Here's my "real time" addendum from Laptop Lane in ORD.

Due to circumstances dealing with an ever-changing itinerary, I was forced to fly DCA-ORD-TPA. Now normally, this would be fine 'cause it means an extra bunch of miles. But I was really not in the mood, so just suffered my fate quietly. The a-320 DCA-ORD had about 15 people on it, and only 3 or 4 in 1st class. The 757 ORD-TPA was standing room only. The ORD-TPA segment was the first time I heard someone really pitch a fit about the order of meal ordering on UA. It turned out that there were 2 1Ks and we happened to be sitting next to eachother in row 4. We were asked first and then the FA skipped around asking in order. The lady across the aisle from me was asked toward the end and was given no choice and pitched a fit: "For 10 minutes I have watched you skip around the cabin taking orders and you only come to me after there is no choice left?" The FAs explained that they ask based on who flew with them the most, but she was having none of it. While I was sypathetic, there was no way in heck I was going to give her MY chicken!!!

Anyway, after checking in (no room upgrades thanks to my FT friends who had already filled the executive floor), I joined the crew in the lobby and dealt with the cab situation. In the end, I rode with Punki's sister .

The meat (thanks for the idea, QL!) was great, but not as good as the company. We laughed and "dined" for hours. My Sandeman '63 port certainly hit the spot (thanks, AuH2O)!

Being still somewhat sober at this point (1:30 AM, as I recall), AuH2o and I planned on going out to rectify that situation. Catman could not be convinced to join us, sadly. But alas, we could not find a bar that serves beer, so had our driver richard take us back to the Hilton, where Prmex, Scott, Catty, sxj and george were holding court in the lobby lounge (you see, its not that catman didn't want to drink, its that he didn't want to drink with US) I watched as Goldwater tried in vain to rally the troops over a beer then finally hit the sack around I would guess 3 or so.

Punki and I figured out that we were on the same TPA-ORD in the morning, so I caught a ride with her to TPA and we arrange to sit in 1 A&B on the 727. Punki and I were gabbing during the safety check, and were shushed by a fa who said we were making it hard for the lady reading on the PA to concentrate. We had a lot of fun making fun of that!!!!

But we had GREAT service from another FA, Lena, who when I mentioned that it was a special day for Punki, gave her a bottle of cab. We chatted her up (I would call it "pumped her for information") then rewarded her service with a cervice certificate.

Oh, and by the way, Premex, it may say 1K million on the manifest for you, but I got a card from the pilot on this flight thanking me for my loyalty, so HA!

I wanted to catch an 11:30 out of ORD-DCA, and could have made it if I had sprinted, but alas, the 11:30 was cancelled and now I have to wait for the 12:30. At least I will get to sit up front...

Thanks for a great evening, everyone...

ADDED MONDAY 2-7-00

Just wanted to mention that I sat next to Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) on that 12:30 ORD-DCA in seats 2C&D on a 737 (relates to a recent thread about pols in 1st class). Also was served a mixed grill lunch on this flight (my ORD-IAD flights NEVER have food). The Senator had ordered a special seafood meal, but when the FA opened it, it contained a steak (!). The Senator took it in stride (and even seemed pleased at the screw up). Later I was in the gally chatting with the FA and she was mad at catering...she showed me the tin the food came in and it clearly said "seafood meal" in red pen on the lid...

No note from the pilot on this segment

[This message has been edited by kokonutz (edited 02-07-2000).]