Tokyo experience
Nov 26, 2001 | 12:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: LAX 1K
Posts: 323
Tokyo experience
Just wanted to pass on this rather mundane experience - but nowadays that is something to relish.
Quick trip to Tokyo to (a) have a meeting I could have done over the phone if not for (b) still needing a few miles to keep "real" 1K (c) VERY good fare and (d) SWUs burning a hole in my pocket.
Left Friday morning LAX, returned Sunday morning. Short lines, no hassles, acceptable service, no misunderstandings, and got the Obento dinner both times. Only nightmare was the 3(!) hour limo-bus ride from Narita to Shinjuku - don't take it Sat. night EVER. Hilton had a reasonable fare, facilities were fine, no misunderstandings, no screw-ups on the bill (except for the 1500 JY they forgot to charge me for using the gym.......which I pointed out for Karma's sake).
RCC in Narita (first visit for me) is huge; one of the staffers was particularly friendly and helped pass the time. All in all, an easy trip for lots of miles and no bumps. Only regret......that the lovely ticket agent at Narita with whom I spent a bit chatting did not end her shift before my plane took off. But I'll be back.
P.S. Okay, one tiny item. Our flight back to LAX made good time with the tail winds. But.......customs doesn't open until 8:30 a.m. Is this the first time this flight has ever been on the schedule? Is it necessary to have us parked at the gate for 30 minutes waiting for customs? Minor issue, all in all.
Quick trip to Tokyo to (a) have a meeting I could have done over the phone if not for (b) still needing a few miles to keep "real" 1K (c) VERY good fare and (d) SWUs burning a hole in my pocket.
Left Friday morning LAX, returned Sunday morning. Short lines, no hassles, acceptable service, no misunderstandings, and got the Obento dinner both times. Only nightmare was the 3(!) hour limo-bus ride from Narita to Shinjuku - don't take it Sat. night EVER. Hilton had a reasonable fare, facilities were fine, no misunderstandings, no screw-ups on the bill (except for the 1500 JY they forgot to charge me for using the gym.......which I pointed out for Karma's sake).
RCC in Narita (first visit for me) is huge; one of the staffers was particularly friendly and helped pass the time. All in all, an easy trip for lots of miles and no bumps. Only regret......that the lovely ticket agent at Narita with whom I spent a bit chatting did not end her shift before my plane took off. But I'll be back.
P.S. Okay, one tiny item. Our flight back to LAX made good time with the tail winds. But.......customs doesn't open until 8:30 a.m. Is this the first time this flight has ever been on the schedule? Is it necessary to have us parked at the gate for 30 minutes waiting for customs? Minor issue, all in all.
Nov 26, 2001 | 12:22 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold
Posts: 3,640
I was on UA 890 this past Saturday and we landed early in LAX around 8:10am, and of course sat until Customs opened at 8:30am. I think the hours have to do with what UA pays for the facility.
Part of the problem is they are closing the flights in Narita 15 minutes early for security reasons, and then end up pushing back early.
Was one of the best flights I have had on UA...trip report forthcoming.
Part of the problem is they are closing the flights in Narita 15 minutes early for security reasons, and then end up pushing back early.
Was one of the best flights I have had on UA...trip report forthcoming.
Nov 26, 2001 | 12:27 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: LAX 1K
Posts: 323
Yes, I think you are right on the early pushback. Great move (if you're not running through the airport OJ-like....) to get us out a little early. Plus - an extra 30 minutes to nap at the gate was welcome.
Nov 26, 2001 | 1:10 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Texas, U.S.A.
Posts: 19,523
liter8 writes:
You couldn't ask for a simpler, more logical or more perfect rationalization to fly! 
Congrats on a great trip.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Quick trip to Tokyo to (a) have a meeting I could have done over the phone if not for (b) still needing a few miles to keep "real" 1K (c) VERY good fare and (d) SWUs burning a hole in my pocket.</font>
Congrats on a great trip.