Originally Posted by
Xeno
My confusion is finding myself in tighter connections, especially at ATL, than some who post they got a Porsche ride.
I am 2.5+ MM, charter DM, etc., but never get the Porsche so my default setting is no ride regardless of how tight. I usually ride FC/D1 either paid or with certificates.
I remember one time I tried to run up that tall escalator at E. That did not go well with tired legs as two pilots called out and asked if I needed medical attention. That image hit me early this morning when accepting alternative flights I fought to avoid.
What is confusing about it? It is not advertised as a "tight connection" service, it is presented as a "surprise and delight" service.
I just had my 6th two weeks ago at SEA. Seattle must be the easiest place in the system to get one. I have had 5 there now, and one at LAX. Given that 70% of my connections are in SLC, and many of them are tight, it would seem that my odds would be much higher - but apparently they only have one Porsche there, so it's even more rare at SLC than at other hubs. My driver in Seattle this last time said that they do "8-11 of these per day, depending on the number of Diamonds flying through and how lunchtimes align with flight schedules".
Now think about Atlanta. How many Porsches do they have - half a dozen? How many DMs fly through there on a given day? Or even multi-MM? Or even multi-MMs on tight connections? Can you imagine the traffic jams on the aprons if they tried to accommodate all of them?
The best part about "surprise and delight" (in my opinion) is that you *can't* count on it. Even when it sucks. A few months ago I was flying PDX-LAX-somewhere (honestly can't remember. It was domestic though). My flight out of PDX was delayed due to de-icing. They parked us at a bus gate at LAX directly behind my outgoing plane at gate 24. That flight had already been boarding for 10 minutes by the time they opened our door, so I was relieved to see a Porsche waiting near the bus. Unfortunately, it wasn't my name on the tablet, so I had to board the bus, wait to be driven around to 25 and get over to gate 24 in time to watch them close the door and walk away. Spent a lovely 3 hours in the Sky Club waiting for my rescheduled flight. It happens.