LOS ANGELES to SAN FRANCISCO (LAX-SFO) on American MD80 in economy class

Upstairs and straight to security for I already had my boarding pass. The queues at security were short but I picked the wrong line with an officer taking an inordinate amount of time to check the image of one bag. Then sit and think for a while. Asked the officer behind him for a second opinion. Then wait some more. Then sit there waiting for a supervisor who took 10 minutes to turn up. Eventually the supervisor said the bag was okay (all this without inspecting the bag - just by looking at the image) and finally I was through.

I headed for the Flagship Lounge for a shower, then a couple of drinks. The food and drink seem to be getting worse each time I visit here. Don't get me wrong it is nicer than the Admirals Club lounge next door, but for example on NM's JW index it is now a Black. Food consisted of an unidentifiable soup (at least it was in a soup urn), cheese and crackers, selected fruit, potato crisps and mini croissants.

On my way out to the AC to use the computers I picked up the access card so as to re-enter the FL later. I sorted out my email and a few messages, made a couple of posts on FT then gave up for the connection was terrible.

I have just enough time for a couple more drinks before heading out to the gate. At this stage both aa.com and the departure screens show as on time. At the gate there is no aircraft but it soon arrives. Our flight is delayed 40 minutes or so.

The flight is totally full. A standby list of a dozen or so are told they've all been put on standby for the next flight.

I show my card to board with group one (as my boarding pass was printed in New Zealand it does not have a group number printed on it) and take my seat. We take off as the sun sets. In this forward part of the economy cabin almost all the overhead lights are broken. Grrr - at least it is a short flight.

We deplane to a chilly San Francisco.