I do apologize, but all US reports are in here, as i felt it was best!
Anyway, following our relaxing stay in Chicago, it was time to fly down to Phoenix for us to begin the real reason we went to the US. We left the hotel just before 9am, and we were in United’s Terminal 1, within 30 mins, as the traffic was much lighter than the Friday we arrived, strange really with Independence Day the next day!
Any who, checkin was a breeze, with us sadly using paper tickets, we could not use the self serve machines, and we were checked in by a Phoenix local, who spoke to us for a good 15 mins about the place, annoying other passengers in the process :p
With 2hrs to go until out 1200 departure, i decided to explore T1, a terminal i’ve used back in 2003, and this time i headed to the in-field concourse. Pics have been posted on the other large thread of course. It was nice to see a numbr of aircraft you just don’t get to see very often here, and seeing UA’s new colours, was a pleasure in its self, especially on the 777!
After having a McD’s at 1100, we went to gate B13, a gate Ted is not assined to use, but it seems the B20-23 gates were full of Ted’s as it was at the time.
Then at 1120, N479UA, appeared out of the gloomy skies
I took to the colour scheme staight away, and it really caught my eye!
Boarding commenced at 1145, with all 127 pax on board in 10 mins! Pushbacked at 1200, on time, we taxied to 27L, waiting for a BA 777, and KLM 747 to land, plus another few to take off on 22R before we got the go ahead.
What i realised as we were to line up was, that only one engine was used to taxi! The Left engine was started at the threshold, and it got me wondering when did this procediure happen?
Channel9 was on, and just after 1215, “United 1479” was cleared for takeoff on 27L. Rotation was fast, and we turned straight away, with me just getting a glimpse of the FedEx crafts on departure
Inflight, we were offered to purchase the UA Snackboxes for $5. I got the Jumpstart box, which for £3 was not bad for the price! There was also an inflight movie, but i took no look at it what so ever, and lisened to the constant flight plan changes we had to endure to miss some severe weather, which we had most of the way to New Mexico airspace
Arrival into Phoenix was bumpy, was it the heat i wonder? It was 113F there at the time.
We slowly got out 1st view of the suburbs, and before we knew it, we were down on runway 26, and taxiing to UA’s dedicated terminal, which we were the only aircraft there!
I caught a shot of AW’s Ohio 757, sorry for the mucky window tho!
And that was going to be my last flight for a week, in that time we drove over 1250 miles, to places like the Grand Canyon, and Vegas, on the likes of Route 66, which was incredible!
Next report….standby!
By: tommy777 - 14th August 2006 at 17:09
🙂 Excellent report! Usually, you only hear complaints about TED…
I have over 100 flights a year on UA, they always wait to fire up no. 2 until it’s almost time for take off. Just to save fuel..
Don’t you just love Ch 9??
By: steve rowell - 1st August 2006 at 08:42
San Francisco is a great city. Although I don’t care for the sports teams up there, the city itself has a lot of flavor and culture, and I’m not even talking about Castro Street! There’s lot’s to do if you’re an adult, restaurants, pubs, etc. As a youngster when I went with my parents, it wasn’t as fullfilling as it is now when we go up once a year to watch USC take on either Stanford or Cal.
The city has old world charm and lots of character
By: wannabe pilot - 17th July 2006 at 22:22
Interesting Elgan.
So what’s so good about Chicago? I don’t know much about American cities, and I’d definitely like to visit some more. I’ve flown through Los Angeles, Atlanta, Cincinnati, New York and Chicago, but never stopped. The only American citiies I have visisted are Miami and Honolulu. Sorry…this is kinda going off of the point now..
By: bmi-star - 17th July 2006 at 22:05
Cheers Dan! We stayed in Fisherman’s Wharf, hotel was excellent, but around the place, i’d feel more at home at Skeggy, with all these tacky shops about, selling cheap fake watches and cameras etc.
Going thru the suburbs on the tram was very nice! Houses were classy, had style, i liked that crooked street, it was very unique!
Once we got downtown tho, i couldnt wait to get out of that place, beggars everywhere, especially Union Square, homless people about, with trollyes rumigging in bins looking for food etc, and this was on the main street, where all the offices and shops where!
Was not the city i was expecting!
Bhoy, my uncle went to SFO 7 years ago and then went back last 6 months ago, and he said the place has changed dramatically in that time.
Don’t get me wrong, i’m happy i’ve been there, so see the Golden Gate, Alcatraz etc, but its not a place i’d go back to 🙂
Now Chicago…thats totally a different story 😀
By: greekdude1 - 17th July 2006 at 22:02
San Francisco is a great city. Although I don’t care for the sports teams up there, the city itself has a lot of flavor and culture, and I’m not even talking about Castro Street! There’s lot’s to do if you’re an adult, restaurants, pubs, etc. As a youngster when I went with my parents, it wasn’t as fullfilling as it is now when we go up once a year to watch USC take on either Stanford or Cal.
By: Bhoy - 17th July 2006 at 21:52
I liked San Fran when I was there 9 years ago this month. Found it a lot more comfortable temperature wise than NY where I stopped off for a couple of days on the way back. So while Elgan might not have enjoyed it, personally I’d reccomend it.
By: wannabe pilot - 17th July 2006 at 21:26
An excellent report and some great photos too mate.
Can you tell me a bit more about your reasons for not particularly enjoying San Francisco? It’s a place I (thought) I fancied visiting.
By: bmi-star - 17th July 2006 at 21:22
I have to say, i liked the temps in AZ, much nicer than 85F here, much less humid there!!
Was not liking the 60’s @ SFO tho! Too cold!
And i’ll try and fly Ted again!
By: greekdude1 - 17th July 2006 at 20:32
you’re right, though, RB211’s are definately better than Pratts. :diablo:
Must to Bhoy’s and Bmussed’s dismay, I LOVE THE PRATTS!! 😀 Excellent report once again. I’m glad you had such a good experience in the states, although I don’t envy you driving across the desert in 100+F heat. It’s been over 100 here (SoCal) the last week and it’s driving my electric bill bonkers to keep the A/C running. I’m surprised so much of the overheard luggage space was taken up when you got on board. I usually have no problems on UA finding space in the overhead compartment. Southwest is definitely the worst. It seems like nobody checks in their luggage when flying them. I also am a big fan of the TED colours. It seems nobody was a big fan of it when it was first unveiled.
By: steve rowell - 17th July 2006 at 08:10
Excellent report and pictures my young friend….i thoroughly enjoyed it
By: bmi-star - 16th July 2006 at 20:22
Aye, but you were talking about a 757. 😉
Ah yeah true hehe, sorry!
By: Bhoy - 16th July 2006 at 19:40
Aye, but you were talking about a 757. 😉
By: bmi-star - 16th July 2006 at 19:30
you’re right, though, RB211’s are definately better than Pratts. :diablo:
Or the Trent772B as in my case, that whine on the spool, its just a heavenly sound!
By: Bhoy - 16th July 2006 at 19:16
but ain’t it nice that you can speak a language that most people dont exist, and i was able to rant about those prats, without them knowing :p
you’re right, though, RB211’s are definately better than Pratts. :diablo:
By: G-CDFF - 15th July 2006 at 19:34
Excellent report and shots to go with it Elgan! 😀
By: bmi-star - 15th July 2006 at 17:02
Cheers for your kind comments guys, they are much appreciated. ORD-MAN looks like being tomorrow now, but might do it later tonight, with Dr.Who no more on BBC1! 🙂
By: T5 - 15th July 2006 at 15:48
Excellent report and photos (again). Well done! 🙂
By: Future Pilot - 15th July 2006 at 15:05
Fantastic read Elgan, and what an approach at SFO. Lucky :D.
By: LBARULES - 15th July 2006 at 11:55
Fantastic report and photos as ever Elgan :).
By: philgatwick05 - 15th July 2006 at 11:04
Great report and photos Elgan – your efforts have clearly paid off! :D:D
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July 15, 2006 at 9:21 am