MRY-SFO-LAX United p.s. Business
Well all good things must come to an end! Was a lovely trip and on the home stretch. Spent a few nights around my family in Monterey Bay/Salinas Valley.
Traveling out of Monterey makes for quite the easy start of a trip. Pretty much can show up an hour early, have a drink or a bite in the restaurant/bar…and pretty much when the incoming plane lands they make an announcement for that plane's passengers to make their way through security and the gate. They also have an outside viewing platform (not going to see a whole lot aside from EMB Brasilia, CRJ200s, private jets & now and then something bigger from Allegiant).
Boarding (even groups 1-5) was on time and pulled out but we were put in a 6 minute hold before our 20 minute flight to San Francisco due to some traffic up there at SFO.
United Express for the time being is out of Terminal 1 whereas the rest of UA is in Terminal 3. So it's a shuttle bus type adventure. Wasn't so bad coming in (seeing the lines trying to get out there were maybe 40-50 deep in some cases…on 15 passenger buses)…but if you were ending in SFO you still have to go to T3 to get your bags. Same thing if you were checking in at SFO and started with a UAx flight you would do that at T3 then have to transfer to T1.
Can't say much was going on in the UC that people aren't aware of. Spent most the time watching CNN about the MH flight and convincing the bartender that YES I understand and am fine to pay $7 for a Tito's and soda vs. the house booze. Also got to meet up and chat for a bit with my first FT'er!
The p.s. flights out of T3 are in the E concourse with the clubs being in F & G (INTL)…but not a far walk or hard to get to. I believe that here in E in the 60s gates it is the new updated and redesigned concourse which has a modern/spacey feel.
As I was waiting to board and get into Group 1 I noticed that the mobile app seat map was still showing lots of space, the sign also said 15 of 28 checked in. According to the map I was one of the few people sitting next to someone and the 2 seats in the row across from me were opened. I asked the GA if I could go over to that aisle and hoping nothing would get filled.
We boarded and were presented menus and drinks. Had a really fun, light hearted crew who seemed to be in all around good spirits. The purser did keep making comments about this flight having some empty seats and that E+ is reserved for those who pay for it…he then went on saying something along the lines of well this is a United flight and you know we are always full so take a pic and tweet it and send it to your friends if they don't believe you had an empty seat next to you.
Doors closed! Hoped over and took the window seat! Something I rarely ever get because I hate having to make someone get up for me or crawl over them as on a TCON I can get up and pee 4-5x. I would rather get up for them as I'm not bothered by it…same goes for TATL if it's on the 757 with 2-2…when I take a wide body I usually then always take the 1 in 2-1-2.
I enjoy the Philosophy products in the amenity kits and lavs on INTNL flights so it is nice to see them on the p.s. ones as well. No kit but they bring around individual packs of tooth brush, ear plugs, eye shade.
Only 15 people were in Business, very attentive service & makes me think everyone got their first choice. I was surprised there was a decent amount (and good) prosciutto. The spice rubbed chicken actually had some spice/kick to it and I really liked the pickled cabbage.
The snack basket was brought around as we were making our approach and told to bring everything upright (most of the cabin was passed out after the meal until then).
Lovely little glitch surprise to wake up to just after midnight when you are touching down in NY.
The late night p.s. flights come in when the Cathay Pacific flight is about to head to Hong Kong so you get off and you make your way through that and then to the baggage dungeon.
In about a month's time I'll have a trip taking me down from New York to New Orleans and Washington DC.