LAX-SFO
UA864 (737)
Departs 1.35pm
We originally had this flight booked for the day after, but after spending two days in LAX and deciding that we didnt really enjoy the place, we called United and asked if we could go a day early. United advised that we would have to pay a change fee fair enough, which worked out at 50 each, we decided that we would go ahead, despite feeling that it was a bit excessive. Being a bit nerdy and knowing fare types, the lady we spoke to mentioned something about re-issuing our tickets on an X fare basis, now I know that these are not flexible and pretty much bottom rung while I believe our original tickets were booked in B class. I had a short argument with the woman as it didnt seem fair that I pay 50 to get a lower class ticket. She conformed my query that if for some reason we were late for check-in or the flight that we would have no compensation. This seems mad to me, I dont know if its the norm, but shouldnt I get another ticket in the same class for the fee? Anyway, we accepted the fee and tried to pay only to be told that they didnt accept a UK credit card so we would have to pay at the airport!
We left the hotel at 11am and arrived at the airport about 25 minutes later. On entering T7 we were confronted with sheer bedlam! Huge queues and lots of disorganisation! A representative was telling people go to left if you had a proper ticket and right if you had an e-ticket. Technically we had neither, we still had to pay, and nobody we asked knew where we should go.
We tried several desks to no avail, and joined the e-ticket line. We finally got to the front about half hour later (oh the joys of the snake!) and were confronted by the self service computer screens. A poor Japanese couple were in front of us, they had an e-ticket but had no idea how to work the system, they asked the guy behind the counter twice and he ignored them. Finally he said to them do you have a paper ticket or e-ticket, they shrugged, probably not quite understanding the guy (they had an e-ticket) he them shouted to them that if they had a paper ticket they had to go left. At this point they went that way, I felt so sorry for them, knowing they would have to queue up again. I would have said something but I didnt know the system myself and it took us a while to figure it out.
We entered our reservation number as instructed by the screen and got a message of please call blah blah number we called them and they had to sort something out behind the screens as it were and on re-typing our reservation number a few minutes later (as instructed) our reservation came up! We were asked if we wanted Premium Seats? Hell yes! Only there were none left together. At that point we were asked if we wanted to upgrade to First? Oh go on then, and before we knew it we had swiped our credit card through the machine. I think the flights ended up costing us about 200 each in the end (adding up initial costs, change fees and upgrade fees) but at this point we really couldnt care we just wanted to get to SFO! We were issued with Gold coloured boarding passes and off we went!
After checking in we asked the helpful guy what to do with our bags, he grunted and put the tags and labels on for us and put them on the conveyor belt.
Overall, check-in at LAX and for United was awful an experience I dont want to repeat! The staff were rude and there was no organisation.
We went through to departures and wee able to use the Fast track channel (which was empty) We were almost to the front of the queuing area when we heard a large shout to all stay exactly where we were. A group of TSA officials ran down the corridor and we were continually told to please stay exactly where you are and remain calm. I went to take one step forward (in all honesty to get a gawp at what was going on) and was told again Maam, please stand still exactly where you are. As far as I can make out some guy had jumped security (intentional or not, I dont know). A few minutes later it was all over and we were called forward.
I automatically removed my shoes and anything else metal. I beeped going through the metal detector (as usual) and was asked to take off my watch and try again, to no avail, and then I was called over for the spread eagle! Funnily enough, great interest was shown in my legs and feet. I had the wand waved over them back and forth, they asked me to sit down and went over and over them. The upright body search was extremely close, the most thorough I have ever had, although I talked openly to the TSA person and explained that this happens to me every time and that I an convinced I have a piece of metal embedded in me. Most worryingly for them was that they couldnt find why I was beeping my poor other half just had to wait and wait while I was there a good 20 minutes being searched. Oh how embarrassed I felt! They finally let me go, still none the wiser why I was beeping, and I had to ask where my watch was as I hadnt got it back. I pretty much ran through the duty free area in an attempt to get away LOL
We foolishly thought we might get access to the United lounge, we headed there to be refused oh well, you dont know if you dont try I guess, but we did wonder what exactly we got for our upgrade!
The short answer is not a lot. We walked over to the gate and grabbed a seat and a snack. There were a lot of crew loitering that were trying to get a flight home, at this point there were more crew than passengers, well a good 12 of them! I saw our 737 arrive and watched it being prepared out the window. This flight was also headed to SEA after SFO.
[img]http://www.v-flyer.com/photos/1349.jpg[/img]
The captain walked past us and was accosted by some loony woman sat opposite us, she was asking him all manner of crazy questions about planes and you could see he was desperate to get away bless him. I was trying to see her boarding pass at this point as I wanted to know if she was sat near me! LOL
It felt like a long wait until we were called, but due to our newly purchased upgrades we were one of the first on board.
The seating in the First area is 2 and 2 across. They have nicely done away with the middle seat to give you a bit more room and a place to store your drink (just like in P.E.), but it still is tight. The seats are covered fabric as opposed to leather or anything special, but more than adequate for this flight.
[img]http://www.v-flyer.com/photos/1350.jpg[/img]
We were offered a drink while waiting for Y to board, what? No champagne? I thought! LOL and accepted an O.J. It seemed to take forever to board and then one of the ground staff came onboard with the passenger list. Apparently we had one extra person. I had two crew behind me so I could hear them asking the crew if they were going to be asked to leave, one of them was very upset as apparently this was the third flight she had tried to get on. After 20mins or so it was established that a passenger had boarded when they were actually booked for the next flight how this happens I will never know! And then a voice came over the tannoy, stating (get this!) Can passenger Mr whatever please disembark the aircraft please The young lad was herded of and we were given clearance for takeoff.
Once we were in the air we had another drinks round and a bag of nuts, I believe Economy didnt get nuts and had to pay for drinks, im not entirely sure. There wasnt a film or any IFE on this flight, although that wasnt a real worry with such a short flight time (announced as 1hr 5mins).
I started reading my book that I had with me, but couldnt keep from looking at the lady infront who had the largest laptop I had ever seen! The screen must have been 20 inches at least it was obscene! (well, I wanted one at any rate!)
The crew pretty much disappeared at this point, and we called one over for another drink. The crew member we attracted was nice as pie, but not as friendly and genuine as the SQ girls.
There was a gorgeous baby onboard (the sort that is ideal for catalogues and stuff) and one of the FAs had taken it for a cuddle, and took it to the cockpit ahhh, so thats how you get up there nowadays I thought!
With no IFE I spent a bit of time looking out of the window. We flew right over the Grand Canyon on this flight, which was awesome! I argued with the other half for about 5-6 minutes as to whether or not it was the Grand Canyon (you cant tell with no SkyMap) and by the time we agreed that it must be it was well out of photo range which was a great shame as it looked fab from the air. We also passed over Salt Lake City which looks amazing! I have heard that its not all that, but from the air the colours are amazing, purples and blues and yellows wow! I didnt get a picture wirth posting, but for anybody interested check out this picture from Richard28 to get an idea of what it looks like!
The delay experienced over the extra passenger made no real difference to the flight time, we were five minutes or so behind schedule which was fantast going!
We started our descent and I hoped for a view of the Golden Gate bridge but no such luck, it was on the other side! We came in to the runway at an angle, I certainly noticed it and I was actually worried for a brief moment at the sort of landing we would get. We bumped down, and got that reverse thrusters feeling as we shot down the runway - feeling like we wouldnt stop! We finally came to a halt at SFO and had to wait for a gate. A Kuwait Airlines plane departed and we took over their place and were disembarking in no time.
We headed to the luggage belts and had to wait a good half hour for our luggage. It finally came out (no sign of prioritising or tags) and we dragged it out to arrivals where we were met by our Mandarin Oriental rep, who escorted us to the hotel, where had a fabulous time and a terrific holiday.
