1P

A five-hour ride? Surely not?

985X

Oh that one included hopping on BART from Downtown Berkeley, getting off at Daly City, riding ECR to Downtown Burlingame, having dinner with friend, then riding Caltrain to Santa Clara, and VTA bus 60 to SJC. I put it as "BART departs/arrives" in general, but actually it's just the time between riding transit from campus and getting off transit at the airport. Hope that clears the confusion.

gosha83

Wow, I am exhausted and jet lagged just from reading this insanity of a "TR"! Props to you, sir and good luck for the rest of your school year!

Echika

Wow, I am stunned and a bit jealous.. but wonder how you make time to do homework or sleep. Seems very intense day occupied by only travel.

ALGU

Legend! Echo many of the previous comments. Exhausted just from reading, can't imagine in practice. Props to take a crazy idea to fruition, definitely FT Hall of Fame worthy!

boat stuck

Absolutely. This TR is in the same class as the 8 Bottles of Dom in terms of dedication, craziness, and "probably not great for your health."

theshaun

Looking forward to the October installment

Eyefly123

​​​​​​I've been visiting the forum waiting for an update.
Hope OP sees it through!

theshaun

OP, your fans are getting restless.

985X

October 2022

10/3/2022 Monday LAX-SFO/OAK-SEA-LAX
AS3342 LAX-SFO E175 $5.60+5000 AS miles
AS711 OAK-SEA B739
AS1196 SEA-LAX A320 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 427am
Car Parked 453am
Reach Airport 517am
Flight Departs 553am
Flight Arrives 719am
BART Departs 817am
BART Arrives 925am
Arrive Class 941am
Leave Class 302pm
BART Departs 311pm
BART Arrives 350pm
Flight Departs 435pm
Flight Arrives 1040pm
Airport Landside 1045pm
Reach Parking Lot 1115pm
Arrive Home 1145pm

Another month of commute has started..



Upgraded to first class as usual



Good morning LAX



Good morning SFO



Coming back home, I decided to go psychopath mode: OAK-SEA-LAX, first time doing this crazy routeing and upgraded to first class



Watermelon feta chicken salad


Haven't been to SEA N lounge since Feb this year.. I regret trying this three bean salad, let me put it in a polite way: that's how some SF/LA streets smell like.



Some planespotting at N lounge


Everyone wants food when it's 7pm dinner time!










AS1196 upgraded to first class



Pork sandwich for supper


Final approach into LAX


The terminal is already empty.. what a long day for me..


10/5/2022 Wednesday LAX-SFO-LAX
AS997 LAX-SFO A320 $38.60
AS77 SFO-LAX B739 $38.60
Leave home 424am
Car Parked 450am
Reach Airport 507am
Flight Departs 551am
Flight Arrives 723am
BART Departs 822am
BART Arrives 934am
Arrive Class 1002am
Leave Class 556pm
BART Departs 613pm
BART Arrives 732pm
Flight Departs 815pm
Flight Arrives 946pm
Airport Landside 950pm
Reach Parking Lot 1003pm
Arrive Home 1033pm

Riding crowded free shuttle into LAX, cheap parking comes at a price..





Got the same aircraft which I ripped the window frame off a week ago LOL, good to know they duct taped it at least! (the plane retired from AS fleet a few days after this flight)



Gate agent didn't clear UG list although there was open F seats..







Can anyone explain why BART fare inspection choose to HOLD THE TRAIN while checking tickets?? So annoying! Whenever they do this, I always miss my connecting train to Berkeley and have to wait 15min for the next one..



That's like an open invitation for fare evasion..



And train cancellations is the new norm..



Rare to see mainline aircraft on SFO-LAX route, it's always hit or miss





10/7/2022 Friday LAX-OAK-SEA-LAX
WN783 LAX-OAK B737 $5.60+2655 WN points
AS3307 OAK-SEA E175
AS1196 SEA-LAX A320 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 404am
Car Parked 428am
Reach Airport 442am
Flight Departs 528am
Flight Arrives 648am
BART Departs 655am
BART Arrives 737am
Arrive Class 751am
Leave Class 247pm
BART Departs 258pm
BART Arrives 341pm
Flight Departs 500pm
Flight Arrives 1042pm
Airport Landside 1045pm
Reach Parking Lot 1058pm
Arrive Home 1128pm

WN LAX checkin desk already in Halloween mood



Got 1A! Unbelievable!



Watching the train leaving when you have a 8am class to catch..



Luckily reached campus on time



Since it's a Friday and I enjoy flying (a better way saying I have nothing else to do), I decided to fly OAK-SEA-LAX home again!



Flying over bay bridge


And UC campus



Protein platter for meal service



Half way pouring lemon ice tea, the machine ran out...




AS1196 SEA-LAX again, this time gate agent didn't clear UG list so the plane left with empty F seats



Very fresh salad bowl


Hotpot for the weekend with friend.. he was impressed I am still alive with this commute..


10/10/2022 Monday LAX-SFO-SEA-LAX
AS3342 LAX-SFO E175 $5.60+5000 AS miles
AS1304 SFO-SEA A21N
AS370 SEA-LAX B739 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 416am
Car Parked 442am
Reach Airport 506am
Flight Departs 722am
Flight Arrives 840am
BART Departs 852am
BART Arrives 952am
Arrive Class 1010am
Leave Class 339pm
BART Departs 352pm
BART Arrives 504pm
Flight Departs 548pm
Flight Arrives 1229am
Airport Landside 1232am
Reach Parking Lot 1254am
Arrive Home 124am



Flight delayed due to first officer scheduling and maintenance issues. Things like this get on my nerve quickly, as I have a 10am class to catch and we take attendance..


Fake boarding time




Drinking at 7am to relieve my stress..




Reached class at 1001am! So lucky I made it!


Going back home via SEA again.. I thought I chose a window seat..


Catching up some hw with safety card for graphics. Feels like an undergrad again..


Flying over Downtown Seattle




N lounge


Last flight of the day back to LA


No meal service offered due to late night departure


The shuttle to where I parked was PACKED.. what a long day.


10/12/2022 Wednesday SNA-SFO-SNA
AS3324 SNA-SFO E175 $38.60
AS3465 SFO-SNA E175 $38.60
Leave home 521am
Car Parked 608am
Reach Airport 611am
Flight Departs 652am
Flight Arrives 827am
BART Departs 840am
BART Arrives 938am
Arrive Class 954am
Leave Class 553pm
BART Departs 610pm
BART Arrives 717pm
Flight Departs 847pm
Flight Arrives 1024pm
Airport Landside 1026pm
Reach Parking Lot 1028pm
Arrive Home 1106pm

Flying out of SNA instead






Upgraded on the way back


10/14/2022 Friday LAX-OAK-SEA-LAX
WN783 LAX-OAK B737 $5.60+2655 WN points
AS3307 OAK-SEA E175
AS1196 SEA-LAX A320 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 357am
Car Parked 420am
Reach Airport 432am
Flight Departs 532am
Flight Arrives 651am
BART Departs 656am
BART Arrives 737am
Arrive Class 750am
Leave Class 214pm
BART Departs 227pm
BART Arrives 308pm
Flight Departs 437pm
Flight Arrives 1138pm
Airport Landside 1140pm
Reach Parking Lot 1217am
Arrive Home 1245am

Sitting in the aisle to get off the plane faster




Reached campus 750am. Class starts at 810am. Thanks WN.


Still flying OAK-SEA-LAX on the way back..


I bombed my midterm, so double shot is necessary


"Mt. Fuji"


Good to see travel is back again!


Supper service on SEA-LAX


Chicken sandwich


10/17/2022 Monday LAX-SFO/OAK-SEA-LAX
AS3342 LAX-SFO E175 $5.60+5000 AS miles
AS711 OAK-SEA B739
AS1196 SEA-LAX B739 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 422am
Car Parked 448am
Reach Airport 518am
Flight Departs 548am
Flight Arrives 705am
BART Departs 808am
BART Arrives 907am
Arrive Class 932am
Leave Class 253pm
BART Departs 303pm
BART Arrives 341pm
Flight Departs 451pm
Flight Arrives 1059pm
Airport Landside 1103pm
Reach Parking Lot 1118pm
Arrive Home 1146pm

I love my SFO lounge staff.. always take great care of me..








UA friendship livery


Fare inspection again.. great contributor of BART delays..


Well you guessed it.. OAK-SEA-LAX again. Cohort: Why? Me: shrug


739ER service to Seattle


Midterm score for 251 released.. I didn't do well, in fact it was awful. So it's drink time!


Double shot Irish cream liqueur


Foggy Seattle






AS1196 SEA-LAX battlefield upgrade


Dry fruit almond salad


10/18/2022 Tuesday SNA-SFO-SNA
AS3450 SNA-SFO E175 $38.60
AS3465 SFO-SNA E175 $38.60
Leave home 925am
Car Parked 1026am
Reach Airport 1030am
Flight Departs 1134am
Flight Arrives 1253pm
BART Departs 117pm
BART Arrives 223pm
Arrive Class 324pm
Leave Class 605pm
BART Departs 624pm
BART Arrives 730pm
Flight Departs 841pm
Flight Arrives 1018pm
Airport Landside 1020pm
Reach Parking Lot 1022pm
Arrive Home 1059pm

I don't have any class/events for that day, but I was deeply concerned about my midterm score so I flew to campus to attend prof's office hours (Tu/Th only)


Stuck in main cabin due to last minute SDC


Crew took REALLY good care of me, went above and beyond.


Some Halloween decoration at SFO customer service desk


Pork belly with rice for a quick lunch


Prof gave me some tips and encouraged me not to lose heart. Of course I won't, otherwise I wouldn't choose transportation as my career, right?


Upgraded on the way back.


Arriving SNA


10/19/2022 Wednesday LAX-SFO-LAX
AS3342 LAX-SFO E175 $38.60
AS3300 SFO-LAX E175 $38.60
Leave home 419am
Car Parked 444am
Reach Airport 503am
Flight Departs 551am
Flight Arrives 708am
BART Departs 824am
BART Arrives 934am
Arrive Class 946am
Leave Class 530pm
BART Departs 545pm
BART Arrives 700pm
Flight Departs 802pm
Flight Arrives 939pm
Airport Landside 952pm
Reach Parking Lot 1015pm
Arrive Home 1044pm



Pre departure drink, although I do admit it's not the best time to drink at 530am..


Direct flight back to save time


Final approach LAX




KBBQ kickback with ex-coworkers, "your M/W/F and Tu/Th are so different!"

985X

(October 2022 cont. )

10/21/2022 Friday LAX-OAK/SFO-LAX
WN783 LAX-OAK B737 $5.60+2655 WN points
AS336 SFO-LAX B739 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 402am
Car Parked 427am
Reach Airport 441am
Flight Departs 530am
Flight Arrives 644am
BART Departs 656am
BART Arrives 737am
Arrive Class 752am
Leave Class 728pm
BART Departs 734pm
BART Arrives 843pm
Flight Departs 1015pm
Flight Arrives 1135pm
Airport Landside 1138pm
Reach Parking Lot 1159pm
Arrive Home 1228am



I get used to catching this 535am flight every Friday now..


It was still dark outside when our flight landed as the earliest arrival of the day.


Stayed at campus for the happy hour. Who says I have to sacrifice socializing with my commute?


Never left campus that late before..


Catching the 1017pm flight home.


Special livery


Arrived LAX just before midnight


10/24/2022 Monday LAX-SFO-LAX
AS3342 LAX-SFO E175 $5.60+5000 AS miles
AS3441 SFO-LAX E175 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 418am
Car Parked 444am
Reach Airport 506am
Flight Departs 545am
Flight Arrives 711am
BART Departs 827am
BART Arrives 937am
Arrive Class 952am
Leave Class 653pm
BART Departs 706pm
BART Arrives 910pm
Flight Departs 1022pm
Flight Arrives 1149pm
Airport Landside 1152pm
Reach Parking Lot 1207am
Arrive Home 1236am





Hope that is not what I think it is.. although it's highly likely..




Lunch


Dinner


Riding buses to SFO




Driving back home, what a long day


I really want to visit Japan..


10/26/2022 Wednesday LAX-SFO-LAX
AS3342 LAX-SFO E175 $38.60
AS3300 LAS-LAX E175 $38.60
Leave home 425am
Car Parked 450am
Reach Airport 516am
Flight Departs 546am
Flight Arrives 722am
BART Departs 823am
BART Arrives 952am
Arrive Class 1010am
Leave Class 550pm
BART Departs 611pm
BART Arrives 730pm
Flight Departs 807pm
Flight Arrives 942pm
Airport Landside 945pm
Reach Parking Lot 957pm
Arrive Home 1142pm



I was so tired and didn't get off the train in time, so it took me to Rockridge..


I like how this fare gate is broken at least once a week




First class home


Some Korean tofu stew for supper


limited edition guava rose cake at Porto's


10/28/2022 Friday LAX-OAK-SEA-LAX
WN783 LAX-OAK B737 $5.60+3427 WN points
AS3307 OAK-SEA E175
AS1196 SEA-LAX A320 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 352am
Car Parked 417am
Reach Airport 431am
Flight Departs 530am
Flight Arrives 653am
BART Departs 710am
BART Arrives 753am
Arrive Class 811am
Leave Class 240pm
BART Departs 252pm
BART Arrives 344pm
Flight Departs 504pm
Flight Arrives 1055pm
Airport Landside 1057pm
Reach Parking Lot 1116pm
Arrive Home 1145pm



Spooky... I literally thought it was a prank for Halloween..


A new way of occupying seats on WN /s


Jkjk, I only did it due to light load (~70 pax)


Arriving OAK


OAK-SEA


Got 100/100 on another midterm, so it's time to celebrate






SEA-LAX upgraded as well


Chicken sandwich for supper


Empty terminal


10/29/2022 Saturday SNA-SFO-SNA
AS3324 SNA-SFO E175 $5.60+5000 AS miles
AS3492 SFO-SNA E175 $5.60+6250 AS miles
Leave home 643am
Car Parked 726am
Reach Airport 729am
Flight Departs 912am
Flight Arrives 1056am
BART Departs 1116am
BART Arrives 1206pm
Arrive Class 1219pm
Leave Class 236pm
BART Departs 256pm
BART Arrives 353pm
Flight Departs 426pm
Flight Arrives 602pm
Airport Landside 603pm
Reach Parking Lot 604pm
Arrive Home 1142pm

We have a picnic event at Berkeley marina Saturday, so I decided to fly to Berkeley again.. on a Saturday..


Our flight was delayed by 2.5hrs (7am->930am)


Initially I was happy that my flight got delayed so I can have 1.5hr extra sleep, but then it started rolling delay as they are dispatching a rescue aircraft from LAX.


"star alliance" and star alliance


Upgraded due to some pax in F rebooked to other flights




What is this little creature?


Arrived 2.5hrs late, but picnic starts at 12pm so I won't be too late


Some planespotting on the way back, barely missed my flight and gate agent called my cell to make sure I was on my way. Very nice touch.


Parallel takeoff


Arriving SNA


Driving to Inland Empire to attend a Halloween party... That's crazy lifestyle isn't it?






10/31/2022 Monday LAX-SFO-LAX
AS3342 LAX-SFO E175 $5.60+5000 AS miles
AS3300 SFO-LAX E175 $5.60+5000 AS miles
Leave home 421am
Car Parked 449am
Reach Airport 506am
Flight Departs 549am
Flight Arrives 712am
BART Departs 821am
BART Arrives 923am
Arrive Class 933am
Leave Class 554pm
BART Departs 558pm
BART Arrives 744pm
Flight Departs 804pm
Flight Arrives 937pm
Airport Landside 942pm
Reach Parking Lot 951pm
Arrive Home 1021pm

Halloween time! Unfortunately I was so busy with coursework so I didn't have time to make a costume from boxed water.. almost missed my flight since CHP blocked the freeway due to accident...


barely made it!


Friend: 985X, rehab is expensive!
me: I AM NOT ALCOHOLIC!


Some funny costume captured from BART




Flying SFO-LAX direct flight home


I can't wait to visit Japan again!



Summary:
October 2022
15 trips to school, 36 flights (32 AS, 4 WN), used SDC 16 times.
BART: $157.72
Airport Parking: $96.00
Gas: $253.54
AS: $380.48 (after 20% off from gift cards) PLUS 81250 miles
WN: $22.40 PLUS 11392 points

Excluding mileage value, cash total: $910.14

This includes uber between West Oakland BART and Berkeley marina for the picnic event. November commute cost will be lower with lower gas price, less trips to campus due to Veteran's day and Thanksgiving, and using primarily LAX for my November commute.

3 months done, 7 more to go. I get used to this lifestyle already. Although midterm result was far from satisfying for one class, at least I got 100 for the other one, so I didn't feel too frustrated. It is what it is, just try to do better next time. In November update there will be less trips via SEA and more direct flights between LA and SF. I will try to update it by the end of first week of December. Wish everyone Happy Thanksgiving in advance!

boat stuck

Another amazing/ridiculous month, especially all those SFO/OAK-SEA-LAX flights, thanks for sharing!

diburning

Your username is 985X because that's how many flights you've taken this year, right?

atsak

100 on midterm - celebrate with drink
Abysmal midterm - wash away troubles with a drink

Don't worry - you're not an alcoholic - they go to meetings. You are a drunk

Enjoying the trip reports - absolutely epic. Thanks for posting them.

Hoyaheel

I am in awe of your stamina, quite honestly. It's fascinating to read - and I really hope you do have a chance to sleep sometimes!!! I hope the finals ALL go well!