finish the plate. I have some wine too. When I am done, I have a vodka tonic. Put the seat into bed mode, and nap. Not too bad.
We arrive into Miami a little late. Now, I have a conection to make.
AE 4969 -- MIA-FPO
ATR-42
Seat 10B
I make it over from Terminal E to Terminal D. Boarding is supposed to be underway, according to the boarding pass. But its not. Delay because of lightning. Then, delay with crew clearing customs. Evetually, the line us up, but us on the bus, take us to the Eagle ramp. We start to board. It starts to rain again. Everyone gets on. This is my first time on an Eagle flight. The ATR isn't that small. Seat pitch is tight, but other than that, its OK. Taxi out, right onto the runway, and off we go. Short flights. 35 minutes later, in the Bahamas. Off plane, clear immigration. Wait for bag. Clear customs. Super simple. In a cab, and off to the resort.
July 5-8
Our Lucaya. Grand Bahama Island. Very nice place. Ocean view room. Pool. Beach. Beer. Dinners. Wedding. Perfect.
July 8
AE 4968 -- FPO-MIA Departs at 3:18 PM
Super ATR
Seat 11B
Got to FPO about 2 hours early. Wait in line to check in. Check in. Pay the $18 departure tax. Agent tags my checked bag. I take that and my carry on and everything else to security. Go through. Now, you do US Immigration and customs. Immigration guy stamps the passport, as I "enter" the US. Customs guy takes my delcaration form. Asks me a few quetions, and sends me on my way. I give my checked bag (garment bag to a guy). I forget to take the strap off. (this was a mistake)
Wait. And wait. And wait. Watch planes come and go. Boarding time, and no Eagle ATR in sight. Announcement is made. Mechanical delay in Miami. Estimate 4:10 departure. Uh-oh.. I have to connect. Plane comes, but no way are we leaving at 4:10. Finally, at 4:30, we leave. Really tight for the 5:40 flight to DFW. If everythign works out, I *might* make it. Short flight. Plane lands. No bus. Wait for bus. Ughh! No way can I make my flight to Dallas. Bus comes. On bus to terminal D. Off bus. *run* to gate in E terminal. Plane is there. But jet bridge is pulled back. Too late. ****. One time I wish a flight was running late. I'm bummed out, as I was hoping to score a first class upgrade and ride in a flagship suite. Stupid mechanical problems.
AA 1265 -- MIA-DFW departs 7:20 PM
757
Seat 3A
Missed my flight. Go to the agents at the gate for my original flight. Eagle already booked me a confirmed seat on AA 1265. I ask for an upgrade. I go to the top of the standby list, Flight departs terminal B. I walk over there. Long way. Crummy, narrow, winding hallways to get there. Go to the Admirals club. Agent there takes a look at my boaring pass. I ask about baggage. He says it should be fine, and they will see what flight you are on an get the bag there. Then, he gives me a new coach seat. I was assigned to a middle seat, and he moves me to a window on row 10. Very nice.
I chill out in the club. It is small. Very plain. But far better than the regular waiting area. Grab a coke, some chips, cheese, crackers, cookies and a newspaper. Evetually, it is time to head to gate B15. Lots of people waiting. When I get there, people are walking off the plane parked at the gate. Well, that is a clear sign we will be late. My name is called. Gate agent hands me my first class boaring pass. Boaring commences 10 minutes later.
Plane loads up. Push back at about 7:35 PM. taxi out. Wait a bit. Off we go. Service starts a little late. Choppy air keeps the FAs seated longer than normal. For dinner, I order the fillet. And a vodka tonic. that gets delivered with the warm nuts. Salad comes. Basic salad, but big and tasty, as usual. Tray also has small cheese cake dessert. No ice cream, I suppose. Dinner is delivered. But its all in one pre-assembled dish. Its not plated like the dinner flights out of LAX to DFW. No big deal. The meat is fine. Finish that. Eat a roll. Eat part of the cheese cake. The flight attendent is having fun with the wine service. Trying to make it "formal", instead of saying "red or white". Kinda funny. Nice touch.
After dinner is cleared, I order a Bailey's Irish. Nice way to end my vacation. Touch down at DFW. Taxi. Wait for a gate. Thunderstorms earlier in the day have dleayed lots of outbound flights, and they are still at the gates arriving flights need.
Eventually, we make the gate. I get in much later than originally planned. Time to claim the bag. Typcial long wait. Out comes the bag. Stap look like its still there! Well, it is, but one "hook" is broken. Darn!! Oh well, my bad. I knew to take it off and didn't do it.
With the exception of the long delay out of FPO, everything went very well. I'll have to try for a 777 flagship suite some other time.