FlyerTalk Forums - Off to St Pete and the Don Ce-Sar

I’m off on my first trip of 2022 to St Pete Beach, FL for a winter BOD meeting. Now I normally wouldn’t write a trip report on a fairly routine trip but I wanted to compare my travel experiences with that of a year ago. I booked a nonstop “first” class on United, LAX-TPA RT for $843.

Deciding on a direct flight I opted not to fly from my home airport so LAX it was. I headed South down Interstate 5 to Los Angles leaving a cold 38 degree and partly foggy San Joaquin Valley.

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Over the southern end of the Sierra Nevadas where the sun was shining brightly and the mountains mirrored the greenery of Ireland.

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Roughly an hour later I was on the other side heading down to the San Fernando Valley and the LA basin.

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1:45 minutes after departing I was pulled into P7 parking at LAX.

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I collected by bag, secured my car, took the elevator up from P7, over the walkway bridge into a virtually empty terminal…there was no line for PreCheck! Signs of January 2021.

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I was through security in under 3 minutes and into the United Club shortly after.

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I had about an hour to kill prior to my flight so I set up shop on the outdoor terrace where the air was fresh and temperatures in the high 70’s.

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For the most part the food selection hasn’t improved. If you want your carbohydrate fix this is the place to get it. I had the Caesar salad wrap, a cold brew and a chocolate chip cookie. I didn’t end up eating the pita chips.

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Great plane spotting from the terrace.

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Before I headed to my gate I made a pit stop in the club bathroom. Really you can’t remove the entire sign? I see this in all my travels - a weird reminder.

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I made the walk from the United Club over to gate 80 with 10 minutes to share before boarding.

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Not to many PAX’s on todays flight.

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My ride for today.

United 737- tired 800
Los Angles to Tampa
UA 1097 Seat 1B (and 1A as it was open)
1:40PM - 9:37PM Scheduled
1:28PM - 8:40PM Actual.

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PDB is back with United - in plastic, but Sparkling Wine was an option. Yes please.

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The plane was so empty that only 13 of 16 first class seats were booked. In hindsight I should’ve booked economy and took the free upgrade.

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Wonderful views of the Los Angles basin.

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As this was a travel day I settled in and enjoyed a Buffalo Trace.

Once in the air the FA’s started the late lunch/early dinner service. Gil, our purser did an outstanding job throughout the flight checking on our needs and drinks. Unfortunately the cabin was constantly disrupted by a screaming baby, and when I mean screaming my noise canceling headphones didn’t mask the cries. In the end, I felt bad for her mother.

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Prior to my flight I received an email from United asking if I wanted to pre-order my meal. The options were chicken or Italian and that was it! And since my wife is Italian and I eat the best Italian food at home I opted for the chicken - which was dry and tasteless! The roll was so hard I couldn’t cut it in half —— no really. After my first bite I knew why, it was incredibly dry so I passed. Sadly the meal was as expect for a domestic first class meal.

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Chocolate chip pie. Warmed and delicious.

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With the assistance of a strong tailwind we were on approach to Tampa just over 4 hours after take off.

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I was the first one off the plane, up the short jet bridge and into an empty terminal.

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I was the only one on the train to the main terminal.

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Now where is the Lyft pickup?

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Anybody home?

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My 5.0 star Lyft driver arrived a short 4 minutes after I ordered.

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Fancy laser lights. Since it was dark and couldn’t see the scenery, I just sat back and enjoyed my conversation with Rolando during the 28 minute ride over to the Don Ce-Sar.

All in all my flight was as expected. United associates are getting pounded with COVID-19 - so much they have a shortage with on- ground and inflight personnel that is causing numerous flight cancellations around the globe. In the end I gave them a break with all considered.

Soon. The tired Don Ce-Sar Pink Hotel.