Miss TomCat Flies First

[blackcat20]

A quiet day today, just finishing up some shopping we wanted to do before we head to LA.

A great find in Costco for $us114:



And from the local supermarket for $usd25:



And for dessert, black raspberry chocolate chunk icecream from Oberweis Dairy.

 

[clipped_wings]

I'm still geeking out over that pizza cake..

 

[TomVexille]

I'm still geeking out over that pizza cake..

I do love a good stuffed pizza

 

[blackcat20]

All packed and ready for our flights to LA tomorrow. Despite best intentions we have expanded to an additional bag. Miss TC was given a few more things than we'd anticipated.

 

[TomVexille]

Jumping back to Saturday evening,
once @gwilli1 And I had deposited the girls on the train at Union Station, we trekked back to the Red Line to head down to 35th st Comisky Park (And I'll refuse to call it by any other name), to watch the White Sox (the good guys) play the Minnesota Twins.

My little brothers boss has 4 season tickets which he gives to my brother on occasion when he isn't going himself, and they are good seats.

End result was a 5-1 win to the Good Guys

 

[clipped_wings]

Good seats? Good seats???? THEY ARE GREAT SEATS!!!!

We saw the Anaheim Angels take on the Dodgers at Angels Stadium and we were in the nose bleed section. But it was packed and full of atmosphere. 100k crowd on a Wednesday night. Go figure.

 

[blackcat20]

We flew ORD-DFW-LAX, not just because it was cheaper than direct but because I was keen on a few extra SC. We had a quick breakfast in the ORD flagship lounge (eggs, bacon, potato hash) then boarded our flight.

First leg was a 737 and we were in row 3 (aka row 1 ). Service was very good, we were offered staggered meals to deal with Miss TC but as she fell asleep straight after boarding, it was easy enough to eat around her. We both preordered the burger.


On arrival at DFW we caught the train to the Flagship lounge where we had about an hour to relax. Then hopped the train to get to our gate, arriving at the exact moment group 1 was called to board. Miss TC settled in for another sleep which would have seen her through takeoff had we not spent an hour on the ground waiting for catering and then maintenance for a cargo door....

 

[blackcat20]

Overall we spent four hours in board. Lunch was a text mex salad (no pics) which I had to eat with a wriggly baby on my lap and not much space. Service wasn't quite as good as the previous flight. I settled Miss TC in for another nap which would have got her through decent had a loud announcement not woken her. She screamed inconsolably through decent, stopping only once we were on the ground.

Our hertz experience was one of the worst we've had. Getting your baggage trolley to the car hire bus loop is hard enough, but the driver's don't help you load your bags at all (unlike other airports/companies). We are not travelling light given a car seat and portacot. At the other end you are similarly stuck as you have to go and select a car, but can't leave your bags unattended nor carry them all to the car in one go. The staff did nothing but watch on as I carried a baby in one arm while shuffling bags towards the carpark

 

[cjd600]

Our hertz experience was one of the worst we've had. Getting your baggage trolley to the car hire bus loop is hard enough, but the driver's don't help you load your bags at all (unlike other airports/companies). We are not travelling light given a car seat and portacot. At the other end you are similarly stuck as you have to go an select a car, bit can't leave your bags unattended nor carry them all to the car in one go. The staff did nothing but watch on as I carried a baby in one arm while shuffling bags towards the carpark

That's very disappointing.
We've always had good experiences with Hertz LAX, and driver definitely helping with bags at each end. Once, returning our SUV for the LAX-SYD flight home, laden with a months worth of shopping, 2 kids, strollers/carseats etc the lot attendant actually hopped in and drove our laden car back to the terminals with us, so we could avoid the bus. He helped drop the bags at kerbside checkin (back when AA had J awards for transpac!), then left us and took the car back to Hertz. A1. I had drained my last USD in anticipation of flying home, and couldn't even tip the poor guy.

 

[clipped_wings]

I had drained my last USD in anticipation of flying home, and couldn't even tip the poor guy.

Yes, that's exactly why we always carry a few bucks in small notes all the way through. Don't feel bad though - I am sure he was tipped constantly throughout his day, he sounded like one of the good guys.

 

[blackcat20]

That's very disappointing.
We've always had good experiences with Hertz LAX, and driver definitely helping with bags at each end. Once, returning our SUV for the LAX-SYD flight home, laden with a months worth of shopping, 2 kids, strollers/carseats etc the lot attendant actually hopped in and drove our laden car back to the terminals with us, so we could avoid the bus. He helped drop the bags at kerbside checkin (back when AA had J awards for transpac!), then left us and took the car back to Hertz. A1. I had drained my last USD in anticipation of flying home, and couldn't even tip the poor guy.

I would love for that to happen on the way back, would make our lives so much easier. We've been considering one of us being dropped at check-in with everything while the other returns the car...

 

[Denali]

We both preordered the burger




Me...

 

[cjd600]

I would love for that to happen on the way back, would make our lives so much easier. We've been considering one of us being dropped at check-in with everything while the other returns the car...

Yeah, our usual route is for me to drop wife +2 at the terminal (curbside check-in when available makes this pretty easy), and return the car, coming back solo on the rental shuttle bus. Before a happy reunion in the lounge.

 

[blackcat20]

We both preordered the burger
View attachment 179503



Me...

The fillings are served on the side, you add the lettuce etc to your tastes. The small box also contained ketchup, mustard and mayo.

 

[clipped_wings]

@Denali that picture is hypnotic.....

I think I've watched it 47 times now and I've only been online 2 minutes.

 

[blackcat20]

We stayed at The Redondo Beach Hotel which was quite adequate. Being our first visit, they comped the parking. Happy hour and breakfast is also included in the rate.




For an easy dinner we headed to The Cheesecake Factory, and turns out it was national cheesecake day. I love a good Georgia Peach and Cobb salad. And no I didn't eat it all....

 

[blackcat20]

The next morning we had breakfast then headed out for a little last minute shopping, before stopping at In n Out for lunch.


Back at the hotel we took the Miss for a swim. She's started kicking her legs for the first time.

Then for dinner we headed to Bluewater Seafood Grill. Lucky we booked, as it was busy! No issues seating us at a table that catered to a pram. And the food!

House sourdough


Crab and artichoke dip


Mahi mahi


Alaskan king crab legs


White chocolate raspberry bread pudding

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I LOVE Miss Vickies chips

 

[blackcat20]

Our final day was spent the same way it is every trip. We go to Santa Monica and have lunch at Blue Plate Taco.
Margaritas




Lamb tacos


They were great at shuffling around a table to fit the pram in, as their tables are tightly packed.

Then we wandered around until it was time to head to the airport. TV dropped Miss TC and myself along with all the luggage at TBIT then headed to hertz to drop the car off. As I couldn't manage the baby and the bags, I waited for him to return. Miss TC was not impressed by the time he got back and I had to roll up to check in with a screaming infant, hand over passports then scurry away to feed her while they took care of the baggage.

TSA was easy as we went through the family line, so we were done in minutes and off to the f lounge.

 

[MathNerd]

we were done in minutes and off to the f lounge

Nice! Enjoy the lounge and the flight home