October 04, 2006
EWR-FLL 3:40p – 6:30p USA 3000 A320-200 N261AV Economy Class

I arrived at USA 3000’s counter in Terminal B at 2:00pm. After checking in, I figured there’d be plenty of time for a lounge visit prior to my flight. Check in was efficiently handled, though I found it interesting that no computers were involved in the process. First my name was matched against a list, and then checked off. Next I was asked what kind of seating I’d like. Window, please. Do you have any exit row seats available? The agent went off to check and returned a couple of minutes later with a pale blue boarding pass printed on card stock. My name, flight number and destination had been typed onto the card, though my seat and gate number had been written in. Seat 11F. Exit row window. Yes! An old-fashioned orange colored baggage tag imprinted FLL was attached to my backpack and I was given directions to the appropriate concourse. So far, so good.

One of the USA 3000 employees caught my eye, though. He was in uniform and standing behind a counter with this dreamy kind of smile on his face. He’d look around, smile, and look around some more. Then he’d smile again. He looked to be in his own little world. I think he was high on something. He sure didn’t appear to be of any use to his fellow agents.

Both Northwest and Delta have lounges in Terminal B. Unfortunately, they’re past security on different concourses than the one USA 3000 operates from. Not wanting to deal with the hassle of having to clear security twice, I headed on down to the gate, read for awhile and then watched as USA 3000’s red, white and blue Airbus A320 was towed to the gate. Flanking the A320 was an El Al 777 and an Alitalia 767-300.

I bought my one way ticket off the USA 3000 website for just $66.00 before taxes. Service on board was simple but efficient. We got a pass with the beverage cart and a bag of snack mix. A brochure onboard claimed that Conde Nast Traveler Magazine had rated USA 3000 among the top four US airlines for domestic service. The top four? I guess that sounds better than fourth best. For this trip at least I’d rate them number one in terms of value for dollar spent. The plane was clean, the service was simple and friendly, and we landed on time. All for a bit less than I’d have paid had I flown on one of the legacy carriers. Well done, USA 3000.

My next flight was scheduled to depart tomorrow morning from Miami International. Two options exist for transport between FLL and MIA. The first and more expensive choice is to take a shuttle van for the flat rate of $20.00. Total time enroute is about 30-40 minutes.
The second option involved using the local transit system. An airporter type bus takes you straight to the Ft. Lauderdale Airport Tri-Rail station. From there, it’s a 30-minute train ride to the Miami Airport Station where a waiting bus takes you straight to MIA. Total travel time from FLL to MIA: One hour and twenty minutes. Total cost: $3.00.


October 05, 2006
MIA-SEA 8:10a – 11:31a ALASKA 737-800 N556AS Economy Class
SEA-ANC 3:55p - 6:45p ALASKA DC-9-80 NXXXAS Economy Class
ANC-FAI 7:43p - 8:32p ALASKA 737-200 NXXXAS Economy Class

Alaska Airlines flights depart from MIA’s E Concourse. Getting to the gates requires a train ride followed by a security check. Interesting that one wouldn’t have to pass through security before getting on the train. Anyway, I took advantage of the newly changed security regulations and purchased a large cup of whatever Starbucks had on tap that morning. I really wish Starbucks would have a separate line for those of us that simply want a regular cup of coffee. Having to stand in line for five minutes while the staff prepares endless foo foo coffee drinks is irksome.

Earlier this summer Alaska Airlines instituted a new boarding process designed to allow easier and faster boarding for First Class and MVP Gold passengers. During the three times I’ve flown recently flown out of Miami, the gate agents seem either unwilling or unable to implement this system and so boarding remains as it always has been – a free for all mob scene. To be honest, I’ve never been impressed by any of Alaska’s ground operations in Miami. From the check-in counter to the departure gate, the process is not handled with anywhere near the professionalism and aplomb exhibited at Alaska’s stations in the west. Do the staff in Miami simply not care or are they poorly managed or both?

Thankfully, the cabin crew was not from Miami. Once on board, we quickly returned to the friendly and capable service for which Alaska is known. The captain welcomed us aboard, apologized for the short delay in our departure and promised a speedy flight. Thanks to light 20mph headwinds, we’d cover the 2,720 miles up to Seattle in just five hours and forty-five minutes.

At a time when most airlines no longer offer their coach passengers complimentary inflight meals, even on transcons, Alaska offered us a hot ham, egg and cheese bagel sandwich accompanied by a tub of yogurt. Later in the flight, pre-packaged cookies were passed out. Thus fortified, I pulled out the laptop and brought this report up to date. We landed in Seattle ten minutes early, due in no small part to our straight in approach from the south instead of the more time consuming northern loop over Bothell.

With a four-hour layover until my connecting flight to Anchorage, I hopped on the southbound 174 bus for a five-minute ride to 188th Street where lunch at Dave’s Diner awaited. I discovered this great diner a couple of years ago during an overnight stay at the airport and both the food and the ambience is right up my alley. It’s worth noting here that I could have caught an earlier flight up to Anchorage but the later flight included an MD-80 up to Anchorage connecting to a 737-200 into Fairbanks. These aircraft aren’t long for Alaska’s fleet and I’d like to log as many miles on them as I can before they’re gone for good.

Back at SeaTac, I obediently showed up at gate C-18 twenty minutes in advance of the scheduled departure time of 3:55pm. A mechanical delay had just been announced, with the promise of an update in ten minutes. Unfortunately, the delay turned out to be considerably longer and once it became clear I wouldn’t make my connecting flight in Anchorage, I began to investigate other options. Alaska wanted to switch me to a flight getting in well past midnight but I managed to talk them into allowing me to overnight in Seattle (Thanks to Priceline for a $35.00 bid on a local hotel) and depart for Fairbanks at a more civilized hour the next morning.


October 05, 2006
SEA-ANC-FAI 10:20a – 2:26p ALASKA 737-400 N795AS Economy Class

The aircraft for this morning’s flight was a 737-400, the two hundred and fifty second of that type that I’ve flown in Alaska’s colors. Total mileage I’ve logged solely aboard Alaska’s 737-400s so far: 216,240 miles. Service up to Anchorage and on to Fairbanks was pretty basic – a pass with the beverage cart and an offer to shell out $5.00 for Alaska’s Northern Bites special of the month – a cold Roast Beef sandwich served with chips and a packet of Dijonnaise. I held out in anticipation of a good Thai lunch in Fairbanks and spent the rest of my time aloft reading and burning a CD for my seatmate.