Going home... CDG to LHR part 1

One thing I want to mention from the night before. It is always a sad thing when it is my last night in Europe, even though I have a full day ahead of me the next day. Thought I would share.

Ok, someone was supposed to call me about a possible breakfast, but never did, which is fine. I know he is busy.

I was too rushed. Had to pack everything and get ready. I was very happy to leave the college dorm. ick

Now it was sunny outside, but still biting cold and you could see the planes taking off in the distance. I watched LCI, a French news channel, pas de CNN and I needed to hear French anyway.

The strategy to the packing is this: I fly BA from the continent to London, then American to the States, usually taking the last flight of the evening to JFK. FYI, American will not check your bags through to LA, but BA will. I will tell you by this time they are so heavy, I am happy not to have to deal with them at JFK.

So I get things ready for a quick pull out at JFK after customs, everything goes home to Paradise, I mean California. Hey, it is HOME!

I am sad to leave Europe but yes, happy to be going home. It has been a long 2 weeks, or just about.

I make 2 trips downstairs, 2nd with cart. The elevator is taking forever and my fellow American (kid) is waiting. I point out the other elevator and that did the trick. Someone was blocking the first lift with their attempt to load bags. It was long, but width sucked.

I waved au revoir and dropped off the 70's style huge key, haven't seen that in a long time, so new keycard to add to my collection.

The bus was there and monsieur grouch was the driver. Oh my. He stood there while I loaded the bags on myself, which is fine. But to be so grouchy.

Everyone on the bus was American and they were happy to be going home.

We pulled out and headed back via le roundabout to CDG 2. I hear they are flying Northwest. Ah, NW flies out of Terminal 1, this bus is going to 2. Did you check?

They go, uh oh. Are you sure NW flies out of T1? yep, was there last night, saw the NW/KL counter. They start to freak. I ask the driver, le grouch, oh my, in French if we go to T1. Non! but when he sees that half the bus is flying NW out of T1, he agrees to take them. What a pain he is! No tip for him either, which worked out very well. No Euros and the US $$$ were needed in the US.

I think one other gets off at 2B, BA.

They are from Detroit, I explain that I have lived in Toledo. We both take shots at each others' respective cities. too funny. I love Toledo and I take offence to any Toledo bashing, seriously. It is another home for me. GO MUDHENS!

They say thank you and I wish my fellow Americans a wonderful trip, even if on Northwest, LOL. ha ha ha

2B or not 2B, ca c'est la question. The snag with 2B, trying something in the old days when terrorists were shooting things up at Roma and Wien, they put the check in past passport control. Good and bad. I don't have that much time to play so not much of an issue, but I have to clear le controle des passeports, check in, and then would have to come back. Oh well I will be back. Oh I miss BA at Terminal 1 !!!

Passport check was easy,stamp, Vivre la France as I go through. I laugh hysterically when I get to the BA counter and I recognize the good looking gentleman behind the counter.
We shake hands. As he is from the Middle East I reluctantly say I have been to Israel, he forgives me, thank you. I even show him my stamp, which would now bar me from entering his country. I won't say to protect anonymity.

He takes the bags, checks them to LA, love it!! bye bye

I ask for an exit row seat. "You don't think I am going to let you sit in coach, do you?"
I love you! Le upgrade, finally, is there. Actually BA used to be much better about upgrades and the agents out of Paris have upgraded me and I grabbed my mom from coach, with the blessing of a lovely crew. Out of London, forget it. too strict.

We talk forever. Duty Free and lounge go to the wayside, which is fine. I love this guy.
He demands that I come to the (airliners hobby) show in San Francisco at the end of March, the last one they will ever have. I tell him I will try and I am thinking about it. (also, cough, someone I want to meet up that way, a fellow traveleress, cough) Hopefully you know who you are. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

This guy was with us at the Japanese restaurant with Mr. Paris and the 3 of us jogged on the beach together here in Malibu, he remembers well. They would look at Southwest planes coming in and say yeah, sorry, I say puke.

He praises the new Untied color scheme which I can see through the windows. ahhhhhhhhh
I like the older one. And I hate 'Ted.' stupid name. He loves Untied, I love the Silver bird.
We praise our airlines.

We talk and fortunately the Business line is empty.

I was going to go take a look, actually quite a bit airside and was going to go manhunt for some Swiss chocolates, but he drags me back and says let me walk you to the gate.

The gate is right behind me, a short walk, BUT, a huge snaky line for security awaits and after I have cursed everyone for cutting in front of me for 2 weeks, but with his blessing, he brings me to the front, ok, that felt good. The Britts were pissed and get after him and he looks at them and says, I am working your flight. He speaks fluent English, love the guy.
Some other guy jumps out of line and joins us and he is duly chastized, but he gets a free ride.

1 or 2 security machines and this will take all day. Too crowded, too much.
Back to T1 s'il vous plait!!

He takes me to the gate and plays with the computer. He also wrote in my PNR, passenger record, to AA to upgrade me. Didn't happen, but I was happy, as you will see. I also asked why they keep parking the BA planes at the remote stands and he tells me quietly it is AF (F'n) BA. Gee, I can believe it. An Air Algerie Airbus is next to us. The French always seem to put BA near Air Algerie. Air Algeria is a security threat in France, its former colonial master.
Everytime BA escapes from them, they seem to follow. ouch Not that Air France would have anything to do with that. No love lost between these 2 'cousins.' I say pro British things in front of Mr. Paris and I get a lecture on how terrible the British are. In fact when I came out of customs he gave me another one, though he duly ate his Bounty(Brit) chocolates all the same. LOL Too much!

A cute femme flirts with him and praises him. When he gives me his updated #, e-mail, I still need to write him!, the chicka is jealous and wants it, too. (ah, he drives on the other side of the road, leave it at that, honey, and I am sure she knows that) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

I commit to SFO (maybe, the fares are so expensive but I would love to go and make a weekend out of it, if even to kick SFO Phil around for a bit http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).

They call the flight, tears my BP, I give him a big hug. Oh and I told la femme I would be happy to take her # but she said I live too far away, well, true. Amazingly she reminds me of someone from church, who got married. The resemblance is incredible. (sorry, can't think of her name. )

We finally get a jetway and it is a 757, cool. They do another passport check, now that I have put it away, France likes that for some reason, I just showed it 2 seconds ago, but I have finally been upgraded, the Platinum I am!. Boarding to the front of the plane and the BA crew is very warm and hospitable. I am deciding do I keep this seat or move for a better take off position? Right side is usually best for Londinium.

A woman comes over and dares sit next to me, oh no, I tell her I might move to get more space. First, I ask her if speaks English and OF COURSE I DO, WHY WOULD YOU ASK THAT? bite . Then she apologizes. Honey, this is France, fewer than should- speak English, but that is another story. She settles in. Great, someone is invading my space.

Well, we start talking and she is cool. Kind of like my seatmate to Tel Aviv. She lives in Paris with her husband, but is from the burbs of Portland. I explain I was there last summer, met a girl from the sticks http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif he he he near Spokane. Told her it was one of my best trips ever, something as simple as Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. She smiled. Yes, the girl helped as well. I still have keychains for you, dear.

The plane is delayed and people keep boarding, I am sure thanks to the security lines.

She is getting worried as she has one hour at LHR to change to Seattle. They make an announcement, we are delayed, blah blah, I could care less, take all day, I have over 6 hours at Heathrow, but for her, I care.

We start yacking, compare travel stories, and the woman is fascinating. She asked how she can find good Business Class fares to the US as she had to book last minute for a funeral. I pull out the UK edition of Business Traveller and show her a list of agents. I also tore out the subscription page and gave it to her. Then I introduced her to the flying Bible, said with respect, the OAG. In this case, the OAG -Official Airline Guide Euro addition.
I sub. to both the Euro and US editions. Merry Christmas to me and thanks mom and dad.
Hopefully they know it. LOL She usually flies Business as coach is not good for her leg, but I mention AA, check it out.

Finally, ding dong and push back. She may make it. They tried to do a recorded announcement in French and the thing breaks. Ok. They tried atleast. You fly to Paris all the time and you don't know some rudimentary French!? Even a bonjour. Nothing.
Too British! If Air France flew to London and they spoke no English we would be outraged. You can fly Air France to the smallest city in France and you get a full announcements and safety demo in English. But the French get us in other ways. That is for another time.

<<As for ELAL, some love it, some hate it. <<

Service is top notch. I have made at least 50 trips with them and never had a problem.

CDG to LHR

In this case the left side was perfect, not always. We departed 2B, got a flirt with the Air Algerie Airbus, then out to the taxi way past le Sofitel, very good views from the hotel but lately it has been so expensive. My belated Christmas gift was passing Terminal 1. Ok, I think I worship the thing. I salivate at the Air Gabon 747 going to Africa, in case you didn't know. P took me on the Cameroon Air 747-300 one night which was fascinating.

I still need to get on the Air Gabon and play. They had the Untied 777in the new colors- puke, Saudi 777, Northwest's old DC-10, SASafrass, and who else? some good ones. We turn right and now I see where he is going. This is going to be fun. My beloved seatmate cuts me a break in our talking, which was fascinating by the way, and let's me look. You can see the Aerogare 2 entourage thru the trees. Oh what a mess. Tear the whole freaking thing down and start over.

We turn around, rev the engines, we recite the French national anthem, that some sarcastic soul on here refers to 'la mayonnaise', which is funny, and we go. Au revoir la belle France, mais a bientot(soon).

We go right past the big monster known as T1, some cool planes, the new radar unit they have spinning around, lift up and off the ground, over the AF cargo bases and some more special planes.

Sidenote, last trip, when we landed here on CSA from Prague in November, and yes, I may do a trip report for that, later, an Air Mauritania 727 took off. Salivate, thank you.

We fly over the banlieues of Paris, actually getting somewhat of a decent view of Paris, from the North, we had to fly over Versailles, where my neighbor lives. Over villages and some French countryside. Before long we are over the English Channel, but what the French refer to as La Manche, the sleeve. They would never give the British so much credit. Oh the rivalry is too fun. You ought to see between English Canada and Quebec, I think it is actually worse. Same God people. Makes us brothers and sisters.

We talk more, she is very interesting. I tell her about my trip.

BA comes around with a decent meal, vs. the garbage in coach. It was some kind of a salad, I seldom care for salad outside of the US and Canada, so I leave most of it.
They have a delicious what I will assume is prosciuto. yummmmmmm It is the only real food I get for a long time.

I asked for another bread roll and I get one going toward final. The usual Malvern English sparkling water, love this stuff.

The crews are friendly and sweet. But most are kind in coach or Business, just that now they have more time to take care of you. You would never get this much food on a 45 minute flight in the US, not now. Back when Air Canada and Canadiennnne competed with each other, they both would serve an incredible hot meal on the one hour flight between Toronta and Mount Real. I don't know how they did it. Us Yanks, sadly, can't do it.

Over Blighty's coastline and down we go. Some clouds but beautiful scenery with lot's of nice green fields.

When I got into the war movies, and you can thank the American sitcom from way back, Hogan's Heroes for it, this stuff made me emotional. Thinking of the pilots who visited that country where they serve sauerkraut http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and then came home successfully. Hogan gets to come to England a couple of times and I do think about that here.

A couple of the pilots into London would actually mention Biggin Hill, an airfield used during the war, it was as if they were inspired or something. I loved the WW2 mentions.

We are over London, not the same view from the left hand side, but good as well. I think it is Wembley to my left and the flats, the red double decker buses, etc. It is nice now but a very sombering view when I have been away from the motherland for a while.

Flaps, descend, ok this is cool. He flies past the BA hangars, I wave to my South African planes below, touch down, and we go past T1 and then to T3. Preparing for tonight's depature we go past T3 and my beloved Silver Birds(AA) who will take me home to the Colonies.

Over to T4 and it was an incredible view all the same.

I wish my seatmate my very best and tell her to run. I am pretty sure she made it. I did give her backups with BA having a later flight into LA. She is going to Portland, not Seattle, oh and she cursed the Seattle customs people, have never done that entry point before(always pre-clear at Vancouver).

I grab some BA souvenirs, the last after 6 segments. I wish the crew a warm cheers.

Now I stay tranist. I played with going landside. The onboxious passport officer coming in a few days ago put me off that but I did take a landing card just in case. I wanted to test out the airside transfer system which I have only done once. T3 from AA to T4 BA to Amsterdam. Too tired to go play on that one.

I was amazed as to the wait while on the bus, which was parked and waiting for us, to the Flight Connections Centre. They had a separate bus to T3, but please, I have over 6 hours to kill.

We make our way past the Kenya 767 and down to the underground tunnel. Up and out near T2 and over to the FCC. Swiss, Lufthansa, bonjour Air France, and some other nicknacks. Oh, Pulkovo TU-154 from Sankt Petersburg.
Nice to look at.

Upstairs to the security area and the lines/queues are long, but doable. Strip everything down and what I do like they don't ask for your dang boarding pass. I think that is the only time in England they don't LOL. My fellow Americans are taking their shoes off and the English security people laughingly ask why? Cause Tom Ridge told us to, sir! LOL

Do the walk through the FCC and over to T1. For those who don't know, while I bash Heathrow ad nauseum, I also love it, too, I will give LHR alot of credit with the FCC. The Flight Connections Centre is a middle area where buses take you from all parts of the airport to one general processing area. Unlike most of Europe, save France, they make you clear security again and then you go to the counters for your boarding passes, etc. and then go on to your gate. You can walk to 1 and 2. Have to bus to 3 and 4 and both 3 and 4 have their own inhouse transfers areas, all very convenient and I will give the British a huge kudos on this one. They also have a direct link to the domestic flights with a passport check. Brilliant! Actually restores some of my pride in being a descended half Britt after the Hoppa and all that rubbish.

HOWEVER http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, you saw it coming, to make everyone clear security again is a pain in the arse and a waste of time and resources and I know for a fact that people have missed planes because of it. In fact a woman was complaining that she did miss her plane right then and there. ouch To Paris, you will live, to Africa, it bites, where planes go 2/3 days a week.

In the Amazing Race, one of Brian's addictions, it is on at the same time as Friends so forget it,
they had a loup from Brazil to Heathrow to South Africa. The 2 older ladies went right to the Virgin gate for their Jo'burg flight but had not cleared security at LHR. They did in Brazil and hadn't blown anything up in 12 hours.
gee.

Due to the rule loving nature of the Britts, the 2 ladies missed their flight to South Africa and it took them out of the race completely. They flew the next day and were walked to the stopping point in Stellenbosch. Everyone felt bad and British bureaucracy took a huge hit for that. It got all over. I suppose it kind of made the ladies heroes in a way, they tried so hard. I would curse the gate agent for eternity for something stupid like that. I believe in karma, he will get his.

They could have held the plane, manually wanded them or something, gee guys, they just came off a plane. Had they gone through Frankfurt, Amsterdam, etc, they would have made it. Why I do praise Germanic efficiency, something my fellow Jews will get after me, sorry, hey, Germany works. Frankfurt is one of the best examples of how an airport should be run, same with Zurich.

I understand from certain countries, like Iran http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, it might be needed. It is also insulting to other countries' security practices to rescreen. I would think they would work with all of Western Europe. The French do it too at CDG and flights were being delayed and people were missing flights because of it. Unlike the British, the French finally said scew it and waved the transfer checks, which made it doable. Anyway, there ya go.

I looked for goodies at the FCC and found nothing. AA does have a transfer desk there but decided have fun at
T3.

Over to Terminal 1.

My dear Genevoise, that is great, but you are about the only one.

My dad has Israeli clients, I know someone who works at the Israeli consulate here in LA. If they fly ELAL, it is for security and to support Israel.

I knew an ELAL crewmember, he told me the nasty things he would to pax, not now, maybe later I will share.

They are nasty. Customer service means nothing.

A woman wrote in the Jerusalem Report magazine, English. She blasted ELAL, they have no legroom, they forgot the special meal, they did this, and they did that, why do we fly them? becuase they are Israeli.
I laughed so hard.

Why do you think my BA planes were so full?
I was shocked. Die hard religous Jews who I am sure wanted LY security. They also wanted service.

Ok, I am getting to the end, let me concentrate so I can finish and get my life back, toda rabah.

Heathrow 1

Ok people, we are almost there. I have got to finish this today or I will burn out. Sorry.
Plus I have someone beating me up over ELAL on the flyertalk board. They are a great person but please let me finish this! ugh
_________

Over to the BA lounge, I know their rules, but I try to get in anyway. With Oneworld, if you are flying a Oneworld
carrier, it is an alliance between many airlines, internationally, you have lounge access. All the other airlines, save BA, follow that rule, though in all fairness BA in HKG let me come over and visit when flying Cathay.

BA in England goes by another set of rules, their own, and they are nasty. I am flying American from
Terminal 3 to the States, I am in Terminal 1 now. With any other Oneworld carrier, no problem, but BA has to be
tight about it, though I have another word for it. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I show my card, thank you, may I see your boarding pass, please? Oh I say, you are flying from Terminal 3.
American has its own lounge over there and you need to go there. Ok I BS a little. But I am meeting a friend here who is flying to Brussels. Hence, he would be here at Terminal 1, if such a friend existed. The twist is that if we both had gone to the American lounge, they would let us in, as AA has done, even when I flew British Midland. Why I am an
American!!! The cultural difference and all. too much I had an American guy at the AA lounge when I was flying BMI. I showed my card and my BM boarding pass. Oh come on in! Love it!

She hassles me, I argue a bit, more out of principle, she misinterprets the rules, to be honest( I wanted to slap her, I really really did!), I grab my boarding pass and card and back out before I do something I will regret. She is an (itch)

BA does this all the time and on flyertalk we gripe about it. It is not so much the lounge, I have other lounges to go to, and I do, but it is the principle. BA is the worst out of this great alliance as to lounges and rules. I find it ironic that they are so generous on check in and luggage, but tight with the stupid lounge. Stuff it. I will come back next time, fly out of here to FRA or wherever, and just take everything. Gotta love it! gotta love it!

I am mad but I cool down. It is a British thing.

I go to Terminal 2 and walk around, grab a Duty Free bag for Airport Shopping http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and look at all the shops, been here, done that. With my coveted Priority Pass card, God bless it, I have access to the generic Servisair lounge. The attendants are a mix, sometimes very sweet,and sometimes, they need to go back to bed for some more rest. But they will never turn you away, thank goodness. This one was very sweet and welcomed me in, but of course, comme tous les anglais, she had to see my boarding pass. Often at other lounges around the world they don't need to see your BP, you technically don't need to fly to use the lounges, but as it happens MOST are airside, Orly has a nice one landside. The English are the exception and want the BP. Ok............. It is the principle of it, moving on.

I have a few waters and a few biscuits. Check up on the Financial Times,a paper I love. Every geeky Business majors' dream paper, LOL.

There was a Swiss magazine, took that, otherwise, not much else. Wished her my best and dragged my crap out to the next watering hole.

Then the Iberia lounge. This is where the Britts get nailed to the wall. BA says no. Iberia is the Spanish airline, also a member of the Oneworld alliance. She doesn't see me and I walk in, could have stayed very easily. People come and go, so understandable. At the Northwest lounges at Detroit I would go up to the counter and put my card in their face, nicely of course. Hey, I paid alot of money for these, let me use it right.

I am honest and go to the Iberia attendant. She is sweet. She does ask for the BP, after showing my card, but doesn't make a fuss as her British cousins over at 1 do. UGH I was admitted and warmly so.

Paul would go nuts here. Iberia coffee cups, saucers, little cups, everything. No, I didn't take them, you come and do that. I have no problem taking the food or drink, I am entitled to that, beyond that, you need to do it buddy.
You would go nuts here. So would Mr. Paris.

They had some good bottled water and nuts, almonds, and other nicknacks. Their peanuts are really good.

I did take some Iberia napkins and swizzle sticks, again, for the taking. 2 magazines and a couple of timetables, ok, they are getting heavy. You have a great view of the planes and I saw the Pulkovo Russian machine take off, that was nice.

Ok, time to head to 3. I thanked her dearly. Kind of cute.

I stopped by the Lufthansa lounge but without a Star B/P, wasn't going to happen. I wanted to get to 3 anyway.

Back to terminal 1 and I walked around the stores, Duty Free, and all. Places was packed. They had some stupid demonstration for a British cell phone company but it takes up so much needed space for seating and passenger comfort. It is a good terminal. I will give the Britts credit, they have nice terminals, large, spacious, and relatively comfortable. Just don't try to break the rules, they are not into that. (they probably, sadly, forfit many, many contracts and other negotations around the world, but I do admire their integrity) Why the French have actually done better than the Britts, they were very much into Iraq.

I had to go down the ramp to the airside, an area I know well. I don't even bother hassling with the BMI lounge. I could actually see Lufthansa giving it to me, she was not Brit, but BMI drives me crazy with the rules, even more so than BA.

Ok, back to the FCC, back to security, back to the strip down. Hey, I knew I would have to do this.

Down to the coaches(what we call buses) to Terminal 3. It is freezing! coat back on.

We had a nice tour of the ramp and went past the Olympic A340, nice. Some other goodies as well.

Back to my old haunt of Terminal 3 and up we go. It is time to go home.

Heathrow part 2

I enter the airside of Terminal 3 and make my way to the American Airlines counter.
She is nice. I swiped the BA boarding card given from Paris. She asks me the basic security questions, checks the passport, and then gives me an AA card. Done.

Did the upgrade request work? No, that is fine. I will often take 2 seats to myself in coach
than to have to share in Business. However, and it is rare these days, but if you get 2 in Business to yourself, it is Heaven.

I go to one of the shops and ask the kind gentleman for a bag as I need to separate things.
He is nice and I sort things out. I thought he was being sarcastic when he asked do I have everything in order? like get out of my store, you are bugging me. He actually meant it and I was impressed. He said how a woman flying Egyptair lost her boarding pass airside, they have no facilities airside, ??? huh???, and so she missed her flight. wow Made ya think, although AA has a very strong presence airside. He was just so kind. shoukran

I head out to the Admirals Club to get rid of my junk. They have a nice storage facility.

The girls are friendly and welcome me. I think, finally, I don't have to show my card anymore, but then she asks for my passport. You got me, too much.

I have a quick needed Malvern(sparkling water) and then back to security and then to the shops. Yes, he wants to see my boarding pass and I don't fight him. It makes no sense becuase you could be an in house transfer passenger and you wouldn't have a BP. If your ticket is electronic, no ticket. Whatever. Hey, if that is how you get your jollies.

By the way, I have never seen at any other transfer point airside in the world where they have asked for a boarding pass. Going to airside, sure. It guess it is another way to nitpick people. However ya get your jollies, mate. It might just be a power trip thing, like our TSA.

Where do I start? First, I do a walkabout the shops and area. I look at the chocolates(in the main Duty Free). nah

I go to the entry area. In November we had a long queue, now there was no queue to get in, figures.

I go to Harrods and buy mum, my fellow Anglophile back home, a Harrods bag with teddy bears on it, a coin purse, and a pen. Plus asked for a couple of sample bags which they always give. This is my favorite Harrods store at all of LHR and the staff are just great. Also had London newspapers for her. She loved it all.

I also buy a couple of chicken sandwhiches for the flight home. I am hungry.
When they would have chicken tikka, they were to die for. As I later find out, these aren't so great, oh well.

My last and final purchase in Europe is at the wonderful chocolate box. I bought some more Bendicks English chocolate mints, one of my feelings of Heaven. The staff are great and one more swipe of the BAA points card til it goes back to its resting place at home til next time. The staff don't hassle me for a boarding card, thank you, just the AA flight #, long memorized. With that, we are done, and exit.

I go down for a walk to my left, where SASafrass usually leaves from. I haven't been down here for a long time and last time I was here, a security agent chased Brian and I back to the lounge. He was a yutz.

They have now divided the already small hallway into out for departures, in for arrivals, with an ugly fence type of thing in the middle, kind of like in Israel. It is ugly and it stinks.

I go to visit the Singapore lounge to have one more shot at using the United Premier Exec card which has been so underused and expires today. She noted that it is gone today, but sorry, have to fly Star. Oh well. Nice lounge. With that I am done here. Go to the new Servisair lounge, now what the old BA lounge used to be. It is a good lounge, very comfy, and snacks are exactly the same as T2. Woman is ok, not too firiendly, but she doesn't bite my head off, so we are ok. I did grab a paper and some water and a biscuit. View is pretty good. Standard planes from here: SAS, Pakistan, Korean, and one other!?

I walk past the Japan lounge and say, what the heck. I walk in to get a magazine but the lounge attendant was busy. So I walk in. I figure someone will stop me. No one does. I am also the only Anglo in the entire lounge, save the one woman cleaneruper.

I get the stares. Too funny. They have Perrier so I grab a Perrier, but the magazine is what I want. They had those and some other brochure. Food was average, probably the Business Class side. The Warden was keeping a closer eye on the First side, which I am sure was much nicer.

I did snag a Perrier and some napkins then made my exit. I did think of the movie Lost in Translation-Bill Murray. I could understand more from that movie by these 5 or so minutes.

I didn't look at the warden making my exit out.

Down to AA. Now you have another guy checking for a BP. I became sarcastic with him, ok, a new guy, get to show it again, he smiled. We actually laughed. The idea that the Britts pay someone to sit there and look at your BP going to the lounges, same with the other side, scary! really, really scary! Not joking.

I sat down and relaxed at the AA lounge. Cheese, crackers, waters, some nuts, read the USA Today. Qatar (Air)bus right outside our window. Some AA's, funny enough the ELAL was parked at the end for Shabbat(Saturday), and a few other goodies. AC, etc.

I was ready to head out early and what comes on the tely, CNN Inside Africa, ok, I am staying. I laugh. I watch this programme at home, 0930 am on Saturday, I go out of my way to see it. The only time I ever hear about Africa, a place that fascinates me to no end.
Hmmm Someone was even questioning me about that Monday night at singles. ok...

It is 1730 in the evening and the plane leave at 1830, so I am pushing it. I get to watch it, pics of Africa and all, then my exit. The carry ons filled with all kinds of junk are HEAVY.
Fortunately, AA shows me some mercy and our 777 to Kennedy is not at the last gate, as it usually is. You enter the gatehold area and they process your boarding pass. They have a special ticketing area to the side.

If you get profiled, SSSS, on your BP, you go to another area and they give you a free strip search, but after Israel, honey, it ain't nothing. Thank Heavens for that! I do like the setup out of Heathrow. One reason I fly out of here, plus the 777s all leave from here, more on that later. Out of beloved Franfkurt everyone gets that overly personal wand down. Pass. I don't care much for Terminal 2A at CDG where AA leaves from. So boring.

I throw my junk on a chair and sort things out. This is for the flight, this is to go in my luggage when I get to JFK. I hope to ditch a few things on the flight as these bags are heavy.

Home we go!!

AA 777 LHR TO JFK part 1

Whilst we are in England, the AA gatehold area really is like a taste of America. I have left from here on many Pan Am, TWA., some United, and now AA planes. It is kind of a sweet taste of home, if you will.

The smiling flight attendant takes my pass and we go.

Down the white jetway, and cold, I board this American Embassy. Crews are friendly and smiling and it is good to be home. Why I have to be elite with a US airline. Paul wants me to defect to Air France and become a Red. I need a US airline out of Europe, sorry, and I don't like Delta, sorry Brian. Foreign airlines out of the US are fine, but coming home, I need Yank. It just feels so good to be on something American, oh my gosh.

They direct me to my seat. The sweetest girl up front says wow, you have bought things for everyone at home. Not quite, dear. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif She catches me in the end. Cute, too.

I walk though Business Class, grwl, but my friend tried. If it is full then not that good.

Into coach and to the very back. I had asked for 2 seats to myself and they only had that blessing at the very end of the row, right side, I will take it. This stays here, this goes up. Separated inflight from non-inflight items.

Bing bong, bing bong. I love it. Business Traveller, took a break from the Israelis(book), sorry, Financial Times, and my schoogi bag, with sandwhiches.

We had a lovely(NOT!) crew from Queens yapping away. She was giving everyone a hard time, such a distant opposite from that sweet thing up front. Ugh

I ate my sandwhich and then left its remains in the galley, no trash bag. Queens was over not 2 seconds later yapping at me for leaving the container on a sterile food area. Ok, sorry, I felt bad, but everyone felt sorry for me and they all looked on.

Fortunately, the dear thing worked the other side, thank Heavens, and so I had no further contact with her.

Most of the crews were quite cool. One or 2 ignoramuses. The blessing of the NY flight, especially the evening flights, is that, with respect please, the 'dinosaurs' http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif as some on here prefer to call them, not that I ever would! like to work the longhaul flights, more hours, etc. Hence on the nonstops to LA, which leave way too early anyway, you get some nasty somethings. I have had some adorable young ones fly this route and back when they had SOS cards, a way of saying thank you to crew, I gave a stack to one female crew and she was in Heaven. Her colleagues were jealous, hey dude, you gotta earn it, she did.

More pax came on board and started filing to the back. The guy comes and sits in front of me, then moves to the center, taking the 5 seats. Great idea, but I want the window, I love being able to look out the window, but also to be able to get up when I want. And with AA's fantastic legroom, it really makes coach quite doable, barely, but doable.
BA's cabin drove me crazy and I couldn't do it on this longer flight.

Then a friend of his comes and sits in front of me. Oh please don't put that seat back, he never does. Bless you! I do, because I have a wall behind me. I feel bad putting my seat in others' faces.

I can't tell if they are Portuguese? or Brasilero? I did enjoy hearing them yack in Portugese, but then they went into fluent English. As they were going to Costa Rica, I am guessing do Portugal.

More boarding, prep for taxi. They came around with newspapers, I grabbed something.

Push back and taxi out. There was a weird airplane next to us with a symbol of the Pakistani flag, not PIA, want to know who it was. I saw it taxi out from the Le Meridien. It looks like a big smile, kind of cool.

We taxi out past T3, the late night Air Canada, the ELAL, the whatever. Radar spins around. They do the AA safety video. I think German followed English, so I had to watch it. I love the German video, he has a good strong voice.

Past the BAs and Aer Lingus. Actually looked at flying through Dublin on this one, maybe next time. (LHR to DUB to CDG, then would have had Terminal 1 at CDG, plus, love Dublin)

Past beloved South African, I blew the mates a kiss, and then out to our taxi. A short wait, turnaround, here we go.
Goodbye UK, Europe, and all, I am going home!

Rolling. Pass all the hotels. I am always amused to see the Rennaissance. Can you really see someone standing there at the window? uh of if yes, LOL.

Lift off, over the Motorway-orbital, saw the Marriott in Slough where we stayed years ago. I remember standing there at the window and watching a Cathay 744 fly overhead. Going for a walk from the hotel to so dome laundry I was coming back and the Concorde soard right over. It was awesome. Like a freaking rocket.

Out over some lights and to the Northwest. Headed toward Birmingham, Marcus territory. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Someday we'll meet.

They usually keep a Southerly route, over to South Wales, how we came in, this time we are heading North.

Near Birmingham(don't remember how close we were, it goes fast), out over the coastline, Irish sea. I always think of the theme song from the Titanic by Celine Dion. It sounds so Irish. It always goes through my head when I get anywhere near Eire.

We flew a ways south of Dublin, a big city with lot's of lights. My Conrad(nice hotel) and Irish chocolates are down there, oh well, next time. Believe we were north of Cork and out to the West, area of Kilarney/Shannon, one of the most beautiful places in the world. By the way, the Irish are some of the dearest souls on earth, they compete with the Aussies, 2 of my favs.

Which one is friendlier I don't know? From there we begin our transatlantic crossing with all dark till Newfoundland.

I do my WC break, give a sneer at Queens, ugh, and then back to my seat and turn on the inflight video.
With 2 seats to myself I can have the airshow/map on one tv screen and the inflight tv on the other.

Ah, King of Queens, one of the few shows on CBS that I like, so I watch. Time for some mints.

>>My dear Genevoise, that is great, but you are about the only one. >>

Certainly not in Geneva. Everyone flys LY to Israel. Mind u they are the only ones who fly nonstop from here. All my relatives in Israel fly LY, and those who used to fly foreign carriers, switched back to El Al.They have greatly improved the service.

>>I knew an ELAL crewmember, he told me the nasty things he would to pax>>

I never experienced a run in with a crew member. Only once from New York to London many years ago with my mother as a kid when we were diverted to Manchester. They are not as friendly as on SWISS but they are very polite.Don't forget they have the easy going Middle East mentality.

>> Customer service means nothing. >>

You are confusing the 1950's and 60's. Great improvement.

<<A woman wrote in the Jerusalem Report magazine, English. She blasted ELAL, they have no legroom<<

32" aint bad. Better than most.

>>Why do you think my BA planes were so full?>>

Reasons BA are full is i) El Al is full so some traffic overflows to BA; ii) giant BA can offer lower fares and iii) same airline connections throughout the world. LY carries about 45% of Israeli traffic and it increased by 3% this year. Same reasons LH, BA, KL and LX get traffic. TAROM Romanian used to be full because they offered the lowest fares to the USA but they just stopped flying there. Now many are flying on Turkish to the USA due to cut rate fares.

Before you criticise LY, I suggest you fly them first.

Ok, thank you. Can we do this at the ELAL board? toda, please

LHR to JFK AA 777 part 2

Did the usual video thing. They have the rounds of CBS programming. Not much on the BBC channel, sadly.

First, drink service, then a top off service of drinks. Fairly professional and the male crew member who served me, from Latin America, was very nice. He would give me empty cups of ice for my Malverns/Perriers and an orange juice with ice.

Then dinner. Again, I like AA's dinners. This was the first real food I had all day. No, I don't count the chicken sandwhich and it was icky.

Choice was chicken or salmon, I took the chicken, but tough choice. Standard small AA salad, roll, butter, but finally, a chocolate dessert. Kind of like a little cake with some pudding, but all chocolate. Finally! I usually have to BYOB/C http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

I liked the dessert so much that I asked him for an extra one, he brought me 2. Oh if I had those SOS coupons, thank you.

Dinner clean up, another round of drinks, plus consumed my goodies.

Worked on the Business Traveller and the Financial Times.

We are coming over to Newfoundland, and now back in the Americas. Not many lights here below, then further down over Prince Edward Island tons of lights, and then over Moncton in New Brunswick, a good design. Oh Canada!

Into Maine and more lights, as we go down the coast. The flight was more lively than the other flights. I usually take the 8pm to NY, but it doesn't go on Saturday, so took the 1830, and was grateful I did, I don't mind getting into NY earlier. People were up and talking, moving about, kind of like a party. Lot's of Portugese. Guess I may have to learn
Portugese. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif They served us a little pizza. It was ok.

Down the East Coast and we had the best view of Boston, better than I have ever seen. You could see Logan Airport and the entire Boston area layout, been awhile for me. I had considered flying back via Boston, an option, but before I had left they had some nasty weather which made me a bit concerned. It would be something different.

Down the coast to RI, hi Denise http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, Conn, and out to Long Island. We flew down Long Island, could see Manhattan in the distance, with a few planes heading northbound. I am coming in earlier than usual so now there is more activity.

They did the announcements for arrival, final WC visit, filled out the US customs card, and sorted everything out as I had to quickly put things into my bags and take things out, like toiletries, between customs and the TSA. Again, this was a bit easier as it was earlier.

They forgot to put out the cart of drinks in the back, he gave some excuse. I mostly would have appreciated the ice. They also forgot to show the JFK arrival video, might be good for first timers to AA at JFK.

Flaps, dentist's drill, descend. There was a cool white light dangling over Manhattan, I will call it a UFO, call it whatever you want, it was big.

In November when we came in the lights of Long Island flickered, it was great, but not windy so not as much this time.

Flew over a small airport, guessing Islip/Long Island, my bro has been there, not me,
some mini malls, ah, we are in America http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and touch down at JFK, landing parallel to the cargo areas, reverse and slow.

Taxi to the terminal. I can see the welcome to the USA sign at the IAB tower.

Love it! We wait for a minute and then make final shutdown. I get to turn my cell phones on, or so I think.

I get out the one cell, the right cell,and set it up for the Best Western, a Hotwire special.
Have the info available.

I wave goodbye and the cute, friendly attendant up front catches me grabbing a Business Class amenity kit and a menu, yes, already collecting things for the guy in Paris. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
She says ah, that is what you have, we both laugh, and wish her my best.

Oh and I grabbed the aircraft reg. # from the rear wall.

Into the jetway and down the long, winding, annoying corridors leading to customs. The place is old, dirity, and down, but they are building a wonderful new terminal. Oh I can't wait til it is finished. I read the Finnair signs in Finnish, Tervetuloa, means Welcome.

Even with leaving things behind, my bags are heavy and they are numbing my fingers. I could use a cart. Up an escalator, down an escalator, then into the customs hall.

No pics or fingerprinting for us. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Probably not for many else as most are UK/EU citizens.

Not too long of a wait. I like the guy to my right and I go for him. My hunch is right, he is cool. I have to reach in and get my pasport and landing card. " I would think you would be ready for me and have everything out, wanting to get out of here as fast as you can. "
I laugh. He swipes the passport into the computer, I am cleared, stamps the passport, stamps the US card, I am ok for customs. No secondary check and I rejoice. If they stamp it and he signs it, means, usually, you are good to go. If they put a # on there, it is fun time.

In the past even when the officer upstairs has directed me to secondary, for whatever reason, officers downstairs have waved me on. Must be that innocent look.

"Malibu?" with a twinge of resentment. Yes!! then he says ciao
I like that. He is cool.

Downstairs to bag claim and the bags are already on the floor.

Now you get to pay for a cart which is pretty chinsy. I had saved US $ for it but instead can use my card. I am certain last time was cash only.

I get the cart, load the bags, hand the customs card to the officer who waves me along, they are pretty friendly here. Some guy has a box of alcohol and they are inspecting closely on one of the tables.

Out to the exit but not yet to TSA. A whole bunch of junk ( thank you) goes in, toiletries and my schoogi bag, with an Orangina from Paris, comes out, but still too heavy.

I hand the bags to TSA willing to give the cart, but I get to keep it. My bags go swoosh into the big machine, he wishes me a good flight. (yeah buddy, not for almost 24 hours, good they don't know that)

Out to the landside and I go to the side and I call the Best Western. Last time I was here they were testing the monorail. Now it is up and running. As with Newark, you now go over to the monorail to a hotel shuttle pick up point, ICK Actually works well with the IAB, but with AA is a pain.

To celebrate being back in America I go to Nathan's hot dogs and buy 3: chili, chili with cheese, and plain. ah, they are ok, but have had better. With jetlag and the Best Western, want some food handy, and not just chocolate.

On with the jacket and drag cart to some unkwown direction to the monorail. It is a bit nippy but nothing like London.

Up the elevator, onto the train, to Federal Circle, not a bad view of the planes and cargo areas. Down and to the black shuttle waiting for me.

Last time I did Hotwire I had the Hampton Inn, a very clean and modern, new hotel. With Hotwire and Priceline, you don't know til you have bought it what you are getting. Sorry to sound like a snob http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif but I wasn't looking forward to the Best Western.

It is a dump, it is doable, but a dump. I go check in, I ask for a high floor, she gives me 2, ok. I go up to my room and
I have made it.

>> >>

Interflug, you did not criticise LY (without even flying with them) on the El Al Board. You did so on this Board. I am not a yo yo schlepping from board to board.

Also you criticised Israeli airport security on this Board. Am I also supposed to schlep over to the Airport Board too?

You seem to think that Israel is Lichtenstein.

JFK

Got to the room, got some ice, ignored the loud people in the cafeteria area, oh they were loud. Do I mention the large trash bags in the hallway? (this place sucks!)

Yes, I did call downstairs and complained about them. It eventually did quiet down.

Anyway I called everyone, caught up on things, and off to bed. Good to be back in America, but I hate this hotel.

____

I woke up early at dawn and went for a walk, I needed it. It was cold but compared to Europe much more doable.

That white light was still over New York, becoming less bright. I could see the other hotels across the freeway, maybe I just like being higher. 2nd floor, nah. This area is crummy, but the walk felt so good. No baggage, no carry ons, I was beginning to think they were attached to me. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Caught some quick breakfast then back to bed.

Janis called as I was checking out and waiting for the shuttle to JFK. The shuttle driver was nice and for some reason drove us into the airport, which saved time.

I took everything with me to the IAB, the large, spacious, and quite impressive Int'l terminal.

The place was desolate. I tried one more time with my Untied elite card to get into the Varig/Star Alliance lounge, but no go, and now it is expired. She did give me an inflight magazine. The Swiss lounge wardens were rude. I walked in to get a timetable and like, what do you want? Ok, wait til Swiss joins Oneworld. Then you get to deal with me.
Too much.

I walked around the check in counters and then had some time to kill before the Aer Lingus lounge opened up.

They have different places of worship. They had a multifaith (Protestant) chapel so I went in.
The Pastor was very loving and gave a good sermon. She actually had made some good points and I listened. We sang a song and then came up and held hands, I loved it. She actually gave me some things to think about.

With what little $$$ I had I made a donation, off the record, of course.

At home I would be in church for a good part of the day so this was the least I could do. Though many of you went out to lunch without me, :P.

Then down the way was a small Synagogue, dead empty, but with a big Israeli flag hanging up, which I can now look at with greater pride. In fact mine is up now, on my door, loving it.

I read from the prayer book and paid my respects. No place for a donation, ok. No Tzedekah box? (spelling)

Another tour around the terminal and then to my lounge.

The Aer Lingus lounge at JFK, like all of the lounges, are landside, which has mixed blessings. Nice that you can take non-flying visitors as guests and nice that I get to see it, as I am leaving from a different terminal, but to have to leave the lounge early to go clear security, etc, I don't know. I call it 50/50. I showed her my Platinum card and boarding pass. As I am traveling domestically they could make a deal, but they never do. In fact AA has made a bigger deal and at Newark wanted to deny me access, as I was only traveling domestically that day, though on an int'l ticket. Newark gave it to me as they had canceled my flight, gee, thanks.

This lounge is fantastic. A full library and fireplace, eating area, tv area, internet, comfy chairs in front of the windows giving you, to me anyway, one of the best views of JFK. They also have their own W/C.

They had chicken salad wrap sandwhiches, little bite sized ham and cheese sandwhiches, cookies, including chocolate chip, little salmon slices on the crackers, yummm, and a full open bar. At AA you are paying for everything and no food, same some pretzels, maybe cheese and crackers, if you are lucky.

Picked up a couple of plate fulls and sat in front of the window. JFK is quiet during the day and picks up in the evening.

Then did some internet to catch up. Now I have access to AOL and all sites and did some admin for my groups, before all the fun started http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif, and then preped this report on flyertalk.

I then got with someone that I was supposed to meet then couldn't thanks to T-Mobile. I felt bad about that.

I took a walk through the terminal and it was bustling. Nothing like before. Oh and Virgin Atlantic has a beautiful new Upper Class lounge where the Swissport used to be. I still miss the Swissport and Worldclubs(NW). They merged the Worldclub into the EI lounge but Northwest pax have no where to go til 3pm.

I went outside and caught some air. Lot's of good views of planes taking off into the sunset. You could see Manhattan, Empire State Building, and all. Donald Trump? Ya fired!

I called American to see if I could upgrade. First the cell doesn't work, then move a few feet and it did, ok.

Yes, American had a seat and moved me up, I figure, why not?

There was a guy in plain clothes standing outside in an obscure location. I have a very strong feeling he was ELAL security, but could be wrong. They do that, you know. The LY 744 was parked along with the EgyptAir 777, and a few other goodies, with the SAA A340 across the way at the Delta terminal.

Anyway, I did watch the ELAL check in, much more organized and less intense than my last visit, they also moved some of the security checks to the side, which is good.

I checked out the Swiss counter as I may fly out of here on Swiss when they join Oneworld.

Back to the lounge and it was bustling with people. A little more food, more internet, more gingerale, and time to go.

I did a quick look downstairs at the shops and watched people go through security to catch their planes.

Have to love all the goodbyes. It is a great terminal.

The Air Train is very convenient in this terminal as it is inside of it, board, and with 2 stops, JetBlue and BA, we are at American. Down the elevator, over to check in. I checked in at the front counter and wanted to see if they had a bag or something I could throw my junk in and check it, they didn't. BA does and it works wonders, oh well.

Up to the Admirals Club and the Academy Awards are on, err, the pre-show, all I get to see and then I heard about it when I got home. I took a drink, some peanuts, and time to go. In November security here at T9 was a madhouse, but was easy here. Strip down and I pass. If you have the SSSS you go get searched more intensely after the regular check vs. instead of. They wouldn't let me take my cart and so I had to drag my stuff down to the gate. One more call, prep things for the overhead, and we are going home.

The SWISS flight gates are directly across from LY at JFK. They leave at about the same time. Twice LY were right behind us on takeoff. They do not light up the tail section at night, like the other airlines. Keep it nice, dark, low-key and anonymous.

JFK-LAX AA 767-200

Ok, board the plane, walk through First, too good for me, so I look, then move along out of the cabin where I am not wanted http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif. LOL

Go to Business and do the load the junk into the overhead, what I need for the flight goes into the seat pocket. They have hangars in the seat pocket with seat numbers on them, I hang my beloved leather jacket, which has been thru alot the last 2 weeks, onto the hangar and immediately the crewmember comes and whisks it away.

Pre-flight drinks of orange juice, water, and ( I believe!?) champagne are served, I ask for a water and O/J, both of which are duly consumed.

Pre-flight setup, seatbelt fastened, check out the cabin, one kinda cute passenger near me,
the flight attendants, ahhhhhhhhh, but they are nice souls. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I had asked AA for 2 seats to myself. Oh no, it is full. It is all full. NOT!!

My new seatmate comes onboard and sits down. He does his pre-flight routine.

I say hello. That was pretty much it for the pleasantries.

The guy in front of me, right side, the bulkhead on the other side, and one other pair, the lucky passenger had 2 seats to themselves, lucky somethings, but not for me. Oh well.
If you have the 2 seats to yourself, all that legroom, it is sweet.

AA's legroom on Business is 60 inches, not sure of the centimetres for the Euro and CDN folks, sorry, but just know, it is great.

My seatmate, well, is a (slob), to put it nicely. smile He takes out a magazine and starts tearing out the add and sub forms inside and throws them on the floor. One of them is right above my feet. I am aghast. I look away. (schweinhund!) He is obnoxious throughout the flight and treats our sweet stew with contempt.

Pre-flight this and that's. Collect the glasses and the menus come out. Guy in Paris gets a new one. I snagged one more before leaving the aircraft. Someday I am going to have to see your menu collection. smile I am usually occupee raiding your beloved safety card box, and beloved it is!

I look out the window and see the beautiful Aer Lingus A330 that I stared at from the lounge in the after take off position climbing and doing the hard left turn to the Atlantic. Off to Ath Cliath(Dublin) with ya.

Then shock of all shocks, the ELAL 744 takes off, Star of David and all, goes soaring up toward the Holy Land, security checks now over with. Yes, I pick on ELAL and some people here on flyertalk don't like it(and they egg me on! fyi ugh) but I do like to see ELAL and there is a sense of Jewish pride. Lo(no), their service has a long way to go and no I am not going to debate this topic any further. Done with that. AND THE TAIL IS ALL LIT UP, DEAR...
Moving on, please, toda.

Push back and taxi, we look at the upcoming new AA terminal. I can't wait for this thing to open. The AA terminal now is a big piece of junk, said with respect, of course. It is old, drab, and a different world from the IAB.

The usual Air France, Lufthansa, and all at Terminal 1. That is a nice terminal and one that I would like to fly out of. Maybe on a buddy pass with the Delta guy on an AF codeshare sometime.

Safety video is shown, straight screen up front, no tv's on the 767, why I go out of my way to fly the 777. I wish that beloved AA would please put tvs on the 767s.

We taxi out past the IAB, which of course I can't see as I am on the right, it is on the left.
Right side pays off later, promise.

They give the all clear, ding dong, ding dong, and it is time to go home.

Rolling and lift off, flying over near the IAB, another ELAL, the late night KLM,
a China A340(new for me) at Terminal 3, and a whole bunch of Deltas, whatever :P~~~, some fellow AA birds, the hotels, and that lovely dump that I pray I will never see again,
and into the air.

When you take off from JFK you make a very hard left turn and clear the area. If it weren't for the such a harsh turn you could see Manhattan. Cast of Friends, Seinfeld, Law and Order, etc. You get the idea. Yes, I think of them as I see Manhattan. And now the Apprentice(oh I am hooked).

He does level out and I do get a view. If going to Europe the turn takes you out over the water. He heads south a bit and I get to see the skyline, the bridges, the Empire State Building, Trump's paradise(ya fired!), and down toward Newark(Noyak) New Jersey.

I believe we hit Philadelphia, or thereabouts, heading a little South, no map, then heads out West. What I would give for an inflight map, airshow. Love them!

I think all of the newer planes are getting them, so it is something to look forward to.

They come around for the first set of drinks and gingerale pretty much keeps me liquid for the flight. Our Flight attendant is nice. She is not the best, not the worst, but she is friendly
and she is trying. I would give her a B+.

A blessing of all blessings(maybe a curse to some, but good to one on here), without the map, I look out the window and see a large, and really large, beautiful city south of a large body of water. Drew Carey comes to mind http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ( I love him) and it is Cleveland. I don't need the map to recognize the city of rock and roll. Cavs and all. Shalom RR.

I am touched by the view and wave from afar. Then you have all the suburbs out to Elyria, Lorraine, Sandusky(Cedar, which I have never been to, btw!), but I never see Toleda.
Guess he heads south and pulls away plus there was some cloud activity. For shame.
I miss it, too. I miss the Uno (slam Uno!) games and those brownies. I hope that both are still waiting for me!? for when I next come. I also wave to the 'Duckpond' just a bit north in that blue state with the big M. I then say 'eh' to that other fun city nearby.
I miss our Uno games. I never play it here. I hit the Ohio border and I hear the Uno cards being shuffled. I can smell the brownies. I will get back, I promise.
There is a family in Tiffin that I need to go harrass. he he he (though they return the favor and sometimes then some,
:P~ )

With that it is a collage of cities, lights, and what we call America.

I get into some reading, do that WC break, oh wait, we are out of Europe, I go to the bathroom, there ya go. An airplane knows, has that sixth sense, when I get up and it starts shaking, it happens everytime. When I sit down, it stops. What to do!?

Dinner is served. I help her put the cloth on the table and we do the setup.

Like last time it is a cheese tortelini something and is quite good. The usual accompaniments. I don't care for the salads on airplanes. Have you heard of Ranch dressing, people? Try it sometime! Maybe it is a California thing? How could you put anything but Ranch dressing on a salad? Ok, I am not as bad as my sweet little bro who gets a gallon Ranch on the side, like the pesto and bbq sauce, but hey, a few tablespoons are great. They always have some kind of vinegar something. I thought they gave vinegar to Christ as he was on the cross or something like that. No thanks.

For dessert, cheesecake and ice cream. Let's try both. She gives me the cheesecake. It is to die for. Good food on an airplane other than Cathay, Singapore, Canadian, and Air France. hmmmmmmmmmm This could be nice. It was good guys, I mean really good.

I am glad that I tried both. The ice cream was awful and after 2 bites it went back. ick

After the meal service it was inflight movie time, or so I thought.

Going out to Miami the seat doesn't work. Now it is the video equipment.
My obnoxious seatmate said his volume was up and stayed up. Drove him crazy.(quiet smile here) he he he

Mine doesn't work either. I am mad when I have to forsake an episode of King of Queens. Maybe I will sue American. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif (people on the AA board on flyertalk write in and want compensation for the smallest things and we laugh hysterically, sorry)

It is annoying. I miss the movie, too. The crew came over, she tried it, said she would report it. They had one channel of some stupid song and that is all I had. Now if I had paid $7K and going to Europe in Business I'd be ticked. But I leave it and do reading.

The guy in front puts his seat all the way back and I mean all the way. An in my face type of thing. GRWL! The (yutz) next to me stretches out and poor me is trapped. I pay back with the reading light on and did my Business Traveller, British spelling.

Later I needed to get out and I wait, there is no way I can do this, both are sleeping. The gingerale takes its effect. Neighbor is awake and I make my move. I literally have to be a contortionist to get out. I could have just smacked the guy on the head, I really could. It would be rude, crude, and smude, but his seat is all the way back in my face, my 60 inches of legroom and personal space were gone. It sucks.

Why I would never pay for this thing up front. Not worth it. (suckers!)

I make my way out, not an easy feat and I get my relief. I want to do a walkabout through the cabin but too lazy. I need cards, too. Coach is not by any means full, as I had been told, one reason I had upgraded, cough, but it was heavy. So back to the torture chamber.

Caught a little bit of rest and enjoyed a city here, a city there. I am guessing we came in via Arizona, maybe it was Flagstaff to the North. Too small to be Phoenix, which they probably saw from the left.

I was uncomfortable with the seat in my face. Took away that up front joy.

The delight of every flight. The commandant(captiain) comes on and says we are starting our descent for LA. YEAH!!! We fly over Palm Springs, hello to Idlewyld, and he starts going down. We fly right over Ontario Airport-I have never even seen the new terminal,
and into LA. The joy of all joys when you can see downtown LA on a clear night and a gorgeous view. I am home. Glendale to the north and It was Sunday night. You guys were out having fun without me, and that is not allowed!
( I will bet that you went to one of my favorite places just to spite me...) Not kidding. I can see it. But I went to Europe and you didn't, so, nah nah. LOL

They bring our coats and finally the other yutz in front puts his seat up(schmuck!). I think I made an outloud sarcastic comment, gee, thanks, I can see my feet now. UGH

Now I can do my prep and stow things away, with my heavy leather coat on my lap.

I could barely get into the lower seat pocket before. Really disgusting. Guys, ok, put your seat back a little, but come on, do think of the person behind you. GRWL

I cheat and keep my seatbelt off and they don't even catch it so I can look back and see the City of Angels. Yes, we do compete with Paris for world title, I can promise.

We fly over the Forum where many Lakers' victories have taken place, also some defeats, sadly, the Race Track, the 405, the freeway we all love to curse, and then laughingly
we fly along the Westin, my new home for the evening, YEAH!
I go from the Best Western to the Westin in 2 nights, same company(Hotwire) and they cost about the same. Gotta love online auctions. This one I do. (the description pretty much gave it away, thank you)

A sprawl of Untieds, Widgets(Delta thingies), and we touch down, with that beautiful tower flashing. The Encounter and those sticks at the entrance to the airport change their glow, just for me. Welcome home. Reverse thrust and pounce. My beloved Cathay is at Bradley.
Pass tonight, maybe later it is for me.

A Qantas 744 is parked at one of the outer gates at the American terminal. Give me a trash bag and 15 minutes and I will raid the (bloody) thing. Perhaps another time, but I do sense Australia in the next year. (or Bali, we shall see) I think it will be one of them. I do miss Sydney, too much so. Plus, I need to go meet someone named Goldflyer. Let him buy me some drinks. ( I had to work you in here somehow, mate) Also Mad_Atta. Sounds fun.

We dock at a gate opposite the terminal named after our former mayor and we park, shut down, and done. I mentally express a gesture to that obnoxious guy I have had to sit next to for 5 hours. What a yutz. Sorry, no other way to describe him.

I grab my crap and say goodbye. Out of the jetway to this wonderful weather. Some guy stops dead in front of me and fixes his rolling carry on,then wheels it up. One of these days I swear I am just going to pounce right into them. Stand to the right, pass the left.
I guess when we can teach people to have their crap out at the security machine, then we can train the (animals) on this one. Enter the terminal and freedom at last!

LAX, home

Oh my I think we have done it. I will give a conclusion shortly.

I exit the aircraft and fix up the carry ons, too much, as always I know.

As I now have to be a passenger to get in here I walk around a bit. I kind of miss the place.

I miss the old pre-TSA days when we could come up here, hang out, go to the club for a drink, now we go to Thai restaurants for that, so works out.

It is about 2330 hours and so the Admirals is now closing, never getting to go when I left.
I know someone can get me in, so, not a problem. I do want to see the Flagship lounge,
should anyone want to take me.

Down through the terminal, I pity the poor souls who are flying out, no, I am glad to not be flying. I am not kidding. People think I am joking when I say I don't mind parking it for a bit. Down the line, you get the itch to go again, but I don't know how true road warriors and crews do it, I really don't and I so admire you. I am out playing on the beach and you are in a metal tube. ok....

Down to bag claim and my bags,unlike November, and according to proper TSA guidelines, come out from this flight. Last time they were sitting in a corner that anyone could have taken and walked off with, having been put on an earlier flight several hours early. Guess JFK got sick of them. I am happy that they came with this flight. Security wise makes me feel better. I call the Westin and ask for the shuttle. I could go get my car but too tired.
It is 0230 am in NY and 0730am in London, 0830am in Paris, and 0930am in the Holy Land. I pass. Everything goes onto a cart, which I found for free, made up for paying $$$ over the domestic part of the trip for something that is free in just about every country in the world. Some terminals in Canada charge for them, but you can pay in Canadian $$$ so doesn't cost much. LOL http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif :P EH

When I am out here waiting for any other shuttle, I see the Westin bus come around all the time. Good ole' Murphy strikes again. Now that I actually need the Westin bus, it took forever. Their predicted 5 minutes turns into much longer. So, I make phone calls and check in with people. Set up with Brian for the next day.

Bus comes and I get a fun duo of Southwest pilots sitting behind me. Since the show Airline I have a newfound respect for WN, which I really didn't have before, sorry.

They make some interesting comments and I eavesdrop, obv. so, even laugh and agree.

There is a bouchon or a bottleneck at the end of the airport. They are like welcome to California. I bring it down to LA. There was an accident at the exit and so the robots, I mean traffic cops with an attitude, are directing us around.

We make it to our new home. I jump ship and run to the desk with my bags in the van. Quite a few people on there so it takes time. There is a small line but I get to the front.
The Starwood Gold card check in never seems to matter. They check me in, they have to see ID. I never had to show ID in Europe, but I do at a hotel 35 miles from my home. Ok
Well sir, the room isn't ready. You are joking, eh?

I did request the top floor, airport view, even called it in before I left. We have 24 hour check out and I like that, acutally, and people were checking out to catch flights. I asked if he would buy me a drink and he gave me a voucher. More the principle.

The shuttle bus driver took my bags and had them on a cart, very impressed. He had a tip. That is service!

They then sat there in the lobby for a bit. I did the hotel walkabout and I do love this hotel, in all fairness. Would actually, if affordable!?, would be a place for a wedding, a thought. NOT TO GIVE ANYONE HERE ANY IDEAS! LOL
(I love being single, I really do) sorry

I get my drink. She forgets it, I politely remind her, then it comes. I do more walking, people are playing on the piano(well, they are trying). They are not my little bro!

Then I go to check on the room and she knows nothing of my predicament, my helper having gone out for a smoke(or whatever).

She wants to do the whole thing again and I am like, nah ah. I already showed the ID, gave the credit card for incidentals, and she goes ahead and finds me a room. I never showed any ID at any of the hotels in Europe or Isreal, too much!

Porter brings the bags up and I feel spoiled again. Not where I had asked, HOWEVER,
it is at the very corner, NW side of the hotel. Through the large rooms' spectacular windows I can see straight into LAXative and to my right, have a view of the downtown LA skyline. That is because some winds have blown away the smog. Scary that it is so close one day and can't even see it the next. I love the view. I get my ice. Time for American tv with some good sitcoms. Actually there was a movie that I like that was on and that took care of that.

Something new: I had ordered a Shirley Temple downstairs, love them and drank it, but there were cherries and a slight leftover of grenadine at the bottom. I then filled the tall glass with the English Malvern sparkling waters, and it was Heaven! So, I have found a new drink and will have to play with it.

In Hong Kong the hotel gym attendant gave us a sample of strawberry flavored water. It was awesome. I think we may be onto something.

We in California have to experiment with every kind of water possible, so a new avenue.

One last call then I retire to my Heavenly bed. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I may do this more often. I knew I was too tired to drive home. Smart move. I love this bed! When I do get married I will probably give a Westin a call about their Heavenly bed, seriously.

_______________

I awake to a desire and addiction of unpacking. Wrecking the Heavenly Bed I pour out my bags over everything. I then sort and arrange for everyone, many on this list, and organize:
timetables, safeties, magazines, misc(like napkins and swizzle sticks), you name it. I prepped the Harrods bag for mum.

Jon does well. My timetable people do pretty good. It was exhaustive, but I know that if I don't do it here, the bags will be full in 6 months.

I drink my new flavored water while snacking Euro chocolates and watching CNN about Haiti. Poor monsieur Aristide is kicked out. We shall miss him, PAS!(not)

I meet Brian and he takes me to my car. It works and is still there. Thank you unamed hotel. Someone actually wrote me personally and asked and I told. I wouldn't do it with a new car, please. I wouldn't do it for this long anyway. I thank the Angels who protected it, not kidding.

My welcome home meal was Carl's Junior Western Bacon cheeseburger. (2) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif and of course some criss cut fries and a chocolate shake. Literally why I want to be an American, saving the TSA to the side. It was so yummmmy

In Perth, Australia, had just arrived from Sydney, I had the biggest craving for one of these and it drove me crazy. Sometimes my treat after the Synagogue, after I have stuffed my face with a (few) cookies and challah.

We part and I go home. I blow kissess to the sign that reads, "Malibu."

The End

[This message has been edited by InterflugIL62 (edited Mar 11, 2004).]