PDX-CVG-ATW on DL
Feb 22, 2000 | 6:46 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,178
PDX-CVG-ATW on DL
21 February 2000
Arrived at PDX 5:20am for 6:40am flight. No line at front counter, so checked in there. Still on waitlist for FC (I'm #1), equipment used to be 757 for this flight, but has been changed to 727. I'm not getting my hopes up…but sure would like to be upfront for this 4 hour flight.
Grabbed some juice & a paper at the CRC and went to Gate D8. They told me everyone in FC had checked in, so take my assigned seat (22D-exit row aisle). At least I had an empty seat next to me. This now breaks my streak on FC seating; last time I flew in the back on DL was March '99. My seatmate across the aisle was also on the list (#2), but fortunately the flight was not very full in back. Only 4 middle seats on the entire plane were filled.
On time pushback & takeoff, light rain & fog, but we were through it quickly. Leveled at 33K, and we had very attentive service in steerage. Breakfast was choice of fruit & cereal or eggs (took the eggs). It was a square piece of molded scrambled egg (though they were trying to call it a 'fritatta') with 1 piece of sausage and 4 wedges of dry potatoes. Also a cheese Danish & small plate of fruit (mostly grapes). Eggs & sausage were, in fact, edible and not too bad. Danish was tasty and surprisingly was not cold or frozen.
All 3 of the FA's in back were very nice; Lena, Stephanie & Machiko (who I've flown with before on the PDX-ATL flight a number of times). After the breakfast was cleaned up, they were back with offers of juice, coffee or water a few times. I snoozed for a while and woke up as they were offering drinks again (now about 2 ˝ hrs into the flight).
Machiko stopped at my seat and said, "Thank you for flying with us aqain today, Mr. Shadow…I know you're very loyal to Delta and we appreciate it. If you'd like a drink or some wine, just let me know. It will be complimentary for you." Nice touch, eh? Since my body was still at approx. 9:00am, I said thank you but passed. The guy across the aisle, who is a Silver Medallion, was really impressed and mentioned he thought that was a great gesture. So did I…
Since it's been almost a year since I've flown coach on DL, if this flight is any indication, the level of service in back has increased dramatically. If my U/G doesn't clear for the return on Friday, I'll have another flight to compare it to.
On time into CVG (actually 10 min. early), but by the time we taxied & deplaned, I had just a little time to get to my ComAir connection. Stuck my head into the CRC & it was packed. The ComAir Terminal is being remodeled and they are adding 34,000 sq. feet to it. It also was a bit of a zoo today, but I guess I should have expected it with the President's Day holiday. Lots of parents with children.
Boarded the CRJ on time, push back and we waited on the taxiway for ˝ hour to takeoff. Also very smooth & quiet flight, and had an empty seat next to me again. Drink & snack service with a choice of soft drinks, coffee or juices, and pretzels, peanuts or crackers. (What happened with all of the flap about peanuts/allergies…I seem to see them pretty regularly again on flights) After the initial service, the FA came through 3 more times for refills and more snacks. Arrived in Appleton, WI on time, walked to National counter to get my car, bag was already on the belt, and out the door in about 10 minutes after landing.
Five minute drive to the Fairfield, quick check-in. I had forgotten just how 'no frills' Fairfield Inns are, but for $52 I guess you can't expect much more. The room is large, clean, good lighting and a decent work desk. No dataports on phones so you have to plug into the jack in the wall. Check out tomorrow and go to my company corp. HQ in Iola, WI and check into the Fairfield in Stevens Point for 2 nights. Back here on Thur. night at the Residence Inn (which was sold out for tonight). This completes my 10 nights for the 10K Marriott Bonus.
BTW, I just watched a great show on the Discovery Channel about the 747-400. If you didn't see it, check your TV Guide for the rerun. I missed the first 15 minutes of it (hour long), but what I saw was terrific. I'd definitely watch it again.
If I have any memorable dining experiences, I'll report them later….otherwise I'll do a return trip report.
Arrived at PDX 5:20am for 6:40am flight. No line at front counter, so checked in there. Still on waitlist for FC (I'm #1), equipment used to be 757 for this flight, but has been changed to 727. I'm not getting my hopes up…but sure would like to be upfront for this 4 hour flight.
Grabbed some juice & a paper at the CRC and went to Gate D8. They told me everyone in FC had checked in, so take my assigned seat (22D-exit row aisle). At least I had an empty seat next to me. This now breaks my streak on FC seating; last time I flew in the back on DL was March '99. My seatmate across the aisle was also on the list (#2), but fortunately the flight was not very full in back. Only 4 middle seats on the entire plane were filled.
On time pushback & takeoff, light rain & fog, but we were through it quickly. Leveled at 33K, and we had very attentive service in steerage. Breakfast was choice of fruit & cereal or eggs (took the eggs). It was a square piece of molded scrambled egg (though they were trying to call it a 'fritatta') with 1 piece of sausage and 4 wedges of dry potatoes. Also a cheese Danish & small plate of fruit (mostly grapes). Eggs & sausage were, in fact, edible and not too bad. Danish was tasty and surprisingly was not cold or frozen.
All 3 of the FA's in back were very nice; Lena, Stephanie & Machiko (who I've flown with before on the PDX-ATL flight a number of times). After the breakfast was cleaned up, they were back with offers of juice, coffee or water a few times. I snoozed for a while and woke up as they were offering drinks again (now about 2 ˝ hrs into the flight).
Machiko stopped at my seat and said, "Thank you for flying with us aqain today, Mr. Shadow…I know you're very loyal to Delta and we appreciate it. If you'd like a drink or some wine, just let me know. It will be complimentary for you." Nice touch, eh? Since my body was still at approx. 9:00am, I said thank you but passed. The guy across the aisle, who is a Silver Medallion, was really impressed and mentioned he thought that was a great gesture. So did I…
Since it's been almost a year since I've flown coach on DL, if this flight is any indication, the level of service in back has increased dramatically. If my U/G doesn't clear for the return on Friday, I'll have another flight to compare it to.
On time into CVG (actually 10 min. early), but by the time we taxied & deplaned, I had just a little time to get to my ComAir connection. Stuck my head into the CRC & it was packed. The ComAir Terminal is being remodeled and they are adding 34,000 sq. feet to it. It also was a bit of a zoo today, but I guess I should have expected it with the President's Day holiday. Lots of parents with children.
Boarded the CRJ on time, push back and we waited on the taxiway for ˝ hour to takeoff. Also very smooth & quiet flight, and had an empty seat next to me again. Drink & snack service with a choice of soft drinks, coffee or juices, and pretzels, peanuts or crackers. (What happened with all of the flap about peanuts/allergies…I seem to see them pretty regularly again on flights) After the initial service, the FA came through 3 more times for refills and more snacks. Arrived in Appleton, WI on time, walked to National counter to get my car, bag was already on the belt, and out the door in about 10 minutes after landing.
Five minute drive to the Fairfield, quick check-in. I had forgotten just how 'no frills' Fairfield Inns are, but for $52 I guess you can't expect much more. The room is large, clean, good lighting and a decent work desk. No dataports on phones so you have to plug into the jack in the wall. Check out tomorrow and go to my company corp. HQ in Iola, WI and check into the Fairfield in Stevens Point for 2 nights. Back here on Thur. night at the Residence Inn (which was sold out for tonight). This completes my 10 nights for the 10K Marriott Bonus.
BTW, I just watched a great show on the Discovery Channel about the 747-400. If you didn't see it, check your TV Guide for the rerun. I missed the first 15 minutes of it (hour long), but what I saw was terrific. I'd definitely watch it again.
If I have any memorable dining experiences, I'll report them later….otherwise I'll do a return trip report.
Feb 23, 2000 | 6:05 am
#2
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: America Central
Programs: CO Gold, AA Gold, HH Diamond, IC Plat Ambassador
Posts: 936
Greetings Shadow from warm and sunny PHX (oops -- sorry to rub it in!)...
You should have heard he ooh's and aah's in my home last nite from the arrival of your package. Raeban drooling is an interesting site!
You've got mail...
Oh, and have a safe WI trip...
You should have heard he ooh's and aah's in my home last nite from the arrival of your package. Raeban drooling is an interesting site!
You've got mail...
Oh, and have a safe WI trip...
Feb 23, 2000 | 6:27 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,178
Glad to elicit that type of response...I'd like to see it too!
Actually the weather here has been great. It was 55 yesterday, but that means the snow is melting fast & lots of standing water on road and parking lots.
Actually the weather here has been great. It was 55 yesterday, but that means the snow is melting fast & lots of standing water on road and parking lots.
Feb 24, 2000 | 11:50 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,178
I'm on my last night of this trip, in the Residence Inn, Appleton, WI. This is a great property, and only $80/night!
There was discussion in the Marriott Forum about cable TV channels & how other chains have more available than Marriott.
Well, I'm not a big TV watcher other than CNN or MSNBC, but at these properties in Wisc., there are more channels than I've got at home with Digital Cable +.
Fairfield Inns (2 different ones) and now the RI all have at least 40 channels available, plus Showtime. Some that I've never seen available in full-service Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott or Starwood (Court TV, Golf Channel, Travel, BBC News, Animal Planet, E!, etc). It was very interesting to surf through them all, something I rarely do.
I found the show about the 747-400 surfing the other night, on Discovery.
It's obviously a choice by the franchisee as to what they make available on TV. I'm making the assumption that all 3 of these properties are NOT company owned, but could be wrong.
Just checked the DL website & found that my upgrade cleared for the CVG-PDX portion tomorrow, so maybe I can start another string of 'no coach for almost a year'.
Rest of report on my return....
There was discussion in the Marriott Forum about cable TV channels & how other chains have more available than Marriott.
Well, I'm not a big TV watcher other than CNN or MSNBC, but at these properties in Wisc., there are more channels than I've got at home with Digital Cable +.
Fairfield Inns (2 different ones) and now the RI all have at least 40 channels available, plus Showtime. Some that I've never seen available in full-service Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott or Starwood (Court TV, Golf Channel, Travel, BBC News, Animal Planet, E!, etc). It was very interesting to surf through them all, something I rarely do.
I found the show about the 747-400 surfing the other night, on Discovery.
It's obviously a choice by the franchisee as to what they make available on TV. I'm making the assumption that all 3 of these properties are NOT company owned, but could be wrong.
Just checked the DL website & found that my upgrade cleared for the CVG-PDX portion tomorrow, so maybe I can start another string of 'no coach for almost a year'.
Rest of report on my return....
Feb 26, 2000 | 10:02 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,178
Sat 26 Feb ~ From the Crowne Room at CVG
ATW-CVG
I should have been home at 6:30pm Fri. night, but got stuck in Appleton, WI. The fog there has been terrible for the past 3 days. Lots of snow on the ground & temps in the 50's are the cause.
All flights out of WI were grounded. When I got to the airport, they were bussing pax to Green Bay & MKE, but those airports also were shutting down. The ComAir counter ladies were very nice and tried to accommodate me with a number of different options, but nothing worked.
UA had a bus going to ORD, but it was full & they couldn't guarantee me a seat from ORD-PDX. Based on auH2o's post in the Buzz about ORD delays, it sounds like that was a good thing NOT to do.
DL/ComAir was kind enough to put me up at the Holiday Inn last night. The fog cleared overnight and I was able to get out this morning. Not that there weren't problems with that, but I won't bore you with the details. Now instead of a 3 hr layover, it's 5 hrs…but I've got a BP with a FC seat, so it looks positive (and they never asked me for the SWU cert). The CS agent did tell me the 9:30am flight to PDX was cancelled this morning, but they got most of the pax on connections or other carriers. Also heard that a few Toronto flights have been cancelled due to foggy conditions the past few days.
Final leg details tomorrow...
[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 02-26-2000).]
ATW-CVG
I should have been home at 6:30pm Fri. night, but got stuck in Appleton, WI. The fog there has been terrible for the past 3 days. Lots of snow on the ground & temps in the 50's are the cause.
All flights out of WI were grounded. When I got to the airport, they were bussing pax to Green Bay & MKE, but those airports also were shutting down. The ComAir counter ladies were very nice and tried to accommodate me with a number of different options, but nothing worked.
UA had a bus going to ORD, but it was full & they couldn't guarantee me a seat from ORD-PDX. Based on auH2o's post in the Buzz about ORD delays, it sounds like that was a good thing NOT to do.
DL/ComAir was kind enough to put me up at the Holiday Inn last night. The fog cleared overnight and I was able to get out this morning. Not that there weren't problems with that, but I won't bore you with the details. Now instead of a 3 hr layover, it's 5 hrs…but I've got a BP with a FC seat, so it looks positive (and they never asked me for the SWU cert). The CS agent did tell me the 9:30am flight to PDX was cancelled this morning, but they got most of the pax on connections or other carriers. Also heard that a few Toronto flights have been cancelled due to foggy conditions the past few days.
Final leg details tomorrow...
[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 02-26-2000).]
Feb 27, 2000 | 10:00 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,178
26 Feb ~ CVG-PDX DL1903 Seat 6C
After killing 5 hours in the CRC and the terminal, we boarded promptly at 4:00pm for the 4:30 departure. I was the first pax on the plane and was greeted by Tony, PDX-based FA that I've flown with many times before. He greeted me by name, told me he was working in the back today (which surprised me), and we'd catch up later. BTW, this was one of DL's leased 757's since it had a row 19 with D-E-F seats. These are great seats if you can't get upgraded & can get them. Unfortunately they don't know about them until the inbound flight lands. Mostly these seats get assigned at the gate.
Got settled in quickly and had a drink order taken almost immediately. Menus & headset were at each seat already. FC filled up slowly, with some pax obviously coming from connections. Lisa & Pam were working the FC cabin and they were friendly & efficient. They are CVG based, but this flight had a split crew (3-PDX & 3-CVG FA's).
Once the door closed, we pushed back quickly & taxied, 2nd in line for take-off. Pilot told us that the flight would be bumpy for the first hour or so due to headwinds. In the air at 4:50pm and quickly got to cruise alt. of 35K. It was a bit rough at times, but not 'scary' rough. Once the seatbelt sign went off, Pam did dinner orders (from back to front) while Lisa did drink orders (front to back).
Here's the menu for those who care:
Appetizer
Classic Shrimp Cocktail
5 medium-sized with lemon wedge & cocktail sauce
Salad
Mixed Greens with Greek Vinaigrette
Small salad with packaged cup of dressing
Entrees
Omaha Steaks® Filet Mignon with Santa Fe Red Chile Sauce and Parmesan Cheese, accompanied by roasted Red Pepper Mashed Potatoes and Black Bean Corn Salsa.
Creamy Mushroom Risotto with Julienne Chicken Breast, Butternut Squash, Mushrooms and Swiss Chard.
Crab Cakes enhanced by White Wine and Butter Sauce, with Pecan Rice and a Corn, Green Bean
and Tomato Medley.
I chose this one and it was good, not great but good. Crab cakes were nice size and tasty, bean/corn/tomato medley was OK, but a bit dry, rice was large portion & good. Wine/butter sauce in a small tin on plate, it had no flavor
All accompanied by Grain Waves Organic Rolls (great sourdough!)
Dessert
Ice Cream Sundae with choice of Caramel or Chocolate Sauce, mixed nuts and Whipped Cream
Bottom corner of menu had date code that said DA-FC-1 1/27-3/22, so I assume this menu will change after March 22nd.
Plenty of refill choices for drinks during dinner, but I chose not to have any wine with the meal. FC was full (only 1 empty seat & NO non-revs) and they did a good job of handling the meal and drinks quickly & efficiently.
After meal was cleared, I got up to stretch a bit and checked the back cabin. They were just finishing their meal service also and it looked to be about a 75% load. With 4 FA's in back, it seemed pretty efficient there too.
Finally had a chance to visit with Tony, who after 21 yrs flying for DL, is starting to burn-out. I asked why he was working coach today and he told me has decided to go on 'half-time' for the next year. He gave up his option as lead FA on flights, and is going to coast a bit until he can retire in 3 more years. We talked about travel, favorite cities, and spent time talking about the great Oregon wineries too.
Back to FC to snooze for awhile during the movie, and just a I was getting settled in we hit a large pocket of turbulence. The pilot asked the FA's to be seated until we got through it. After about 5 minutes, which seemed a lot longer, he told us we were crossing the jet stream as it turned South.
He explained it as similar to crossing the wake of a speedboat on a jet-ski, only this lasted for 5 minutes instead of just a few seconds.
Rest of the flight was quiet; I woke up as the movie was ending and they were offering drinks again. Watched a Seinfeld episode, and as that was ending we started our descent. Smooth approach & landing though the rain was pretty heavy, we arrived at the gate about 10 minutes early. Bags took far too long (about 20 minutes), but the shuttle to Economy Parking was waiting & pulled out just after I boarded.
Not a bad trip, just a pain to be stuck in Appleton, WI for an extra night. But, ComAir paid for it.
[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 02-27-2000).]
After killing 5 hours in the CRC and the terminal, we boarded promptly at 4:00pm for the 4:30 departure. I was the first pax on the plane and was greeted by Tony, PDX-based FA that I've flown with many times before. He greeted me by name, told me he was working in the back today (which surprised me), and we'd catch up later. BTW, this was one of DL's leased 757's since it had a row 19 with D-E-F seats. These are great seats if you can't get upgraded & can get them. Unfortunately they don't know about them until the inbound flight lands. Mostly these seats get assigned at the gate.
Got settled in quickly and had a drink order taken almost immediately. Menus & headset were at each seat already. FC filled up slowly, with some pax obviously coming from connections. Lisa & Pam were working the FC cabin and they were friendly & efficient. They are CVG based, but this flight had a split crew (3-PDX & 3-CVG FA's).
Once the door closed, we pushed back quickly & taxied, 2nd in line for take-off. Pilot told us that the flight would be bumpy for the first hour or so due to headwinds. In the air at 4:50pm and quickly got to cruise alt. of 35K. It was a bit rough at times, but not 'scary' rough. Once the seatbelt sign went off, Pam did dinner orders (from back to front) while Lisa did drink orders (front to back).
Here's the menu for those who care:
Appetizer
Classic Shrimp Cocktail
5 medium-sized with lemon wedge & cocktail sauce
Salad
Mixed Greens with Greek Vinaigrette
Small salad with packaged cup of dressing
Entrees
Omaha Steaks® Filet Mignon with Santa Fe Red Chile Sauce and Parmesan Cheese, accompanied by roasted Red Pepper Mashed Potatoes and Black Bean Corn Salsa.
Creamy Mushroom Risotto with Julienne Chicken Breast, Butternut Squash, Mushrooms and Swiss Chard.
Crab Cakes enhanced by White Wine and Butter Sauce, with Pecan Rice and a Corn, Green Bean
and Tomato Medley.
I chose this one and it was good, not great but good. Crab cakes were nice size and tasty, bean/corn/tomato medley was OK, but a bit dry, rice was large portion & good. Wine/butter sauce in a small tin on plate, it had no flavor
All accompanied by Grain Waves Organic Rolls (great sourdough!)
Dessert
Ice Cream Sundae with choice of Caramel or Chocolate Sauce, mixed nuts and Whipped Cream
Bottom corner of menu had date code that said DA-FC-1 1/27-3/22, so I assume this menu will change after March 22nd.
Plenty of refill choices for drinks during dinner, but I chose not to have any wine with the meal. FC was full (only 1 empty seat & NO non-revs) and they did a good job of handling the meal and drinks quickly & efficiently.
After meal was cleared, I got up to stretch a bit and checked the back cabin. They were just finishing their meal service also and it looked to be about a 75% load. With 4 FA's in back, it seemed pretty efficient there too.
Finally had a chance to visit with Tony, who after 21 yrs flying for DL, is starting to burn-out. I asked why he was working coach today and he told me has decided to go on 'half-time' for the next year. He gave up his option as lead FA on flights, and is going to coast a bit until he can retire in 3 more years. We talked about travel, favorite cities, and spent time talking about the great Oregon wineries too.
Back to FC to snooze for awhile during the movie, and just a I was getting settled in we hit a large pocket of turbulence. The pilot asked the FA's to be seated until we got through it. After about 5 minutes, which seemed a lot longer, he told us we were crossing the jet stream as it turned South.
He explained it as similar to crossing the wake of a speedboat on a jet-ski, only this lasted for 5 minutes instead of just a few seconds.
Rest of the flight was quiet; I woke up as the movie was ending and they were offering drinks again. Watched a Seinfeld episode, and as that was ending we started our descent. Smooth approach & landing though the rain was pretty heavy, we arrived at the gate about 10 minutes early. Bags took far too long (about 20 minutes), but the shuttle to Economy Parking was waiting & pulled out just after I boarded.
Not a bad trip, just a pain to be stuck in Appleton, WI for an extra night. But, ComAir paid for it.
[This message has been edited by shadow (edited 02-27-2000).]
Feb 28, 2000 | 4:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Palatine, IL
Posts: 4
Thanks for this report. It brings back memories since I lived in Amherst, WI. for 5 years, a long time ago. The late winter and spring thaw can create some mighty nasty fog there.
Glad to hear of Delta's polite service in coach. Hope this is a new trend, though I do not fly them too often.
Glad to hear of Delta's polite service in coach. Hope this is a new trend, though I do not fly them too often.
Feb 28, 2000 | 4:28 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,178
Astro Turf, welcome to F-T...
I'm not totally convinced the 'polite' service you mentioned is across the board. I would hope it is, but...
The FA was one that I've flown with before, & she recognized me. The guy across the aisle from me was a DL Silver. He didn't get any 'recognition'. The rest of the service that I could see seemed efficient & pleasant, but not particularly exceptional.
I'm not totally convinced the 'polite' service you mentioned is across the board. I would hope it is, but...
The FA was one that I've flown with before, & she recognized me. The guy across the aisle from me was a DL Silver. He didn't get any 'recognition'. The rest of the service that I could see seemed efficient & pleasant, but not particularly exceptional.