First trip report on FT, so bear with me.

1/25/08

DFW-SFO
AA1269
Re-ticketing a paper ticket after evip upgrades cleared was an interesting 15 minute process at the ticket counter while the agent pondered and got advice from his supervisor about the cert # being in the proper field. Security line was almost non-existent, however Ma and Pa kettle amazingly still find some way to slow down an otherwise empty line. BTW, my 4oz deodorant was almost empty this morning, so I figured I’d try my luck at 3-1-1-ing it since if they tossed it I wouldn’t care and just buy a travel replacement; it went through without trouble. Had a glass of wine at the D AC (DFW D AC) (DFW D AC Bar)they closed at 9:30pm, the proceeded to the gate.

With all the delays going into SFO, I fully expected being late leaving DFW. To my surprise, the flight boarded only a couple minutes late, and we’re all set to push back from the gate when the captain comes on and says that ATC just gave us a 1h 45m delay. So we push back from the gate and sit around so that the flight doesn’t get cancelled. So there I sat in 4E with my bloody mary, my tray table open with the laptop on it, plugged into the power port charging my phone, which, I was using to access the internet. I love technology.

We took off just about 2 hours late, and the capt said the flight time would be 3h 49m, which is quite a bit longer than normal so I expect we’re detouring around some weather. My concern was the SFO-ORD segment the next morning. If that was late or cancelled I’d run the risk of missing the ORD-FRA leg which would really screw things up.

I was close to having words with the lady in 5F. She insisted on using my seat back as a load-bearing device to haul herself into the aisle multiple times throughout the flight.

We touched down into some interesting weather—and some fun turb-- at 1:45a PST, about 2 hours late exactly. The approach wasn’t the usual either, but usual for wx issues I guess. I realized that this flight is the turnaround for the red-eye. I knew I’d be one of those folks waiting around on 1/29.

I taxied to the hotel, only to get a smoking room, but I managed to swap for a handicapped room to avoid myself and all of my stuff reeking for the remainder of the MR. If there are any smokers reading this, I seriously have to ask: do you enjoy smelling like that?

1/26/08

SFO-ORD
AA1612
4hrs of sleep and I was back at SFO. This flight was a standby, as I was ticketed on the 10:55a. GA says, “Yes, I can get you on but F is full.” I told her that I just checked around 2am and there were plenty of seats. She checked and I was right, so I chose 2B. This was the 763, which beats the hell out of the MD-80 I was supposed to be on. Security made me take out every piece of electronic equipment and cabling I had in my bag. What a hassle to repack. The TSA agent said it was a test policy when I asked her why, so I asked her “Testing for what?” She shrugged and ignored me. On to the AC (SFO AC)for some coffee and a muffin, or something. I had to take care of some business, but their only stall was occupied and there were like three guys in a holding pattern so I used the one in the terminal.

Flight boarded on time, but we had an hour mechanical delay: some butterfly valve had to be replaced that was causing a knocking in the air ducts.

What great luck, an awesome purser! She was great—one of the ones that really makes flying enjoyable.

[ANECDOTE]Have to share this one. Right after we start our descent, the capt turns on the seat belt sign. I typically see this as the subtle way of saying you should have already used the lav and to return to your seat, NOT the int’l symbol for “go use the lav now!” Anyway, some lady who obviously had either never flown before or who had only flown very seldom, got up to use the potty. BTW, she was in first on the starboard side. Anyway, she goes to the front lav on the 763 by the cockpit and can’t, for the life of her, figure out how to get the door open. There are two front lavs on the 763: the one right in front of 2A/B is one of those phone-booth type doors that fold in the middle; the one by the cockpit is your standard swing out door. Being in 2B, I literally had a front row seat for the show. Standing in front of the door, she’s looking up, down, left, right, and doesn’t know that the little round thing with the bar that you twist is the handle. I just about laughed out loud when she grabs the ashtray to the left of the door and pulls down on it expecting the door to pop open. When that attempt fails, she looked like she was about to knock on it when the purser finally noticed her struggle and swooped in to save the day. So, folks, if anyone thinks it’s stupid that the airlines explain how to buckle and unbuckle your seatbelt, this is a prime example of how the utterly brainless to most of us is beyond perplexing to others.[/ANECDOTE]

Flight touched down just about an hour late, even though there were apparently some traffic delays into ORD due to high winds. We squeaked by without going into a holding pattern.

Met up with skydiver and Mrs. Skydiver in the ORD FL for a while.

ORD-FRA
AA84
How nice that the FL was 10 steps away from K19 to board. Weinskkb was supposed to make this flight, but had a tight connection. By the time he was walking through the terminal to get to K19, they pulled the jetbridge back. I think he got routed through London. Of all the times you hope for a slight delay, this was one of them, and one of the few times it doesn’t happen.

I was in 4A, but switched with the young woman in 4B who mentioned she liked the window seats and was going to sleep the whole time. Fine by me, since I wanted an aisle anyway.

Champagne instead of OJ, the cheese instead of nuts, the seafood starter, the beef filet, the cheese plate for dessert, a couple scotches before dinner, the cab with the filet, and the port with the cheese plate later, and I was ready for a nap. I like the privacy divider on the NGBC seats: you don’t wake up staring at your neighbor. The duvet needs a temperature setting though. Mine was apparently on hot. Flight was smooth as glass for about the first half. Woke up to some of those large slow-rolling ups and downs. Almost comforting, like being rocked back to sleep.

Breakfast was the omelet and coffee.

We landed on time, but it was out at one of the “gates” away from the terminal, so we had to bus it in. No separation of business/coach so I was afraid the line would be long even though I was on the first bus. Managed to get off toward the head of the pack and get through customs quickly. I handed the guy my passport, he looked something up, stamped it, and I went through. While I was standing there, the guy to my right told the agent he was on an MR, and seemed to get the 3rd degree: “How many days do you vant to stay hea?” “Show me your return ticket!” etc etc.

Found my way down to the DB long distance trains—skipped the DB counter as the lines were long and the agents were slow—and waited at the platform (Platform MOV).


1/27/08

FRA-ZMU
AA7446 (DB ICE Train)
The train was on time, and I managed to find an unreserved seat at a table. At the Frankfurt Hbf, some creepy dude with a neck growth who smelled like stale cig smoke boarded and sat right across from me. Then some beer infested guy started talking loudly on his mobile and everyone around me seemed annoyed too. Then, after we left Wurzburg, some little kid started squealing with joy as his dad played with him. I know I looked nuts, but I starting laughing at that moment at the irony of 16 hours in the air without encountering any of these kinds of people, only to get three on the same train within two hours. I picked up my backpack and my coat, and headed to the bar car for a beer.

With as tired as I was, that beer just made it worse and I went to a different car to find an empty seat to sleep for the last hour.

Once I arrived, I headed down to pick up the S-Bahn train S1 line to Marienplatz. I didn’t even bother to buy a ticket since it was so short a ride.

Left the train, buttoned up the coat all the way, flipped the backpack over both shoulders, snapped a pic of Marienplatz, and headed for Dulstrasse and Pension Lindner (room from other direction). I skipped dinner, beer, and sightseeing for a good night’s sleep. After setting the alarm, and propping the window open, my head hit the pillow at ~5:30p CET and I was out like a light.


1/28/08

MUC-BRU
AA7766 (SN2650)
I woke at 2:15a CET, about two hours before the alarm was set to sound. No point in fighting being awake, so I showered, repacked, dropped the keys in the mailbox, and headed for the station at Marienplatz. Munich at 3am is really quite beautiful (Munich 3am MOV). It was empty save for two taxies, the newspaper delivery vehicle, and all of six people I saw on the way to the station, three of whom were drunk young men singing in German at the top of their lungs.

Finally had to buy an S-Bahn ticket. It took me a few minutes, but I found the right price buttons. Boarded the S8 to MUC (S-Bahn Platform), and relaxed.

Brussels Airlines was in Terminal 1, which I didn’t know, so I went to Terminal 2. That center courtyard area at MUC is really nice. Covered, and surrounded by glass buildings, but not really enclosed so it was cold before sunrise. Made the trek back to Terminal 1 and the long moving walkway walk to the ticket counters. Of course no one was there, except for Air France, so I waited with a café au lait and a pretzel.

Once the TA’s arrived and I checked in, I found that I was still in Y on the BRU-ORD segment, which did not make me happy. So, after passing through security—which, btw, is far easier than US security since there’s no need to pull out my Kippie or take off my shoes—I sent my wife a postcard from the gift shop near D 04, got online, and called AA to ask about the upgrade. The EXP desk agent put me on hold, asked RM who opened up a seat, and there I was confirmed in 3D. Probably some of the best news all trip since I’d all but given up hope on the upgrade.

The flight to BRU boarded on time. It was one of those little Brussels Airlines BAe 145 jobs: 2x3 seating, wings coming off the top of the fuselage, two engines on each side. If you think coach in the US is short on room, you should have seen this thing. Even an average height person will have their knees just about touch the seat in front of them. Overheads were too small to fit my backpack, so it had to go in front of me on the floor, and of course the underseat storage was tiny too so it stuck out and took most of my legroom. Flight was only 1hr 5min long, but one of the most remarkable things about this unremarkable flight was that the pilot was female. I don’t see a lot of that here in the US, so I thought it was pretty cool. Very smooth flight, but I felt like a sardine in a can so I couldn’t wait to land and get the hell off.

The immigration in BRU was efficient and stamped me without much more than a look. Then I made the mass migration to the B terminal. Lots of walking and escalators but straight forward and easy to follow.

BRU-ORD
AA89
After passing through security again (only laptop out, shoes on, etc.), I hit the security line at B4. They asked all the questions we used to: “Did you pack your bags, and when? Have they left your sight? Did anyone ask you to carry anything for them? Do you have any weapons, or anything that looks like a weapon, or anything that can be used as a weapon? Why are you here?” Then they send you to the GA’s who handle the boarding passes where I finally got to see the fruits of my labor on the upgrade front.

Headed upstairs to the Brussels Airlines lounge where AA F and J folks can enter for free. You don’t need an actual invitation, as the woman at the desk made a quick call when I said I didn’t have one and welcomed me in. Very crowded, but the business center was the least crowded. Same kind of self-serve food and drink as at the FL.

Flight to ORD boarded right on time, and I was actually the first on one down the ramps. Gate lice is an epidemic problem there because the pax really have nowhere else to stand, so it’s not really their fault.

Service was, once again, outstanding. The purser looked like a cross between Henry Winkler, Matt Lauer, and my Uncle Tom (since none of you probably know my Uncle Tom, the other two should be sufficient).

After a couple glasses of wine and lunch (cheese instead of the nuts again, seafood starter, bacon wrapped chicken for lunch, and no dessert), fatigue overcame me (and most everyone else) and I took a nap for a few hours. No duvet this time though. That thing is just too warm with what I was wearing (corduroy pants, and one of those zippered mock-t sweaters over a t-shirt). After the nap, my snack was a cheese pizza, but I should have gone for the hot turkey sandwich: that looked great. Had an Irish coffee (well, not really Irish—I had to use the Glenlivet which I hated doing but it was the closest) with my chocolate-chocolate chip cookie, turned in the entertainment device and headset, and we landed in ORD on time to terminal M.

Another flight landed right before us, so we mingled with them as we trekked to customs. When the agent asked, I told him I was only outside the US for about 24 hours. He asked why, and said “mileage run,” to which he replied by nodding knowingly, stamping me, and sending me on my way.

ORD-SFO
AA 1561
Got the train to Term 3, Concourse K, went through security (short line this time but back to the US TSA BS) and went straight to the Admirals Club where I actually got my drink chits this time (I really need to remember to ask for them).

Went down to board my original 3:35p to SFO, only to find that the plane was missing. I asked the co-pilot at the counter, and he said that it was on its way from the hangar and should be there shortly. After checking it out, the STL-ORD flight with the same # was cancelled, which was probably the plane I was supposed to be on. At almost 3:35p on the nose, the gate agent announced that ours was also cancelled and that they should be automatically rebooking everyone on the next flight out at 6:35p, which was already delayed until 7:35p or something, and to approach the counter for new boarding passes. Before she even finished her announcement, I was on the phone with the Plat desk, out of my seat, and walking back to the AC. By the time I checked in at the desk, the Plat AAgent had me rebooked me and I was all set in first in 2D, so it was up to the lounge to print a new BP. Those poor souls all queued up at the gate. Best part of it was that the equipment type was now another 763 instead of the MD-80. So, for those who wonder what the point is of having status with an airline, it’s situations like this that tell you how it pays.

Had a couple scotches and some wine in the AC, and then boarded the flight which actually left at 7:35p.

As fortune would have it, I met back up with that excellent purser from the SFO-ORD flight on Saturday. I wasn’t supposed to be on either of her flights originally, but here I am. She alone raised my impression of AA FA’s. As did the galley FA. They each received an AApplause cert from me and the guy in 2B.

Alas, the seat looked the same as the last two, but the meals were back to the usual domestic F stuff. The guy in 2B and I chatted for most of the flight about AA, the excellent FA’s we had the luck of getting, MR’s, and his business of photographing wildlife in Africa.

Landed, bid farewell to my neighbor in 2B, and headed out to the curb. The dinner I was planning with my dad and sister was out, so dad picked up some sushi to go and we ate outside a Starbucks in San Bruno (could have been SSF, not sure).


1/29/08

SFO-DFW
AA 2466
Back at SFO, the TSA didn’t make me pull out all of my stuff again, just the laptop and my Kippie. Since I kept two of the SpAA kits, I had to quickly move all the necessary stuff over to my kippie.

The AC had just closed minutes earlier, and nothing else was open inside security, so I was stuck at the gate. I chatted with the GA’s once they arrived to pass the time, and boarded on time.

After a couple Irish coffees toward the end of the last flight and sake with my sushi, I was dead tired yet completely wired. I didn’t sleep a wink in that brick of an F seat on the 757. I moved seats so this man and his fiancée could sit together, and ended up next to this really odd guy who I wished would just go to sleep and shut the hell up. He finally did, but I was too excited to get home and see my wife that it didn’t really matter.

Another uneventful flight. What was most interesting was that the person operating the jetbridge at DFW tried to mate it with the second door on the 757 instead of the front door, like they do in Vegas. So we had a delay there while she corrected herself. Then, she didn’t prop open a door in the terminal and this was one of the gates in Terminal D where there were two doors to choose from. One said “Authorized personnel only” and other said “Do not enter: Alarm will sound” so all of us lemmings just stood there until the same lady who took the jetbridge for a detour came back up and acted like we were all stupid for not knowing to use the door that said “Alarm will sound.” “Just push it open!” she said as if we should have known that.

BTW, the 4oz deodorant made the entire trip safely.


NOTES:
I’ll probably do another one of these, but I’m waiting for a friend of mine to either defecate or find another stall before booking since he expressed interest in going.

If I could change anything, I’d cut out the train segment and either spend a night in Frankfurt or just make a same-day turnaround. Since you still get the 500 minimum EQM for the ride, but you only get a 250 mile bonus instead of the usual 100% as Plat/EXP, the train is not worth it unless you really want to take one for a ride.

[QUOTE=oneant;9165622]First trip report on FT, so bear with me.


Once the TA’s arrived and I checked in, I found that I was still in Y on the FRA-ORD segment, which did not make me happy. [End of Quote]
You did not fly FRA-ORD but BRU-ORD
How come you avoid paying for some of your rail fares?
To escape the beer smelling guy on the train you went to the bar and ordered a beer

Great report...i am going on my first mileage run internationally in 2 weeks...should be an interesting experience but am on NW/KL instead of AA...i originally was going to MUC but now am going to TXL instead since my buddy going with me cancelled on me (have been to MUC several times, but this is first time in TXL)....i wish i was going to be in F or C for the TATL portion but will have to settle hopefully for the F upgrade on the domestic portion...fat chance of a lowly Silver getting an opt up on NW to WBC and my crazy low fare ($279+) doesn't qualify for mileage upgrade...i plan on doing my first trip report upon my return.

Good catch! Edited my original post to reflect change. Proofreading gets tedious.
Never taken the German S-Bahn rail before. In the US, I would be able to pay the conductor once on board. No conductor found me, so I didn't bother for only two stops (zone 1 ticket I believe).
I wasn't escaping his smell as he wasn't sitting right next to me. I was excaping his loud, obnoxious, mobile phone conversation, along with the squealing child.

Also, different people handle liquor better than others. I don't become that guy when I drink. And it takes a lot more than one beer.

Next time, in SFO, ask about using the "Executive Center" across the hall. The AAngels will gladly give you the code to get in...more PC options there if the one in the A/C proper is full.

Your flight temp wasn't you, & it wasn't just the duvet---I've always found the 767 cabins to be hot, often to the point of having to toss the duvet. There's a couple of too hot vs. too cold threads in the AA forum---IMHO, easier to add layers than remove them.

Good luck on your next one!

Thanks for the report, and the pics, oneant.
I'm off in the morning but via LAX, and just doing the turnaround.
No upgrade on the return yet, but it sounds like the NGBC will be very nice on the eastbound.