DL 4209 TRI-ATL CRJ seat 8B exit (NO SEATMATE!)
We boarded and departed late due to the late inbound aircraft. As we were boarding, I noticed there were a few “amateurs” bringing aboard rollaboards and large bags, which the FA ended up having to “re-position” under seats to keep from having to gate check them. Where were the luggage guys to prevent that from happening? At any rate, we left 20 minutes late at 2:20 pm. The FA handed out the still complimentary crackers, peanuts, and Biscoffs prior to departure, which allowed her to complete a full, still complimentary bev service to our nearly full aircraft on our short 40-minute flight. We arrived ATL at 3:00 pm, 20 minutes EARLY (padding is my friend!), and were able to park at our gate, but we had to wait about 10 minutes on the jetway operator. By the time we deplaned, we were still five minutes early.
Crown Room Club, B10
This is by far the smallest CRC I have ever been in (I guess I usually go to B25 when I am in B?) but my flight was departing from B4 and I wanted to be close to my gate as my layover was short. The club was packed, but luckily I was able to get a cubicle with power outlets where I could research the Spanish train schedules and info for Van’s trip to Spain in November using the club’s complimentary T-Mobile Hotspot. I also had a wonderfully spicy, complimentary Bloody Mary, with lime and three olives in a DL branded highball glass! You better believe that bartender got a tip! The drink was great! Plus I snatched a few Biscoffs for the ride!
DL 920 ATL-LGA MD-88 seat 25C exit row aisle (3-seat side)
As I am lowly Silver, I did not get upgraded today. In fact, there were only two who were cleared for upgrades as per the gate monitor and I was number 18 on the list after the two cleared (that made me 20th on the list originally!) The plane was absolutely full–no empty seats at all.
We boarded on time, but left the gate about five minutes late and waited in line until we took off at 5:12 pm, 32 minutes late. This is similar to the wait time in CLT these days, at least in my experience. Flight time was scheduled at two hours 33 minutes (4:40 pm to 7:13 pm), but actual flight time was announced at one hour 37 minutes. So Delta padded this flight by 56 minutes. (I think my math is right this time!)
Our wait at the gate and during taxi was slightly uncomfortable as there was a maintenance issue with the ground air conditioning system, but once in flight, the inflight AC system worked great and I about froze my derrière off!
The flight was about 70% business, 30% amateurs, based solely on my observations. There were many businesspeople in coach. My two seatmates, both male, were both business guys. And the one beside me hogged the armrests and took his shoes off…eww…sweaty sock feet!
We had a full beverage and snack service. First came the complimentary snacks (same as above) and snacks for purchase and then came the drinks. I had a drink chit so I had another Bloody Mary (but no lime or olives), as I was not in the mood for their special cocktails, the margarita or the Manhattan. I miss the pomegranate martini! That was awesome. And I heard the Cosmo was also good and it is gone, too. The beer choices were Heineken, Amstel Light, Miller Lite, and Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat. At least for $7.00 you get more than a Bud, Bud Light, or Miller Lite! The guy in the window seat in my row had white wine and it was Redwood Creek Chardonnay. He also had a drink chit. Since the flight as kind of long and I was not driving, I ponied up the $7.00 for another Bloody. The second one had a lime—yay! Today the credit card handhelds were not working so it was cash only and I had exact change just in case!
The approach was a little longer than originally expected, but it’s LaGarbage! However, we arrived at LGA at 7:01 pm, 12 minutes EARLY.
