May 31-June 2: TRI-ATL-LGA Roundtrip on DL

Sat 31 MAY DELTA 4302 LV TRI-CITY TENN 600A AR ATLANTA 703A seat 8B

When I arrived, I went straight to the Medallion agent (yes, we have an elite line!), gave her my name and told her I had checked in online and I had requested to check one bag online (delta.com said my receipt would be waiting on me when I arrived!) Within seconds she handed me my luggage receipt! Sweet! Security had a small line, but I made it through in 5-10 minutes. Boarding was on time, all passengers, all rows. We departed the gate five minutes early at 5:55 am and took off one minute early at 5:59 am. There was no in-flight service due to the “short duration.” We arrived 27 minutes early, at 6:36 am!

Sat 31 MAY DELTA 912 ATLANTA 1040A AR NYC-LAGUARDIA 1259P seat 4B

Actual:

Boarded at 10:10 am
Backed away from the gate at 10:40 am
Departed ATL at 11:04 am
Arrived RIC at 1:04 pm
Departed RIC at 2:35 pm
Arrived LGA at 3:25 pm
Reached the gate at 3:40 pm

Total time on board = 5 hours 30 minutes

We boarded on time at 10:10 am with zone 1 first. When I arrived at my seat, I had a pillow, a blanket still in the plastic bag, a headset, and a small bottle of Dasani. This was another 757-200 transcon with the seatback IFE/satellite TV. First class (26 seats) was full. DL had another group of graduating FA trainees on board and they offered a full pre-departure beverage service. I ordered a Bloody Mary since I had been drinking the same in the CRC. We backed away from the gate on time at 10:40 am and took off at 11:04 am.

Once in the air, the FAs came by with a placemat and asked each passenger if he/she would like a turkey sandwich plate. I was completely shocked as this flight is typically one hour 45 minutes, the online description told me to expect the snack basket, and it was a 10:40 am Saturday flight (I know they have some small meals between ATL-LGA for the business crowd during the week, but at mealtimes.)

Next the FAs brought us hot towels and took our drink orders. I decided to try one of the Rande Gerber Midnight Sky Signature cocktails and I ordered the pomegranate martini, which has vodka and pomegranate. The FA really got excited and said, “This is my first time getting to make one since I have been training!” She almost ran back to the galley she was so happy! And she came back with the mixture in a glass-filled shaker and shook it and poured it into the glass at my seat! I asked her if it was good and she said that it was her favorite, but that she just turned 21 so all of the adult beverages were her favorites! I remember when I turned 21 and went to the ABC Store the first time. She reminded me of me at that age, being so excited about turning 21!

Next the FAs brought out our turkey sandwich plate, which consisted of a turkey, tomato, lettuce, brie, and dressing sandwich on flatbread; an Italian marinated side salad with tomato, green and red pepper, squash, and onion; and a really rich brownie. It was all served on china with real flatware. I must say that was a hell of a snack!

After the “snack” came the snack basket, which had the usual suspects (they are listed on delta.com.) The FA asked me if I wanted another pomegranate martini and I said yes. She went to the galley then came back and asked me if it was OK if the other trainee made it, because this was her first time making one, too! Of course, I said yes, and you should have seen the excitement! What a refreshing change, employees who are happy about their new jobs!

We were preparing to make our initial descent just southeast of DCA (around Annapolis, MD, according to the flight information on the IFE) at 12:15 pm when the pilot announced that due to the weather at LGA, we would be in a 30-minute holding pattern. We were in the pattern until around 12:45 pm when the pilot came on and said that the hold has become indefinite and that we were going to divert to RIC. He said he would keep us updated once we landed. We landed there at 1:04 pm.

I guess to prove to us that it really was weather, an FA announced that the IFE system had the Weather Channel. Then a few minutes later he announced that maybe it did not, because it was not in the menu. Then a few minutes later, he announced that yes, they did have the Weather Channel and it was under Comedy Central! How funny and ironic was that?

At RIC we stayed on the plane and the service and updates were excellent. The FAs brought out the snack basket again, passed out Dasani, took drink orders, etc. I got up to go to the lav when the crowd died down and I asked the young ladies if they had been diverted before in their training before today. They smiled at me and said no, and they did not have a concern in the world about it. Their positive attitudes really lit up the cabin and I did not hear anyone get angry. How could you? They did everything they could to keep us comfortable!

At 2:00 pm, the ground stop at LGA was lifted so we began our taxi shortly before. We were in line to take off when at 2:10 pm, the pilot came on again and said that the stop had been reinstated and that the next update would be in 35 minutes. And again, out came the FAs with the basket and the drinks! I ordered another martini and the FA asked me if they were out, would I want to try the Cosmo and I said yes. She went back up to the galley to tell the other FA that they might get to make their first Cosmo next! They were like kids in a candy store! However, it ended up they were not out of the pomegranate mixer, but they did not seem too disappointed!

At 2:30 pm, 20 minutes later, we were released again, and this time we actually took off at 2:35 pm. The FAs did another quick pass through the cabin, but shortly thereafter they were told to take their seats for the rest of the flight due to turbulence. And it was very turbulent off and on until we landed at 3:25 pm. It took us 15 minutes to get to our gate, because of the traffic backup.

I proceeded to baggage claim to wait for my bag. The bags came out, but mine had not yet appeared when I saw a group of bags from earlier flights. I walked over and there was my bag! It was marked priority and had beaten me to LGA!

The only complaint I have about this flight is that we did have some IFE issues. While I had video and music, I did not have the TV/movie audio. One FA tried to reboot the system for our row, but it did not work. However, my seatmate and I decided that one could watch the Weather Channel, tennis on NBC, and Tom and Jerry, and still understand what was going on without sound!

In spite of it being a “bad weather flight,” this has to be one of the best flights I have ever taken. The unexpected small meal, the upbeat FA trainees and other crew members, the service received, and the timeliness of the information given to us during our diversion and delay, were exceptional.

Mon 02 JUN DELTA 907 LV NYC-LAGUARDIA 755A 18D ATLANTA 1026A

We boarded about 10 minutes late starting with F. I was 18 on upgrade list for 6 available seats. My seat had great legroom, but immovable armrests.  We left the gate at 8:02 am (7 minutes late) and departed at 8:27 am (32 minutes late). The flight time was scheduled for 1:50. We had beverage and both complementary/BOB snack service, the same three free choices as usual. I had a drink chit so I had a Bloody with my free cheese crackers. I had to mix my own drink, but that was OK! The F cabin had the continental breakfast (cereal, yogurt, fruit bread) and snack basket. All of row 18 and 19F had no seatback or wall IFE, so I do not recommend these for long-haul if you want airline-provided IFE. So continues my IFE saga!  We landed at 10:12 am, 14 minutes early. Another great DL flight!

Mon 02 JUN DELTA 4209 LV ATLANTA 1215P AR TRI-CITY TENN 130P
We left early and arrived early! There were 30 people aboard and the FAs offered the standard DL bev/snacks. It was very uneventful and consistent with past trips!

May 27: LGA-ATL-TRI on DL

DL 905 LGA-ATL, 757-200, scheduled 6:55-9:26 am:

I arrived at 6:00 am and luckily was able to use the elite security lane due to my CRC membership (the elite lane is only for First/Business Elite, Platinum, Gold, and CRC, but not Silver.) Incidentally, I was the only female in the elite line!

I made it through and they were already boarding at 6:20 am. I was sixth on the upgrade list with three seats available, so I took my exit row aisle seat, 27D, which had excellent legroom, but immovable armrests. We backed away from the gate on time and took off at 7:13 am. I finally got to see the new “Deltalina” safety video on a plane instead of on YouTube! And the Delta On-Air programming/IFE worked!  I brought my own headset! There was a full beverage service with both complimentary snacks and snacks for sale. The FA had a handheld device to process credit card payments!

I had a personal scare–I thought I left all my keys in NY as I had switched purses, then I realized I’d packed my other purse and thank goodness both sets were still in that bag!

DL’s foodie show, called “Local Flavor,” with sommelier Andrea Robinson (andreawine.com), featured a foodie weekend in Napa.

I also watched “The Office” and a couple of music videos, Jack Johnson and Kate Nash. The shows were interspersed with DL ads and “Planguage” animated clips.

We arrived at ATL at 9:00 am–26 minutes early.

DL 4209 ATL-TRI, ATR-72 (66-seat prop, boards and deplanes at the rear), scheduled 12:15-1:30 pm, seat 16B aisle (one row forward from the rear boarding door, premium seating!):

I spent my two and a half hour layover in the concourse D CO President’s Club, since my flight was departing from D28. It is a small, but nice club with free Internet for all. I was able to settle into a dark cube with coffee and a bagel and catch up!

My flight to TRI boarded 20 minutes before departure. We loaded up on time, but there was an attempt at a lav repair at the last minute that ended up not being successful. I guess something was really lodged down there because the FAs had been trying to flush paper all day to little avail, they said. At least maintenance tried to flush it out before we left. It was operable, but not flushing with enough fluid/power. We left the gate 10 minutes late at 12:25 pm and took off 17 minutes late at 12:32 pm. The two FAs provided a limited beverage and snack service consisting of ice water in cups (no more wee Dasani bottles) and a choice of one of the three standard snacks: peanuts, crackers, or Biscoffs, the large, Delta-branded two-pack. We arrived TRI at 1:30 pm, on time.

May 23: US 51 LAS-JFK

Our airport shuttle was scheduled very early, slightly over four hours before departure. We arrived at LAS around 12:45 pm and breezed through the elite check-in and the first class security line. For that fact alone, I am glad we were upgraded and could take advantage of that line.

Of course, since we arrived early, our flight was delayed! According to flightstats.com, there were ground delay programs in effect at both LAS and JFK. So we found a seat near a power outlet to wait it out. We also each had a sandwich just in case the onboard meal was undesirable.

The flight board showed a departure time of 4:40 pm, so we made our way to the gate around 4:00 pm. The inbound flight from FAT was just deplaning. We waited at the gate for a while. Finally the gate agent made an announcement that we were waiting on flight attendants. Around 4:45 pm, we boarded, with F and pre-boards called together, then the remaining zones. The flight was full. There was no pre-departure drink, but we did each have a pillow and blanket at our seat in F. One FA took our meal orders and the choices were pasta and salad or a turkey club sandwich and salad. After she took the orders for row 1 and 2D and F (me and J), she ran out of the pasta dish (must be better than a sandwich!) and explained they only had six of each choice. Around 5:07 pm, they shut the departure door and we backed away from the gate a few minutes later and took a 30-minute wait to depart. We took off finally at 5:39 pm, one hour 21 minutes late.

Although this was an A319 with video monitors, the FAs performed the safety demonstration live. As they did so, I assumed the worst—that there would be no IFE—and I was correct! The video portion of the IFE was again inoperable, but this time there was audio available and the FAs provided the headsets to both Y and F at no charge because of the inconvenience.

The FA then took drink orders and served our snack basket appetizers. There was no hot towel service. I ordered the Chardonnay. A few minutes later, the FA came back to tell me that the caterers had put the Cabernet on ice instead of the Chardonnay, so it would be a few minutes for the Chardonnay to be chilled, but it would be rather quick, because they had dry ice!

The In-Flight Café service in Y was announced and the FA mentioned that they were very limited in what they had and apologized in advance if someone did not get what they wanted or if they ran out, but they would be serving front to back.

Dinner was served and the first thing I noticed was tray table ads in First Class! This time I thought the pasta choice was better than the breakfast on the outbound and was also more substantial than the alternate sandwich offering. It was a bowtie pasta with cream sauce (be careful, lactose-intolerant passengers!), peas, pancetta (although mine had none!), peas, and shredded mozzarella; a spinach salad with two cherry tomatoes, shredded carrots, and a vinaigrette dressing; a roll; and an oatmeal raisin cookie for dessert that was served after the meal. I ended up having two full party cups of Chardonnay with dinner.

En route, I listened to the US Airways history on Channel 2. It was a spoken program interspersed with music, most with the words flying/fly (Come Fly With Me, Fly Me to the Moon, Fly Like An Eagle (the Seal version, not the Eagles!), Fly Robin Fly, Fly Away (John Denver), Straighten Up and Fly Right, as well as some additional cheese/fluff like London Town and One Moment In Time (Whitney Houston.) It was fairly HP-weighted and Doug, Scott, Travis, and Elise all had speaking parts. Doug sounded his usual gravely self. He really is not a good speaker—he sounds painful to me. The program also contained an old cheesy HP ad promoting their LAS redeye flights.

After dinner, service slowed down. The flight was very quiet. We actually had very little predicted turbulence. I changed the audio to Channel 3, Lite AC. They also darkened the cabin lights. I knew every song on this channel, old and new, pop and country! And Bon Jovi, too!

Advice to all couples who travel together: This is a GREAT channel to listen to together! They played one of our songs, Still the One (Shania Twain, popular when we first started dating!)

I also had a third cup of Chardonnay during this lull.

J, since he was driving when we arrived to NY, brought on a caffeinated soda with him, had one cup of Chardonnay with dinner, and then had caffeinated soda after dinner, too.

The two FAs I saw during the flight both had on the new uniforms. One had on a royal blue dress with a colorful scarf and later put on a light blue zip-up sweat jacket with the US logo embroidered on it. The other had the same dress, but darker blue, with a light blue/dark blue scarf and a darker blue jacket. Both wore the aprons with their names embroidered on them. I think all FAs should have those.

J said the dresses reminded him of grade school art smocks. I thought they were better than the old ones, but they are somewhat (intentionally?) shapeless.

The seat belt light went on at 12:18 am. We arrived at JFK only 22 minutes late, at 12:55 am due to a good tailwind and some great schedule padding! And our luggage was the second bag out!

Overall flight rating = B

Seat/ride = B (late departure/arrival, but comfortable seat/legroom)

FA service = B+

Meal and drinks = B

IFE = D (audio but still no video!)

Price paid = A+

May 20: US 473 JFK-LAS

We arrived at JFK about two hours early just in case. US departed from Terminal 7 with BA, UA, ANA, Cathay Pacific, and a few others. The US check-in was hidden around the corner away from the other carrier check-in areas. We decided to check a bag after all (for FFOCUS research purposes only!) The agent would not print us new BPs, but did issue a baggage claim tag and put a priority tag on our bag! I told J that the priority tag insured us that they would toss it long and hard into the plane and make sure it arrived last at baggage claim!

We proceeded to the security checkpoint where the priority line was CLOSED! However, there was a Clear line. J encouraged me to use my Clear card since I have only used it one time before in MCO, so I left him behind and went to the Clear agent. He whisked me to the Clear machine to verify my identity (right index finger!) and then whisked me in front of every single person in line. Once through, I had to wait about 10 minutes on J. I believe he realized his mistake as I was moved very quickly away from him!

We each had a breakfast sandwich and split a coffee at McDonalds, and then waited at the gate near a power outlet where I could keep my Blackberry charged. About five minutes before we boarded, we hit the bathrooms and as we arrived back to the gate, they were boarding first class–first and alone!

The aircraft was an HP A319 with dark blue leather seats with the “winglet” headrests and the AW logo and design on the forward partitions. I noticed that the legroom was MUCH better than the East A319s. The plane appeared clean and there was only one small pen mark on J’s seat. There were of course no closets and the hangers for jackets were behind row 3. I believed the FAs were wearing the new unis and they also wore the aprons with their names embroidered on them.

We backed away from the gate on time at 9:40 am and “took the scenic route” around JFK (the pilot’s words, not mine!) He apologized for the ATC confusion/delay and we took off at 10:03 am, the exact estimated departure time provided to me by flightstats.com. He also announced that about an hour before we would land, there would be turbulence as we crossed over the Rockies.

The first class FA, Patty, introduced herself to us by name as she served us a full pre-departure drink service. She was actually a more “seasoned” FA, not one of the reputed younger and untainted ones. I had a Bloody and J had a Screwdriver, both served pre-mixed in the “improved” plastic cups! However, at least we got a pre-dep drink–I can live with plastic! She also took our food and beverage order for in the air. I ordered another Bloody and John got a Bacardi and Coke. Our meal choices were the quiche or the deli platter. I am OK with cheese and ordered the quiche. J shocked me by ordering the same thing. We did bring his Lactaid aboard, thank goodness! They did not say the quiche was three-cheese and when given the choice of a deli platter or quiche without knowing, quiche does sound classier.

F was full and the crowd appeared to be mostly a casual gambling group, except for maybe two or three possible businessmen. One man had on a suit and walked to the lav in his sock feet and his Bose headphones on!

The male FA announced shortly after takeoff that there were technical problems and there would be no audio or video entertainment! Grade F! And it was going so well! Therefore, we had two hours of blank screen, one hour of Travel Quest, about 30 minutes of blank screen, and the TVs retracted into their snug little space in the ceiling. Since this was my first transcon since I was in grad school and my second ever, I was not prepared to bring much of my own entertainment. All I had was a computer with limited battery life (since there is no EmPower aboard the HP A319), my Blackberry (but with no music loaded yet!), and J had his Game Boy. We also had a few magazines to read. I will be writing US about the lack of IFE, although I am sure it will not garner much attention. It is the principle of the matter and it seems to be a trend with them to not keep their IFE equipment in working order.

We did have hot towels before brunch and they were very hot. Next arrived the “appetizer,” the snack basket. We selected French Onion Sun Chips and Cranberry Nut Mix. After the snack basket, we were served our second round of drinks as requested earlier. And finally we had brunch, with china, silverware, and plastic cups. Here is my meal rating:

Overall – C (it was edible, but bland, and our tickets were only $493 RT!)

Quiche – B (it was mostly a cheese blend, tomato bits, onion, and a little egg)

Salad – C (lettuce, shredded carrots, two cherry tomatoes, and ranch dressing–blah)

Roll – C (plain, but not too hard)

Chicken sausage and two pieces of dried tomato – D (what the heck were they thinking?)

After eating, J took a nap. I wrote part of this trip report. Patty took a break at hour 3 to do crossword puzzles. Close to hour 4, she made another pass of the snack basket and offered me more wine. I also had Biscoffs. Being the nerd that I am, I read the latest issue of PC World. (Yes, I have a subscription!) My Blackberry Curve is rated the #2 PDA phone behind the new Pearl, but I still prefer my Curve’s QUERTY keyboard! Did you know that my Curve has a battery life of 10 hours? How bored was I?

J woke up to read about two hours before landing and ordered a Heineken. Finally this time Patty just laughed and he explained to her that he just wanted “to try one of everything!”

Patty came back about an hour and a half before we landed, so I ordered a Bud Light. Patty offered J a Baileys and coffee, but he opted for a Bud.

During the descent, J ordered a coffee without adult beverage. He said it was powerful, but that it was terrible. I asked him what he expected after it sat there for five hours after being brewed!

Overall Trip Rating = C, curved to a B- only because of price:

Ride/Seat – A (much better than Y!)

Patty – B+ (not very friendly at first and did crossword puzzles in hour 3, but warmed up at the end)

Meal – C

IFE – F; this was a big negative for me, because I was not prepared. I guess I will have to return to my negative thinking!

We landed a few minutes early at 12:15 pm West coast time, eight minutes early.

TRI-ATL-LGA on DL, May 17

DL 4307 operated by ASA, CRJ, scheduled 10:10-11:11 am, seat 8B exit

When I checked in at the kiosk, the flight was absolutely full. I went to the TRI Business Center to start this trip report.

And…here is the very brief report!

This was a full, but uneventful 40-minute flight. We left the gate 10 minutes early, took off two minutes early at 10:08 am, and landed at 10:48 am, 23 minutes early. There was no inflight service so I dozed.

DL 918 ATL-LGA 757-200, scheduled 1:40-3:59 pm, seat 4A window, first class (there are 26 seats in F!)

We boarded on time, beginning with specials, then F, then zones 1 and up. There were two male FAs in training working F and they did a great job hanging jackets and serving pre-departure drinks. I had a Bloody. The pilot came out of the cockpit to introduce himself and spoke to us about the flight, the weather, the crew, etc., using the front FA microphone. I have seen this before and it is a very nice touch. Flight time was scheduled to be one hour 39 minutes. Of the 26 seats in F, 25 were occupied.

We left the gate about 5-10 minutes past scheduled departure and took off at 2:08 pm, 28 minutes later than scheduled.

This flight had touchscreen seatback IFE, which was an unexpected perk. The choices were TV, Delta On-Air, CDs, games, My Flight, and Information. I listened to Pride Party, music by gay and “gay-friendly” artists–great channel!

We encountered some light chop, “no worse than crossing the Queensborough Bridge,” quipped the pilot!

The inflight service was drinks and a snack basket similar to US, with crackers, Sun Chips, granola bars, peanuts, and large Delta-branded Biscoffs. I took it down a notch to Amstel Light–in a glass! I cannot believe they had my favorite beer! Is it “liquor before beer, never fear?”

About 40 minutes before scheduled arrival, I had to go to the lav! After all those drinks and being female, I just could not wait any longer! The guy in 4B was asleep and I tapped him but he did not move! The FA in training saw my predicament and he woke the guy up gently. Part of me felt badly, but I could not help it! That is why I am an aisle (and bulkhead) diva! I feel guilty when I have to make someone move!

We landed @ 3:46 pm, 13 minutes early! I had such a good flight, I took photos! And the FA trainees were given a well-deserved round of applause!

ROA-DTW-LGA May 10-12 on NW

NW 5849 ROA-DTW, CRJ op by Pinnacle, seat 8B aisle, scheduled flight time 1:10

I arrived ROA just before 5:00 am. There was a line at check-in, so I was glad I’d checked in online. We boarded about 20 minutes before departure. Lucky me, there were two cranky infants on board and I did not sleep well yet again due to my now four-week crud. We left the gate at 6:07 am, took off at 6:17 am, and landed at 7:25 am. We had a full beverage service in flight. NW still uses small, NWA-branded plastic cups.

NW 540 DTW-LGA, A319 seat 3D window, scheduled 8:35 am, flight time 1:09

We boarded up early, but took a short maintenance delay at the gate. I was upgraded at the gate and F (16 seats) was full. We received a full, pre-departure drink service. We departed the gate at 8:47 am and took off at 9:00 am, 25 minutes late. In flight we were served a full beverage and snack service. NW FAs use a small beverage cart to serve. I had two Bloody Marys, pre-mixed and in a glass, and morning-appropriate cinnamon pita chips and a banana. We landed at 10:12 am, nine minutes early. Photos forthcoming!
NW 533 LGA-DTW, A320 (much wider aisles than the US Airbus aircraft), seat 11C exit row aisle

I arrived at 6:30 am to a packed DL/NW terminal with a huge security line. Thank goodness for the elite/F/CRC line! I stopped briefly at the WC (double entendre!) We boarded on time. The flight was oversold, but I was afraid to take a voluntary bump due to the awful weather. We pushed back from the gate on time and departed at 7:44 am. Due to turbulence, the pilots asked the FAs to stay seated until conditions were safe for service and announced that we were expected to arrive 15 minutes early to DTW. Once service began, I bought a $5 snack box which contained a small can of Bumblebee chicken salad with a plastic fork, two kinds of packaged cheese (swiss and gouda), crackers, Golden Oreos (6 cookies), pecan trail mix (vegan and gluten-free!), a mint, a card with two games and an A330-200 collector card attached, and a moist towelette! I was served a whole can of soda. I was completely impressed with the coach snack box option! There was so much I took the Oreos and trail mix with me for later! A huge thumbs-up for this for pax who may not have time to eat! We landed at 9:09 am. It was a GREAT flight with great service, even in coach!

NW 5848 DTW-ROA, CRJ op by Pinnacle, seat 8C exit row aisle

We boarded about 20 minutes before departure and the flight was about 75% full. Unfortunately I had a seatmate who hung over the armrest. I am so considerate of others and the limited space; I wish everyone were more like me! We pushed back at 10:29 am and took off at 10:47 am. Flight time was scheduled to be one hour. We had a standard bev service and landed at 11:55 am.

$76.37 Voucher Redemption Trip: TYS-CLT-LGA Roundtrip

US 4487 TYS-CLT, operated by Piedmont, Dash 8-300 seat 11C exit aisle:

TYS is a great little airport; I wish I still lived in K-town, home of my UT-K repeat National Champ Lady Vols, my 2nd college alma mater! Through security they even have a Ruby Tuesday’s! They also have 12 gates–who knew! There was also a recharging area right beside my gate!We boarded late due to a late-arriving inbound aircraft. We departed the gate at 7:50 pm, 10 minutes late, took off at 7:53 pm, and landed at 8:38 pm, early, I think. We had a full in-flight bev service w/mini pretzels. The plastic cups were the “old” ones, not the “improved” flimsy ones!

US 1496 CLT-LGA, A321, seat 3C aisle:
I arrived CLT to discover that my flight was scheduled to depart 10 minutes earlier than scheduled, at 9:49 pm instead of 9:59 pm. I thought it was a “scare tactic” to get everyone to the gate early. It must have worked, because although we boarded late, we actually departed the gate at 10:00 pm, only one minute late from the originally scheduled departure of 9:59 pm. The flight appeared full and there was one seat open in F (of 16.) We took off at 10:09 pm. I had three Jacks on the rocks, for medicinal purposes of course, as I still have a three-week long cough/allergy/throat problem! To be honest, Jack Daniels might end up being my best friend/doctor, as it really calmed my cough!

The flight was OK. The A321 is still cramped in first class due to the reconfiguration, but is better than coach. There was the usual snack basket, except it had some Cranberry Nut Mix (I stuck with the devils I know–Sun Chips and Biscoffs!)

We landed at 11:26 pm, about 24 minutes early…to LGA…on a misty Friday night!

US 819 LGA-CLT, A319, seat 2D, scheduled departure 6:35 am, scheduled flight time 1 hour 22 minutes
LGA was dead when I passed through security around 5:40 am. We boarded on time, specials first, then F/zone 1/zone 2 together. There was music playing while boarding and pillow and blankets were available in the F overheads. The aircraft appeared worn (pen marks, saggy grey leather) but clean. We shut the boarding door 15 minutes early, pushed back six
minutes early, and took off on time, despite the drizzle and fog in NY.  There were seven empty seats in F and the five of us had our own row.  The FA did not serve pre-departure beverages, but in flight, I had a  Bloody Mary (with one mini; I had to ask for a second one) and Sun Chips and Cranberry Nut Mix from the snack basket. The mix was not bad–almonds, cashews, dried cranberries, and sesame sticks. We landed at 7:57 am, VERY early.

US 2320, CLT-TYS, CRJ, seat 8C exit, scheduled departure 9:45 am, scheduled flight time 33 minutes at 22,000 feet
We took a short maintenance delay at the gate (AC) and boarded five minutes before departure. The flight was almost full, but I had no one beside me. We departed the gate only eight minutes late at 9:53 am, but our time for taxi, wait in line, and departure was 25 minutes. We took off at 10:18 am and landed at 10:55 am, 37 minutes later. Bev service
was “by request” only.