BizJet
Jul 16, 02, 9:33 pm
My outbound was originally booked TPA-CLT-LEX with the CLT-LEX portion on a Dash-8 prop. The equipment was switched to a nineteen seat B-1900. I'm not scared of flying, but I decided that I wasn't comfortable on that small of a plane (plus my plans changed and the timing was no longer a necessity). So I called US and the agent happily switched me to TPA-PIT-LEX on a Dash-8. However, TPA-PIT was sold out in F.
First Class had a no-show so I got upgraded at the very last minute. Both cabins completely full on the 734. Typical F service. Beverage (in a real glass, for those of you keeping track). Then lunch: Cajun chicken with rice (IIRC), decent sized salad, roll and butter, and chocolate or something like that for dessert, everything on one tray. (sorry my memory is fading me.) I like US's meal services on the Florida to PHL/PIT runs. Especially compared to the fact that they served nothing back in October/November.
Flight to LEX was pretty empty (maybe 15 people on the Dash-8). This plane is now the workhorse of the US Express fleet. It really wasn't uncomfortable and I didn't mind the flight at all. My briefcase fit overhead with no problems. I was in row 4 (exit) which supposedly has a little extra legroom but it was negligible. Next time I'd probably just go as far forward as possible to avoid engine noise. FA served drinks and pretzals then read in the jumpseat for the rest of the flight. Row 1AB looked to have pretty good legroom, but you face the FA's jumpseat. I can't remember any other good seats.
The Dash-8 really gave me jetlag; I never feel flying fatigue after getting off a jet. Perhaps its the noise.
Return LEX-PIT-TPA
LEX is a very small airport. US has two agents working and about 40 people in line. There is a First Class/Preferred line. Whenever one of the agents finished, they'd pull whoever was next in the FC line. That meant that a guy would trickle up every 5 minutes and get served and the coach line wasn't moving at all. Don't get me wrong, I was really happy to have that priority line, but I just felt bad for everyone else.
I sat next to William Shatner in the departure area. He boarding a Northwest RJ to Detroit in FC.
Flight LEX-PIT was on an ERJ. I wasn't sure what to expect given the bum rap that these get, but I was pleasantly surprised with this plane. It was quite bright and fresh. Seat 12A is the way to go. Lots of legroom. Reports of problems with the curviture of the plane harming comfort were unfounded. I could see how these things could really suck on a 3 hour flight (i.e., IAH-PSP), but I could easily fly one of these things under two hours (i.e., RDU-LGA). I'm glad I didn't think it was awful since this appears to be the future of US.
I was expecting a beverage service; there was none. I was a little surprised but it really didn't matter of course. For the record, the flight was very smooth.
I forgot to call for the upgrade PIT-TPA so when I finally remembered there were no seats open. The LEX agent told me that I should have no problem clearing, but they were under gate control. The gate at PIT was a mob scene (typical Sunday morning FLA flight), so I stopped by special services to see about the upgrade. The agent told me FC was chkd in full which surprised me, given the optomistic report of the LEX agent. Oh well, I had a good exit aisle. However, it turned out that the gate agent had already processed upgrades and had the boarding passes printed and waiting at the counter, thus appearing to be checked in full in the computer.
Boarding was wild. Dozens of passengers in wheelchairs. Lots of families not realizing that there is no reason to crowd the door before their rows are called. Plus, the flustered agent forgot to call FC/Preferred boarding which really confused some passengers ("Now boarding only special assistance passengers...First Class and Preferred please wait to board." Then "Now boarding rows 25 and higher").
Pre-flight beverage was offered by the FA. Both classes were full on this 734. 6 FC passengers were Preferred passengers on upgrades, the other 6 were bumped from coach.
Meal service was the exact same as before, although the chicken was of a different variety (grilled with potatoes and carrots). The FA was really attentive. She opened the salad dressing so it would not explode due to the pressure. The constantly hovered nearby, collected trash as you produced it so it wouldn't pile up on the tray. She was great.
The last part of the flight was a little weird. An hour out, an FA announced the beginning of our decent, thus turn off electronic devices. Twenty minutes later, another FA makes the same announcement. Ten minutes later, the captain announces that we're about 35 minutes from landing and will begin our decent shortly. Ten minutes later the electronic devices announcement is made again. Weird (and I could have finished my DVD!).
That's it. A great trip on US Airways. Despite their troubles, I still enjoy flying them.
I have a crazy mileage run (my first) for next week, then a trip to HVN via PHL.
BTW, I almost always fly mainline, so it was good to experience US Express and see that it really isn't bad at all. I wouldn't hesitate to fly another Dash-8 or ERJ, though the ERJ is much more desirable.
Thanks for reading.
First Class had a no-show so I got upgraded at the very last minute. Both cabins completely full on the 734. Typical F service. Beverage (in a real glass, for those of you keeping track). Then lunch: Cajun chicken with rice (IIRC), decent sized salad, roll and butter, and chocolate or something like that for dessert, everything on one tray. (sorry my memory is fading me.) I like US's meal services on the Florida to PHL/PIT runs. Especially compared to the fact that they served nothing back in October/November.
Flight to LEX was pretty empty (maybe 15 people on the Dash-8). This plane is now the workhorse of the US Express fleet. It really wasn't uncomfortable and I didn't mind the flight at all. My briefcase fit overhead with no problems. I was in row 4 (exit) which supposedly has a little extra legroom but it was negligible. Next time I'd probably just go as far forward as possible to avoid engine noise. FA served drinks and pretzals then read in the jumpseat for the rest of the flight. Row 1AB looked to have pretty good legroom, but you face the FA's jumpseat. I can't remember any other good seats.
The Dash-8 really gave me jetlag; I never feel flying fatigue after getting off a jet. Perhaps its the noise.
Return LEX-PIT-TPA
LEX is a very small airport. US has two agents working and about 40 people in line. There is a First Class/Preferred line. Whenever one of the agents finished, they'd pull whoever was next in the FC line. That meant that a guy would trickle up every 5 minutes and get served and the coach line wasn't moving at all. Don't get me wrong, I was really happy to have that priority line, but I just felt bad for everyone else.
I sat next to William Shatner in the departure area. He boarding a Northwest RJ to Detroit in FC.
Flight LEX-PIT was on an ERJ. I wasn't sure what to expect given the bum rap that these get, but I was pleasantly surprised with this plane. It was quite bright and fresh. Seat 12A is the way to go. Lots of legroom. Reports of problems with the curviture of the plane harming comfort were unfounded. I could see how these things could really suck on a 3 hour flight (i.e., IAH-PSP), but I could easily fly one of these things under two hours (i.e., RDU-LGA). I'm glad I didn't think it was awful since this appears to be the future of US.
I was expecting a beverage service; there was none. I was a little surprised but it really didn't matter of course. For the record, the flight was very smooth.
I forgot to call for the upgrade PIT-TPA so when I finally remembered there were no seats open. The LEX agent told me that I should have no problem clearing, but they were under gate control. The gate at PIT was a mob scene (typical Sunday morning FLA flight), so I stopped by special services to see about the upgrade. The agent told me FC was chkd in full which surprised me, given the optomistic report of the LEX agent. Oh well, I had a good exit aisle. However, it turned out that the gate agent had already processed upgrades and had the boarding passes printed and waiting at the counter, thus appearing to be checked in full in the computer.
Boarding was wild. Dozens of passengers in wheelchairs. Lots of families not realizing that there is no reason to crowd the door before their rows are called. Plus, the flustered agent forgot to call FC/Preferred boarding which really confused some passengers ("Now boarding only special assistance passengers...First Class and Preferred please wait to board." Then "Now boarding rows 25 and higher").
Pre-flight beverage was offered by the FA. Both classes were full on this 734. 6 FC passengers were Preferred passengers on upgrades, the other 6 were bumped from coach.
Meal service was the exact same as before, although the chicken was of a different variety (grilled with potatoes and carrots). The FA was really attentive. She opened the salad dressing so it would not explode due to the pressure. The constantly hovered nearby, collected trash as you produced it so it wouldn't pile up on the tray. She was great.
The last part of the flight was a little weird. An hour out, an FA announced the beginning of our decent, thus turn off electronic devices. Twenty minutes later, another FA makes the same announcement. Ten minutes later, the captain announces that we're about 35 minutes from landing and will begin our decent shortly. Ten minutes later the electronic devices announcement is made again. Weird (and I could have finished my DVD!).
That's it. A great trip on US Airways. Despite their troubles, I still enjoy flying them.
I have a crazy mileage run (my first) for next week, then a trip to HVN via PHL.
BTW, I almost always fly mainline, so it was good to experience US Express and see that it really isn't bad at all. I wouldn't hesitate to fly another Dash-8 or ERJ, though the ERJ is much more desirable.
Thanks for reading.