This is my first trip report, as it’s the first time something interesting has happened.

SAT 19APR2003
DL1745
LGA-DCA
Aircraft: N221DL Boeing 737-35B
Seat: 8F (Open Seating)
Scheduled Departure: 8:30 am
Actual Departure: 8:31 am
Scheduled Arrival: 9:41 am
Actual Arrival: 9:43 am

Arrived at the Marine Air Terminal very early as there was no traffic, and wound up being one of the first to check in for the 8:30 departure. Cleared security very quickly and made my way to the gate area which wasn't that crowded. Around 8:00 am the flight boarded and by 8:30 we were ready to go. After a rather lengthy in duration taxi we took off on Runway 13 and made several quick turns on departure before heading south for Reagan National. The flight was short, and due to the thirty minute rule no one was allowed to get up for the duration of the flight. In-flight service was a snack and beverage and within 30 minutes we were descending into a cloudy Washington, DC. We cleared the clouds on final and touched down at DCA right on time.

After a brief jaunt into the city and a horrendous line at the International Spy Museum it was back on the METRO for Reagan National.

SAT 19APR2003
US2676
DCA-LGA
Aircraft: Airbus A319
Seat: 4E
Scheduled Departure: 3:00 pm
Actual Departure: 2:58 pm
Scheduled Arrival: 4:04 pm
Actual Arrival: 4:04 pm

Got to the Delta counter very early for our scheduled 2:30 flight (DL1756) and checked in with no problem. Made it through security quickly as there was no line. Spent about thirty minutes at the Crown Room in DCA which has a very nice view of Washington. Got down to the gate around 2:00 pm when an announcement was made that the First Officer had slipped during the walk around and would likely be unable to work this flight. About five minutes later the flight was cancelled and re-booking was offered on either the 3:00 pm USAir Shuttle or the 4:30 pm Delta Shuttle. At this point it was 2:20 and there had to be at least fifty in line for the USAir re-booking, so we headed over to the Crown Room to get re-booked. By 2:30 we were on our way down to USAir where our boarding passes were issued. However since all of these re-bookings were seen as last minute transactions all of the passengers of the Delta flight were selectees. By the time I boarded the line for gate rape was at least 8 people long, plus those already being 'screened'. By this time I think the GA realized and started to just board the re-accommodated DL passengers and I was able to once again avoid the gate screening. I then proceeded to board and had to wait for the lead F/A to arbitrate several seat disputes before reaching my seat. (Keep in mind this is a 30 minute flight, why are seat assignments so important?) By 3:00 we pushed back and taxied out and we were airborne by 3:10. We landed early at LGA but had to wait for our gate to free up. After disembarking, I made my way to the Shuttle Bus which was surprising and I got to the Marine Air Terminal in near record time for a bus. Overall I wound up leaving LGA just 50 minutes later than originally planned.

A thank you to the Delta staff for handling this situation so quickly and professionally. I find it amazing that not only did they volunteer to re-book everyone on USAir, they got what seemed to me to be everyone on a flight that was scheduled to leave just 30 minutes later than the scheduled DL flight.

[This message has been edited by NHFL9 (edited 04-19-2003).]