Yes, This Is Real Life Part 1: Location, Location, Location

 

Sunrise over IAH

I should call this 'position, position,' but it lacks a certain ring. 

Today's the day, we're headed out.  But before we can jump right into the thick of it with our Qatar itinerary, we have to get to Boston.  I'm starting in Houston, and my friend who's going with me as far as CMB is making his way from DCA.  I started my day early this morning with a 5:30 am Uber to the airport from the downtown hotel I've been staying at for the past few days.  I got there in plenty of time and had breakfast at the Centurion lounge in terminal D.  The usual.

I do have a tiny story to tell though.  Remember when I said I took one of my Seattle layovers to sign up for CLEAR?  Well, I did it in part because I knew I'd be spending some quality time with the IAH airport this summer, and they have their kiosks at each terminal except the international terminal D, of course.  So I decided for the novelty of trying it out, and also because D doesn't even have PreCheck, and I've gotten burned by long lines there before, I'd go to A, check in with American, then take the train over to D.

With all that in mind, I was a little annoyed that when I went up to the CLEAR kiosks, the attendant there told me that those particular ones 'weren't open yet,' and that it was a long walk to the ones that were open.  Okay, but this isn't a large terminal, so how far could they be?  And if those weren't operational, why was CLEAR paying all that money to have someone standing there telling people so?  So I still haven't been able to use my membership yet, and I'm glad the trial didn't cost much. 

CLT Views

So, that story over with, I'm currently sitting in the Admiral's Club lounge at CLT before my next flight.  It's not a bad lounge, although it hasn't been renovated to the new AA 'look' just yet.  CLT is a legacy US Air hub, and so this was historically one of their spaces.  It still retains some of the old character- the dark wood and frosted glass.  Even though they don't offer a Flagship Lounge here, I don't mind it.  It has some great views of airport ops and the taxiways, and the proximity of the nearby gates is fun- you're up close and personal with the planes.

CLT Tails

 Lounges are strange places at times.  It takes all kinds, and you never know what you'll encounter.  Currently I'm about 20 feet away from a guy who I (seriously hope) is a doctor who has decided that appropriate behavior is to use his noise cancelling headphones to take a phone call in which he is explaining medical procedures and histories in detail.  Dude, seriously?  I also just heard the phrase "you're not supposed to know I have this information" followed by laughter.  Wow.

Anyway...

 

At this point it should have been just a quick little 2hr flight up to Boston.  Easy peasy lemon squeasy, right?  Famous last words.  I boarded my flight to find this little guy 'sharing' my legroom.  Now, I'll pause for a moment to give lip service to an issue that has the flyer online community constantly griping.  The uproar (if you can call it that) is over so called 'emotional service animals' who fly for free as service animals, though it is apparently easy to self-proclaim your resident furbaby a 'service animal.'  Now, I'm a fan of pets generally, and I fully understand legitimate service animals who serve an important purpose. 

 

I also understand feeling strongly enough about your pet to book them a legitimate pet ticket on a flight, and follow the 'fits in a bag under the seat' rule.  This was the case with my little friend on the flight, and he was well traveled and well behaved.  The complaints are over pets who fit neither of these categories. and as such, give a bad name to the rest of them. 

 

Okay, statement over.  On to the real story, which is the fact that no sooner did I board my flight and sit down next to Fido, that I realized things were going south with this plane.  And I was flying north (haha, get it??).  After being served a PDB (Yus!), I noticed maintenance was spending an unnerving amount of time in the cockpit.  Never good.

 

It was shortly (well 30 mins later) that we learned that it was the radios that were the problem, and about 30 more minutes later that that plane wasn't going anyplace.  Luckily, I'd already been on the phone with the Exec Plat desk at AA (a good perk of status) and had myself  'protected' on the next flight up to Boston.  This is a strategy that not many people know about, but can save an itinerary.  Getting protected means that if your flight cancels, you already have a seat on an alternate one, before the hoards offload and take them up.

 

The story should have ended there, with me on the next flight.  However, while I was waiting at my new gate to board my new flight, I heard an announcement that they'd found another 737 for my original flight, and would be boarding soon.  Really?  I mean really????  That seemed unlikely, even in the best of cases.   

 

Nevertheless, I had to check it out.  Mostly because if my original flight went, then my upgrade would stand.  I hustled down the terminal, calling AA back all the while, trying to sort it out.  Long story short, they did find a plane, and it wasn't broken, but it was unclear exactly when it would be ready to go.  In the end, I actually kept my original flight and seat, though pushed back on a different aircraft about 2 hours late. 

 

Luckily, I try to book in long layovers on mileage runs for exactly this purpose.  This delay ate up my valuable time to check out the new Boston lounge with my mileage buddy, but it didn't make me miss my flight, which in the end is what counts. 

 

And the lounge?  That's a story for another post...

 

Fly well,

 

~CruisingAltitude

 

Up Next, Part 2- Brits In Beantown

Havana Running Part 4: Taking it South

Where we've been:

Preview: What Would Hemmingway Do?

Part 1: Relaxing

Part 2: I Promise Not To Call This Sleepless In Seattle

Part 3: Just Sit Anywhere

And where we're going next....

Is Havana!  Preface to this and the following entries- I'm sorry I couldn't update from 'the road' while I was in Cuba, but (surprise surprise) I was incommunicado entirely.  No cells will work there, and while it's technically possible to get a wifi card and get online at specific places around the city, the coverage is spotty to say the least, so I opted to disconnect for my 36 hours.  In all honesty, this was part of the trip's charm.  I was anxious about being out of reach, but I survived and remembered what it was like to live before our constant contact lifestyle. 

Anyhow, that said, it's good to be back and updating on the journey!  I did a fair amount of writing while I there, so this is the first of those posts.  Thanks for reading!

Why is it that flights heading South out if MIA are just so simply stunning?  That's a bit of a rhetorical question given the coastline and aquamarine waters, but still.  I've literally been around the world, and there's nothing like it.  

 

These flights also have a certain feel to them in the cabin.  Most people are off on adventures and vacations, and it's a great vibe.  

 

Today's is even better than in the past.  It's not even a full business class, and everyone is chatty/excited, and with an edge of the unexpected.  The question of the day being asked among strangers is 'have you been before?'  The answer is uniformly - "no, have you?"

 

It's an unbelievably short 45 minute flight to Havana, which just hammers home how close Cuba is to be so removed for so long from its neighbor. 

My seat mate was nice enough to switch places with me so I could take pictures out the window, so enjoy!

 

As soon as we leveled off, it was a 10 minute cruise time, before we headed back down again.  Blink and you missed it. 

We approached Havana airport through a rain squall, but it didn't cause any issues with the flight.  We touched down on time and in good spirits, thanks to an attentive flight crew who managed a full drink service and several snack basket passes in a matter of minutes. 

 

 

We're off to a good start on this whole Cuba thing, I think.

 

[Retro Report] From Jackson to Washington....

It's weekend again already!  This week just flew past (with no actual flying done this time).  However, I thought it was a good time to post a trip report I didn't get around to finishing up and formatting for quite awhile.  What would that be called?  Retro review....?

Anyhow, without any more delay, I take you back to early Sept, 2013.  The setting- a freshly painted 737, Seat 6A.  We see a somewhat tired-looking, yet content, frequent flyer pull out her iPad after crossing 10,000ft and start to write....

Fresh paint on my 737- View from DCA Admiral's Club

It's been a long week of work and travel,  and now it's finally wrapping up with flight 245 back home to LAX from DCA direct.  Given that my day started off at 4:45 to get to my first flight out of Jackson Medgar-Evars, and it's a good two segments later, even I'm okay with that.  I've done my miles-earning duty more than adequately.

It also helps that The flight's off to a good start- upgrade confirmed yesterday, on a nice 737 with the new lights and modern cabin. The friendly flight crew is serving EFBO, we've got a favorable tailwind, and they've got some Glenlevet on board (a limited quantity now that they're discontinuing the singles AA's been serving).  Plus the hot towels didn't even smell like 'eu de old coffee pot,' so consider me a happy flyer.

RJ from DFW-JAN.
Don't call her small, she prefers 'sporty'

This week's trip consisted of flights LAX-DFW-JAN to start off.  My upgrade cleared at the gate for the first segment, and the  later Eagle flight had a great flight attendant who said I was her only EXP and then almost aggressively offered me everything on the cart, even trying to get me to take some wine 'for later' when I declined the first time (I was on the clock...).  Once again, no complaints.

JAN 'Work Station'- no lounge, no problem ;)

However, my complaints did start once I left AA's control.  At National, I just got beat by a few steps to the only premium car in the aisle (a new-looking Genesis) and ended up with a Fusion with 8k on it.  Okay, okay, I've had worse....Ford's been doing some good tech upgrades and the XM Radio was still active, but I've had better.  Overall, the car is fine and responsive at low speeds, but painfully underpowered.  Merging on highways was dicey at times.

I stayed, for the second time this year, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Ridgeland, and was significantly underwhelmed this time.  Had I gotten myself together (as I still might) to do a trip report for my first stay here, they would have gotten a much better review.  I know, I know, my lowly 'Blue' level with Hilton entitled me to nothing....but after my year of SPG Platinum treatment, I have a hard time not complaining about a 2nd floor room next to the laundry room with a view of a brick wall.  Seriously, just a brick wall. Oh, and my TV didn't work in the bedroom.

Kitchen and work space-ES Jackson Ridgeland

Bedroom- ES

Before I pan the stay entirely, I will say that the property has some features that made me a repeat customer-Open bar happy hour nightly from 5:30-7:30, free hot breakfast, free parking, Internet, and plenty of space to work.  All room types really are suites, and are 2 rooms, with a sitting area, kitchenette with sink, microwave and mini fridge, and work space.  Plus, it's in an area of town I was advised would be conducive to the out of towner, safety-wise.

Lobby and entry- Embassy Suites

(Quick correction....no Glenlevet after all....life is hard)

In short- National at JAN: 4/10 (had a better car last time).  Embassy Suites: 6/10 (one good stay, one not so great).  So that's that then....

Anyhow, even with the early start, today's been fun.  My layover in DCA was about 5 hours, which was a little long even for me to stick around in the airport.  Though it is a beautiful airport all things considered- architecture, water views, and GREAT staff at the (small but big-hearted) Admiral's Club.  They held my bags and sent me off to take the train into town.

DCA Terminal

I love, love, love airports that have quick access to their metro areas, a lot.  It's too bad they're so few and far between.  Of my regular stops, only BOS, DCA, and if you have a little more time, MIA and SEA are doable.  Besides great views on final approach, it makes long layovers so much better.  As much as I love planes and airports, there's something fun about going to a city 'for a few hours.'  Today I walked down the National Mall, visited some monuments, and took a look at the air & space museum (had to). Plus, it felt great to stretch between flights.

AA Flagship- Air & Space Museum

All in all, it's been a successful trip- work went well, as have my 5,600 miles.  Adding them to the 'bank' on the way to 100k this year.  There's plenty more to share, but it'll have to wait until the next segment.  Until then, fly safe, and take time to explore along the way!

~CruisingAltitude

On short final into DCA

P.S.- I have some pretty impressive mileage runs coming up, if I do say so myself.  YOU JUST WAIT for this year's mileage season trip reports....

Of Icons and Eagles....

Well, we knew it was coming.  Even some of the less infatuated with the world of travel knew it- The last of the existing legacy carriers announced its merger plans in the midst of a reorganizing bankruptcy.  True, the deal isn't final.  There will be much discussion with regulators and bankruptcy judges before the creation of the new largest airline in the world is complete.  This (unsurprising) announcement comes as (the ‘New’) American rolls out myriad other changes to its image- a new livery, logo, fleet upgrade, even onboard menus. 

Now, it would be easy to turn this post into a concerned rant about how no good can come of this, and couldn't they just leave well enough alone.  I could go on about how AAdvantage is, though not perfect, one of the best domestic programs as is and how a change of management makes us flyers shifty.  However, in the end, my thoughts have nothing to do with the eventual outcome, and free markets being what they are, if things go too far afield there are other options for the individual passenger.  Besides, who knows, some change could be good.  In theory a merger will expand service, make the airline itself more financially sound, and God willing….let me fly from Long Beach instead of LAX on occasion.

Honestly, what I keep coming back to on this topic doesn’t have to do with miles or upgrades- it has to do with history.  Maybe it’s silly to spend this much time thinking about a company I’m not employed by, but I’ve had some long flights to ponder lately, so here goes.  As most things on this blog, it starts with an airport-

I was at DFW the day American unveiled the new paint (above) on the first 737.  In fact, it was just by chance I caught a glance as the Skylink I was on pulled away.  I was excited to see it in person, sure, and my first reaction was- ‘Hey, that’s not so bad.  The tail’s a little much, and the lack of the shiny silver will take some getting used to, but I’ll survive.’  Though, the more I thought about it, the more I felt the shift to something new, the leaving of something behind and a bit of nostalgia. 

That American Airlines eagle and his iconic “AA” logo has been with us since before the first “Flagship” DC-3 in 1936, and the first regular transcontinental flight in 1959.  He’s watched over the production of a fleet in wartime that went unpainted to save precious fuel, a fleet by in large made and designed in America.  His likeness was captured innumerable times in historic photos with leaders, celebrities, and heroes.  People flew with him to get home, to work, on adventures, and real-life ‘Ryan Binghams’ crossed milestones under his wings. 

Through the years his planes have gotten bigger, and he’s lost some feathers and talons.  But his wings still stood proudly on the tails of AA planes as they crossed the country, and traveled the globe.  The 'AA' and the Eagle are likely the most recognizable Airline logo in the US, possibly the world.  On the lighter side, there was so much fun in brand-based jokes on the “AA”-  We’ve had AAdvantages, AAirpasses, and even little red BlAAnkets.

American’s new post-merger fleet will be stripped of the icon, its aluminum painted over, and be infiltrated with foreign-made Airbus jets.  Some is inevitable- the industry is moving steadily toward composite-body planes that must be painted and rumor has it Airbus is handing out some deals that are hard for cash-strapped airlines to refuse. 

In response to the consternation of some of its frequent flyers with the reveal of the new paint, American was quick to point out that the Eagle is still there, subtly drawn into the new modernized logo.  I guess I see it, the white bit is a little ‘beak-esq.’  I suppose he’s just waiting there, peeking out to see how the future of the last great legacy carrier resolves itself.  Perhaps he should just be pleased for his, though limited, survival and not to have been relegated to the fate of many who went before- TWA, Northwest, PanAm, Continental….and yes I suppose soon… US Air.

In this industry, time just doesn't march on- it flies.  For now, I’ll go along with it...maybe with a little salute to the Eagle next time he flies by me, before they paint him over. 

~CruisingAAltitude

Round 2....

"Early morning high-5, 737 style"

So, it's been a week since I've been in airports....a whole week, 7 days...more hours.

It's currently 6am and I'm back at the LAX Admiral's Club waiting for the 222 sunrise flight to Boston.  For those of you keeping track, this will be mileage run 2 of 3 on the way to AA Executive Platinum status for 2013.  To reach it this year, I needed an extra 18,900 flight miles since with the current promotion that equals out at over 37,000 elite qualifying miles.  The way the deals fell, I scheduled myself for over 20,000....in 3 weekends.  

After last weekend's LAX-BOS-LAX-SFO-LAX run, I've put away around 6,300 of them.  Today should add another 5,800.  This time around I've routed through DFW to add a few hundred miles and break up the trip.  Today's goal: Breakfast in LA (done), lunch in Boston, and dinner in Dallas.  All in airports, of course.  The flights today look to be shockingly empty; I'm anticipating a row to myself on the first one.  Have I said before how much I love flying in mileage season?

Currently, LAX is covered in heavy fog but it doesn't seem to be slowing things down like last weekend in San Francisco.  My flight is delayed, but due to crew time-out and only for a few minutes.  What is getting to me though is the guy next to me on the long bench seat in the Club.  After chewing more loudly than I thought possible, making various other bodily noises, and laughing to himself for awhile, he's taken off his shoes and lay down with his feet just a few inches from my table.....really?

I mean I'm the first to say I've been in that place where after enough hours on the go the amount of giving a s*&t is running pretty low but man, come on.  This place is nearly empty....find some personal space.  Besides, I was here first and this is my favorite seat.  Seriously, I have spent many a wonderful hour exactly right here. It's near the bar, has a real table, 2 power outlets, AND a view of the runway and TBIT.  You're in my house now dude.  

.....Have I mentioned how I'm looking forward to that row to myself in a few minutes??

Until the next connection, fly safe.

CruisingAAltitude- 1 Mileage Run-0....

Last flight of the weekend, the short hop back from SFO to LAX and I’m totally aviation-geeking out.  Remember when I said it was fun to see the retrofitted 737 a few flights ago?  Yeah, well this time I’ve got a brand new one to check out.  I’ve also got a uniformed pilot sitting next to me who confirmed it was probably less than a year old.  The cabin looks and feels more like a mix of a single-aisle 767, with the scoop-like overhead bins, and the pictures I’ve seen of the new 787 Dreamliner than the 737 workhorses I’ve gotten used to.  Okay that last comparison may be stretching it, but the larger, oval window frames, smooth lines, open feel and blue recessed ceiling lighting that changes to a gold/yellow when they ‘bring the cabin lights up are kinda doing it for me.    

            Even better, there’s the last minutes of a beautiful orange and blue sunset out the right-side window.  I’d take a picture but there’s no way my phone camera would do it justice.  I’ll just settle for enjoying it from the sky, and for having picked up over 17,000 miles in the last 24 hours (that’s about 6,000 real miles flown for those who read the math post).  Well, we’re already beginning our decent so it’s time to pack it up and head back to real life.   

            Until next week, goodnight and fly safe…

One down...

First flight of the mileage run season completed, and working on the next.  I’m currently on the transcontinental from Boston to LAX, about half way in.  My plane geek side is enjoying seeing AA’s 737 retrofitted main cabins for the first time.  They now have several rows of “main cabin extra” which offer a few extra inches of legroom.  It’s free with status, or a small upsell if you don’t.  On longer flights, it’s worth it to avoid getting your laptop snapped shut on your fingers when the person in front of you reclines their seat. 

            Managed to get some sleep on both flights so far, and feeling pretty good.  Thought it might be a good time to go back and explain more of what got me here in the first place.  (If you don’t care, and you’re more interested in strange travel stories, you can skip ahead a few paragraphs to my rant about what to pack to fly for no reason, which is more entertaining and has yoga pants in it)  As most things do, it starts with an argument.  Well, not an argument so much as an almost…sorta…but not really…but then again yes labor dispute between the airline and the pilots. 

            There was plenty of news coverage, slow flights, etc.  In response, to try and appease its frequent flyers, they’re offering double elite qualifying miles (DEQM) through the end of the year, as well as bonus miles towards future flights.  The short story is when all is said and done, the combination of my status level and the promotion is earning me triple miles towards future flights and double miles toward status.  Plus, the fares are at their lowest of the season.  I spent weeks checking fares, holding and re-holding, and doing a lot of math.  Okay, it was basic grade school level math, but it still counts.

            The basic conclusion was this- done right, the airline would be paying me to fly.  And I’d get back to Executive status.  Win-win.  The miles earned will be enough to redeem for two round-trip economy class tickets, or one first class trip.  The metric used by frequent flyers to tell if they’re getting a good deal is how many “cents per mile” (cpm) you’re spending on the ticket.  Anything under 5 is pretty good, things getting near 3 are mileage run territory, and anything under that is hard to pass up.  With some free AmEx gift card use, my tickets this month are averaging 1.5 cpm (redeemable) and 2.3 (elite-qualifying). Not bad, but the real value comes from the elite upgrades you get as a bonus for passing the 100k mark.  Their combined value is $3,000 minimally.  Then there’s the value of just having the status for the year, which is significant.  Moral of the story- I now know how much I value my weekends at…. Though I can’t figure out how I feel about it.

            Okay, enough math for this morning, but it had to be said.  Onto something else.  How about what to pack when you’re flying without leaving the airport?  This topic is brought to you by my perusing a thread with this title this week where people were sharing what was in their survival kit.  There were some unusual, but probably useful items- Japanese Gatorade, and a passport on a domestic flight….just in case you get re-routed through another country. (speaking of flyertalk.com, the guy in the row in front of me is currently browsing through it…should I say hi?)  

Anyhow, here’s my list:

-Laptop, iPad, iPhone & chargers

-Change of clothes (or 2 in case of forced layovers)

-Pillow I’ve been carrying around in luggage since a JetBlue redeye years ago

-Advil, Tylenol PM, Benadryl …okay basically half a CVS

-Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.

-Snacks (mostly healthy, but there are also gummi bears involved.)

-Yoga pants because they’re good for overnights and also because there’s an honest-to-god yoga studio in the SFO terminal 2.

-Biggest sweatshirt I own

-Game face    

            Looking forward to completing the first round-trip transcontinental of the challenge!  Still going strong.