I needed to requalify for Gold Preferred status on US and was less than 400 mils short. Unfortunately, the shortest flight I could do from my side of the world was a 2,125 mile flight to PIT and beyond so the GF and I chose Florida at $161.

28 November - Leaving the wet and cold

Almost not wait at the border today. Headed south across the Pacific Highway (a.k.a. “truck”) crossing with 3 lines and 5 cars at most in each. Picked the line with the pickiest I.N.S. inspector. Polite but very thorough in questioning. In contrast, one of the neighbouring lanes cleared quickly and then the inspector closed it and went off-duty. Proceeded uneventfully to SEA with a few stops along the way. The temperature was close to freezing that evening and was much colder earlier that day (evidence of snow along the I-5 corridor). We were glad to be going for 28C/80F warmth and sunshine.

First flight on my first all-Airbus itinerary

US 134 SEA 2305 PIT 0630+1 319 1D & 1F (originally in row 9 exit) N746UW

Pulled into the Ajax No. 3 lot just before 9 p.m. and parked. Shuttle came in only minutes and we’re on our way to SEA. Quick check-in at the US counter which was very quiet (US only has one redeye - a 319 while earlier there were at least 2 with at least one being a 757 flight). Realised I had left the 6 upgrade coupons for the outbound in the jacket I declined to take at the last moment (it was close to freezing in SEA and a lot warmer in FLL). Fortunately between my GF and I, we still had enough for 2 r/ts. Check-in done in 2 minutes, we went back over to the car rental area so my GF could get her National Car Emerald Club membership. Took all of 5 minutes while we chatted to the clerk who had family (and family cabin) in B.C.

Security line was non-existent and we’re through in less than 2 minutes. US has taken to using other gates than S10, S11 and S12 and tonight the flight uses S14. Boarding starts as usual at 2235. There’s a security guard standing there but apparently no one got marked with the S and no FC/elite boarders got selected.

With a fairly light load (FC was 12/12 but EC was 63/108), boarding was quick and FAs managed to serve a preflight drink. Noticed that there were no blankets or pillows on this flight and the 3 following ones (a new cost-saving measure) though the FAs had stashed a few pillows in the closet and were gave them to FC pax on request. Onboard magazines were also gone. Door closure and pushback was pretty much right on time and the a/c had a long taxi to the north end of the airport for a takeoff to the south. Airborne at around 2320. FA came around shortly after for a drink order and orders for the cold snack which was a choice of cold chicken breast on a bed of conchigelia (shell) pasta and what appears to be red peppers with a light dressing, and shrimp (4) on a bed of capellini or spaghettini. Accompanying the snack were 2 packages of crackers and a generous slice of cheese cake. The GF has the shrimp plate and I have the chicken. Her complaint with the pasta was that it had been sitting too long. Had some red wine with my meal which was a R.H. Philips cabernet sauvignon. Not too bad.

Try to sleep shortly after although this was disturbed by the pax in 2D who was in the galley chatting with the FA through most of the flight. Flight across was mostly smooth.

29 November

Landing into PIT was a few minutes early and gate was in the B concourse 3 gates from the hub. Weather in PIT was surprisingly warm for late November, 10C/50F. Headed over to the US Club (using the pass that came with the membership kit) to join the rest of the living dead who must have arrived earlier. There was ample coffee available though the coffee machine only spat out hot milk when I choose a latte. Food was limited to yoghurt and overly-sweet mini muffins. The trial energy bars are gone (so bad no one shouldhave to even nibble on one). Headed out at 0825 to the next gate (2 over from the gate we’d arrived in) for the flight to FLL.

My first A-321 flight

US 1211 PIT 0905 FLL 1150 321 3D and 3F (was 8D and 8E)

There’s a mix/combination of business, retiree and cruise pax waiting for this flight (my first on a 321) and boarding was about to begin at 0830. There were pax selected for secondar security on this flight). Lots of elites who chose not to upgrade (FC had at least 6 empty seats). Get on first but got seperated from my GF by an elderly woman who had been paged and barged in (thought the GF had been selected for random checks) and subsequently managed to trip and hurt her knees walking down the jetway. The Charlotte-based (or so I'd deduced by the accent) cabin crew helped with bringing her ice (her husband and her were seated in the row behind) and got her a wheelchair at FLL though she managed to walk to the lavatory unassisted. With boarding completed quickly, FAs manage to offer a round of preflight drinks which isn’t always possible on crowded A321 flights (boarding has to be through 1L rather than 2L on 757s). I think the A-321 FC seats have a little more recline than those on the A-319s. They seem identical except there are no phones installed. Quickly go look at the pair of seats on row 8 for future reference. They seem quite roomy legroom wise, more so than row 7 on US 757s.

Pushback was a few minutes tardy but the a/c was quickly on the way and off to FLL. More drinks offered post takeoff as well as the snack basket (Pepperidge Farm Milanos, Cape Cod potato chips, US private label cashews, Quaker Oat snack bars, and some others). Flight route took the a/c over water with the a/c crossing back over into land somewhere over PBI, turning back west over the Everglades and landing towards the ocean. Get to the gate some 10 minutes early. Noted that the security line wasn’t too bad (some 20-30 in line) as we’d be leaving at the same time in 4 days.

We’re off to National on the shuttle. See an ATA winglet-equipped 738 take off. Wonder why more airlines don't choose the wingtip if it saves as much as 5% fuel as claimed. The only compact available was a Georgia-plated Cavalier with 28,300 miles on the clock exactly. Off shortly and we get to Miami South Beach by 1p.m. A bit hungry, we head to the Puerto Sagua on 800 block Collins Avenue for a Cuban lunch. Special of the day was an oxtail stew which was exquisite (for the price). GF ordered a Cuban sandwich which wasn’t what she’d expected (she had a roast pork sandwich in mind).

Headed off to the Loews Miami Beach and get a room facing inland/the west (can’t complaint for the price paid). My AA PLT status wasn’t about to count either. The hotel is of a contemporary Art Deco (or Art Nouveau) design and decorated as such. The rounded corner and tower are the highlights of the building’s design. The rest of building could have done with a few more touches to make it all the more spectacular. Our room is a bit small but nicely decorated. Other than colouring, a chaise lounge and lamp highlight the period decor. The marble bathroom sink is the highlight of the bathroom but the 2 vanity lights are the only lighting for the bathroom. There’s a divider between the toilet and the sink. The arrangement is a bit weird but o.k. Other amenities are inroom safe, coffee maker, minibar (with light to indicate it has been opened), hair dryer and a rather flashy weigh scale.

Headed to the pool for a swim. En route, we see the palm-lined walkway which is another designer highlight. The pool is a highlight of the Loews but there’s not much sun in the late afternoon. The design is rather nice but not noticeble unless you’re viewing from above. The afternoon was a bit marred by a crane next door moving palm trees around. I’d hate to pay for a cabana and have flying palm trees above you.

Walked to the newly-revived Lincoln Street mall and find it’s over blown. The pedestrian mall aspect makes it a nice place to dine. Weave through the neighbourhood towards Ocean Drive to admire the architecture. Getting to Ocean Drive, we notice that there’s really only a short strip that’s nice and the rest are half-hearted revivals/renovations. There are too many restaurants here with staff (in various states of dress) trying to lure in prospective patrons. Tried to find a restaurant called the Cafe Piazzolla only to find that it’s been long gone. Ended up at a Cuban restaurant El Viajante Segundo (not as good as Puerto Sagua) near the Loews and opposite the National. We’re seated so we can see the socialites and partiers headed to the National for some function. GF orders ropa vieja while I have fried pork chunks, with a 1/2 carafe of sangria to wash it down. The waiter Alfredo is nice enough to advise against ordering the green salad but go for the less expensive tomato salad. The pork is a bit overcooked but nice. The ropa vieja needs more seasoning and tomatoes. There’s not much garlic so it seems the food might have been adapted for tourists’ tastes. Disappointing experience saved only by the plantanos maduros

(to be continued)

Edited to correct typos, name of restaurants

[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 12-05-2001).]