First-timer questions
 

Hi guys, I've been reading the boards here for about a week but I haven't found the answers to some questions I have so I thought I'd start a thread and ask. Apologies if these have already been answered somewhere else. So I'm flying from Portland, OR to Columbus, OH (with a layover in Houston) on Friday, June 19th. PDX to IAH is a 737-900 (ER, I think) leaving at noon local time, and IAH to CMH is a 737-500 leaving at 8pm local time. I paid for first class tickets on both planes. So here are my questions:



1)I've been reading about FAMs being able to boot anyone from any seat. If I paid full price for a first class seat but get booted, do I at least get a refund? Or at least SOME kind of compensation? Or will they boot people who've been upgraded for free before they boot me?



2)I prefer window seats over aisle seats. I picked the bulkhead seat on the first flight (1F), but I picked the back row window seat on the 737-500 (2F). According to Seatguru, the only thing separating first class with coach is a curtain. So if I recline all the way in my seat, will I be entering someone else's space directly behind me in coach? Or is there enough room between the two that I won't have to worry about that? I'll move up to the bulkhead seat for that flight too if I have to, though it seems like there's even less legroom in those bulkheads than in the 737-900s.



3)This may be an odd question, but I don't fly much at all so I want to get the best view possible. For anyone familiar with either of these routes, is there a better view from the windows out of the left side of the plane or the right side? Or are they pretty much the same?



4)I've been reading about when meals are served during what times, but I'm still a little confused. Will I get served food on either/both/neither flights? And will they be full meals or just a peanuts-and-a-soda type thing?



5)I hear that they are slowly rolling out IFE in the 737-900(ER)s but only a few of them have it so far. Will a significant enough number of planes have them by mid-June that I have a decent chance of being on such an upgraded plane on my flight? Or is it still too soon in the process to be hoping for that? And are there at least the audio channels on both flights? I liked plugging in the headphones and listening to music on my flights in the past.



6)Are the President's Clubs at the airports open to me since I bought a first-class ticket? Or are they only open to members/frequent flyers?



Ok, that's a lot of questions. Thank you in advance to anyone who decides to answer them. :) And again, sorry if these have been addressed elsewhere!

First...Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Now ....... lot's of questions. :)

Unfortunatley, you do not get P-Club entrance.

http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...16DBD52FDDA0E0

Drat ---- gotta run ---will continue in a few minutes

Your seat assignment may change but it is highly unlikely that you will be downgraded for any reason, including a FAM. Should a downgrade happen there is a compensation scheme, but you really shouldn't worry about it too much. Plus, your preference for window seats protects you on that front a bit as FAMs generally sit in aisle seats.
You will be reclining into someone but they still have plenty of space. No need to worry about that either.
Continental Flight 1546
Portland, OR (PDX) to
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental)
Thu., May 7, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Complimentary Food
First Class: Light meal with a choice of salad or a hot sandwich

Continental Flight 1492
Houston, TX (IAH - Intercontinental) to
Columbus, OH (CMH)
Thu., May 7, 2009 at 7:20 PM

Complimentary Food
First Class: Light cold snack plate

There should be several converted by mid-June but still no guarantees. And even if you get a LiveTV plane there will not be XM radio so you'll still be on your own there. Bring your own entertainment if you want some and you cannot be disappointed in what they offer. Today's flight did have LiveTV, for example, but no guarantees that will happen again. There will almost certainly be power outlets at your seat, which is nice.

And, as noted above, no PC access for you. You can check out this thread and see if someone else will be in IAH at the same time and guest you into the club.

OK --- one more

It would unlikely for you to get bumped by a FAM.

Although it seems like it did happen once at least here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/conti...ight-cabo.html

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

I'm relatively new here myself, so there are many who are much more knowledgable in the ways of CO than I am, but I'll try to help where I can. :)

I don't know CO's policy on this, but as a paid F passenger, I would imagine you would be last to get booted, and if you did, I would think you'd get compensation, regardless if you still flew F on the next flight. Sure others will speak to this point...

On the 735, I wouldn't worry about encroaching on the coach space, the person there will have plenty of room, even if you recline all the way. When I'm in Y (coach) and haven't been upgraded, I prefer that row to any other on the plane... regardless if the person sitting there reclines ;)

I can't speak directly to the view unfortunately. When I fly, I like to think about what side the sun will be on, as I like the sunbeam since I tend to get cold on planes. Don't think that will probably impact you too much though ;) Also, on some flights with IFE, the FAs prefer that you keep your window shade closed to remove glare on the monitors. Of course if you're flying over the Grand Canyon, the pilot typically announces it (at least when I've flown) and that's big enough to see from both sides of the plane.:D

They will definitely feed you more than peanuts... if you look at your reservation it will typically tell you what meals (if any) are served in both cabins.

I think someone answered this already. Nope, sorry, only international.


Have a great trip!

EWRGirl

Hey all :)

Sorry to jump into this thread with my first post but i just thought of a question while reading it and thought it would be a good place to post it.

I'm flying with one of my mates to orlando from edinburgh, via newark in business first later this year, will we be eligible for pc access while waiting for our transfer from newark?

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Yes, you are eligible to access the Presidents Club in EWR as you pass through based on having a BF ticket. You can even each bring in a guest (assuming you are both ticketed in BF) so if you meet any new friends on the plane feel free to bring them along.

Thanks for the welcome :)

Ok thats good to know, we've got another couple of friends flying back with us on the return journey who are going to be in coach so we'll bring them in :D

Thanks again

Actually, they both can bring two guests into the P Club at EWR if they are both traveling on BF tickets.

There is a thread at the top of the CO forum about PC meetings. If you post when you're going to be in an airport & need access, there's a chance that someone would be kind enough to "guest" you in!

BTW, Welcome & enjoy your flights!

Actually, I've been wondering about that thread since I joined FT. I had always assumed that it was considered poor etiquette to post "I'm at XXX, can someone let me in", instead of just waiting for people to generously make offers and then take them up on it if one fits your schedule. Am I being overly cautious on this one? Didn't want to step on any virtual toes...

I don't really find it offensive.

I'm slightly guessing on this one. But if you are on the left side of the plane leaving Portland, you should get a pretty good view of Mt. Hood on the way up.

That is true.

That is totally dependent on whether you take off to the west or east....if you take off to the east, you'll probably see it better from the right side.

Legal Connection time?
 

I am in the process of looking up flights for 24-Dec. outbound MSP-IAH-CUN

and inbound CUN-IAH-MSP on 8 Jan.

I have a question regarding the outbound legs.

Theres two flight options that CO is trying to sell to me...

CO1517 dep 650am arr. IAH 945am

connect to:

CO364 dep. 1040 am arr. CUN 105pm

(which means theres only 55 minutes for connection time in IAH)

Is that option ok, is it doable, or is it too tight of a schedule?

The other option is:

CO1517 dep 650am arr. IAH 945am

connect to:



CO664 dep 1155am arr. CUN 220pm

(which means theres 2 hrs 10 minutes for connection time in IAH)


Which one would you do If you were me?

FAM= Federal Air Marshall?

if so.. then that is quite inFAMous! :D

Christmas Eve may be slightly busier than the usual travel days. If your connecting IAH-CUN is oversold and your MSP-IAH delayed, the GA may be very eager to process stand-by passengers at T-15 minutes. The subsequent IAH-CUN flight could be full.

This could be one of the times where you might benefit from the longer connection time, but if potential one-day delay doesn't bother you (no prepaid hotel, etc), then you can stick with the shorter connection time.

Well, good idea. I went ahead and booked the later connection time on the outbound.. AI for $366.99 MSP-CUN R/T., reasonable fare, dont you think

Thanks to everyone who responded!

Although a little bit of bad news: I checked the PDA site today to see what my in-flight amenities are. If I'd flown this flight on Wednesday I would have had the full-blown new updates in the plane, DirectTV in each seat and all. Thursday would have at least had SOME in-flight entertainment with the drop-down TVs and the 12 audio channels. But the flight for Friday lists "Inflight Entertainment: Not offered on this flight".

Balls.

I also have kind of first timer question.

I am a new Gold CO member.

I am familiar with DL Gold auto upgrades from DL.com.

You book a flight and link your FF# and presto on line it shows you that an upgrade has been requested and 3 days out shows you your status and place in line for upgrade.

I booked 2 different trips on CO.com, and I see where the upgrade box is set to on.

When and how do you get informed about the upgrade?

Please advise - THX.

You should get an email. The upgrades process for gold beginning at T-3 days. Many people report, and I've experienced as well, that the upgrades process very close to the time of the flight at T-3, T-2, t-1 and T-3hrs. You can also log into your CO acct, view the reservation and see CU for the complimentary upgrade. Once you're within 2 days of the flight, you can start to track it on pda.continental.com . Look for upgrade standby list. At T-24hrs and you check in, you'll see your place on the list. Check out this post for more info on EUAs

FYI, CU is for Y/B-ups. If you receive an EUA, the fare class will be R.