This weekend I tried to fly home for the FlyerTalk Las Vegas DO, but had some major occurances that almost kept me from going...

UA 1493 FLL - ORD
Sched Dept: 148P
Actual: 320P
Pushback: 225P
A319... 1C (UA First)

I got to the airport early to take care of some business when the gals at United said that my flight would be a bit delayed. I didn't quite think anything about it because a 30 or 40 min delay won't hurt me too much... so I continued with my business until they said it was due to weather. I called United Premier Exec desk and she told me that all of the flights in and out of chicago were delayed, which would affect my trip, as I only had a 40 min connection in Sacramento to fly to San Fran, where I'd meet up with a friend to fly to LAS at 1010P. The agent said she really can't protect me because they haven't delayed the flight to Sacramento... so I asked about open flights to San Francisco and she mentioned a 5PM flight, which would probably get delayed.

I went to the gate agent and asked if she could protect me, and thankfully she did...

Our plane finally got into the gate around 130PM and they did a very fast turn.... and just mentioned that we would begin boarding soon. Boarding finally began at about 210PM and it went smoothly. I didn't get selected for the body cavity search (thank god) and took my seat on the plane.. which was an Airbus A319 delivered in Aug 2001. The plane was in the new decor and very clean.

After everyone boarded, they dropped the bomb. Groundstop in Chicago and they wouldn't take off until about 330PM. The captain was VERY informative and said what he'd like to do is push back from the gate, taxi out to the runway "penalty box" and wait for our clearance. He said the flight attendants would gladly start the movie, and if anyone wanted, they could come up and see the cockpit and talk to them.

Some of the passengers were nervous, some got pretty pissed.

but the captain kept reiterating that most flights out of ORD were delayed, and they would do their best to get us to Chicago as fast as possible.

The FAs served extra pre departure drinks to us and did their best to keep us updated.... as did the captain.

We finally got our clearance at 310P and left at 315PM....

Our meal choices in First were: club salad or a turkey and ham deli sandwich with pasta.... My seat mate and I both took the sandwich... it was quite good. I noticed the difference between a United SNACK and MEAL in first class... no salad or desert, but same sized entrees.

As our flight progressed, the Captain came on and said that he expects us to be in around 430PM, which I was happy to hear so I could catch the 5pm flight to SFO and still make my connection.

I found out that most of the people in first were all going to the same destination: Sacramento. I kinda laughed.... as that's where I was going too! (or suppose to). 1A, 1C (me), and 2A and 2B .. out of 8 seats... I think that's a rare situation!

The flight attendant then began passing out little cards in First and Economy Plus. I was surprised to see they were the Captain's business card with a personal 'Thank you for flying United to Chicago with us' note, and his signature. Captain Jim Price, if anyone has had him before. He even listed his personal e-mail addy at the bottom, instead of the standard UAL company e-mail!

So we finally get to ORD and we park at B10... B9 was SFO flight at 5pm.

I got off the plane, walked around the restaurant seperating the gates, and bam.. door closed, jetway pulled. I was about to cry!

I went to the Red Carpet club to get rebooked. the agent was able to get me a physical seat on the 6pm flight, but told me it would be delayed to 620PM departure. I figured I could live with that, as I'd still have 2 hours to connect.

somehow, 620 became 630

then 645
then 7

then 745PM. At this point, United said I'd miss my connection and they really can't help me as there are no confirmable seats to LAS.

I go back to the RCC in B and called National Airlines. Because of my job, we get positive space tickets on them... the agent told me about their 710P flight that is delayed until 830 and she'd list me for it.... boy was I happy.

I then asked UA if they'd endorse my tickets over and they said no, that it was all due to weather (which it was actually listed as "Late Equipment"). so after some verbal discussions, I told United that I'd like to abandon my trip, receive a downgrade kit, and refund since they can not provide transportation for me to LAS. the agent looked like she had seen a ghost.

For the next hour, I was referred to every dept but the right one. Was told to talk to the gate agent, who wouldn't deal w /me since i was an original SMF pax... was told to go to CS, who told me to go to the RCC, who said to call res... anyway, problem still isn't fixed.

I give up.

I head over to E13 and talk to the National supervisor. He seems my Positive Space ticket for LAS-MIA and gets me on his flight, in first class, of course.

since it was 2 hours before scheduled departure time, I headed over to the Terminal 2 Red Carpet Club.... i was highly impressed... very intimate! And it wasn't packed! I then asked for help with my ticket and she just shrugged... wasn't a whole lot she could do for me. So I just sat back and relaxed until about 8pm when I hopped over to E13 to board and enjoy my full body cavity search!

Lets just say WOW again. I was extremely impressed with how things were turning out. We boarded at 810PM and pushed back around 845P. First class was full, as was coach, so I am thankful for our agreements with National.

All I can say is National is better than UA in many aspects of First class. 3 tiered dinner service, menus, smiling flight attendants. It was an amazing flight. national really saved my day. We finally landed at about 1030PM after a long flight, and a few ZZZs...

Inflight on National was supurb again, had menus with 3 choices, cheese marcotti, honey BBQ chicken breast, or salmon.. i took the chicken. Tray came out with salad on it with a tomato vinagrette dressing from Spoleto Italy... followed by a dinner roll. the salad had 2 strawberries, a single stem green onion, and a mixture of bacon and peanuts. YUM!!

the entree soon followed.. had 5 potato wedges, a small chicken breast, with spinach leaves on the bottom, and a tower of onions.. it was quite tasty.

It was then followed with a sundae... more smiles from me.

On Sunday morning, I would not have made the Frontier flight to Denver at 710AM. They ended up leaving 18 SA's at the gate... would have been 19 if I had went. So I called National and got on the 1250P flight and when I checked in, the agent gave me 4A on the plane. Not bad. Normally we are cleared @ the gate for our upgrades when flying Positive space!

The flight went well, although we departed about 15 minutes late. The flight was somehow oversold (then why didn't they yank me off?) and they ended up putting people in F from Y. Since I'm still a 'non rev' I put customers first and overheard that some people wanted my seat... even though I really didn't feel like it. I gladly changed with the other passenger so they could sit together, and was overly happy to find out that the guy was sitting on MY side of the plane (I prefer to sit on the side that the sun will be beating us on so I can close the window shades).

Once again National's employees and service was 'above par' the other majors. Restaurant style menus, warm nuts with soda, 3 tiered meal service... and most of all.. LOTS Of smiles and lots of attention given to the premium passengers. They even kept chasing out the Y pax from F who wanted to use the forward lavs.

Another note about N7's first class: more legroom. The seats are a nice leather, but it seems to be hit or miss. I've flown in F in N7 3 times in the past month and this seat wasn't *AS* comfy, but still worked.

Since I'm Positive Space, I had to identify myself as such, and was given whatever was left over (Although I asked for the FAs to get fed before me..)... I ended up with a wierd looking 'salad'... it was 3 pieces of "mozarella cheese?" and 3 tomatoes with a piece of lettus at the end... dinner roll was very nice (rosemary?), and the entree I was given was a turkey reuben sandwich with the AWESOME potato salad I was raving about earlier. After the meal I passed out, which meant I missed out on the SUNDAES, but they brought me one out about 30 mins before landing ! ! !

I'm still waiting to find out if i can get a refund from my abandoned segments, so i'm keeping my fingers crossed.

-nate

[This message has been edited by UAPremierExec (edited 10-07-2002).]

Welcome to National.

"since it was 2 hours before scheduled departure time, I headed over to the Terminal 2 Red Carpet Club"

Nate - rats!

I was hoping for a report on the National Lounge. If I had known you didn't get a couple passes from what Randy was handing out, I would have provided mine to you

Thanks again for a wonderful get together.

Actually those were courtesy of Winginit (I think that's his screen name). I was able to keep 2 for myself.

In regards to Club National... it beats any RCC out there. Free food (huge variety of munchies), free drinks, free use of computer for internet, fax machine, copier, etc. After you go up the escalators on the D side, hang a left and keep walking. You'll see a silver door and that's it. The Club over looks the new D 20 gate series concourse and the rotunda. There were only 2 other people in there with me.... was very cozy, and the rep came up and told me when my flight was boarding... VERY nice!!

-n

(edited for blonde moment)

[This message has been edited by UAPremierExec (edited 10-08-2002).]

The only National Club is at LAS, which has no RCC that I know of. It's a nice little club with free drinks and snacks. There are secret breakfast sandwiches that Nick will heat up for you upon request.

It's a LEFT at the top of the escalators, though.

I have come this close to purchasing a Club National membership solely for the amount of time I spend in that airport.

As it is, I buy a day pass at least a few times a year (and get by with donated freebies from FT friends the rest of the time).

Club National is, IMHO, the shining star of what a domestic lounge SHOULD be!

I forget if there is a Freddie for the best domestic club lounge. Sounds like this may be it

[edited to add "domestic"]

[This message has been edited by lisamcgu (edited 10-09-2002).]

Lion and Everyone... there is NO RCC at LAS.

There is the National Lounge (which I have never gone into but it seems like a nice place.) and the America West lounge (which until September 22nd I could go in with my President's Club card.) Can still go in with a Priority Pass Card, paying the 21 dollar fee (since I have the lesser membership.)

[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 10-10-2002).]