Back on United TPA-ORD-ALB

Well…I headed back to work a little earlier than expected, so flew TPA-ORD-ALB a day early. TPA-ORD was ok. Typical crew, typical Ted plane, typical “go to sleep” early morning flight crew attitude. I especially love when they close that little window in the forward bulkhead to (in my opinion) discourage interaction. We all know you’re busy reading your magazine!

Now I’m on UA 656 ORD-ALB after sitting in ORD for almost 5 hours because I didn’t make standby on the earlier flight. Let me tell you…it doesn’t even matter. As a whole, this flight crew is hands down the best I’ve ever had the opportunity to fly with. The captain has pointed out landmarks of interest. Our purser, Glen, is positively fantastic. I lost my upgrade since I did standby and first was already full, but it doesn’t really make a difference on this short hour and a half flight. No drink trolleys, but the crew still did an amazing job (and way more efficient than expected) with drink service.

Back to Glen for a minute. Captain Flanagan would be proud. He distributed business cards with personalized notes to elites (not sure if 2Ps got them or just 1P and up), but this guy is first class all the way. This is the purser! Not the pilot. I’m gonna have to write this one up on FlyerTalk for sure. Glen needs to be an in-flight manager or trainer or something. Every FA should be just like him! My guess, however, is that being in the sky is where this guy wants to be. And it shows!!! Even his announcements were top notch with some changes in voice instead of the typical monotone computerized voice that we’ve all become accustomed to.

Not to go into negative territory, but I need to rant real quick. Just because you fly a lot…you don’t get to be an asshole. The Premier who boarded right before me (during Prem Ex boarding might I add) stormed down the aisle with his 2 bags which were clearly too large to roll down the aisle. So he picked them up, grunted, and shoved them rather hard into the overhead. In doing so, he came within inches of smashing another passenger in the head and totally violently shook the guy’s seat. Anyone who travels with me knows that my number one pet peeve (well I guess I have a few) is when people use my seatback as their handrest/footrest and shake my seat. Drives me nuts. Anyways, as you can probably imagine, the violator in this case didn’t so much as acknowledge he did anything. Rude people like this need to grow up and get lives. You fly 30 times or 25000 miles in a year and suddenly you own the joint? I don’t know how FAs put up with these people.

Back on track…smooth air most of the way. Top notch crew. I’m totally a happy flyer!!! Glad to be back on United.

Only a day trip or two for the next week. March 25th is departure day for Dublin! The current itinerary is Albany -> Washington Dulles -> London Heathrow -> Dublin. Last leg is operated by BMI (if I recall correctly). A new airline for me!

Until next time,
Chris