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A lot of One and not much of Star
- Thread starter sr81
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Alanslegal
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- Jun 22, 2007
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BUT there are much better things in Hong Kong :!:
Like..............Lockhart Rd? :mrgreen:
But with only three nights? I'd hit LKF every night - there's plenty of bars!
v8Statesman
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- Dec 16, 2005
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As A OWE, IMHO the best thing at HKG flying CX is the First checkin. It is simply amazing. Porters run over as soon as they see you coming and take your bags. _VERY_ pleasant (on the eye) Girls in red come and talk to you, make fuss and check you in
As A OWE, IMHO the best thing at HKG flying CX is the First checkin. It is simply amazing. Porters run over as soon as they see you coming and take your bags. _VERY_ pleasant (on the eye) Girls in red come and talk to you, make fuss and check you in
Yes i am a fan of the service by CX
sometimes a bit "plastic" but always very efficient and professional with a lot of respect paid to the high status types. And i love the uniforms I agree with sr81's views on the overhyped Cathay service. But being used to and having expectations heightened by the awesome QF service it's easy to be disappointed by anything else. I guess it's about varying expectations accordingly to avoid disappointment. It's hard though when I'm a creature of habit and am easily disappointed when things are "different."
You know i will one day get the sort of crew that makes you not so much of a man of CX service and i am sure i will say the same, so far i may be just lucky
The reason i figure i am lucky is i love CX and KA crew, yet something about SQ never feels at all right... and i live in Singapore so it cant be simply not used to it.
QF is for sure no 1 with me, but i rate BA and CX a close second.
E
You know i will one day get the sort of crew that makes you not so much of a man of CX service and i am sure i will say the same, so far i may be just lucky
The reason i figure i am lucky is i love CX and KA crew, yet something about SQ never feels at all right... and i live in Singapore so it cant be simply not used to it.
QF is for sure no 1 with me, but i rate BA and CX a close second.
E
I love KA crew. But I've just never been lucky enough to experience the CX service that other people seem to go on and on about. On a good day CX reminds me of the kind of fake and contrived service you get at the St Regis, and on a regular day it's like being served by waitresses in Mongkok... The Fillipino crew are the exception though - v fun flights when they're on.
Personally, alliances aside - my all time faves are QF, NZ and MH. BA too if they were slightly more consistent. SQ is solid and dependable, top shelf all the way in a textbook kind of way, but more business-like than memorable.
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drron
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2002
- Posts
- 35,804
Ah me!How things change with age.I have not found the St.regis service contrived and fake.One of the staff in the lounge at the St.Regis Shanghai for example always knew us,asked what we had done for the day and gave us advice on good things to do.Always with a smile and would never use the excuse she had to go and serve some one.If you want fake stay at the Waldorf Towers in NYC.
QF on the other hand is hopefully not contrived.Mainly woeful.But then i am on the less important segments mainly BNE-Asia so may be we get the B teams.The male FA's that were based in Cairns though were the exception to the rule-really good.
CX-certainly with the first couple of flights i was let down but since then usually much better.Also doing well on op ups so will continue to use them.
Then comes the one which proves I am the exception to the rule-AA.I have only met one of the old dragons flying back from the caribbean.I have experienced some fantastic crews on AA and on our last segment JFK-LHR the crew in F were amongst the very best we have ever had.
A while since I flew SQ and Thai(before the collapse of AN).Crew were great if low loads but deteriorated rapidly as the cabin filled was my experience.
I do like AA. I've only met an old dragon once and tbh - a lot of the Mongkok Girls on CX easily make that pterodAActyl seem sweet and docile in comparison. AA long haul is probably my choice of airline in OW after QF and BA (even if I have no EVIPs to use). Shame that AA overwater actually attracts fuel fines but hey ho, can't have everything. I'd love to try AY long haul J as I've heard great things about them but so far have failed to fit their segments into my DONE; HEL is not a conducive start point for long and convoluted segments in Europe, and they don't fly into LAX.
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drron
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Unless they took amex?
NYC
After what can only be described as an enjoyable but unmemorable flight we arrived in JFK on time and disembarked at local 10:35am. Whilst this flight is great the only issue is that you leave HKG in the morning and arrive that same time on the same day yet 15 hours away. Messed with my body something dreadful and it was with great trepidation I imagined hours waiting to clear customs.
Right now I would like to say that I have had some shocking experiences at entry into the USA. My best is 4 hours at JFK last year. Today 6 minutes - from the plane to the baggage hall! Stunning. 6 desks opened, manned and the agent was excellent. Well done DHS, great to see that you are improving the process.
I was staying at the Sheraton JFK and this was accessible from Federal Circle via the Air Train. The location is in Jamaica and not really good for any roaming, in fact if you leave the hotel don’t forget your mace. I jumped back on the train to head downtown and see some mates. After some good Indian in Chelsea it was down to a bar for a few beers. I have no idea of the name of the bar but it’s not like you can’t find a bar in SoHo.
Train back to the hotel as I was broke via the E train and Air Train. This took about an hour and I slept really well. The hotel was quite new and the rooms were very well appointed. I was upgraded to a Club Floor though the lounge wasn’t open but the room was big and the 37 inch flat screen was a nice touch. Check out the next morning was easy followed by a quick trip to terminal 8.
JFK – YHZ
12.11.08
10:20 – 13:50
AA 4762
Terminal 8 is a vast improvement over LGA which I was mainly using last year. The Flagship Lounge is nothing special but a massive step up from a regular Admirals Club. The agent here was very nice and I am always impressed by the ground staff at AA. They get some pigs trying to pull some fast ones but Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Gulterres always seem to handle these characters with aplomb. After a snack I made my way down to gate 29 and boarded the tiny EMB-145. These tiny planes are noisy and ancient, I really don’t like them. They rattle around though do give you a great ride when they climb lightly loaded.
The flight was completely…….transport which at the end of the day you can’t complain about.
I was in Halifax for a conference and after an epic drive in from airport, seriously, if you flew from Boston the flight was the same time length as the trip from the airport. Halifax is a very pretty city was some fascinating history regarding its WWII past and colonial occupation. I was very impressed by the Maritime Museum and the Citadel, both are worthy of a visit.
The Marriott Harbourfront is a great hotel in that ticks all the boxes whilst not challenging you in anyway. It is just that, a large chain hotel that provides beds, showers and a turn down service. The hotel was good as it was clean and answers were provided with a keen and useful staff. Now my next comment will set the cat among the pigeons. I found the level of service better from the Marriott than the Langham Place.
I know, I know. Whilst the Langham Place is simply a stunning hotel I was never treated like a welcomed guest mealy as some sort of interloper. Yes, I used the pool and the life guards there were friendly but I was mainly concerned with the front desk and concierge staff. They fawned over an older white couple and a monied 30ish asian chap, but a 27 year old aussie in shorts and a polo was lugging his own bags and calling his own cabs. With the Marriott, not a drama immediate taxi’s and bags carried.
I like Irish theme bars with traditional music so Halifax was fine by me. QF009 may have had an issue with this city as it was very tame night life wise and certainly not a party mecca. After a great time catching up with fellow attendees it was time to move on. Oh and I may have attended a few seminars as well!
After what can only be described as an enjoyable but unmemorable flight we arrived in JFK on time and disembarked at local 10:35am. Whilst this flight is great the only issue is that you leave HKG in the morning and arrive that same time on the same day yet 15 hours away. Messed with my body something dreadful and it was with great trepidation I imagined hours waiting to clear customs.
Right now I would like to say that I have had some shocking experiences at entry into the USA. My best is 4 hours at JFK last year. Today 6 minutes - from the plane to the baggage hall! Stunning. 6 desks opened, manned and the agent was excellent. Well done DHS, great to see that you are improving the process.
I was staying at the Sheraton JFK and this was accessible from Federal Circle via the Air Train. The location is in Jamaica and not really good for any roaming, in fact if you leave the hotel don’t forget your mace. I jumped back on the train to head downtown and see some mates. After some good Indian in Chelsea it was down to a bar for a few beers. I have no idea of the name of the bar but it’s not like you can’t find a bar in SoHo.
Train back to the hotel as I was broke via the E train and Air Train. This took about an hour and I slept really well. The hotel was quite new and the rooms were very well appointed. I was upgraded to a Club Floor though the lounge wasn’t open but the room was big and the 37 inch flat screen was a nice touch. Check out the next morning was easy followed by a quick trip to terminal 8.
JFK – YHZ
12.11.08
10:20 – 13:50
AA 4762
Terminal 8 is a vast improvement over LGA which I was mainly using last year. The Flagship Lounge is nothing special but a massive step up from a regular Admirals Club. The agent here was very nice and I am always impressed by the ground staff at AA. They get some pigs trying to pull some fast ones but Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Gulterres always seem to handle these characters with aplomb. After a snack I made my way down to gate 29 and boarded the tiny EMB-145. These tiny planes are noisy and ancient, I really don’t like them. They rattle around though do give you a great ride when they climb lightly loaded.
The flight was completely…….transport which at the end of the day you can’t complain about.
I was in Halifax for a conference and after an epic drive in from airport, seriously, if you flew from Boston the flight was the same time length as the trip from the airport. Halifax is a very pretty city was some fascinating history regarding its WWII past and colonial occupation. I was very impressed by the Maritime Museum and the Citadel, both are worthy of a visit.
The Marriott Harbourfront is a great hotel in that ticks all the boxes whilst not challenging you in anyway. It is just that, a large chain hotel that provides beds, showers and a turn down service. The hotel was good as it was clean and answers were provided with a keen and useful staff. Now my next comment will set the cat among the pigeons. I found the level of service better from the Marriott than the Langham Place.
I know, I know. Whilst the Langham Place is simply a stunning hotel I was never treated like a welcomed guest mealy as some sort of interloper. Yes, I used the pool and the life guards there were friendly but I was mainly concerned with the front desk and concierge staff. They fawned over an older white couple and a monied 30ish asian chap, but a 27 year old aussie in shorts and a polo was lugging his own bags and calling his own cabs. With the Marriott, not a drama immediate taxi’s and bags carried.
I like Irish theme bars with traditional music so Halifax was fine by me. QF009 may have had an issue with this city as it was very tame night life wise and certainly not a party mecca. After a great time catching up with fellow attendees it was time to move on. Oh and I may have attended a few seminars as well!
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YHZ – JFK
AA 4760
16.11.08
13:50 – 14:50
The day started fine with me making the airport bus easily which is always a stress after a Gala Dinner where I know everyone. Hit the sauce pretty hard the night before and remember getting to bed about 5am. Don’t you love it when you wake up to a throbbing headache and one sock still on?
The weather had moved in just like you see on that King Crab show. Wet, very windy and nervous looks on agents faces. This wasn’t good. Checked in and pre-cleared customs into the USA.
At this point I ran into many other attendees waiting in the lounge. They were supposed to be gone much earlier but the airport had effectively been shut down. My incoming flight was diverted to Boston and so was cancelled. To AA’s credit they didn’t mess about with the cancellation, no standing around for hours waiting for info they just cancelled it and got on with re-booking pax.
OK, thought I, this is where having a WP card must start earning its stripes. Unfortunately in major hubs with options this may work better but all I managed to do was move myself and a Finnish girl from the conference on the next available NYC flight. At 11:20 the next day! They had wanted us on the same flight with AA 24 hours later but this left my connection really tight in JFK for my SEA-DFW-ORD run.
Back into town and on to the Westin Nova Scotia. AA don’t cover accommodation in case of weather so I was fast on the phone to my travel insurance to see what sort of approval I could get for immediate use. I was told “accommodation, out of pocket, food and taxi’s at a reasonable cost” and that I need to provide receipts later. I consider Westin a suitable hotel for this and so checked in, happily this now means I will have SPG Gold one stay earlier.
Smallest bathroom ever! For a continent that usual goes nuts for bathrooms this was quite a shock. No way that you could dance around in this one nor even find room for your tooth brush until you moved the usual glasses. Ohh, and really short beds, that one is just strange, no problem with the width but short.
HYZ – LGA (note connector is from JFK)
1120 – 1320
17.11.08
AC8902
CRJ – 200
Back to the airport and another CAD53 cab fare. Check in took forever with numerous problems with Canadians having no idea where they would be staying in the USA. Seriously how hard is it?
I had intended to try my new Star Gold status with AC but their lounge was in the normal terminal whereas the USA departures have a dedicated corner to allow for pre-clearance into the USA. A great idea and dodges the queues at JFK which can only be a good thing. Turns out my number did not generate a Star Gold response from the computer so can only assume I need my card (which arrived a day after I left).
We left a little late then circled for about 30 min over Queens. Landed and had a pretty short taxi to the gate. Collected my bags for a very quick cab ride down to JFK (only $25!). The agent in JFK tried to talk me into transferring on to a direct flight to ORD but I wasn’t having a bar it.
“NEVER! I will go the long way round!”
AA 4760
16.11.08
13:50 – 14:50
The day started fine with me making the airport bus easily which is always a stress after a Gala Dinner where I know everyone. Hit the sauce pretty hard the night before and remember getting to bed about 5am. Don’t you love it when you wake up to a throbbing headache and one sock still on?
The weather had moved in just like you see on that King Crab show. Wet, very windy and nervous looks on agents faces. This wasn’t good. Checked in and pre-cleared customs into the USA.
At this point I ran into many other attendees waiting in the lounge. They were supposed to be gone much earlier but the airport had effectively been shut down. My incoming flight was diverted to Boston and so was cancelled. To AA’s credit they didn’t mess about with the cancellation, no standing around for hours waiting for info they just cancelled it and got on with re-booking pax.
OK, thought I, this is where having a WP card must start earning its stripes. Unfortunately in major hubs with options this may work better but all I managed to do was move myself and a Finnish girl from the conference on the next available NYC flight. At 11:20 the next day! They had wanted us on the same flight with AA 24 hours later but this left my connection really tight in JFK for my SEA-DFW-ORD run.
Back into town and on to the Westin Nova Scotia. AA don’t cover accommodation in case of weather so I was fast on the phone to my travel insurance to see what sort of approval I could get for immediate use. I was told “accommodation, out of pocket, food and taxi’s at a reasonable cost” and that I need to provide receipts later. I consider Westin a suitable hotel for this and so checked in, happily this now means I will have SPG Gold one stay earlier.
Smallest bathroom ever! For a continent that usual goes nuts for bathrooms this was quite a shock. No way that you could dance around in this one nor even find room for your tooth brush until you moved the usual glasses. Ohh, and really short beds, that one is just strange, no problem with the width but short.
HYZ – LGA (note connector is from JFK)
1120 – 1320
17.11.08
AC8902
CRJ – 200
Back to the airport and another CAD53 cab fare. Check in took forever with numerous problems with Canadians having no idea where they would be staying in the USA. Seriously how hard is it?
I had intended to try my new Star Gold status with AC but their lounge was in the normal terminal whereas the USA departures have a dedicated corner to allow for pre-clearance into the USA. A great idea and dodges the queues at JFK which can only be a good thing. Turns out my number did not generate a Star Gold response from the computer so can only assume I need my card (which arrived a day after I left).
We left a little late then circled for about 30 min over Queens. Landed and had a pretty short taxi to the gate. Collected my bags for a very quick cab ride down to JFK (only $25!). The agent in JFK tried to talk me into transferring on to a direct flight to ORD but I wasn’t having a bar it.
“NEVER! I will go the long way round!”
JFK – SEA
17.11.08
1620 – 1950
757
First
Flagship Lounge was dependable and a served a really good buffet dinner. No MEL F lounge but seriously, let’s compare apples with apples. AA vs QF in terms of lounges, no comparison.
WOW, those 757’s are tired. The old style F seat was hell retro and in a way quite cool. I like the styling of the seats as they look (and feel) like a Lazy Boy Recliner. I really hate AA meals. The ham was just all salt the pasta was like eating boiled truck tire that you find on the side of the highway and the Sunday was just plain average. At least use real ice-cream, not this iced confection rubbish. I know I should have gone to LAX instead with a two class service but I have always wanted to ride a 757.
I was pretty done in after all that very average food so I reclined and stretched out. The bloke in front had put is laptop bag and shoes under his seat. Hmm thought I, should I say something? In the end I did, he was very nice and moved it immediately. I must say that I was very impressed and caught him again whilst getting off the plane to say thanks again. It is a little strange to think that I expected to be told no, surely our world has not descended so far into chaos that we expect polite and reasonable requests to be turned down?
So there you go people, today’s lesson is very simple – ask politely and you may receive.
We arrived late into SEA but that was no stress I had a few hours to kill anyway.
17.11.08
1620 – 1950
757
First
Flagship Lounge was dependable and a served a really good buffet dinner. No MEL F lounge but seriously, let’s compare apples with apples. AA vs QF in terms of lounges, no comparison.
WOW, those 757’s are tired. The old style F seat was hell retro and in a way quite cool. I like the styling of the seats as they look (and feel) like a Lazy Boy Recliner. I really hate AA meals. The ham was just all salt the pasta was like eating boiled truck tire that you find on the side of the highway and the Sunday was just plain average. At least use real ice-cream, not this iced confection rubbish. I know I should have gone to LAX instead with a two class service but I have always wanted to ride a 757.
I was pretty done in after all that very average food so I reclined and stretched out. The bloke in front had put is laptop bag and shoes under his seat. Hmm thought I, should I say something? In the end I did, he was very nice and moved it immediately. I must say that I was very impressed and caught him again whilst getting off the plane to say thanks again. It is a little strange to think that I expected to be told no, surely our world has not descended so far into chaos that we expect polite and reasonable requests to be turned down?
So there you go people, today’s lesson is very simple – ask politely and you may receive.
We arrived late into SEA but that was no stress I had a few hours to kill anyway.
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Brings back a few memories - Jenny and I stayed at the Sheraton JFK in June when we could not get out of NYC one eveing due to storms - we were rebooked for the next day. It had been only open for about a week then. Nice hotel ... however, I certainly agree about the Mace ...
I got a taxi from LGA to JFK so no $55 fee for me. Just a very affordable $22 plus tips.
Agreed Serfty, a nice hotel and the staff were super friendly.
SEA – DFW
17.11.08
23:35 - 0525
It is a disgrace that AA does not offer a lounge here. I understand it that SEA-TAC Airport wanted AA to pay a huge sum of money so shame on them. You downgrade the attractiveness and cache of your airport by not having premium lounges. BA has a lounge here but it was closed as the LHR flight had departed. So I am sitting here in the terminal refusing to pay USD8 for a few hours of internet.
The flight down from SEA-TAC was the usual AA fair but thankfully the FA’s turned the lights of very quickly and I followed very shortly with a nap of my own.
Arrival into Dallas was pretty painless and ever time I fly here I am amazed at the sheer vastness of this airport. Even at 5am the place was humming as I made my way round to terminal D. This is the newer of the terminals so the Admirals Club is pretty new but nothing flash. Had a shower here and managed to not get everything wet.
DFW – ORD
18.11.08
0725 – 1110
HELLLLLLO Chicago! What a city! Staying down at the W Lakeshore after some rave reviews from our local Whatever Guru. Got the standard room on the 17th floor that was very nice. I loved the touch of having a telescope mounted in the hall near the lifts so that you can check out Navy Pier and the sliver of beach below. The only disappointing thing was the level of service, very efficient but absolutely no love. Every time I would ask for something it would appear pretty quickly but with no additional suggestions, tips or things to make our stay that little bit more special.
That aside Chicago is an awesome city. From the largest Tiffany’s glass dome to some great sculpture in Millennium Park this city has everything. Day one provided a chance to investigate downtown with a trip to the John Hancock Tower. The observation deck has an audio tour with David Schwier providing the commentary, it is very easy to imagine Ross from Friends doing this. The best bit is when he commends the Chicago Museums large dinosaur collection. Whilst it was hideously cold, about 1 everyday, the clear sky made for some sweeping views of this vast and sprawling city.
The afternoon had a visit to the Chicago Culture Centre which is a very impressive building that is incredibly ornate inside. A sign claims it is the largest work of mosaic since the 13th century!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3073930146/
Dinner was a Rokkit which serves the most obscene quantity of food in the known universe. I get that Americans eat big but this was just silly. My pineapple salad was half a pineapple, a head of lettuce and half a chicken. Obviously I can’t eat that much so it goes to waste. All that for $14. How these places make money amazes me, you could cut the serves in half and still make the hungriest hippo happy.
The night then descended with a few bars and meeting a very sleezy Air Force pilot. As soon as my back was turned he was hitting on my friend. Not quietly either, the guy was a total prat and didn’t stand his round! I don’t care if you are a cad but you need take your turn with the beers. Needless to say I will not be checking him on Facebook.
17.11.08
23:35 - 0525
It is a disgrace that AA does not offer a lounge here. I understand it that SEA-TAC Airport wanted AA to pay a huge sum of money so shame on them. You downgrade the attractiveness and cache of your airport by not having premium lounges. BA has a lounge here but it was closed as the LHR flight had departed. So I am sitting here in the terminal refusing to pay USD8 for a few hours of internet.
The flight down from SEA-TAC was the usual AA fair but thankfully the FA’s turned the lights of very quickly and I followed very shortly with a nap of my own.
Arrival into Dallas was pretty painless and ever time I fly here I am amazed at the sheer vastness of this airport. Even at 5am the place was humming as I made my way round to terminal D. This is the newer of the terminals so the Admirals Club is pretty new but nothing flash. Had a shower here and managed to not get everything wet.
DFW – ORD
18.11.08
0725 – 1110
HELLLLLLO Chicago! What a city! Staying down at the W Lakeshore after some rave reviews from our local Whatever Guru. Got the standard room on the 17th floor that was very nice. I loved the touch of having a telescope mounted in the hall near the lifts so that you can check out Navy Pier and the sliver of beach below. The only disappointing thing was the level of service, very efficient but absolutely no love. Every time I would ask for something it would appear pretty quickly but with no additional suggestions, tips or things to make our stay that little bit more special.
That aside Chicago is an awesome city. From the largest Tiffany’s glass dome to some great sculpture in Millennium Park this city has everything. Day one provided a chance to investigate downtown with a trip to the John Hancock Tower. The observation deck has an audio tour with David Schwier providing the commentary, it is very easy to imagine Ross from Friends doing this. The best bit is when he commends the Chicago Museums large dinosaur collection. Whilst it was hideously cold, about 1 everyday, the clear sky made for some sweeping views of this vast and sprawling city.
The afternoon had a visit to the Chicago Culture Centre which is a very impressive building that is incredibly ornate inside. A sign claims it is the largest work of mosaic since the 13th century!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3073930146/
Dinner was a Rokkit which serves the most obscene quantity of food in the known universe. I get that Americans eat big but this was just silly. My pineapple salad was half a pineapple, a head of lettuce and half a chicken. Obviously I can’t eat that much so it goes to waste. All that for $14. How these places make money amazes me, you could cut the serves in half and still make the hungriest hippo happy.
The night then descended with a few bars and meeting a very sleezy Air Force pilot. As soon as my back was turned he was hitting on my friend. Not quietly either, the guy was a total prat and didn’t stand his round! I don’t care if you are a cad but you need take your turn with the beers. Needless to say I will not be checking him on Facebook.
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The next morning we took a Chicago Architecture Tour. Imagine the picture, it’s 1 degree, the boat is opened topped and we’re hung over. Perfect day for a boat ride! The tour lasts for 90 minutes and I would recommend it to everyone. The guide was knowledgeable and very entertaining. You cover most of the north and south forks finishing with a quick trip to the Lake Michigan Lock.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3073930302/
After the coldest 90 minutes of my life I had to walk down Lower Waker Drive to the RJ Daly Plaza. The Blues Brothers was a huge part of my university life, we got into the beers and at some point this movie would go on. Walking the route they drove and seeing the plaza was a highlight thought admittedly a very nerdy one.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3073929860/
Lunch could only be deep dish pizza so we ventured a few blocks north to Giodana’s. The pizza was nice and certainly a decent feed for those, again, that have appetites of black holes. After lunch we hoped on the El (elevated train) and rode out to Wrigley Field. The bastion of baseball is very accessible and only 10 minutes by train from Downtown. The most interesting feature is the seats on top of neighbouring houses.
Mainly over the back end of the field about 5 houses have bleachers perched on top of them. Given the joys of mobile internet we checked out the cost and surprisingly they went for about $145 an game, more in play offs. Wrigley Field really is in the middle of a neighbourhood with houses and a McDonalds framing the field. The really good bit about this suburb is the University next door that has developed a thriving bar scene. Disappointingly most bars in this area opened at 5pm which meant an agonising 15 minute wait. Once the bars did open we found very friendly bar tenders more than happy to recommend a place or two. Try the South Hound or Dirt. Both have beer specials and at least 8 sports on 8 different large flat screen TV’s.
Dinner was at an average university crowd grill followed by a trip to a local jazz club. We were greeted at the door buy the oddest man I think I will meet on this trip (big call I know). He had a Kasier Whilhem moustache finely waxed to point and curled upwards for effect. As we paid our $10 he gave us one final warning, “Now no talking! Ok?”. Whatever….. The band started, and the bar tended and Mr. Mustachio started shushing! Common! This is not primary school nor did I pay to here some cough Spanish infused junk at what was described as the ‘best trad-jazz club’ in Chicago.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3073930302/
After the coldest 90 minutes of my life I had to walk down Lower Waker Drive to the RJ Daly Plaza. The Blues Brothers was a huge part of my university life, we got into the beers and at some point this movie would go on. Walking the route they drove and seeing the plaza was a highlight thought admittedly a very nerdy one.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32193334@N03/3073929860/
Lunch could only be deep dish pizza so we ventured a few blocks north to Giodana’s. The pizza was nice and certainly a decent feed for those, again, that have appetites of black holes. After lunch we hoped on the El (elevated train) and rode out to Wrigley Field. The bastion of baseball is very accessible and only 10 minutes by train from Downtown. The most interesting feature is the seats on top of neighbouring houses.
Mainly over the back end of the field about 5 houses have bleachers perched on top of them. Given the joys of mobile internet we checked out the cost and surprisingly they went for about $145 an game, more in play offs. Wrigley Field really is in the middle of a neighbourhood with houses and a McDonalds framing the field. The really good bit about this suburb is the University next door that has developed a thriving bar scene. Disappointingly most bars in this area opened at 5pm which meant an agonising 15 minute wait. Once the bars did open we found very friendly bar tenders more than happy to recommend a place or two. Try the South Hound or Dirt. Both have beer specials and at least 8 sports on 8 different large flat screen TV’s.
Dinner was at an average university crowd grill followed by a trip to a local jazz club. We were greeted at the door buy the oddest man I think I will meet on this trip (big call I know). He had a Kasier Whilhem moustache finely waxed to point and curled upwards for effect. As we paid our $10 he gave us one final warning, “Now no talking! Ok?”. Whatever….. The band started, and the bar tended and Mr. Mustachio started shushing! Common! This is not primary school nor did I pay to here some cough Spanish infused junk at what was described as the ‘best trad-jazz club’ in Chicago.
Last edited:
ORD - RDU
AA 454
20.11.08
13:35 – 16:20
It was snowing when we awoke to travel to Raleigh. Thankfully, whilst cold, the days had been clear and the sky a subtle, yet deep blue. After a quick swim in the W Pool, 7th floor and again a great looking gym with not a soul in it, we checked out and hopped a cab to ORD. Checking was a little convoluted as I tried to use the machines. Bad choice, the time it took frigging around to get the bag tags I really just should have walked the extra 50m to the First check in. It turns out this flight has not posted correctly with only an economy flight shown so I assume the machine did me wrong.
The Flagship Lounge was a little difficult to find but I do enjoy introducing a new person to the joys of free booze. She is a vodka fiend so during our short hour visit she demolished about 4 rather large vodka tonics. The sparkling was from the Napa Valley and did nothing for the taste buds. The flight was the usual MD-80 trip with First being packed. One day I would like to have a spare seat next to me on an AA Flight.
As a QF’er I complain about the 743’s and the older 762’s but there are vastly more modern compared to these beasts. Whilst I am sure the seats used to be comfortable by the time I get to them they are in pretty ordinary condition. They need some serious work to bring them up to scratch and given the state of the US airline market this will not be happening anytime soon.
Arrival into RDU was in the new terminal and this is a dramatic improvement over the old. It is now a modern and tidy airport that reflects this pretty tech-savvy part of the world. Out to baggage claim then onto the greatest city outside of Melbourne – RALIEGH NORTH CAROLINA.
I am going to skip everything that happened in Raleigh because it would take way to long but I will recount the list of bars that I visited.
Flying Saucer – 75 beers on tap with an additional 50 available in bottles.
Ugly Monkey – Go here after midnight only. You have been warned.
Tra Nain Og – Irish, great burgers.
Raleigh Times – Obama stopped in for a beer here in October.
Republic – Best bar in Raleigh with a great gin menu.
Alibi – Basement bar with few lights.
Sitti – New and rather good Lebanese place.
Double Door Inn – This is in Charlotte but has great live bands. I love bluegrass.
There were a few others but they are more a haze than a memory.
Raleigh and the people that live here are tops, much fun was had by all and I believe that my liver officially packed up 1am Friday night.
AA 454
20.11.08
13:35 – 16:20
It was snowing when we awoke to travel to Raleigh. Thankfully, whilst cold, the days had been clear and the sky a subtle, yet deep blue. After a quick swim in the W Pool, 7th floor and again a great looking gym with not a soul in it, we checked out and hopped a cab to ORD. Checking was a little convoluted as I tried to use the machines. Bad choice, the time it took frigging around to get the bag tags I really just should have walked the extra 50m to the First check in. It turns out this flight has not posted correctly with only an economy flight shown so I assume the machine did me wrong.
The Flagship Lounge was a little difficult to find but I do enjoy introducing a new person to the joys of free booze. She is a vodka fiend so during our short hour visit she demolished about 4 rather large vodka tonics. The sparkling was from the Napa Valley and did nothing for the taste buds. The flight was the usual MD-80 trip with First being packed. One day I would like to have a spare seat next to me on an AA Flight.
As a QF’er I complain about the 743’s and the older 762’s but there are vastly more modern compared to these beasts. Whilst I am sure the seats used to be comfortable by the time I get to them they are in pretty ordinary condition. They need some serious work to bring them up to scratch and given the state of the US airline market this will not be happening anytime soon.
Arrival into RDU was in the new terminal and this is a dramatic improvement over the old. It is now a modern and tidy airport that reflects this pretty tech-savvy part of the world. Out to baggage claim then onto the greatest city outside of Melbourne – RALIEGH NORTH CAROLINA.
I am going to skip everything that happened in Raleigh because it would take way to long but I will recount the list of bars that I visited.
Flying Saucer – 75 beers on tap with an additional 50 available in bottles.
Ugly Monkey – Go here after midnight only. You have been warned.
Tra Nain Og – Irish, great burgers.
Raleigh Times – Obama stopped in for a beer here in October.
Republic – Best bar in Raleigh with a great gin menu.
Alibi – Basement bar with few lights.
Sitti – New and rather good Lebanese place.
Double Door Inn – This is in Charlotte but has great live bands. I love bluegrass.
There were a few others but they are more a haze than a memory.
Raleigh and the people that live here are tops, much fun was had by all and I believe that my liver officially packed up 1am Friday night.
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