FLL-PHX-FLL for Training Class
 

This is my first posted trip report, so be gentle, FTers.

FLL-DFW-PHX-Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs-PHX-DFW-FLL

3/25
DL1191 FLL-DFW MD90
We left the gate 8 minutes late. I had an exit row aisle seat on the 2 seat side w/no window seat next to me, so it was kind of strange, but nice to have 2 trays for laptop, drink, etc. This a/c had the neat pop down screens every 4 rows or so, but they only showed the CNN magazine & a sitcom even though there was time for a movie on this flight. The snack was one of the better I’ve had in a while. Cold chicken sandwich w/pesto & fresh lettuce, dill potato salad, 2 small, but ripe strawberries, packaged Gouda w/crackers & a cookie. We landed on time with a late taxi across the runways at DFW.

DL2949 DFW-PHX MD88
Older a/c. I again had snared an exit row seat on the Delta website, although this time I had a seatmate. We pushed back on time. This was a beverage service only flight. Turns out my seatmate’s boss was someone that I used to work with, so we had a nice chat about the IT industry, etc. We landed on time in PHX.

3/25-3/29
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs
I was here for a training class and this resort was a beautiful setting. It was basically built into the side of some hills. It is all suites, but as a Hilton Gold, I asked for an upgrade and was (supposedly) given one. Probably the only advantage to this room was that it was in the main tower and not in one of the outlying buildings. Because of the size of the place and the hills everywhere, many people had to call for a shuttle when they needed to go from their room to the conference center. They did give me access to the lounge, but I never used it because all of our meals were catered in the conference center.

The food was excellent. They have a 5 star restaurant up on the hills overlooking the entire Valley of the Sun. We had an event there on Monday night with a buffet – one of the best that I have eaten. I also ate at another restaurant on the property late Sunday when I got in and it was good food at a decent price considering the cost of everything else. There are something like 12 pools & a huge waterslide (which I tried out on one of my breaks).

The only complaint: they nickeled and dimed on things like phone calls (60 min. for a $1 and then .10/min.) and sending packages (charged me $6 even though I used my company Fed Ex account number.)

3/29
DL2244 PHX-DFW 757
I was originally scheduled for later flights through Atlanta, but the thought of getting home at 1:16 AM and the looks of the weather in Atlanta convinced me to bug out of training a little early and get on these flights. Plus, they were pretty open (an unusual thing in this day and age). Had no problem getting on the first leg as a stand-by. While I was waiting for the a/c, I started talking to the captain who was also waiting for the plane. He assured me that he thought a strike would not happen. Of course, the headlines the next day said otherwise. On board, I was in the 2nd row of coach – window (for the view) with an open middle seat. During boarding, I allowed the guy in the bulkhead directly in front of me to store his rollaboard under the middle seat of my row. One of the other passengers refused to move his jacket and briefcase to allow this guy to store his bag without having to stick it somewhere in the back of coach. Because of this, the F/A gave all of us involved a free drink (except the guy who wouldn’t move his stuff). http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

DL476 DFW-FLL 767-300
No problem getting on stand-by. It was a pretty empty plane. There were extra seats all around and everyone had at least two seats to stretch out on. The snack: small, tasty chicken caesar salad, cheese & crackers, Pepperidge farm cookies & 1 large strawberry - not bad at all. About 20 mins. before our scheduled landing, the captain informed us that storms at FLL would force us to hold over SW Miami for an additional hour. The flight crew did a good job keeping us updated on the weather. After the hold, we made it in to FLL through some choppy clouds about an hour late, so I still saved an hour from my original plans and didn’t have to sit on an overstuffed ATL-FLL flight.

All in all, a nice trip. Only delay was for weather and the DL service was good.

pjs:
I am staying here on a TEEN Hhonors award in May and was wondering what type of upgrade they gave you. I too am Gold and was trying to get it out of reservations but couldn't get a solid answer. I know this is an all-suites hotel, but did you at least get an Ambassador or Presidential Suite upgrade?

Tapatio is a nice area. One of the prettiest in Phoenix, in my opinion. Would occasionally play golf there when I lived in Phoenix.

Had someone like that on my PHL-MIA flight, who argued with the FA because they wouldn't serve him alcohol on the ground (lack of liquor license) and then refused to move to allow two people to sit together. The FA laughed when I asked if it was just me or if the Primadonna Factor was sky high on the other half of the plane. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/tongue.gif

At the Wyndham in Philly (nice hotel, btw), they charged a buck to make an 800 number call. Walked downstairs, made the call at the payphone (had to call AA res), walked up, and all was good.

Thanks for the trip report pjs!