Got up at 0550 for my 0730 NW ATL-MEM-MKE flight-decided to drive (it's a business trip). Economy parking had space (amazingly cheap at $5/day in ATL.

Got to counter at 0650 and waited about 10 mins. I had called (at 0230 ) for upgrade and was granted. Went out to D-16--surprised to see the CO pres club didn't open 'til 0715.

Got on DC9--light load on the 30-series. F/C 1/2 full, coach only about 30 people. Took off right on time--pre-take-off drinks, more drinks in the air, but nothing else--no nuts,pretz, anything.

Arrived MEM a few mins. late. Off to World Club--fine and not very crowded. Sat across from guy heading all the way to Shanghai...

Walked to D9 for the flt to MKE. Boarded on time, pulled away to a recording "we need to hold for a few minutes--bad fog at MKE, and runway work means that we need additional visibility to land (needed 1/4 rather than 1/8 mile). Flight equally uncrowded. We sit on the plane for about 1/2 hour, then I decide to get off, get newspaper, etc. Charlie the gate agent is a real character--the neighboring gate agent came over to spell him (mainly manning the door to the jetway so it was latched after people got on and off) to get a smoke. Anyway, after about an hr they decided to xl the flt. I decided I didn't want to sit around until 2 pm (this being 10:30) so asked to be put onto UA into ORD. A relief agent did that for me--they were giving out amenity packs (6 minute phone card, $5 in food, etc). So I got one, and decamped for UA with assurances that they'd forward my luggage.

UA was deserted, and I showed my PremEx card and upgraded no sweat. F/C 1/2 full, coach 40% full, snack plate. We were a bit late (sequencing) into ORD--gate held for 1/2 hour but were only 13 mins behind schedule. This was a super flight--cheery f/as, pax were pleasant, (3 of us drained 2 botttles of champagne...) Hertz rental for the day.

Tomorrow drive to MKE for a flight to YYZ on AC, thence on CP to MXP, thence to ZRH.

[This message has been edited by jamiel (edited 12-04-1999).]