Sunday, July 28

I woke up about 9:30, and showered, dressed, and packed my things. The video checkout was broken, so I checked out in the SPG room and then met Kevin and the Hilton crew over there for a cab to brunch. We ended up getting a van cab. We all arrived, and after backtracking several times, we found the restaurant. Pearl Habourfront has excellent dim sum, at a very reasonable price. Our table worked out to only $15 CDN per person, including tax and tip. We bid farewell to everyone, and then Catman, nj_flyer and I headed back to the Westin for them to check out and me to bum a ride to the airport. We wanted to get there early, to beat the World Youth Day rush, and we succeeded. There was barely any traffic on the Gardiner, QEW, or the 427. We stopped to fill up with gas, and then dropped Catman off at Terminal 2, before heading to Terminal 3 to drop off the rental. Hertz tried to charge nj_flyer for a full tank of gas, but he produced his receipt and argued the charge off the bill. We entered the terminal and he checked in at American, while I went down to US Airways. I was checked in within a matter of seconds and handed my immigration card to fill out. I skipped duty-free, as there was nothing I needed, and headed straight to immigration, where there were about 7 lines open, and about a 15 minute wait. I was cleared back into the USA and passed my customs inspection as well. With nothing to check, I headed straight to security, where nj_flyer turned up right behind me, having stopped for a smoke and duty-free, and then breezing through INSpass. We cleared security, the agent more concerned about the walkman of the girl behind me than my laptop, cell, palm, camera, minidisc player, etc. We walked down the US gates so that I could get on the volunteer list, but there was a CO agent closing out a flight at that gate, so we just sat and watched for a bit. She did a good job in spite of some very rude and very tardy passengers. Next we headed back to the American gates, so nj_flyer could check on his standby status. He found a smoking room, so we went in there for a bit, then received a call from AnnaS, who was in the Admirals Club, a quick 100 feet away. She let us in as guests, and we talked for a bit. I had to go catch my flight, so I walked out, and saw avek00 trying to get entry with his assorted elite cards. I told him he could replace me as Anna's guest. I got to the gate, just as they were calling for pre-boarding.

US389 YYZ-PIT First Class
I hopped onboard and settled into 3D and ordered a Vodka and cranberry juice. My seatmate was a Canadian businessman who usually flies AC, but some DL and US as well, depending on where he's headed. He has no status with US, but was op-upgraded since the flight was full and he showed kindness to the gate agents. I had a nice conversation with him throughout the flight, and recommended that he take a look at Flyertalk. There was some bad weather over the lake, so our departure was delayed about 15 minutes, so we got to sit on the tarmac and watch the Air Canada and KLM heavies land. We finally took off and headed south to Pittsburgh. I had another double vodka tonic once we were airborne, and raided the snack basket for Milanos and cashews. The snack basket is one of the great things about flying US Airways shorthaul first class. We landed in PIT about 20 minutes late and then taxiied back to State College before parking midway through the B terminal.

I only had a 50 minute connection, so I had to OJ it over to the A concourse, where my flight to Philly was waiting and in the middle of coach boarding.

US1119 PIT-PHL First Class
I settled into 1D and ordered a vodka and cranberry juice, but they didn't load the liquor kit, so I waited about 10 minutes, while the FA kept apologizing. We had a long taxi and then a short takeoff and turned towards PHL. Once we were airborne, the snack basket was once again offered, and another drink order was taken. Since I needed to drive home from PHL, I switched to coke for the rest of the flight. The plane was continuing on to PBI, and the lady across from me was concerned what kind of food would be on the next segment. The FA was unsure, but I assured her that she would at least receive a sandwich or the cold chicken on a 3 hour flight in F. We landed in Philly about 10 minutes early, but as is typical to Philly, sat in traffic for 25 minutes. I commented to the FA "Welcome to Philadelphia: where 10 minute early means 15 minutes late." She got a big kick out of that one. We finally pulled up to the most remote gate in the B concourse and we deplaned.

I grabbed my bags from the overhead and headed out to baggage claim to call the shuttle to the parking lot. They arrived promptly and dropped me off right at my car. 95 was empty, so I made it home in 28 minutes. The end.