Part 4 – 5th/6th August 2011 - New York to Paris via Zurich
After getting my stuff together back at the hotel after an awesome day, I was going to do something I had not done before in New York when leaving. Get the Train to the airport after being told it was extremely easy and cheap. $12 was meant to be the cost (worked out at $11.25) and should have been easy. But things did not go to plan from the Start. I figured rather than walk the 5 blocks dragging a heavy suitcase I would jump in a cab.
Unfortunately the porter at the hotel would not get me a cab. So I walked up to Port Authority Bus Terminal and their cab rank about a block and a bit up, and jumped in what was a long line. But the thing is there was about 30 taxi’s waiting and yet the ladies at the front were just not moving, I mean ...! Hell once the line started moving it stopped again while an old lady just stood there, I told her to take the next taxi its waiting there or I am going to.
She didn’t move, so I did and jumped the queue by about 5 people. I was kind of in a bit of a hurry as I was running a bit behind schedule. With that I was now in a cab heading to Penn Station, but at the end of the block, we stopped, for 5 mins. And this was to be the longest/Shortest taxi ride I have had in new york. I should of just walked. I was mega frustrated and then to add insult to injury the taxi driver tried to rip me off. I handed him a $20, told him to make it $11 change and we will make it even (fare was $7). Sounded good to me at the time, cept he decided to keep some of the money and gave me $9. ...! I told him off, made him give me the extra money, told him to .... off and jumped out.
TV in the Back of a Cab by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Into the station I went (after being dropped off at the wrong side of the station) and went in search of a vending machine to get my metrocard topped off. None of the machines would let me do anything or even sell me a ticket, so I jumped in the growing ticket queue. Which had people moving slower than a snail. The time for my train was fast approaching, and then the lady behind the window told me she couldn’t top up my card, so I said fine, sell me a new ticket (there was like $1 on the metro card so couldn’t be bothered). No she told me. WHAT THE ..... Why is everything getting so stupid all of a sudden.
My blood was boiling by this stage and I was pissed off. So I told her to just shove it and went in search of another ticket machine, one that would sell me a ticket. Some idiot at the vending machine jumped in line ahead of me and mouthed off at me. Whatever. I got my ticket then tried to find the next train to Jamaica Station, unfortunately this is almost impossible at Penn Station it seems as no where has any information. So I asked a cop who was nice enough to tell me any train really and that the next train was Platform 20. So down I carried my case.
When I got down there, there was not a person in sight, not even a soul. This didn’t seem right. Then I saw a sign “Do not Board”. Why is it so hard!!! I dragged my case back up the steps to the waiting area as a crowd of people started flocking another platform and an announcement was made that the next train to depart would be from Platform 16. So off I went.
When I got onboard it was already packed. I found an out of the way place to put my case which was convientiently right infront of a free seat (albeit with a ladies bag on the seat). After a 4-5 minute wait and the lady not moving her bag I asked her if she could move her bag so I could sit. She grumpily said “Fine” and moved it. I mean ...! I was so over it all at this stage, just wanted to get to the airport, get to the lounge and chill.
Riding the LIRR to the Airport by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Jamaica Air Train Station by
Kaell116, on Flickr
The train ride was pretty uneventful, a lovely gentleman helped me get off at the right station, making sure that I was all good as I must of looked frustrated or stupid (probably the latter) and I was soon on the AirTrain from Jamaica to the terminal. I got an SMS from a flyertalker, due to transit through JFK and this brightened my mood. I could tick that challenge off my list and relax and chat at the same time.
Riding the Airtrain by
Kaell116, on Flickr
JFK by
Kaell116, on Flickr
JFK by
Kaell116, on Flickr
American Boeing 777 by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Lufthansa A380 at JFK by
Kaell116, on Flickr
The Delta Terminal at JFK by
Kaell116, on Flickr
With that I checked in, found somewhere to sit and relax and waited for CMK10 to arrive which he shortly thereafter did. We attempted to try and get into the lounge which turned out to be before security but they wouldn’t let both of us in, just me. So we sat at a bar and had a quick drink and a good chat. Then they started calling people to the gate through security.
Swiss Business Class Check In by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Swiss Check In by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Star Alliance by
Kaell116, on Flickr
JFK Terminal 4 by
Kaell116, on Flickr
JFK Terminal 4 Construction & Caribbean Airlines by
Kaell116, on Flickr
JFK Terminal 4 by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Me & A fellow Flyertalker at the Swiss Airlines Lounge by
Kaell116, on Flickr
This was almost 2 hours prior to departure… WHAT! So I ran up to the lounge to make sure this was ok, but they said not to worry and to relax and they will let me know when. But I had other plans anyway. Grabbed a quick drink, cleared out the facebook messages backing up for my birthday and a few quick spotting photos before heading down to security to get through and get some Euro currency.
JFK Terminal 4 - Virgin America & Swiss by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Swiss Airlines Lounge at JFK by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Swiss Airlines Lounge at JFK by
Kaell116, on Flickr
Swiss Airlines Lounge at JFK by
Kaell116, on Flickr