From the FAQ to ORD
 

I stopped at the FAQ in Montreal on the way to Chicago. This trip has made me realize how unusual it is for me to take these “shorter” Delta flights. I am a Platinum Medallion, but that is based on almost all transoceanic and transcontinental flights. The routing for this trip, SJC-CVG-YUL-CVG-ORD-SLC-SJC would feature a lot of shorter flights.

Saturday at the FAQ started with the Jet Boat. I had decided some time back that this was not for me. After hearing accounts of the event, I am beginning so feel as wise as BostonBoy says I am. Water & I do not mix.

Instead, I had a nice wander through Montreal, which I enjoyed a great deal. When I got tired, I went back to the hotel in time to see the Mets beat the Braves (go Mets – I am a Delta flyer that roots against Atlanta, making me an enigma rolled into a conundrum, or something like that).

The FAQ dinner was excellent, the red wine was fantastic (WHAT WAS IT? ANYONE KNOW?) I sat at a table with Jetsetter, AnnaS and CaptainMike.

Quite a few FT’s brought small gifts from their home areas (T-Shirts were popular, so was wine). We had a bit of a ceremony as these items were presented to flyme2 & Brigitte. The ceremony ended when the restaurant warned that any delay would melt the desserts.

Now, as a rule I don’t steal other people’s material, so I ate dessert without a second thought. In fact, I ate it so quickly that I failed to notice exactly what it was.

Some people were going on to other activities, but I needed to fly out early Sunday, so I said goodbyes, did a small good deed, and caught a taxi back to the Sheraton with AuxTXHiker and NJFlyer.

I arrived at the airport early enough to make a mess of customs/immigration (the U.S. formalities are done right in Montreal – the weird part being that you then pass a huge sign that says “Welcome to the United States”). I made a wrong turn and had to go through the process twice (Curse me for a novice!)

Nevertheless, I still arrived at the Crown Room Club 8 minutes before they opened. It was hardly worth the wait – it was tiny.

The flight to CVG was full. There were preflight drinks & a hot towel, nice for such a short flight. The FA apologized because the First Class snack was “only” a bagel & fruit plate. It was plenty for me. The flight arrived 20 minutes early.

The flight to ORD was also early. There were preflight drinks and an offering from the Snack Basket. First Class had two empty seats, until an off-duty uniformed pilot grabbed the one next to me just before the door shut (well, I hope he was off-duty). Another uniformed pilot went back to coach, passing up the other first class seat.

There is something quite bizarre about flying into ORD on a Delta plane. I could hardly contain my disappointment about missing the Timothy Leary light tunnel on the United side of things.

I checked into the long registration line at the downtown Sheraton. The Preferred Guest line had one person waiting – he was still waiting when I got to the front of the mortals’ line. There are about 100 people in my company staying a week in this hotel, and I don’t think any of them knew about Free Fridays until I told them about it (in fact, almost none of them had Starwood cards at all!)

So far, though, 4 Delta flights, all on time or early… what is going on here?

Report Card: Delta A+
Sheratons (YUL and ORD): A
FAQ: A++

Howdy from the tiny Crown Room in YUL! Glad you made it to ORD opus. It was great meeting you.

One thing though-- the jet boat ride was F-U-N!!! You should try it next time.

When I grow gills, my man, when I grow gills http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif .

Great to meet you, too.

Just to finish up:

The flights from ORD-SLC and SLC-SJC both left on-time and landed early.

On the first leg (6:30 AM flight), there was a full breakfast in F (I had French Toast with Canadian Bacon, which was surprisingly edible for a Delta breakfast). There was also a full-length movie "Mission to Mars", which I skipped (I'll wait for the DVD to come out). Despite the clear skies, it was pretty bumpy until we reached the Rockies.

I skipped going to the CRC and waited at the gate for the SJC flight, where I was entertained by a couple of loudmouths who were debating the contents of that day's "USA Today", page by page. (One was insisting that Mike Bordick was a 3rd baseman for the Yankees -- he was a shortstop for the Orioles, until he was traded to the Mets about an hour after this conversation).

I had a nice salad on this leg, and because I am a member of the "knows to use the button hole on the napkin" clique, I was spared when one of the tomatoes exploded on first bite. (Trivia Note to clique members -- the Finnair napkin uses a clothespin, there is no button hole).

So the totals: 6 flights, all on time or earlier. A+ to Delta!

Trivia note 2: SAS, at least intercontinental, also has a clothespin.

jl

Good report. Enjoyed your references. :O Happy to see DL working well on the short-hauls.