A quick trip to S. Cal (the long way)
Apr 3, 2000 | 9:47 pm
#1
Original Poster
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA USA
Posts: 638
A quick trip to S. Cal (the long way)
About a month ago I bought a cheap ticket to Long Beach to visit a friend I have not seen in quite a while and to try out my newly crowned status. With my trip to Germany last week (trip report already posted) I made silver elite on Onepass. This is my first time as an elite member of a air program and was one of my goals for the year (this website has really gone to my head).
1 APR CO 4182 DAL-IAH EMB-145
I chose to use Love Field instead of DFW since I live half-way between the two airports, parking is cheaper and easier, and I actually like the "junglejet". I like the business-jet like feel of it and find it much more comfortable than the competeing Canadair product. Besides, the idea of trying for a first class upgrade between DFW and IAH for a forty minute flight seems like no big deal. The flight was on-time and I made my thirty minute connection without a problem.
1 APR CO 1807 IAH-PHX 737-800
This was a big deal for me. My 1st first class trip on Continental. I was a little disappointed that on this breakfast flight the only food served was a fresh fruit plate and a bagel. But the fruit was very good. The flight was a complete sell-out which is the course for me these days. All things considered, a very good flight. And it arrived on-time.
1 APR CO 2836 (America West) PHX-LGB A319
What do you know. The America West flight was on-time too. We actually got to Long Beach about ten minutes early. I checked at the desk about an upgrade and was given one (first class had only three other people). Only beverage service on the fifty minute flight. This was my first time in the Long Beach airport and I was very impressed. It's such a cool small airport that does not even have jet bridges. I guess American (DFW and ORD) and America West are the only major airlines that serve the place. I rented from Avis and walked a few feet to my car. It was a great experience unlike LAX. It also has an interesting museum (well mostly photo collection) and a bar/cafe and observation deck on the second floor. I drove to downtown which took about an hour and checked in the Hyatt. Was also a little disappointed by the hotel. It's a little worn and needs renovation but it was only $89 for the night. Met my friend for dinner in Westwood and then hung out in Santa Monica for the evening. The incredible beauty of Southern California impresses me every time. I often wonder why I live in Texas, then after a few minutes on the highway traffic I know why. I also had a iced coffee drink that was the greatest drink I think I have every had. It was at a place called the Coffee Bean. Outstanding ice-blended Mocha. I wish they would expand to Texas.
2 APR CO 2614 (AWA) LGB-PHX A320
My flight left around 1 PM and again is on-time. Maybe America West is not as bad as it's reputation. Again, first class is empty I am upgraded at the gate without a problem. In fact, just before the flight departed they filled up the cabin with coach passengers.
2 APR CO 1634 PHX-IAH 757
Well, I knew my bad luck was going to catch up with me. I arrive a few minutes early in Phoenix and discover that my connection is already forty minutes late (and I had a two hour layover as it was). After discovering that Arizona does not observe day-light savings time, I head to a Starbucks for awhile. The problem I had was that my layover in Houston was only one hour and my flight to Houston actually left about an 1:15 late. I did go talk to the gate agent who offered to put me on a DFW nonstop on AWA but I would need to get to Love which can't be a cheap taxi ride. Plus I had a confirmed first class seat so I went with the Continental flight with the promise of a hotel room in Houston and a flight out first thing in the morning. My first mistake, I assumed that this 757 was coming from Newark which would mostly likely cause a delay even on a good day. It turns out that the plane was coming from Houston and Houston was experiencing very bad weather. If I would have known the full story, I would have taken the DFW flight. Although, the dinner first class flight was wonderful. Excellent steak, decent red wine, and great all around experience. This is why I have flown so much this year.
I arrive in Houston and after waiting about 15 minutes for a gate I go to the nearest service station (my DAL flight was long gone). After looking at the line I walk to the other service station and it's far worse so I go back to the orginal one. After waiting in line for around 15 minutes not moving in line and listening to horror stories from other passengers I realize that I should just go to the Express Terminal. I go to the ticket counter and they have already made arrangements for my morning flight and hotel. I'm booked at the Sheraton North. I get there and the lobby is a complete zoo. I feel very sorry for the people who were trying to check-in on a legitimate stay since they have to contend with all of the stranded passengers. Just one note about the hotel, this is why I don't stay at Sheratons. It was a complete and utter mess of a hotel with rooms that should have been redone about ten years ago. But at least it was free.
3 APR CO ???? IAH-DAL EMB-145
I have no idea what flight number I was on. I actually missed my assigned flight since I thought it left at 6:45 instead of 6:10. I found out the correct time as I checked in at 6:15. No biggie, I got on the 7:45 flight instead and arrived at Love Field around 9 AM.
1 APR CO 4182 DAL-IAH EMB-145
I chose to use Love Field instead of DFW since I live half-way between the two airports, parking is cheaper and easier, and I actually like the "junglejet". I like the business-jet like feel of it and find it much more comfortable than the competeing Canadair product. Besides, the idea of trying for a first class upgrade between DFW and IAH for a forty minute flight seems like no big deal. The flight was on-time and I made my thirty minute connection without a problem.
1 APR CO 1807 IAH-PHX 737-800
This was a big deal for me. My 1st first class trip on Continental. I was a little disappointed that on this breakfast flight the only food served was a fresh fruit plate and a bagel. But the fruit was very good. The flight was a complete sell-out which is the course for me these days. All things considered, a very good flight. And it arrived on-time.
1 APR CO 2836 (America West) PHX-LGB A319
What do you know. The America West flight was on-time too. We actually got to Long Beach about ten minutes early. I checked at the desk about an upgrade and was given one (first class had only three other people). Only beverage service on the fifty minute flight. This was my first time in the Long Beach airport and I was very impressed. It's such a cool small airport that does not even have jet bridges. I guess American (DFW and ORD) and America West are the only major airlines that serve the place. I rented from Avis and walked a few feet to my car. It was a great experience unlike LAX. It also has an interesting museum (well mostly photo collection) and a bar/cafe and observation deck on the second floor. I drove to downtown which took about an hour and checked in the Hyatt. Was also a little disappointed by the hotel. It's a little worn and needs renovation but it was only $89 for the night. Met my friend for dinner in Westwood and then hung out in Santa Monica for the evening. The incredible beauty of Southern California impresses me every time. I often wonder why I live in Texas, then after a few minutes on the highway traffic I know why. I also had a iced coffee drink that was the greatest drink I think I have every had. It was at a place called the Coffee Bean. Outstanding ice-blended Mocha. I wish they would expand to Texas.
2 APR CO 2614 (AWA) LGB-PHX A320
My flight left around 1 PM and again is on-time. Maybe America West is not as bad as it's reputation. Again, first class is empty I am upgraded at the gate without a problem. In fact, just before the flight departed they filled up the cabin with coach passengers.
2 APR CO 1634 PHX-IAH 757
Well, I knew my bad luck was going to catch up with me. I arrive a few minutes early in Phoenix and discover that my connection is already forty minutes late (and I had a two hour layover as it was). After discovering that Arizona does not observe day-light savings time, I head to a Starbucks for awhile. The problem I had was that my layover in Houston was only one hour and my flight to Houston actually left about an 1:15 late. I did go talk to the gate agent who offered to put me on a DFW nonstop on AWA but I would need to get to Love which can't be a cheap taxi ride. Plus I had a confirmed first class seat so I went with the Continental flight with the promise of a hotel room in Houston and a flight out first thing in the morning. My first mistake, I assumed that this 757 was coming from Newark which would mostly likely cause a delay even on a good day. It turns out that the plane was coming from Houston and Houston was experiencing very bad weather. If I would have known the full story, I would have taken the DFW flight. Although, the dinner first class flight was wonderful. Excellent steak, decent red wine, and great all around experience. This is why I have flown so much this year.
I arrive in Houston and after waiting about 15 minutes for a gate I go to the nearest service station (my DAL flight was long gone). After looking at the line I walk to the other service station and it's far worse so I go back to the orginal one. After waiting in line for around 15 minutes not moving in line and listening to horror stories from other passengers I realize that I should just go to the Express Terminal. I go to the ticket counter and they have already made arrangements for my morning flight and hotel. I'm booked at the Sheraton North. I get there and the lobby is a complete zoo. I feel very sorry for the people who were trying to check-in on a legitimate stay since they have to contend with all of the stranded passengers. Just one note about the hotel, this is why I don't stay at Sheratons. It was a complete and utter mess of a hotel with rooms that should have been redone about ten years ago. But at least it was free.
3 APR CO ???? IAH-DAL EMB-145
I have no idea what flight number I was on. I actually missed my assigned flight since I thought it left at 6:45 instead of 6:10. I found out the correct time as I checked in at 6:15. No biggie, I got on the 7:45 flight instead and arrived at Love Field around 9 AM.
