Trip Report Delta/Continental 1/8/2009 - 1/12/2009

Before going into the details of the trips, it was the first time that I’ve done a trip of this length and never repeated an aircraft type on the 6 flights. That was an interesting point for starters. Second – it was my first time on two types – the MD-90 and the CRJ-900.

1/8/2009 - DL 1762 B752 PBI-ATL

Getting up a what South Africans call “Sparrow Fart” (4am) is always a pain – particularly as this was a 6am departure – getting my mother who is visiting from the UK, my 4 year old and all the associated luggage, etc to the airport at that time in the morning – let alone waking up myself – is a challenge. However, we made it to the terminal to drop everything off in plenty of time and then parked the car in the long term. Check in had been done online, so it was a matter of dropping the bags at Delta, heading through security and boarding a not so full flight to Atlanta. The flight itself was comfortable 1 ½ hour flight with a very smooth landing at Atlanta. We only had around 40 minutes between this flight and the next flight, and as my Mom was in a wheelchair, I was very happy to see that we pulled into terminal B and the IAH flight was leaving from terminal B – 8 gates down.

1/8/2009 - DL 1071 MD-90 ATL-IAH

A VERY incredibly helpful gate agent re-assigned us a full row together on this flight – 2 seats on one side and 3 on the other side – first row in coach – for the flight to IAH. It was great to be able to stretch out. I knew we were on a MD-90 from the flight details, and then to add to the pleasure, I saw the new Delta color scheme on the tail. After confirming that it was N912DN, it involved running in the short time before boarding to see if there was an angle to get a shot of the aircraft – it is one that I had been wanting to catch for quite a while! But – no angles at all – and there would be no chance at IAH either due to a short time between flights and changing terminals. Boarding, thanks to the wheelchair passenger was at the same time as 1st class. I will say that this is probably one of the more comfortable planes I have been on – it seems roomier than the MD-80’s and there was definitely more leg room at the bulkhead. A pretty brisk taxi to runway 27R and not a long take off line got us in the air pretty quickly and on the way for a very smooth flight to IAH. A very smooth landing way out on the far away 26R at IAH and the taxi to the terminal ended a very pleasant flight – I’d love to fly on those MD-90’s all the time – they are so quiet and comfortable! Talking to the captain on the way out, I commented on the smooth flight – he said it was just the perfect day to fly!

1/8/2009 - CO 3152 ERJ145 IAH-AMA

Transfer from the A Terminal at IAH to the B terminal is accomplished by bus – and there were no issues with waiting time or the bus ride – it was very efficient and quick. We did not have a lot of tie between flights, and so when we got to the B gate assigned to the AMA flight, they were already boarding. We got on the aircraft last – and there were a total of 12 passengers! On an ERJ-145 – talk about taking as much room as you want. I will say the flight attendant was not the happiest and smiliest of people, but, what more did we need than a soda and some peanuts! We pushed back from the gate and then short taxi to runway 15L. Number 2 for take off and we were soon turning back parallel to the airport so that I was able to get the overview shot of IAH that I wanted (http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php? ... 151&nseq=0 - shameless plug :borat: ). The flight to AMA was comfortable – the usual little bumpy over the canyon as you approach AMA, but not too bad.

1/12/2009 - CO 5524 CRJ200 AMA-IAH

If we thought getting up at 4am on the way out was bad, the getting up at 3am for the start of the return trip home was even worse! The flight was scheduled for 5am so we had to be at the airport at 4am to get the rental car returned. Getting to the airport started the unpleasantness that would be incredibly frustrating on the first two flights home. Getting to the check in area, I tried to check in at the counter and was told in a very abrupt tone “Use the check in terminal over there”. Okay – I have three confirmation numbers for 4 passengers (we used frequent flyer miles to book this trip), one is 4 years old, one is travelling on a UK passport and two have drivers licences. Entering the first confirmation number and then print the boarding passes for the 3 flights. The terminal doesn’t print the boarding passes correctly and doesn’t separate the boarding passes – so it’s a long stream of paper. The comment from the one agent to the other agent – “Oh look – it’s not printing them correctly” and then to me – try another confirmation. So, try another and the same happens again. At which point, they look at each other in disbelief and then the one tells me – you’ll have to check in with her then. That got the comment “That’s what I wanted to do in the start” from me – which probably didn’t do much for their attitude much. Before carrying on with our tale, she got 3 other passengers to try the same terminal and surprise surprise – it didn’t work for them either!!! Anyway, get all the boarding passes (after having to give her two confirmation numbers twice) and check the bags at TSA – they don’t have X-ray at AMA – every bag has to be searched manually. I ask about the wheelchair for my Mom and get told – “the people that wheel the chairs aren’t here this time of the morning – so you’ll have to wait for one of us or you can wheel her yourself” – which I do – trailing my rolling briefcase at the same time. We get to security, go through and at that point, hear my name called to go back to the check in counter. I get back there and in a very unhappy tone of voice get told “There is something going off in there” as she points to my case. TSA when they closed the bag up had set off my battery toothbrush. I open the bag, turn the toothbrush off, close the bag and get told “Take it back there for them to screen again”. Lovely attitude – yes Continental will be hearing about this. Go back through security - and get to the gate. At the gate, the one agent that had been checking us did the boarding and commented to the captain – “Our system is down – can you order the wheelchair when you get to Houston” – odd – system down – but – I don’t know all their systems. Again, 15 passengers on a CRJ200 this time – so stretch out again. Get on a VERY cold aircraft – they only turned the heaters on when we were in the air. Coolish coffee wasn’t pleasant, but we survived with that. A little bumpy on the flight to IAH, but not too bad that they had to put the seatbelt sign on. Landed still in the dark at IAH and then a short taxi to the terminal and our wheelchair awaited us. This time – a VERY helpful lady with a wheelchair, an electric cart, another wheelchair and another electric cart got us to the bus to terminal A.

1/12/2009 - DL 6337 CRJ900 IAH-ATL

This flight was the unhappiest of all. After Delta not having a wheelchair to meet us at terminal A and having to walk a long way, we got to the gate at 7:05am for the 7:14am flight and no-one was even boarding yet. Get a new set of boarding passes for the next two flights (Continental had issued the others in AMA and we had to get Delta ones), and finally about 20 minutes late, we board. This was my first flight on a CRJ900 and I was surprised to see a 1st class as we boarded – didn’t know these big RJ’s had two classes. Get to our seats (second last row) and sit down. After about 20 minutes, the captain comes over the intercom – “We have to de-ice but this gate we are at has no drains to recover the de-icing fluid (my comment – important point for later), so we’ll have to go to the next gate, but there is an aircraft there at the moment. Don’t worry, they only have 15 passengers, so it won’t take too long”. Ahhhhh…those fateful words – it won’t take too long. 20 minutes later, he comes back again “The other aircraft is just leaving the de-icing, so we’ll be moving over there in a few minutes and then we’ll be on our way”. Wait – wait – and another 45 minutes later (a long time with no update) – “Okay – here’s the situation – we have two ways to get to the de-icing point – taxi or get towed – we elected to get towed so we didn’t have to take more fuel on, but Houston has JUST told us that to get towed, it’s policy to have an escort (my comment – surely you’d ask about this when you ask to get towed in the beginning). They tell us it will be 2 minutes before the escort is here then we can go”. 10 minutes later – captain again “Well, it’s been longer than 2 minutes, so we have asked for a fueling truck so we can taxi”. 10 minutes later – no announcement, but we get pushed back and pulled to the other gate, at which point the APU gets started (and the heaters finally get turned on inside!!!). De-icing fluid over the wings and tail and finally we get pushed back and the engines get started. At which point – I look at the gate – there are NO FREAKING drains at the gate and the de-icing guy is putting sand down all over the gate area to soak up the de-icing fluid – great – a flat out lie to start!! Delta will be hearing from me as well!! We get pushed up the departure sequence and finally 2 hours late, get in the air. The flight itself was pretty comfortable, luke warm coffee again but after 1 1hr 25 minutes, we land in Atlanta. Taxi to the D terminal and then sit again for 15 minutes while they try to find some rampers to get us into the gate. So, after expecting to have over 2 hours between flights at ATL to get some lunch, etc, we are rushing like mad with a wheelchair to get from terminal D to terminal A to get on the flight to PBI and get home. Thanks Delta – that was NOT a great experience.

1/12/2009 - DL 1595 B763 ATL-PBI

This time, the flight was also boarding and we were in the last 20 or so people to get on. This time though, it was very nice to see that there were probably 120 people on a big 767-300!! This was one of the 763’s with the new interior (N129DL) – video at each seat which was great to keep my 4 year old busy! But, it was great to stretch out – the flight was empty! The cabin crew were great and friendly as well! Close the doors, push back, and after being number 2 for departure, take off and a very pleasant and smooth flight at FL 410 down to PBI – we landed 15 minutes early and it was great to finish the trip off on a high rather than the lows the whole of the day had been so far!

Trips over - glad to be home and warm again in FL!! :lol: