Text 25872, 98 rader
Skriven 2015-04-10 16:06:00 av MICHAEL LOO (1:123/140)
Ärende: spring training 493
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This was originally US 1809 BOS PHL 0930 1106 E90 and
US 686 PHL PHX 1340 1602 321, an itinerary with a greater
chance for upgrade, and I have no idea why they messed
with my reservation.

I was dropped off at 7 and had lots of time during which
I suppose I could have tried to get my itinerary changed
back but instead went to the United Club (the two parts of
Terminal B now connected airside) and had about four cups
of hot chocolate, there not being any chocolate muffins
this day. The wi-fi was a little spotty, and the regular
airport service tried to cut in a few times, which was
annoying as it is slower and cuts you off after half an
hour if not sooner; I think that it's designed to go back
on almost automatically, but my Zone Alarm doesn't let it.

US 522 BOS CLT 0930 1204 320 1D

Usually I take the shuttle, just a few paces down the road,
so the unusual exercise - a half mile more, I'd say, from
the United Club - was either welcome or irritating depending
on whether you took the point of view of my cardiologist or
my legs. I got to the gate, the farthest one, just before
boarding, and I queued up at the back of what I thought was
the Zone 1ers. But when Zone 1 was called, nobody moved. I
finally tumbled to the facts when Zone 2 was called and
nobody moved. I went around - needed that overhead space,
which I had to go a fair ways back to get.

Other than the storage issue, the seat is fine - there was
a bit of a cutout, and I am not hugely long-leged, and if I
were, there was the aisle to stretch out into.

I was going to order a boozie (no more Courvoisier or
Glenlivet on this airline, but Canadian Club or Bacardi
is good for medicinal purposes; I don't see what the deal
is with Jack Daniel's, which to me tastes of bitterness
and disappointment) but didn't need it. Slept, as I often
do, from wheels up to touchdown.

US 628 CLT PHX 1300 1438 321 23A

No upgrade, no problem. I got the rear throne, which is
marginally nicer than the corresponding right-side one
because one gets to face the very pretty half-Asian flight
attendant in the jumpseat on takeoff and landing. As has
often happened to me on "completely full" flights, although
I didn't get first class, I didn't get any sitting next to
me either. This on US Air: United usually no such luck. This
was a fairly bumpy flight, and I almost regretted sleeping
so soundly on the previous one, as that meant I was
relatively conscious during the turbulence. We got in around
3:30 owing to headwinds.

Bill Swisher was at the curb waiting for me, and we proceeded
straight to the Hotel Tempe Phoenix Airport at the Mall,
which reminded me of the Hospitality Suites that we used to
go to and that, once quite a bargain, has priced itself
beyond its britches.

We got assigned quarters with a fancy name like The Bandera
Canyon Suite. It came with one bed and was not a suite but
rather an accommodation that would not have done a Days Inn
room proud. I called the front desk, which said that the
place was sold out, and take it or leave it, and like it or
lump it, and complain to Expedia if you dare, but it won't
do you any good. This slightly more politely phrased than
that, but the message was the same.

It was only faintly smoky, the smallish bathroom had a fan
and so didn't smell too mildewy, and the bed was reasonably
comfortable.

There is a reason why Trip Advisor gives this place a very
favorable rating. It's happy hour, billed at 5 to 6:30 but
practically a bit longer than that. During that time you get
all the Lite and Killian's that you can swill down for free,
if you carry away no more than two drinks at a time. Also
wine and well spirits, which I didn't investigate. But wait,
there's more - all the burgers, dogs, popcorn, and nachos
you can stomach. I had a burger and a dog. The former was
like nothing I'd ever tasted before - quite crispy on the
outside, soft and spongy inside, shot full of rather okay
suet and sreasoned with salt, pepper, and maybe a touch of
onion. Six or seven ounces of preformed delight, which also
describes the dog, except the dog was much less palatable,
but, hey, that's what God made ketchup and mustard for. A
lot of food, cheap at half the price.

The servers were cheerful.

We had thought to hit Popeye's, just past the Circle K where
we'd picked up a case of beer, but the abundance here
allowed us to economize and skip a paid meal.

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