Hey everyone. I have thrown on here a couple of trip reports that I have done elsewhere, but this is my first for FT.
I did an American Airlines mileage run, hence will post at Trip Report and AA, maybe BA. I would very much appreciate your thoughts and critiques, thanks.
The overall itinerary was LAX-MIA AA 777 BUSINESS, MIA-LHR AA 777 PEE-ON
(COACH), BA A319 LHR-AMS (ALL COACH FOR THE REMAINDER), BA(BRITISH REGIONAL IN BA COLO(U)RS EMBRAER AMS-MAN, BA 733 MAN-LGW,
BA 735 LGW-CDG, BA A319 CDG-LGW, AA 777 LHR-JFK, AA 767-200 JFK-LAX.
This was my first long haul trip after 9/11, arrived back from Down Under right after 9/11, but wasn't nervous about Qantas. Also, they had just started the new baggage checking rules, so that added some salt to everything. Also, when I was booking this thing, had booked, courtesy hold, that Reid guy was lighting his shoe on an AA flight from CDG to MIA. That was a challenge to go ahead and do this, but I am glad that I did. For anyone who has elite status, I assume most of you are and everyone on the AA board seems to be in the same boat as me, AA Platinum or other AA elite, you know how important this stuff is.
Anyway, I started out LAX-MIA 777, Business Class, very nice. Easy check-in. Tried to schmooze a free upgrade out of the agent, the only time I dressed up for it on this trip, and she explained that since 9/11, no more free upgrades, no more first class ticket jackets, etc., and a whole bunch of other things have gone bye! No more magazines onboard or in the Admirals Club, save American Way. Looks tacky and cheap, but I always bring my own.
To my surprise, no special baggage check at LAX, bags were off, and off to the Admirals Club, which I have access to on an int'l itinerary. Again, no magazines, some left over newspapers, free magazine-promotional(crap) and American Way, all very tacky and cheap. Oh well. Had a couple of drinks then off to MIA. It was nice to get airside again, a no-no since pax only after 9/11. Hate that rule. The whole world, save the Aussies(whom I love), do pax only to the gates. The Kiwis started as of 9/11. Maybe someday they will figure out that any dipstick
can go buy a ticket, go airside, and then leave. DUH! I, ah, kind of, sort of, did that during the Gulf War, can't keep me from my lounges. So far, haven't found the need, but if I need to, it is an option. They have actually made it very easy to sneak airside(think e-ticket, hmmmmmm).
Gee, like terrorists would never think about it. Incredible!!! Anyway, the pax only rule is un-American. It is a Euro/Canadian rule that leaves the airside in Terminals empty and underused, and can create havoc for people trying to see/greet loved ones. Was the case with my fiance, making a difference of about an hour with her, but I digress.
Anyway, good to be airside again. So many shops there, nothing in the public area. Almost depressing to go to LAX, save Bradley, to visit.
Boarding was easy, wasn't profiled, YEAH!!! Said *CLR* on my boarding pass, so as a loyal Platinum they must like me. The seat was great, 60" of legroom, and just very comfy. The negative, I get to sit next to cell phone man(yes, I have a cell phone and love it!), but this was ridiculous. Non-stop yacking from the time I boarded til they closed the door. Then he pulls out the airphone and more yacking. Drove me literally insane. I was looking for a seat to move to, but all windows were taken. This guy just never shut up, oh my! One of my turnoffs to Business Class, cell phones, laptops, and their crap all over the place, and usually not very friendly. I put my headphones on, pulled out Business Traveler, and tried to ignore him. It wasn't easy.
I think he called everyone he ever knew. UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Some kid tried to give himself a free upgrade. They caught him, kicked him back to coach, but they were good sports about it. He was dressed in a very tacky way, which I don't care, but if you're gonna try to sneak up there, hey, dress the part dude! FYI, there were several empty seats in the middle, rare for AA Bus.
We had a 2 hour delay, so killing off any free time in MIA, but was relieved that I didn't have any connections. Many were stressing out as they had connects to South America. What I hated was the BS. They kept making announcements, another 20 minute delay, etc...etc..finally after 2 **** hours, we're off......I get mad cause that stuff happens all the time....Also, cell phone man made it worse....
The flight was great, flying across the Southern US, they had the map, going out over Louisiana over the Gulf of Mexico. There were thousands of boats and ships out there, cool. Haven't seen that since Asia, a nice sight to see again.
The food was great. Sorry, I give all menus to a friend in Paris and they are long gone. The usual AA chicken, salad, and then tiramisu, with a nicely given sundae on top(asked for), love their sundaes, but have to say the Tiramisu was very good as well. Very good orange juice, as AA doesn't serve Perrier,
. Unfortunately, my first time with the plastic yuckware.
All plastic, was surprised for a domestic US flight, expected it for the UK.
It was a nicer set than in coach, so, whatever... It is just tacky for upfront, I don't care about it in the back, and fewer things to, ah, "borrow"
. Hmmm I can assure you it is more economical than safety, but they will never admit it.
They had the usual IFE/ personal video, which everyone has(on the 777 and Airbus), by the way.
AA's IFE is not the best, with CBS Eye on America (I hate CBS so much!!!!
where is NBC when you need them ?
) and tons of I love Lucy. Can we get some more sitcoms please? To my delight, they had a Japanese audio channel which I enjoyed and listened to the majority of the trip, as well as some Brazilian music. Hey, the plane was going on to Rio, so why not? Had one Japanese song going through my head the whole trip. Would be terrible if they had some Euro music on there!? UGH
Again, the service was good, lot's of refills on the drinks, and gave a few SOS(Platinum comment cards) to one F/A, who was just great. She gave me the extra sundae.
They also did a cookies and milk service prior to landing, which I love, but like with JFK, they always wait way too long to do that service and I know the F/A's take home half of them. Let's see some seconds, please.
We had a cool approach into MIA, straight in from the West. You could see the lighted bridge out to Key West, yes at night. Love flying into this airport. After landing you can feel the humidity, the windows steam up, etc. I was the last to get my bags as I had to look around a bit. They completely re-did the baggage claim from last time, interesting. Picked up some Cuban food, not bad. It is weird to need to speak Spanish there, but it is fun. I took the airtrain out to concourse E, but no ticket, so couldn't go past security, oh well, all AA, but the train helps you to see most of the airport. Then waited over an hour for the shuttle to the Doubletree Club Hotel, and sweating bullets. Dang humidity! Ugh! Yes, I yelled at them, 2 phone calls. They knocked off $20 off the rate, not bad. The hotel is more or less a dump(ok more
), but good view of MIA and the Southerly runway, so guess what I did(watched planes). The hotel is cheap and you get Hilton miles, with a double Hilton promo, worth it. I love the Embassy Suites MIA, but too expensive, especially for an overnight transfer. For that matter, I love Embassy Suites period, how could you not? I ordered the biggest calzone I have ever seen and BYO my own Perrier, thanks, from a local pizza place. Molto bene!
I overnighted at MIA to get more miles out of the trip( a reason to fly AA alone), upgrade on the 777, hard to do domestically, and I just love MIA, though I can't stand that awful humidity. Plus, it is a nice, warm break during the winter, with Europe freezing. I love Miami, for that matter. What a beautiful place.
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MD
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold