An Alternative to the PiP
Nov 14, 1999 | 4:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Arlington, VA, USA
Posts: 858
An Alternative to the PiP
I haven't read any of the trip reports from the PiP yet, since I had to make a decision and chose the alternative. While I really would have loved the chance to meet more of my FT friends face-to-face, here's what happened:
While some of our more jaded members were wasting away on the sands of Waikiki, Sally anf I were enjoying some of the best northern California weather I can remember, especially for this time of year. I grew up in the SFO Bay Area, took Army basic at Fort Ord, and spent a year at what was then the Army Laguage School (now Defense Language Institute) at the Presidio of Monterey, but Sally (she's from Atlanta) had never been south of The City (more about that later).
The trip: (We had upgraded the entire trip when we booked. I used system-wides, Sally used miles. We werent about to take a chance on 24-hour-in-advance segments)
Friday, 11/5:
DCA CVG DL 940 (MD-80, no food)
CVG SFO DL 339 (757, lunch)
Both legs uneventful and on time. A choice of entrees for lunch. I had steak, Sally had a southwestern chicken dish cant remember what it was called. Both were excellent. Delta may actually have begun to understand customer care, at least as it applies to meals in first. Even coach got a meal, as opposed to the Sky Deli.
Fortunately, others have reported on the construction problems at SFO and I was prepared, or it might have been even worse. We had three pretty heavy bags; so I left Sally at the terminal and went for the car. After what seemed like ten miles, the bus got to the central car rental terminal. Walk 100 yards or so. Nationals counter had a sign directing Emerald Aisle customers to level 4. Escalator between 3 and 4 not working (thank goodness our bags were still at the terminal). Asked for directions back to the terminal. Got Take 101 south toward San Jose; youll see the signs. I sure did. The signs were on the other side of a Jersey Wall. I was on the main line, where there were a couple of tiny signs, Airport use Millbrae Avenue. Thats about two miles south of the terminal. Still following signs, I ended up on Old Bayshore Highway, which used to be the main road but is now a service road. I should have followed signs to San Francisco and gone back on the 101 main line, but I didnt realize that then. I got to the terminal OK, only to find that to get to the Arrivals area I would have to cross four lanes of crowded, fast-moving Departures traffic. Not being suicidal at the time, I took the Departures path and went around. Finally got to Sally about 45 minutes after I left her. Her first question: Did you have a heart attack? Thats one of her favorites, second only to Are you having a heart attack?
Early to bed.
Saturday, 11/6:
This was the excuse for the trip: My 50th High School reunion (Burlingame High, 49). A couple of hours at the school in the afternoon and dinner and dancing at a local country club in the evening. I had seen just one of my classmates since our graduation, and that was a quick chance meeting in the Post Exchange cafeteria at Fort Sam Houston, TX, in the late 50s. Ever try to recognize someone from a High School Year Book picture, 50 years later? Fugettaboudit. I wouldnt have missed it for the world.
Dinner Sunday night with old friends in the City at the E&O Trading company, which is excellent even if you dont like Middle Eastern food (I dont, usually, but I loved this.)
Monday through Friday on the Monterey Peninsula Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Big Sur, San Simeon, Carmel, etc. Stayed at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. Beautiful. On the Bay. A couple of little glitches in the room that were fixed almost as soon as they were reported. Outstanding food at restaurants that had been recommended by one of my classmates at the reunion. (The hotel restaurant, which wasn't on our list, was also very good.) As we were visiting one of the 150 or so art galleries in Carmel, the beautiful sunshine was replaced by some dense fog. Sally looked outside and exclaimed, Oh, boy. FOG!!!!!. Five minutes later, the sun was shining again, and that was the only time on the trip we saw fog, except at a distance.
Friday back to SFO and dinner in The City again, with the same friends, this time at Bizou, in the South of Market area. Again, outstanding American dishes with funny-sounding names but truly unfunny flavors.
Saturday, 11/13:
SFO ATL DL 764 (L-1011, breakfast)
ATL DCA DL 1402 (757, dinner)
Again, both legs uneventful and on time. On the ATL DCA leg, before we pushed back, the one FA working the front cabin was working very slowly (one drink order at a time, working from the front of the cabin to the rear and never getting much beyond the third or fourth row as people boarded late we were in 6). THE CAPTAIN came back and took the coat from the pax across the aisle from us to hang it for him. Customer Care again?
Breakfast (SFO ATL) had three choices. Sally had cereal and yogurt, but I had some of the best French Toast and sausage Ive ever had (except what I make myself), served with fried apples and a fruit bowl. I might take that flight again just for the breakfast. Of course, it would be my luck that theyd change the menu the day before my flight.
No choice for dinner, but the steak was again excellent.
Sallys already asking when we have an excuse to go to CA again. Unfortunately, unless something comes up unexpectedly, not until next September. Her reaction: A YEAR?????
[This message has been edited by philforest (edited 11-14-1999).]
[This message has been edited by philforest (edited 11-14-1999).]
While some of our more jaded members were wasting away on the sands of Waikiki, Sally anf I were enjoying some of the best northern California weather I can remember, especially for this time of year. I grew up in the SFO Bay Area, took Army basic at Fort Ord, and spent a year at what was then the Army Laguage School (now Defense Language Institute) at the Presidio of Monterey, but Sally (she's from Atlanta) had never been south of The City (more about that later).
The trip: (We had upgraded the entire trip when we booked. I used system-wides, Sally used miles. We werent about to take a chance on 24-hour-in-advance segments)
Friday, 11/5:
DCA CVG DL 940 (MD-80, no food)
CVG SFO DL 339 (757, lunch)
Both legs uneventful and on time. A choice of entrees for lunch. I had steak, Sally had a southwestern chicken dish cant remember what it was called. Both were excellent. Delta may actually have begun to understand customer care, at least as it applies to meals in first. Even coach got a meal, as opposed to the Sky Deli.
Fortunately, others have reported on the construction problems at SFO and I was prepared, or it might have been even worse. We had three pretty heavy bags; so I left Sally at the terminal and went for the car. After what seemed like ten miles, the bus got to the central car rental terminal. Walk 100 yards or so. Nationals counter had a sign directing Emerald Aisle customers to level 4. Escalator between 3 and 4 not working (thank goodness our bags were still at the terminal). Asked for directions back to the terminal. Got Take 101 south toward San Jose; youll see the signs. I sure did. The signs were on the other side of a Jersey Wall. I was on the main line, where there were a couple of tiny signs, Airport use Millbrae Avenue. Thats about two miles south of the terminal. Still following signs, I ended up on Old Bayshore Highway, which used to be the main road but is now a service road. I should have followed signs to San Francisco and gone back on the 101 main line, but I didnt realize that then. I got to the terminal OK, only to find that to get to the Arrivals area I would have to cross four lanes of crowded, fast-moving Departures traffic. Not being suicidal at the time, I took the Departures path and went around. Finally got to Sally about 45 minutes after I left her. Her first question: Did you have a heart attack? Thats one of her favorites, second only to Are you having a heart attack?
Early to bed.
Saturday, 11/6:
This was the excuse for the trip: My 50th High School reunion (Burlingame High, 49). A couple of hours at the school in the afternoon and dinner and dancing at a local country club in the evening. I had seen just one of my classmates since our graduation, and that was a quick chance meeting in the Post Exchange cafeteria at Fort Sam Houston, TX, in the late 50s. Ever try to recognize someone from a High School Year Book picture, 50 years later? Fugettaboudit. I wouldnt have missed it for the world.
Dinner Sunday night with old friends in the City at the E&O Trading company, which is excellent even if you dont like Middle Eastern food (I dont, usually, but I loved this.)
Monday through Friday on the Monterey Peninsula Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Big Sur, San Simeon, Carmel, etc. Stayed at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. Beautiful. On the Bay. A couple of little glitches in the room that were fixed almost as soon as they were reported. Outstanding food at restaurants that had been recommended by one of my classmates at the reunion. (The hotel restaurant, which wasn't on our list, was also very good.) As we were visiting one of the 150 or so art galleries in Carmel, the beautiful sunshine was replaced by some dense fog. Sally looked outside and exclaimed, Oh, boy. FOG!!!!!. Five minutes later, the sun was shining again, and that was the only time on the trip we saw fog, except at a distance.
Friday back to SFO and dinner in The City again, with the same friends, this time at Bizou, in the South of Market area. Again, outstanding American dishes with funny-sounding names but truly unfunny flavors.
Saturday, 11/13:
SFO ATL DL 764 (L-1011, breakfast)
ATL DCA DL 1402 (757, dinner)
Again, both legs uneventful and on time. On the ATL DCA leg, before we pushed back, the one FA working the front cabin was working very slowly (one drink order at a time, working from the front of the cabin to the rear and never getting much beyond the third or fourth row as people boarded late we were in 6). THE CAPTAIN came back and took the coat from the pax across the aisle from us to hang it for him. Customer Care again?
Breakfast (SFO ATL) had three choices. Sally had cereal and yogurt, but I had some of the best French Toast and sausage Ive ever had (except what I make myself), served with fried apples and a fruit bowl. I might take that flight again just for the breakfast. Of course, it would be my luck that theyd change the menu the day before my flight.
No choice for dinner, but the steak was again excellent.
Sallys already asking when we have an excuse to go to CA again. Unfortunately, unless something comes up unexpectedly, not until next September. Her reaction: A YEAR?????
[This message has been edited by philforest (edited 11-14-1999).]
[This message has been edited by philforest (edited 11-14-1999).]
Nov 15, 1999 | 10:25 am
#3
Commander Catcop
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 10,259
Phil... during the PIP, I made sure that you and Sally were toasted (among all the PIP-ers who could not come.) Yes, it is exciting and important to attend a 50th High School reunion.
FOUR PAWS UP trip report. And I am hoping that you both can be at the next PIP (or a D-C get together in the future???)
FOUR PAWS UP trip report. And I am hoping that you both can be at the next PIP (or a D-C get together in the future???)