CMK10
Jul 27, 05, 7:52 pm
Background
Ever try busting your butt at summer classes in the Arizona heat? Well until this year I hadn’t either and frankly, it wasn’t easy. Instead of enjoying the good life most of my friends share whether they are backpacking across Europe or lounging about the east coast, I’m sweating through Geology and Geology Lab all before noon. Finally though, after five weeks of this, I was granted a momentary respite in the guise of a weekend in Durham before having to return to schooling. In all honesty I don’t mind that much; getting thirteen credit hours out of the way means I can graduate early and be seen as that much smarter. Even with the self bettering cheering me up, I still have to go to Durham, North Carolina for my vacation. My parents recently conducted a move southward and while Durham is where my family is, it isn’t and never will be my home. So it was off eastward to see the family and the love if only for one weekend.
Preflight
THURSDAY JUNE 30, 2005
American Flight 498
PHX-DFW
Scheduled Departure: 3:05 PM
Scheduled Board: 2:35 PM
It had been a bad week up to this point. On Monday I got dumped by a girl who claimed that she hadn’t cheated on me she’d “been dating you and John at the same time”. This was followed by two finals in two days and the prospect of two full MD-80’s in coach to look forward to. Nevertheless, there was a pot of gold at the end of that storm, in the shape of the family Kunz. It was with a half smile/half frown that my good buddy Nick ( Preppybanker ) dropped me off at Terminal 3 at Sky Harbor to start my weekend. Often I get funny remarks from the agents here at T3 for my bizarre routings, but today’s jaunt couldn’t be easier. Therefore I was hardly rewarded with anything more than a “enjoy your trip” with my two boarding passes and ticket folder.
As I’d had to awaken early today to take a test, sell back my books and do a million other things, I drowned my sorrows in $3 latte ala Starbucks before heading through security. Gate 4 was a madhouse with over 130 ticketed passengers and many standby hopefuls taking up all the seats and floor space. Therefore I employed a little known trick, go sit at another gate until they call boarding. It was amid awed faces staring up at me for my spectacular ploy to avoid the crowded gate that I boarded:
Flying
Gate 4
Seat 21F – Main Cabin - Exit
MD-80 – N7537A
Actual Board: 2:40 PM
Actual Depart: 3:04 PM – 1 Minute Early
Take off 12 minutes after departure
Today’s flight was one of those flights you do not want to be on. You’re in coach and the flight is full. However, it’s not full enough for them to give you a lucrative bump, just full enough that every seat is taken and that the last passengers have to gate check their bags. Fortunately I was flying ex-PHX on a weekday so 50% of the passengers were intelligent business traveler types who were seated and ready to go within ten minutes of the start of boarding. Luckily everyone else got themselves strapped in quickly and we were able to push back early. Oddly enough, we took off to the west making it so we had to make a large sweeping turn to the east for our quick 1 hour 55 minute flight to the heart of Texas.
Nothing starts a trip better than a CD of my favorite band headed by a female lead singer. As the opening cords to “The Chain” began to reverberate in my head, I felt the tensions of my Arizona life release their hold on me and I was ready to relax. This was easily helped by reading a giant stack of aviation articles I cache for each trip. Further kicking back was accomplished with a can of Dr. Pepper and a bag of Rold Gold Pretzels. As full as this flight was today, it was an easy one. No long lines for the bathroom, no loud people and a friendly crew. Therefore, as badly as I had forecasted this flight to be, it ended up being fairly enjoyable. Too soon it seemed we began to descend into Dallas and I put away my personal effects . As we sunk lower, I enjoyed the fading sun setting over the Texas prairie before we crossed into urban areas. I was made all the happier when we arrived into Dallas early. Though being at the back of the plane meant it took about twenty minutes for me to finally alight the aircraft.
Scheduled Arrival: 7:34 PM
Actual Arrival: 7:23 PM
Gate C32
Preflight/Transit
American Flight 1702
DFW-RDU
Scheduled Departure: 8:56 PM
Scheduled Board: 9:26 PM
Dallas is looking better every time I transit here. With the Skylink up and running, a lot of the construction that had been going on for years has finally ceased. New concession stands are open and even better gate screens are starting to crop up. What was once a dingy hovel I regretted transiting is now the best US airport to change planes at in this humble narrator’s opinion. However, today’s transit had me a bit worried. There were weather problems up and down the east coast leading to massive delays to every city in the northeast, mid-Atlantic and mid-west. Planes were landing but not having gates to park at, and inbound aircraft were delayed in from airports across the country. Even so, our aircraft was coming in from Phoenix (sold as a one stop to RDU meaning less miles hence my aversion to riding it) leaving me with a glimmer of hope.
As my connection was broadcasted at C31-C19 I figured I’d just belly up to the C Concourse Admirals Club to await my fate. However, as it was late, they’d decided to remove the gate keepers from the lower level desk and told everyone to mosey upstairs to check in. Unfortunately, as people northward were dealing with their delayed flights, everyone had to stand in line to present their card or boarding pass. Some chose to ignore this and simply sauntered into the club unchecked. Heathens the lot of them. After having my credentials scrutinized carefully, I picked up a huge cup of snack mix and Diet Coke and set off for the computers. Much to my annoyance, I found out twenty minutes later my outbound had moved to A34 ruining my whole plan of dinner at the C22 food court right next to my plane.
Needing to eat, I left the club for greener pastures in the form of the A Concourse where I shoveled down Manchu Wok amongst harried and delayed passengers. Feeling sufficiently greased up, I went to my gate to be greeted with the announcement every Frequent Flyer wants to hear. The flight was oversold and they needed volunteers to stay overnight in Dallas and take a 10:30 flight the next day. I was halfway to the desk when I was told the voucher being offered was only $100. That’s not enough to arrive 13 hours late to the party. So it was onto another full plane that I boarded, though I did so with a heavy heart at missed vouchers:
Flying
Gate A34
Seat 11F – Main Cabin
MD-80 – N442AA
Actual Board: 9:05 PM
Actual Depart: 9:39 PM – 13 Minutes Delayed
Take off 9 minutes after departure
It was too bad I couldn’t have taken my plane load from Phoenix with me on this flight. This motley crew was composed of loveable Group 2’s and below who didn’t appear to fly too much. In spite of the insistence from the cockpit crew and flight attendants that we sit down and stow baggage quickly, few adhered to their increasingly desperate pleas. Finally, after 34 minutes of boarding mayhem, we pushed back. Thankfully Dallas was deserted at this hour and we were in the air quickly insuring an on time arrival into Durham.
Feeling like I ought to be doing something constructive during my time away from the ASU Knowledge Factory, I reached for the crossword puzzle to stimulate my noodle. I was halfway through the wonderful licks of Grand Funk Railroad when I noticed the people in 10DEF were fiddling with a cell phone. Not wanting to go down in history as the guy who sat idly by while the kid playing reversi crashed AA 1702, I paged the flight attendant. After informing her of the reason for my rude orange button pressing, she told those in front of me that she’d already warned them and to not try and use the phone again. The dirty look all three members of 10DEF shot me was worth the whole episode. The rest of the flight past easily and I filled out 90% of the puzzle while the ground passed unobscured below our wings. Everyone received their drink and pretzels early in the flight following which the crew were not seen again, standard practice for a flight of this day and age. Soon enough, our silver bird began to purposefully lose altitude and the lights of the Research Triangle came into view. We touched down at the still lighted but sparsely populated airport and it was time for me to reunite with my band of brothers (and sisters).
Scheduled Arrival: 1:00 AM
Actual Arrival: 1:00 AM
Gate C14
--July 1-4 – Durham, NC --
The weekend turned out to be just what I needed. While it wasn’t a standard summer break weekend for an ASU student, nor was it anything I would refer to as even “semi-cool” it still entertained me. My father’s sister who we don’t see much came down from Utica, NY with her partner to add to the multitude of Kunz’s to bond with me. While there I enjoyed good old fashioned family love in our new setting. While it was no New York and I still don’t know anyone there beyond my family members, we still enjoyed ourselves. Between the Geology and the Major American Novels and the other troubles I’d endured out west, the time watching movies, pounding my siblings at backyard baseball and taking their money in our poker games refilled my spirits. However all good things come to an end and after our last midnight run to Hardees for burgers, I packed my bag and went to sleep ready for my long jaunt home.
Preflight
MONDAY JULY 4, 2005
American Flight 1159
RDU-DFW
Scheduled Departure: 8:07 AM
Scheduled Board: 7:37 AM
An 8:07 departure means a 6:45 awakening. This doesn’t sound too bad until you take into account that I was still on Arizona time and I hadn’t fallen asleep until 4:45 the night before. Again that shouldn’t be too bad as I was only going back to Phoenix. But being me, I was heading back on four flights using three airlines. Instead of a normal RDU-DFW-PHX run, I instead chose to fly RDU-DFW-SNA on American, continuing onto OAK on Alaska and then it would be BART to SFO to grab Ted down to PHX. Yes I know I’m certifiably insane but at least I’m a hit at parties. The final drawback of the morning was that my father seemed to think that two hours of sleep is sufficient to carry on a conversation with him. But as I wasn’t going to see him for another month and he was carting me to the airport, I humored him.
Once at the airport after a few “take it easys” and handshakes, I entered the terminal. Check-in went quickly as my bizarre routing amused the agent who asked me “going for Platinum again are we?” With my three boarding passes in hand, I headed through security to the best part about the move to Durham. That part is the free Krispy Kreme doughnuts the Admirals Club so graciously offers. I always make sure to stop in for between one and four depending on my mood. Following my sugar binge, I stopped by the service desk to inquire about moving into the bulkhead. I was informed by one of the wonderful RDU agents that they were holding 7EF at the gate and I should ask there. I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it many more times, smaller clubs have the best staff. Kansas City, Seattle and Raleigh Durham are excellent examples.
As departure time approached, I shuffled off to the rather empty gate to inquire about moving into 7F. The agent told me (after giving me an exasperated sigh for stopping her reading of The Durham Observer ) that row 7 was for handicap people and I couldn’t have it unless no more of them showed up. However as only one did, I was granted 7F right before they called boarding for:
Flying
Gate C14
Seat 7F – Main Cabin
MD-80 – N484AA
Actual Board: 7:44 AM
Actual Depart: 8:03 PM – 4 Minutes Early
Take off 9 minutes after departure
As I’d said before, I was tired, running on two hours of sleep and I really didn’t want to converse. However the occupant of 7D (the only person who was entitled to use the row, though at least he didn’t give me a hard time for not being handicapped) decided to engage me in conversation. At least he found a common wave length as we are both poker fiends. Therefore, we were able to trade tales of pocket aces losing to a two-six off suit until our lightly loaded plane sprung to the skies. Once in the air, I told my seatmate that much as I loved dialoguing, I was going to sleep. Strapping on my trusty eyeshade and ear plugs (they’ve saved me from more jams then you know of) I quickly drifted off to dream land. Being as adept as sleeping as I am, I woke up just as they were announcing connecting gate information. Having a relatively tight connection at Dallas, I was a bit dismayed to hear I was scheduled for an A10 to C7 trek. However, we were coming in slightly early so I wasn’t worried.
After gliding down for an easy landing at Dallas we taxied towards the A Concourse, and then stopped. The pilot announced that our gate wasn’t vacated yet because we were early but it should be emptied shortly and we’d be parked within ten minutes. I breathed easily as I could easily make it to my gate in time for a pre-departure drink in a luxurious Boeing aircraft. However, this was not to be as despite the fact that this was July 4th and there shouldn’t be issues, we sat for another thirty minutes before the occupying force finally vacated A10. Never has a plane slunk into a gate as slowly as this one today. Bullets of sweat dripped down my forehead as the plane ground to a halt at the jetway. Throwing dignity to the wind, I leapt up, grabbed my possessions and paced anxiously until I was allowed to enter DFW.
Scheduled Arrival: 9:55 AM
Actual Arrival: 10:16 AM
Gate A10
Preflight/Transit
American Flight 705
DFW-SNA
Scheduled Departure: 10:31 AM
Scheduled Board: 10:01 AM
I stalked out into the terminal taking strides as long as my six-foot one inch frame would take me. I knew that I was too far to try and flat out run, I had to make it to the Skylink and hope the train was waiting for me. As I was about to break into a full sprint, I heard the two employees of the shoe shine cart across from me start to converse about me. The first said “think that one there in the red shirt is going to run?” And as I started my sprint he said “oh yeah…there he goes!” And then the race was on, I took long leaping strides until I hit the A19 stop. Flinging myself up the escalator I saw the train just shutting its doors and beginning its trip. Unable to stop myself, my mouth shouted the first four letter word it could muster. Instantly, two Skylink employees came over to mollify me and reassured me by saying that another train would be here shortly and pointed to where it was chugging slowly in from the B concourse. The worst part of the jaunt came when I got onto the train and we chugged slowly towards the A concourse. No matter what I did the train wouldn’t move any faster, but that didn’t stop me from pacing and biting my lip.
Finally, after an eternity, the train inched into the C10 stop. Once again picking up my fast moving pace, I hurtled myself down the escalator and with large skid marks, slammed to a halt at C7 where blessedly the door was still open. With a touch of hope in my voice I shouted “Did I make it?” To which the calm (how could anyone be calm?) gate agent fed my pass into the machine and said “maybe not, they’re shutting the door, you’d better run.” All I had time for was a nod as I ran down the jetway surprising the other gate agent who had her hands on the door and had half shut it. I stepped aboard the plane and heard the noise of the door shut behind me. I was greeted with ninety faces looking at me wondering who this guy was with the nerve to be last on board. I had made it!
Flying
Gate C7
Seat 5A – First Class
737-800 – N968AN
Actual Board: 10:25 AM
Actual Depart: 10:28 PM – 3 Minutes Early
Take off 11 minutes after departure
Never had I been happier to sink into that slightly aging, blue, American first class seat. As a reward from the powers that be for making my flight, 5B was blessedly empty. This meant I was able to escape the “why are you so late?” questions. Meanwhile, our plane pushed back and the flight attendant came around to ask me what I’d be drinking upon takeoff. I decided I’d need a cool water after that run; to accompany my standard issued Diet Coke. During the quick taxi, our flight attendant asked the two kids in 3AB if they wanted to watch the scheduled movie “Disney’s Ice Princess”. While they were still thinking, I blurted out “It looked horrible!” With a laugh the flight attendant said she also had “The Incredibles” and would happily play that. With the prospect of an enjoyable flight ahead of me, our lightly loaded Next Generation machine leapt into the wild blue yonder.
As American has “refined” its meal services on most flights, we only qualified for a snack. Therefore, the flight attendant decided not to take meal orders ahead of time. Nevertheless, I quickly had my two glasses full of preferred beverages and a bowl of hot mixed nuts. Meanwhile, I quickly reached for my CD collection and slipped Fleetwood Mac straight into my player. As the opening notes of “Rhiannon” overtook me, I reclined the seat and began to think of my near misconnect as a story instead of an ordeal. Soon a bulky blue cart made its way to the back of the cabin. The flight attendant, as great as she was, made the meal service rather unprofessional as she unwrapped the entrée covers and threw them on top in a pile as she asked each person if they wished “chicken strips or vegetable pizza?” After four people had been served, I was granted my request of a chicken strips meal. The meal was actually quite enjoyable, despite what many have written about it. The chicken was decent and served oddly enough with elbow noodles in a marinara sauce. Accompanying it was a standard issued small side salad, this one containing lettuce, tomatoes and peppers served with Greek Vinaigrette. This was one of the better salads on a short flight and to round everything out, some oatmeal apple cookies. While I have had far better meals, I realize who I am flying, where I am flying them to and what year that I’m flying them and I enjoyed it for what it was.
Usually after the meal is cleared, the flight gets rather routine. The crew will more often then not melt into the rear galley armed with the detritus of the First Class meal to gab with fellow crew members. However, not Sandy working today’s flight. She remained up front dispensing drinks with ease, including my preferred coffee heavily laced with Baileys, crème and sugar. She made this flight extra enjoyable for me, though even the least enjoyable flight would have been fun on this day after my near miss. Even as the flight was winding down, there was some fireworks (only fitting for July 4th). These came when the passenger from 6A tried to access the First Class lav while the captain was in there. Thankfully, the nonreving pilot in 6B met him at the threshold to the galley and sent him packing back to his seat. Beyond that, the flight was blissfully routine and we glided into smoggy Orange County for an early arrival and I was one half done with my travels.
Scheduled Arrival: 11:33 AM
Actual Arrival: 11:20 AM
Gate 9
Preflight/Transit
Alaska Flight 365
SNA-OAK
Scheduled Departure: 1:18 PM
Scheduled Board: 12:48 PM
Back in December of 2003, a younger version of me stepped off a similar flight into this airport. Back then I was still a naïve frequent flyer easily impressed by the smallest of details, but the spark was just beginning to fade from my eyes. Flash forward a year and a half and the spark was barely guttering as nothing shocked me anymore and it took quite a lot to impress me. Still, nothing gets by me as my observations skills are as sharp as they ever were. Having time to kill and not having seen much of this airport, I exited the secure area and took in all its recently renovated goodness. While the airport may resemble a gun barrel in the secure area as it’s one long tube, it’s a well built, aesthetically pleasing tube that I give a personal thumbs up to. Once outside security, I got a crazy idea as I had a large chunk of change in my pocket and not much to spend it on. Therefore, I bravely sauntered up to the Alaska podium. It took me two minutes to convince the agent working that no, I could not use the omniscient check-in machines to upgrade. Finally, she begrudgingly handled the transaction herself. This is what bothers me the most about Alaska, their zealous desire for you to use their machines.
With new upgraded boarding pass in hand and $50 less cash on hand, I headed back through security. After having a bored airport agent doodle creatively on my boarding pass to show I had been checked, I was once again sterile-side. Still having time to kill, I ascended the elevator into the bizarrely constructed SNA Admirals Club. The Club is built onto an elevated platform and enclosed in glass. From its position it can be viewed by travelers in both the secure and insecure areas. I always feel like I’m at some display cage at the zoo, there’s probably a sign saying “Frequent Flyers in their Natural Habitat” somewhere. This wait at the lounge passed very pleasantly as it was just me and one other person and there was internet access, plenty of chips and salsa and the Yankees pounding the Orioles on the TV. After too little time watching my pinstriped boys beat up on those O’s, I headed downstairs. After two minutes waiting at the gate I was the second to board:
Flying
Gate 10
Seat 3A – First Class
737-400 – N762AS
Actual Board: 12:46 PM
Actual Depart: 1:11 PM – 7 Minutes Early
Take off 7 minutes after departure
I sat down and instantly felt claustrophobic. Compared to the plane I’d just stepped off, I was in quite a sardine can. These seats are advertised at having a pitch of 36 inches and they feel quite a bit less, even America West’s 737-300’s with a 35 inch pitch felt like more to me. It must have been the contrast from the bulkhead on the MD-80 and spacious 737-800 before this flight. However, Alaska’s amazing in-flight crews quickly made up for the lack of space by being at my side quickly to hand me a bottle of water. While coach filled up to about three quarters capacity on this flight, First topped out at having only four seats taken out of twelve. Unfortunately, the man in 3D snagged 2F before I could, meaning I was stuck with poor recline. After a quick pushback and taxi, our twelve year old jet rocketed to the skies and did a quick noise abatement power cut off before leveling off.
This flight turned out to be one of my more enjoyable ones. The ground stayed baked in golden sun the whole way up north and the in-flight crew’s smiles were almost as bright as the sun outside. I was given a bottle of scotch and a can of coke as well as two packs of peanuts. These combined with the in-flight magazine’s crossword puzzle and some Talking Heads piped in via Noise Canceling Headsets made for a wonderful flight. I was even offered drink refills on this short hour long flight. However, as most flights in First Class tend to do, this one ended far too soon as we touched down in what was rumored to be a very rough city. While most might say that $50 was not money well spent, I enjoy sampling different First Class products and I prefer to spend my money on two things, food and travel, and for those I spare no expense. I thoroughly enjoyed my brief ride up front with Alaska, minus the tightness of the seat of course. But defending myself aside, I had to head into Oakland.
Scheduled Arrival: 2:37 PM
Actual Arrival: 2:26 PM
Gate 6
--Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Coliseum to Millbrae Station--
While I said it takes a lot to impress me, it similarly takes a lot to make me feel thoroughly unimpressed. Unfortunately, OAK did just that. I wholeheartedly dislike low ceilings, small gate areas, poor signage and even poorer concessions. Also, the bottleneck at security, the idiotic location of international check in and cramp baggage claims left me with a curdled taste in my mouth at the hands of this jetport. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long as the AirBart took me and my $2 all the way across town to the Coliseum Station. I must admit though, while I am a veteran of the New York Subways (including some rides after midnight), I was a bit nervous at the station. The people loitering, drinking out of paper bags and talking loudly to companions only they could see didn’t help. However the train came quickly and while the view wasn’t picturesque, it was through an area I hadn’t seen before and I like to broaden my horizons.
A half hour later I’d arrived at the Balboa Park station. Once there I felt the biting cold of a San Francisco Summer pick at my short sleeved arms. Still, I only had to wait eight minutes for a train with the capability to reach Millbrae. Once there, it was a long escalator ride northward to the Airtran (“set luggage cart brakes to on”) and after two quick stops, I was back at the UA/AA terminal with just one flight between me and my domain. This was the first time I’d ever utilized different co-terminals in the same day and I am glad the transfer went so smoothly.
Preflight
United for Ted Flight 1494
SFO-PHX
Scheduled Departure: 6:30 PM
Scheduled Board: 6:00 PM
Knowing SFO like the front of my hand (“not the back” as my friend Craig would say) I hung a left off the escalator to enter United’s Premium check-in line. However, UA had decided to make a fool out of me as they’d moved it over to the other side of the escalator for July 4th. Feeling dejected, I joined a line of eight which quickly grew into a dozen behind me. While it took me fifteen minutes to reach the front of the line and there were ample check-in machines around, I had plenty of time to kill so why not have a little agent-on-Charles interaction? Fully satisfied and armed with a gold boarding pass, I headed through security and immediately honed in on one of my many vices, clam chowder in a bread bowl. I like to make the bold statement that you can’t find better clam chowder than San Francisco and while the airport isn’t the same, it’s damned close. Feeling sustained, I called Nick to see how his July 4th mileage run had gone and to confirm he was picking me up (you’re coming in on American from Dallas, right Charles? Wrong Nick).
Having over an hour to kill, I wandered the mostly empty concourses as I do love this airport so. After seeing every United and American gate, I entered the cool sanctuary of the San Francisco Admirals Club, a club festooned with some of the best agents American’s money can buy. After a glorious half hour of free sodas, more tortilla chips and a phone call to Anosh ( SR 103 ) who can’t get airborne to save his life, it was time to go home. A return to the gate brought me back to the world that is Ted’s. A cluster of those who don’t travel much with Seating numbers from 2-5 clustered around the still closed door and me and the other lone Elite. He was an US Gold and we just gave each other a knowing look before we were the first to board:
Flying
Gate 75
Seat 11A – Economy Plus – Exit Row
A-320 – N495UA
Actual Board: 6:02 PM
Actual Depart: 6:33 PM – 3 Minutes Delayed
Take off 11 minutes after departure
It was at this point that the fatigue of the day began to catch up with me. While I had drink coupons stashed in my bag, a book to read and some music to listen to, I knew I was barely going to make it through take off. While I struggled to stay awake, the plane filled up with those who had issues getting their bags into overhead bins and finding their seats. However, this flight was over $60 cheaper than America West and on them I doubt the travelers would have been any more educated in the arts of flying. After every one on this 100% full flight had been stowed, we had a leisurely push back and taxi out during which Channel 9 crackled incessantly in my ears. Once we’d lifted to the skies, I drifted off without strapping on NCHs, an eyeshade or even removing my headset. I awoke ten minutes outside Phoenix and found the headset had someone gravitated to being under my hindquarters, God only knows what I was doing when I was asleep. The last ten minutes of the flight passed with me in a semi-asleep, groggy state until we passed beyond the airport, swung a U-ey over Mesa and glided to a smooth landing at Sky Harbor.
Scheduled Arrival: 8:26 PM
Actual Arrival: 8:15 PM
Gate 7
Richer in miles in two accounts, I stepped out into Terminal 2 to meet up with Nick and go home. The next day I’d return to classes but for the remainder of July 4th, I basked in the glory of my jaunt home and the love of my family. Oh and Happy 229th Birthday America! You don’t look a day over 185.
Ever try busting your butt at summer classes in the Arizona heat? Well until this year I hadn’t either and frankly, it wasn’t easy. Instead of enjoying the good life most of my friends share whether they are backpacking across Europe or lounging about the east coast, I’m sweating through Geology and Geology Lab all before noon. Finally though, after five weeks of this, I was granted a momentary respite in the guise of a weekend in Durham before having to return to schooling. In all honesty I don’t mind that much; getting thirteen credit hours out of the way means I can graduate early and be seen as that much smarter. Even with the self bettering cheering me up, I still have to go to Durham, North Carolina for my vacation. My parents recently conducted a move southward and while Durham is where my family is, it isn’t and never will be my home. So it was off eastward to see the family and the love if only for one weekend.
Preflight
THURSDAY JUNE 30, 2005
American Flight 498
PHX-DFW
Scheduled Departure: 3:05 PM
Scheduled Board: 2:35 PM
It had been a bad week up to this point. On Monday I got dumped by a girl who claimed that she hadn’t cheated on me she’d “been dating you and John at the same time”. This was followed by two finals in two days and the prospect of two full MD-80’s in coach to look forward to. Nevertheless, there was a pot of gold at the end of that storm, in the shape of the family Kunz. It was with a half smile/half frown that my good buddy Nick ( Preppybanker ) dropped me off at Terminal 3 at Sky Harbor to start my weekend. Often I get funny remarks from the agents here at T3 for my bizarre routings, but today’s jaunt couldn’t be easier. Therefore I was hardly rewarded with anything more than a “enjoy your trip” with my two boarding passes and ticket folder.
As I’d had to awaken early today to take a test, sell back my books and do a million other things, I drowned my sorrows in $3 latte ala Starbucks before heading through security. Gate 4 was a madhouse with over 130 ticketed passengers and many standby hopefuls taking up all the seats and floor space. Therefore I employed a little known trick, go sit at another gate until they call boarding. It was amid awed faces staring up at me for my spectacular ploy to avoid the crowded gate that I boarded:
Flying
Gate 4
Seat 21F – Main Cabin - Exit
MD-80 – N7537A
Actual Board: 2:40 PM
Actual Depart: 3:04 PM – 1 Minute Early
Take off 12 minutes after departure
Today’s flight was one of those flights you do not want to be on. You’re in coach and the flight is full. However, it’s not full enough for them to give you a lucrative bump, just full enough that every seat is taken and that the last passengers have to gate check their bags. Fortunately I was flying ex-PHX on a weekday so 50% of the passengers were intelligent business traveler types who were seated and ready to go within ten minutes of the start of boarding. Luckily everyone else got themselves strapped in quickly and we were able to push back early. Oddly enough, we took off to the west making it so we had to make a large sweeping turn to the east for our quick 1 hour 55 minute flight to the heart of Texas.
Nothing starts a trip better than a CD of my favorite band headed by a female lead singer. As the opening cords to “The Chain” began to reverberate in my head, I felt the tensions of my Arizona life release their hold on me and I was ready to relax. This was easily helped by reading a giant stack of aviation articles I cache for each trip. Further kicking back was accomplished with a can of Dr. Pepper and a bag of Rold Gold Pretzels. As full as this flight was today, it was an easy one. No long lines for the bathroom, no loud people and a friendly crew. Therefore, as badly as I had forecasted this flight to be, it ended up being fairly enjoyable. Too soon it seemed we began to descend into Dallas and I put away my personal effects . As we sunk lower, I enjoyed the fading sun setting over the Texas prairie before we crossed into urban areas. I was made all the happier when we arrived into Dallas early. Though being at the back of the plane meant it took about twenty minutes for me to finally alight the aircraft.
Scheduled Arrival: 7:34 PM
Actual Arrival: 7:23 PM
Gate C32
Preflight/Transit
American Flight 1702
DFW-RDU
Scheduled Departure: 8:56 PM
Scheduled Board: 9:26 PM
Dallas is looking better every time I transit here. With the Skylink up and running, a lot of the construction that had been going on for years has finally ceased. New concession stands are open and even better gate screens are starting to crop up. What was once a dingy hovel I regretted transiting is now the best US airport to change planes at in this humble narrator’s opinion. However, today’s transit had me a bit worried. There were weather problems up and down the east coast leading to massive delays to every city in the northeast, mid-Atlantic and mid-west. Planes were landing but not having gates to park at, and inbound aircraft were delayed in from airports across the country. Even so, our aircraft was coming in from Phoenix (sold as a one stop to RDU meaning less miles hence my aversion to riding it) leaving me with a glimmer of hope.
As my connection was broadcasted at C31-C19 I figured I’d just belly up to the C Concourse Admirals Club to await my fate. However, as it was late, they’d decided to remove the gate keepers from the lower level desk and told everyone to mosey upstairs to check in. Unfortunately, as people northward were dealing with their delayed flights, everyone had to stand in line to present their card or boarding pass. Some chose to ignore this and simply sauntered into the club unchecked. Heathens the lot of them. After having my credentials scrutinized carefully, I picked up a huge cup of snack mix and Diet Coke and set off for the computers. Much to my annoyance, I found out twenty minutes later my outbound had moved to A34 ruining my whole plan of dinner at the C22 food court right next to my plane.
Needing to eat, I left the club for greener pastures in the form of the A Concourse where I shoveled down Manchu Wok amongst harried and delayed passengers. Feeling sufficiently greased up, I went to my gate to be greeted with the announcement every Frequent Flyer wants to hear. The flight was oversold and they needed volunteers to stay overnight in Dallas and take a 10:30 flight the next day. I was halfway to the desk when I was told the voucher being offered was only $100. That’s not enough to arrive 13 hours late to the party. So it was onto another full plane that I boarded, though I did so with a heavy heart at missed vouchers:
Flying
Gate A34
Seat 11F – Main Cabin
MD-80 – N442AA
Actual Board: 9:05 PM
Actual Depart: 9:39 PM – 13 Minutes Delayed
Take off 9 minutes after departure
It was too bad I couldn’t have taken my plane load from Phoenix with me on this flight. This motley crew was composed of loveable Group 2’s and below who didn’t appear to fly too much. In spite of the insistence from the cockpit crew and flight attendants that we sit down and stow baggage quickly, few adhered to their increasingly desperate pleas. Finally, after 34 minutes of boarding mayhem, we pushed back. Thankfully Dallas was deserted at this hour and we were in the air quickly insuring an on time arrival into Durham.
Feeling like I ought to be doing something constructive during my time away from the ASU Knowledge Factory, I reached for the crossword puzzle to stimulate my noodle. I was halfway through the wonderful licks of Grand Funk Railroad when I noticed the people in 10DEF were fiddling with a cell phone. Not wanting to go down in history as the guy who sat idly by while the kid playing reversi crashed AA 1702, I paged the flight attendant. After informing her of the reason for my rude orange button pressing, she told those in front of me that she’d already warned them and to not try and use the phone again. The dirty look all three members of 10DEF shot me was worth the whole episode. The rest of the flight past easily and I filled out 90% of the puzzle while the ground passed unobscured below our wings. Everyone received their drink and pretzels early in the flight following which the crew were not seen again, standard practice for a flight of this day and age. Soon enough, our silver bird began to purposefully lose altitude and the lights of the Research Triangle came into view. We touched down at the still lighted but sparsely populated airport and it was time for me to reunite with my band of brothers (and sisters).
Scheduled Arrival: 1:00 AM
Actual Arrival: 1:00 AM
Gate C14
--July 1-4 – Durham, NC --
The weekend turned out to be just what I needed. While it wasn’t a standard summer break weekend for an ASU student, nor was it anything I would refer to as even “semi-cool” it still entertained me. My father’s sister who we don’t see much came down from Utica, NY with her partner to add to the multitude of Kunz’s to bond with me. While there I enjoyed good old fashioned family love in our new setting. While it was no New York and I still don’t know anyone there beyond my family members, we still enjoyed ourselves. Between the Geology and the Major American Novels and the other troubles I’d endured out west, the time watching movies, pounding my siblings at backyard baseball and taking their money in our poker games refilled my spirits. However all good things come to an end and after our last midnight run to Hardees for burgers, I packed my bag and went to sleep ready for my long jaunt home.
Preflight
MONDAY JULY 4, 2005
American Flight 1159
RDU-DFW
Scheduled Departure: 8:07 AM
Scheduled Board: 7:37 AM
An 8:07 departure means a 6:45 awakening. This doesn’t sound too bad until you take into account that I was still on Arizona time and I hadn’t fallen asleep until 4:45 the night before. Again that shouldn’t be too bad as I was only going back to Phoenix. But being me, I was heading back on four flights using three airlines. Instead of a normal RDU-DFW-PHX run, I instead chose to fly RDU-DFW-SNA on American, continuing onto OAK on Alaska and then it would be BART to SFO to grab Ted down to PHX. Yes I know I’m certifiably insane but at least I’m a hit at parties. The final drawback of the morning was that my father seemed to think that two hours of sleep is sufficient to carry on a conversation with him. But as I wasn’t going to see him for another month and he was carting me to the airport, I humored him.
Once at the airport after a few “take it easys” and handshakes, I entered the terminal. Check-in went quickly as my bizarre routing amused the agent who asked me “going for Platinum again are we?” With my three boarding passes in hand, I headed through security to the best part about the move to Durham. That part is the free Krispy Kreme doughnuts the Admirals Club so graciously offers. I always make sure to stop in for between one and four depending on my mood. Following my sugar binge, I stopped by the service desk to inquire about moving into the bulkhead. I was informed by one of the wonderful RDU agents that they were holding 7EF at the gate and I should ask there. I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it many more times, smaller clubs have the best staff. Kansas City, Seattle and Raleigh Durham are excellent examples.
As departure time approached, I shuffled off to the rather empty gate to inquire about moving into 7F. The agent told me (after giving me an exasperated sigh for stopping her reading of The Durham Observer ) that row 7 was for handicap people and I couldn’t have it unless no more of them showed up. However as only one did, I was granted 7F right before they called boarding for:
Flying
Gate C14
Seat 7F – Main Cabin
MD-80 – N484AA
Actual Board: 7:44 AM
Actual Depart: 8:03 PM – 4 Minutes Early
Take off 9 minutes after departure
As I’d said before, I was tired, running on two hours of sleep and I really didn’t want to converse. However the occupant of 7D (the only person who was entitled to use the row, though at least he didn’t give me a hard time for not being handicapped) decided to engage me in conversation. At least he found a common wave length as we are both poker fiends. Therefore, we were able to trade tales of pocket aces losing to a two-six off suit until our lightly loaded plane sprung to the skies. Once in the air, I told my seatmate that much as I loved dialoguing, I was going to sleep. Strapping on my trusty eyeshade and ear plugs (they’ve saved me from more jams then you know of) I quickly drifted off to dream land. Being as adept as sleeping as I am, I woke up just as they were announcing connecting gate information. Having a relatively tight connection at Dallas, I was a bit dismayed to hear I was scheduled for an A10 to C7 trek. However, we were coming in slightly early so I wasn’t worried.
After gliding down for an easy landing at Dallas we taxied towards the A Concourse, and then stopped. The pilot announced that our gate wasn’t vacated yet because we were early but it should be emptied shortly and we’d be parked within ten minutes. I breathed easily as I could easily make it to my gate in time for a pre-departure drink in a luxurious Boeing aircraft. However, this was not to be as despite the fact that this was July 4th and there shouldn’t be issues, we sat for another thirty minutes before the occupying force finally vacated A10. Never has a plane slunk into a gate as slowly as this one today. Bullets of sweat dripped down my forehead as the plane ground to a halt at the jetway. Throwing dignity to the wind, I leapt up, grabbed my possessions and paced anxiously until I was allowed to enter DFW.
Scheduled Arrival: 9:55 AM
Actual Arrival: 10:16 AM
Gate A10
Preflight/Transit
American Flight 705
DFW-SNA
Scheduled Departure: 10:31 AM
Scheduled Board: 10:01 AM
I stalked out into the terminal taking strides as long as my six-foot one inch frame would take me. I knew that I was too far to try and flat out run, I had to make it to the Skylink and hope the train was waiting for me. As I was about to break into a full sprint, I heard the two employees of the shoe shine cart across from me start to converse about me. The first said “think that one there in the red shirt is going to run?” And as I started my sprint he said “oh yeah…there he goes!” And then the race was on, I took long leaping strides until I hit the A19 stop. Flinging myself up the escalator I saw the train just shutting its doors and beginning its trip. Unable to stop myself, my mouth shouted the first four letter word it could muster. Instantly, two Skylink employees came over to mollify me and reassured me by saying that another train would be here shortly and pointed to where it was chugging slowly in from the B concourse. The worst part of the jaunt came when I got onto the train and we chugged slowly towards the A concourse. No matter what I did the train wouldn’t move any faster, but that didn’t stop me from pacing and biting my lip.
Finally, after an eternity, the train inched into the C10 stop. Once again picking up my fast moving pace, I hurtled myself down the escalator and with large skid marks, slammed to a halt at C7 where blessedly the door was still open. With a touch of hope in my voice I shouted “Did I make it?” To which the calm (how could anyone be calm?) gate agent fed my pass into the machine and said “maybe not, they’re shutting the door, you’d better run.” All I had time for was a nod as I ran down the jetway surprising the other gate agent who had her hands on the door and had half shut it. I stepped aboard the plane and heard the noise of the door shut behind me. I was greeted with ninety faces looking at me wondering who this guy was with the nerve to be last on board. I had made it!
Flying
Gate C7
Seat 5A – First Class
737-800 – N968AN
Actual Board: 10:25 AM
Actual Depart: 10:28 PM – 3 Minutes Early
Take off 11 minutes after departure
Never had I been happier to sink into that slightly aging, blue, American first class seat. As a reward from the powers that be for making my flight, 5B was blessedly empty. This meant I was able to escape the “why are you so late?” questions. Meanwhile, our plane pushed back and the flight attendant came around to ask me what I’d be drinking upon takeoff. I decided I’d need a cool water after that run; to accompany my standard issued Diet Coke. During the quick taxi, our flight attendant asked the two kids in 3AB if they wanted to watch the scheduled movie “Disney’s Ice Princess”. While they were still thinking, I blurted out “It looked horrible!” With a laugh the flight attendant said she also had “The Incredibles” and would happily play that. With the prospect of an enjoyable flight ahead of me, our lightly loaded Next Generation machine leapt into the wild blue yonder.
As American has “refined” its meal services on most flights, we only qualified for a snack. Therefore, the flight attendant decided not to take meal orders ahead of time. Nevertheless, I quickly had my two glasses full of preferred beverages and a bowl of hot mixed nuts. Meanwhile, I quickly reached for my CD collection and slipped Fleetwood Mac straight into my player. As the opening notes of “Rhiannon” overtook me, I reclined the seat and began to think of my near misconnect as a story instead of an ordeal. Soon a bulky blue cart made its way to the back of the cabin. The flight attendant, as great as she was, made the meal service rather unprofessional as she unwrapped the entrée covers and threw them on top in a pile as she asked each person if they wished “chicken strips or vegetable pizza?” After four people had been served, I was granted my request of a chicken strips meal. The meal was actually quite enjoyable, despite what many have written about it. The chicken was decent and served oddly enough with elbow noodles in a marinara sauce. Accompanying it was a standard issued small side salad, this one containing lettuce, tomatoes and peppers served with Greek Vinaigrette. This was one of the better salads on a short flight and to round everything out, some oatmeal apple cookies. While I have had far better meals, I realize who I am flying, where I am flying them to and what year that I’m flying them and I enjoyed it for what it was.
Usually after the meal is cleared, the flight gets rather routine. The crew will more often then not melt into the rear galley armed with the detritus of the First Class meal to gab with fellow crew members. However, not Sandy working today’s flight. She remained up front dispensing drinks with ease, including my preferred coffee heavily laced with Baileys, crème and sugar. She made this flight extra enjoyable for me, though even the least enjoyable flight would have been fun on this day after my near miss. Even as the flight was winding down, there was some fireworks (only fitting for July 4th). These came when the passenger from 6A tried to access the First Class lav while the captain was in there. Thankfully, the nonreving pilot in 6B met him at the threshold to the galley and sent him packing back to his seat. Beyond that, the flight was blissfully routine and we glided into smoggy Orange County for an early arrival and I was one half done with my travels.
Scheduled Arrival: 11:33 AM
Actual Arrival: 11:20 AM
Gate 9
Preflight/Transit
Alaska Flight 365
SNA-OAK
Scheduled Departure: 1:18 PM
Scheduled Board: 12:48 PM
Back in December of 2003, a younger version of me stepped off a similar flight into this airport. Back then I was still a naïve frequent flyer easily impressed by the smallest of details, but the spark was just beginning to fade from my eyes. Flash forward a year and a half and the spark was barely guttering as nothing shocked me anymore and it took quite a lot to impress me. Still, nothing gets by me as my observations skills are as sharp as they ever were. Having time to kill and not having seen much of this airport, I exited the secure area and took in all its recently renovated goodness. While the airport may resemble a gun barrel in the secure area as it’s one long tube, it’s a well built, aesthetically pleasing tube that I give a personal thumbs up to. Once outside security, I got a crazy idea as I had a large chunk of change in my pocket and not much to spend it on. Therefore, I bravely sauntered up to the Alaska podium. It took me two minutes to convince the agent working that no, I could not use the omniscient check-in machines to upgrade. Finally, she begrudgingly handled the transaction herself. This is what bothers me the most about Alaska, their zealous desire for you to use their machines.
With new upgraded boarding pass in hand and $50 less cash on hand, I headed back through security. After having a bored airport agent doodle creatively on my boarding pass to show I had been checked, I was once again sterile-side. Still having time to kill, I ascended the elevator into the bizarrely constructed SNA Admirals Club. The Club is built onto an elevated platform and enclosed in glass. From its position it can be viewed by travelers in both the secure and insecure areas. I always feel like I’m at some display cage at the zoo, there’s probably a sign saying “Frequent Flyers in their Natural Habitat” somewhere. This wait at the lounge passed very pleasantly as it was just me and one other person and there was internet access, plenty of chips and salsa and the Yankees pounding the Orioles on the TV. After too little time watching my pinstriped boys beat up on those O’s, I headed downstairs. After two minutes waiting at the gate I was the second to board:
Flying
Gate 10
Seat 3A – First Class
737-400 – N762AS
Actual Board: 12:46 PM
Actual Depart: 1:11 PM – 7 Minutes Early
Take off 7 minutes after departure
I sat down and instantly felt claustrophobic. Compared to the plane I’d just stepped off, I was in quite a sardine can. These seats are advertised at having a pitch of 36 inches and they feel quite a bit less, even America West’s 737-300’s with a 35 inch pitch felt like more to me. It must have been the contrast from the bulkhead on the MD-80 and spacious 737-800 before this flight. However, Alaska’s amazing in-flight crews quickly made up for the lack of space by being at my side quickly to hand me a bottle of water. While coach filled up to about three quarters capacity on this flight, First topped out at having only four seats taken out of twelve. Unfortunately, the man in 3D snagged 2F before I could, meaning I was stuck with poor recline. After a quick pushback and taxi, our twelve year old jet rocketed to the skies and did a quick noise abatement power cut off before leveling off.
This flight turned out to be one of my more enjoyable ones. The ground stayed baked in golden sun the whole way up north and the in-flight crew’s smiles were almost as bright as the sun outside. I was given a bottle of scotch and a can of coke as well as two packs of peanuts. These combined with the in-flight magazine’s crossword puzzle and some Talking Heads piped in via Noise Canceling Headsets made for a wonderful flight. I was even offered drink refills on this short hour long flight. However, as most flights in First Class tend to do, this one ended far too soon as we touched down in what was rumored to be a very rough city. While most might say that $50 was not money well spent, I enjoy sampling different First Class products and I prefer to spend my money on two things, food and travel, and for those I spare no expense. I thoroughly enjoyed my brief ride up front with Alaska, minus the tightness of the seat of course. But defending myself aside, I had to head into Oakland.
Scheduled Arrival: 2:37 PM
Actual Arrival: 2:26 PM
Gate 6
--Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Coliseum to Millbrae Station--
While I said it takes a lot to impress me, it similarly takes a lot to make me feel thoroughly unimpressed. Unfortunately, OAK did just that. I wholeheartedly dislike low ceilings, small gate areas, poor signage and even poorer concessions. Also, the bottleneck at security, the idiotic location of international check in and cramp baggage claims left me with a curdled taste in my mouth at the hands of this jetport. Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long as the AirBart took me and my $2 all the way across town to the Coliseum Station. I must admit though, while I am a veteran of the New York Subways (including some rides after midnight), I was a bit nervous at the station. The people loitering, drinking out of paper bags and talking loudly to companions only they could see didn’t help. However the train came quickly and while the view wasn’t picturesque, it was through an area I hadn’t seen before and I like to broaden my horizons.
A half hour later I’d arrived at the Balboa Park station. Once there I felt the biting cold of a San Francisco Summer pick at my short sleeved arms. Still, I only had to wait eight minutes for a train with the capability to reach Millbrae. Once there, it was a long escalator ride northward to the Airtran (“set luggage cart brakes to on”) and after two quick stops, I was back at the UA/AA terminal with just one flight between me and my domain. This was the first time I’d ever utilized different co-terminals in the same day and I am glad the transfer went so smoothly.
Preflight
United for Ted Flight 1494
SFO-PHX
Scheduled Departure: 6:30 PM
Scheduled Board: 6:00 PM
Knowing SFO like the front of my hand (“not the back” as my friend Craig would say) I hung a left off the escalator to enter United’s Premium check-in line. However, UA had decided to make a fool out of me as they’d moved it over to the other side of the escalator for July 4th. Feeling dejected, I joined a line of eight which quickly grew into a dozen behind me. While it took me fifteen minutes to reach the front of the line and there were ample check-in machines around, I had plenty of time to kill so why not have a little agent-on-Charles interaction? Fully satisfied and armed with a gold boarding pass, I headed through security and immediately honed in on one of my many vices, clam chowder in a bread bowl. I like to make the bold statement that you can’t find better clam chowder than San Francisco and while the airport isn’t the same, it’s damned close. Feeling sustained, I called Nick to see how his July 4th mileage run had gone and to confirm he was picking me up (you’re coming in on American from Dallas, right Charles? Wrong Nick).
Having over an hour to kill, I wandered the mostly empty concourses as I do love this airport so. After seeing every United and American gate, I entered the cool sanctuary of the San Francisco Admirals Club, a club festooned with some of the best agents American’s money can buy. After a glorious half hour of free sodas, more tortilla chips and a phone call to Anosh ( SR 103 ) who can’t get airborne to save his life, it was time to go home. A return to the gate brought me back to the world that is Ted’s. A cluster of those who don’t travel much with Seating numbers from 2-5 clustered around the still closed door and me and the other lone Elite. He was an US Gold and we just gave each other a knowing look before we were the first to board:
Flying
Gate 75
Seat 11A – Economy Plus – Exit Row
A-320 – N495UA
Actual Board: 6:02 PM
Actual Depart: 6:33 PM – 3 Minutes Delayed
Take off 11 minutes after departure
It was at this point that the fatigue of the day began to catch up with me. While I had drink coupons stashed in my bag, a book to read and some music to listen to, I knew I was barely going to make it through take off. While I struggled to stay awake, the plane filled up with those who had issues getting their bags into overhead bins and finding their seats. However, this flight was over $60 cheaper than America West and on them I doubt the travelers would have been any more educated in the arts of flying. After every one on this 100% full flight had been stowed, we had a leisurely push back and taxi out during which Channel 9 crackled incessantly in my ears. Once we’d lifted to the skies, I drifted off without strapping on NCHs, an eyeshade or even removing my headset. I awoke ten minutes outside Phoenix and found the headset had someone gravitated to being under my hindquarters, God only knows what I was doing when I was asleep. The last ten minutes of the flight passed with me in a semi-asleep, groggy state until we passed beyond the airport, swung a U-ey over Mesa and glided to a smooth landing at Sky Harbor.
Scheduled Arrival: 8:26 PM
Actual Arrival: 8:15 PM
Gate 7
Richer in miles in two accounts, I stepped out into Terminal 2 to meet up with Nick and go home. The next day I’d return to classes but for the remainder of July 4th, I basked in the glory of my jaunt home and the love of my family. Oh and Happy 229th Birthday America! You don’t look a day over 185.