LHR to JFK AA 777 part 2

Did the usual video thing. They have the rounds of CBS programming. Not much on the BBC channel, sadly.

First, drink service, then a top off service of drinks. Fairly professional and the male crew member who served me, from Latin America, was very nice. He would give me empty cups of ice for my Malverns/Perriers and an orange juice with ice.

Then dinner. Again, I like AA's dinners. This was the first real food I had all day. No, I don't count the chicken sandwhich and it was icky.

Choice was chicken or salmon, I took the chicken, but tough choice. Standard small AA salad, roll, butter, but finally, a chocolate dessert. Kind of like a little cake with some pudding, but all chocolate. Finally! I usually have to BYOB/C .

I liked the dessert so much that I asked him for an extra one, he brought me 2. Oh if I had those SOS coupons, thank you.

Dinner clean up, another round of drinks, plus consumed my goodies.

Worked on the Business Traveller and the Financial Times.

We are coming over to Newfoundland, and now back in the Americas. Not many lights here below, then further down over Prince Edward Island tons of lights, and then over Moncton in New Brunswick, a good design. Oh Canada!

Into Maine and more lights, as we go down the coast. The flight was more lively than the other flights. I usually take the 8pm to NY, but it doesn't go on Saturday, so took the 1830, and was grateful I did, I don't mind getting into NY earlier. People were up and talking, moving about, kind of like a party. Lot's of Portugese. Guess I may have to learn
Portugese. They served us a little pizza. It was ok.

Down the East Coast and we had the best view of Boston, better than I have ever seen. You could see Logan Airport and the entire Boston area layout, been awhile for me. I had considered flying back via Boston, an option, but before I had left they had some nasty weather which made me a bit concerned. It would be something different.

Down the coast to RI, hi Denise , Conn, and out to Long Island. We flew down Long Island, could see Manhattan in the distance, with a few planes heading northbound. I am coming in earlier than usual so now there is more activity.

They did the announcements for arrival, final WC visit, filled out the US customs card, and sorted everything out as I had to quickly put things into my bags and take things out, like toiletries, between customs and the TSA. Again, this was a bit easier as it was earlier.

They forgot to put out the cart of drinks in the back, he gave some excuse. I mostly would have appreciated the ice. They also forgot to show the JFK arrival video, might be good for first timers to AA at JFK.

Flaps, dentist's drill, descend. There was a cool white light dangling over Manhattan, I will call it a UFO, call it whatever you want, it was big.

In November when we came in the lights of Long Island flickered, it was great, but not windy so not as much this time.

Flew over a small airport, guessing Islip/Long Island, my bro has been there, not me,
some mini malls, ah, we are in America , and touch down at JFK, landing parallel to the cargo areas, reverse and slow.

Taxi to the terminal. I can see the welcome to the USA sign at the IAB tower.

Love it! We wait for a minute and then make final shutdown. I get to turn my cell phones on, or so I think.

I get out the one cell, the right cell,and set it up for the Best Western, a Hotwire special.
Have the info available.

I wave goodbye and the cute, friendly attendant up front catches me grabbing a Business Class amenity kit and a menu, yes, already collecting things for the guy in Paris.
She says ah, that is what you have, we both laugh, and wish her my best.

Oh and I grabbed the aircraft reg. # from the rear wall.

Into the jetway and down the long, winding, annoying corridors leading to customs. The place is old, dirity, and down, but they are building a wonderful new terminal. Oh I can't wait til it is finished. I read the Finnair signs in Finnish, Tervetuloa, means Welcome.

Even with leaving things behind, my bags are heavy and they are numbing my fingers. I could use a cart. Up an escalator, down an escalator, then into the customs hall.

No pics or fingerprinting for us. Probably not for many else as most are UK/EU citizens.

Not too long of a wait. I like the guy to my right and I go for him. My hunch is right, he is cool. I have to reach in and get my pasport and landing card. " I would think you would be ready for me and have everything out, wanting to get out of here as fast as you can. "
I laugh. He swipes the passport into the computer, I am cleared, stamps the passport, stamps the US card, I am ok for customs. No secondary check and I rejoice. If they stamp it and he signs it, means, usually, you are good to go. If they put a # on there, it is fun time.

In the past even when the officer upstairs has directed me to secondary, for whatever reason, officers downstairs have waved me on. Must be that innocent look.

"Malibu?" with a twinge of resentment. Yes!! then he says ciao
I like that. He is cool.

Downstairs to bag claim and the bags are already on the floor.

Now you get to pay for a cart which is pretty chinsy. I had saved US $ for it but instead can use my card. I am certain last time was cash only.

I get the cart, load the bags, hand the customs card to the officer who waves me along, they are pretty friendly here. Some guy has a box of alcohol and they are inspecting closely on one of the tables.

Out to the exit but not yet to TSA. A whole bunch of junk ( thank you) goes in, toiletries and my schoogi bag, with an Orangina from Paris, comes out, but still too heavy.

I hand the bags to TSA willing to give the cart, but I get to keep it. My bags go swoosh into the big machine, he wishes me a good flight. (yeah buddy, not for almost 24 hours, good they don't know that)

Out to the landside and I go to the side and I call the Best Western. Last time I was here they were testing the monorail. Now it is up and running. As with Newark, you now go over to the monorail to a hotel shuttle pick up point, ICK Actually works well with the IAB, but with AA is a pain.

To celebrate being back in America I go to Nathan's hot dogs and buy 3: chili, chili with cheese, and plain. ah, they are ok, but have had better. With jetlag and the Best Western, want some food handy, and not just chocolate.

On with the jacket and drag cart to some unkwown direction to the monorail. It is a bit nippy but nothing like London.

Up the elevator, onto the train, to Federal Circle, not a bad view of the planes and cargo areas. Down and to the black shuttle waiting for me.

Last time I did Hotwire I had the Hampton Inn, a very clean and modern, new hotel. With Hotwire and Priceline, you don't know til you have bought it what you are getting. Sorry to sound like a snob but I wasn't looking forward to the Best Western.

It is a dump, it is doable, but a dump. I go check in, I ask for a high floor, she gives me 2, ok. I go up to my room and
I have made it.