My First TR: 21 Flights in 28 Days

[exceladdict]

Atlanta Day Three:


We started with Caribou Coffee again, given nothing else was close by/open on Sunday. I loved the message on the cup:




I grabbed some shots of the hotel from the outside on the way. I thought the sign was cool though the building itself looks a bit old. I suppose it's what's inside that counts!





We were due to fly out later that afternoon so caught the MARTA back to the Atlanta Airport, more on that shortly.

Next up: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport & AA194.... back to DFW!

 

[sjd]

On our way out, we found a cupcake atm - I'm starting to understand how obesity epidemics start (though I must say that Atlantians didn't seem overweight at all).

It's all the marching through Georgia they do... Isn't it?

 

[exceladdict]

It's all the marching through Georgia they do... Isn't it? 

It could very well be.

17: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport AC & AA194 ATL-DFW


I didn't realise ATL is the busiest airport in the world until someone on the train on the way back there mentioned it to me, and on walking between that train station and the AA Check In counters, I could certainly beleive it. Being a DL Hub (and their hometown), everything was skyteam-focussed, which is certainly something I wasn't used to. It was about a 10-15 minute slow walk (due to foot traffic) from the train station through to the AA check-in area, which very much felt like it was stuck up the back corner.


Speaking of the train, I really liked the MARTA System in Atlanta, primarily because it took me from the airport to within 300m of my hotel in Buckhead, and can't wait until PER has an airport train (if/whenever that happens). We did need to change trains once due to track maintenance but it was a quick on-off for two minutes. We had a nice chat to an American couple who were on their way to NZ for an elaborate hiking/sightseeing trip flying DL/NZ. He was a doctor, so I imagine he had some nice trans-pacific J (or maybe F) coming up!


For some reason, despite a small (relatively, compared to the AA flights at DFW) number of flights departing, the AA area was jam-packed and it took us a good 20 minutes (in the priority queue) for us to be called up to drop our bags in. With that done, we went to security where the priority line was closed (becoming a recurring theme....) but at least that didn't take too long.


We then went to look for the AC, which was not listed on any of the airport directories (that we could see anyway) and due to renovations (the whole ceiling was in the same state of the baggage claim I showed a few days ago), there was no signage. We did a bit of a lap before we looked it up on the AA website and saw that it was almost where we started, and right across from where we were to board (T9). Anyway, we went in there briefly. It was a smaller lounge that was quite busy, with no appealing snacks on offer, though it did have a 'soda fountain'.




Hungry, we went and got some chicken from some restaurants closer to the delta terminals (nothing open in the AA area) and finished eating it just before boarding time. The extremely friendly CSM at the chicken store lightened our spirits.


AA194 ATL-DFW, F, A319 2A/C


When boarding opened, it was quite full in the area - the AA area of ATL is quite small. We had to DYKWIA-style push through the pax who didn't seem to want to let anyone get to the priority line.


The second flight under AA194 (they do a forward/back from DFW daily), we were (I was) looking forward to now trying the F seats on these newer planes. Excitingly, despite two flights in from DFW being cancelled, our flight out was still go - and our FA on board mentioned that the plane had been sitting here for two days 'just waiting for us to take off'. It certainly felt like we were being looked after! The new-looking A319 was waiting for us outside.





The flight was extremely full again and the fight for space in the overheads once again continued. Boarding completed and when we didn't seem to be going anywhere, the FA mentioned our catering had not yet arrived and was on it's way. It ended up arriving about 45 minutes late and we were then able to depart. For the fourth flight in a row, the CSMS made the comment, "Door is closing so now is the last chance to change your mind about going to <destination>". The first time I thought it was a joke, but maybe it's just a part of the common procedure?


IFE again and the screens in the F cabin seemed a bit larger, but it had trouble the whole time. First, the movies wouldn't load, then the FAs couldn't get the safety video to play, so they started to do the safety demo in person but they stopped the acting about half way through. Good thing we didn't need to use the life jackets. Oh, and the IFE flight tracker insisted we were doing circles around Georgia the whole flight. I don't think American have the IFE thing ironed out - it's built on android so who knows, Google might chuck a google-plus and discontinue it?


Take off was relatively smooth but I'm really growing to dislike the whirr of these engines on the A319. While a small issue, it's funny how these little things do add to indifference towards brand new planes, though they are superior in many other ways.


On the seats - again, the IFE boxes seem to stick to the window seat so it would appear that if legroom is a priority for you, I'd choose the aisle seat in F on the AA 319s. You can see the grey IFE boxes in the left of the picture below amidst our carry-ons.




The recline of seat in front of me was a bit of a pain as it restricted my laptop screen space, but when drinks time came around little tray tables popped out of everywhere. As we were in the final row of F, the recline felt quite short though the seats were quite spacious.



Oh, and again, avoid row 1.



We hit some turbulence about 20 minutes into the flight FA had to quickly find her seat. After that, it seemed to smooth out. The curtain was deployed yet while our FA was away a Y Pax did open the curtain and enter the F toilets. A few more did throughout the flight but fortunately it did not become a stampede.


A basket of snacks with bananas, apples, a cracker & Hummus snack box, some museli bars and another snack that looked way too healthy for me to consider started making rounds. After this we were given some complimentary headphones. Then, the snack basket made another round, and this time had pringles! Much more to our liking. And a decent sized container too, while no meal, it was quite a nice snack. Hey, in Y that would have cost me at least $4.


As we approached DFW, the FA knew my connecting flight and proactively came and gave me the gate number, along with thanking us for flying American again. It was a nice touch. The descent was cloudy and bumpy, but the pilot handled the sidewinds well and after a long Dallas taxi, we were back at the gate ready for a final lounge visit in DFW.


Next up: DFW Terminal C AC, AA2466 ATL-IND

 

[Rugby]

Enjoying your trip very much - looking forward to your next Mac n Cheese.

 

[exceladdict]

18: DFW AC at Terminal C and AA2466

Transiting through DFW for the fourth time on the trip, we were expecting to need to jump straight on the next flight as our flight to IND was scheduled to board in about ten minutes' time. Naturally, I wanted to try to fit in a quick visit to the Terminal C AC as I hadn't been there yet - and it turns out my wish was granted as our flight was subsequently delayed by an hour and a half. So, after having a look at some bookstores nearby, we made our way over (up) to the Terminal C AC which was quite close to our arrival and departure gate.

The entrance was nothing fancy and as with the other DFW clubs, an elevator takes you up to the club level. I feel like this club was a fair bit longer than the other ACs, which made it feel a bit larger. I do like it how they're all a little different, and I think the layout of this one was nice as there seemed to be lots of areas to sit.



One thing that was very impressive (this will sound a bit hoity toity, forgive me) was that pax trying to buy daily entry passes were being rejected because in the agent's words, 'the lounge was too busy due to all the flight interruptions because of the weather'. The airport was quite busy - our flight had 17 people on the waitlist - so I can understand pax wanting to get in to the nicer areas of the lounge, but it was good that AA wouldn't compromose DYKWIA pax's comfort by letting the lounge getting overfull. And on that note - I quite appreciate their level of full. Anyone attending the PER QP between 5am-9am on a weekday would be familiar with it being jam packed full of FIFO workers - and hey, that's great for Qantas - but it certainly feels overly busy. None of that here - while it was the busiest of any AC I had been to, about 50% of seats were probably still free (albeit empty seats in pairs next to other travellers).


Food on offer was the standard PM fare: carrots/tomatoes/crackers/cheese/olives and soups.


Soups on offer were chicken enchilada and spicy vegetable.



Chicken enchilada is best described as exactly what you'd expect given the name and what it looks like; the vegetable however was a watery tomato slop with sparse, squishy vegetables. 2/5 did not enjoy.

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>

I must admit though the de-icing process was interesting. They sprayed us with two solutions, the first being fluorescent orange:


View attachment 43107

The second being green:

I think the orange solution is more runny and is designed to cut through and remove existing ice and snow.

The green solution is more viscous and is designed to cling to the aircraft to help prevent new ice and snow build up.

 

[exceladdict]

Otherwise the facilities were good, internet was fast (dropbox uploaded my photo backup nice and quick) and the time flew by before it was time to board. A number of Australians with Qantas Boarding Passes were being helped by the Lounge Agents on my way out, apparently a flight into DFW was delayed and something had majorly gone wrong with an attempted rebooking of pax onto their connecting AA flights. There was a nice TV in the lounge along with other standard facilities.








Our flight ended up being delayed by about an hour and a half and while I enjoyed my time in DFW, it was nice that it would be the last time I'd fly through there for a little while.

 

[exceladdict]

AA2466 DFW-IND, MD80, F 4A/B, 1h:58m


We arrived at the gate just prior to boarding and as we walked through, the boarding agent was saying over the PA that 'we had to board quickly, or else legal issues will mean the flight will need to turn around and come back to DFW'. Brilliant. I guess this has something to do with a curfew or strict rules about landing slots at IND? All I know is there was another flight that was scheduled to leave straight after ours - I hope for the sake of those pax getting home to their families that it wasn't a curfew.


We very much enjoyed being in the second row again and being able to stretch my legs out entirely. Those in the first row didn't have that luxury yet again:




I do enjoy the engines on the MD80 being right at the back, rather than at the wings, however there was this very loud fan-noise that seemed to pervade the F cabin that I don't remember from last time I flew one. Not sure what the lesser of the two evils is - the whirring noise on the A319 take off, or the fan/air noise throughout the MD80 flight. All up, the newer birds are probably nicer - the buttons certainly don't look like this.



After a month-long ban on soft drink (kind of a personal test), it was lovely for our FA to keep me topped up on a glass of coke to keep me perky and ready to drive 45 minutes to our accommodation north of Indianapolis. We declined all snacks in the basket except for the chocolate-filled biscuits we experienced on the US F flight a while back. Did the job. Oh, and we enjoyed snacking on some nuts as well.


Otherwise, despite the hour and a half delay on take off, the flight was largely uneventful.


Next up: Brace Yourselves: Winter (in the North...Errr... Mid-West?) is coming!

 

[TomVexille]

I think it's just wind noise. But I may be wrong.

Those winters are half the reason I don't live in the Mid-West anymore :shock:

 

[exceladdict]

19: Four Nights In Indiana(polis)

Arriving in to IND quite late, we were keen to get out of the airport and to our accom as quick as possible. Our bags didn't get tagged as OW priority this time around, but even so, I think most of the baggage patrol had gone home for the night and it was a good half hour until our bags came out (and while some with OW priority tags did come, they certainly were not the first). I'm a bit skeptical as to whether this has been fully rolled out.


When they did come, we made our way through to the rental car counter, which luckily was open 24 hours (by now it would have been around 11.30pm). This time we were renting through Alamo as they seemed to have the best rates from this particular airport, and we found a voucher giving us free insurance. We ended up with a double upgrade to a quite new Ford Focus Sedan, which had quite a bit of kick and was comfortable to drive.



I'd previously called and let our accommodation know we'd be in late, as our flight was delayed by so much. They said no problems, and that the front desk would be closed so our key would be waiting for us in a safe box. It was about a 45 minute drive there.


Accommodation: Candlewood Suites Indianapolis


We grabbed our key from the lock box and made our way quickly (and coldly) inside with our luggage. The building looked quite nice from the outside.



Inside, the decor was a bit dated but given the price - $80 for the first night and then $67 for the next 3 - we were getting a bargain considering how close we were to the main reaeson we'd come to Indianapolis (my wife was effectively visiting some colleagues over here to observe a special work practice). It was a lot more 'help yourself' than the IC we'd just stayed at, but it was welcoming and well suited to longer term stays. It was quite a big place for a four storey building.




The bed, however, was comfortable and we were out cold quite quickly and enjoyed a good rest.

 

[clazman]

No number plates on the car?

 

[moa999]

No number plates on the car?

Fairly common in the US to only have rear plates

 

[TomVexille]

No number plates on the car?

Some states don't require a front plate

 

[exceladdict]

Some states don't require a front plate

When I noticed, I was going to make a joke about my excellent photoshop skills. But yes, some states had no front plates.

 

[exceladdict]

Indianapolis Day One


After dropping my wife off in the morning, I returned to the hotel to re-check in (your late-night-card only works overnight). After coincidentally checking, I saw the rate had dropped by about $13 a night so I was able to cut my initial booking short, and then rebook the next 3 nights without needing to change room. Unfortunately no upgrade due to IHG Platinum / Dining Rewards. We did get 'welcome points' though.



The suites did have some good amenities - I took advantage of the complimentary washers (for a 4 storey place, they had 5 washers and 6 or 7 dryers):




They also had the 'Candlewood Cupboard' (not pictured) which is like a mini-deli with complimentary coffee (machine) and milk, frozen pizzas, and everything in between (for purchase) to use in your in-room kitchen. We did come down there for milk, cereal and pop-tarts (how could we not?). We didn't, however, get a chance to use the 'Lending Locker' to play my favourite game (Settlers of Catan) - which they had - but you need 3 people to play (no one we bumped in to in the corridors seemed keen and the front desk team were too busy). You could also grab small appliances like blenders and food processors.




The on-site gym was also quite well equipped, though I didn't find the time to use it...




Day one was quite a lazy day - I found a local coffe place, called 'Coffee Brake Co', and had a good hour-long yarn to the owner and a guy called Nate who was hanging out there. The best snippets were when they asked if Australia was like "the Texas of England", and when they said that "Americans like bad coffee so much, they invented a watered-down coffee and called it the Americano".


After picking up my wife, we visited a Kroger to by groceries. I was glad to experience in person the store that I'd heard so much about in the Good to Great book was; while I was equally shocked that people would actually buy this:




We got a half-n-half pizza from a local store for dinner, who cut it in to squares - I just don't get this. Slices are so much more convenient (sorry no pics). A lazy night in, we were asleep after not long.

 

[exceladdict]

On day two I decided to go for a drive and try again to visit three states in a day (and actually visit them). Again, it would prove not to be, but anyhoo. I started off heading East towards Cincinatti. I came across a Simpsons town:




The roads were quite clear but light snow was falling and it was very cold outside. The two hour or so drive was ok, if not a little bland after I got used to the snowy scenery, but there were a few nice hills that I went up and down.



That said, (though this picture was taken later), the roads in Indiana were quite bad, with large potholes and cla-clinks all over the freeways. An example from a parking lot:





I parked in a tiered lot in downtown in Cincinnati which had an interesting spiral exit road.

 

[exceladdict]

Cincinatti was interesting. A small city, the mish-mash of architecture within the same building - let alone block - felt a bit not-thought-out. I found a bookstore to grab a present for my wife and also came across another amazing-looking cupcake place. EDIT: Just seen this is a girls' cupcake place. How Embarrassing.




I also came at the wrong time of year. Below is a picture of the mid-deconstruction ice-skating rink at Foundain Park.




The coffee shop at the bookstore had great puns, though.


\



And they had some hip and with-it books as well. Though I'm not so sure about listicles translated into printed form.

 

[exceladdict]

A ham and brie criossant later, it was time to leave Cincinatti. I originally intended to drive down to Kentucky as well, but after quickly re-reading the Lonely Planet PDF chapter I got on the mid-west, I realised the National Air Force Museum was only an hour away in Dayton, OH. How could I say no to that?


I got on the road and was a little surprised by this sign, before remembering I was in the US and becoming not-surprised after all.




I filled up with Gas - a tank was only $24 - and continued on the way. Just after getting off the highway to go to the museum - very glad it was not while on the highway - I heard a pop, then a 'low tyre pressure' alarm came up on my dash. Unfortunately, this had happened:




Fortunately the car was so new that the spare and jack were in pristine condition and had never been used. After changing the tyre, I had a small freak-out wondering how much it would cost me before calling Alamo. The lady on the phone was really nice - advised it was all covered by the CDW - and arranged a new car for me to pick up. Fortunately, I was only about two minutes from the museum, and the swapover location was open late, so I'd be able to drop into the museum for a few hours before it closed.


It was huge, comprising of three giant hangars plus a lobby and theatre, with another hangar under construction.




I won't go in to verbal detail - there was far too much for me to remember - but I could have spent days, if not a week there. Some pictures:

 

[exceladdict]

Two things I will quickly describe are that there are two coughpits that you can sit in - which is pretty cool, I've never sat in a real (or ex-real) plane's coughpit. They do say it's 'difficult to get in and out of so it's best suited to flexible children'. Being a child at heart, I wasn't deterred.





You could also see into the inside of what I think was a B-52 (if memory serves).




Anyway, it was closing time so I drove off to the Dayton International Airport to pick up my new ride. And it was pretty new! I hate to say we more than doubled the mileage of 216 at pick-up.




The car (pictured the next day) was a very new Corolla, complete with new car smell.





The control tower looked pretty cool too.

 

[exceladdict]

I drove back to pick up my wife before we headed out to a Thai restaurant for dinner. My Green Chicken Curry was great - I'm a bit addicted to it so I was glad to have it the same as back home:





We also got some chicken satay sticks, though unfortunately they weren't cooked in the middle. They did look good from the outside though. Then, it was back home and off to bed before our last night in the Mid-West.