Denver, Copper and the New Packed Centurion Lounge
Feb 9, 2021 | 10:17 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MidCal
Programs: UA MM 1K, UC, Lifetime HH Diamond, Avis President’s Club
Posts: 373
Denver, Skiing Copper and the New Packed Centurion Lounge
I'm off to Denver to attend a couple of meetings, one on February the 5th and the other on the 8th. But instead of flying home for the weekend, I'll be staying to see my Colorado based daughter where we plan to ski at Copper Mountain and watch the 2021 edition of the NFL Super Bowl.
When I originally booked, I booked a double connection through ORD to earn a few extra miles to achieve my next tier of United Lifetime Status. Yes I am that close! But When United sent me a notice of severe weather in Chicago, I quickly changed that run to another day. So instead of BFL-SFO-ORD-DEN I'm now BFL-SFO-DEN. And it turned out to be the right decision as ATC slowed inbounds.
Morning of Departure.
Up the dark and chilly 36 degree Central Valley Highway through the never ending CA 99-58 interchange construction.
To the Sequoia National Park exit.
And then a right on Merle Haggard Drive to Meadows Field - BFL.
Where I saw a few more PAX cars than my recent flights.
Once inside I didn't get to make the left to the security gate.
But instead a right - to an empty United counter where I had to check my bag.
With no one in line, United had my luggage tagged in a few minutes. I then rolled it over to screening.
I really despise checking bags but with all my bulky ski clothes and Mrs. Glasman's trinkets for our daughter - I had no choice.
I was through security in a little over 10 minutes as a family was clogging the flow due to their unapproved food items. TSA agents were also slowing things down by repeating the new Federal "you must wear a face mask at all times" mandate.
Then to a familiar Gate 5.
February 4, 2021
Flight 5325 CRJ 200 (Yuck) Seat 8B.
6:30AM - 7:48AM Skewed
6:21AM - 7:22AM Actual
When someone booked or moved to 1A, I waited to board last and changed my seat to 8B in an empty Exit Row - where the leg room isn't much better.
Captain John announced that our flight time would be 32 minutes wheels up to wheels down - and he then recited the new Federal mask mandate.
Another beautiful decent into SFO - bad photos through a heavily scratched and dirty window.
We landed 26 minutes early and a few minutes later we pulled into Gate E2. United's newer Concourse.
As the Centurion Lounge doesn't open until 8AM and since we were already in E Gates, I headed over to the United Club in E concourse for a coffee.
Or so I thought.
So I made the trek over to the United Club in Concourse F.
Where Clear has a sales kiosk set up for signing up new members.
I grabbed a cup of coffee from the bartender, made a couple of work calls then went to look at the food offerings as I heard the Club now has hot food.
I couldn't find anything hot, but did find Cage-Free Hard Boiled Eggs. They looked caged to me in those plastic containers.
.....and then I found it! A 580 calorie Block and Barrel sausage and cheese biscuit. I didn't try it thinking its the same as United's onboard Blue Label sandwich product. I Instead headed to the Centurion Lounge for breakfast.
Empty Terminal - because....
Everyone was in line to get into the Centurion Lounge.
Once in, cleared and seated I reviewed the menu.
Then went up to order, where to my surprise a lounge associate brought it to my table.
After a satisfying meal, at T-20 I made the trek over to Gate E11 passing the main security checkpoint - which had 5 of 7 lanes open and busy.
Since United lets First Class PAX board at anytime, I delayed boarding and enjoyed the SFO sunshine which was reflecting off the terminal windows.
Flight 320, SFO- DEN 737-800 Seat 1B.
Gate E11
10:51AM - 2:29PM Skewed
10:40AM - 1:59PM Actual
I made my way to the Gate, scanned my PB and headed down the jet bridge and was greeted by my seat mate.
I thought United banned all dogs?? This must be a service one.
Once in the air, our Pursuer Jill and her team started their service - well when they could, as we kept hitting significant turbulence and the Captain kept requesting the FA’s to take their seats - but once continued, service was limited and the offerings were the same - a Blue Label sandwich or a snack box. I took them both.
But only for the photo.
The insides. Sorry!
Seatmate finally fell asleep. He wouldn't even eat the Blue Label sandwich.
After an uneventful but bumpy flight we landed 30 minutes early and taxied to Gate B43 right in the center of the Concourse where we disembarked by row to an empty terminal.
Since I had the time before my daughter was to pick me up, I walked down to the new B Gates on the West of the concourse to check out the new Gates and the advertised outdoor patio.
Very European.
All signage is electronic.
To the patio.
End of Concourse looking at the Rockies.
Seating for 16 (in good times), no smoking. Looks like a future bar will be opening.
Deicers lined up and ready for the next cold spell.
Fire pits to stay a little warm on those chilly Colorado days.
After seeing what I liked (Well done United and DIA), I headed to baggage claim - passing by Elway's. One of my favorite domestic restaurants when traveling through.
Yikes, Not much distancing here.
After collecting my bag, I met my daughter for the easy ride down the I25 to Park Meadows for an early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.
Her Favorite.
Still to come - a weekend of skiing and the new DIA Centurion Lounge.
When I originally booked, I booked a double connection through ORD to earn a few extra miles to achieve my next tier of United Lifetime Status. Yes I am that close! But When United sent me a notice of severe weather in Chicago, I quickly changed that run to another day. So instead of BFL-SFO-ORD-DEN I'm now BFL-SFO-DEN. And it turned out to be the right decision as ATC slowed inbounds.
Morning of Departure.
Up the dark and chilly 36 degree Central Valley Highway through the never ending CA 99-58 interchange construction.
To the Sequoia National Park exit.
And then a right on Merle Haggard Drive to Meadows Field - BFL.
Where I saw a few more PAX cars than my recent flights.
Once inside I didn't get to make the left to the security gate.
But instead a right - to an empty United counter where I had to check my bag.
With no one in line, United had my luggage tagged in a few minutes. I then rolled it over to screening.
I really despise checking bags but with all my bulky ski clothes and Mrs. Glasman's trinkets for our daughter - I had no choice.
I was through security in a little over 10 minutes as a family was clogging the flow due to their unapproved food items. TSA agents were also slowing things down by repeating the new Federal "you must wear a face mask at all times" mandate.
Then to a familiar Gate 5.
February 4, 2021
Flight 5325 CRJ 200 (Yuck) Seat 8B.
6:30AM - 7:48AM Skewed
6:21AM - 7:22AM Actual
When someone booked or moved to 1A, I waited to board last and changed my seat to 8B in an empty Exit Row - where the leg room isn't much better.
Captain John announced that our flight time would be 32 minutes wheels up to wheels down - and he then recited the new Federal mask mandate.
Another beautiful decent into SFO - bad photos through a heavily scratched and dirty window.
We landed 26 minutes early and a few minutes later we pulled into Gate E2. United's newer Concourse.
As the Centurion Lounge doesn't open until 8AM and since we were already in E Gates, I headed over to the United Club in E concourse for a coffee.
Or so I thought.
So I made the trek over to the United Club in Concourse F.
Where Clear has a sales kiosk set up for signing up new members.
I grabbed a cup of coffee from the bartender, made a couple of work calls then went to look at the food offerings as I heard the Club now has hot food.
I couldn't find anything hot, but did find Cage-Free Hard Boiled Eggs. They looked caged to me in those plastic containers.
.....and then I found it! A 580 calorie Block and Barrel sausage and cheese biscuit. I didn't try it thinking its the same as United's onboard Blue Label sandwich product. I Instead headed to the Centurion Lounge for breakfast.
Empty Terminal - because....
Everyone was in line to get into the Centurion Lounge.
Once in, cleared and seated I reviewed the menu.
Then went up to order, where to my surprise a lounge associate brought it to my table.
After a satisfying meal, at T-20 I made the trek over to Gate E11 passing the main security checkpoint - which had 5 of 7 lanes open and busy.
Since United lets First Class PAX board at anytime, I delayed boarding and enjoyed the SFO sunshine which was reflecting off the terminal windows.
Flight 320, SFO- DEN 737-800 Seat 1B.
Gate E11
10:51AM - 2:29PM Skewed
10:40AM - 1:59PM Actual
I made my way to the Gate, scanned my PB and headed down the jet bridge and was greeted by my seat mate.
I thought United banned all dogs?? This must be a service one.
Once in the air, our Pursuer Jill and her team started their service - well when they could, as we kept hitting significant turbulence and the Captain kept requesting the FA’s to take their seats - but once continued, service was limited and the offerings were the same - a Blue Label sandwich or a snack box. I took them both.
But only for the photo.
The insides. Sorry!
Seatmate finally fell asleep. He wouldn't even eat the Blue Label sandwich.
After an uneventful but bumpy flight we landed 30 minutes early and taxied to Gate B43 right in the center of the Concourse where we disembarked by row to an empty terminal.
Since I had the time before my daughter was to pick me up, I walked down to the new B Gates on the West of the concourse to check out the new Gates and the advertised outdoor patio.
Very European.
All signage is electronic.
To the patio.
End of Concourse looking at the Rockies.
Seating for 16 (in good times), no smoking. Looks like a future bar will be opening.
Deicers lined up and ready for the next cold spell.
Fire pits to stay a little warm on those chilly Colorado days.
After seeing what I liked (Well done United and DIA), I headed to baggage claim - passing by Elway's. One of my favorite domestic restaurants when traveling through.
Yikes, Not much distancing here.
After collecting my bag, I met my daughter for the easy ride down the I25 to Park Meadows for an early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.
Her Favorite.
Still to come - a weekend of skiing and the new DIA Centurion Lounge.
Last edited by glasman19; Feb 13, 2021 at 3:42 pm
Feb 9, 2021 | 10:24 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: BAEC Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Titanium, UA Gold (*G), DL Silver, Makers Mark Ambassador
Posts: 5,068
Looks like your trip was happening at the same time as mine. Hopefully you had better luck getting up to the resorts this weekend.
Feb 9, 2021 | 5:28 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MidCal
Programs: UA MM 1K, UC, Lifetime HH Diamond, Avis President’s Club
Posts: 373
The next morning, my daughter let me borrow her car to go to my meeting saving me an Uber ride.
After a good meeting I went back to my daughters house to picked her up. We then headed to Evo to pickup ski's for the weekend.
Once fitted we departed for Silverthorne which started out to be a gorgeous drive.
But by the time we hit Georgetown - the weather changed.
And change did it ever! The snow started to fall heaver and heaver and traffic turned to bumper to bumper all the way to the continental divide .
Snow plows ahead helped slow the traffic. As did the California drivers in their two drive Ford Focus.
Approaching the Eisenhower Tunnel.
On the Westside of the continental divide the weather was a little better for the 7 mile decent into Silverthorne and our home for the next three nights.
As Colorado is in peak ski season, the hotels and VRBO's were pricing out at $400-600 a night - including the Hampton Inn which I ended up booking for a bargain of 90,000 HHonors points - which was fine for my father-daughter weekend.
No upgrades as they were sold out. But our more than spacious two queen room worked fine.
After we dropped our bags we were ready for a cold beer! So we chose Dillion Dam Brewery a short walk from the hotel.
With only half the Brewery seating available we waited outside by the fire pit until we were called and
seated on the second floor - with a good view of the Brewery.
Typical bar menu.
For our main, we split the Mountain Man Mac and Cheese. It was delicious despite a little to much green chili.
After dinner we headed back to the hotel and called it a night.
The next morning we woke to grey and overcast skies with temperatures in the teens. We gathered our things and headed over to Copper Mountain for our first day of skiing.
Lifts where packed but efficient.
With 12 of new powder my daughter schooled her dad as we simply dont have this type of snow in California.
The sun tried to come out.
Wonderful views from the top. We had the run to ourselves.
After a long day of skiing, we were both beat and headed back to the hotel were we sat in the spa, had a small snack for dinner then passing out.
The next morning we woke to beautiful blue skies and temperatures in the 30's.
We picked up a couple of Hilton breakfast boxes, ate and took our time getting ready as I could hardly walk. 😜
After my daughter said enough is enough we headed out the mountain -
for a perfect Colorado day on the slopes.
For lunch we each ordered mini pretzel bites.
and washed it down with Ginger Ale. Ok Ginger Ale with Bushmills.
Not long after lunch we decided to head back to the hotel, order a pizza and watched Tampa Bay obliterate the Chiefs.
A Frozen Lake Dillion.
The journey home coming up next.
After a good meeting I went back to my daughters house to picked her up. We then headed to Evo to pickup ski's for the weekend.
Once fitted we departed for Silverthorne which started out to be a gorgeous drive.
But by the time we hit Georgetown - the weather changed.
And change did it ever! The snow started to fall heaver and heaver and traffic turned to bumper to bumper all the way to the continental divide .
Snow plows ahead helped slow the traffic. As did the California drivers in their two drive Ford Focus.
Approaching the Eisenhower Tunnel.
On the Westside of the continental divide the weather was a little better for the 7 mile decent into Silverthorne and our home for the next three nights.
As Colorado is in peak ski season, the hotels and VRBO's were pricing out at $400-600 a night - including the Hampton Inn which I ended up booking for a bargain of 90,000 HHonors points - which was fine for my father-daughter weekend.
No upgrades as they were sold out. But our more than spacious two queen room worked fine.
After we dropped our bags we were ready for a cold beer! So we chose Dillion Dam Brewery a short walk from the hotel.
With only half the Brewery seating available we waited outside by the fire pit until we were called and
seated on the second floor - with a good view of the Brewery.
Typical bar menu.
For our main, we split the Mountain Man Mac and Cheese. It was delicious despite a little to much green chili.
After dinner we headed back to the hotel and called it a night.
The next morning we woke to grey and overcast skies with temperatures in the teens. We gathered our things and headed over to Copper Mountain for our first day of skiing.
Lifts where packed but efficient.
With 12 of new powder my daughter schooled her dad as we simply dont have this type of snow in California.
The sun tried to come out.
Wonderful views from the top. We had the run to ourselves.
After a long day of skiing, we were both beat and headed back to the hotel were we sat in the spa, had a small snack for dinner then passing out.
The next morning we woke to beautiful blue skies and temperatures in the 30's.
We picked up a couple of Hilton breakfast boxes, ate and took our time getting ready as I could hardly walk. 😜
After my daughter said enough is enough we headed out the mountain -
for a perfect Colorado day on the slopes.
For lunch we each ordered mini pretzel bites.
and washed it down with Ginger Ale. Ok Ginger Ale with Bushmills.
Not long after lunch we decided to head back to the hotel, order a pizza and watched Tampa Bay obliterate the Chiefs.
A Frozen Lake Dillion.
The journey home coming up next.
Last edited by glasman19; Feb 13, 2021 at 4:01 pm
Feb 10, 2021 | 10:05 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MidCal
Programs: UA MM 1K, UC, Lifetime HH Diamond, Avis President’s Club
Posts: 373
The next morning we woke up early - I didn't know if I was hungover or if I was just aching from skiing! Either way I shook it off as I had an early coffee meeting in Denver before my flight back to California.
Gorgeous Colorado morning.
Much better road conditions on the Johnson Tunnel side opposite the Eisenhower 3 days prior.
Denver in the distant where my daughter dropped me off for my meeting and we parted ways until our next visit.
After a successful meeting, I ordered an Uber comfort and headed out on our 25 minute drive to DIA for the journey home.
Officially its named "Mustang" - Locals know him as Blucifer. - A reference to the significant cost over runs of DIA and the fact he killed his maker, artist Luis Jimenez.
After my driver dropped me off on level 4, I headed up to the United GS/1K Premier Check-In to drop off my bag.
They tagged my bag but not before checking to see if the DEN-BFL direct was still on the ground. It was not.
Busy South security checkpoint.
However, Precheck and Clear were virtually empty.
After a few minutes I cleared security and headed to Concourse C to check out the new Centurion Lounge - which had only opened a few days earlier.
I arrived to a bustling Concourse C - which is the primary Denver home for Southwest Airlines.
and headed towards Gate C46 where the Centurion Lounge entry escalators are located.
PAX waiting to get into the Lounge. JK! But more on that later.
I was greeted by a wonderful lounge attendant who scanned my check-in QR code, boarding pass and finally my ID.
I was then handed off to Lori who took me on a guided tour of the lounge. Not that I had asked, but the lounge was so full she simply couldn't find a seat available until one was found in the far corner of the packed lounge.
Significant bar with top shelf offerings.
Cafeteria style - choice of premade foods and deserts - Chocolate, Peanut butter or Cranberry cookies.
Chicken and Potatoes or Quinoa Salad.
Fresh Fruit with house made whip cream.
Or if you want something else, they have you covered. Avocado Toast seemed to be popular while I was in.All items put on a tray and taken to your table.
Showers if needed.
As far as American Express Lounges go, DEN rates towards the top - based on, well its new - but also on their food and drink offerings, space, ambience, restrooms, showers and electrical outlets - they were EVERYWHERE! I am also taking into account additional seating space once AMEX can open all the seats post COVID. The Lounge is U shaped with windows both North and South for great plane spotting. If one is there in the afternoon I would suggest a north or center seat as the sun beats down on the Southside.
At T-35 I headed over to Concourse B - On an empty train!
And decided to stop into the West United Club to use the restroom.
After a quick scan of my BP
I was into a virtually empty club.
After a quick stop at the restroom I decided to check out the food offerings. UH where are they!?
Oh, here! Would you like a $.25 cup of Ramen noodles Mr. Glasman? I think not!
Unless things change quickly, other than the Credit Card members I cant see the premier traveler paying $550 a year for this.
I quickly existed the club and made my way down to Gate B29.
When I booked I knew that if my meeting went long I'd miss the direct DEN-BFL flight (and I did) so my options where DEN-SFO-BFL getting home at 8:00PM or I could take DEN-LAX and rent a one-way and be home at 6:00PM - depending on LA traffic. So LAX it is.
February 8, 2021
Gate B26 United 403, Boeing 737-800 Seat 5E
DEN - LAX
2:15PM - 3:45PM Skewed
2:11PM - 3:39PM Actual
Prior to boarding I saw this guy delaying it as he had an interesting box that that required special United handing.
So nosey me googled the company to see if they were COVID doses.
As it turned out, once we boarded I found the guy with the mystery box was my seatmate. Even with his stinky feet, we spoke about the box and him for the next 1.5hr. Come to learn he was hired by BioReference in October of 2020. Since then he has travel over 100K miles traveling 4 days a week between DEN, LAX, SFO and IAH - all on United, Poor Guy - delivering these boxes. The box is full of daily Covid tests from the professional teams in said markets. Had no idea they are being tested daily. He went on to tell me a story that Von Miller was late to a test, BioReference had already picked up the days tests and thus the Broncos fined him $50,000 and then the league fine him an additional $50,000. They are taking this serious!
While wiping down my seat ect, I noticed my tray hinges were shot. Our Purser Michael noticed right away and said that "he would write it up." OK?
The FA's had to remain seated for the first 30 minutes as we climbed out and over the bumpy Rockies. Once cleared Michael and his team started by taking our drink orders and then our snack options - which were the same as my last 13 flights.
A Tomato Basil & Mozzarella Focaccia Sandwich or the Economy Snack box. I order the Sandwich...For the Photo.
Wait, did United run out of Blue Labels? Is United messing with me? Does the Green Label mean no meat or environmentally PC?
The insides - Is that Sun Dried Tomato? Sorry!
Approaching the Grand Canyon
A smoggy Downtown LA from our flight path into LAX.
We arrived 10 minutes early and taxied over to Gate 73. I collected my goods and said good-bye to Mr. Stinky feet and headed up the jet bridge
into Terminal 7
then down to Baggage Claim.
Where I waited for my non "Priority" bag.
AH, here it comes!
After collecting my bag I then walked over to Terminal 6
to the RAC Island.
Where the Avis bus picked me up 5 minutes later for my private bus ride over to the Avis Rental Car Center.
Once there, I found my Soccer Mom car in Space A33. I kept refreshing my app, but no luck in a vehicle change. Actually I just wanted to get out of there so I adjusted my seat and mirrors and headed out to the I405.
I arrived to a fairly empty highway.
Well until Wilshire Blvd
2 hours later I started to descend from the Sierra Nevada's. A short time later I arrived at BFL, switched cars and headed home down the Central Valley Highway.
Thanks for taking the time to read my adventures to Colorado.
Come back later this month when I head to UAE to take in an UCI Professional Bike Race.
Gorgeous Colorado morning.
Much better road conditions on the Johnson Tunnel side opposite the Eisenhower 3 days prior.
Denver in the distant where my daughter dropped me off for my meeting and we parted ways until our next visit.
After a successful meeting, I ordered an Uber comfort and headed out on our 25 minute drive to DIA for the journey home.
Officially its named "Mustang" - Locals know him as Blucifer. - A reference to the significant cost over runs of DIA and the fact he killed his maker, artist Luis Jimenez.
After my driver dropped me off on level 4, I headed up to the United GS/1K Premier Check-In to drop off my bag.
They tagged my bag but not before checking to see if the DEN-BFL direct was still on the ground. It was not.
Busy South security checkpoint.
However, Precheck and Clear were virtually empty.
After a few minutes I cleared security and headed to Concourse C to check out the new Centurion Lounge - which had only opened a few days earlier.
I arrived to a bustling Concourse C - which is the primary Denver home for Southwest Airlines.
and headed towards Gate C46 where the Centurion Lounge entry escalators are located.
PAX waiting to get into the Lounge. JK! But more on that later.
I was greeted by a wonderful lounge attendant who scanned my check-in QR code, boarding pass and finally my ID.
I was then handed off to Lori who took me on a guided tour of the lounge. Not that I had asked, but the lounge was so full she simply couldn't find a seat available until one was found in the far corner of the packed lounge.
Significant bar with top shelf offerings.
Cafeteria style - choice of premade foods and deserts - Chocolate, Peanut butter or Cranberry cookies.
Chicken and Potatoes or Quinoa Salad.
Fresh Fruit with house made whip cream.
Or if you want something else, they have you covered. Avocado Toast seemed to be popular while I was in.All items put on a tray and taken to your table.
Showers if needed.
As far as American Express Lounges go, DEN rates towards the top - based on, well its new - but also on their food and drink offerings, space, ambience, restrooms, showers and electrical outlets - they were EVERYWHERE! I am also taking into account additional seating space once AMEX can open all the seats post COVID. The Lounge is U shaped with windows both North and South for great plane spotting. If one is there in the afternoon I would suggest a north or center seat as the sun beats down on the Southside.
At T-35 I headed over to Concourse B - On an empty train!
And decided to stop into the West United Club to use the restroom.
After a quick scan of my BP
I was into a virtually empty club.
After a quick stop at the restroom I decided to check out the food offerings. UH where are they!?
Oh, here! Would you like a $.25 cup of Ramen noodles Mr. Glasman? I think not!
Unless things change quickly, other than the Credit Card members I cant see the premier traveler paying $550 a year for this.
I quickly existed the club and made my way down to Gate B29.
When I booked I knew that if my meeting went long I'd miss the direct DEN-BFL flight (and I did) so my options where DEN-SFO-BFL getting home at 8:00PM or I could take DEN-LAX and rent a one-way and be home at 6:00PM - depending on LA traffic. So LAX it is.
February 8, 2021
Gate B26 United 403, Boeing 737-800 Seat 5E
DEN - LAX
2:15PM - 3:45PM Skewed
2:11PM - 3:39PM Actual
Prior to boarding I saw this guy delaying it as he had an interesting box that that required special United handing.
So nosey me googled the company to see if they were COVID doses.
As it turned out, once we boarded I found the guy with the mystery box was my seatmate. Even with his stinky feet, we spoke about the box and him for the next 1.5hr. Come to learn he was hired by BioReference in October of 2020. Since then he has travel over 100K miles traveling 4 days a week between DEN, LAX, SFO and IAH - all on United, Poor Guy - delivering these boxes. The box is full of daily Covid tests from the professional teams in said markets. Had no idea they are being tested daily. He went on to tell me a story that Von Miller was late to a test, BioReference had already picked up the days tests and thus the Broncos fined him $50,000 and then the league fine him an additional $50,000. They are taking this serious!
While wiping down my seat ect, I noticed my tray hinges were shot. Our Purser Michael noticed right away and said that "he would write it up." OK?
The FA's had to remain seated for the first 30 minutes as we climbed out and over the bumpy Rockies. Once cleared Michael and his team started by taking our drink orders and then our snack options - which were the same as my last 13 flights.
A Tomato Basil & Mozzarella Focaccia Sandwich or the Economy Snack box. I order the Sandwich...For the Photo.
Wait, did United run out of Blue Labels? Is United messing with me? Does the Green Label mean no meat or environmentally PC?
The insides - Is that Sun Dried Tomato? Sorry!
Approaching the Grand Canyon
A smoggy Downtown LA from our flight path into LAX.
We arrived 10 minutes early and taxied over to Gate 73. I collected my goods and said good-bye to Mr. Stinky feet and headed up the jet bridge
into Terminal 7
then down to Baggage Claim.
Where I waited for my non "Priority" bag.
AH, here it comes!
After collecting my bag I then walked over to Terminal 6
to the RAC Island.
Where the Avis bus picked me up 5 minutes later for my private bus ride over to the Avis Rental Car Center.
Once there, I found my Soccer Mom car in Space A33. I kept refreshing my app, but no luck in a vehicle change. Actually I just wanted to get out of there so I adjusted my seat and mirrors and headed out to the I405.
I arrived to a fairly empty highway.
Well until Wilshire Blvd
2 hours later I started to descend from the Sierra Nevada's. A short time later I arrived at BFL, switched cars and headed home down the Central Valley Highway.
Thanks for taking the time to read my adventures to Colorado.
Come back later this month when I head to UAE to take in an UCI Professional Bike Race.
Last edited by glasman19; Feb 13, 2021 at 8:27 am
Feb 11, 2021 | 3:35 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak; GM with hotels; Waymo; Honda crv; iOS
Posts: 36,707
So interesting about the seat mate with the Covid tests. I assumed private plane courier. Hope he’s getting 1k status!
Feb 11, 2021 | 8:27 am
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Programs: Marriott (Lifetime Titantium), whatever other programs as benefits make sense.
Posts: 2,015
Thanks for the report. I spent almost a year living in Denver, and enjoying the skiing, so lovely to see it again. I never skied Copper Mountain, so good to see it. Sadly, not much skiing here in London, England this year - too hard to get out of this country, and then the hassle to get back again.
Also agree the information about the seatmate was very interesting.
Also agree the information about the seatmate was very interesting.
Feb 12, 2021 | 12:27 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London (mostly) & Wernstein am Inn
Programs: LH SEN, Marriott LT Platinum, BA Pleb
Posts: 3,056
Thanks for the report. I spent almost a year living in Denver, and enjoying the skiing, so lovely to see it again. I never skied Copper Mountain, so good to see it. Sadly, not much skiing here in London, England this year - too hard to get out of this country, and then the hassle to get back again.
Also agree the information about the seatmate was very interesting.
Also agree the information about the seatmate was very interesting.
Apr 13, 2021 | 8:13 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: somewhere between ORD and Willis Tower
Programs: UA MM, Premier Plat, Costco EM
Posts: 1,393
We just spent the weekend in Vail at the Sonnenalp and skiied Beaver Creek and Vail (we got the veteran Epic ski pass - a great deal, got 11 days total off of it this year) - we flew F from ORD, had the same meal options and had a lovely visit at the AMEX lounge as well. Feels like I never left!