Part 2 SAL-LAX-SFO

SAL to LAX
AA798
9/3/2010
B757
Seat 4A Business

I arrived at the airport 2 hours before departure at 7:40AM; with a light but steady rain which had been going on in El Salvador for a few days. Check in at the AA business class counter was quick and easy. Once again begs were tagged with the Orange Priority tags.
After making my way upstairs I went through security and my bag was hand inspected after going through the X-Ray machine.
In order to enter the gate area for my flight you had to go through a second security check; I decided to walk around the terminal since I had a bit of time to spare.
Duty Free liquor prices seemed to be really good so I bought a couple of bottles of Vodka. These were delivered to me prior to boarding the aircraft.
Around 8:30 I made my way to the gate area where my bag was hand inspected for a 2nd time, my boarding pass was marked by a cutout (I assume to indicate that I had been inspected) and I found it very amusing that the cut-out was in the shape of a cat!



The gate area was very busy and a lot of people had to stand as there were not enough seats.



Boarding was announced at 8:40AM for Business Class passengers and I was the first one to head to the plane as no-one else seemed to move.
I think the reason for this is that I was taken aside again right before boarding the airplane for a 3rd hand inspection of my bag; those who boarded after me did not have to go through this extra screening.
I was originally seated next to a gentleman in seat 3E, but when the doors were closed I moved to seat 4A; the Business Class cabin had only 10 passengers in it, not sure why they cram us all together with so many seats behind us. The FAs did make a comment that I could seat anywhere except the last row (it turns out they wanted to use this row for themselves during the fight).



At this time we were offered our choice of water or OJ, no champagne at this time. We pulled back from the gate at 9:30, a few minutes before schedule.
The English safety video was played followed by the Spanish version; we actually took off halfway through the second announcement.
After takeoff, we were offered our choice of drinks and the FAs took our breakfast orders as the handed out hot towels. The choices were an omelet or cereal. I chose the omelet. This was served in two courses, the first being a plate with sliced oranges, watermelons and a strawberry and kiwi slice.
Afterwards the main dish was brought out which turned out to be a typical Salvadorian breakfast with an omelet, fried beans, and fried plantains. We were also offered our choice of breads; there were some sweet looking breads as well as croissants; I stuck with a croissant.





Coffee and tea was offered afterward which I declined. I reclined my old domestic first class seat and took a nap.
About an hour before landing, a snack was brought out on a small tray; two wedges of generic cheese with a few grapes and a package of Carr’s crackers. We were then given hot towels again as well as those little soft AA mints.



Immigration hall was almost empty; but the officer I got had a bunch of questions for me such as my occupation as well as birth date?!?!?!?
I had a couple of hour layover so I headed to the Admiral’s Club to check my e-mail. I was handed to drink passes which I used in exchange for bottled water (I don’t like to drink when I am traveling). Last October I was at the Flagship lounge at LAX on my way back from Tokyo on AA first class. The Flagship Lounge is basically a sectioned off part of this Admiral’s club and I found them both to be basically the same. The lounge was quite busy Bu I managed to find an empty seat from which to watch the runway and charge my iPod.



LAX to SFO
AA1491
9/3/2010
B757
Seat 14D Coach

There is not much to report on this flight. It was another AA 737; with an on time departure and arrival. There was a meal service with no snacks. My bag was one of the first off o the belt and I was quickly in a cab to my San Francisco hotel.