electra
Feb 24, 04, 1:17 am
Little tired.. and a little late with this report.. any positive feed back and I'll post the final two flights, including one tres amusant story...
LGB-FLL
Jet Blue 258
Dec 15th 2003
21 A / B
Arrived at Long Beach airport for Jet Blue’s 8:45 am dep, leaving the Scion B in the Long Term car park, and shuttling it to the rather shoddy and gloomy main terminal. Easy curbside check in left us plenty of time to feel vaguely ripped by jet-fuel-like 5 dollar cappucinnos and to debate between In-Touch and People before heading for the gate. (We bought both.)
Boarding started a little late, but with a light load and airstairs at both 1L and 2L we got underway quickly. (As always the stroll across the tarmac reminded me of my childhood in Nassau, when my parents would hold my hand as we walked -on carpet- from the terminal to the BOAC 747). I’ve long admired the egalitarian nature of Jet Blue, though with the new expanded leg room (row 13 back) I guess there is now something to gnaw at type-Aers.
The Flight attendants were reasonably cheery, three youngsters and one more ‘mature’ lady who I pegged as a refugee from one of the majors, and though the jocular chatter on the PA threatened to be a little grating it quickly calmed down after the safety demo. A smooth take-off and we were away on a happily uneventful flight. We were pleasantly surprised by the generous service, two run throughs with drinks, and all the chocolate chip cookies, blue chips and snacks you could want. I skipped the Direct TV, watching The Stepford Wives on the ibook, and enjoying a self catered Trader Joes spread....
MIA - EZE
Aerolineas Argentinas 1303
Dec 16th 2003
31 C / D
After a pleasant time in Miami with the fam, it was off to MIA for our 20:30 departure on AR. Neither el novio or myself had ever been south of Mexico City and I admit to a certain amount of trepidation at the thought of such a long flight on a carrier I had hardly heard of. At Check-in we were advised of a late in-bound aircraft, and headed off to my favorite bar in Miami - the one at the top of the Miami Airport Hotel - amazing views of the runway, and very relaxing to a travelfiend like myself. Several extravagently expensive watered down cocktails later we headed to F16 and had our first introduction to the Argentinian way of doing things.
Despite the fact that boarding was clearly 30 or 40 minutes away, there was already a line of passangers winding its way across the gate area, staking out thier place with an impressive stoicism. Babies and children overran the whole of the F concourse, and for the first time (of many occasions) we noted how uh, loud Argentinian families can be.
Boarding finally began about an hour late, and while the gate agents initially tried to impose order, once the First class passangers were boarded it was ‘sharpest elbows wins,’ thankfully our bags were checked, and we felt none of the usual overhead-space-anxiety, and boarded in a relaxed manner.
Now in all honesty, after my four years of full-time UA flying, I expected that things might be a little different on AR. The first thing I noticed on stepping aboard the A340 was the steely eyed (male) flight attendants standing bolt upright in their sharp suits. No messy around with these guys! A civil greeting, and swift direction to our seats, and back we went. Making our way to the back of the bus we saw a few duct-taped arm rests, and some loose ceiling panels, but nothing overtly alarming. When we finally made it to our seats, 31 C and D, I was surprised at the ease with which we slipped into them, and realised that we probably had a good few inches more than typical UA economy. Each seat had a clean pillow and blanket, and, even better, the armrest between D and E was a double, effectively making the 2-4-2 seating into 2-2-2-2.
There began our AR adventure. Seated one row behind the bulkhead and lavs, I got to observe the FA’s in action (professional curiousity from this former stew!). The family in the bulkhead (2 adults, 4 kids!!!!) had the babies asleep on the floor before the seatbelt sign even came off, and several time during the night, discombobulated passangers attempted to walk over them! I was surprised to see several FAA infractions, especially upon landing, when the exit row pax all seemed to have bags aroudn their feet.
Service was decent. After about an hour wait, the flight attendants came through with a combined drink / meal service. Pasta, cold as a rock, and a few other vaguely nasty bits and pieces. Luckily, we had feasted on cocktail snacks in the airport bar, and with a mini bottle of vino tinto each (no charge!) were able to feel reasonably satisfied. Oddly, the carts rolled through twice more before our trays were collected. The first time was a second beverage service, the second, an after dinner drinks service. By the time the trays were picked up, they had been congealing on our tray-tables for an hour and a half.
A rather random movie selection played on the overhead screen throughout the night, Bad Boys 2, Seabiscuit, Matchstick Men and the Santa Clause 2. Luckily, the surprisingly comfortable seats allowed us to sleep - no video box underseat to block leg room + a swing down foot rest added up to a much nicer ride than most domestic carriers provide. Throughout the FA’s were attentive, not effusive mind, just polite and concerned. A few hours before landing we had a handful of cold medialunas (mini-croissants, delicious when fresh) and some truely undrinkable coffee, (the Nescafe on the side of the pitcher should have given that away) before an on-time landing in EZE.
All in all, a surprisingly pleasant journey.
Assuming my readers are sophisticated in the ways of the world, will just give edited highlights of BA. The astonishing exchange rate - 3 pesos to the dollar - allowed us to do pretty much whatever we wanted, and we made a point of booking the best hotels available, and eating at the best restaurants and so on.
We stayed at the Etoile in Recoleta. Amazing views (we lucked into an 8th floor room facing the cemetary) and pleasant service made up for the fading 70-kitsch shabbiness of the room. A pleasant roof top bar was a great place to drink an evening Quilmes before heading out on the town. We did hte usual tourist circuit, La Boca, San Telmo, Palermo Hollywood and so on. Tigre was absolutly gorgeous, and easy to reach on the train - a definate must.
One restaurant reccomendation - for a night when you want low-key, locals only, Italian cooking. Melo. Delicious simple food, I had the house veal special rouded off with lemon champ, literally a scoop of lemon sorbet bobbing in champagne - yummy. Ordered a fabulous Argentinian Syrah, and got too, uh, incapacitated to remember any further details.
AEP -BRC bariloche
Southern Winds
Dec 23d
Seats 4e/f
After several days in BA, we mistakenly headed off to Mar Del Plata, a gloomy beach town that reminded us of nothing so much as Atlantic City in Febuary. One day of rain, watching trash and small animals bob down the gutters, had us heading back to BA, and seeking out a friendly travel agent, who arranged for us to go to Barioloche.
We packed our bags, said farewell to the etoile, and went to the small domestic airport for our two hour flight on Southern Winds to Barioloche. Here again we witnessed a somewhat Germanic tinge to the Argentinian character. At the gate we were packed cheek to jowl on to two steamy buses. After an agonizing wait, the driver released the brake, pulled forward 30 feet, stuck it in park again, and we all got off. You’d think for taht they would have let the rabble make their own way to the aircraft.
Southern Winds is the slightly shabby step-sister to AR. The aircraft, an ancient 737, reminded me of the 707 in Airport, the one where there are no overhead bins, just little shelves to stow hats and coats. The flight attendants were nicely attired though in Pucci-esque swirly blue shirts. Push back, and a rather incomprehensible dual lingo safety demo, and we took off, speeding down the runway in a manner that proved what they say about Argentinian men. Once in the air we settled in, and watched in amazement as the FA’s manouvered a queen cart down the aisles for a light beverage and snack service. A Queen Cart? Hello? Was Jaqueline Bisset about to pop out to help with the pick-up?
All in all though, a pleasant trip. The views were amazing, as the mountains of Bariloche came up to meet us - afte r the steamy ness of BA the snowy peaks and wind lashed lakes were indescribably inviting.
Barioloche has an amazingly modern airport, probably the most sophisticated gateway in South America. Very small, with only one gate, but I noticed (plane buff that I am!) that the painted lines specified a 747 along with the more likely 737. Could only imagine what it would be like to see a 747 pull up there! We were picked up by the hotel and shortly arrived at the Three Kings.
Barioloche ROCKS! Go there. We were amazed by the Patagonian beauty, the fondue, the chocolate, the tobagan ride and everythign else. After I s$@%&%$ up our tour (mistaking tres for trece and causing us to miss the one pm departure) we rented a Fiat Uno for, on the rental companies advice, a self-adminstered off-road tour of the mountain scape. Perhaps not such a good idea. We finally turned around when I had foot to floor in second gear, and we were still hardly moving up a treacherous incline.
let me know if you want more....
LGB-FLL
Jet Blue 258
Dec 15th 2003
21 A / B
Arrived at Long Beach airport for Jet Blue’s 8:45 am dep, leaving the Scion B in the Long Term car park, and shuttling it to the rather shoddy and gloomy main terminal. Easy curbside check in left us plenty of time to feel vaguely ripped by jet-fuel-like 5 dollar cappucinnos and to debate between In-Touch and People before heading for the gate. (We bought both.)
Boarding started a little late, but with a light load and airstairs at both 1L and 2L we got underway quickly. (As always the stroll across the tarmac reminded me of my childhood in Nassau, when my parents would hold my hand as we walked -on carpet- from the terminal to the BOAC 747). I’ve long admired the egalitarian nature of Jet Blue, though with the new expanded leg room (row 13 back) I guess there is now something to gnaw at type-Aers.
The Flight attendants were reasonably cheery, three youngsters and one more ‘mature’ lady who I pegged as a refugee from one of the majors, and though the jocular chatter on the PA threatened to be a little grating it quickly calmed down after the safety demo. A smooth take-off and we were away on a happily uneventful flight. We were pleasantly surprised by the generous service, two run throughs with drinks, and all the chocolate chip cookies, blue chips and snacks you could want. I skipped the Direct TV, watching The Stepford Wives on the ibook, and enjoying a self catered Trader Joes spread....
MIA - EZE
Aerolineas Argentinas 1303
Dec 16th 2003
31 C / D
After a pleasant time in Miami with the fam, it was off to MIA for our 20:30 departure on AR. Neither el novio or myself had ever been south of Mexico City and I admit to a certain amount of trepidation at the thought of such a long flight on a carrier I had hardly heard of. At Check-in we were advised of a late in-bound aircraft, and headed off to my favorite bar in Miami - the one at the top of the Miami Airport Hotel - amazing views of the runway, and very relaxing to a travelfiend like myself. Several extravagently expensive watered down cocktails later we headed to F16 and had our first introduction to the Argentinian way of doing things.
Despite the fact that boarding was clearly 30 or 40 minutes away, there was already a line of passangers winding its way across the gate area, staking out thier place with an impressive stoicism. Babies and children overran the whole of the F concourse, and for the first time (of many occasions) we noted how uh, loud Argentinian families can be.
Boarding finally began about an hour late, and while the gate agents initially tried to impose order, once the First class passangers were boarded it was ‘sharpest elbows wins,’ thankfully our bags were checked, and we felt none of the usual overhead-space-anxiety, and boarded in a relaxed manner.
Now in all honesty, after my four years of full-time UA flying, I expected that things might be a little different on AR. The first thing I noticed on stepping aboard the A340 was the steely eyed (male) flight attendants standing bolt upright in their sharp suits. No messy around with these guys! A civil greeting, and swift direction to our seats, and back we went. Making our way to the back of the bus we saw a few duct-taped arm rests, and some loose ceiling panels, but nothing overtly alarming. When we finally made it to our seats, 31 C and D, I was surprised at the ease with which we slipped into them, and realised that we probably had a good few inches more than typical UA economy. Each seat had a clean pillow and blanket, and, even better, the armrest between D and E was a double, effectively making the 2-4-2 seating into 2-2-2-2.
There began our AR adventure. Seated one row behind the bulkhead and lavs, I got to observe the FA’s in action (professional curiousity from this former stew!). The family in the bulkhead (2 adults, 4 kids!!!!) had the babies asleep on the floor before the seatbelt sign even came off, and several time during the night, discombobulated passangers attempted to walk over them! I was surprised to see several FAA infractions, especially upon landing, when the exit row pax all seemed to have bags aroudn their feet.
Service was decent. After about an hour wait, the flight attendants came through with a combined drink / meal service. Pasta, cold as a rock, and a few other vaguely nasty bits and pieces. Luckily, we had feasted on cocktail snacks in the airport bar, and with a mini bottle of vino tinto each (no charge!) were able to feel reasonably satisfied. Oddly, the carts rolled through twice more before our trays were collected. The first time was a second beverage service, the second, an after dinner drinks service. By the time the trays were picked up, they had been congealing on our tray-tables for an hour and a half.
A rather random movie selection played on the overhead screen throughout the night, Bad Boys 2, Seabiscuit, Matchstick Men and the Santa Clause 2. Luckily, the surprisingly comfortable seats allowed us to sleep - no video box underseat to block leg room + a swing down foot rest added up to a much nicer ride than most domestic carriers provide. Throughout the FA’s were attentive, not effusive mind, just polite and concerned. A few hours before landing we had a handful of cold medialunas (mini-croissants, delicious when fresh) and some truely undrinkable coffee, (the Nescafe on the side of the pitcher should have given that away) before an on-time landing in EZE.
All in all, a surprisingly pleasant journey.
Assuming my readers are sophisticated in the ways of the world, will just give edited highlights of BA. The astonishing exchange rate - 3 pesos to the dollar - allowed us to do pretty much whatever we wanted, and we made a point of booking the best hotels available, and eating at the best restaurants and so on.
We stayed at the Etoile in Recoleta. Amazing views (we lucked into an 8th floor room facing the cemetary) and pleasant service made up for the fading 70-kitsch shabbiness of the room. A pleasant roof top bar was a great place to drink an evening Quilmes before heading out on the town. We did hte usual tourist circuit, La Boca, San Telmo, Palermo Hollywood and so on. Tigre was absolutly gorgeous, and easy to reach on the train - a definate must.
One restaurant reccomendation - for a night when you want low-key, locals only, Italian cooking. Melo. Delicious simple food, I had the house veal special rouded off with lemon champ, literally a scoop of lemon sorbet bobbing in champagne - yummy. Ordered a fabulous Argentinian Syrah, and got too, uh, incapacitated to remember any further details.
AEP -BRC bariloche
Southern Winds
Dec 23d
Seats 4e/f
After several days in BA, we mistakenly headed off to Mar Del Plata, a gloomy beach town that reminded us of nothing so much as Atlantic City in Febuary. One day of rain, watching trash and small animals bob down the gutters, had us heading back to BA, and seeking out a friendly travel agent, who arranged for us to go to Barioloche.
We packed our bags, said farewell to the etoile, and went to the small domestic airport for our two hour flight on Southern Winds to Barioloche. Here again we witnessed a somewhat Germanic tinge to the Argentinian character. At the gate we were packed cheek to jowl on to two steamy buses. After an agonizing wait, the driver released the brake, pulled forward 30 feet, stuck it in park again, and we all got off. You’d think for taht they would have let the rabble make their own way to the aircraft.
Southern Winds is the slightly shabby step-sister to AR. The aircraft, an ancient 737, reminded me of the 707 in Airport, the one where there are no overhead bins, just little shelves to stow hats and coats. The flight attendants were nicely attired though in Pucci-esque swirly blue shirts. Push back, and a rather incomprehensible dual lingo safety demo, and we took off, speeding down the runway in a manner that proved what they say about Argentinian men. Once in the air we settled in, and watched in amazement as the FA’s manouvered a queen cart down the aisles for a light beverage and snack service. A Queen Cart? Hello? Was Jaqueline Bisset about to pop out to help with the pick-up?
All in all though, a pleasant trip. The views were amazing, as the mountains of Bariloche came up to meet us - afte r the steamy ness of BA the snowy peaks and wind lashed lakes were indescribably inviting.
Barioloche has an amazingly modern airport, probably the most sophisticated gateway in South America. Very small, with only one gate, but I noticed (plane buff that I am!) that the painted lines specified a 747 along with the more likely 737. Could only imagine what it would be like to see a 747 pull up there! We were picked up by the hotel and shortly arrived at the Three Kings.
Barioloche ROCKS! Go there. We were amazed by the Patagonian beauty, the fondue, the chocolate, the tobagan ride and everythign else. After I s$@%&%$ up our tour (mistaking tres for trece and causing us to miss the one pm departure) we rented a Fiat Uno for, on the rental companies advice, a self-adminstered off-road tour of the mountain scape. Perhaps not such a good idea. We finally turned around when I had foot to floor in second gear, and we were still hardly moving up a treacherous incline.
let me know if you want more....