College and Cholesterol - Counting Down the Days (Redneck Wonderland Part 2)

[serfty]

Enjoying the report.

Given a meal, which all economy passengers received. A very filling beef wrap, some chips and a muffin. crew regularly came through offering water. All the negatives you hear about American domestic carriers, this was top notch.

This is a Flagship route serviced with dedicated three class aircraft. It's treated similarly to long haul international with complementary F&B in all classes.

These routes are between JFK and LAX and JFK and SFO. For any other domestic services it's buy on board in main cabin.

Main Cabin food − Travel information − American Airlines

www.aa.com

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Last day in the US, shuttle was ready and waiting when I made my way down to checkout. Elderly African-American gentleman driving, on hearing my accent asked where in Australia I was from. Answered Perth. From him 'You must be an Eagles supporter then?' No 'The 'Dockers'. Again a no. Had a good yarn, turns out he's been a keen follower of the game for about 25 years, he knew about Eddie McGuire, (although he admitted getting his name mixed up and calling him Jerry), Dustin Martin, loved the 2 close Grand Finals between the Eagles and Sydney and knew all the stereotypical jokes about Collingwood supporters. Bit of confusion later on during the drive when explaining the 2 Prime Ministers Holt and Hawke, with the accent he thought I was saying Hawke for both of them. Soon cleared up.
Hawaiian lady in the shuttle as well, driver and her spoke about some angst on the islands at the moment about satellite receiving dishes being put on a sacred volcano. Lady then told the story about how in the last couple of months she had taken her umbilical cord to the volcanoe in question and buried it there.
Was quite an entertaining drive to LAX, especially when added in to the mix was the 2 Japanese girls with no English, who we all eventually worked out what terminal they needed to be dropped off at, due to ANA not flying because of a typhoon.
Called the luggage service, $49 US to store them for a day, they took about 15 minutes to arrive, I then waited and boarded the FlyAway bus to Union Station.



SoFi Stadium under construction



LA skyline



When I boarded the bus asked where do I pay. Got the reply, 'pay when you get off'
Bags are stored under the bus and when you arrive at Union Station there is a ticket box that you pay for your ticket. Then take your ticket back to the driver and he will open the bin and get you bags for you. Quickly worked out that if you have no bags, no reason that you have to pay. Apart from your conscience.
I paid.
Grabbed a day pass for the LA metro and on my way through the station









I really love the look of the facade of Union Station and have a black and white canvas of a picture I took a couple of years back that just doesn't quite look right composition wise. Aim today was to solve that issue.
Unfortunately, bit of fencing around, so no go



On to the metro and off at Civic Center

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Made my way to City Hall and up to the viewing platform

















Back to the subway and out at Hollywood and Vine

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Had to pay a visit to Shake Shack



Back on the subway, a change to the Expo Line and a stop at Exposition Park/USC













All very nice, but i wanted to see the Colossium


Locked gates unfortunately, so as close as I could get


And off I went

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Back on the Expo Line and off at Santa Monica


Views to the north, wildfires were taking hold in the mountains north of Malibu




Started the walk down to Venice

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Didn't stay long in Venice, ordered an UBER and off to IN'n'Out burger on Sepulveda
Across the road where waiting for my UBER


A few last minute Milano Cookies from a store next to these buildings




Then to the little plane spotting park

 

[Noel Mugavin]

A few photos









Over the road to get something to eat



Fella working the front counter was amazing


The food however was terrible. Quickly ate the burger as it was just warm, returned the fries as they were stone cold. Ditched the next lot after a couple of chips. Shake was good though


Walked to the terminal



Bit of work going on at Tom Bradley



Rang the luggage storage they arrived with my bags in about 15 minutes. Had checked in on line in the morning, unfortunately no upgrade, not long to wait in line though. One poor young bloke was a bit confused, plane was leaving at 7.30, he was at the end of the long check in line scrambling to find out how to get through in time. Mentioned he was flying to Vancouver, told him probably not in the right place, Qantas wouldn't be flying to Vancouver form LA. another person in line checked his ticket - Delta.
At check in, teased a bit, apparently upgrade request was still active, could still happen.
Through to airside eventually, free wifi, iced tea and an iced water, found a corner, even took my shoes off - hid them under my backpack though. Qantas made an announcement for about 10 passengers, more hope than anything went up to the counter said I didn't hear properly - was my name called? No.
787 in economy - bloke across the aisle in thongs massaging his big toe about 15cm away from my face; row behind me, huge cough and splutter on cue every 30 minutes; whole row dragging the back of my seat back whenever they got up and/or out. Decision has been made, never again am I doing long haul in economy. As Alan Jeans said to his Hawthorn team in the 89 Grand Final 'Pay the price'.

Made it to Melbourne, no gate. Bus to the terminal, immigration, bags, customs, re checked in for the Perth flight. Back stairs from the tarmac to get on the 737. Uneventful flight. Cougher that was on the LA flight was on this one,noticed me and asked how I was going. Then he asked if I collected my bags in Melbourne. Gave him the yes. He and his wife hadn't, said the agent in Miami told them they didn't have to. Tolf him I'm sure everything will work out. Uber home, picked up the dog, trip all over.

As a result of the trip have made it to Silver, received Q Tags in the mail a few weeks after I got back. Makes the water from the Marriott pale in comparison. Status may assist me I'm guessing in booking an award flight to/from the US in December 20. Have done a few test bookings, 227 000 points on Cathay - business Perth - Hong Kong; 1st class Hong Kong - LA, 350 days out. Sound right?

Musings from the trip
Shake Shack all over In 'n' Out
Gus' Fried Chicken still worth travelling for
Add Terry Black's BBQ
Convert to iced tea
3 days in New York nowhere near enough
Pick the times you visit Disneyland very carefully
Need Milano cookies in Australia
Soon get sick of pan handlers
Much prefer college football to the NFL
Domestic US carriers really aren't that bad. 7 flights, 3 airlines, all on time, all comfortable, some had wifi, some had live TV, all had friendly service. Small sample, but can only go on what I experienced.
As for the Red Wolves, finished 7-5, given the injuries they had, a pass mark. Bowl invitations being sorted at the moment, looks like the Camelia Bowl in Montgomery Alabama December 21, which I think means the young fella will be able to get back for a few weeks.

Off to Japan in a little over 4 weeks, ANA Premium Economy.

 

[drron]

Thanks for the TR.really interesting especially the college football.Amazing stuff.

 

[NoName]

Great trip report as usual @Noel Mugavin. Looking forward to the next one!

 

[EestiTiger]

Agree - awesome trip report! Very interesting

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks for another excellent trip report.

 

[lakeman]

Musings from the trip
Shake Shack all over In 'n' Out
Gus' Fried Chicken still worth travelling for
Add Terry Black's BBQ
Convert to iced tea
3 days in New York nowhere near enough
Pick the times you visit Disneyland very carefully
Need Milano cookies in Australia
Soon get sick of pan handlers
Much prefer college football to the NFL

Liked your report and particularly your musings at the end

 

[craven morehead]

Champion effort I really enjoyed following this TR.

 

[VPS]

Another great TR - thanks for the effort

 

[Dr Ralph]

@Noel Mugavin , I've been to many of the places you describe and enjoyed your trip report. Has inspired me to visit some of those places again. Very much appreciate the effort you've gone to with your trip report.