Flying Home
Made it home from Tulsa right on time today. Our Pinnacle operated Delta Connection flight was operated with a CRJ-200. This isn’t a new observation for me, but I feel like saying it again, the CRJ must have the tightest exit row of any airliner. Ugh! Our flight out of TUL pushed a few minutes early, but we took a delay deicing. This cut into our layover time in Memphis. I wouldn’t care otherwise, but both Mrs MJonTravel and I had our hearts set on Corky’s Barbeque. We rushed over to Corky’s, picked up our 2 sandwiches to go, and rushed back to gate B40 only to find that one of the bars near B40 serves Corky’s too! Oh well.
The flight from MEM to DCA was aboard a DC9-50….which was an equipment change from the planned DC9-30. I had nabbed exit row seating (12 A and B) for us, but row 12 on the -50 is a few rows ahead of the overwing exits. Can’t win ’em all I suppose. It was still a fun ride for me. Just so happens that the first airplane I ever flew on was an Eastern DC9-50 from Raleigh, NC (RDU) to DCA way back in August of 1980! I was a 10 year old unaccompanied minor and I still have the UM button they gave me somewhere. Heck, this could’ve been that airplane as I understand NWA picked up quite a few former Eastern DC9’s when they shut down. The ride was smooth and quiet other than a bit of light to moderate chop near Memphis….part of the same storm system that dumped snow on Tulsa. This particular DC9 was wearing the new Delta colors and blue leather interior too.
And Then the Quick Turn
Tomorrow morning, I head right back to DCA to begin a 7 day trip to Oklahoma City. This is a business trip, and the Tulsa visit was personal. If I’d known about the OKC trip a little sooner, I likely could have arranged to just stay in Tulsa, and drive to OKC. But sometimes it can be tricky to marry up personal and business travel with my employer. Furthermore, the Tulsa trip was done with Delta’s “Pay with Miles” option. I’m sure I would’ve lost something somewhere in that transaction. Better yet, I’ll get miles for the DCA-DFW-OKC trip on American!
I’m looking forward to my stay at the Sheraton Oklahoma City. Hopefully, my Starwood Gold status will get me a decent room. I can’t remember the last time I spent 7 nights in the same hotel room!
My Great New Bag
I recently purchased a new Samsonite xSpace 21.5″ spinner from eBags for my travels. It replaces a similar bag that I never could grow to love. That’s not a problem I’ll have with this new bag. In short, it’s wonderful! Very well designed, and spacious, but sized perfectly for your average overhead bin. Tomorrow will mark my 3rd trip with the bag, and I can’t find anything to dislike about it so far. Tomorrow’s trip is a full 7-days, and I’ve managed to pack everything I need for the entire time. Granted, the business casual dress code for my training class makes things easier in that regard, but it’s still a very roomy bag given it’s compact size. If you’re looking for a new carry on, this one is worth considering.
This Week
Be sure to check out the fantastic opportunity to win a trip to Australia’s Gold Coast, courtesy of Boardingarea.com and the American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card. All you have to do to earn a chance to win is comment to the official entry post. And you can do the same at the other participating Boardingarea blogs to increase your chances to win.
After a 2-night stay at the Doubletree Tulsa Downtown, I have a few comments about the stay so I’ll be posting a review. Nothing bad, I just have a few observations I want to share. The people there were very nice. I even got a handwritten note from the Concierge, Joyce, thanking me for my loyalty. So thank you, Joyce! I appreciate the personal touch extended to your HHonors elite guests.
What — no hotel hopping? 😉