I'm off to Denver to attend a couple of meetings, one on February the 5th and the other on the 8th. But instead of flying home for the weekend, I'll be staying to see my Colorado based daughter where we plan to ski at Copper Mountain and watch the 2021 edition of the NFL Super Bowl.
When I originally booked, I booked a double connection through ORD to earn a few extra miles to achieve my next tier of United Lifetime Status. Yes I am that close! But When United sent me a notice of severe weather in Chicago, I quickly changed that run to another day. So instead of BFL-SFO-ORD-DEN I'm now BFL-SFO-DEN. And it turned out to be the right decision as ATC slowed inbounds.
Morning of Departure.
Up the dark and chilly 36 degree Central Valley Highway through the never ending CA 99-58 interchange construction.
To the Sequoia National Park exit.
And then a right on Merle Haggard Drive to Meadows Field - BFL.
Where I saw a few more PAX cars than my recent flights.
Once inside I didn't get to make the left to the security gate.
But instead a right - to an empty United counter where I had to check my bag.
With no one in line, United had my luggage tagged in a few minutes. I then rolled it over to screening.
I really despise checking bags but with all my bulky ski clothes and Mrs. Glasman's trinkets for our daughter - I had no choice.
I was through security in a little over 10 minutes as a family was clogging the flow due to their unapproved food items. TSA agents were also slowing things down by repeating the new Federal "you must wear a face mask at all times" mandate.
Then to a familiar Gate 5.
February 4, 2021
Flight 5325 CRJ 200 (Yuck) Seat 8B.
6:30AM - 7:48AM Skewed
6:21AM - 7:22AM Actual
When someone booked or moved to 1A, I waited to board last and changed my seat to 8B in an empty Exit Row - where the leg room isn't much better.
Captain John announced that our flight time would be 32 minutes wheels up to wheels down - and he then recited the new Federal mask mandate.
Another beautiful decent into SFO - bad photos through a heavily scratched and dirty window.
We landed 26 minutes early and a few minutes later we pulled into Gate E2. United's newer Concourse.
As the Centurion Lounge doesn't open until 8AM and since we were already in E Gates, I headed over to the United Club in E concourse for a coffee.
Or so I thought.
So I made the trek over to the United Club in Concourse F.
Where Clear has a sales kiosk set up for signing up new members.
I grabbed a cup of coffee from the bartender, made a couple of work calls then went to look at the food offerings as I heard the Club now has hot food.
I couldn't find anything hot, but did find Cage-Free Hard Boiled Eggs. They looked caged to me in those plastic containers.
.....and then I found it! A 580 calorie Block and Barrel sausage and cheese biscuit. I didn't try it thinking its the same as United's onboard Blue Label sandwich product. I Instead headed to the Centurion Lounge for breakfast.
Empty Terminal - because....
Everyone was in line to get into the Centurion Lounge.
Once in, cleared and seated I reviewed the menu.
Then went up to order, where to my surprise a lounge associate brought it to my table.
After a satisfying meal, at T-20 I made the trek over to Gate E11 passing the main security checkpoint - which had 5 of 7 lanes open and busy.
Since United lets First Class PAX board at anytime, I delayed boarding and enjoyed the SFO sunshine which was reflecting off the terminal windows.
Flight 320, SFO- DEN 737-800 Seat 1B.
Gate E11
10:51AM - 2:29PM Skewed
10:40AM - 1:59PM Actual
I made my way to the Gate, scanned my PB and headed down the jet bridge and was greeted by my seat mate.
I thought United banned all dogs?? This must be a service one.
Once in the air, our Pursuer Jill and her team started their service - well when they could, as we kept hitting significant turbulence and the Captain kept requesting the FA’s to take their seats - but once continued, service was limited and the offerings were the same - a Blue Label sandwich or a snack box. I took them both.
But only for the photo.
The insides. Sorry!
Seatmate finally fell asleep. He wouldn't even eat the Blue Label sandwich.
After an uneventful but bumpy flight we landed 30 minutes early and taxied to Gate B43 right in the center of the Concourse where we disembarked by row to an empty terminal.
Since I had the time before my daughter was to pick me up, I walked down to the new B Gates on the West of the concourse to check out the new Gates and the advertised outdoor patio.
Very European.
All signage is electronic.
To the patio.
End of Concourse looking at the Rockies.
Seating for 16 (in good times), no smoking. Looks like a future bar will be opening.
Deicers lined up and ready for the next cold spell.
Fire pits to stay a little warm on those chilly Colorado days.
After seeing what I liked (Well done United and DIA), I headed to baggage claim - passing by Elway's. One of my favorite domestic restaurants when traveling through.
Yikes, Not much distancing here.
After collecting my bag, I met my daughter for the easy ride down the I25 to Park Meadows for an early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.
Her Favorite.
Still to come - a weekend of skiing and the new DIA Centurion Lounge.