LCY-SNN-JFK-YVR/LAX-LHR in BA and CX J, plus Vancouver to Los Angeles by train!
Jan 13, 2016, 1:42 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Staffs
Programs: BAEC, Etihad Guest, Platinum Tesco Tart
Posts: 589
Always glad to offer the chance for reminiscence, or to build anticipation for upcoming adventures! I'm not sure how seat assignment works on the train but nothing to lose by asking at the ticket check if you can be on the coastal side (right hand when facing direction of travel for Vancouver - Seattle). I hope you have a great time in BA F too - I think we'll be serving Vancouver with an A380 this year.
Yes, we managed to get 2 x F redemptions on what is currently the A380, I have everything crossed that this doesn't change!
Slightly disappointed that it goes from T3 not T5 as I would love to spend some time in the CCR but hey that really is a first world problem!
My first first with BA is next week, LGW to UVF.
Jan 13, 2016, 2:02 pm
#47
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Helvetia
Programs: AS; BA Silver; UA; HH Diamond; Sprüngli Connaisseur
Posts: 2,910
Great trip report.
It's always interesting to see my old home through other's eyes. Especially as it's so far away from where I live now.
I've used the train station in Lacey a few times. Always on the Cascades though, on trips down to PDX.
I lived awhile about 40m from the tracks in Santa Barbara. The trains were surprisingly quiet, just a roar of white noise that you would only really notice whilst talking to someone.
It's always interesting to see my old home through other's eyes. Especially as it's so far away from where I live now.
I've used the train station in Lacey a few times. Always on the Cascades though, on trips down to PDX.
I lived awhile about 40m from the tracks in Santa Barbara. The trains were surprisingly quiet, just a roar of white noise that you would only really notice whilst talking to someone.
Jan 13, 2016, 3:26 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
Programs: Ex-BA/AA/CP/LY staff, BA Executive Club Blue, IHG Diamond, Marriott Silver, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 3,581
A pleasure to read. Thank you for sharing! Combining staff travel and loyalty points is an excellent way of stretching the travel budget - that's my trick too!
Jan 13, 2016, 10:00 pm
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
Very nice pictures.
For the dairy comments, milk is actually very comparably priced to the USA...
(I've seen $3.49/gallon in Safeway in the USA, compared to $4.49 in Canada. Using current exchange rates and standard conversions, the Canadian milk is cheaper...)
As well, Canada does not benefit from EU farm subsidies (i.e. CAP)
Too bad you didn't make the trip this year with the free DL YVRLAX fare
(though the collapse in the cable rate may offset any of those savings...)
For the dairy comments, milk is actually very comparably priced to the USA...
(I've seen $3.49/gallon in Safeway in the USA, compared to $4.49 in Canada. Using current exchange rates and standard conversions, the Canadian milk is cheaper...)
As well, Canada does not benefit from EU farm subsidies (i.e. CAP)
Too bad you didn't make the trip this year with the free DL YVRLAX fare
(though the collapse in the cable rate may offset any of those savings...)
Jan 17, 2016, 10:11 am
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EXT
Posts: 477
Jan 17, 2016, 10:15 am
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EXT
Posts: 477
This is the only staff trip I've made so far, but I think the combo is an effective one for long haul - particularly if I can only afford the avios for one way! Hoping to do something similar this year too.
Jan 17, 2016, 10:21 am
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EXT
Posts: 477
Very nice pictures.
For the dairy comments, milk is actually very comparably priced to the USA...
(I've seen $3.49/gallon in Safeway in the USA, compared to $4.49 in Canada. Using current exchange rates and standard conversions, the Canadian milk is cheaper...)
As well, Canada does not benefit from EU farm subsidies (i.e. CAP)
Too bad you didn't make the trip this year with the free DL YVRLAX fare
(though the collapse in the cable rate may offset any of those savings...)
For the dairy comments, milk is actually very comparably priced to the USA...
(I've seen $3.49/gallon in Safeway in the USA, compared to $4.49 in Canada. Using current exchange rates and standard conversions, the Canadian milk is cheaper...)
As well, Canada does not benefit from EU farm subsidies (i.e. CAP)
Too bad you didn't make the trip this year with the free DL YVRLAX fare
(though the collapse in the cable rate may offset any of those savings...)
That's about 50% more than I would pay here, but then, our press often runs stories of farmers being paid less for their milk than it costs to produce. On previous longer stays in Toronto I've found groceries expensive but I assumed that was lack of familiarity with affordable stores, but this time I was using a large supermarket and still being surprised.
Mar 22, 2016, 5:44 am
#56
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: Mucci (Scirocco Sash), BAEC Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 861
A little late to the party, but just to thank you Flying Doctor for a wonderful trip report! I travelled on the Amtrak Cascades a few years back from Portland to Seattle which was a very enjoyable experience.
Unlike you I am quite a fan of LA (having a good friend living there helps), but am equally looking forward to heading a little up the coast to Santa Barbara and Solvang as part of a trip there next summer. Seriously considering taking the train to Santa Barbara now, possibly hiring a car for the drive up to Solvang (my other half refuses to consider rail replacement busses, so is unlikely to consent to the "thruway bus"...!)
Unlike you I am quite a fan of LA (having a good friend living there helps), but am equally looking forward to heading a little up the coast to Santa Barbara and Solvang as part of a trip there next summer. Seriously considering taking the train to Santa Barbara now, possibly hiring a car for the drive up to Solvang (my other half refuses to consider rail replacement busses, so is unlikely to consent to the "thruway bus"...!)
Mar 23, 2016, 4:47 am
#57
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: EXT
Posts: 477
A little late to the party, but just to thank you Flying Doctor for a wonderful trip report! I travelled on the Amtrak Cascades a few years back from Portland to Seattle which was a very enjoyable experience.
Unlike you I am quite a fan of LA (having a good friend living there helps), but am equally looking forward to heading a little up the coast to Santa Barbara and Solvang as part of a trip there next summer. Seriously considering taking the train to Santa Barbara now, possibly hiring a car for the drive up to Solvang (my other half refuses to consider rail replacement busses, so is unlikely to consent to the "thruway bus"...!)
Unlike you I am quite a fan of LA (having a good friend living there helps), but am equally looking forward to heading a little up the coast to Santa Barbara and Solvang as part of a trip there next summer. Seriously considering taking the train to Santa Barbara now, possibly hiring a car for the drive up to Solvang (my other half refuses to consider rail replacement busses, so is unlikely to consent to the "thruway bus"...!)
