26 Feb ~ CVG-PDX DL1903 Seat 6C
After killing 5 hours in the CRC and the terminal, we boarded promptly at 4:00pm for the 4:30 departure. I was the first pax on the plane and was greeted by Tony, PDX-based FA that I've flown with many times before. He greeted me by name, told me he was working in the back today (which surprised me), and we'd catch up later. BTW, this was one of DL's leased 757's since it had a row 19 with D-E-F seats. These are great seats if you can't get upgraded & can get them. Unfortunately they don't know about them until the inbound flight lands. Mostly these seats get assigned at the gate.
Got settled in quickly and had a drink order taken almost immediately. Menus & headset were at each seat already. FC filled up slowly, with some pax obviously coming from connections. Lisa & Pam were working the FC cabin and they were friendly & efficient. They are CVG based, but this flight had a split crew (3-PDX & 3-CVG FA's).
Once the door closed, we pushed back quickly & taxied, 2nd in line for take-off. Pilot told us that the flight would be bumpy for the first hour or so due to headwinds. In the air at 4:50pm and quickly got to cruise alt. of 35K. It was a bit rough at times, but not 'scary' rough. Once the seatbelt sign went off, Pam did dinner orders (from back to front) while Lisa did drink orders (front to back).
Here's the menu for those who care:
Appetizer
Classic Shrimp Cocktail
5 medium-sized with lemon wedge & cocktail sauce
Salad
Mixed Greens with Greek Vinaigrette
Small salad with packaged cup of dressing
Entrees
Omaha SteaksŪ Filet Mignon with Santa Fe Red Chile Sauce and Parmesan Cheese, accompanied by roasted Red Pepper Mashed Potatoes and Black Bean Corn Salsa.
Creamy Mushroom Risotto with Julienne Chicken Breast, Butternut Squash, Mushrooms and Swiss Chard.
Crab Cakes enhanced by White Wine and Butter Sauce, with Pecan Rice and a Corn, Green Bean
and Tomato Medley.
I chose this one and it was good, not great but good. Crab cakes were nice size and tasty, bean/corn/tomato medley was OK, but a bit dry, rice was large portion & good. Wine/butter sauce in a small tin on plate, it had no flavor
All accompanied by Grain Waves Organic Rolls (great sourdough!)
Dessert
Ice Cream Sundae with choice of Caramel or Chocolate Sauce, mixed nuts and Whipped Cream
Bottom corner of menu had date code that said DA-FC-1 1/27-3/22, so I assume this menu will change after March 22nd.
Plenty of refill choices for drinks during dinner, but I chose not to have any wine with the meal. FC was full (only 1 empty seat & NO non-revs) and they did a good job of handling the meal and drinks quickly & efficiently.
After meal was cleared, I got up to stretch a bit and checked the back cabin. They were just finishing their meal service also and it looked to be about a 75% load. With 4 FA's in back, it seemed pretty efficient there too.
Finally had a chance to visit with Tony, who after 21 yrs flying for DL, is starting to burn-out. I asked why he was working coach today and he told me has decided to go on 'half-time' for the next year. He gave up his option as lead FA on flights, and is going to coast a bit until he can retire in 3 more years. We talked about travel, favorite cities, and spent time talking about the great Oregon wineries too.
Back to FC to snooze for awhile during the movie, and just a I was getting settled in we hit a large pocket of turbulence. The pilot asked the FA's to be seated until we got through it. After about 5 minutes, which seemed a lot longer, he told us we were crossing the jet stream as it turned South.
He explained it as similar to crossing the wake of a speedboat on a jet-ski, only this lasted for 5 minutes instead of just a few seconds.
Rest of the flight was quiet; I woke up as the movie was ending and they were offering drinks again. Watched a Seinfeld episode, and as that was ending we started our descent. Smooth approach & landing though the rain was pretty heavy, we arrived at the gate about 10 minutes early. Bags took far too long (about 20 minutes), but the shuttle to Economy Parking was waiting & pulled out just after I boarded.
Not a bad trip, just a pain to be stuck in Appleton, WI for an extra night. But, ComAir paid for it.
[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 02-27-2000).]