It was just a short business trip to California. How do I hate those short ones. I don’t even bother to change the time for two days, as it is an exercise in futility.
Unfortunately, the carrier of choice between Washington and the Bay Area was US Airways. Since I have a very bad experience(s) with them several years ago I try to avoid US Scareway like a plague. I hoped that this trip will change my mind. It will at least carry some point toward my *G status on Aegean airlines. I was though quite disappointed that *S status means nothing on US Airways as my boarding zone were 4 and 5 (more of that later).
Security in DCA is always a breeze, this time no exception. As I received the invitation for a trial membership in the American Express SkyGuide Executive Privilege Club which I accepted, I decided to go to the lounge and buy a day pass. The program supposed to re-imbrues you for up to 12 day-passes a year. $50 later I was in the club, enjoying the free wi-fi and the not so appetizing snacks. The pass should have worked at my connection flight in Phoenix as well.
Boarding was orderly and as a zone 4, I’ve missed the “we have to check your carry-on” by an inch. The flight itself was surprisingly uneventful. The room leg is not much, the recline is not much, and in a very long flight (5hours +) you notice it quickly. On the other hand, the flight attendees were friendly, the BOB salad option was quite good. However, Airbus 320 is still Airbus 320 and after five hours all you want to do is to get off the damn plain.
Luckily, the flight was slightly early. My connection was at the adjoin gate – so life was good, or so I thought. I went into the lounge (mainly to use the bathrooms) and my day pass was not recognized by the computer. After 5 minutes of trying, they just let me in despite the fact they could not log my pass. Several snacks and a bathroom break later, I was back at the gate. This time in zone 5. I was not so lucky, by the time I’ve boarded all the overhead space was gone. Well, not exactly, if people do not put their coats and small items up there, there should not be a problem. But, to make a long story short, my carry-on went in the belly of the plain.
This flight, although much shorter, had a feeling of a typical US Airways flight. Harried, cramped and uninviting. I don’t know what was it about this flight, maybe it was my bag situation, but it was nothing like the flight into Phoenix. Short 2 hours and my bag and I were united at the baggage claim.
On the way back, I’ve learnt my lesson (or so I thought) and when they offered to check baggage at the gate I gladly complied. It turned out that the overhead's space in both flights were ample. I did not need to check my carry-on after all. The most infuriating thing is that the carry-on handle was damaged, and not it is utterly useless (cannot open the handle). US Airways, conveniently enough does not cover damage to handles. I’ll keep you posted about my battle with US Airways about this one.
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