A flight to San Diego to ride the pacific surf liner and chief back to Chicago.

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This is a trip report about my MLK weekend trip to San Diego. The plan was to fly from Chicago to San Diego on Friday. Then on Saturday take a California Surfline train to connect to the Southwest chief to Chicago


The flight from Midway to Las Vegas was diverted to Denver because of a medical emergency. The professionalism of the Southwest Airlines crew on flt 623 was awesome. I’ve never seen a flight crew perform under emergency conditions. They did a great job and the pilot nailed a perfect landing at Denver. The Sick passenger was deplaned and they got us underway in about 1 hour.


While we were on the ground I turned my phone on and discovered that southwest had already booked me on a later flight from Las Vegas to San Diego. The overall delay into San Diego would be 3 hours. I was ok with that. I am hopeful we got the sick passenger the proper medical attention in time.

When we arrived Las Vegas I was lucky to get on an earlier flight which cut the delay into San Diego to about 90 minutes.


When I checked on 3 that is due to arrive into Los Angeles tomorrow i discovered it was running 3 hours 26 minutes late. Wondering if this will affect tomorrow’s departure of 4.
 
This is a trip report about my MLK weekend trip to San Diego. The plan was to fly from Chicago to San Diego on Friday. Then on Saturday take a California Surfline train to connect to the Southwest chief to Chicago


The flight from Midway to Las Vegas was diverted to Denver because of a medical emergency. The professionalism of the Southwest Airlines crew on flt 623 was awesome. I’ve never seen a flight crew perform under emergency conditions. They did a great job and the pilot nailed a perfect landing at Denver. The Sick passenger was deplaned and they got us underway in about 1 hour.


While we were on the ground I turned my phone on and discovered that southwest had already booked me on a later flight from Las Vegas to San Diego. The overall delay into San Diego would be 3 hours. I was ok with that. I am hopeful we got the sick passenger the proper medical attention in time.

When we arrived Las Vegas I was lucky to get on an earlier flight which cut the delay into San Diego to about 90 minutes.


When I checked on 3 that is due to arrive into Los Angeles tomorrow i discovered it was running 3 hours 26 minutes late. Wondering if this will affect tomorrow’s departure of 4.
Looking forward to the rest of your report. Been in the same situation on an AA flight from Chicago to SoCal, landing in Denver for passenger heart attack. Forget any preconceived ideas about flight attendants - they know what they're doing when it matters. Also, have never been on a plane that descended that fast intentionally. Totally professional process.
 
Looking forward to the rest of your report. Been in the same situation on an AA flight from Chicago to SoCal, landing in Denver for passenger heart attack. Forget any preconceived ideas about flight attendants - they know what they're doing when it matters. Also, have never been on a plane that descended that fast intentionally. Totally professional process.


That’s what I experienced, a rapid descent. The winds were blowing and the plane bounced around but when he landed he nailed it.
 
It’s a beautiful day in San Diego. A little cool for the locals but perfect for me. I am at the classic Santa Fe depot waiting for 777 to Los Angeles. It is delayed because of earlier engine problems on a different train. The ticket agent professionally explained the situation and reassured me that I would connect to 4 with no problems.

The inbound 3 arrived at 11:09, about 3 hours late. So I should be ok for this evening.

Some photos of the classic Santa Fe depot.
 

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It’s a beautiful day in San Diego. A little cool for the locals but perfect for me. I am at the classic Santa Fe depot waiting for 777 to Los Angeles. It is delayed because of earlier engine problems on a different train. The ticket agent professionally explained the situation and reassured me that I would connect to 4 with no problems.

The inbound 3 arrived at 11:09, about 3 hours late. So I should be ok for this evening.

Some photos of the classic Santa Fe depot.
 
A pleasant ride along the coast. There was a 20 minute wait at a siding near San Juan Capistrano where we met two southbound trains. There is evidence of improvements being built to add extra sidings which should improve operation in the future. We took one cross over at 55 mph without a lurch. Impressive.
 

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Checked into the metropolitan lounge in Los Angeles. The attendant got my name and checked my name off on what I assume is the manifest for 4. She told me the train would start boarding about 5:15.

I plan to shower and eat dinner about 7.
 
Boarding for 4 started about 5:10. The red cap arrived at the platform just as 4 backed in. I observed 2 coaches, a sightseer lounge, and the sleeper and a transition sleeper. Did not check out the number if engines or the existence of a baggage car.

I successfully showered and organized myself before the train departed on time at 6 pm.

I downloaded the most recent pdf of the schedule and observed an error. The schedule shows 4 departing Victorville at 9:55 and arriving Barstow at 9:51 pm. I think the actual departure from victorville is 8:55 pm.
 
A great day on the chief. Pictures say it all. With only one sleeper diner is not packed at meal times. Usually seated with one or two others and no one next to me. Great conversation.
 

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When I returned from dinner the sca had my bed lowered. At 6:45 pm this was a bit early. He was in the hall a few doors down and explained that there was a time change. I said it was a bit early but I would go with the flow.

I enjoyed fresh air at LaJunta and went to bed
 

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We will arrive early into Chicago. A great trip on the Chief. Not so dramatic as the zephyr or starlight, but the afternoon of riding jointed rail across Colorado and New Mexico has its charm.

viewing the Chicago skyline means the end is near.
 

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