Live TR: Boston, Toronto, New York - 9 flights in 9 days
Aug 4, 2014, 7:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: LH FTL, BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,248
Live TR: Boston, Toronto, New York - 9 flights in 9 days
DISCLAIMER: This is not a TP run (seriously). Do not attempt at your home airport. All flying and drinking was performed by a professional frequent flyer on a closed course. Do not ingest trip report without requisite alcohol-based lubrication. If boredom fails to occur by the third part at the very latest, seek immediate medical attention.
I'll start with an admission: I've tried to write TRs before, but have failed miserably every single time. Either I gave up halfway through, or just decided I wasn't actually anywhere near as funny as I thought I was, or... The list goes on. This time I'll try my luck at a sort of live-TR (slightly delayed as I've already completed the first bit of the trip) in the vain hope of keeping up the motivation throughout my trip.
I took advantage (like many others) of a particularly nice OSL-BOS fare sale in January and arranged to meet up in Boston with a childhood friend who lives in DC for a long weekend of, well... alcohol-fuelled fun (as one does). To spice things up a little, I decided to throw in a 23.5 hour layover in NY both ways and went for the firecracker (787) to EWR instead of my beloved BA1. A few months later, a friend from work moved to Toronto and of course I decided I'm already in Boston so I might as well do a day trip there too.
My final itinerary thus looks as follows:
LHR-OSL (BA ET)
OSL-LHR-EWR (BA CE/CW)
JFK-BOS (AA F)
BOS-YYZ (AC Y
)
YYZ-ORD-BOS (AA Y)
BOS-JFK (AA F)
JFK-LCY (BA CWLCY)
I'll try and post bits and pieces as my trip progresses, in the style of rxfleming's fantastic recent TR. Mods, I've decided to start the thread in the BA forum for maximum (indecent) exposure but of course if you wish to move it over to the TR forum later it's not like I can stop you
Part 1: BA768 LHR-OSL: The humble beginnings
Part 2: Park Inn Oslo Airport: The IKEA prison
Part 3: BA763 OSL-LHR: There's always "brunch"
Part 4: A leisurely afternoon at LHR
Part 5: BA187 LHR-EWR: Praised be the firecracker (oh, and porn on a plane)
Part 6: Doubletree by Hilton New York Times Square South
Part 7: A day in New York
Part 8: AA2314 JFK-BOS: Welcome to Rantville
Part 9: AC355 BOS-YYZ: Why? Why? Why?
Part 10: Toronto, eh?
Part 11: AA3304 YYZ-ORD: Where are your bags?
Part 12: AA2221 ORD-BOS: Zzzzzz?
Part 13: The Hilton Boston Logan Airport
Part 14: Beantown Magic
... (to be continued)
I'll start with an admission: I've tried to write TRs before, but have failed miserably every single time. Either I gave up halfway through, or just decided I wasn't actually anywhere near as funny as I thought I was, or... The list goes on. This time I'll try my luck at a sort of live-TR (slightly delayed as I've already completed the first bit of the trip) in the vain hope of keeping up the motivation throughout my trip.
I took advantage (like many others) of a particularly nice OSL-BOS fare sale in January and arranged to meet up in Boston with a childhood friend who lives in DC for a long weekend of, well... alcohol-fuelled fun (as one does). To spice things up a little, I decided to throw in a 23.5 hour layover in NY both ways and went for the firecracker (787) to EWR instead of my beloved BA1. A few months later, a friend from work moved to Toronto and of course I decided I'm already in Boston so I might as well do a day trip there too.
My final itinerary thus looks as follows:
LHR-OSL (BA ET)
OSL-LHR-EWR (BA CE/CW)
JFK-BOS (AA F)
BOS-YYZ (AC Y
)YYZ-ORD-BOS (AA Y)
BOS-JFK (AA F)
JFK-LCY (BA CWLCY)
I'll try and post bits and pieces as my trip progresses, in the style of rxfleming's fantastic recent TR. Mods, I've decided to start the thread in the BA forum for maximum (indecent) exposure but of course if you wish to move it over to the TR forum later it's not like I can stop you
Part 1: BA768 LHR-OSL: The humble beginnings
Part 2: Park Inn Oslo Airport: The IKEA prison
Part 3: BA763 OSL-LHR: There's always "brunch"
Part 4: A leisurely afternoon at LHR
Part 5: BA187 LHR-EWR: Praised be the firecracker (oh, and porn on a plane)
Part 6: Doubletree by Hilton New York Times Square South
Part 7: A day in New York
Part 8: AA2314 JFK-BOS: Welcome to Rantville
Part 9: AC355 BOS-YYZ: Why? Why? Why?
Part 10: Toronto, eh?
Part 11: AA3304 YYZ-ORD: Where are your bags?
Part 12: AA2221 ORD-BOS: Zzzzzz?
Part 13: The Hilton Boston Logan Airport
Part 14: Beantown Magic
... (to be continued)
Last edited by csutter; Aug 25, 2014 at 2:51 am Reason: Added link to part 14
Aug 4, 2014, 8:10 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: LH FTL, BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,248
As an aside, I'm travelling iPad only (look ma, no hands!) so will try out some things and post about my TR workflow and apps at the end of my trip.
First part coming up in a minute...
Aug 4, 2014, 8:29 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: LH FTL, BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,248
Part 1: BA768 LHR-OSL: The humble beginnings
Part 1: BA768 LHR-OSL: The humble beginnings
A319 G-EUPN, Euro Traveller, Seat 9A
The Terrace (from a rare angle without sleeping people included in the picture)
I arrived at LHR by minicab and slightly nauseous, having had to sit through a half hour journey "enhanced" by vanilla tree car fresheners attached to every single non-flat interior part and stumbled into the terminal. J and F checkin were both very busy so I skipped the souvenir boarding pass and made my way through South security, which was surprisingly empty given the zoo at checkin.
State of the Gloop
I sat down at a table in Galleries First intending to try the new pork wrap but was unable to get the attention of any of the few staff. I seem to always experience the two extremes every time I'm in this lounge - some days someone is checking on me every other minute, other days I get staff who very skilfully avoid eye contact and almost manage to blend in with the furniture. Deciding I didn't have too much time I grabbed some pasta (meh) and a sweet potato tart (decent) from the buffet, followed by scones and cream which I thought had been "enhanced" but were thankfully still present.
Cream first? Jam first? Why not try both?
I ventured out onto the terrace for a moment to take some pictures and a nice gentleman struck up a quick conversation with me - I initially thought he was an FTer, but the blank stare I received when I mentioned I was on an "ex-EU" rather quickly disproved that theory
Off to the gate with 35 minutes to go, priority boarding was strictly enforced and eligible pax were called first and handled from both desks. ^ I was third on the plane and enjoyed the endless legroom in 9F.
All the legroom!
The flight was standard ET SOP, nothing to write home about except a slightly funny conversation with the crew member serving me drinks (probably more of a wine person!):
Me: Can I have a JW and Ginger Ale please.
CC: JW?
Me: Johnnie Walker. Whiskey.
CC: Ah! Would you like a Jack Daniels?
Me: Actually that would be even better!
CC: *rummages through the cart* Sorry Sir, I don't have either of those. Only Red Label.
Me: Errr...? That'll do.
My noise cancelling headphones proved once again to be a lifesaver, I don't really mind kids most of the time but the little bugger in 8E was giving everyone around him a miserable time. His mother was in the aisle seat and couldn't give a flying [expletive] about what her little "angel" was doing. He spent the better part of the flight climbing on top of the seat backs both in front and behind him (and a rather creepy few minutes just staring at me!), poking the poor guy in 8F and screaming in Norwegian.
Something is decidedly British about Norwegian summer
Landed in Oslo right on time, off the plane quickly, through border control which was efficient and charming (then again pretty much everywhere is if you don't count the UK Border Gestapo), down a few corridors and outside I was!
A319 G-EUPN, Euro Traveller, Seat 9A
The Terrace (from a rare angle without sleeping people included in the picture)
I arrived at LHR by minicab and slightly nauseous, having had to sit through a half hour journey "enhanced" by vanilla tree car fresheners attached to every single non-flat interior part and stumbled into the terminal. J and F checkin were both very busy so I skipped the souvenir boarding pass and made my way through South security, which was surprisingly empty given the zoo at checkin.
State of the Gloop
I sat down at a table in Galleries First intending to try the new pork wrap but was unable to get the attention of any of the few staff. I seem to always experience the two extremes every time I'm in this lounge - some days someone is checking on me every other minute, other days I get staff who very skilfully avoid eye contact and almost manage to blend in with the furniture. Deciding I didn't have too much time I grabbed some pasta (meh) and a sweet potato tart (decent) from the buffet, followed by scones and cream which I thought had been "enhanced" but were thankfully still present.
Cream first? Jam first? Why not try both?
I ventured out onto the terrace for a moment to take some pictures and a nice gentleman struck up a quick conversation with me - I initially thought he was an FTer, but the blank stare I received when I mentioned I was on an "ex-EU" rather quickly disproved that theory
Off to the gate with 35 minutes to go, priority boarding was strictly enforced and eligible pax were called first and handled from both desks. ^ I was third on the plane and enjoyed the endless legroom in 9F.
All the legroom!
The flight was standard ET SOP, nothing to write home about except a slightly funny conversation with the crew member serving me drinks (probably more of a wine person!):
Me: Can I have a JW and Ginger Ale please.
CC: JW?
Me: Johnnie Walker. Whiskey.
CC: Ah! Would you like a Jack Daniels?
Me: Actually that would be even better!
CC: *rummages through the cart* Sorry Sir, I don't have either of those. Only Red Label.
Me: Errr...? That'll do.
My noise cancelling headphones proved once again to be a lifesaver, I don't really mind kids most of the time but the little bugger in 8E was giving everyone around him a miserable time. His mother was in the aisle seat and couldn't give a flying [expletive] about what her little "angel" was doing. He spent the better part of the flight climbing on top of the seat backs both in front and behind him (and a rather creepy few minutes just staring at me!), poking the poor guy in 8F and screaming in Norwegian.
Something is decidedly British about Norwegian summer
Landed in Oslo right on time, off the plane quickly, through border control which was efficient and charming (then again pretty much everywhere is if you don't count the UK Border Gestapo), down a few corridors and outside I was!
Aug 4, 2014, 11:04 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: LH FTL, BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,248
Part 2: Park Inn Oslo AirPort: The IKEA Prison
Park Inn Oslo Airport
There are two hotels directly next to the terminal building in OSL, one Radisson Blu and one Park Inn by Radisson. I'll state my most important piece of advice first: Like a USB cable that you always try to plug in the wrong way around first, you'll always end up at the wrong Radisson first. Murphy's law rearing its ugly head as per SOP.
Nice try, but no. Not my hotel.
I've never stayed at a Park Inn before, this one cost me just £85 (utter bargain by Norwegian standards) and I arrived with low expectations. The covered walkway leading to the hotel was closed for maintenance and the alternative path turned out to be a bit of a hike through various parking garages and across a busy road in the rain. Yes, yes, #firstworldproblems much, but given that the hotel advertises its address as "Terminal Building, Oslo Airport" you'd expect some sort of setup like at the T5 Sofitel.
Apparently covered walkways need lots of TLC
I arrived, checked in, declined the offer of having a buffer dinner for only 389,000,000,000 NOK (or some similarly absurd amount) and decamped to room 5115. I do like a good palindrome! The whole hotel, room included, exudes an air of depressing, overly functional and irritatingly colourful futurism. If they still have prisons in 2100, I bet this is what they'll look like. In keeping with the penitentiary motif, the bathroom was tiled in light grey and did away with the shower cubicle in favour of a shower over the floor which I've last seen in a Romanian hostel.
Who needs shower cubicles anyway?
I jest, the room was perfectly okay for the night. The furnishings may have been glued on and/or bolted down, the smoke detector covered in tissue paper and the coffee cups still dirty from the previous guests (seriously!), but I had a comfortable night's sleep and woke up refreshed.
Meet the solitary red stripe of doom
Breakfast was free, surprisingly enough, and quite decent too - I had lots of mini sausages and roast potatoes. The Scandinavian touch really shone through in the three (!) kinds of mackerel and bottles of "Sticky Fingers" brand ketchup
There are two hotels directly next to the terminal building in OSL, one Radisson Blu and one Park Inn by Radisson. I'll state my most important piece of advice first: Like a USB cable that you always try to plug in the wrong way around first, you'll always end up at the wrong Radisson first. Murphy's law rearing its ugly head as per SOP.
Nice try, but no. Not my hotel.
I've never stayed at a Park Inn before, this one cost me just £85 (utter bargain by Norwegian standards) and I arrived with low expectations. The covered walkway leading to the hotel was closed for maintenance and the alternative path turned out to be a bit of a hike through various parking garages and across a busy road in the rain. Yes, yes, #firstworldproblems much, but given that the hotel advertises its address as "Terminal Building, Oslo Airport" you'd expect some sort of setup like at the T5 Sofitel.
Apparently covered walkways need lots of TLC
I arrived, checked in, declined the offer of having a buffer dinner for only 389,000,000,000 NOK (or some similarly absurd amount) and decamped to room 5115. I do like a good palindrome! The whole hotel, room included, exudes an air of depressing, overly functional and irritatingly colourful futurism. If they still have prisons in 2100, I bet this is what they'll look like. In keeping with the penitentiary motif, the bathroom was tiled in light grey and did away with the shower cubicle in favour of a shower over the floor which I've last seen in a Romanian hostel.
Who needs shower cubicles anyway?
I jest, the room was perfectly okay for the night. The furnishings may have been glued on and/or bolted down, the smoke detector covered in tissue paper and the coffee cups still dirty from the previous guests (seriously!), but I had a comfortable night's sleep and woke up refreshed.
Meet the solitary red stripe of doom
Breakfast was free, surprisingly enough, and quite decent too - I had lots of mini sausages and roast potatoes. The Scandinavian touch really shone through in the three (!) kinds of mackerel and bottles of "Sticky Fingers" brand ketchup
Aug 4, 2014, 11:08 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: North West, UK
Programs: BA GfL (GGL/CCR), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,998
I'm not sure the Radisson/Park Inn Oslo airport hotel is high on my list of places to visit now - not that it was that high anyway. 
Good to hear your experiences though. Good start to your trip.
Good to hear your experiences though. Good start to your trip.
Aug 4, 2014, 11:28 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: LH FTL, BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,248
Aug 4, 2014, 11:59 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Man & ABZ
Programs: BAEC foot soldier
Posts: 97
An excellent start. Very much looking forward to the rest of the trip!
Aug 4, 2014, 2:34 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,779
I've got some flights to OSL early next year and it looks cheaper to stay in another country and catch a fight there than a Norwegian hotel. Rather expensive country.
That Park Plaza makes some Travelodges look like the Sofitel
That Park Plaza makes some Travelodges look like the Sofitel