The M60 bus came after a few minutes and I was able to find a seat and rest a bit on the ride over, the trip seemed faster than the Q33 and I would recommend it for a pretty quick way to and from the airport. Sitting next to me was a US airline employee obviously running late for a personal flight. She kept having cell phone conversations with her boy friend with phrases like (“Are they boarding?”, “Tell them I am almost there and see if you can fill out the jumpseat form for me”, and “What do you meant there is someone with more seniority that is getting the jumpseat instead of me?”).

Eventually we got to the main terminal and I went to the RCC. I was pleasantly surprised when I asked if the bar was open and was told that not only was it open but that they thought it was free on Saturdays. Then they decided that they weren’t sure, but I should ask.

I headed over to the bar and ordered a Jack and diet Coke. I was then informed that they only serve beer and white wine on Saturdays. OK lessee. . .I can imagine what the white wine would be like. . .so I look at the beer taps. They must think of themselves as pretty cosmopolitan because I see that they are serving both kinds of beer (Bud and Bud Light). I just say “Thanks, anyway” and get a cup of ice water.

I decide to finish off the half sandwich left in my bag - although I am a bit concerned about losing my appetite for dinner. I do some quick calculations and determine that I will be able to eat by the time I get served my first class dinner (for those of you less worldly with literary devices – this is foreshadowing).

I charge my iPod for a bit and check in with TravelKhatt, who seems to finally be getting out of bed. It makes me realize just how exausted I am.

With about 45 minutes until my flight, I head out of the RCC, cross security and get to my gate.

12/11/04 UA 245 LGA-DEN 5D
I take my seat and am soon joined by a gentleman who is interested in my airport diagrams. Turns out he is a student pilot. He has even brought along his Garmin aeronautical GPS – kind of like the streetpilot, but it shows VOR’s, rate of climb, restricted airspace, etc, etc.

Finally we climb to cruising altitude and the FA’s begin serving. It seemed to take forever for them to deliver the cups of nuts and take drink orders. . . 4 more rows. . . my eyelids are getting very heavy and I continually catch myself falling asleep. . . 3 more rows . . . I was going to mention to my seat mate to wake me for drink and meal service, but he was already asleep. . . 2 more rows. . . .

I wake up to see the cart delivering dinners to the second row. I look around - lots of empty drink glasses around us and a cup of nuts next to me. They are cold. I must have been out for more than a few minutes. Drat.

By the time they get to me I don’t even get a choice of salad dressing, let alone entrée. Apparently it was a choice of some sort of chicken that looked tasty or the fish abomination. I enquire about getting a meal from coach. They say it is supposed to be BOB but they will let me have it for free. Until they discover that they have sold out. I was ready to cry. They have me try the fish anyway and it was quite bad – dry with a nasty crust.

I tried not to let my disappointment show too much as I quickly realized:

1) There was nothing else that could be done.
2) The crew was trying their best to accommodate me.
3) It was my own fault.
4) I was probably more cranky from lack of sleep than disappointed about dinner.

I had a chocolate chip cookie for dessert and was given a second one upon request after they finished serving dessert.

Afterwards I did some catching up on my sleep.

Soon we were landing in DEN.

I made a quick pit stop at the West RCC and then moved on to my gate, which very soon began boarding.

12/11/04 UA 505 DEN-OAK 2D
I’ve always heard complaints about the F cabin in a 737, and so was not expecting much. However I was pleasantly surprised by the purser who was wonderful. He always brought me a fresh cocktail when mine was empty without any prompting or needing to remind him what I was drinking. I had enquired about food service, and he was apologetic when he explained that it was just a fruit and cheese plate. But when he served me he mentioned that they had extras onboard and when I finished my plate he was there with a second asking me if I would like it. I understand that none of this is particularly heroic, but he made me feel appreciated as a customer.

I dozed a bit, and finally we were landing in OAK. I followed along on my airport diagram as we taxied to the gate. Then the door opened and I sped to the bus stop to catch the parking lot shuttle bus. The driver and one other passenger had a good laugh hearing about my trip.

Three more weeks and I’ll be 1P - but first I'll need some sleep.