PART 6 CONTINUED


CONTINUATION OF PART 6

Ok, I stopped there as I have had problems submitting to FT. Understand, when you write a book. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Everyone wants different details, so I must include everything.

Made my way through security, sans probleme. No frisking by a cute French girl, oh well. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Was amazed how easy it was. I have heard some horror stories since 9/11. I notice airports, after the US flights have left, chill a bit in the evenings. That works for me!

Made my way through the long moving sidewalk, are we walking to London? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.
The BA satelite, I think 7??, I can't remember, pardon, is the last one to convert to a new inside satelite security system, which I hate. The satelites are fairly sized, though old, I will say, with a fair amount of room to move around. Now, they are enclosing them with big glass doors and windows that go half way in the satelite area, with the security checkpoint. That means that the waiting area, once you have gone through security, is ridiculously small. Don' care for that. You could see the setup for the new design at the side, so was glad that I could enjoy the CDG 1 Satelite experience one more time. In the future, I won't go through security clearance til I am ready to board. They might think they are very clever in what they are doing, meaning now, no matter what, you must clear security before boarding a plane, before could transfer within satelite and you could skip it. However, I also feel safer the sooner security takes place, then the whole airside is secure, not at CDG 1.

The lines were long and the place was crowded. Tried to go to the side and read my magazine. It seemed like it was mostly Britts, pretty much the BA satelite. The French kind of whisper quietly to each other, I know, I like to eavesdrop http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. The Britts, like us, talk more loudly, more openly, especially the football type, if you will. So it is a different feeling with the pax here. I am always amazed at the difference when going from Paris to London. It is a weird feeling, like going literally between 2 worlds, and it takes 45 minutes to do that. The 2 groups are so incredible apples and oranges, and I love them both. An American living in Paris said one time I must be shizophrenic(spelling?) because I love and can relate to both cultures and peoples.
They are so different, something you see in Canada. The groups in Canada pretty much hate each other, and don't want to speak each others language. I guess that an American can be neutral and relate to both. Who knows? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I was pleasantly surprised to see another A319, vs. the 757 that it was supposed to be. They did the American style profiling, security at the side, I passed, yeah!, and boarded. Full plane. No free upgrade. Actually didn't ask, no big deal. Business Class in Europe is a complete joke, I hope they know that!? It is a moving curtain. After the buffet, I didn't need any more food. A friend of mine in Paris works for BA, had he been working there, he would have upgraded me. Gee, not like upgrade the Oneworld Sapphire, that wouldn't make any sense!? amazing.

I sat next to 2 fellow Americans, busily talking to themselves and not very friendly. The kind of fellow Yank that I am not big on,to be honest. It is these rude people who travel and make Americans look bad, then, when people come to America, they find there are much nicer and politer people here at home. I said hello, she ignored me, so, screw her! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

We had a beloved ATC delay, might have been due to LHR, which is always congested, so we sat on the taxiway and I read my aviation magazines. I do love the pull down inflight map from the overhead. Good old BA, in true British form, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, didn't speak a single word of French. That just amazes me and they ought to be ashamed!
They went out and put all that crap on their planes, removing the "Flag", to look more int'l, then they don't speak, even a few courtesy words of French, one of the world's most spoken languages. amazing. FYI, if you flew Air France, would be completely bilingual, but then AF has a bad habbit of putting things in BIG FRENCH, small English. I hate that! It is annoying to the anglophone (English speaking person) and I assume they know that. Tacky when they put their signs like that at US airports.
Their service is impeccable, so, have to decide do you want the good service or the principle?

Off we went, quick take off, a few lights north of Paris and then into the clouds. It is always hard for me to leave France/Paris, and this was by no means an exception. Kind of an emotional low when I have to leave, an emotional high when I get to come back.
They came around with that tacky white snack bag, get real! My last flight on BA for this trip and I have had enough of those. Took a sparkling water, that was good.
I think we did some circling and then had a cool approach over a cloudy London.
Nice view, clouds, nice view, clouds.. .I love the approach into Heathrow, one of my fav's, and always better on the right hand side, as you fly right over London. Last summer we came in on Aer Lingus from Dublin and we flew right over Picadilly, that was cool!

Standard approach, to the West, but was cheated by seeing the hotels on the right side, vs. the diagonal where you can see the terminals. Then add insult as he taxiied around the terminals, I was on the wrong side, view would have been good, over to Terminal 4. If anyone knows the runways here, kindly let us know, cheers.

The woman next to me stuffed the seat pocket with used newspapers, very tacky.
UGH!!! Swiped the 3 safety cards from the seat pockets and was happy with that.

Down the 20 or so hallways to arrivals. Oh, fyi, the service was average. They were kind of friendly, but very busy, rushed, so nothing special. Love the short flight.
Do you realize that with all the time spent, I could have taken the train from Paris to London and it would have been far less hassle. I hope that the airlnes are aware to this!?

T 4 requires alot of walking, but fun to see the row of 747's outside. A plane came in from Moscow-BA, so that was cool Again, my gripe about UK/Europe immigration.
The Europeans lined up at the Euro line, flashed a passport or whatever, and waltzed thorugh. We were sent to the pee-on line, not tooooo bad, but still a wait. I will give them credit for their organization and a gentleman sending you to the officer.
An immigration officer had asked for a Russian interpreter and a fellow yank behind me, very kind of him, took a jump in the queue in return for translation services.
I am sure it was appreciated. But BA should have a Russian interpreter on hand, oh, wait, BA..... never mind :=)

The irony is that while we Yanks are sent to the pee-on line, especially when coming from Europe, and there are no immigration checks within Europe, is that only one of the officers was, ah, British, if you will. I think the one in front was a Filipina, not sure, which is fine, just ironic. Thousands fought and died for this country, a country of my ancestry, and only one of the officers was a Britt who spoke like a Britt, if you will. I find that to be too ironic. If they had flown in from their native land, back at that time, they would be in this queue, too. Interesting. Sorry if sounds racist, it is not, just making a point. Most US officers, whatever
their backgrounds, which are many, sound like Americans. Oh well.

I, in turn, was sent to the one Britt, a nice woman. She gave me my coveted Heathrow stamp(probably my favorite, apart from Zurich) on an empty page and waved me through. She was cool. I like the baggage reclaim at T4. Big and spacoius, a pleasure to arrive. Again, like last time, no customs officer. Was surprised with the Moscow flight. Last time there was a Tel Aviv flight when we came in and no customs.... Not quite sure I get that... anything outside of the EU should be looked at!?

After passing through the customs officerless area, too werid, especially at 4!, they have an arrivals shop, bought some Godiva with my money that still has the Queen on it, no Euro thingy here, thank goodness.

The hassle of Terminal 4, vs. the others, is that they long ago( and I was pissed when a bus driver from Gatwick told me this, doing me a huge favor!) did away with the transfer bus to terminals 1,2,3, as well as the Hoppa service to the hotels.
The geniuses, UGHHHHHHHHH, make you go down to the Heathrow Express, take the free train(later goes on to Paddington Station in West London and ain't cheap, especially coming from US$$$) over to 1,2,3. Then it is a massive walk to any of the terminals. I did it last time having checked my bags through. Then you make your way to the terminal, then to Hoppa, then to the hotel, and you get to pay for it.
The people who are in charge of Heathrow ought to be shot, UGH..... I can't imagine planning something so incredibly stupid. I don't think any one thing could possibly turn tourists off Britain more than this crap.
Sorry for the vent, but as I am big into airports, I take it seriously. Just naive and creates a hell for the arirving/transfer pax.

(STUPID FT WON'T LET ME POST THE WHOLE THING, 2 SECONDS, S'IL VOUS PLAIT MONSIEUR ET MADAME) :-P

------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

OK, MEIN DAMEN UND HERREN, MORE PART 6

Accordingly, there was no way I was gonna do this, too tired and too many bags, checked them all to LHR, knowing my fate, so took a cab. Taxi driver, an actual Englishman, WOW!, who actually spoke English, was pissed about the low fare to a nearby hotel. I felt bad, he had to queue to get in there, and this is all he got.
He didn't say it, but he showed it, was not happy. In turn, it cost me 14 pounds plus tip, to go to a local hotel, the Rennaissance, my address at Heathrow. That comes out to about $20US, not funny. Makes you wonder about Heathrow. If you land at the other terminals, you have the Hoppa, but you pay for it, the driver doesn't help you with bags, and they make a couple of stops, going to the Crowne Plaze just pisses you off, to say the least.

As written, the Rennaissance Heathrow is my home over here. A porter was found(they are always nice here), check in was quick and friendly. They, like Passport Control, had one Britt at the counter, but the other Euros, mine was German, are very nice, and they even smile when I speak German or Italian to them. (with what little Italian I know, molto bene!)

They gave me my upgrade, Marriott Silver does the trick, to the top floor facing the airport. Yeah!!! 5+ freaking hours to make this trip, it is not even believable.
This is the best view of LHR that you could ever have. If I were to live in London, I would stay there, just for this view. Clear view of planes landing, taking off, taxiing, and all. Can see my beloved South African 747s parked at 1. I love that colo(u)r scheme. When the Concorde takes off, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, it shakes the entire building.
Love it! If you are sleeping, you won't be afterward, I can assure you http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

Ran over to the lounge, they had some weird food there, yuck!, grabbed some bottles of water for the room, some of those delicious Rennaissance chocolates, and back. Immediately back at the room, my fiance calls me and I needed that. It was great to hear her voice
and catch up, it was so needed, I can't even tell you. It was great to be looking at this view, talking to her, and looking forward to the day when she will be with me at that hotel http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. It was her first int'l call and as luck would have it, she got the one Britt working at the front desk, I found that funny. Nothing like calling England for your first time and getting Helga with a Berlin accent, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. All in fun. Alles lustig.

Ordered room service. Horrible club sandwhich, YUCK!, was good last time, but delicious chocolate and vanilla ice cream. It was fanastic!!! Next time, skip the sandwhich, more ice cream. It was fun to eat and watch the last of the planes going out, with a nice table at the window http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. The highlight again, seeing the SAA's heading out. I think one of the flights was cancelled, so it sat there all night at T1. No Jo'burg for you tonight! Probably all put on BA.

I watched Iranian, Sudanese, Egyptian(soap opera) and all the other foreign tv stations on there, not a bad mix, and fun. There just wasn't much on the London stations(including Sky 17(joke), and no sitcoms. Plus, I was looking forward to watching all the int'l tv, can you tell I am international? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Our cousins across the pond have many good sitcoms(comedy tv shows), I have several video tapes of them here at home, but they never show them when I am over there! I think "Yes, Prime Minister" is one of the most clever shows ever made on this earth. Genius.
RTL of Germany seems to have the best sitcoms in Europe, but then they are dubbed into German. Think subtitles people!!! Keeps it authentic. Hate dubbing!
Cosby dubbed in German is too much of a joke. I love their Wochen(week) show, hilarious!

Enjoyed watching the last of the flights out and closed the evening with a catch up on CNN.



------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

Worldtraveler36,

Vous avez écrit une sommaire charmante au sujet de votre voyage.

Bien fait!

Paris me manque.

Bonjour francophile(un autre comme moi, bien sur!).

Merci pour les bons mots. Paris et la belle France me manque beaucoup, comme toujours!
A bientot.



------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

Guys, any thoughts ??? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I need encouragement. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Actually, working on another round. thanks. ciao.

------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

I'm sorry to read that there are certain aspect of Great Britain that you do not seem to approve of.

I'm sorry but I take exception to the tone of some comments that I believe may have been written without thinking through a) Cultural differences and b) security considerations.

Exampoles to consider are as folows:

As a NON US citizen on a caribbean cruise last Year I had to "Wait in Line" no less than three times to be seen be US inmmigration officers. This necessitaed getting the children out of bed at 6am in the morning and "waiting in line" for two hours!!!! on each occasion NCL were nice though they tried to sell us bottled water whilst we waited.

If you vist the BA board then you will know all about business class. MERRY has written a nice piece to explain why it is.

When you arrived at Manchester airport from Amsterdam the Customs staff have a complete airline manifest that allows them to profile passengers with odd tickets or connections from destinations that may be of interest. Did you notice the cameras in T3 that are at the end of each gate area? When you passed through immigration did you notice the spare officer to the left of the desk area and the nice mirrors they have for you as you fill the forms in? Did you notice that the luggage from AMS arrives on the same luggage belt every time? Did you notice the screening of the reclaimed luggage before it arrived in the hall?

Travel should broaden the mind not close it.

Good report, but a bit hard to follow (rambles a bit).

Hey everyone, I appreciate the comments, really I do. I actually learned something here. I am not feeling well at all so can't go and defend my position like I normally would, too tired and out of it, sorry.

Before I add the next segment, which thankfully I completed before feeling
"ICKY", need to proofread, I do want to apologize if I have offended anyone, which it seems I have. Sorry.

If you knew how much of an Anglophile I am, as I am sure my friends are doing now, you would laugh. It is crazy to get chastized by a Britt, but I suppose that it is funny in its own way.

Sometimes I will, if you will, "stir it up", to get a conversation going. I even do this in church, I like discussion. Terrible, I know, but someone has to do it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. I can do it with any country, airline, people, including my own, as I want to get people into a conversation, something many of my professors were quite good at.

As for some of the operations at MAN, no, haven't seen them. It is uncomfortable to be the odd man out at customs when everyone else breezes through and you get to be checked. I am sorry for your experience on NCL. As you will see in the next segment I blast US customs, which, apart from Australia and maybe Canada?!, is one of the biggest pains in the Western World, along with the DMV(Dep't of Motor Vehicles) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
I always begrudge the experience.

What I want for our British cousins to do, and to do it quickly, please, is realize who your friends are. Your friends are the descendants of the realm, if you will, scattered around the world in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, etc., and we can be treated like dirt when we arrive in the
"Motherland." Then the people who were dropping bombs on you only so many years ago are walking into Britain with no checks, whatsoever. BAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDD!

I know, it is not that big of deal, but I want for people to think about it, including my fellow Americans, which some have done.

Anyway, let me go on and finish this thing. As soon as I am better I will complete the next and last segment, NY to LA.

Take care. Again, sorry for any offences.



------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

PART 7
LHR, LHR-JFK

As usual, woke up early to arriving jets from all over the world. I can't close the drapes, too much going on out there, and it is not long before this yank is standing next to the window(breathing on the window, drives my fiance nuts :P~ ), watching the arriving planes. This is assisted by having the listing for Heathrow Departures and Arrivals on the tely. Other than some CNN, had some odd foreign station on for a small diversion. Like the morning news from Egypt(they have broadcasts in English).
Where else will you hear about the latest sales at Omar's in downtown Cairo? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

After finishing some nidbits, cookies/biscuits and all, realized I was still hungry so went down for breakfast in the hotel resto(restaurant for us Yanks). FYI, resto. is a short term in French for restaurant and it works well for me.

Bkst was good, for some reason had higher expectations. I don't think there was one Britt down there working, all foreigners. Again, doesn't matter, just pointing it out.
I hope we don't ever reach that point where Americans are no longer needed.
I think they actually have English people in Sheffield, last time I checked. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif he he he
Service was average and the food, well, would need to hold me over to dinner.

More plane watching and packing. Packing and plane watching. You get the idea.
While I love the view, and why I am there, the room is too small for me and I am going nuts.( I will save you all time, short drive, I know http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif LOL ) There is a wonderful BAA centre near the hotel, but just didn't feel like giving up the golden view. After the room was too small for me, hit the lounge for some more freebies(waters, English newspapers for my Anglophile mom/mum, and the Rennaissance chocolates, which need to be replenished!!! Hmmmmmmm
Some Yank keeps taking them http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).

Check out was easy, now for the dreaded Hoppa. As I have complained before, and I shall complain again, and again. I hate the freaking Heathrow Hoppa. Again, it is the shame of Britain. In the old days the hotels at Heathrow would all have their own coaches/buses, very comfortable, nice, plush, driver worked for the hotel and helped you with your bags(the Crowne Plaza staff were smashing!), and no charge( as in the case of every other (bloody) airport on planet earth, save, guess where, Gatwick!). Gatwick gives it to you free to the hotel, but charges you to go back to the Airport, so a bit better than LHR. Still unacceptable. Could destroy the concept of the Airport Hotel. Munich Airport Marriott also does that, and ain't cheap! Then again, it is miles from the airport and they gave you lot's of perks at turndown.

LHR is a Heaven for aviationists such as us, but pure hell for the travel(l)er, though Cairo could compete. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif (that airport is crazy!) But that is another story.

The porter was great, gave me a good sendoff, helped with the bags on the bus, I can get my own bags, but it is nice. Had the pleasure (NOT!) of giving one of my coveted Hoppa tickets saved up from last summer when (daddy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) paid the bill for the hotel(Crowne Plaza) and of course, I duly put that, and, AH, other things, on the room. When traveling with parents or your millionaire spouse, IT GOES ON THE ROOM!!! My brother and his fiance duly learned the trick.

Ok, my emotional drive into the airport. Tons of police cars and hence, police, at the entrance, I think it was an accident. All around that cool model of the Concorde. There is something special about going through that tunnel into the airport. Hard to explain. More so when you are leaving at the end of the trip, always emotional. My family and I would do a 3 week or so jaunt around the UK/Europe, with a culmination at Heathrow. So, at the end, it was sad. I would go nuts leaving if I didn't think I could get back. As an AA Platinum, it is guaranteed. Living on the West Coast vs. those in the East, it is the best way to achieve and renew Platinum, hands down, unless you actually have to fly someplace http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

The driver sat on his, ah, big can, smile, and I took care of the bags all by myself. Thanks for nothing. It is fine, just again, miss the spoiling of the good old days, now have to go to Paris to get that. Found a cart and on they went, headed over to Park Lane-American's fancy, smancy private check-in for us big shots in First, Business, and Elites. But if you are not flying up front, they still wont give you Fast Track(Express way through security, an ingenious idea that we are finally getting going over here, DUH!!!)), so you still feel like a little pee on. FYI, Gatwick gave me AA-Fast Track, saves time.

The agent was nice and friendly. Quick check-in. It is a pain to wheel the carts across the street as the lazy one wouldn't drop me off there, but once you are there, it is worth it. A gentleman wanted to search my bags. Was worried what he might think about all of my "Airport Shopping", ah hmmmmm, in the bags, and commented that I must be a plane spotter, which he is as well. He was cool! He understood my addictions.
I gave her/agent a couple of SOS cards(American Platinum positive feedback cards). Those, fyi, unlike what someone wanted to do on here, are not to be used as bribes for an upgrade. That is bad dude! Seriously.

I was quite disturbed to see a pictogram of a camera and a line through it on the front window(No photos mate). Especially in plane spotter Britain!!! Immigration and customs, I can understand, though I have photographed those areas, no flash, stupid!!! but to do this in the public area of Heathrow Terminal 3, that made me uncomfortable. Again, as I say, we are slowly becoming East Germany.

In the old days(not good!) of Eastern Europe, you could be arrested for taking pics at their airports, as friends of mine from all over Eastern Europe attested to. I believe them. I have heard horror stories. Now, the wall is down and we are SLOWLY implementing such utter rubbish policies in the Free West. Or is it free? Hmmmmmmm Anyway, not pleased.

------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

PART 7 CONTINUED(SORRY, HAVE TO SUBMIT IN PIECES) LHR-JFK

I did a quick tour of the departures area, not much to take. Cool to see the check in for a couple of odd flights, one was a Royal Jordanian Hajj flight, that was neat. It would be fun to walk around in your robe all day, yeah! I am serious.

The intelligentsia at United, AA's archrival, had the sense to use X ray machines for check-in, impressed. I consider a hand search of luggage so intrusive, unless truly warranted. So United gets one point, but that is all! :-P!

Checked out the Arrivals area. Boring! Very boring! I was depressed to see that the NICE lounge called the Island was now gone. I visited pre-Priority Pass acceptance, then PP gave us access, couldn't go over the summer, was nice to my family by sticking with them, hmmmmm, and now I am sure that it was one of the casualties of 9-11. I will tell you, it was nice and the staff were cool. So, again, I got screwed. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif
FYI, I did visit the American Arrivals lounge at LHR T3 once, never again. The most unfriendly "warden", aka witch with a B, and I really mean that, ran the show. My being a Platinum meant nothing and she chased me away. I just wanted to look. I would never use it when arriving with luggage as want to get ot of there. The place sucks anyway. I did complain to her superiors at AA check in and they said they would take care of it. I hope so. No one with that AAttitude should be working there.

A quick perousal of the upper floor area, again, boring. A bunch of fast food outlets on display and very overpriced both for being at an airport and cause of the Pound. Everyone takes a killing when they come to the UK financially and they don't try to work with us, sad. Unless dad is paying, I now spend more time on the continent, much more affordable, though the Euro will bring that down a bit. A basic 5 pound burger and meal really comes out close to $10 US, insane. It might be a deal for the Britts, but it is a killer to the Yanks, Canadians, South Africans(Heaven help you! at 12 ZA Rand to the pound), Aussies, Kiwis, etc., who all come home to the "motherland", if you will. Oh well.

Now, fun time at security. YUCK! They wouldn't give me Fast Track, Gatwick does, but then it is basically Dallas on AA and they leave too early, want the day at LHR.

Entered the security area, long wait, expected the worst, last time took me 15 minutes to clear. For the first time, Americans are seeing such garbage on our shores, and we don't like it. In Europe, you expect it. There were several empty machines/processing areas. Please raise airport taxes but don't hire more personnel, hence, lining the pockets of those stupid administrators who stick you on a train to get to Terminal 4 and started the wonderful Hoppa.
Smile. Sorry for the sarcasm, but I always feel that way leaving Heathrow with all the lines and everything.

Finally, brains were on and they allowed us to shuffle over to FastTrack, cheers. The security check was easy and painless. Wow. Their machines, as pretty much with most of Europe and now I suppose in the US, are so sensitive, I just take everything out and throw it into my carry on, yes, a pain with coins, but I never beep. Haven't beeped in a long time! Nice! I just adore the souls who are cleaning out their pockets with the household furniture coming out. Come on mates. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Think about those behind you!
The credit that I will give here, the European, and even more so the British(and Swiss) security personnel are very professional, educated, and have it together, unlike the idiots at American airports who just make you cringe and think, power trip for a High School dropout. Atleast now, they have to learn to speak English(in the US), gee, that is so nice.


------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

Do many of the rooms at Renaissance Heathrow have views of planes landing and taking off? Are they more expensive?

Felicitations à votre noce!

Salut et merci bien, mon ami http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

"Do many of the rooms at Renaissance Heathrow have views of planes landing and taking off? Are they more expensive?"

Ah, hmmmmmmm Time to exercise the brain.
If you go to the Rennaissance/Marriott website, could probably see it. One side of the hotel faces Heathrow, obv. you want and really need the top 2 floors, otherwise you are staring into the parking lot.

I have paid some very cheap rates at this hotel(it is old and the rooms are small), but I think that it is the Marriott Silver status that gets me a good view. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif The staff are friendly, although probably one of the most int'l you have ever seen.

Careful, as a whole lot of the rooms face the interior of the hotel, not a pleasant view.

If it weren't for the view, I would be at another hotel that has bigger rooms, Crowne Plaza has large, comfy American style rooms, but almost no view. You can't win. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif Yes, the view is impeccable. Wait til Concorde takes off http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. It will rock your world http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.
A bientot.

------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

7 CONTINUED

Anyway, back in the terminal. What am I to do? I had shopping to do, Terminal 3, like 4, really does have some of the best airport shopping in the world, and I don't mean reaching over ticket counters and taking those "extra" ticket jackets that somehow fell on the floor, smile. Figured I would do my Duty Free later as would come back anyway. We had business to attend to.

I did a quick perousal of the shops and more so the chocolates. That is important, especially when you are a chocoholic. My chocoholic traits come out in Switzerland, I can very much assure you. The construction and big ugly walls around everything made it a mess, it will be nice when they are done.

OK, exited the departures area and made my way to the transfer bus area. On the transfer bus to
the FCC-Flight Connections Center. They handle all the connections for all the flights out of LHR. The trip is worth it alone just for riding a bus around airside, skirting around planes and all. It is odd to look past the security post near T2 and see inside Britain. So near, yet so far.

Up the long escalators into the FCC and then had to design my plan of attack.
Wanted to see Terminals 1 and 2, and did. Hit Terminal 2. Long, boring walk over there, but once you get there, good shops and things to see. This is essentially the Euro terminal, so I enjoy it. Every major language from Europe spoken on a cell phone, UGH!, and yes, they do have token Britts there. With Priority Pass, hit the Servisair generic lounge, what most airlines use for their Business Class pax. Not worth it. The lounge is way too small, cramped, and nothing much to eat. The agent was very nice and there was a cute woman, some kind of reporter, trying to get in. Ok, she made it interesting. Obviously, I went to get max. use of my PP card but also to see if there were any magazines to, ah, "borrow". Return on my trip back, sure. (NOT!)
I think it was Austrian or something that they had, but not much. More of these lazy airlines should have their own lounges, specialized and personal service, take better care of you. Air France has a lounge nearby, didn't bother. I had the magazine.

Then did something new. There is a small lounge area upstairs from one of the concourses. Lufthansa, Alitalia, and Iberia. I passed on LH, visited AZ to say hello and try to get a magazine, then tried Iberia, another OneWorld airline. Took him 2 seconds to let me in. No offense, he wasn't British. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
He knew the rules that I was entitled to go in. Conversely, the BA lounges will chase you away unless you are flying out of their terminal, and that is not right in the least. The lounge was nice, a small touch of Spain, the staff were very friendly(made up for the rude woman at Madrid who chased me away cause I was flying BMI), and the food decent.
Orange juice and some very salty cashews hit the spot. Debated taking a Spanish paper, too much to read, so passed, but thanked him dearly for his kindness, helped make up for some of the BA staff.

Then, Terminal 1. Very easy to hit. All the shops are convenient to walk through.
I didn't feel like doing the boring Servisair lounge at T1. I have dealt with many a cranky agents at that lounge, just wasn't in the mood, though I had forsaken magazines by doing so. I did hit the BA lounge and wanted to see what they would say. He was ready to turn me away, not flying out of T1, stupid!, but he let me in for a bit, so that helped. It was a gamble as I would have been (pissed) had he turned me away. One of the women there is just nasty, a def. WARDEN. The lounge was packed wall to wall with stuffed shirts and ties and not very friendly. I was in my casual sweatpants so def. stood out, but then I was flying an evening long haul in coach(no need to dress up here), they would be on the ground in an hour. The lounge serves Europe, essentially. I am curious if they do the sandwhiches at certain times of the day!? This wasn't one of them.

I wanted to go play at the gates with the SAA 747's, but wanted to get back, to be safe. I was sad to see that they had closed down the SAA First class lounge, was very nice, the one SAA lounge outside of South Africa. They had a huge 747 model (yes, I wanted it!) and I could always pick up a South African newspaper, usually from Jo'burg. Oh well, will have to wait til May.

Had to exit the terminal, down the ramp, walked down to see if anything has changed, it hasn't. Same old boring gate hold areas with very few windows, was there last summer when we flew in from Geneva, nothing new, then back to the FCC, clearing security for my third time that day. Have to.

Good bus ride at dusk to T3, now feel more relieved, tour of the airport, successfully completed, back in the right terminal. Remember, I took care of Terminal 4 on the way out to AMS, though jetlagged.

The long, winding hallways lead you to the shopping area. Did more perousing then made the staff at the chocolate box very happy. Dropped a considerable amount of LL(pounds) there for my coveted Benedicks, round box, green cover, chocolate mints. I love these so much! They had actually discontinued them, almost went insane. Was very happy a couple of years ago to return to Britain to see they had returned to life. These are the best chocolate mints on the Earth. In fact, I am gonna go have one now http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.
Received my BAA points for the purchase and put some smiles on the faces of the staff, cleaned out their supply. Did the same last August, easier when I flew nonstop to LA. Now I had to work these into my bags to get home to LA.

Next, nextdoor to the Harrods shop. Since they have received them by now, smile,
bought some goodies for mum and fiance. They both loved them. Mum loves the Harrods bags, she takes them everywhere. Now I will get my fiance into that tradition. Can we have another anglophile here please?!
I had made the mistake of buying sandwhiches, and not cheap. In the past, I had bought their chicken ticka, yummmm. I had bought something else for the flight, one was average, one was disgusting. Was not pleased about the money down the drain. I also realized during the flight, DUH on me, that I couldn't bring the dear sandwhiches through US customs to eat in New York, so just trashed on the plane that which I couldn't eat. More BAA points, then off to the Admirals Club. I could have gone to the BA lounge, where I had been impolitely sent away from at the start of the trip, didn't really feel like going up there. I usually do a magazine run(from the different lounges at T3), but for some reason!?, my carry on was full and didn't feel like doing any more. Call me lazy, whatever.
Admirals Staff are very nice, they actually have some Americans working there, one guy is so cool. Gives you a feeling of home even before you get on the plane. In all fairness, the English ladies here are quite pleasant and helpful. I swiped(and drank) some of those tiny Malvern mineral water cans. They always come in handy inflight as beloved AA doesn't know what mineral water is, and club soda ain't mineral water!!! hmmmmm

As I was on the last flight of the evening to JFK, the best way to go, there was a Boston(Baston http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif!) flight right before us, the club was emptying out. This really is a nice club. They did have the Gulf Air Duty Free catalog(ue) so that was something. The evening news showed fierce winds up north, scary. An entire lorry/truck overturned, freaky! I think this was my first time to Europe in January, usually come in November and a bit later, so this was new. Hate these winds.

As always, I have to be one of the last to the gate. On one flight, I was the LAST going to LA and the security staff junked the BS questions that a good US citizen and Platinum member know very well(and so tired of!!!) and just chastized me for being so late, saying in 2 minutes my bags would have been removed from the hold. I know how to kiss up and apologize, but they should keep track of who is at Admirals, something BA and KLM are good to do.

This is the emotional walk as I head to the gate as I am leaving Europe and Britain. And with a mass of carry on from chocolates and Harrods goodies, and of course, "Airport Shopping."
I am sad to leave, happy to get home. It is a tough one. When I was younger, this part was pure hell. But when you come to Europe 4/5 times a year, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, it is doable.

As usual, and as when we came in, they put the ********** thing at the very last gate, I always seem to leave from here. That is awful! AA has many gates and the last flight of the evening is at gate 22, if I am correct.
The security check was easy, was *CLR*, thank goodness, but I think it was late and they wanted to go home. YEAH! I had expected an ELAL style search from the rumors I have heard, probably done more in the morning, shoes and all. It was easy. After Lockerbie, Pan Am and TWA put you through some grilling security at the gate, always done by people from the Middle East/Central Asia, just have to love the freaking irony there.
The fact they don't use Americans at this point is awful and shows the idiocy of the airlines. One I will chalk up for ELAL, they use Israelis. Gee, what an idea. UGH

The flight attendant gave me a sarcastic comment, yeah, I will let you board. That may have cost him an SOS card, :P.

The plane was empty, loved it!!! beautiful 777 and I was essentially home.
I love having the 2 seats to myself. As there was a residue of newspapers from Business Class, I received my last Euro edition of the coveted Financial Times. I am a Business major geek so I love this paper. Probably the best source of financial news in the world, in my opinion. Listing countries and happenings that most Americans have never heard of, with respect.

------------------
Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver

END OF 7

Quick reverse, taxi, safety demo, and lights out. Had the customary take off, again facing the hotels, right hand side, and into the air. Had a great view of London and suburbs at night, like I have never had before departing.
Did some turns and shakes, good bye London and Heathrow. I love the radar tower, tall and makes the place look like an airport. My last glance at that thing is like the sendoff from Europe. Lived by the flight map and watched as we cruised out over Northern England, near Manchester(Matthew!!!) and out over the coast. Last time we went straight West over Wales and recognized a bridge that I had taken between Wales and England, that was cool.

Friendly service, loved the crew, served a nice dinner, those dear US customs forms, few things on this earth that I hate more, save going to the dentist, I can fill it out in about 1 minute,if that. They are just stupid, especially for the frequent traveler. I think I had a chicken something, to be honest, not sure. I seldom keep track of the meal unless it is first class. All menus go to the friend in Paris, and no menu in coach, but it was good. Meals on AA, in general, and atleast to me, are good. Meals on Northwest, atleast in the past, were a part of jokes spoken at parties. SMILE

The dear woman in front took away my extra legroom, gratis a AA, by putting her seat all the way back in my face. This is the disgust of my mother, and I think I am adopting it. I usually sit emergency exit row or bulkhead, but with 2 seats to myself, opted for a regular row. You really do lose your free space, it sucks! To be honest, and bad, I know, wanted to "accidentally" smack her on the head with my newspaper, but I am a gentleman, sometimes http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and my fiance would have killed me. I was begrudging to her selfishness.

Did the usual walk around the plane. With those curtains open, one can see everything. I brought out my several aviation magazines and cleared through all picked up inflight magazines, so can put away at home.
I did follow the flight path and tried to enjoy their inflight entertainment video at the seat. American loves CBS and I hate CBS, one of our 4 major networks in the US. It is the worst of them. United and NBC established a love affair as I was leaving them so I did get cheated out of that. Nothing like watching Friends at 30,000 feet, my fav. They show the same I Love Lucy and Everybody Loves Raymond( I don't love Raymond!, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ) Atleast he is at CBS where he belongs, :P. Let's get some NBC over here, thank you!!! A new portable DVD player will take care of that, Friends and all.

Thanks to the dear in front, was hard to try to get some sleep. Wasn't all that comfortable but she had her reading light on the whole time, her right, and the seat all the way back. I duly, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, returned the favor when she turned her light off and tried to sleep, my light went right on, DING http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif. he he he (blew the A/C nozzle in her direction, yowsa!)
I did feel bad in case it disturbed the nice girl behind me trying to sleep.
I try to punish the guilty, not the innocent, unlike Iran. smile

We had a nice approach over Quebec, la belle Quebec, sob, been so long since I have been there. A few lights here and there and with a full moon, was very clear. You could see the snow down there. We flew past some ville/city on the St. Lawrence. I miss that place. Then into Maine, over Boston, and into NY, with an incredible view of NY coming in, again, so clear. While the crew overall was friendly, there was one F/A(stew) who was so cool! I gave her 2 SOS cards and wrote on one, "she is cool"!!!
She liked that. I waited for her to come by but then had to go back, and in front of several other crew, oh boy, handed her the 2 cards. The others were jealous, literally, and she shoved them in the senior crew member's face, the same guy who made that sarcastic comment at LHR. he he he
Needless to say, she was happy, she earned them, was sorry I couldn't give her more.

I had done a faux pas by thinking I would upgrade the next day, wanted to save some. As you will see, I didn't upgrade and came home with the extras, sorry...

We had a nice, soft landing at JFK, back in the good old USA!!! There is always a good feeling coming into the USA, even though I am still far from home. I suppose after 9-11, it means even more so. The last time I landed in the US was from Australia, right after 9/11, and yes, cried when the plane touched down at LAX, with flights back to the US suspended for a week. Ok, this wasn't as emotional, but nice. The crew did heartily thank us for supporting American, which I am happy to do, and that thanks went along way.

Now, the pain of coming home. I dread US customs, I dread US customs at AA at JFK, and I dread this stupid terminal. All in one. Like at LHR, we had parked at the very far end of the second int'l concourse, making me drul over the previous long walks from my Finnair and other AA planes in the past. This is ridiculous. With a mass of carry on. So far, nothing is breaking. Just get to that luggage cart!!!

This is my revenge to those Euro people when I go through US customs. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ( All in fun) Foreigners to the left and they have a LONG, LONG wait, it sucks for them, let's be honest, but then I waited how many times over in Europe, they only wait once, unless they bounce up to Canada or something. A plane had come in from Santo Domingo, I am sure a high customs profile flight, so, more fun. We had our share of the wait, but not as bad as our visitors.

After a not too exhaustive wait, she sends me to one line, waiting for a family to clear. Well, people came and went at other stations, I probably waited another 5 minutes, which was ok. The officer was cool, friendly, the kind I like, and made me feel welcome. When I came in on Finnair a couple of years ago, that place was a hell hole, with several flights from the Carribean. I will only land there at off peak times like these. It really is a crummy customs area, with Delta's-JFK, being much nicer.

Down the escalator and amazingly, my bags had not only arrived but were on the side, cool. Most of the pax were from the Santo Domingo flight so I had to eavesdrop and hear their Spanish accent. New to me, couldn't understand, so, so much for that. I did resent the cutting in line and did point that out to someone.

I handed my card to the officer, explained that I had chocolates, and he sent me to talk briefly with secondary. I learned in Australia to declare all food, even chocolate. I have since learned my lesson when the nice Aussie gave me a lecture. The second officer said fine, was done, and out the door.
Welcome to the USA!!! Yeah and it felt good. Grabbed a couple of Nathans dogs to take to the hotel, they sucked, but hey, it was late.

A nice gentleman, very sweet actually, called the hotel-Radisson for me, the only acceptable hotel at JFK. FYI, the Sheraton is a dump! They need more people like him at the tourist desk. The terminal is a mess, it is ugly, and I am sure will be nice when they remodel. Just have to grin and bear. I was amazed as to how short the wait was and the driver picked up me and 2 American pilots. Yes, I eavesdropped on their conversations on the way out, as they pointed out the empty gates at the AA terminal. I felt their sentiment. They were cool and held the door for me as I exited. I have always looked up to the pilots. Young and old, I have never wavered from that respect, except on one horrible Australian flight, but that is another story.

The Radisson is old and beat up, but the rooms are large, and with a decent view of the runway and the AA terminal. The staff had that charismatic New York sarcastic wittt, with her laughing uncontrollably that I love planes and wanted a good view of the airport. "Are you for real?" Yes, fraid so. This made me miss Britain as the Britts do understand the love of aviation.
I just say it is NY and leave it at that. She and the others were cool. Welcome home!

The room is large, old, and run down. It was good to be there, it had been a long day, have never left Europe so late, had to be close to 5am back in London. Hey, I was awake. Unlike in Europe, to my joy, they had several sitcoms on tv, and it is fun to watch Friends, Seinfeld, etc., in NY, and more so Law and Order, it just doesn't get more natural than that. Even though the cast of Friends is about as Californian as you can possibly get(that is a positive, FYI http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ), they ain't NYers, but it is a funny irony.

I called my fiance and we talked, was good to be back on this side of the pond where the phone bill won't cost as much as our firstborn http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif smile,
and well, it was just nice.

Bedtime, I earned it. Probably 7am back in Europe, I have been up all night and not preceding a finals exam. HMMMMMMMM

Next and last segment coming soon to a theater near you (this is where we all say YEAH! )

I love watching planes land and take off.

One of these days, I'm going to get a room at the Westin O'Hare and just sit by the window and gaze.

What other airport hotels around the world do you recommend?