the-ca-goat
Oct 18, 02, 12:38 am
A Tale of Two Airlines
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
Sorry to be so clichéd, but I've got an excuse: I’m still a trip report novice. Things should get progressively better.
Most of my trips are fairly banal and usually not Trip Report worthy. But, inspired by Dickens, I figured, what the heck--write a comparative report on the 2 trips that I made last week on 2 airlines.
Wed., Oct 9
6:25a.m. depart LAX- arrive MEM 11:59a.m.
NW 550
Complimentary upgrade cleared and e-mail notification received 3 days prior to departure.
This trip actually began on Tuesday when I checked in from my computer at work before leaving the office for some business in Orange County. It took all of about 30 seconds—ahhh, technology, ain’t it great? Now all NW needs is online baggage check in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif I forgot that I’d need to check bags anyway at LAX and when so doing I usually don’t check in online, as I need to go to the counter to get my bags checked anyway.
Wednesday morning I parked my car in Lot B and made it to LAX terminal 2 at about 5:30 for my 6:25 a.m. departure. There was barely anyone in the airport and I was helped nearly immediately by a NW agent. I got the wake up I needed when my heart skipped a few beats after opening my wallet to pull out my driver’s license and couldn’t find it. I ended up having to clear the entire contents of my wallet only to find the license hiding between two credit cards. I started breathing again and handed it over to the agent and mentioned that I have already checked in and just needed to check two bags.
“Sir, you’re not in first class how come you were standing in that line?” He said as he seemed somewhat annoyed with me.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes” he replied
“That’s not what my boarding passes say” as I hand him the printouts.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I typed in your name wrong. Next time all you need to do is tell me that you are gold elite.”
“No problem” I said.
He printed me up some “real” BPs on ticket stock and checked my luggage and I was on my way after he scolded me: “you know you almost missed your flight—you need to check in earlier.” http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif NW’s agents at LAX are usually kinder and gentler and know what they’re doing.
I thanked him and walked to the gate and waited for 15 or so minutes until boarding began.
Once on-board, a full selection of pre-flight bevs were offered, and orange juice was gladly accepted. We had a nice rollout and until the tail end, a smooth flight into MEM.
The standard NW breakfast was offered on this flight: eggs or cereal. Not a huge cereal fan, I went for the eggs, which were in the form of an omelet with runny Swiss cheese and accompanied by potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit (grapes, melon, kiwi, and a strawberry). Sweet rolls and bagels with cream cheese were also offered but I declined. Overall, it was a pretty good breakfast—and the FAs were very attentive and professional throughout the flight. I stuck with OJ for breakfast but managed to down a couple of bloody marys towards the end of the flight (the second was at the prodding of the FA—I just can’t say no.)
We had a slightly bumpy descent into overcast MEM, a smooth landing, and a quick taxi to the gate for a slightly early arrival. This was only my 3rd time in MEM and was happy to meet up with our fellow FTer, azj.
12:40p.m. depart MEM – arrive SDF, 2:55p.m.
NW 3500 (Mesaba)
Avro RJ-85
Soon after sitting down in 4J in what has to be the most comfortable “RJ” in the world, I set my watch 3 hours ahead to local Louisville time. Being that it is now well after noon, I happily accept a James Page while boarding finshed up. I was pretty jazzed to be in this Avro as it was only my second flight in one—my previous flight was this summer aboard a RJ-100 and it was in coach, seated in a window seat with no window.
Well, I did have a window this time and when I looked out of it I had the odd feeling that I was sitting in the basement of a 747--4 engines right there and a wing above me. If you get a window seat for the view, I’d recommend sitting in row 3 or forward.
We had a quick and smooth flight over to SDF during which I enjoyed yet another James Page—the tastiest inflight beer out there. Zoe, our FA, seemed somewhat disappointed when I declined a snack, so I humored her and grabbed a bag of the infamous SPINZELS—I haven’t tasted them in a long time and figured it’d be worth having a current frame of reference on which to base my arguments next time this hot topic comes up on the NW board. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Soon after landing in SDF my bags roll down the carousel and I meander over to the Thrifty counter to pick up a Dodge Intrepid. I seem to always get one but really don’t like this car—it is very difficulty to check out the blind spot. I should’ve asked for a downgrade.
Stayed at the Downtown Louisville Hyatt Regency—the staff there was excellent.
Louisville seemed like a nice enough town, though I didn’t do any sightseeing—though I hope to return to check out the Bourbon Trail, particularly the Makers Mark distillery just south of town.
3:50 p.m. depart MEM - 4:04p.m. arrive SDF
NW 3524 (operated by Mesaba)
Avro RJ-85
Complementary upgrade and email notification again received at the 3 day window. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Having finished business earlier than expected, I took an earlier flight back than I had originally planned on taking. I arrived at the NW counter about an hour before the 3:50p.m. flight to MEM and had no problems checking in and getting to the gate with plenty of time to spare—enough time to call some pals in CA and talk with my newly acquired Southern drawl.
The flight departed SDF and arrived into MEM on-time. Our FA was once again Zoe, who even remembered me from the flight yesterday. Once again a full selection of pre-flight beverages were offered to the full FC cabin. Once in flight, Zoe did a commendable job keeping the James Page flowing.
5:20p.m. depart MEM- 7:20p.m. arrive LAX
NW 555
A-320
After a quick and easy walk from the C concourse over to the B concourse, I arrive at the gate just as they are about to begin boarding. Having sat on planes enough in the last 24 hours, I didn’t board ‘til the end and I didn’t have a preflight bev, and don’t remember being offered one—probably due to the late boarding.
Dinner was offered on that night’s flight: chicken in wine sauce with mashed potatoes or baked ziti with sweet Italian sausage (a new offering, or at least new to me.) I opted for and enjoyed the chicken. It was accompanied by some sort of cold beef appetizer, small side salad and dinner roll. I had a glass of chardonnay, which wasn’t too shabby and helped enhance my enjoyment of the small talk with the guy seated next to me.
After the main course, our trays were promptly cleared and my seatmate started to get—for lack of a better term—giddy. For he knew what was to come: sundaes. “The best part of the flight!” according to him. He took his with everything and I went with my usual chocolate and walnuts.
Desparately tired, I passed out about an hour outside of LAX and was awakened by the wheels hitting the pavement. The FA asked me if I slept well as I deplaned—“very” I replied.
This is the part where things get kind of interesting i.e., the worst of times: After the walk downstairs and the general LAX carousel confusion and 15 minute wait my bags arrived and I headed over to the shuttle stop for the bus to lot B. I boarded the bus with a FA from our flight and a guy who turned out to be a NW pilot who was non-revving on our flight with his fam. We all chatted. The bus was packed and was eager to get off of it and get home. I was exhausted—so tired that I accidentally left a suitcase on the shuttle bus in the bag rack. I didn’t realize this until I got home at 10:00p.m. Had it been my own personal suitcase with clothes in it, this would not have been that big of a deal, however, this was my work suitcase and it had a fairly expensive display in it—one which I couldn’t afford to lose. So, for 2 hours I called LAX lost and found, and whoever else I could get a hold of down there, without any luck. I decided to head on back down to the airport at midnight to hunt for it myself, even though I had gotten a grand total of 6 hours of sleep over the past two nights. My search that night ended unsuccessfully at 2:30a.m. and I ended up sleeping in my car, too tired to make the hour and ten minute drive home. After a couple hours on the phone early the next morning, I was very lucky to locate the bag at Globe Ground’s (the company who operates the parking lot shuttles) LAX office http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif Airlines (okay, just United) have lost my luggage many times in the past, this was the first time I’ve lost my own bags. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
To be continued…
[This message has been edited by the-ca-goat (edited 10-19-2002).]
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
Sorry to be so clichéd, but I've got an excuse: I’m still a trip report novice. Things should get progressively better.
Most of my trips are fairly banal and usually not Trip Report worthy. But, inspired by Dickens, I figured, what the heck--write a comparative report on the 2 trips that I made last week on 2 airlines.
Wed., Oct 9
6:25a.m. depart LAX- arrive MEM 11:59a.m.
NW 550
Complimentary upgrade cleared and e-mail notification received 3 days prior to departure.
This trip actually began on Tuesday when I checked in from my computer at work before leaving the office for some business in Orange County. It took all of about 30 seconds—ahhh, technology, ain’t it great? Now all NW needs is online baggage check in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif I forgot that I’d need to check bags anyway at LAX and when so doing I usually don’t check in online, as I need to go to the counter to get my bags checked anyway.
Wednesday morning I parked my car in Lot B and made it to LAX terminal 2 at about 5:30 for my 6:25 a.m. departure. There was barely anyone in the airport and I was helped nearly immediately by a NW agent. I got the wake up I needed when my heart skipped a few beats after opening my wallet to pull out my driver’s license and couldn’t find it. I ended up having to clear the entire contents of my wallet only to find the license hiding between two credit cards. I started breathing again and handed it over to the agent and mentioned that I have already checked in and just needed to check two bags.
“Sir, you’re not in first class how come you were standing in that line?” He said as he seemed somewhat annoyed with me.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes” he replied
“That’s not what my boarding passes say” as I hand him the printouts.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I typed in your name wrong. Next time all you need to do is tell me that you are gold elite.”
“No problem” I said.
He printed me up some “real” BPs on ticket stock and checked my luggage and I was on my way after he scolded me: “you know you almost missed your flight—you need to check in earlier.” http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif NW’s agents at LAX are usually kinder and gentler and know what they’re doing.
I thanked him and walked to the gate and waited for 15 or so minutes until boarding began.
Once on-board, a full selection of pre-flight bevs were offered, and orange juice was gladly accepted. We had a nice rollout and until the tail end, a smooth flight into MEM.
The standard NW breakfast was offered on this flight: eggs or cereal. Not a huge cereal fan, I went for the eggs, which were in the form of an omelet with runny Swiss cheese and accompanied by potatoes, sausage, fresh fruit (grapes, melon, kiwi, and a strawberry). Sweet rolls and bagels with cream cheese were also offered but I declined. Overall, it was a pretty good breakfast—and the FAs were very attentive and professional throughout the flight. I stuck with OJ for breakfast but managed to down a couple of bloody marys towards the end of the flight (the second was at the prodding of the FA—I just can’t say no.)
We had a slightly bumpy descent into overcast MEM, a smooth landing, and a quick taxi to the gate for a slightly early arrival. This was only my 3rd time in MEM and was happy to meet up with our fellow FTer, azj.
12:40p.m. depart MEM – arrive SDF, 2:55p.m.
NW 3500 (Mesaba)
Avro RJ-85
Soon after sitting down in 4J in what has to be the most comfortable “RJ” in the world, I set my watch 3 hours ahead to local Louisville time. Being that it is now well after noon, I happily accept a James Page while boarding finshed up. I was pretty jazzed to be in this Avro as it was only my second flight in one—my previous flight was this summer aboard a RJ-100 and it was in coach, seated in a window seat with no window.
Well, I did have a window this time and when I looked out of it I had the odd feeling that I was sitting in the basement of a 747--4 engines right there and a wing above me. If you get a window seat for the view, I’d recommend sitting in row 3 or forward.
We had a quick and smooth flight over to SDF during which I enjoyed yet another James Page—the tastiest inflight beer out there. Zoe, our FA, seemed somewhat disappointed when I declined a snack, so I humored her and grabbed a bag of the infamous SPINZELS—I haven’t tasted them in a long time and figured it’d be worth having a current frame of reference on which to base my arguments next time this hot topic comes up on the NW board. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Soon after landing in SDF my bags roll down the carousel and I meander over to the Thrifty counter to pick up a Dodge Intrepid. I seem to always get one but really don’t like this car—it is very difficulty to check out the blind spot. I should’ve asked for a downgrade.
Stayed at the Downtown Louisville Hyatt Regency—the staff there was excellent.
Louisville seemed like a nice enough town, though I didn’t do any sightseeing—though I hope to return to check out the Bourbon Trail, particularly the Makers Mark distillery just south of town.
3:50 p.m. depart MEM - 4:04p.m. arrive SDF
NW 3524 (operated by Mesaba)
Avro RJ-85
Complementary upgrade and email notification again received at the 3 day window. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Having finished business earlier than expected, I took an earlier flight back than I had originally planned on taking. I arrived at the NW counter about an hour before the 3:50p.m. flight to MEM and had no problems checking in and getting to the gate with plenty of time to spare—enough time to call some pals in CA and talk with my newly acquired Southern drawl.
The flight departed SDF and arrived into MEM on-time. Our FA was once again Zoe, who even remembered me from the flight yesterday. Once again a full selection of pre-flight beverages were offered to the full FC cabin. Once in flight, Zoe did a commendable job keeping the James Page flowing.
5:20p.m. depart MEM- 7:20p.m. arrive LAX
NW 555
A-320
After a quick and easy walk from the C concourse over to the B concourse, I arrive at the gate just as they are about to begin boarding. Having sat on planes enough in the last 24 hours, I didn’t board ‘til the end and I didn’t have a preflight bev, and don’t remember being offered one—probably due to the late boarding.
Dinner was offered on that night’s flight: chicken in wine sauce with mashed potatoes or baked ziti with sweet Italian sausage (a new offering, or at least new to me.) I opted for and enjoyed the chicken. It was accompanied by some sort of cold beef appetizer, small side salad and dinner roll. I had a glass of chardonnay, which wasn’t too shabby and helped enhance my enjoyment of the small talk with the guy seated next to me.
After the main course, our trays were promptly cleared and my seatmate started to get—for lack of a better term—giddy. For he knew what was to come: sundaes. “The best part of the flight!” according to him. He took his with everything and I went with my usual chocolate and walnuts.
Desparately tired, I passed out about an hour outside of LAX and was awakened by the wheels hitting the pavement. The FA asked me if I slept well as I deplaned—“very” I replied.
This is the part where things get kind of interesting i.e., the worst of times: After the walk downstairs and the general LAX carousel confusion and 15 minute wait my bags arrived and I headed over to the shuttle stop for the bus to lot B. I boarded the bus with a FA from our flight and a guy who turned out to be a NW pilot who was non-revving on our flight with his fam. We all chatted. The bus was packed and was eager to get off of it and get home. I was exhausted—so tired that I accidentally left a suitcase on the shuttle bus in the bag rack. I didn’t realize this until I got home at 10:00p.m. Had it been my own personal suitcase with clothes in it, this would not have been that big of a deal, however, this was my work suitcase and it had a fairly expensive display in it—one which I couldn’t afford to lose. So, for 2 hours I called LAX lost and found, and whoever else I could get a hold of down there, without any luck. I decided to head on back down to the airport at midnight to hunt for it myself, even though I had gotten a grand total of 6 hours of sleep over the past two nights. My search that night ended unsuccessfully at 2:30a.m. and I ended up sleeping in my car, too tired to make the hour and ten minute drive home. After a couple hours on the phone early the next morning, I was very lucky to locate the bag at Globe Ground’s (the company who operates the parking lot shuttles) LAX office http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif Airlines (okay, just United) have lost my luggage many times in the past, this was the first time I’ve lost my own bags. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
To be continued…
[This message has been edited by the-ca-goat (edited 10-19-2002).]