the_traveler
Engineer
On April 7, the_traveler flew 
from Chez Traveler to Chez Traveler West. This day included a trip by auto to PVD (the airport) and 3 flights to IAD, ORD and PDX (the airport). As much as I hate the TSA “security” and all the other associated stuff of flying, I decided to burn some of my 600,000+ frequent flyer miles!
Upon our arrival at PVD, my traveling companion and I planned on carrying our 2 bags. However at security, the TSA agent discovered he had a tube of toothpaste and a partially full bottle of cologne in his bag. He was told he had to check it or lose the items! So he checked it – for $25!
Now for the ironic part of the incident! My bag that I could carry on is too large to fit inside the CRJ-700 – so it must be gate checked. That means my bag was put in the aircraft hold for $0.00 while his bag is also there at a cost of $25.00!
The flight to IAD was uneventful. When we arrived there, we had a 3-hour layover (no, I didn’t see Gilligan or the Skipper :lol: ) and our next flight was in a different terminal. I discovered that the mobile lounges are still in use! I thought they were to be retired and replaced by a subway?
Our next flight on a 767 was delayed by an AC problem. Eventually we left the gate, but were “put in a hole” (not for a freight) because of the weather around ORD!
We finally arrived into ORD 1 hour and 40 minutes late! This is as bad as some Amtrak trains. In fact, if you notice further down regarding my next Amtrak trip, this delay was MORE than my 3 trains COMBINED!
Our final flight was delayed somewhat due to our late arrival and the connecting passengers and luggage! We arrived PDX (the other one) almost on time.
After getting a ride to Chez Traveler West – in a Hummer (my limo was in the shop :lol: ) – I worked on tax returns for a few days. But on April 14, I could not stand it any more! :wacko:
I NEEDED to ride a train! So I booked the NW circle loop! (PDX-SEA-SPK-PDX) Thanks to a post on AU about the 250 point bonus for using the QT, I registered on April 13 and my trip was April 14! So AU comes thru again!
I used an AGR redemption for BC from PDX (the real one) to TUK (Tukwila, WA – more on why later) for 1,500 points. Upon checking my account later, I saw the 1,500 deducted, but 150 points added back in! (The 10% bonus!) So BC cost ne only 1,350 AGR points!
Oh, about the AGR to TUK only – I then bought a coach ticket TUK-SEA for I think <$9. That way I got 2X for riding #506!
#506 arrived at King St Station a few minutes late, but not many. So I had about 1 hour to wait for #8. It was released from the yard late, but it departed on time.
However half way up Skynomish (sp) Pass, one of the P-42 overheated, and we sat for over 45 minutes! At one point, they had to cut HEP to restart the locomotive.
Once we got moving again, we were down over 1 hour. However, I was semi-glad, since it cut my 2 hour connection in SPK (Spokane) at 12:30 AM to only 1 hour!
The trip back to PDX on #27 along the Columbia River Gorge was gorgeous as always. However with low clouds, many of the mountains were in the clouds. BNSF had LOTS of track work, so we had many slow orders. Even so, #27 arrived into PDX only about 10 minutes late.
So all together, these 3 trains may have been late about 1 hour 20 minutes, but the flight from IAD to ORD was late 1 hour 40 minutes!
More to follow!
from Chez Traveler to Chez Traveler West. This day included a trip by auto to PVD (the airport) and 3 flights to IAD, ORD and PDX (the airport). As much as I hate the TSA “security” and all the other associated stuff of flying, I decided to burn some of my 600,000+ frequent flyer miles!Upon our arrival at PVD, my traveling companion and I planned on carrying our 2 bags. However at security, the TSA agent discovered he had a tube of toothpaste and a partially full bottle of cologne in his bag. He was told he had to check it or lose the items! So he checked it – for $25!
Now for the ironic part of the incident! My bag that I could carry on is too large to fit inside the CRJ-700 – so it must be gate checked. That means my bag was put in the aircraft hold for $0.00 while his bag is also there at a cost of $25.00!
The flight to IAD was uneventful. When we arrived there, we had a 3-hour layover (no, I didn’t see Gilligan or the Skipper :lol: ) and our next flight was in a different terminal. I discovered that the mobile lounges are still in use! I thought they were to be retired and replaced by a subway?
Our next flight on a 767 was delayed by an AC problem. Eventually we left the gate, but were “put in a hole” (not for a freight) because of the weather around ORD!
We finally arrived into ORD 1 hour and 40 minutes late! This is as bad as some Amtrak trains. In fact, if you notice further down regarding my next Amtrak trip, this delay was MORE than my 3 trains COMBINED!
Our final flight was delayed somewhat due to our late arrival and the connecting passengers and luggage! We arrived PDX (the other one) almost on time.
After getting a ride to Chez Traveler West – in a Hummer (my limo was in the shop :lol: ) – I worked on tax returns for a few days. But on April 14, I could not stand it any more! :wacko:
I NEEDED to ride a train! So I booked the NW circle loop! (PDX-SEA-SPK-PDX) Thanks to a post on AU about the 250 point bonus for using the QT, I registered on April 13 and my trip was April 14! So AU comes thru again!
I used an AGR redemption for BC from PDX (the real one) to TUK (Tukwila, WA – more on why later) for 1,500 points. Upon checking my account later, I saw the 1,500 deducted, but 150 points added back in! (The 10% bonus!) So BC cost ne only 1,350 AGR points!
Oh, about the AGR to TUK only – I then bought a coach ticket TUK-SEA for I think <$9. That way I got 2X for riding #506!
#506 arrived at King St Station a few minutes late, but not many. So I had about 1 hour to wait for #8. It was released from the yard late, but it departed on time.
However half way up Skynomish (sp) Pass, one of the P-42 overheated, and we sat for over 45 minutes! At one point, they had to cut HEP to restart the locomotive.
Once we got moving again, we were down over 1 hour. However, I was semi-glad, since it cut my 2 hour connection in SPK (Spokane) at 12:30 AM to only 1 hour!
The trip back to PDX on #27 along the Columbia River Gorge was gorgeous as always. However with low clouds, many of the mountains were in the clouds. BNSF had LOTS of track work, so we had many slow orders. Even so, #27 arrived into PDX only about 10 minutes late.
So all together, these 3 trains may have been late about 1 hour 20 minutes, but the flight from IAD to ORD was late 1 hour 40 minutes!
More to follow!
