LAX-LAS, AA 733, Sunday, 2009/08/09, 10:30-11:40
MD 83, seat 3F

Terminal 4 is one big zoo. The lines for curbside check in cover the entire sidewalk space, and inside the terminal it's chaos. I realize that there are signs for a separate business/first check in area, and fight my way in the crowd toward that direction. It's much better there, but still there are lines. I've checked-in on-line last night, and now I just go to the kiosk to print my three boarding passes, and then queue for a few minutes to drop one bag. The bag weighs 55 lbs, and I'm politely asked to reduce its weight or pay $50. Welcome to America. I move two small but heavy items to my backpack and everybody's happy.

The "Priority Access" line for security progresses fast and I head to the Admirals Club in a few minutes. It's my first time in an American lounge, and while it's nicer than the few United lounges I've seen in the past, it's nothing compared to the European or Asian lounges. It's spacious, and has several areas (including a children's zone), a business corner and the mandatory bar. Coffee, juice and muffins are free, but for all other food or drink you'll have to pay. I receive one drink chit which is useless for me at this early hour.

One other surprise is wireless access: it's free, but only form Admirals Club members, which I'm not. All other are invited to pay $7.99 for a T-mobile day pass. What a difference from the civilized world.






LAS-DFW, AA 892, Sunday, 2009/08/09, 12:40-17:30
Boeing 757, seat 1F

DFW-PIT, AA 1188, Sunday, 2009/08/09, 18:55-22:35
MD 83, seat 3F

What a shame. The aircraft are filthy: there are crumpled tissues in the seat pocket, the rug is stained, the ceiling has mold signs. What's the point of having a wider seat if it's so sticky you don't feel like resting your head on the head support? No seat covers, no tablecloth, no smiles. Flight attendants are there for your security, not to serve you. These are short flight. On the LAX-LAS flight service consists of one plastic cup of juice, coupled with a bag of "snacks" (mainly deep-fried MSG-flavoured UFOs). Compare this to the AMS-LHR flight above: similar distance, similar flying time, narrower seat but what a dramatc difference in terms of on-flight service!

On the LAS-DFW there's actually a meal service. Flight attendants address me by name, but they're reading from the notes they took on their tray. Lunch is "chicken parmesan" (which I prefer over salmon), edible but that's it. There's a generous cup of warm nuts before lunch, a nice touch. Service is completely indifferent. The only memorable aspect of this flight is the view of Hoover Dam from above.









The lounge in DFW's terminal C is huge, and I have a glass of wine but no internet connection. I will have to move to D for my connecting flight to Pittsburgh. The SkyLine people mover in DFW is very efficient.

Last flight of today is similar to the previous one: dinner service consisting of warm nuts and some pasta in tomato sauce, minimally edible. Wine is served generously, but again the service is indifferent. The captain, however, is funny and cheerful, insisting that we inform the world we've been riding The Scooter to Pittsburgh. We arrive some 10 minutes late, and I'm out of the terminal, with my checked luggage and rental car keys, some 30 minutes later, at 23:15 local time. 30 minutes later I check in at the Courtyard Shadyside. It's good to be in Pittsburgh again.