Erk's 2014 Pacamerican Circle

[erkpod]

Flight report 1 January 2014
LAX - LAS, DL758

Plane: A319, N338NB. The interior of the plane near the flight deck door had tinsel, Happy New Year signs & 3 of those things you blow into to make a noise stuck to walls/doors.

Seat: 1C (F). Similar to same seat on a VA B737 in J.

Captain: Spoke a little bit but didn't introduce himself by name. Told us that the DL FAs are the best in the business & that the pilots are proud of them.

CSM: Lee (as observed on his name badge). Didn't introduce himself or the crew. He wished every customer he could a Happy New Year when they entered the plane. He looked after CSM duties & the F cabin like VA would domestically.

Food etc: No trolley service or meals due to 45 minute flight time. Drinks available on demand.

IFE: IFE? New FAA regulations allow smartphones, tablets & similar PEDs to be used gate to gate if airplane mode was selected. Inflight wifi is still not gate to gate. Was able to post on FB unrestricted after liking DL's FB page.

Flight: No problems. A mere 45 minute sprint compared to previous trip on VA1.

Security: TSA officer wanted to pat down my left pocket at LAX. Nothing found. Got to use the express lane due to F ticket.

Priority check-in no problems.

Priority boarding was a joke. Every man & his dog was queued up in front of the Sky Priority line before boarding. When F & status boarding was announced, others in F went down the ordinary line so I followed. Got served in the normal line like I should have in the priority line.

Baggage claim at LAS: Arrived in what I presume was terminal 2 but had to go to terminal 1 by people mover (they called it a tram). As suspected, luggage beat me to it.

Lounge: Delta Sky Club, LAX T5. Catering makes a VA Vlounge look like catering superstars. Food only fit for rabbits. You. Had. To. Pay. For. Booze. Ambience was nice, though. Nice place to wait but don't rely on it for food & drink.

Now in Vegas!

 

[erkpod]

Day 1, Wednesday 01 January 2014
Vegas

It was a nice quick flight in F on DL compared to being in Y on VA1. I could not take full advantage of being now able to use my phone and/or camera gate to gate - little battery on the phone but more importantly, an aisle seat.







My first sighting of the strip was by seeing the Stratosphere which is where I stayed last time I was here in 2009. I'm not a gambling man so I don't like that part of Vegas. The only reason I'm here is New Media Expo.

LAS is a new airport for me but I'd heard the stories about the slot machines there so it was no surprise.



Needless to say, Vegas relies on gambling so the airport plays up on it.



I've got a few days to explore before New Media Expo on the 4th but first stop, Rio!

 

[erkpod]

Day 1, Vegas

After working out where baggage claim was (walk, walk, walk, train ride, walk, walk, walk), I was waiting for the shuttle to my hotel. The last time I used Super Shuttle (in San Francisco), I was the last drop off. So in effect, I had a mini tour thrown in. Would this happen again?



After about 20 minutes. my shuttle arrived. Once again, I'd be the last drop off. So another mini tour & this time, I'd be sitting up from with the driver ... on the wrong side of the van ... complete with no steering wheel!



The Asian tourists in the back were happy with not talking so the driver (an import from Denver) & I had a nice chat as he weaved through the traffic & past a crime scene with a lot of Pol-ice & paramedics present.

Speaking of paramedics, I'd earlier seen Engine 51, an ambulance & an EMS Supervisor at a job near T6 at LAX while I was walking to T6. No, not THAT Engine 51 but close enough.

Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip) was hotting up as the sun went down. According to the driver, many people were simply cruising.

At the hotel/casino, I found the check-in desk ... as did around 200 others. It took me 50 minutes to check in. A little boy (about 3) told me over & over that he loves me - all because I had my iPad out & he thought I'd play some games with him, much to the embarrassment of his parents. I did show him some train photos, though.

The room (once I got there!) was a suite & has views of things like the Trump tower.





I've had a shower, had some food (you can't escape the gambling even when eating) & now I'm super ready to wind down & sleep in a proper bed for the first time in 2014!

 

[Melburnian1]

Erkpod, excellent descriptions of these flights.

What percentage of seats do you estimate were occupied on VA1 and the connection to the gambling capital of the world?

 

[serfty]

...You. Had. To. Pay. For. Booze. ...

No. you. don't. ! (well, not all booze)

DL, AA, US & UA for start have a "complimentary selection" of "booze" available in their sky/admirals/US/United Clubs.

These are referred to as "Well" or "basic" drinks.

next timer in a Skyclub, ask for a list of the "Complimentary selections" - these are normally displayed on each bar.

See here on FT: Sky Club beverage changes confirmed by DL - Page 8 - FlyerTalk Forums

Of course , Budweiser and Miller lite are not really beers... but at least they are "Free" ('cept for the graduidy).

 

[erkpod]

Erkpod, excellent descriptions of these flights.

What percentage of seats do you estimate were occupied on VA1 and the connection to the gambling capital of the world?

Hard to say. The flight was pretty full which was pretty good considering it was New Year's Day. The couple next to me were going to Vegas but they were driving. Others would have been going to places like San Francisco (I wish VA1 would fly into there!), Chicago, New York & Canada. No doubt some were heading for Vegas.

 

[erkpod]

No. you. don't. ! (well, not all booze)

DL, AA, US & UA for start have a "complimentary selection" of "booze" available in their sky/admirals/US/United Clubs.

These are referred to as "Well" or "basic" drinks.

next timer in a skyclaub, ask for a list of the "Complimentary selections" - these are normally displayed on each bar.

See here on FT: Sky Club beverage changes confirmed by DL - Page 8 - FlyerTalk Forums

Of course , Budweiser and Miller lite are not really beers... but at least they are "Free" ('cept for the graduidy).

There were two menus of paid items. The only thing that looked like they were free was tea & coffee. Not even a self service soda fountain.

 

[serfty]

There were two menus of paid items. The only thing that looked like they were free was tea & coffee. Not even a self service soda fountain.

As I indicated, just ask for a rundown of the "Complimentary selections".

Last time I availed myself was at MSP in June...

 

[erkpod]

As I indicated, just ask for a rundown of the "Complimentary selections".

Last time I availed myself was at MSP in June...

My next DL flights will be ex PDX, ATL & MIA in a couple of weeks so I'll see how we go there. Interestingly, my BP yesterday still showed VFF silver but I'm now SG. Wasn't an issue getting into the lounge yesterday as I flew F so would have got in anyway.

 

[erkpod]

Thinking more about the CBP experience at LAX yesterday, there was a particular officer who was continually yelling out "MH! MH! MH!" presumably looking for pax from MH. The average MH pax probably would not know that he was calling for them.

Also there were calls from airline reps from JAL & Asiana to go to a primary booth to assist.

 

[erkpod]

Day 2, Thursday 02 January 2014
0700, Rio Hotel/Suites, Vegas

Views from my hotel room oops suite

 

[erkpod]

Oh look, a F° to C° conversion button on the room AC control panel!



It's not Xmas anymore, Vegas! Let's see if the tree is gone when I check out next week.



Where would I find a 25c coin in Vegas? Oh wait....



Oops!

 

[erkpod]

Wow. VA1's miles/SC has credited already! I noticed that I was put into E on a Circle Pacific fare whereas the other bits of the circle on SQ are booked into H. It was booked by an agent as per earlier in this TR.

Let's see how long DL's F trip from yesterday takes to credit.

 

[Grooba]

Lovin the report erk! Keep the updates flowin
How much was the super shuttle to the strip? I always just grab a cab as it's not so far away. Curious though how much the SS was.

 

[erkpod]

Lovin the report erk! Keep the updates flowin
How much was the super shuttle to the strip? I always just grab a cab as it's not so far away. Curious though how much the SS was.

Depending if you're going to the Strip or downtown, it's $8 or $9.

 

[TomVexille]

My next DL flights will be ex PDX, ATL & MIA in a couple of weeks so I'll see how we go there. Interestingly, my BP yesterday still showed VFF silver but I'm now SG. Wasn't an issue getting into the lounge yesterday as I flew F so would have got in anyway.

Actually flying domestic F doesn't get you in the lounge. You can try getting a DL rep to remove and re-enter your VFF #. That should update your status in their system.

 

[serfty]

Originally Posted by erkpod My next DL flights will be ex PDX, ATL & MIA in a couple of weeks so I'll see how we go there. Interestingly, my BP yesterday still showed VFF silver but I'm now SG. Wasn't an issue getting into the lounge yesterday as I flew F so would have got in anyway.

Actually flying domestic F doesn't get you in the lounge. You can try getting a DL rep to remove and re-enter your VFF #. That should update your status in their system.

Yip! In the early days Velocity elite punters had some issues getting into the Skyclubs on Domestic USA itineraries.

More here: www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/...y/va-partner-delta-lounge-question-49344.html

 

[erkpod]

Day 2, Vegas



Just in case you forget in the lift where the Casino is.



I left Rio to find I arrived on the Gold Coast...



... then I went to Paris ...



and now I'm across the road from New York.



Some guys have to work, though!

 

[erkpod]

The first of many incorrectly spelt signs!



The Vegas school of dealing is on vacation?



A reminder that there's life beyond the strip



I made it to the strip after a leisurely 40 minute walk from Rio



Some guy's gonna be in trouble for riding his bike through the wall!

 

[erkpod]

These signs don't appear to be working



You can take the guy out of the transit....



North or south?



Now enjoying the food & wifi at Dennys