As far as my Thanksgiving travel went, My family and I always fly Alaska Airlines nonstop and earn NW WorldPerks miles. However, I am only Preferred with NW (25% mile bonus) and achieved UA Premier Executive this year (100% bonus) so we went the inconvenient way for more miles. I flew SEA-LAX-PHX and returned PHX-DEN-SEA all on UA. The 737 first leg to LAX was packed to capacity and UA was looking for 5 volunteers to take a later flight. Normally, my wife and I travel with just carry-on luggage and would have taken this opportunity but on this flight, we were with our baby and checked in about 5 tons of luggage. We has bulkhead coach seating so we opted to sit tight. Lunch was a pasta salad that looked nice but had as much flavor as one would expect from a meal in a nursing home.

Layover was a brief 30 minutes; just enough time to walk between terminals. LAX-PHX was a very short 737 UA Shuttle flight that was full except for a few middle seats. Again, bulkhead seating and an on-time arrival.

PHX-DEN yet another UA Shuttle 737 filled to capacity. I always seem to get stuck in the middle during maximum capacity flights as my wife prefers the window for privacy when feeding the baby. This is hard to get accustomed to as I tend to get upgraded when flying alone or at least have a window or aisle with an empty middle when by myself. This time was the worst, I was seated next to a man that chose not to wear deodorant. Thankfully, this flight was under 90 minutes as I was dying. Probably the most uncomfortable flight I have taken this year. The last leg from DEN-SEA was on a DC-10 that was only half full. Even though we had bulkhead, we moved to an empty row of 5 center area seats after takeoff so we could lay the baby down for a nap. After a weekend of turkey leftovers, what do we get for lunch...turkey sandwiches...ugh! Still, 100% better than the hamburger UA served me on their 777 between DEN-ORD last month. Landed in SEA on-time, claimed luggage only to find the strap that holds down the handle on the rolling bag ripped away. Filled out paperwork and UA will cover the cost or issure a travel credit voucher for the repair plus $50.

Final note: My baby is 7 months old and has been on 20 flight segments already! He has only cried on one flight (YYC-SEA) due to a quick descent and ear pressure. We always dress him in an outfit that has planes on it when he flies and people love it. Two people have taken pictures of our little cutie.