Finally the big day has arrived. I got up early for a quick shower and the DW drove me to CLT. Being Sunday morning the traffic was light and we arrived 70 minutes after leaving home The check-in showed signs of bedlam but by the time I walked to the E terminal things had quieted down.





Because there were no seats showing as available I wanted to arrive at the gate early, just in case the needed someone to volunteer for a later flight. After all, with an 0855 departure with a 1835 departure out of PHL, it made perfect sense to hang out in CLT for a while, if the price was right. When I arrived at the gate I asked the GA and she right away said there was a distinct possibility that she would need someone and asked me to wait. The flight boarded and at the last second she told me my seat wasn’t needed, so I boarded. Just as I started to buckle in the same GA was standing by my seat and asked if I was still interested in taking a later flight. BINGO! A $275 voucher! Good start to the trip.

Leaving the gate I decided to head to the USO lounge for a quick visit. The USO in CLT is right over the food court, where I am told the old BA lounge used to be located. I entered and as usually happens I was warmly greeted and grabbed a quick bite to eat.






From there I made my way to the US Club located between the B and C.



The far end of the club has a lot of windows which makes it perfect for plane spotting.



Like most domestic lounges the offerings are pretty Spartan, but It sure beats sitting at the gate.



After a couple of hours hanging out in CLT I made my way to gate C17. I was standby for that flight and when I checked in I discovered I had a seat on that flight. 12B. Oh well, for an 80 minute flight I can sit in the middle. I boarded the A319 and was greeted, well actually ignored by a flight attendant who seemed quite interested in something happening on her fingernails.


The rest of the FAs were OK and we had an uneventful flight to PHL.